Abstract:
A user interface for a computer or the like for accessing media files. The interface includes a resizable window displaying a preview image of each of a plurality of media files and providing access thereto for use in at least one of a plurality of applications.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a non-provisional application which claims the benefit of a provisional application Ser. No. 60/599,562 filed Aug. 5, 2004, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to providing a common user interface for accessing media from a plurality of applications.  
         [0004]     2. Related Art  
         [0005]     Generally, accessing files on a computer or from a computer program involves navigating through a directory structure to locate files. The user generally needs to have some knowledge of where the file is located within the directory structure, and also must have some knowledge of the layout of the directory structure in order to locate the file.  
         [0006]     A user may know the folder or directory name of where a file is located. However, the directory is usually nested within a tree of other directories. If the user does not know the path to follow from directory to directory in order to reach the desired directory, the user may have difficulty locating the file. For example, the user may know that a file is located in a directory named “my files.” However, if the user does not also know that “my files” is located as follows, C:\documents\user\my files, the user may have difficulty locating the file.  
         [0007]     Files are also often accessed using a drop down menu, and the user must navigate through a directory structure. This can be a cumbersome process when several files are to be accessed.  
         [0008]     This can be a problem for children who are not readily aware of how a directory structure and full file paths work.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     A common user interface (UI) for accessing files from a plurality of applications is therefore provided. The user interface is designed to “look and feel” the same in a plurality of application environments. The user interface also eliminates the need to know the file path or directory structure, or even the location where files have been saved. The common user interface provides consistency across a plurality of applications and provides ease of use in accessing files for children or those not skilled in the use of computers.  
         [0010]     In one embodiment, a common user interface for accessing files is provided to a suite of applications. For example, the suite of applications may comprise media applications such as image, audio, and video applications. The common user interface is provided to each application, and its functions and features remain consistent in each application. In such an embodiment, the common user interface is used to access media assets such as images, backgrounds, photos, music, sound effects, video files, etc.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the common user interface for accessing files is a graphical user interface and features drag and drop functionality. In one aspect, the common user interface comprises a window. The common user interface can optionally be resized and moved. The common user interface can be resized to take up the full screen, a portion of the screen, or can be displayed in a minimized form. In one aspect, the common user interface is always present on the screen, thereby eliminating the need to “File, Open” each time a user desires to open or access a file.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, the common user interface displays a preview of the files available, such as thumbnail images.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment, the common user interface simplifies navigation of data by dividing the data into categories. For example, in one embodiment, media assets are divided into two categories. One category comprises media assets that are created and/or stored by the user. A second category comprises pre-provided media assets such as templates or media that is provided with the application. For example, pre-provided media may comprise backgrounds, stickers, windows and frames, scenes, wallpapers, sounds such as instruments, sound effects, melodies, video clips, music, animations, etc.  
         [0014]     In another embodiment, additional categories are provided. For example, additional categories may be provided which display data created in another application, which is available for importation into the application currently in use.  
         [0015]     Further categorization of the data may be included to filter what is displayed within the common user interface. One or more menus may be present within the common user interface which allow the user to further select the type of data to be viewed. For example, the user may select to view “all” media assets. Alternatively, the user may select to view “backgrounds.” 
         [0016]     In some embodiments, the common user interface displays only certain types of media based on what is applicable to the application being used. For example, when an image based application is used, media such as music and video may not be displayed within the common user interface. However, in a video based application, media types such as images and sound may be included and accessed.  
         [0017]     The common user interface can be used to move media from one application to another easily. For example, a sound created within one application can be easily imported into a video in a video application by dragging the sound from the common user interface into the video application.  
         [0018]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which illustrate the features and advantages of the invention in conjunction with references to the accompanying drawing Figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIGS. 1-8  are pictorial illustrations of a series of screen shots of an exemplary common user interface as accessed in an image creation application.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 9-16  are pictorial illustrations of a series of screen shots of an exemplary common user interface as accessed in an audio creation application.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 17-21  are pictorial illustrations of a series of screen shots of an exemplary common user interface as accessed in a video creation application. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]      FIGS. 1-21  are screen shots of exemplary common user interfaces for accessing files in accordance with the present disclosure, as accessed from a first application. In this embodiment, the first application is an image creation application.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the common user interface, as shown in a minimized form. In the embodiment shown, the common user interface features a graphical handle  100  which is used to open and close, or resize the window  110  ( FIG. 2 ) of the common user interface. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the window  110  resembles a drawer where files are “stored.”  FIG. 2  illustrates how the common user interface can be resized to take up a portion of the screen. Thumbnail images  120  are shown within the window  110  of the common user interface.  FIG. 3  shows how the common user interface can be sized to take up a majority of the screen or the entire screen.  
         [0024]     A series of tools are provided in the left side of the screen for creating, editing and transforming graphics. For example, the pencil icon  101  is used to draw pencil lines, the brush icon  102  is used to draw brush lines (the thickness of which can be varied—see box  103 ). Thus, the user can create images on the screen using the tools provided.  
         [0025]     The following tools are thus available for the user to create graphics:  
         [0026]     Marking tools—These are tools that enable users to lay down lines and fill in different shapes, sizes, and textures. There are several basic tool types, but each tool type can have multiple variations. All tools come in multiple sizes and may have additional modifiers such as pattern selections or drop shadow effects. The tool types are: 
        Brush (see icon  102 ) 
            Spray Paint     Paint Can    
            Pen (see icon  104 ) 
            Marker/Highlighter     Glue Pen—Transparent, reflective and dimensional mark    
            Pencil (see icon  101 ) 
            Pencil Bundle     Crayon     Chalk    
            Eraser: soft edge, hard edge (see icon  105 ) 
            Magic eraser     Blur—smoothes rough edges by averaging pixels next to defined lines and shaded areas of an image     Smudging/Distortion tools     Etch-a-sketch®, a registered trademark of Ohio Art Company for a game board that can be drawn on, then erased by shaking the entire paint board.    
            Text tool (see icon  300 )     Shape Stencil Tool—Used to select from a variety of different shapes (see icon  106 )     Select stencil     Select attributes: 
            Outline, Outline color     Orientation    
            Manipulation Tools (see icon  107 )     Doodlebots—a paint spraying icon     Image Tube—Paints with animated patterns     Paint bucket—The paint bucket can apply the following types of fills to objects: 
            Solid fill     Gradient fill     Pattern fill    
            Rubber Stamp—(see icon  108 ) duplicates a selected area of an image to another location     Undo—As elsewhere in the application, multiple undos are supported     Editing tools are used in conjunction with the following palettes: 
            Color     Pattern     Brush (allows selection from multiple brush shapes and sizes)    
            Selection Tool (see icon  109 )        
 
         [0062]     Obviously many other tools, color and pattern tools, graphic transformation tools, text tools, zoom tools, crop tools, special effects tools, save tools, viewing tools, etc. may be provided.  
         [0063]     In  FIGS. 9-21 , conventional controls  310 , such as play, forward, reverse, fast-reverse, etc. may be provided for playing videos, movies, etc.  
         [0064]     As can be seen from the drawings, the common user interface includes icons  130  and  135 . These icons represent different categories of data. One category comprises media assets that are created and/or stored by the user. A second category comprises pre-provided media assets such as templates or media that is provided with the application. For example, pre-provided media may comprise backgrounds, stickers, windows and frames, scenes, wallpapers, sounds such as instruments, sound effects, melodies, video clips, music, animations, etc.  
         [0065]     Further categorization of the data is achieved by drop down menus  140  and  145 . In FIGS. No.  2  and  3 , pre-provided media is displayed within the window of the common user interface. More specifically, as indicated by menus  140  and  145 , all backgrounds available to the user are displayed.  
         [0066]      FIG. 4  illustrates how drop down menu  140  provides further categorization of the data. In this example, the user can choose to view media assets of type backgrounds, stickers, or windows and frames.  
         [0067]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate screen shots of various other types of data within the pre-provided media category as displayed in the common user interface. That is, stickers are shown in images  120  in  FIG. 5 ; all backgrounds are shown in images  120  in  FIG. 6 ; and wallpapers are shown in images  120  in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 8  is another screen shot of an exemplary common user interface for accessing files in accordance with the present disclosure. In  FIG. 8 , icon  135  is highlighted, which displays media assets that have been created by the user. In one embodiment, the common user interface automatically displays files located within the “My Documents” folder of the Windows operating system. A photo or picture dated Aug. 5 is displayed in image  120 .  
         [0069]      FIGS. 9-16  are screen shots of the common user interface as accessed from a second application. In this embodiment, the second application is an audio creation application. Thus, handle  100  ( FIG. 9 ) opens window  110  ( FIG. 10 ) which shows various instruments that can be selected in images  121 . A full expansion of the images  121  is shown in  FIG. 11 . Note the hand icon  122  points to one of the French Horn selections. Note in  FIG. 12  that the hand icon  122  points to “Instruments” and opens that sub-menu. In  FIG. 13 , the hand icon  122  points to the Classical bar and opens that sub-menu. In  FIG. 14 , the sound effects bar  140  has been selected and the hand icon  122  points to the musical score sheet  123 . In  FIG. 15 , the Melodies bar  140  has been selected and the hand icon  122  is open at the beginning of the musical score sheet. Various tempos can be selected at bar  124 . In  FIG. 16 , the option of sorting the various files can be carried out by sorting by name or date by accessing buttons  150 ,  155 , respectively.  
         [0070]     Thus,  FIG. 17  illustrates a third application that, as will be discussed, can display data created in one of the applications illustrated in FIGS.  1  to  16  hereinabove. A pictorial illustration  200  is thus displayed in  FIG. 17  on a simulated piece  201  of a movie reel. A camera icon  202  and mike icon  203  for video and sound, respectively, are provided at bottom.  
         [0071]     As seen in  FIG. 18 , icon  137  can be actuated to display data as created in the audio creation application illustrated in FIGS.  9  to  16  and discussed hereinabove, and such can be imported into the application illustrated in FIGS.  17  to  21 . Icon  139  displays data as created using an image creation program, as illustrated in FIGS.  1  to  8 , and discussed hereinabove. Bar  140  illustrates how Video Clips can be selected to access the pull-down submenu. In  FIG. 19 , bar  140  illustrates how My Videos is selected and button  145  illustrates how My Videos and My Creations can be selected.  FIG. 20  illustrates how the Name button  150  and the Date button  155  can be activated to select a special date, mix, etc. In  FIG. 21 , the image  204  has been changed when one of the pictures  120  is selected.  
         [0072]     It can be seem that there is disclosed an interface for accessing media in a computer or the like wherein the user can access content within an image creation application, an audio creation application or within a video creation application. The various applications can be intermixed; that is, the audio creation may be incorporated into the video creation application, etc. All applications share consistent visual and interaction design and are self-contained but, whereas data editing is only performed in the primary application, e.g., sound editing functions only available in the music application, edited content is accessible from all applications; conventional computer interactions, such as drag and drop, right clicking, window panels, scroll bars, pop up windows, etc., which the user may already familiar with, are supported.  
         [0073]     The image creation application of FIGS.  1  to  8  can be used to organize and view all media, such as photos, graphics, and create multi-media documents and showcases. The audio creation application of FIGS.  9  to  16  can be used for creating, editing and listening to edited music and sound. The video creation application can be used to edit video clips, create and view movies with sound, animation, transitions and special effects.  
         [0074]     Text, graphics and animation familiar to the user may be used throughout. Navigation through the various menus in FIGS.  1  to  21 , is by default, primarily visual via animated icons and thumbnails. Media player functionality is provided where possible so the user can preview files and play groups of files easily, e.g., run a slideshow by selecting a folder or image. The Music application in FIGS.  9  to  16  provides a fun way for users to create music and sound effects. These can then be easily imported into other applications and shared among friends and family. The Music application comes with predefined (generic and themed) instruments, sound effects, and soundtracks suitable for use with the applications in FIGS.  1  to  8  and  17 - 21 . Users can record their own vocals and share their music and sounds with others.  
         [0075]     Thus, music can be created, edited, etc. The user can immediately play back his or her creation and share the same with others, if desired. This can easily be provided using a “Send” button for email or web transfer.  
         [0076]     The Video Creation application of FIGS.  17  to  21  enables users to capture, import, organize, edit, and share digital video. It includes stock video and transition effects that can be used to create professional-quality digital movies. This application is capable of importing graphics, digital photos, and sound from the other applications. The application is also capable of sophisticated but very simple to use sharing capabilities: digital videos can be compressed and emailed directly from the application window. Users can still watch their movies and DVD&#39;s.  
         [0077]     The first step in creating a movie is to assemble materials and to support this the movie application will allow numerous import modes. However, the default import experience for users of this system will be completely transparent: when the user plugs in a video camera it may be immediately recognized, auto-launch the application and display the available clips. If a project is started, it adds the clips to that project.  
         [0078]     Likewise importing other media types will be automated so that users don&#39;t need to fiddle with complex compression settings but any video and audio source imported into the application will be recognized and recompressed. Audio, video and graphic files in many formats and codecs may be supported.  
         [0079]     Similarly,  FIGS. 17-21  are screen shots of the common user interface as accessed from a third application. In this embodiment, the third application is a video creation application. As can be seen from the figures, the “look and feel” of the common user interface is the same across all three of the applications in FIGS.  1  to  21 .  
         [0080]     The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.