Patent Publication Number: US-11392344-B2

Title: Methods and electronic devices for dynamic control of playlists

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application titled “METHODS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR DYNAMIC CONTROL OF PLAYLISTS”, application Ser. No. 15/707,090, filed Sep. 18, 2017, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application titled “METHODS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR DYNAMIC CONTROL OF PLAYLISTS”, application Ser. No. 14/839,458, filed Aug. 28, 2015, issued on Sep. 19, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,766,854; which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application titled “METHODS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR DYNAMIC CONTROL OF PLAYLISTS”, application Ser. No. 14/714,153, filed May 15, 2015; each of which above applications are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to the providing of audio, and more particularly to the streaming of audio, such as music. In particular, the embodiments described herein relate to methods and electronic devices for dynamic control of playlists. More specifically, the embodiments described herein concern methods and electronic devices for dynamic control of playlists, whereby the playlists can be adjusted (or, prepared) in accordance with a requested energy level. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As computer technology has improved, the digital media industry has evolved greatly in recent years. Users are able to use electronic devices such as mobile communication devices (e.g., cellular telephones, smart phones, tablet computers, etc.) to consume music, video and other forms of media content. For instance, users can listen to audio content (e.g., music) and/or watch video content (e.g., movies, television (TV) broadcasts, etc.) on a variety of electronic devices. 
     At the same time, advances in network technology have increased the speed and reliability with which information can be transmitted over computer networks. It is therefore possible for users to stream media content over computer networks as needed, or on demand, rather than receiving a complete file in physical media (such as a CD or a DVD, or downloading the entire file) before consuming the media content. 
     At social gatherings, users often wish to share media content with friends, relatives, and new acquaintances. For example, a party host may access media content on a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer, and present media content through a media presentation system (e.g., play music on one or several speakers or stream video on a screen). 
     SUMMARY 
     It is in view of the above considerations and others that the various embodiments disclosed herein have been made. 
     It is a general object of the embodiments described herein to allow for an improved way of controlling playback of audio, such as music, e.g. at social gatherings. 
     This general object has been addressed by the appended independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the appended dependent claims. 
     In a first of its aspects, this disclosure concerns a method of operating an electronic device for dynamically controlling a playlist of audio items. The method comprises receiving a request to adjust an energy level associated with the playlist; and in response to receiving said request, adjusting the playlist in accordance with the requested energy level. 
     The energy level may be indicative of an average tempo of the audio items included in said playlist. Furthermore, said tempo may for example be measured in Beats Per Minute (BPM). 
     In some embodiments, the method further comprises displaying a visual array of selectable mood options at a user interface of the electronic device, wherein each selectable mood option is associated with a respective mood. Furthermore, receiving the request to adjust the energy level may comprise receiving an instruction to select one of the selectable mood options. 
     In some embodiments, adjusting the playlist in accordance with the requested energy level additionally comprises: sending a data message including an instruction to a computer server system to return a proposed playlist of audio items in accordance with the requested energy level; and receiving a data message including data related to a proposed playlist of audio items; in response thereto generating, based on said data related to the proposed playlist, a visual queue of selectable audio items corresponding to the proposed playlist; and in response thereto displaying the visual queue of selectable audio items at the user interface of the electronic device. 
     In a second of its aspects, this disclosure concerns an electronic device for dynamically controlling a playlist of audio items. The electronic device comprises a processor and a memory. The electronic device may also comprise a transmitter and a receiver, or alternatively a transceiver. Still further, the electronic device may comprise a user interface. 
     The memory may store computer program code, which, when run in the processor causes the electronic device to receive a request to adjust an energy level associated with the playlist; and in response thereto adjust the playlist in accordance with the requested energy level. 
     The energy level may be indicative of an average tempo of the audio items included in said playlist. Furthermore, said tempo may for example be measured in Beats Per Minute (BPM). 
     In some embodiments, a user interface is adapted to display a visual array of selectable mood options, wherein each selectable mood option is associated with a respective mood. The memory may additionally store computer program code, which, when run in the processor causes the user interface to receive an instruction to select one of the selectable mood options. 
     In some embodiments, the memory may also store computer program code, which, when run in the processor causes the electronic device to: send, by means of the transmitter, a data message including an instruction to a computer server system to return a proposed playlist of audio items in accordance with the requested energy level; and receive, by means of the receiver, a data message including data related to a proposed playlist of audio items; in response thereto generate, based on said data related to the proposed playlist, a visual queue of selectable audio items corresponding to the proposed playlist; and in response thereto display the visual queue of selectable audio items at the user interface. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device is a portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, a cellular telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal digital assistant. 
     In alternative embodiments, the electronic device is a stationary electronic device such as a stationary computer. 
     In a third of its aspects, this disclosure concerns a computer program. The computer program comprises instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to the first aspect. A carrier comprising the computer program may also be provided. The carrier may for example be one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer readable storage medium. 
     Various embodiments described herein allow for a user of an electronic device to dynamically control the energy level (e.g., the tempo) of a playlist of audio items, such as songs. In some advantageous embodiments, the energy level of a playlist can be adjusted based on a selected mood option corresponding to a selected mood. Thus, in one example scenario, a party host (i.e., a user) may dynamically control the tempo of songs to be played next based on a current mood of the people at a social gathering (e.g., a party). This may improve the experience of social gatherings such as parties. According to some embodiments, it may also be possible to influence the mood of people at a social gathering. For example, if a party host wishes to change the mood of the people at a social gathering, he or she may in some embodiments select a mood option to adjust the energy level of the playlist and, accordingly, the songs to be played next at the social gathering. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of various embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating an exemplary media content delivery system in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example embodiment of a system for playback of audio streams, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  schematically illustrates an example embodiment of a user interface of an electronic device, e.g. in the form of a smart phone, which supports playback of audio and a dynamic control of playlists; 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  schematically illustrates another example embodiment of a user interface of an electronic device, e.g. in the form of a smart phone, which supports playback of audio and a dynamic control of playlists; 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  schematically illustrate flowcharts of a method in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  schematically illustrate flowcharts of a method in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a carrier comprising a computer program, in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example implementation of an embodiment of an electronic device as illustrated in any one of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those persons skilled in the art. Like reference numbers refer to like elements or method steps throughout the description. 
     As described earlier, some existing solutions for controlling the playback of audio, such as music, may be inadequate. It is therefore a general object of the embodiments described herein to allow for an improved way of controlling playback of audio, such as music, e.g. at social gatherings. 
     To address this, in accordance with an embodiment, described herein are a method and an electronic device for dynamically controlling a playlist of audio items. A request, or instruction, to adjust an energy level associated with the playlist is received and, in response thereto, the playlist is adjusted or otherwise changed in accordance with the requested energy level. 
     This way, it is made possible to enable a user of an electronic device to dynamically control the energy level (e.g., a tempo) associated with playlists in real time. In some advantageous embodiments, the energy level associated with the playlist can be adjusted based on a selected mood option corresponding to a selected mood. Thus, in one example scenario, a party host (i.e., a user) may dynamically control the tempo of songs to be played next based on a current mood of the people at a social gathering (e.g., a party). This may improve the experience of social gatherings, such as parties. According to some embodiments, it may also be possible to influence the mood of people at a social gathering. For example, if a party host wishes to change the mood of the people at the social gathering, he or she may in some embodiments select a mood option to adjust the energy level of the playlist and, accordingly, the songs to be played next. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary media content delivery system  100  in accordance with some embodiments. The media content delivery  100  may comprise one or several electronic devices  200  (e.g., electronic device  200 - 1  and electronic device  200 - 2 ), one or more computer servers  300  (e.g., media content servers also known as media servers), and one or more media presentation systems (e.g., media presentation systems  500  including speaker(s)  500 - 1 , television (TV)  500 - 2 , Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)  500 - 3 , and/or other media presentation system  500 - n ). 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device  200  may be a mobile telephone, such as a smart phone. Alternatively, the electronic device  200  may be a tablet computer. In yet other embodiments, the electronic device  200  may be any other electronic device capable of playback of media content such as, for example, one of the electronic devices of the following group: a personal computer, a laptop, and a mobile electronic device (e.g. a handheld entertainment device, a digital media player, or other media device). 
     One or several networks (e.g., network(s)  400 ) may communicatively connect each component of the media content delivery system  100  with other components of the media content delivery system  100 . The network(s)  400  may include public communications networks, private communication networks or a combination of both public and private communication networks. For example, the networks(s) may include any network(s) such as the Internet, other wide area networks (WAN), local area networks (LAN), virtual private networks (VPN), metropolitan area networks (MAN), peer-to-peer networks, and/or ad-hoc networks. 
     In some embodiments, as is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  200  (e.g., the electronic device  200 - 1 ) is capable of remotely controlling one or more of the media presentation systems  500 . To this end, the electronic device  200  may for example implement, or otherwise utilize, any of the techniques described in the international patent application PCT/IB2013/001938 (published under WO 2014/001913 A2). For example, it is possible for a user of the electronic device  200  (e.g., the electronic device  200 - 1  in this example) to remotely control the presentation of media at any one or a combination of the media presentation systems  500 . In order to give context to the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the international patent application PCT/IB2013/001938 is incorporated herein by reference. More specifically, the electronic device  200 - 1  may receive a media control command for a media presentation system  500  (e.g. speaker(s)  500 - 1 ). In response to receiving this media control command, the electronic device  200 - 1  may send a server media control request to the computer server  300  and a local media control request to the media presentation system  500 , which may be located within the same local network, e.g. a LAN, as the electronic device  200 - 1  (i.e., a local network to which both the electronic device  200 - 1  and the media presentation system  500  are connected). The server media control request may e.g. be sent to the computer server  300  over the Internet. Typically, but not necessarily, the computer server  300  may be associated with an Internet Protocol (IP) address outside the space of the local network to which both the electronic device  200 - 1  and the media presentation system  500  are connected. As will be appreciated, the electronic device  200 - 1  and the media presentation system  500  are thus associated with IP addresses within the same sub network. The electronic device  200 - 1  can thus provide a user interface  230  (see e.g.  FIG. 2 ) that allows a user  600  to select media content for presentation by the electronic device  200 - 1  itself and, also, to generate media control request(s) to cause the media content to be presented, or played, by the media presentation system  500 . Furthermore, the server media request and the local media request are both configured to cause a media control operation, performed at the electronic device  200 - 1 , to be implemented at the media presentation system  500 . 
     In an example scenario related to a social gathering, a host (i.e., a user) may thus interact with his or her electronic device  200 - 1  to remotely control the playback of media content at the media presentation system  500 , e.g. the playback of audio (e.g., songs) through loudspeakers(s)  500 - 1 . This way, it is for example possible for a party host (i.e., the user) to control the playback of music that is being played at a social gathering, such as a party. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an example environment where embodiments of this disclosure may be applied will be described. An electronic device  200 , e.g. electronic device  200 - 1  of  FIG. 1 , may be communicatively connectable to the computer server  300  via the network  400 , e.g. the Internet, as described hereinabove. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , only a single electronic device  200  and a single computer server  300  are shown. However, the computer server  300  may support the simultaneous use of multiple electronic devices, and/or the electronic device  200  can simultaneously access media content at multiple computer servers  300 . Although  FIG. 2  illustrates the computer server  300  in accordance with one example embodiment,  FIG. 2  is intended more as a functional description of the various features, or components, which may be present in one or more computer servers, rather than a structural schematic of the various implementations described throughout this disclosure. In practice, and as recognized by persons skilled in the art, components shown separately could be combined and some components could be separated. 
     In the following description and in order not to obscure the detailed description with unnecessary detail, the media content will in general be exemplified to be audio content, e.g. in form of music. This should, however, not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the various embodiments of the disclosed embodiments. 
     As is schematically shown in  FIG. 2 , the electronic device  200  may be used for the playback of media content (e.g., audio content such as music), which is provided by the computer server  300 . The electronic device  200  may include one or several physical computer resources, or hardware resources  210 . The hardware resources  210  may e.g. include one or several processors (or, processing circuitry), a communications interface (or, communication circuitry) and one or several memories. Likewise, the computer server  300  operating as a media server may include one or several physical computer resources, or hardware resources  316 . The hardware resources  316  may likewise include one or several processors (or, processing circuitry), a communications interface (or, communication circuitry) and one or several memories. 
     The computer server  300  may include an operating system or other processing system which supports execution of a software application  310 , including a media server application  312  which may be used, for example, to stream media content. A media stream service  320  may be used to buffer media content, for streaming to one or more media streams  322 ,  324 ,  326 . A media application interface  314  may receive requests from electronic devices  200  or other systems, to retrieve media content  331  from the computer server  300 . 
     Media content  331 , or media items, may be provided, for example, within a first storage such as a memory (e.g., including a database), or may be received by the computer server  300  from another source (not shown). This another source (not shown) could be external to the computer server  300 , i.e. it may be located remotely from the computer server  300 . 
     A media streaming logic  330  may be used to retrieve or otherwise access the media content  331  in response to requests from electronic devices  200  or other systems, and populate the media stream service with streams  322 ,  324 ,  326  of corresponding media content data  323 ,  325 ,  327  that may be returned, i.e. streamed, to the requesting electronic device  200 . 
     The electronic device  200  comprises a user interface  230 , which is adapted to display or otherwise provide a visual array of media options  232 , for example as a two-dimensional grid, a list, or other visual array format, and determine a user input. Each media option in the visual array of media options  232  correspond to a respective media stream  322 ,  324 ,  326 . 
     Selecting a particular media option within the visual array  232  may in some embodiments be used, or otherwise interpreted, as a request or instruction to the media server application  312  to stream or otherwise return a corresponding particular media content item. For example, in accordance with some embodiments, the software application  310  at the computer server  300  may be used to stream or otherwise communicate media content to the electronic device  200 , wherein the user interface  230  at the electronic device  200  is adapted to display a plurality of media options that correspond to respective media streams. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, the electronic device  200  may also include a media playback application  220 , together with a playback logic  222 , pre-buffering logic  145 , and a volume function  146 , which may be used to control the playback of media content that is received from the media server application  312 , for playback by the electronic device  200 , as described in further detail below. 
     A user  600  may interact 11 with the user interface  230  and issue requests, for example the playing of a selected media option at the electronic device  200 . The user&#39;s selection of a particular media option may be communicated 12 to the media server application  312 , via the media application interface  314 . The media server application  312  may then be instructed 13 to stream corresponding media content 13, including one or more streams of media content data  323 ,  325 ,  327 , and subsequently stream 14 or otherwise communicate the selected media to the user&#39;s electronic device  200 . In accordance with some embodiments, pre-buffering requests from the electronic device  200  may also be communicated 12 to the media server application  312  via the media application interface  314 . At the electronic device  200 , in response to the user&#39;s interaction with the user interface  230 , the media playback application  220 , including the playback logic  222 , may play 10 the requested media content to the user  600 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate an electronic device  200  which supports playback of audio content associated with respective audio items. The electronic device  200  typically comprises a user interface  230  as described earlier with reference to  FIG. 2 . The user interface  230  typically includes output device(s) and input device(s), as is known and conventional in the art. In some implementations, the input devices may include a keyboard, a mouse or a track pad. Alternatively, or in addition, in some implementations, the user interface  230  includes a display that includes a touch-sensitive surface, in which case the display is a touch-sensitive display. In electronic devices  200  that have a touch-sensitive display, a soft keyboard may be displayed when keyboard entry is needed. Typically, a soft keyboard is a keyboard that replaces the physical keyboard on electronic devices  200  having touch-sensitive displays. Hence, in electronic devices  200  that have a touch-sensitive display a physical keyboard is optional. The output device(s) may for example include one or more speakers and/or one or more audio output connections for connection to external speaker(s), headphones or earphones. Optionally, the input devices may further include an audio input device (e.g., a microphone) to capture audio (e.g., speech). Still further, the input devices may also optionally comprise audio recognition device(s) to recognize audio (e.g., speech), which in combination with a microphone, may for example supplement or replace the keyboard. 
     In an embodiment, such as in the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the user interface  230  includes a display that comprises a touch-sensitive surface. An exemplary user interface  230  of the electronic device  200  is hence schematically illustrated in  FIG. 3A . In the example embodiment of  FIG. 3A , a visual array of one or several selectable user preference options A ( 701 ), B ( 702 ), C ( 703 ), D ( 704 ) and E ( 705 ) is displayed at the user interface  230 . Each selectable user preference option A ( 701 ), B ( 702 ), C ( 703 ), D ( 704 ) and E ( 705 ) is associated with a respective energy level. For example, the energy level may be indicative of a tempo (e.g., measured in terms of Beats Per Minute (BPM)). 
     As will be appreciated, user preference option A ( 701 ) may be associated with an energy level which is higher than that of user preference option B ( 702 ). In other words, user preference option A ( 701 ) may be associated with a tempo (e.g., measured in BPM) which is higher than that of user preference option B ( 702 ). Likewise, user preference option B ( 702 ) may be associated with an energy level which is higher than that of user preference option C ( 703 ), and so forth. In an alternative embodiment, user preference option A ( 701 ) may be associated with an energy level which is lower than that of user preference option B ( 702 ). In other words, user preference option A ( 701 ) may be associated with a tempo (e.g., measured in BPM) which is lower than that of user preference option B ( 702 ). Likewise, user preference option B ( 702 ) may be associated with an energy level which is lower than that of user preference option C ( 703 ), and so forth. In still other embodiments, the various user preference options  701 - 705  are not associated with a certain order of the energy level (i.e., from high to low or from low to high, as described above) but can, instead, be provided in any random order. 
     In advantageous embodiments, each one of the various user preference options A ( 701 ), B ( 702 ), C ( 703 ), D ( 704 ) and E ( 705 ) corresponds to a respective mood option. In other words, a visual array of one or several selectable mood options A ( 701 ), B ( 702 ), C ( 703 ), D ( 704 ) and E ( 705 ) can be displayed at the user interface  230 . Each mood option may hence be associated with a respective mood, i.e. an emotional state or state of mind (such as happy, calm, energetic, and depressed, etc.). As will be appreciated, each selectable mood option A ( 701 ), B ( 702 ), C ( 703 ), D ( 704 ) and E ( 705 ) is further associated with a certain (e.g., pre-defined) energy level. Typically, but not necessarily, mood options corresponding to positive moods may be associated with higher energy levels as compared to mood options corresponding to negative moods. Or said differently, mood options corresponding to negative moods may be associated with lower energy levels as compared to mood options corresponding to positive moods. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3B , a user  600  may e.g. perform a first control gesture. The first control gesture may for example be a hovering gesture (e.g., by the user&#39;s finger or by means of a stylus) over the display area of the display of the user interface  230  to approach, and eventually reach, the display area of a desired selectable mood option (in this example mood option D ( 704 )). As can be seen in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , upon reaching the display area corresponding to the desired mood option (i.e., mood option D ( 704 ) in this example), the user  600  may further perform another, i.e. second, control gesture. For example, the second control gesture may be a press gesture or tap gesture within the display area corresponding to the desired mood option. This press gesture or tap gesture within the display area corresponding to the desired mood option may be interpreted by the electronic device  200  to be a request, or instruction, to select the thus pressed, or tapped, mood option (i.e., mood option D ( 704 ) in this example). In this embodiment, the above-mentioned press gesture or tap gesture may also be interpreted by the electronic device  200  to be a request, or instruction, to adjust an energy level (e.g., a tempo) associated with a playlist (see  FIG. 3D ). 
     As will be appreciated from the description herein, each selectable mood option  701 - 705  may be understood as associated with an automatically generated playlist that is generated by the computer server system  300  and which is, furthermore, corresponding to a requested energy level corresponding to the selected mood option from the list of mood options  701 - 705 . 
     In advantageous embodiments, the electronic device  200  is further adapted to send, i.e. transmit, a data message including an instruction to the computer server system  300  (see  FIG. 2 ) to return a proposed playlist of audio items in accordance with the requested energy level (i.e., energy level 4 corresponding to mood option D ( 704 ) in this example). The above-mentioned data message may for example also comprise i) information about the selected mood option (i.e. mood option D ( 704 ) in this example), ii) information about the energy level (e.g., tempo) associated with the selected mood option, and/or iii) an instruction to generate a proposed playlist including audio items having an energy level (e.g., tempo) corresponding to the requested energy level (e.g., tempo). Accordingly, the computer server system  300  may be adapted to receive the above-mentioned data message including the instruction to return said proposed playlist. In response to receiving this data message, the computer server system  300  is capable of generating a proposed playlist of audio items in accordance with the requested energy level (e.g., tempo). There exist various techniques for generating suggested playlists on the basis of different factors, which are known in the art. For example, the U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0280181 A1 describes some techniques for generating playlists that could be used. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0280181 A1 is incorporated herein by reference to give context to the embodiments described in this disclosure. In accordance with one embodiment, the audio content associated with the different audio items may be classified on the basis of their respective energy level. As described earlier, the energy level may be defined as the tempo, e.g., measured in BPM. The various available audio content that can be streamed, or otherwise communicated, from the computer server  300  to the electronic device  200  can thus be classified in different energy level classifications depending on their energy level. Based on this classification of energy levels, a playlist generator logic (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be configured to generate, or otherwise create, suitable playlists including audio content  323 ,  325 ,  327  etc. in dependence of the energy level of the audio content to be streamed, or otherwise communicated, to the electronic device  200 . The generation of playlists per se is not the main focus of this disclosure and will therefore not be described in any further detail herein. 
     Subsequently, the electronic device  200  may receive a data message including data related to the proposed playlist of audio items that was generated by the computer server system  300 . The electronic device  200  may further be configured to generate or otherwise create a visual queue of selectable audio items corresponding to the proposed playlist based on the received data related to the proposed playlist. In response thereto, a visual queue of selectable audio items  711 - 715  can be displayed or otherwise presented at the user interface  230  of the electronic device  200 , as is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 3D . 
     In view of the above, it will be appreciated that the visual queue of selectable audio items  711 - 715  can be adjusted (or, prepared) on the basis of a requested energy level (e.g., tempo as measured in BPM). 
     In one embodiment, the media playback application  220 , including the playback logic  222 , may begin playing 10 (see  FIG. 2 ) the audio content to the user  600  in the order defined by the displayed visual queue of selectable audio items  711 - 715 . That is, audio content corresponding to audio item  701  is played first and then the next audio content corresponding to audio item  702  is played, and so forth. Alternatively, or in addition to, upon a user selection 12 (e.g., a third control gesture in the form of a press gesture or a tap gesture within the display area denoted “SHUFFLE”) the media playback application  220 , including the playback logic  222 , may begin playing 10 the audio content to the user  600  in a random order, i.e. the audio content corresponding to the displayed visual audio options can be played in any random order. Additionally, or alternatively, upon a user selection 12 (e.g., a fourth control gesture in the form of a press gesture or a tap gesture within a display area corresponding to a desired audio item from the list of audio items included in the playlist) the media playback application  220 , including the playback logic  222 , may begin playing 10 the audio content corresponding to the thus selected audio item. Selecting a particular audio item within the visual queue of selectable audio items  711 - 715  may in some embodiments be used, or otherwise interpreted, as a request or instruction to the media server application  312  of the computer server  300  to stream or otherwise return a corresponding particular audio content item. For instance, in accordance with some embodiments, the software application  310  at the computer server  300  may be used to stream or otherwise communicate audio content to the electronic device  200  for playback to the user  600 . 
     The embodiments described with reference to  FIG. 3A-3D  may allow for an improved playback of streamed audio content, e.g. at social gatherings such as parties. The embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3D  may for example allow for a user of the electronic device  200  to dynamically control the energy level (e.g., a tempo) of the audio items included in a playlist by using his or her electronic device. In some advantageous embodiments, the streamed audio (e.g., songs) that is/are going to be played at the social gathering can be controlled based on a mood, i.e. an emotional state or a state of mind. Thus, in one example scenario, a party host (i.e., the user) may dynamically control the tempo of the songs to be played on the basis of the current mood of the people at the party. This may improve the experience of the people at social gatherings such as parties. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4A-4C , another embodiment will be briefly described. In this example embodiment, a visual array  810  of mood options is represented by a soft keyboard including a circular control device. The circular control device includes different mood options, or levels,  811 ,  812 ,  813 . The different mood levels  811 ,  812  and  813  may represent different emotional states. In an example embodiment, mood level  811  may represent a low energy level (e.g. “chill”), mood level  812  may represent a medium energy level (e.g., “upbeat”) and mood level  813  may represent a high energy level (e.g., “dancing”). Hence, each of the mood levels  811 - 813  is associated with a respective energy level (e.g., a tempo as measured in BPM). For example, the low energy level such as “chill” would typically have lower value of BPM as compared to the medium energy level such as “upbeat”. Likewise, a high energy level such as “dancing” would typically have a higher value of BPM as compared to the medium energy level such as “upbeat”. In some embodiments, the circular control device may be capable of visualizing that a user selection 12 of the mood option can be made from a low energy level (e.g., “chill”) to a higher energy level (e.g., “dancing”). For example, as can be seen in  FIG. 4B , upon a user  600  performing a hovering gesture along the circular control device  810 , the user may select his or her mood option  811 ,  812  or  813 . In this example, the user  600  performs a hovering gesture from a start position of the circular control device to an end position corresponding to a position at the mood option  813 . Upon the user  600  completing his or her hovering gesture at the position of the mood option  813 , this can be interpreted by the electronic device  200  to represent a user selection of mood option  813 . In response to receiving this request, the queue of subsequently playable audio items can be adjusted accordingly, as can be seen in  FIG. 4C . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4A , audio content corresponding to audio item A ( 801 ) is currently being played. The audio content may e.g. be played to the user  600  through loudspeaker(s) of the user interface  230  of the electronic device. Alternatively, the audio content may be played through external loudspeaker(s)  500 - 2  that are remotely controlled by the electronic device  200  (see  FIG. 1 ). While the audio content corresponding to audio item A ( 801 ) is being played, a visual queue of selectable audio items B ( 802 ) and C ( 803 ) of a playlist is also displayed, or otherwise presented, at the user interface  230  of the electronic device. Furthermore, while the audio content corresponding to audio item A ( 801 ) is being played a user  600  may perform a hovering gesture (see  FIG. 4B ) from the start position of the circular control device to another position corresponding to a position at the mood option  813 . Upon the user  600  completing his or her hovering gesture at the position of the mood option  813 , this can be interpreted by the electronic device  200  to represent a user selection of mood option  813 . In response to receiving this request, the queue of subsequently playable audio items can be adjusted accordingly, as can be seen in  FIG. 4C . The new visual queue of selectable audio items D ( 804 ) and E ( 805 ) of a playlist is displayed, or otherwise presented, at the user interface  230  of the electronic device  200 . Each of the audio items D ( 804 ) and E ( 805 ) has an energy level (e.g., a tempo measured in BPM) corresponding to the selected, thus requested, mood option (i.e. mood option  813  “dancing” in this example). Optionally, an icon  814  representing the selected mood option (here exemplified by mood level  813 ) may also be displayed at the user interface  230 . Hereby, the user  600  of the electronic device  200  can be informed about the selected mood option in a convenient and user-friendly way. 
     In advantageous embodiments, the electronic device  200  is adapted to send, i.e. transmit, a data message including an instruction to the computer server system  300  (see FIG.  2 ) to return a proposed playlist of audio items in accordance with the requested energy level (i.e., a high energy level corresponding to mood option  813  in this example). The above-mentioned data message may for example also comprise i) information about the selected mood option (i.e. mood option  813  in this example), ii) information about the energy level associated with the selected mood option, and/or iii) an instruction to generate a proposed playlist including audio items having an energy level (e.g., tempo) corresponding to the requested energy level (e.g., tempo). Accordingly, the computer server system  300  may be adapted to receive the above-mentioned data message including the instruction to return said proposed playlist. In response to receiving this data message, the computer server system  300  is capable of generating a proposed playlist of audio items in accordance with the requested energy level (e.g., tempo). As described earlier, there exist various techniques for generating suggested playlists on the basis of different factors, which are e.g. known from the US Patent Application Publication US 2014/0280181 A1. Therefore, this will not be repeated here. Subsequently, the electronic device  200  may hence receive a data message including data related to the proposed playlist of audio items that is generated by the computer server system  300 . The electronic device  200  may further be configured to generate or otherwise create a visual queue of selectable audio items corresponding to the proposed playlist based on the received data related to the proposed playlist. In response thereto, the visual queue of selectable audio items  804 ,  805 , etc. can be displayed or otherwise presented at the user interface  230  of the electronic device  200 , as is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4C . It will thus be appreciated that the visual queue of selectable audio items  802 ,  803 ,  804 ,  805 , etc. can be adjusted on the basis of a requested energy level based on the earlier-mentioned selection carried out by the hovering gesture, as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
     In one embodiment, the media playback application  220 , including the playback logic  222 , may begin playing 10 (see  FIG. 2 ) the audio content to the user  600  in the order defined by the displayed visual queue of selectable audio items  804 - 805 . That is, audio content corresponding to audio item  804  is played immediately after the currently played audio item  801  has finished, or stopped. Thereafter, audio item  805  is played after audio item  804 , and so forth. Additionally, or alternatively, upon a user selection 12 (e.g., a control gesture in the form of a press gesture or a tap gesture within a display area corresponding to a desired audio item from the list of audio items  804 ,  805  included in the playlist) the media playback application  220 , including the playback logic  222 , may begin playing 10 the audio content corresponding to the thus selected audio item. Selecting a particular audio item within the visual queue of selectable audio items  804 ,  805 , etc. may in some embodiments be used, or otherwise interpreted, as a request or instruction to the media server application  312  of the computer server  300  to stream or otherwise return a corresponding particular audio content item. For instance, in accordance with some embodiments, the software application  310  at the computer server  300  may be used to stream or otherwise communicate audio content to the electronic device  200  for playback to the user  600 . 
     The embodiments described with reference to  FIG. 4A-4C  may allow for an improved playback of streamed audio content, e.g. at social gatherings such as parties. The embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 4A-4C  may for example allow for a user of the electronic device  200  to dynamically control the energy level (e.g., a tempo) of the audio items included in a playlist by using his or her electronic device. In some advantageous embodiments, the streamed audio (e.g., songs) that is/are going to be played at the social gathering can be controlled based on a mood, i.e. an emotional state. Thus, in one example scenario, a party host (i.e., the user) may dynamically control the tempo of the songs to be played on the basis of the current mood of the people at the party. This may improve the experience of the people at social gatherings such as parties. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5A-5B , an embodiment of a method  1000  of operating an electronic device for dynamically controlling a playlist of audio items will be described. As described hereinabove, a request to adjust an energy level associated with the playlist is received  1010 . In response to receiving  1010  this request, the playlist is adjusted  1020  (or, prepared) in accordance with the requested energy level. Typically, but not necessarily, the energy level is indicative of a tempo of the audio items included in said playlist. The tempo may for example be measured in BPM. 
     In some embodiments, e.g. as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 5B  (and  FIG. 6B ), the adjusting  1020  ( 1130 ) of the playlist may comprise: sending  1021  ( 1131 ) a data message including an instruction to a computer server system to return a proposed playlist of audio items in accordance with the requested energy level; and receiving  1022  ( 1132 ) a data message including data related to a proposed playlist of audio items. In response thereto, the method may also comprise generating  1023  ( 1133 ), based on said data related to the proposed playlist, a visual queue of selectable audio items corresponding to the proposed playlist. Furthermore, in response thereto the visual queue of selectable audio items may be displayed  1024  ( 1134 ) at the user interface of the electronic device. Furthermore, audio content corresponding to the displayed audio items may be played (not shown) to the user  600 , as described hereinabove. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6A-6B , another embodiment of a method  1100  of operating an electronic device for dynamically controlling a playlist of audio items will be described. A visual array of selectable mood options is displayed  1110  at a user interface of the electronic device. Furthermore, each selectable mood option is associated with a respective mood. Still further, each selectable mood option may be associated with a respective energy level such as a tempo (e.g., measured in BPM). As described hereinabove, a request to adjust an energy level associated with the playlist is received  1120 . Receiving  1120  this request may thus include receiving an instruction to select one of the selectable mood options. Furthermore, in response to receiving  1120  this request, the playlist is adjusted  1130  (or, prepared) in accordance with the requested energy level. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , still another embodiment will be briefly discussed.  FIG. 7  shows an example of a computer-readable medium, in this example in the form of a data disc  1200 . In one embodiment the data disc  1200  is a magnetic data storage disc. The data disc  1200  is configured to carry instructions  1210  that can be loaded into a memory  210 B of an electronic device  200 . Upon execution of said instructions by a processor  210 A of the electronic device  200 , the electronic device  200  is caused to execute a method or procedure according to any one of the embodiments described in this disclosure. The data disc  1200  is arranged to be connected to or within and read by a reading device (not shown), for loading the instructions into the processor. One such example of a reading device in combination with one (or several) data disc(s)  1200  is a hard drive. It should be noted that the computer-readable medium can also be other mediums such as compact discs, digital video discs, flash memories or other memory technologies commonly used. In such an embodiment the data disc  1200  is one type of a tangible computer-readable medium. The instructions may alternatively be downloaded to a computer data reading device, such as an electronic device  200  capable of reading computer coded data on a computer-readable medium, by comprising the instructions in a computer-readable signal (not shown) which is transmitted via a wireless (or wired) interface (for example via the Internet) to the computer data reading device for loading the instructions into a processor  210 A of the electronic device  200 . In such an embodiment, the computer-readable signal is one type of a non-tangible computer-readable medium. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , an example embodiment of the electronic device  200  of  FIGS. 1-4  will be described in some further detail. Advantageously, the electronic device  200  may be embodied as a portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, a cellular telephone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal digital assistant. Alternatively, the electronic device  200  may be implemented as a stationary electronic device, such as a stationary computer. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device  200  may comprise means adapted to perform the method described herein with reference to  FIGS. 5 through 6 . In one embodiment, the electronic device  200  thus comprises means adapted to receive a request to adjust an energy level associated with the playlist and means adapted to adjust the playlist in accordance with the requested energy level in response to receiving said request. As mentioned earlier, the energy level may be indicative of the tempo of the audio items included in said playlist. The tempo may be measured in BPM. 
     In advantageous embodiments, the electronic device  200  further comprises means adapted to display a visual array of selectable mood options at a user interface of the electronic device, wherein each selectable mood option is associated with a respective mood. Furthermore, each selectable mood option may also be associated with a respective energy level such as a tempo (e.g., measured in BPM). Still further, the electronic device  200  may comprise means adapted to receive an instruction to select one of the selectable mood options. A selection of one of the mood options may be interpreted or otherwise recognized by the electronic device to be the request to adjust the energy level. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device additionally comprises means adapted to send a data message including an instruction to a computer server system to return a proposed playlist of audio items in accordance with the requested energy level; means adapted to receive a data message including data related to a proposed playlist of audio items; means adapted to generate, based on said data related to the proposed playlist, a visual queue of selectable audio items corresponding to the proposed playlist; and means adapted to display the visual queue of selectable audio items at the user interface of the electronic device. 
     Furthermore, electronic device  200  may comprise means adapted to playback audio content, e.g. to the user  600  of the electronic device  200 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , an example implementation of the electronic device  200  will now be described. The electronic device  200  is configured to execute, or otherwise perform, any of the methods described herein. As is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the electronic device  200  comprises hardware  210 A-C. For example, the electronic device  200  may comprise one or more processors  210 A and one or more memories  210 B. Also, a communications interface  210 C may be provided in order to allow the electronic device  200  to communicate with other electronic devices and/or computer servers  300 , e.g. via a network  400  such as the Internet. To this end, the communications interface  210 C may comprise a transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx). Alternatively, the communications interface  210 C may comprise a transceiver (Tx/Rx) combining both transmission and reception capabilities. The communications interface  210 C may include a radio frequency (RF) interface allowing the electronic device  200  to communicate with other devices and/or computer servers  300  through a radio frequency band through the use of different radio frequency technologies such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), any other cellular network standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), or any other wireless technology such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, etcetera. Thus, the electronic device  200  may for example be configured to remotely control media presentation system(s)  500  as described earlier hereinabove. The electronic device  200  may further comprise a user interface  230 , which may be comprised of a display and a keypad. Advantageously, the user interface includes a touch-sensitive display as described earlier in this disclosure. As such, the touch-sensitive display may be a touch screen display upon which virtual keys may be displayed and operated. Furthermore, the user interface  230  may include output means such as loudspeakers (not shown) and/or one or several audio output connections as described earlier herein. As described with reference to  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  200  may also comprise one or more applications, e.g. the media playback application  220 . These applications may include sets of instructions (e.g., computer program code) that when executed by the one or more processors  210 A controls the operation of the electronic device  200 . 
     In some implementations, the one or more memories  210 B stores computer program code, which, when run in the one or more processors  210 A causes the electronic device  200  to receive a request to adjust an energy level associated with the playlist; and in response thereto adjust the playlist in accordance with the requested energy level. As mentioned earlier, the energy level may be indicative of the tempo of the audio items included in said playlist. The tempo may be measured in BPM. 
     In advantageous embodiments, the user interface  230  is further adapted to display a visual array of selectable mood options, wherein each selectable mood option is associated with a respective mood. Each selectable mood option may also be associated with a respective energy level such as a tempo (e.g., measured in BPM). Furthermore, the memory may store computer program code, which, when run in the processor causes the user interface  230  to receive an instruction to select one of the selectable mood options. A selection of one of the mood options may be interpreted or otherwise recognized by the electronic device to be the request to adjust the energy level. 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, the memory may also store computer program code, which, when run in the processor causes the electronic device to send, by means of the transmitter, a data message including an instruction to a computer server system to return a proposed playlist of audio items in accordance with the requested energy level; and receive, by means of the receiver, a data message including data related to a proposed playlist of audio items; in response thereto generate, based on said data related to the proposed playlist, a visual queue of selectable audio items corresponding to the proposed playlist; and in response thereto display the visual queue of selectable audio items at the user interface. 
     Furthermore, the memory may stores computer program code, which, when run in the processor causes the electronic device to playback audio content, e.g. to the user  600  of the electronic device  200 . 
     The various embodiments described throughout this disclosure may allow a user of an electronic device to dynamically control the energy level (e.g., the tempo) of a playlist of audio items, such as songs. In some advantageous embodiments, the energy level of a playlist may be adjusted based on a selected mood option corresponding to a selected mood. Thus, in one example scenario, a party host (i.e., a user) may dynamically control the tempo of songs to be played next based on a current mood of the people at a social gathering (e.g., a party). This may improve the experience of social gatherings such as parties. According to some embodiments, it may also be possible to influence the mood of people at a social gathering. For example, if a user wishes to change the mood of the people at a social gathering, he or she may in some embodiments select a mood option to adjust the energy level of the playlist and, accordingly, the songs to be played next at the social gathering. 
     In the detailed description hereinabove, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments described in this disclosure. In some instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, components, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of the embodiments disclosed herein with unnecessary detail. All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments disclosed herein, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. Thus, for example, it will be appreciated that block diagrams herein can represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry or other functional units embodying the principles of the described embodiments. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown. The functions of the various elements including functional blocks, may be provided through the use of hardware such as circuit hardware and/or hardware capable of executing software in the form of coded instructions stored on the above-mentioned computer readable medium. Thus, such functions and illustrated functional blocks are to be understood as being hardware-implemented and/or computer-implemented, and thus machine-implemented. In terms of hardware implementation, the functional blocks may include or encompass, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, reduced instruction set processor, hardware (e.g., digital or analog) circuitry including but not limited to application specific integrated circuit(s) [ASIC], and/or field programmable gate array(s) (FPGA(s)), and (where appropriate) state machines capable of performing such functions. In terms of computer implementation, a computer is generally understood to comprise one or more processors or one or more controllers. When provided by a computer or processor or controller, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated computer or processor or controller, by a single shared computer or processor or controller, or by a plurality of individual computers or processors or controllers, some of which may be shared or distributed. Moreover, use of the term “processor” or “controller” may also be construed to refer to other hardware capable of performing such functions and/or executing software, such as the example hardware recited above. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention includes a computer program product which is a non-transitory storage medium or computer readable medium (media) having instructions stored thereon/in which can be used to program a computer to perform any of the processes of the present invention. Examples of the storage medium can include, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical discs, DVD, CD-ROMs, microdrive, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, DRAMs, VRAMs, flash memory devices, magnetic or optical cards, nanosystems (including molecular memory ICs), or any type of media or device suitable for storing instructions and/or data. 
     Modifications and other variants of the described embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the specific example embodiments described in this disclosure and that modifications and other variants are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. As one mere example, while certain gestures (e.g., hovering gestures, press gestures, and tap gestures) have been described to exemplify some embodiments, other conceivable gestures also exist (e.g. flick gestures, swipe gestures, swipe-and-hold gestures, release-of-hold gestures) that could be contemplated when reducing embodiments described herein into practice. 
     Furthermore, it should be appreciated that embodiments described in this disclosure could be advantageously combined with any one of the embodiments described in the co-filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/714,145, filed on May 15, 2015, entitled “PLAYBACK OF MEDIA STREAMS AT SOCIAL GATHERINGS”, inventors Souheil Medaghri Alaoui, et al and/or in the co-filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/714,148, filed on May 15, 2015, entitled “METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ADJUSTMENT OF THE ENERGY LEVEL OF A PLAYED AUDIO STREAM”, inventors Souheil Medaghri Alaoui, et al, both of which patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     Still further, although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, a person skilled in the art would recognize numerous variations to the described embodiments that would still fall within the scope of the appended claims. As used herein, the terms “comprise/comprises” or “include/includes” do not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion of different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality.