Patent Publication Number: US-2010131845-A1

Title: Human interface of a media playing device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and device for selectively playing media files. Specifically, the invention relates to a method and device for selectively playing an entire category of media files stored in the media playing device based upon the selection media file identifier. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Media playing devices are common and known and typically provide an interface for navigating a menu so as to selectively choose a media file. One function of such device is to facilitate playing media files. Currently such devices provide different ways in which media file arrangements may be played. For example, playing arrangements may be based upon the artist, or the album or may be in the form of a playlist which is manually constructed and individualized. 
     Media playing devices provide other methods of presenting music selection besides just perusing through the media file database in an alphabetical manner. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 7,196,258 to Platt discloses a device or method that generates playlists for a library or collection of media items by selecting a plurality of seed items. Some of the seed items are identified as being desirable, thus indicative that a user prefers additional media items similar to the desirable seed items and others are identified as being undesirable and indicative that the user prefers additional media items dissimilar to the undesirable seed items. A comparison of the user selection is made by the device by looking at the seed items and determining which media items are to be added into the playlist by computation of similarity of metrics or values. Thus a playlist can be regenerated by adding desirable seed items to the playlist and removing media items from the playlist, for example undesirable seed items. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,489 to Benyamin et al. discloses a playlist manager that can be used to create and update playlists. The user will create a playlist and specify certain criteria for automatically adding tracks to the playlist. When a track is added to the environment, specifically the playlist, the device tests whether the track&#39;s properties satisfy the criteria for the playlist itself. If so, the new track is automatically added to the playlist so as to eliminate the need for the user to manage the playlist. 
     As is commonly known in the art, media playing devices such as the Ipod® and other similar MP3 playing devices have a menu for presenting a selection of media files. These media files are presented based upon a media file identifier such as the artist&#39;s name, genre and the like. The selection process is very linear and avails only files associated with the media file identifier for selection. For instance, upon selecting the artist the user is then presented with a complete selection of artists that are available within the player. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the user will then be presented with the different albums in which the artist appears in and the user can then select the album and either play the only songs of the album in which the artist appears, or an individual song of the selected artist. However, it is desirable to have a device and a method whereby a user is not limited to just the selection of the songs written by a particular artist within an album but rather the entire album in which the artist appears. It is also desirable to have a device and method whereby the user is able to selectively play an entire category of media files stored in the media playing device based upon the selection of one media file. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
     A method and device for selectively playing media files. The method includes the steps of providing a media playing device having a first database populated with a plurality of predefined categories. Loading a plurality of media files into the first database. Tagging each of the media files with at least one media file identifier. Populating the predefined categories with media files such that the media file identifier is placed in a corresponding predefined category. 
     The method further includes the step of providing a search engine for locating each of the media files based upon the plurality of media file identifiers. A first menu, a second menu, and an interface operable to navigate the first and second menu is also provided. Preferably, the first menu presents an identifier list which includes each of the plurality of media file identifiers. The interface is operable to choose one of the media file identifiers. Upon selection of a media file identifier, the second menu is presented. The second menu presents a category list. The category list includes each category that is populated with media files tagged with the chosen media file identifier in the previous step. The interface is operable to select a category and then selectively play one media file, all the media files tagged with the selected media file identifier, or the entire selected category. 
     A media playing device is also provided. The media playing device selectively plays a predetermined arrangement of media files. The media playing device includes a housing for containing various electrical components (not shown) that provide computing operations for the media playing device, and a first database for storing a plurality of predefined categories. Each of the plurality of predefined categories contain media file(s), and each media file is tagged at least one media file identifier. 
     The device further includes a first menu and a second menu. The first menu has an identifier list which contains the media file identifiers. The second menu has a category list that is generated based upon the selection of the media file identifier so as to present all the categories having a media file tagged with the selected media file identifier. An interface operable to navigate the first and second menu is also provided. In operation, the device initially provides the first menu and the interface is operable to choose one of the media file identifiers presented in the identifier list. Upon choosing a media file identifier, the device presents the second menu. The second menu generates a category list so as to present each of the plurality of categories populated with media files tagged with the chosen media file identifier, and the interface is operable to choose one of the categories and either play an individual media file within the category, all the media files tagged with the selected media file identifier, or the entire category. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the steps in a method for selectively playing an entire category of media files stored in an media playing device based upon the selection of one media file; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the prior art method of selectively playing media files using a media playing device; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the method; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a media playing; and 
         FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  are a step by step illustration of the operation of the media playing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a method  10  for selectively playing media files  12  stored in a media playing device  14 , and a media playing device  14  for selectively playing a predetermined arrangement of media files  12  are provided. As described above, there are various methods for selectively playing media files. However, such known methods require numerous steps in order to achieve a desired selection. The method  10  described herein reduces the number of steps currently required in the art so as to facilitate a greater selection of media file arrangements. Specifically, current media file playing devices require an end user to create a playlist in order to play a desired arrangement, or are not configured to allow an end user to play a media file  12  that is not based upon an initial search criterion. For instance, current devices, such as an Ipod®, allows end users to search the device for songs using a criteria such as an artist&#39;s name. When the end user selects a desired artist name, such as “Billy Joel,” the end user will be able to play different arrangements media files  12  tagged with “Billy Joel,” but will not allow an end user to play songs that are not tagged with “Billy Joel.” Thus, the end user is forced to take further steps such as creating a playlist of media files  12  having “Billy Joel” and any other desired artist. The method  10  disclosed herein provides a greater selection of media file  12  arrangements wherein at least one selection media file  12  arrangements has no direct association with the initial search criteria. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a method  10  for selectively playing media files  12  stored in a media playing device  14  includes the steps of providing a media playing device  14  having a first database  16  populated with a plurality of predefined categories  18 . The predefined categories  18  may be defined by a group of the media files  12  according to the album title, artist name, year the media file  12  was authored, playlist, the location where the media file  12  was authored, or the like. A plurality of media files  12  are then loaded into the first database  16 . Each of the media files  12  is tagged with at least one media file identifier  20  using metadata or the like. The media file identifier  20  may identify the media file  12  by an artist&#39;s name, the year the media file  12  was authored, and/or the location where the media file  12  was authored. 
     The predefined categories  18  are then populated with at least one media file  12  such that the media file identifier  20  is placed in a corresponding predefined category  18 . For example a predefined category  18  labeled “Billy Joel” may have numerous media files  12  tagged with “Billy Joel,” or alternatively, a predefined category  18  labeled “1980s” may have media files  12  tagged with any year in the “1980s.” Thus it follows that a particular media file  12  may be housed in more than one predefined category  18 . 
     The method  10  further includes the step of providing a search engine  22  for locating each of the media files  12  based upon the plurality of media file identifiers  20 . The search engine  22  is known technology that uses terms to retrieve media file identifiers  20  such as metadata. Thus, an end user may be able to retrieve any media file  12  within the database associated with the term “Billy Joel” using a search term such as “Billy Joel.” 
     The method  10  further includes providing a first menu  24 , a second menu  26 , and an interface  28  operable to navigate the first and second menu  24 ,  26 . Preferably, the first menu  24  presents an identifier list  30 . The identifier list  30  includes each of the plurality of media file identifiers  20 , and the interface  28  is operable to choose one of the media file identifiers  20 . Thus, the identifier list  30  presents to the end user each artist by name, a list of years, a list of locations, genres or the like, by which the end user may select so as to form a search criteria for selecting media files  12 . The method  10  then proceeds to choosing one of the plurality of media file identifiers  20  from the identifier list  30 . Upon selection of a media file identifier  20 , the second menu  26  is presented. The second menu  26  presents a category list  32 . The category list  32  includes each category that is populated with media files  12  tagged with the chosen media file identifier  20  in the previous step. The interface  28  is operable to then choose any category from the category list  32 . 
     The method  10  may further include the step of organizing the identifier list  30  into a plurality of media file groups  34  so as to provide a more organized presentation of selections for the end-user. Thus, the first menu  24  instead of just presenting a list of each media file identifier provides a list of media files groups  34 . The media file groups  34  may group the media file identifiers  20  alphabetically, this allows the end user to quickly navigate through the first database  16 . The media file groups  34  may be presented in a list, herein referred to as a media file group list  36 . The media file group list  36  may be an alphabetical list, wherein upon selection of a particular letter, the media file identifiers  20  beginning with the selected letter are presented. For instance, the interface  28  is operable to selectively choose one of the media file groups  34  such as the letter “D” from the media file group list  36 . Upon selection of the letter “D”, all of the media file identifiers  20  beginning with “D” such as “Dave Mathews Band,” “Danzig,” and “Def Leppard” are presented to the user for selection. Thus, the media file group  34  can facilitate a search of media files  12 . 
     Alternatively, the media file group list  36  may organize the media file search by artist name, genre, or the like. Once the end user decides which media file group  34  he/she wants to view, all the media file identifiers  20  contained in the selected media file group  34  are presented. Thus, an end-user may want to browse the first data base  16  by the group labeled “genre,” and upon selection of the group “genre” all the media file identifiers  20  labeled by genre are presented to the end-user for further selection. 
     In a first preferred embodiment, the method  10  provides the end-user with the choice of playing either one or many media files  12 . Specifically, the interface  28  is operable to selectively play from the category list  32  either, one media file  12  tagged with the chosen media file identifier  20  or all of the media files  12  tagged with the chosen media file identifier  20 , or the entire contents of the selected category. Thus, when the end-user chooses a media file identifier  20  from which to browse the first database  16 , the second menu  26  will present a category list  32  having all media files  12  tagged with the selected media file identifier  20 . The end-user may then operate the interface  28  so as to either choose to play one of the media files  12  presented, or all of the media files  12  having the selected media file identifier  20 , or the entire contents of the selected category. Thus when the category is an album containing a compilation of various artists, the method  10  allows for the selection of media files  12  not just based upon a prior selection of a particular media file identifier  20 . For example, a movie soundtrack may have songs from artists such as “Led Zeppelin,” “Rush,” and “The Who.” If the user selects “Led Zeppelin” as a media file identifier  20 , the second menu  26  will present various predefined categories  18  containing media files  12  having “Led Zeppelin” as a media file identifier  20 , such as a soundtrack, a playlist, or other albums tagged with “Led Zeppelin.” The second menu  26  presents the user with the choice of any of these categories  18 ,  38 , and upon selection allows the user to play one media file  12  from the chosen category, all media files  12  from the chosen category having “Led Zeppelin” as a media file identifier  20 , or all the media files  12  in the category. Thus unlike the prior art, the method  10  is not linear especially when the category is a compilation that contains various other artists because the user is presented with song selections that were not the basis of the initial search criterion. 
     In certain cases, the end-user may want to create a playlist. The method  10  includes the step of incorporating the created playlist into a selection available in the second menu  26 . Thus, the interface  28  is operable to create a plurality of playlists, also referred to herein as customizable categories  38 , and each of the customizable category  38  is stored in the first database  16 . The category list  32  further includes each of the plurality of customizable categories  38 , and the interface  28  is operable to selectively play any of the items within the category list  32 , namely the customizable categories  38  and predefined categories  18 . It is understood, that the category list  32  is generated based upon the media file  12  indicator selected in the first menu  24 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 4 and 5   a - 5   d,  a media playing device  14  for selectively playing a predetermined arrangement of media files  12  is illustrated. The media playing device  14  includes a housing  40  for containing various electrical components (not shown) that provide computing operations for the media playing device  14 , and a first database  16  (not shown) for storing a plurality of predefined categories  18 . The predefined categories  18  include but are not limited to the album title, artist name, year the media file  12  was authored, customizable playlist, and the location where the media file  12  was authored. Each of the plurality of predefined categories  18  contain media file(s)  12 , and each media file  12  is tagged at least one media file identifier  20 . The media file identifier  20  may identify the media file  12  by the album title, artist name, year the media file  12  was authored, the location where the media file  12  was authored, and the like. 
     The device further includes a first menu  24  and a second menu  26 . The first menu  24  has an identifier list  30 , and the identifier list  30  contains each of the plurality of media file identifiers  20 . The second menu  26  has a category list  32 , and the category list  32  has an arrangement of predefined categories  18 . With reference to the method  10  disclosed herein, it is understood that the category list  32  is generated based upon the selection of the media file identifier  20 . Thus, if an end-user chooses to browse using the artist name “Dave Mathews Band,” then the category list  32  will contain predefined categories  18  associated with “Dave Mathews Band.” 
     The device also includes an interface  28  operable to navigate the first and second menu  24 ,  26 . In operation, tie device initially presents the first menu  24  and the interface  28  is operable to choose one of the media file identifiers  20  presented in the identifier list  30  of the first menu  24 . Upon choosing a media file identifier  20 , the device then presents the second menu  26 . The second menu  26  generates a category list  32  so as to present each of the plurality of categories  18  populated with media files  12  tagged with the chosen media file identifier  20 , and the interface  28  is operable to selectively play each of the plurality of categories  18  from the category list  32 . 
     The device may further include a port  42  so as to allow media files  12  to be down loaded into the first database  16 . The interface  28  is operable to create a plurality of customizable categories  38 , and to populate each of the plurality of customizable categories  38  with any of the plurality of media files  12 . It is inherent that each of the customizable categories  38  is contained in the first database  16 . Thus the category list  32  will further include each of the customizable categories  38 , and the second menu  26  is reconfigured so as to present each customizable category  38  and predefined category  18  populated with media files  12  tagged with the chosen media file identifier  20 . 
     In a first preferred embodiment, the device includes a display screen  44  for displaying the first and second menu  24 ,  26 , and the interface  28  is either a touch screen  46  or a function pad  48 , also referred to in the art as a key pad, or a D-pad. However, it is understood that the first and second menu  24 ,  26  may be presented to the user in an audio transmission  50 , thus the interface  28  may be operable by voice command. 
     In operation, the device will present a first menu  24 . The end-user may choose from the first menu  24  which of the available media file identifiers  20  with which to browse the first database  16 . Upon selection, the second menu  26  appears. The second menu  26  presents a category list  32  generated based upon the media file identifier  20  selected. The category list  32  contains all the categories  18 ,  38 , both predefined and customizable, that have media files  12  tagged with the selected media file identifier  20 . The interface  28  is then operable to choose which category  18 ,  38  to browse. Upon selection, the interface  28  is operable to either play: (1) one of the media files  12  contained therein; (2) all of the media files  12  tagged with the media file  12  indicators contained therein; or (3) all of the media files  12  contained therein regardless of whether the media file  12  is tagged with a media file identifier  20 . Thus, with reference to the method  10  described above, in cases where the category is a user created playlist or a compilation, the end-user is able to expand his/her availability of media file selections as the device will present to the user media files  12  that are not directly associated with the initial search criteria. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.