Patent Publication Number: US-2013238995-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for adding content using a media player

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/417,352 filed on Mar. 12, 2012. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter relates generally to a media player and more specifically a method of adding content layers to a media file through a media player. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the internet era, video is consumed in various ways. Many users view video files using open sharing websites such as YouTube, while other user view videos associated with known media corporates such as CNN. The video may be viewed on the website or using a media player at the user&#39;s device, such as a Personal Computer, Tablet, mobile phone and the like. Some of the media players enable users to access a media file stored on a remote server and view it. The user can watch the video, pause it, stop it, fast forward, rewind, skip ahead to a different media file or return to a previous media file. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the subject matter to disclose a method comprising placing an activation icon on an internet web page, the activation icon is configured for creating a link content layer in a media file played on a media player of a computerized device; receiving a command to attach the link content layer to the media file; transmitting the link content layer to a server that stores the media file; associating the link content layer to the media file; wherein the media file is configured to be displayed with the content layer associated to the link content layer created by the activation icon of the internet web page. 
     In some cases, the link content layer comprises streaming content from the internet web page. In some cases, the content of the internet web page is stored on an internet server. 
     In some cases, the method further comprises a step of determining a time stamp in which content from the link content layer is played on the media file. In some cases, the method further comprises receiving data concerning a focal object in the media file, the focal object is defined by a creator of the media file and determining a location of the link content layer added to the media file, such that displaying the link content layer does not overlap with the focal object on the media file. 
     In some cases, the method further comprises identifying the focal object on the media file before determining the location of the content extracted from the link content layer on the media file. 
     In some cases, the media file is stored at a server accessible to a limited number of subscribers. In some cases, the media player enables a user to filter out excessive commentary. In some cases, the content of the link content layer associated with the internet web page comprises text, video, image, audio, and a combination thereof. 
     In some cases, the method further comprises displaying link content layers on the media file according to ranking of link content layers provided to the media file. In some cases, the method further comprises pausing the media file when the link content layer is displayed on the media file. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary non-limited embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will be described, with reference to the following description of the embodiments, in conjunction with the figures. The figures are generally not shown to scale and any sizes are only meant to be exemplary and not necessarily limiting. Corresponding or like elements are optionally designated by the same numerals or letters. 
         FIG. 1  shows a media player with content layers, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a media player with a text content layer adding interface, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a media player with an image content layer adding interface, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 2C  shows a media player with a video content layer adding interface, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 2D  shows a media player with an audio content layer adding interface, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 3  shows a media player display section with an objection recognition unit, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 4  shows a media with content layers in different states of use, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 5  shows a method to add a link content layer to a media file, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 6A  shows an internet web page with an activation icon to add a link content layer to a media file, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; 
         FIG. 6B  shows an internet web page with a link content layer adding interface, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter; and, 
         FIG. 7  shows a media with a link content layer, according to some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention discloses a media player designed to enable a user to add content layers to a media file. The media player communicates with a display on which the user can view the media file. As the media file plays, the user may add a content layer to be viewed by future users of the media file. A content layer comprises additional content read in tandem with the media file. The content layer may also comprise data associated with the user who added the content layer to the media file, for example the user&#39;s name, user&#39;s picture and the like. The content layer does not become a part of the media file but is played with the media file to present additional content that appears on top of the media file. The time stamp and duration on which the content layer is displayed on the media file may be determined by the user who added the content layer, by a creator of the media file or automatically. In some cases, the media file is stored on a server accessible to a limited number of subscribers. In such a case, only the limited number of subscribers can view the media file. 
     A user adding a content layer to a media file may do so by pointing at a specific time stamp of the media file where the content layer is to be added, for example 1:13 minutes after the beginning of the media file. The user may then press on the control icon that enables the user to add the content layer. In some cases, the media player automatically pauses the media file from playing while the user adds the content layer. When the user finishes adding the content layer, the media player transmits the content layer to the server that stores the media file and the content layer is available for future users who play the media file. The media player comprises a transmitter for transmitting data related to content layer to a server storing the media file. The data transmitted by the transmitter may be the content layer, ranking of content layers, data of a user who generated the content layer and the like. 
       FIG. 1  shows a media player display  100 , according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter. The media player display includes a media display section  102  on which a media file is displayed on the media player. The media file may be a video file, an audio file or a combination thereof. A media file, for example a video as shown in  FIG. 1 , shows a person  103  and a tree  105 . The media file displayed in the media display section  102  may also comprise user added content layers added to the media file. The content layers may be in the form of a text layer, a video layer, an image layer, an audio layer, and a combination thereof. The content layer is displayed in a content layer display section, such as video layer display section  154 , text layer display section  151 , image layer display section  152  and audio layer display section  155 . The content layer display section may comprise control icons that enables the user to manipulate the display of the content layer, for example a close button  121  to close the content layer, and a minimize button  122  to minimize or maximize the content layer. 
     In some cases, the user of the media player is able to chat with other users that view the same media file. The media player indicates to the server storing the media file which users view the media file, for example using the transmission channel used to upload a content layer from the media player to the server. The media player may mark a user differently than a creator of the media file. The creator, or an instructor associated with the media file, for example a bartender associated with a video file that contains data on cocktails, can approach the user and suggest a private service or goods, for example a private lesson, either an online lesson or an offline lesson. 
     The media player interface  101  according to exemplary embodiment of the subject matter comprises content layer interface that enables the user to add a content layer to the media file. The user can add content layers of various types using an input device. The input device is used for receiving a command from a user of the media player to add a content layer to a media file played on the media player. For example, a text content layer may be inputted using a text button  130 , image button  132 , video button  134 , or sound button  136 . The media player interface  101  may comprise of a track listing display  160  that displays one or more media files available to the user. 
     In some cases, the media file displayed on the media display section  102  comprises content layers added by previous users of the media file. The user of the media player may be able to determine whether she desires to view the media file with or without at least some of the content layers added by the previous users. A show content interface  181  enables the user to choose which content layers are filtered out while the media file is played. The user can use the show content interface  181  to select parameters that filter out at least a portion of the content layers added by users, for example excessive commentary. The show content interface  181  may comprise a title of the show content interface  181 , for example stating “Show Content by:”  185 . The user can choose to view content layers by various categories, for example, by a username  182  associated with a content layer, the ranking  186  of the username associated with a content layer, the rating  188  or ranking of the content layer, showing all content  190 , or showing none of the content  192 . 
     The media player display  100 , according to exemplary embodiments of the subject matter, comprises a media player interface  101 , which enables the user to control different settings of the media player. The media player interface  101  may include a time-ruler  125 , which displays the progression of the media file, and a description display  115  that displays data related to the media file that is being displayed on the media display section  102 . The user may view the media file on a full-screen display by pressing a full-screen icon  140 . The media player interface  101  may comprise user interface buttons for controlling the media file progression and display. The interface may comprise, for example, a play and pause button  110  for playing or pausing the media file, a stop button  112  for stopping the display of the media file, a play previous button  114  to switch the display to show the previous media file, a play next button  116  to display the next media file available, and a volume control button  120  for manipulating the volume. The media player interface  101  may also include control icons such as a close button  170  to close the media player, a maximize button  171  for manipulating the size of the media player, and a minimize button  172  for minimizing the display of the media player. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a media player display section comprising a text content layer interface  200 , according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. A text content layer interface  200  enables a user to add a text content layer to the media file. The text content layer interface  200  may be displayed on the media display section  102  after a user presses the text button  130  on the media player interface  101  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The text content layer interface  200  comprises an interface, such as text box  210 , for enabling the user to input text as a content layer. The user types a message into the text box  210 , for example using a keyboard connected to a computerized device on which the media player is located. The text content layer interface  200  may comprise a title, such as “Text”  220  to inform the user that the type of content layer being uploaded is a text content layer. The text content layer interface  200  may comprise display sections used to input additional information related to the content layer, for example, an input for a username  230 , a user&#39;s picture  232 , and a user&#39;s e-mail  231 . The text content layer interface  200  may comprise a pause icon  250 . The pause icon  250  enables the user to pause the media file while the text content layer is being displayed on the media display section  102 . The pause function may utilize a duration input  251  to enable a user to input the duration for pausing the media file. The text content layer interface  200  enable a user to finalize the input of the content layer, for example by pressing an accept button  260 . The text content layer interface  200  may also comprise a manner for cancelling the content layer creation, for example by having a close button  261 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows the media player display  100  with an image content layer interface  201  in the media display section  102 , which enable a user to add an image content layer.  FIG. 2C  shows the media player display  100  with a video content layer interface  202  in the media display section  102 , which enable a user to add a video content layer.  FIG. 2D  shows the media player display  100  with an audio content layer interface  203  in the media display section  102 , which enables a user to add an audio content layer. 
     The content layer creation interfaces may appear on the media display section  102  after the user presses the image button  132  for the image content layer interface  201 , the video button  134  for the video content layer interface  202 , and the sound button  133  for the audio content layer interface  203 . The content layer creation interface enables the user to input content into the content layer, for example inputting an image by using a browse command, or taking a picture with a camera. Similar to the text content layer interface  200 , the image content layer interface  201 , the video content layer interface  202 , and the audio content layer interface  203  may comprise a title, an input field for inputting a username, a user picture, and a user e-mail. The may comprise a pause icon  252 . The image content layer interface  201 , the video content layer interface  202 , and the audio content layer interface  203  enable a user to finalize the input of the content layer, for example by pressing an “Accept” button  260 . The image content layer interface  201 , the video content layer interface  202 , and the audio content layer interface  203  may also comprise a manner for cancelling the content layer creation, for example by having a close button  261 . 
     Addition of certain content layers may pause the media file during the display of the content layer, for example when the content layer contains video or audio. Other content layers may not require the media file to pause, however the user creating the content layer chooses to have the media file pause so future users can concentrate solely on the content layer while it is being displayed, for example a text context layer with long text. When a content layer defined by the user who adds the content layer is enabled to pause a media file being displayed, the media player receives a pause command associated with the content layer and a time stamp and pauses the media file accordingly. The media file remains paused until the content layer is terminates. When the content layer terminates, the media player resumes the media file from where the media file was paused. In some exemplary embodiments of the subject matter, the content layer is removed from the display of the media player in an automatic manner or by the user. 
     In some cases, the creator of the media file may define a focal object in the media file. The focal object is an object in the media file configured to be displayed by users that can add content layers to the media file. The focal object is defined by the creator of the media file as an object that shall not be blocked by any content layer later added by users. In an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter, when a content layer is inputted by the user, the content layer, along with the media file and the focal object are sent to a focal object unit. The focal object unit provides that the content layer does not block the focal object throughout the display of the media file on the media player. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the subject matter, the focal object unit works in real-time while the media file is being displayed on the media player. When a content layer is displayed, the user can move the content layer on the media display section  102  by using an input device, for example a mouse. If the user attempts to move the content layer onto the focal object, the focal object unit moves the content layer to a different location of the media display section  102 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a media player display  301  with the focal object unit, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The media player display  301  is playing a media file consisting of video. A person  305  displayed in the media file, for example a tutor, is defined as the focal object. In some exemplary cases, the media player is receiving data of the focal object before playing the media file or before displaying content layers added by users to the media file. The media file displayed on the media player display  301  comprises a text content layer  310  and an image content layer  315  added by users who previously viewed the media file. The text content layer  310  and an image content layer  315  are not overlapping the person  305  according to definitions provided by the focal object unit. For example, the focal object unit may determine a location in which a content layer cannot be displayed after preprocessing the media file and storing the location of the person  305  in one or more time sections along the media file. In contrast, the blackboard  306  is not defined in the media file as a focal object and thus is blocked by the image content layer  315 . 
     After a content layer is uploaded by the user, the content layer can be viewed by other users. When the content layer is inputted by the user, the media player creates a time marker. The time marker enables a media player to associate a content layer with a time stamp at which the content layer is defined to be displayed, for example 2 minutes and 42 seconds after the beginning of the media file. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the time marker  437  may also be displayed on the time-ruler  125 . The media player may display when a certain content layer is displayed on the media display section  102 . The time marker  437  may enable a user to see a content layer information display  436 , which may include the type of content layer  440 , the username  441 , and picture  442  of the user that uploaded the video. Reviewing the content layer information display  436  can be done for example by scrolling a mouse controlled arrow  435  over the time marker  437 . 
     An uploaded content layer appears on the media display section when the media player displaying the media file reaches the time marker of the media file where the user uploaded the content layer. When the media player reaches the time marker, the content layer is displayed on the media display section  102 . The content layer  423  may be displayed as a portion of a content layer package. The content layer package may be displayed on the media display section  102  in two formats, a first format comprises of a content layer information display  403  displaying only metadata of the content layer and a second format comprises an entire content layer display displaying the content layer  423  as well as the metadata. The metadata of the content layer  423  comprises the type of content in the content layer, for example the title  410 , the username and user picture of the user that uploaded the content layer  423 . 
     In some cases, the media file displays only the metadata, as shown in content layer information display  401 ,  402 . The content layer information displays  401 ,  402  are arranged in the same area on the media display section  102 , in which the user can expand the display using an expend button  414  or minimize the display using a minimize button  413 . In the second format, the metadata may include the type of content layer such as the username  411 , and the user picture  412  of the user that uploaded the content layer. 
     The subject matter also discloses a content layer server for storing media files such as video files. The content layer server enables users to view the media files, for example using a media player of the disclosed subject matter. The content layer server receives information from the users of the media file, for example information concerning addition of content layers to the media file. The content layer server then determines whether or not to add the content layer to the media file. In some cases, the content layer server adds the content layer provided from the users to the media file. In some cases, when another user wishes to view the media file, the content layer server displays the media file with the content layer added by the previous user. 
       FIG. 5  shows a method for adding a link content layer to the media file, according to exemplary embodiment of the subject matter. Step  501  provides for placing an activation icon on an internet web page from which the link content layer may be obtained. The activation icon is placed in a manner to be conveniently accessible to the user, for example under the content accessed from the web page; the content is used as a content layer using the activation icon. A command associated with the activation icon may be stored on an internet server where the web page associated with the content is stored. The web page may contain the content or contain a link to the content. When the user of the media player accesses the web page, the activation icon is available to create a content layer from the content associated with the web page. 
     Step  505  provides for receiving a user command to create the link content layer. The user logs onto the web page associated with the content and interacts with the activation icon, for example by pressing the activation button, or by placing a cursor or finger on a touch pad. Step  510  provides for activating the activation icon, which displays a link content layer interface. A link content layer interface may comprise a menu that enables the user to choose from several options related to creating the link content layer. The several options may comprise, for example, enabling the user to choose a media file to be attached to the link content layer, a time stamp of the media file to which the link content layer is associated, and whether the media file pauses when the link content layer is displayed. 
     Step  520  discloses choosing the media file to which the link content layer is associated. The link content layer interface may comprise a display, such as a menu, which displays all of the media files to which a link content layer may be attached. The user chooses the media file from the menu, for example by pressing on the name of the media file. 
     Step  530  discloses designating a time marker where the content layer associated with the link content layer of the web page appears in the media file. The link content layer interface may comprise a display, for example a time marker text box, in which the time at which the user chooses the link content layer will be displayed. For example, in case the user wishes the link content layer to appear 3 minutes after the media player begins playing, the user enters into the time stamp text box the number 3:00, to designate that the link content layer is displayed 3 minutes and 0 seconds after the beginning of the media file. The link content layer may also comprise a pause option, which enables the user to pause the media file while the link content layer is being displayed. 
     Step  540  provides uploading the link content layer data to the server on which the media file is stored. After the user finalizes the options available in the link content layer, for example by pressing an “upload” icon, the content from the internet website is transferred from the internet server to the server. Then, the server on which the media file is stored creates the link content layer. In some exemplary embodiments, the internet server may transfer a link, which the media player activates and streams the content from the web page. For example, the link content layer comprises a link to a video file stored on a video website, such as YouTube. The link content layer comprises the link to the YouTube video. The YouTube video is activated according to the time stamp of the link content layer on the media file. In such a case, rather than the video playing from the server, the video streams from YouTube. 
     Step  550  provides for attaching the link content layer to the designated media file. The server that stores media files to be played to users receives the content, for example from the internet server, and attaches the link content layer to the designated media file at the designated time stamp. Step  560  provides for displaying the link content layer with the media file, for example at a media player used for playing the media file. As future users view the media file, the link content layer is displayed at the time marker which was assigned to link content layer. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a website browser  600  displaying a web page  605  with an activation icon  650 , according to exemplary embodiment of the subject matter. The website browser  600  displays the web page  605 , which comprises content  620  that may comprise the link content layer. The web page  605  comprises the activation icon  650 , which enables the user to add the link content layer. 
       FIG. 6B  shows the website browser  600  after the activation icon  650  is pressed by the user and a link content layer interface  660  is displayed, according to exemplary embodiment of the subject matter. The link content layer interface  660  comprises a choose media file icon  662 , which expands a media file selection window  670 . The media file selection window  670  enables the user to choose the media file to which the link content layer is associated to. The link content layer interface  660  comprises a choose time icon  660 , which enables the user to designate a time stamp in which the link content layer is displayed. The link content layer interface  660  comprises a pause icon  666 , which enables the user to determine that the media file pauses while the link content layer is being displayed. 
       FIG. 7  shows a media file display  701  with a link content layer  710 , according to exemplary embodiment of the subject matter. The link content layer  710  comprises a link  715  that shows a content  705  displayed from the internet web page from which the link content layer was obtained. The link  715  may be a streaming video, for example, a YouTube video, which is displayed as the content layer during the presentation of the media file. The media file display  701  may also show a lecturer or instructor  705 . The link content layer may also be associated to the media file by the lecturer or instructor  705 . 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.