Patent Description:
Aspects of the present invention relate to a method for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) and a multimedia apparatus using the same, and more particularly, to a method for providing a GUI to receive a user command on a touch screen, and a multimedia apparatus using the same.

A wide variety of multimedia apparatuses has been developed with the rapid advance of digital technology. As a result, the range of functions provided by multimedia apparatuses has increased exponentially.

Recently, the multimedia apparatuses have come to provide users with functions using menu items on a screen, taking the appearance of the multimedia apparatus and the convenience of accessing the multimedia apparatus into consideration. However, the screen is limited in size due to the need to consider the portability of the multiple devices. It is difficult for a user to operate various functions provided by the portable multiple device precisely using only the items provided on a small screen. Therefore, there is a need for a method for providing a GUI to provide a user with the ability to manipulate items on the screen more precisely, and to have enhanced visual effects.

Patent publication <CIT> describes a multi-level position designating method for a multimedia stream. Patent publication <CIT> describes a zoom-capable scrollbar. Patent publication <CIT> describes adaptive intervals in navigating content and/or media. Patent publication <CIT> describes a method inputting a numeral by changing an upper limit value and a lower limit value to other values when prescribed operation is executed.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a multimedia apparatus as set out in the accompanying claims.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, provided is a method of displaying a progress bar on a multimedia apparatus, the method as set out in the accompanying claims.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:.

The invention is mainly illustrated by the example of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

<FIG> are views illustrating a method for enlarging a progress bar <NUM> on a touch screen <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the touch screen <NUM> displaying graphical items. The touch screen <NUM> includes a screen <NUM> to display video content being currently played back, the progress bar <NUM> to load the current video content, and a set of items <NUM> to input commands for playing back and stopping the content, and skipping forward and back through the content.

The video content is played back on the screen <NUM>. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the content may include video content such as movies or dramas, music content, and content combining music and video. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention adapts video content or music content incorporating video content to be displayed on the touch screen <NUM>. However, the present invention may also be applied to music content without accompanying video. In this situation, video content may not be displayed on the screen <NUM>, or images can be displayed, such as album covers or pictures chosen by the user. Moreover, aspects can be utilized during recording or editing of the contents in addition to or instead of reproducing the contents.

The set of items <NUM> includes a skip back item <NUM>, a stop item <NUM>, a play back or pause item <NUM>, and a skip forward item <NUM>. If a user touches one of the graphical items on the touch screen <NUM>, the command corresponding to the touched element is input. For example, if the user selects the skip back item <NUM> while position 'A' of a video file is displayed, video ten minutes prior to position 'A' is displayed on the screen <NUM>.

If the user selects the skip forward item <NUM>, the multimedia apparatus adopts the same operational manner as the skip back item <NUM>, so video ten minutes after position 'A' is displayed on the screen <NUM>. The user may set a skipping time other than ten minutes using operational settings (not illustrated).

The set of items <NUM> may be semitransparent, and overlap with the video content. The set of items <NUM> may appear only when the user inputs a command to display the set of items <NUM>, in order to minimize disturbance while viewing the video content. Further, it is understood that the set of items, <NUM> could include additional items in addition to or instead of the shown items. Examples of such other items include volume control, display contrast controls, system settings, file choosing commands, etc..

The progress bar <NUM> conveys the progress of content currently being played back. Specifically, the progress bar <NUM> provides a user with position information of the portion of content which is currently being played back from among the entire content to be played back. The position of the current portion of the content within the progress bar <NUM> is displayed distinctly from the progress bar <NUM>, and may be represented using an icon or shape. However, it is understood that the current position can also be indicated using colors, with all prior content being one color and content yet to be played being another color.

In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown in <FIG>, the progress bar <NUM> is indicated in a single line to approximately represent the entire video content, and a position indicator <NUM>, which has a box shape containing a point, represents the position information of position 'A' which is currently being played back. Accordingly, position 'A', which is currently being played back is distinguished from the progress bar <NUM>.

If the user changes the part of the content which is currently being played back using the set of items <NUM>, the position indicator <NUM> moves to the location corresponding to the new part being played back. Alternatively, the user may change the part of the content currently being played back by moving the position indicator <NUM> along the progress bar <NUM>, and thus the content is played back from a part corresponding to the new position of the position indicator <NUM>, as the position indicator <NUM> is capable of being moved along the touch screen <NUM> by the operation of the user.

The user may move the position indicator <NUM> along the progress bar <NUM> by touching a location at which the user desires to position the position indicator <NUM>. The placement of the position indicator <NUM> corresponds to the part of the content to be played back.

Hereinbelow, a method for enlarging the progress bar <NUM> in order to select more exactly a desired part on the progress bar <NUM> and for displaying the enlarged progress bar <NUM> will be explained in detail with reference <FIG>, and <FIG>.

<FIG> are views illustrating a method for enlarging the progress bar <NUM>, and <FIG> are views illustrating the enlarged progress bar <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a method for enlarging the progress bar <NUM> by touching the position indicator <NUM> for two seconds or more. As illustrated in <FIG>, if the user touches the position indicator <NUM> of the progress bar <NUM> on the touch screen <NUM> for two seconds or more, the section of the progress bar <NUM> between the position corresponding to <NUM> minutes before position 'A' on which the position indicator <NUM> is located, and the position corresponding to <NUM> minutes after position 'A' is enlarged on the touch screen <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the enlarged progress bar on the touch screen <NUM> after the user touches the position indicator <NUM> for two seconds or more as illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the screen <NUM> and the set of items <NUM> are not enlarged or reduced, and only the progress bar <NUM> is enlarged, such that the bar <NUM> allows selection of times ± <NUM> minutes of position A. However, it is understood that the enlarged bar could show more or less than ± <NUM> minutes. Comparing the enlarged progress bar <NUM> in <FIG> with the normal progress bar <NUM> in <FIG>, the position indicator <NUM> has been enlarged and the single line representing the entire length of the video content has changed to double lines representing only a section of the entire length of the video content. Since a section of the progress bar <NUM> which the user wishes to adjust is enlarged and the remaining section disappears, the user can more precisely adjust the enlarged progress bar <NUM>. While described as being represented by double lines, it is understood that the enlarged bar <NUM> need not be changed in appearance from the regular bar <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and may be otherwise changed to indicate that the bar <NUM> has been enlarged.

For example, if the total duration of the video content is one hour and the progress bar <NUM> is <NUM> in length, <NUM> of the progress bar <NUM> corresponds to <NUM> minutes of the video content. However, since the enlarged progress bar <NUM> of <NUM> contains <NUM> minutes of video content, <NUM> of the enlarged progress bar <NUM> contains the video content of <NUM> minutes. Accordingly, the user can operate the progress bar <NUM> six times more precisely to play back the video content when the bar <NUM> is enlarged as in <FIG>. Moreover, it is understood that the progress bar <NUM> in <FIG> could be enlarged multiple time through the same process in order to achieve a finer resolution for the progress bar <NUM>. For instance, by again touching the progress bar of <FIG> for <NUM> seconds, the progress bar <NUM> could be again enlarged such that where each cm of the again enlarged progress bar <NUM> includes <NUM> minute of the video content.

<FIG> illustrates a method for enlarging the progress bar <NUM> by touching a position on the progress bar <NUM> other than the position indicator <NUM> for two seconds or more. Referring to <FIG>, the user can enlarge the progress bar <NUM> by continuously touching position 'B' on the progress bar <NUM> where the position indicator <NUM> is not located for two seconds or more. In this situation, as illustrated in <FIG>, the section of the progress bar <NUM> between the position corresponding to <NUM> minutes before position 'B' selected by the user and the position corresponding to <NUM> minutes after position 'B' is enlarged on the touch screen <NUM>. In addition, since the user has selected position 'B', a video different from the video of position 'A' is displayed.

<FIG> illustrates a method for enlarging the progress bar <NUM> by touching the position indicator <NUM> twice. Referring to <FIG>, the user can enlarge the progress bar <NUM> by touching position 'A', where the position indicator <NUM> is located, twice in quick succession. In this situation, as illustrated in <FIG>, the section of the progress bar <NUM> between a position corresponding to <NUM> minutes before position 'A' selected by the user and a position corresponding to <NUM> minutes after <NUM> minutes after position 'A' is enlarged on the touch screen <NUM>. This has the same result as when the position indicator <NUM> is touched for two seconds or more, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a method for enlarging the progress bar <NUM> by touching two positions on the progress bar <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, if the user selects and touches position 'C' and position 'D', the section of the progress bar <NUM> between position 'C' and position 'D' is enlarged as shown in <FIG>.

There are diverse manners in which position 'C' and position 'D' may be touched. That is, the user may touch position 'C' and then position 'D' within a certain period of time, for example, within one second, or may touch position 'C' and position 'D' at the same time.

In this situation, as illustrated in <FIG>, a section between position 'C' and position 'D' is enlarged and displayed. Therefore, the user can more precisely operate the progress bar <NUM> using the enlarged progress bar <NUM> to play back the video content.

For example, if the total duration of the video content is one hour and the progress bar <NUM> is <NUM> in length, <NUM> of the progress bar <NUM> corresponds to <NUM> minutes of video content. If the duration of the video content between position 'C' and position 'D' which are touched by the user is <NUM> minutes, <NUM> of the enlarged progress bar <NUM> corresponds to <NUM> minutes of video content. Accordingly, the user can operate the progress bar <NUM> three times more precisely to play back the video content.

In this situation, unlike the example illustrated in <FIG>, position 'A' may be a position on the enlarged progress bar <NUM> defined by position 'C' and 'D' other than the center. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, positions on the right and left of the position indicator <NUM> are touched, so the position indicator <NUM> is included on the enlarged progress bar <NUM>. However, this is merely an example for convenience of description. It is also possible to enlarge a section of the progress bar <NUM> excluding the position indicator <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a method for enlarging the progress bar <NUM> by drawing a circle including two positions on the progress bar <NUM> between which the user wishes to enlarge. Referring to <FIG>, if the user touches the touch screen <NUM> by drawing a circle including position 'C' and position 'D' on the progress bar <NUM>, the section of the progress bar <NUM> between position 'C' and position 'D' is enlarged.

There are diverse manners in which position 'C' and position 'D' may be touched. Accordingly, the present invention is applicable to a situation in which a user continuously touches certain portions of the progress bar <NUM> while passing through position 'C' and position 'D' on the progress bar <NUM>. For example, the user may select two positions 'C' and 'D' on the progress bar <NUM> by drawing a letter 'V' including position 'C' and position 'D' on the touch screen <NUM> instead of drawing a circle.

In this situation, a section of the progress bar <NUM> between position 'C' and position 'D' is enlarged and displayed. Unlike the example illustrated in <FIG>, position 'A' may be a position on the enlarged progress bar <NUM> defined by position 'C' and 'D' other than the center.

<FIG> illustrates a method for enlarging the progress bar <NUM> by touching one of two positions on the progress bar <NUM> between which the user wishes to enlarge, and performing dragging from one position to the other. Referring to <FIG>, if the user touches position 'C' on the progress bar <NUM> and performs dragging from position 'C' to position 'D', the section of the progress bar <NUM> between position 'C' and position 'D' is enlarged, also resulting in the enlarging shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a method for enlarging a section of the progress bar <NUM> between two positions and displaying another section of the progress bar <NUM> between another two positions without enlargement. Referring to <FIG>, the user touches with his or her fingertips or with another object two positions 'E' and 'F' on the progress bar <NUM>, and drags the points in contact along the progress bar <NUM> to another two positions 'C' and 'D' and stop touching the progress bar <NUM>. As a result, the progress bar <NUM> is displayed between positions 'C' and 'D' where the user finishes touching, and enlarged between positions 'E'and 'F'where the user starts touching the progress bar <NUM>.

Specifically, the user may start touching the progress bar <NUM> with his or her fingertips or with another object at positions 'E' and 'F' and drag the points in contact to positions 'C' and 'D', to select a section to be enlarged (that is, the section between positions 'E' and 'F') and a section to be displayed without enlargement (that is, the section between positions 'C' and 'D').

<FIG> illustrates the progress bar <NUM> displayed and partially enlarged as a result of being touched in the manner illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the section between positions 'C' and 'E' and the section between positions 'F' and 'D' are indicated by a single line, while the section between positions 'E' and 'F' is indicated by double lines. The position indicator 'A' is placed between positions 'E' and 'F'. As explained above, the section between positions 'E' and 'F'where the user starts touching the progress bar <NUM> is enlarged and displayed, and the section between positions 'C' and 'D' where the user finishes touching the progress bar <NUM> is displayed without enlargement.

However, the above example is explained only for the purpose of illustration, and the concept of the present invention can be appropriately applied to various other examples. For example, the section between the positions where the user starts touching the progress bar <NUM> may be displayed on the touch screen <NUM> without enlargement, and the section between the positions where the user finishes touching the progress bar <NUM> may be enlarged and displayed.

Furthermore, the position indicator 'A' may be placed in a position other than the middle of the progress bar <NUM>, since the progress bar <NUM> is not enlarged with reference to the position indicator 'A'. Moreover, while shown in <FIG> as enlarging the progress bar <NUM> in areas around the position indicator 'A', it is understood that the position could be other than around the position indicator 'A' such that the position indicator 'A' need not be included in the enlarged progress bar <NUM> as in <FIG>.

In the example explained above, the progress bar <NUM> is enlarged when an enlargement command is input by a user. However, this is merely exemplary, and other processes may be applied. For example, visual or audio information may be provided to the user to notify that the command to enlarge a certain section of the progress bar <NUM> has been successfully input and that the section of the progress bar <NUM> is being enlarged as instructed. For example, a message 'ENLARGEMENT IN PROGRESS' or corresponding audio information may be output in response to the enlargement command, thereby enabling the user to prepare for the next operation with respect to the enlargement of the progress bar <NUM>.

Alternatively, a certain section of the progress bar <NUM>, which a user intends to enlarge, may be highlighted before being enlarged, in response to the enlargement command. In this manner, the user is able to check if the section has been input correctly before the progress bar <NUM> is enlarged, and if not, is able to re-input the section he or she intends to enlarge.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a multimedia apparatus <NUM> capable of providing a GUI including an enlargeable progress bar <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the multimedia apparatus <NUM> includes a multimedia function block <NUM>, a graphical user interface (GUI) unit <NUM>, a touch screen <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>. However, it is understood that additional units could be included in addition to or instead of the shown multimedia function block <NUM>, a graphical user interface (GUI) unit <NUM>, a touch screen <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM>. For instance, the multimedia apparatus <NUM> could include a camera, a wireless network interface, a phone, removable media, a remote control, etc. Moreover, the touch screen <NUM> can be included separately from the apparatus <NUM> and be connected through a wired and/or wireless connection.

The multimedia function block <NUM> carries out general functions of a multimedia apparatus, including playback, skipping, stopping, or shifting a section of a file. The GUI unit <NUM> adds a GUI to a video being generated by the multimedia function block <NUM>. The touch screen <NUM> is employed to receive user operations by touching or dragging, and to display a GUI-incorporated video using the items output from the GUI unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> controls the operation of the multimedia function block <NUM> according to the user input received through the touch screen <NUM> or other possible input mechanisms (not illustrated). Examples of such mechanisms include clickwheels, keyboards, remote controls, etc..

The control unit <NUM> controls the GUI unit <NUM> so that the GUI is displayed on the touch screen <NUM> according to the user input. Specifically, if the user inputs a command through the touch screen <NUM> to display the progress bar <NUM> regarding the content being currently played, the control unit <NUM> controls the GUI unit <NUM> so that the progress bar <NUM> is displayed on the currently played content. If the user inputs commands (such as play <NUM>, stop <NUM>, or skip <NUM>, <NUM>) through the item set <NUM> of the touch screen <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> plays, stops or skips the content according to the input command. If the user inputs a command to change the position indicator <NUM> through the progress bar <NUM> of the touch screen <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> controls the GUI unit <NUM> to move the position indicator <NUM> to the position touched by the user, and controls the multimedia function block <NUM> to display the content from the position that corresponds to the shifted position.

If the user inputs a command to enlarge the progress bar <NUM> of the touch screen <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> controls the GUI unit <NUM> to enlarge a section between the positions selected by the user previously or currently, and to display the result.

If the user inputs a command to enlarge a certain portion of the progress bar <NUM> of the touch screen <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> controls the GUI unit <NUM> to highlight the intended section of the progress bar <NUM> before enlarging and displaying the selected section.

If the user inputs a command to enlarge the progress bar <NUM> of the touch screen <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> controls the multimedia function block <NUM> and the GUI unit <NUM> so that visual or audio information is output to indicate that the command is received, and the progress bar <NUM> is enlarged and displayed.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a GUI according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In operation S410, the control unit <NUM> determines whether a command to play content is input or not. In operation S410-N, if no input is received, the method ends. In operation S410-Y, if a play command is input, the control unit <NUM> causes the corresponding content to be displayed on the touch screen <NUM> along with the corresponding progress bar <NUM> in operation S420.

In operation S430, the control unit <NUM> determines whether a command to enlarge the progress bar <NUM> is input or not. If no command is received, the method moves to operation S450 in S430-N. In operation S430-Y, if the enlargement command is received, the control unit <NUM> controls the GUI unit <NUM> to enlarge and display the progress bar <NUM>. In operation S440, the enlarged progress bar <NUM> is displayed along with the content. As a result, the user can operate the progress bar <NUM> more conveniently and precisely, since the progress bar <NUM> is increased in size.

In operation S450, the control unit <NUM> determines whether the position indicator <NUM> is moved on the progress bar <NUM>, thereby indicating the user's intention to change the position of the content to be played back. In operation S450-Y, if the user's intention to change the position of the content to be played back is input, in operation S460, the control unit <NUM> controls the multimedia function block <NUM> to display the content from the position input by the user. If no command is received, the method ends in operation S450-N.

Since the progress bar <NUM> can be increased in size, the user can operate the progress bar <NUM> conveniently and with greater precision.

While the exemplary embodiments explained above employed the enlargeable progress bar <NUM> to explain the method of displaying a GUI item according to the present invention, these are only employed for the sake of explanation, and those skilled in the art will understand that examples other than the progress bar <NUM> are applicable as a GUI item. For instance, aspects can be applied to a GUI item in which different displayed locations correspond to different properties of content being recorded or reproduced. For example, the GUI item can be a status control bar such as a volume bar or a channel bar, or scroll bar may be adequately employed, thereby allowing more precise control over volume, channel selection, and scrolling within documents. Further, while described in terms control of contents using bars for two dimensional control of the contents, the progress bar <NUM> could be a three dimensional representation of properties of the contents, such as where the GUI item is rectangular or circular to allow changes in content properties in multiple dimensions, directions, and/or combinations of directions and speed. Lastly, while described in terms of enlarging the progress bar <NUM>, it is understood that the command could be to adjust a size of the progress bar <NUM>, such as through reducing as opposed to enlarging the progress bar <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A multimedia apparatus, comprising:
a touch screen; and
a control unit configured to:
play back a video content;
control the touch screen to display the video content along with a progress bar and a control item (<NUM>) to control playback of the video content, the progress bar having a position indicator which is configured to progress along the progress bar while the video content is being played back according to a user input received via the control item (<NUM>), and indicate a playback position of the video content, which is a position of a currently displayed video content;
change a playback position of the video content in response to a user touching the position indicator and moving the position indicator along the progress bar;
in response to a user touch maintained for at least a predetermined time at a second position of the progress bar other than a first position of the progress bar where the position indicator is located, replace the progress bar with an enlarged progress bar corresponding to a portion of the video content associated with the second position of the progress bar, wherein the playback position of the video content is changed to the second position from the first position; and
change the playback position of the video content in response to the user touch being moved along the enlarged progress bar,
wherein a playback duration of the video content corresponding to a defined display length of the enlarged progress bar is shorter than a playback duration of the video content corresponding to the defined display length of the progress bar such that a user can precisely control the video content through the enlarged progress bar.