Patent ID: 8091039

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for visually depicting a composite media presentation that is composed of a plurality of media elements, the computer-implemented method comprising: initially representing the composite media presentation, in an initial arrangement on a display, with a plurality of visual elements, wherein each visual element in the plurality of visual elements corresponds to a media element of the plurality of media elements; wherein, while in the initial arrangement on the display, each visual element in the plurality of visual elements overlaps with at least one other visual element in the plurality of visual elements; wherein the plurality of visual elements includes a particular visual element that is at least partially obstructed in the initial arrangement on the display; in response to receiving input that triggers separation of the plurality of visual elements, automatically separating the plurality of visual elements such that the degree of overlap between each of the plurality of visual elements is reduced, wherein the step of separating comprises moving one or more of the plurality of visual elements; after separating the plurality of visual elements, receiving selection of the particular visual element, wherein the selection selects the particular visual element; in response to receiving the selection of the particular visual element, automatically returning the plurality of visual elements back to the initial position in the initial arrangement on the display, wherein the step of returning comprises moving said one or more of the plurality of visual elements, wherein the particular visual element is less obstructed relative to the particular visual element in the initial arrangement on the display; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.