PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9176962-B2
Application Number: US-55494609-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Digital media asset browsing with audio cues

Abstract:
Methods, systems and apparatus for image-based browsing through a plurality of digital media assets assisted by media cues are disclosed. The media cues can be provided by playback of short audio segments, referred to as snippets, of the digital media assets being browsed. The digital media assets can be grouped into collections of digital media assets. In one embodiment, as a user browses through digital media assets using visual representations of the collections of digital media assets, media cues can be provided.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 displaying a plurality of images on a display screen, wherein an active region is associated with at least one image of the plurality of images, and wherein at least one media asset is associated with the active region; 
 detecting a user pointing input at the active region; 
 in response to detecting the user pointing input, initiating playback of a media snippet of the at least one digital media asset associated with the active region; and 
 while the media snippet is being played, detecting a user hovering input at the active region, wherein the user hovering input is a prolonged user pointing input; and 
 in response to detecting the user hovering input, initiating extended playback of the digital media asset associated with the active region, wherein extended playback is at least one of:
 continued playback of the digital media asset at a point in time in the digital media asset corresponding to the end of the media snippet, or 
 playback of the digital media asset from the beginning of the digital media asset. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises:
 determining whether a request to continue media playback of the at least one digital media asset corresponding to the media snippet being played is received; and 
 if the request to continue media playback is received, initiating extended playback of the at least one digital media asset beyond the playback of the media snippet. 
 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 1 ,
 wherein an active region includes a plurality of zones, wherein a media snippet is associated with a zone of the plurality of zones, and 
 wherein initiating playback of the media snippet is based upon the user pointing device being detected the zone. 
 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the user pointing input at the active region detects includes detecting the user pointing input entering the one of the active regions. 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the active region is substantially commensurate with or about one of the images. 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an image is associated with a plurality of digital media assets. 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein as the user pointing device traverses the image, playback of different media snippets of the plurality of digital media assets are sequentially initiated. 
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a rate at which the different media snippets are played is dependent on the number of the digital media assets associated with the image. 
     
     
       9. The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein a characteristic at which the different media snippets are played is dependent on the speed with which the user pointing device traverses the image. 
     
     
       10. A computing device comprising:
 a storage device for storing a plurality of digital media assets; 
 a display device for displaying visual representations pertaining to the digital media assets; and 
 a controller operatively connected to the storage device and the display device, said controller configured to at least: 
 display a plurality of images, wherein an active region is associated with at least one image of the plurality of images, and wherein at least one media asset is associated with the active region; 
 detect a user pointing input at the active region; 
 in response to detecting the user pointing input, initiate playback of a media snippet of the at least one digital media asset associated with the active region; and 
 while the media snippet is being played, detect a user hovering input at the active region, wherein the user hovering input is a prolonged user pointing input; and 
 in response to detecting the user hovering input, initiating extended playback of the digital media asset associated with the active region, wherein extended playback is at least one of:
 continued playback of the digital media asset at a point in time in the digital media asset corresponding to the end of the media snippet, or 
 playback of the digital media asset from the beginning of the digital media asset. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The computing device as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an audio output device for outputting audio signals or audio sound, 
 wherein when the controller initiates playback of the media snippet of the one or more digital media assets, the audio output device outputs audio signals or audio sound for the media snippet. 
 
     
     
       12. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including at least executable computer program code stored thereon the computer readable storage medium comprising:
 computer program code for displaying a plurality of images, wherein an active region is associated with at least one image of the plurality of images, and wherein at least one media asset is associated with the active region; 
 computer program code for detecting a user pointing input at the active region; 
 computer program code for, in response to detecting the user pointing input, initiating playback of a media initiating playback of a media snippet of the at least one digital media asset associated with the active region; and 
 computer program code for, while the media snippet is being played, detecting a user hovering input at the active region, wherein the user hovering input is a prolonged user pointing input; and 
 in response to detecting the user hovering input, initiating extended playback of the digital media asset associated with the active region, wherein extended playback is at least one of:
 continued playback of the digital media asset at a point in time in the digital media asset corresponding to the end of the media snippet, or 
 playback of the digital media asset from the beginning of the digital media asset. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said computer readable storage medium comprises:
 computer program code for determining whether a request to continue media playback of the at least one digital media asset corresponding to the media snippet is received; and 
 computer program code for, if the request to continue media playback is received, initiating extended playback of the at least one digital media asset beyond the playback of the media snippet. 
 
     
     
       14. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 12 , wherein an active region includes a plurality of zones, wherein a media snippet is associated with a zone of the plurality of zones, and
 wherein initiating playback of the media snippet is based upon the user pointing device being detected at one of the zone. 
 
     
     
       15. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said detecting of the user pointing input at the active region includes detecting the user pointing input entering the one of the active regions. 
     
     
       16. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the active region is substantially commensurate with or about one of the images. 
     
     
       17. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 12 , wherein an image is associated with a plurality of digital media assets. 
     
     
       18. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 17 , wherein as the user pointing device traverses the image, playback of different media snippets of the plurality of digital media assets are sequentially initiated. 
     
     
       19. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 18 , wherein a rate at which the different media snippets are played is dependent on the number of the digital media assets associated with the image. 
     
     
       20. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 18 , wherein a rate or volume at which the different media snippets are played is dependent on the speed with which the user pointing device traverses the image.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to browsing digital media assets on a display device and, more particularly, to browsing digital media assets with assistance of audio cues. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Personal computers supporting multimedia usage typically operate media management programs for managing various digital media assets, such as music files and video files. Media management programs typically utilize a graphical user interface that allows a user to play, sort, modify, store and catalog their media. Conventionally, graphical user interfaces have a text-based browse window that allow a user to browse through and select a particular media track for playback. More recently, graphical user interfaces have been able to provide an image-based browse environment in which a user can browse images (e.g., cover art) that pertain to corresponding digital media assets. The media management programs may also be linked with an online media store so that new media can be purchased and transferred to the personal computer and subsequently managed by the media management program. One example of a media management program is iTunes™ manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., and one example of an online media store is iTunes Store™. 
     Today, media playback devices, such as media players, have storage capacity to store large collections of media, such as songs (music). With such large media collections, in order for a user to select a particular song to be played by the media player, the user typically navigates through a long list of songs. As an example, the user could interact with the media player to display a list of artists that have songs that are stored within the media collection on the media player. The user then scrolls through the list and selects an appropriate song to be played. Unfortunately, however, as the storage capacity of a media player increases, the number of songs stored in a media collection on the media player also increases. Consequently, the list through which users must navigate in order to select a song can be extensive. 
     Therefore, there remains a need for improved techniques for browsing digital media assets. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention pertains to methods, systems and apparatus for image-based browsing through a plurality of digital media assets assisted by media cues. The media cues can be provided by playback of short segments, referred to as snippets, of the digital media assets being browsed. 
     In one embodiment, as a user browses through the digital media assets using visual representations of collections of digital media assets that are displayed for the user, media cues can be provided. For example, the user can cause a pointing action with respect to the visual representation, and the proximity of the pointing action can be used to determine which one or more media cues are to be provided. The media cues can be provided by playback of short segments the one of more of the digital media assets of a collection. Characteristics of the pointing action and/or position of the pointing action with respect to a given visual representation can influence the media cues provided and also how it is played back. 
     The digital media assets (i.e., digital media items) can pertain to video items (e.g., video files or movies), audio items (e.g., audio files or audio tracks, such as for songs (music) or audiobooks), or image items (e.g., photos). 
     The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, apparatus (including computer readable medium and graphical user interface). Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below. 
     As a method for browsing digital media assets, one embodiment can, for example, include at least: displaying a plurality of images having associated active regions on a display screen of a client computer, each of the images being associated with and representing one or more of the digital media assets; detecting a user pointing input at one of the active regions; identifying one or more digital media assets associated with the one of the active regions where the user pointing device is at; and initiating playback of a media snippet of the one or more identified digital media assets if the detecting detects that the user pointing device is at the one of the active regions. 
     As a computer-implemented method for review media items, one embodiment can, for example, include at least: displaying a representation of at least one collection of media items; receiving a user input movement over the representation of the at least one collection of media items; and playing a short segment of media content pertaining to at least one of the media items in the collection of media items in response to the user input movement over the representation of the at least one collection of media items. 
     As an apparatus for browsing and playing digital media assets, one embodiment can, for example, include at least: a storage device for storing a plurality of digital media assets; a display device for displaying visual representations pertaining to the digital media assets; and a controller operatively connected to the storage device and the display device. The controller can be configured to at least (i) display a plurality of visual representations, each of the visual representing being associated with and representing one or more of the digital media assets stored in the storage device; (ii) detect a user pointing input at a particular one of the visual representation; (iii) identify one or more digital media assets associated with the particular one of the visual representations; and (iv) initiate playback of a media snippet of the one or more identified digital media assets if the user pointing device is detected at the particular one of the visual representations. 
     As a computer readable storage medium including at least executable computer program code stored thereon for browsing digital media assets, one embodiment can, for example, include at least: computer program code for displaying a plurality of images having associated active regions on a display screen of a client computer, each of the images being associated with and representing one or more of the digital media assets; computer program code for detecting a user pointing input at one of the active regions; computer program code for identifying one or more digital media assets associated with the one of the active regions where the user pointing device is at; and computer program code for initiating playback of a media snippet of the one or more identified digital media assets if the user pointing device is detected to be at the one of the active regions. 
     As a computer-implemented method for review media items, one embodiment can, for example, include at least: computer program code for displaying a representation of at least one collection of media items; computer program code for receiving a user input movement over the representation of the at least one collection of media items; and computer program code for playing a short segment of media content pertaining to at least one of the media items in the collection of media items in response to the user input movement over the representation of the at least one collection of media items. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the browsing apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram of a browse process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a partial flow diagram of a playback initiation process according to an indictment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a flow diagram of a playback initiation process according to another environment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a flow diagram of a browse process according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a display screen depicting a plurality of images  502  according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a display screen depicting a plurality of images according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5C  illustrates a display screen depicting a plurality of images according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are representative display screens that can be presented according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrates a series of representative operations with respect to a visual representation according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a visual representation providing multiple active regions according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to methods, systems and apparatus for image-based browsing through a plurality of digital media assets assisted by media cues. The media cues can be provided by playback of short segments, referred to as snippets, of the digital media assets being browsed. 
     In one embodiment, as a user browses through the digital media assets using visual representations of collections of digital media assets that are displayed for the user, media cues can be provided. For example, the user can cause a pointing action with respect to the visual representation, and the proximity of the pointing action can be used to determine which one or more media cues are to be provided. The media cues can be provided by playback of short segments the one of more of the digital media assets of a collection. Characteristics of the pointing action and/or position of the pointing action with respect to a given visual representation can influence the media cues provided and also how it is played back. 
     The image-based browsing of digital media assets assisted by media cues can, according to one embodiment, be performed on an electronic device, such as a computing device, that that supports a display device as well as an audio output device. The computing device can, for example, be a personal computer (e.g., desktop computer, notebook computer or netbook computer), or a handheld portable electronic device. 
     The digital media assets (i.e., digital media items) can pertain to video items (e.g., video files or movies), audio items (e.g., audio files or audio tracks, such as for songs (music), podcasts or audiobooks), image items (e.g., photos), or any combination thereof. 
     Embodiments of various aspects of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-8 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the browsing apparatus  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The browsing apparatus  100  includes a controller  102  that operates to control the operation of the browsing apparatus  100 . The browsing apparatus  100  operates to assist a user in browsing through a plurality of digital media assets. The digital media assets being browsed can be stored in a media asset storage device  104 . 
     The controller  102  can include one or more specialized modules that can be implemented in hardware or software. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the controller  102  can include or have access to a user interface module  106 , a user input module  108  and a playback module  110 . The user interface module  106  can communicate with a display apparatus  112  to present a graphical user interface having text and/or graphics pertaining to the plurality of digital media assets that the user of the browsing apparatus  100  can browse. According to one embodiment, the user interface module  106  of the controller  102  controls the display device  112  to display representations of one or more collections of digital media assets. The user, through use of a user input device  114 , can provide input to the controller  102 . For example, the user input device  114  can provide user input to the user input module  108 . The user input can then be utilized to highlight, select or initiate playback of at least one of the digital media assets being presented on the display device  112 . In the event that the user input provided by the user input device  114  requests playback of one or more of the digital media assets, the playback module  110  can be utilized to control an audio output device  116  so that audio sound pertaining to the one or more of the digital media assets can be produced by the browsing apparatus  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the browsing apparatus  100  can pertain to a computing device. The computing device can, for example, be a personal computer, such as a desktop computer, notebook computer or netbook computer. The computing device can also be a handheld portable electronic device that supports a display device as well as an audio output device. The audio output device  116  for the browsing apparatus  100  can, for example, be a speaker or an audio output connector. One or more headsets, earbuds or earphones can be connected to the audio output connector. 
     The user input device  114  can provide a pointing action by the user. The pointing action can be provided by a cursor controlled by a mouse, trackball, touch pad, etc. The pointing action can also be provided by a user touch input with respect to a touch-sensitive surface, which may or may not be integrated with the display device  112 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram of a browse process  200  according to one embodiment of the invention. The browse process  200  can, for example, be performed by an electronic device having audio feedback capability. The browse process  200  can assist a user with browsing media items. The electronic device can, for example, be a computing device. For example, the electronic device can implemented by the browsing apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The browse process  200  can begin with a decision  202  that determines whether a user input has been received with respect to an active region. Here, it is assumed that representations for a plurality of different media items (or collections of media items) are presented on a display device. Each of the representations has one or more active regions associated therewith. The decision  202  determines whether a user input, such as a user pointing input, has been received with respect to an active region. When the decision  202  determines that a user input with respect to an active region has not been received, the browse process  200  awaits such a user input. Alternatively, when the decision  202  determines that a user input with respect to an active region as being received, one or more media items associated with the active region can be identified  204 . Next, playback of a snippet (i.e., short segment) of the one or more media items can be initiated  206 . 
     A decision  208  can then determine whether media playback of the one or more media items that have been initiated  206  should continue. When the decision  208  determines that the media playback of the one or more media items are not to be continued, the browse process  200  can return to repeat the decision  202  and subsequent blocks so that additional user inputs can be processed to activate playback of other snippets. Alternatively, when the decision  208  determines that the media playback of the one or more media items is to be continued, the media items for which the snippet is being played can be identified  210 . Extended playback of the identified media items can then be initiated  212 . Following the block  212 , the browse process  200  can return to repeat the decision  202  and subsequent blocks so that additional user inputs can be processed to activate playback of other snippets. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a partial flow diagram of a playback initiation process  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. The playback initiation process  300  can, for example, be processing performed by the block  206  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The playback initiation process  300  can begin with a decision  302  that determines whether media (i.e., media item) is being played. When the decision  302  determines that media is not being play, playback of a snippet of the one or more media items can be initiated  304 . On the other hand, when the decision  302  determines that media is being played, the playback initiation process  300  fades out  306  the playback of the media item currently playing, while at the same time fades in  308  the playback of a snippet of the one or more media items that the user input causes to be played. Following the blocks  304  and  308 , the playback initiation process  300  can conclude. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a flow diagram of a playback initiation process  350  according to another environment of the invention. The playback initiation process  350  can, for example, be performed by the block  206  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The playback initiation process  350  can determine  352  at least one characteristic of the user input. For example, characteristics of the user input can pertain to speed, acceleration, position, gesture, orientation and the like. A playback parameter can be determined  354  based on at least one of the characteristic of the user input. For example, the playback parameter can pertain to one or more of: playback rate, playback volume, playback tempo, and playback equalization, and the like. Thereafter, playback of a snippet of the one or more media items can be initiated  356  in accordance with the playback parameter. Following the block  356 , the playback initiation process  350  can conclude. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a flow diagram of a browse process  400  according to another embodiment of the invention. The browse process  400  can, for example, be performed by an electronic device having audio feedback capability. The browse process  400  can assist a user with browsing media items. The electronic device can, for example, be a computing device. For example, the electronic device can implemented by the browsing apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The browse process  400  can initially display  402  a plurality of images. The plurality of images are displayed  402  on a display device. In one embodiment, each of the images can pertain to a collection of the items. After the plurality of images are displayed  402 , a decision  404  can determine whether a user pointing device is over any particular one of the images. When the decision  440  determines that the user pointing input is not over a particular image, the browse process  400  can await such a user pointing input. However, in some cases different types of user inputs can be processed by the electronic device while the browse process  400  is awaiting the user pointing input over a particular image. 
     Once the decision  404  determines that a user pointing input is over a particular image, a zone of an active region containing the user pointing input can be determined  406 . The active region can be generally commensurate with the image, and the active region can be divided into one or more zones. After the zone of the active region containing the user pointing input has been determined  406 , a media item associated with the zone of the active region can be identified  480 . As an example, each of the images can pertain to a collection of media items, and each of the zones can correspond to one of the media items of the collection of media items. After the media item associated with the zone of the active region has been identified  408 , a snippet of the media item can be acquired  410 . The snippet is a short segment of the media content associated with the media item. The particular segment of the media content to which the segment corresponds may be predetermined, randomly determined or user determined. After the snippet of the media item has been acquired  410  playback of the snippet can be initiated  412 . 
     Next, a decision  414  can determine whether a playback request has been received. A playback request being received while in the snippet is being played can be a request from the user to continue to play the media item to which the snippet corresponds. When the decision  414  determines that a playback request has been received, extended playback of the media item can be initiated  416 . The extended playback of the media item can be implemented by continued playing of the media item from the end of the snippet, or can be implemented by playback of the media item from the beginning following the playback of the snippet. Alternatively, when the decision  414  determines that a playback request has not been received, the block  416  can be bypassed. 
     Following the block  416  or the bypassing of the block  416 , a decision  418  can determine whether a list display request has been received. A list display request is a request from the user to display a list of media items associated with a particular image being displayed  402 . For example, since the images being displayed  402  correspond to a collection of media items, the list can provide in the listing of those of the media items within the collection. When the decision  418  determines that a list display request has been received, a list of media items associated with the particular image can be determined  420 . The list of media items can then be displayed  422 . Alternatively, when the decision  418  determines that a list display request has not been received, blocks  420  and  422  can be bypassed. 
     Following the block  422  or the bypassing of the block  422 , a decision  424  can determine whether a list undisplay request has been received. The list undisplay request operates to remove the display of the list of media items, if such a list was previously display, such as by block  422 . When the decision  424  determines that a list undisplay request has been received, the list of media items can be undisplayed  426 . In other words, in response to the list undisplay request, the prior display the list of media items at block  422  can be removed such that the list of media items is no longer displayed. Alternatively, when the decision  424  determines that the list undisplay request has not been received, the block  426  can be bypassed. Following the block  426 , or its being bypassed, the browse process  400  can return to repeat the block  402  and subsequent blocks so that the browse process  400  can continue with respect to the same plurality of images or a different plurality of images. 
     The browse processing according to one or more embodiments of the invention can display a plurality of images on a display device. The images are used to facilitate the browse process. As noted above (e.g.,  FIG. 4A , block  402 ), the plurality of images can be displayed on a display screen. The plurality of images being displayed are each associated with one or more digital media assets. In one embodiment, at least one of the images is associated with a collection of digital media assets. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a display screen  500  depicting a plurality of images  502  according to one embodiment. In  FIG. 5A , the images  502  are arranged in a grid layout (e.g., 4×4 grid layout). 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a display screen  520  depicting a plurality of images according to one embodiment. In  FIG. 5B , the display screen  520  displays a first cluster  522  having partially overlapping images  526 , and a second cluster  524  having partially overlapping images  528 . Although the size of the images  526 ,  528  can be all the same size, in one embodiment, the size and/or position of the images  526 ,  528  within the clusters  522 ,  524  can be fully or partially random, or can be varied based on various criterion, such as popularity, play counts, time last played, number of digital assets represented by an image, etc. 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates a display screen  540  depicting a plurality of images according to one embodiment. In  FIG. 5C , the display screen  540  displays a first stack  542  having partially overlapping images  546 , and a second stack  544  having partially overlapping images  548 . Although the size of the images  546 ,  548  can be all the same size, in one embodiment, the size and/or position of the images  546 ,  548  within the stacks  542 ,  544  can be fully or partially random, or can be varied based on various criterion, such as popularity, play counts, time last played, number of digital assets represented by an image, etc. 
     Regardless of the particular arrangement of images, each of the images  502 ,  526 ,  528 ,  546  and  548  serves as a visual representation for one or more digital media assets. When the visual representation pertains to more than one digital media asset, the visual representation can be said to pertain to a collection (of digital media assets). For example, a collection of songs can pertain to an album, and the image  502 ,  526 ,  528 ,  546 ,  548  displayed for a given album can be the cover art for the album. As another example, a collection of songs can pertain to a user-formed mixture of digital media content, and the image  502 ,  526 ,  528 ,  546 ,  548  displayed for the collection of songs can be a mosaic formed from two or more images pertaining to songs within the collection. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are representative display screen that can be presented according to one embodiment.  FIG. 6A  illustrates a display screen  600  depicting a representative image according to one embodiment. The image shown in the display screen  600  can provide a graphical representation. The image shown in the display screen  600  is also associated with one or more digital media assets.  FIG. 6B  illustrates a display screen  620  depicting a representative image according to one embodiment. The image shown in the display screen  620  provides a list of tracks  622  associated with the one or more digital media assets associated with the image shown in the display screen  600 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , the list of tracks  622  includes a collection of songs, namely, Song  1 , Song  2 , Song  3 , Song  4 , Song  5  and Song  6 . In one embodiment, the display screen  600  can represent a front side of an album cover, and the display screen  620  can represent a rear side of the album cover. Additionally, the display screen  600  can include a user interface control  602  to, on selection, enable the user to switch from the display screen  600  to the display screen  620 . Similarly, the display screen  620  can include a user interface control  624  to, on selection, enable the user to switch from the display screen  620  to the display screen  600 . The switching between the display screens  600  and  620  can be implemented as a “flipping” action or animation. 
       FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrates a series of representative operations with respect to a visual representation according to one embodiment of the invention. The visual representation can be displayed on a display screen associated with a computing device. The computing device also supports a pointing device, such as mouse, trackball, touch screen, touchpad, etc. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates an exemplary visual representation  700  according to one embodiment. The visual representation  700  is depicted in a conceptual manner and typically would include text and/or graphics. The visual representation  700  is associated with one or more digital media assets. A user pointing device can control a pointer indication  702  (e.g., cursor, touch input) that can be provided on a display screen along with the visual representation  700 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , the pointer indication  702  is shown in a first position ( 1 ) in which the pointer indication  702  is outside the area of the visual representation  700 . 
     In  FIG. 7B , the user causes the pointer indication  702  to translate  704  from the first position ( 1 ) to a second position ( 2 ). At the second position ( 2 ), the pointer indication  702  is over the area of the visual representation  700 . As such, according to one embodiment, playback of a snippet of one of the one or more digital media assets associated with the visual representation  700  can be initiated. 
     In  FIG. 7C , the user causes the pointer indication  702  to hover  706  at the second position ( 2 ). In other words, the pointer indication  702  remains substantially at the second position ( 2 ). In this case, after the snippet has been played back, the playback of the one of the one or more digital media assets can continue. For example, the balance of the media content for one of the one or more digital media assets might be played (e.g., at least as long as the pointer indication  702  continues to hover  706 . As another example, the media content for one of the one or more digital media assets might be played from the beginning. 
     In  FIG. 7D , the user causes the pointer indication  702  to translate  708  from the second position ( 2 ) to a third position ( 3 ). At the third position ( 3 ), the pointer indication  702  is outside the area of the visual representation  700 . As such, according to one embodiment, playback of a snippet or other media content of one of the one or more digital media assets associated with the visual representation  700  can be concluded (immediately or after the snippet or other media content has concluded its playback). 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a visual representation  800  providing multiple active regions according to one embodiment. The visual representation  800  can be used as the visual representation  700  illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7D  according to one embodiment. The visual representation  800  is associated with a plurality of digital media assets. Similar to the visual representation  700 , the visual representation  800  can receive a user input (e.g., cursor, touch input) to provide a pointer indication  801 . The visual representation  800  can be divided into a plurality of active regions  802 - 812  (or zones). Each of the active regions  802 - 812  can be associated with a different one or more of the plurality of digital media assets. As the pointer indication  801  is moved over a particular one of the active regions  802 - 812 , a snippet corresponding to the particular one or more of the plurality of digital media assets that are associated with the particular active region  802 - 812  can be played back. For example, if the visual representation  800  represented six (6) digital media assets, each of the six (6) active regions  802 - 812  can represent a corresponding one of the six (6) digital media assets. In one embodiment, if the pointer indication  801  is moved over a particular one of the active regions  802 - 812  before a currently playing snippet ends, the currently playing snippet can be stopped short of completion and another snippet corresponding to the particular one of the active regions  802 - 812  can be initiated. 
     The ordering of the images associated with media assets within the groupings (e.g., clusters, stacks, grids, timelines, etc.) discussed above can be based on various attributes of metadata or other data. As few examples, ordering can be alphabetical, by date (e.g., release date), popularity (aggregated popularity data), or play count. 
     The various aspects, features, embodiments or implementations of the invention described above can be used alone or in various combinations. 
     Embodiments of the invention can, for example, be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. Embodiments of the invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium generally include read-only memory and random-access memory. More specific examples of computer readable medium are tangible and include Flash memory, EEPROM memory, memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, hard drive, magnetic tape, and optical data storage device. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will become obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein are the common meanings used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present invention. 
     In the foregoing description, reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments of the invention do not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply any limitations in the invention. 
     The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20090907
Publication Date: 20151103
Grant Date: 20151103
Priority Date: 20090907
Inventors: BACHMAN WILLIAM
WASKO TIMOTHY
SANDERS CHRISTOPHER
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F17/30058", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0482", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F16/44", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F16/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04842", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/167", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 43648631