PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9218118-B2
Application Number: US-201313893072-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Media player playlist management

Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to techniques for enabling easy generation, editing, and access to digital content compilations, such as playlists, etc. Specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure employ one or more graphical user-interfaces that provide a playlist toolbar (e.g., a sidebar) after determining a user wishes to access a digital content compilation. Further, predictions may be made to determine potential activities associated with these compilations based upon previous actions performed by the user.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 at an electronic device having one or more processors, memory, a display, and an application for managing media content items, the application including one or more playlists:
 displaying, on the display, a first user interface in the application for managing media content items, the first user interface including a plurality of media content items; 
 detecting an input that selects a first media content item in the plurality of media content items; and, 
 in response to detecting the input that selects the first media content item in the plurality of media content items:
 in accordance with a determination that a first playlist in the one or more playlists meets predicted playlist display criteria, displaying a menu for the first media content item that includes an option to add the first media content item to the first playlist; and, 
 in accordance with a determination that the first playlist does not meet the predicted playlist display criteria, displaying a menu for the first media content item that does not include the option to add the first media content item to the first playlist. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , including:
 in accordance with a determination that the first media content item is already associated with the first playlist, foregoing display of the option to add the first media content item to the first playlist. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , including:
 in accordance with the determination that the first media content item is already associated with the first playlist, displaying, in a menu for the first media content item, an option to remove the first media content item from the first playlist. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that the first playlist is a most recently edited playlist in the application. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that the first playlist is a most recently created playlist in the application. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that an amount of time since the first playlist was edited is less than a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that an amount of time since the first playlist was created is less than a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
       8. A computing device, comprising:
 a display; 
 one or more processors; 
 memory; and 
 one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
 displaying, on the display, a first user interface in the application for managing media content items, the first user interface including a plurality of media content items; 
 detecting an input that selects a first media content item in the plurality of media content items; and, 
 in response to detecting the input that selects the first media content item in the plurality of media content items:
 in accordance with a determination that a first playlist in the one or more playlists meets predicted playlist display criteria, displaying a menu for the first media content item that includes an option to add the first media content item to the first playlist; and, 
 in accordance with a determination that the first playlist does not meet the predicted playlist display criteria, displaying a menu for the first media content item that does not include the option to add the first media content item to the first playlist. 
 
 
 
     
     
       9. The computing device of  claim 8 , including instructions for:
 in accordance with a determination that the first media content item is already associated with the first playlist, foregoing display of the option to add the first media content item to the first playlist. 
 
     
     
       10. The computing device of  claim 8 , including instructions for:
 in accordance with a determination that the first media content item is already associated with the first playlist, displaying, in a menu for the first media content item, an option to remove the first media content item from the first playlist. 
 
     
     
       11. The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that the first playlist is a most recently edited playlist in the application. 
     
     
       12. The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that the first playlist is a most recently created playlist in the application. 
     
     
       13. The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that an amount of time since the first playlist was edited is less than a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
       14. The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that an amount of time since the first playlist was created is less than a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
       15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a computing device with a display, cause the computing device to:
 display, on the display, a first user interface in the application for managing media content items, the first user interface including a plurality of media content items; 
 detect an input that selects a first media content item in the plurality of media content items; and, 
 in response to detecting the input that selects the first media content item in the plurality of media content items:
 in accordance with a determination that a first playlist in the one or more playlists meets predicted playlist display criteria, display a menu for the first media content item that includes an option to add the first media content item to the first playlist; and, 
 in accordance with a determination that the first playlist does not meet the predicted playlist display criteria, display a menu for the first media content item that does not include the option to add the first media content item to the first playlist. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , including instructions, which when executed by the computing device with the display, cause the computing device to:
 in accordance with a determination that the first media content item is already associated with the first playlist, forego display of the option to add the first media content item to the first playlist. 
 
     
     
       17. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , including instructions, which when executed by the computing device with the display, cause the computing device to:
 in accordance with a determination that the first media content item is already associated with the first playlist, display, in a menu for the first media content item, an option to remove the first media content item from the first playlist. 
 
     
     
       18. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that the first playlist is a most recently edited playlist in the application. 
     
     
       19. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that the first playlist is a most recently created playlist in the application. 
     
     
       20. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that an amount of time since the first playlist was edited is less than a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
       21. The computer readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the predicted playlist display criteria include a requirement that an amount of time since the first playlist was created is less than a predetermined amount of time.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to the following provisional patent applications, all filed on Sep. 11, 2012: “Integrated Content Recommendation,” U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/699,788 and “Automated Graphical User-Interface Layout,” U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/699,758. The above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a graphical user-interface, and, more particularly, to a graphical user-interface for generating playlists of content provided in a digital content player. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     As the prevalence of electronic devices has increased, content, such as movies, music, images, etc., has largely become available in a digital format, displayable by these electronic devices. Accordingly, digital content players for electronic devices have become very prevalent. Unfortunately, as digital content offerings increase, so does the complexity of organizing this content in the content players. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices and methods for generating content playlists via a graphical user-interface of a digital content player. In some embodiments, the digital content player may offer enhanced playlist functionality, such as easier access, generation, and editing of the playlist. Additionally, the digital content player may remember previous actions of a user of the digital content player and suggest potential playlist generation activities based upon those previous actions. Accordingly, users of the digital content player may more easily generate, edit, and access playlists within the digital content player. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of components of an electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an example of an electronic device, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a digital content player providing a menu to add items associated with a playlist, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a playlist screen for a newly created playlist, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an edit menu associated with a playlist, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a playlist sidebar for adding content to a playlist, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating an example of content added to the playlist sidebar of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a view illustrating an example of the playlist screen of  FIG. 4  after the playlist has been renamed and content has been added to the playlist; 
         FIG. 9  is a view illustrating an “Add to” toolbar (e.g. a sidebar), in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a view illustrating content added to a previously created playlist via the “Add to” sidebar of  FIG. 9 , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a view of the playlist sidebar of  FIG. 6 , provided based upon the actions illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a view illustrating a sort menu for the playlist sidebar of  FIG. 6 , in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a view of a quick menu with learned playlist actions, in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 14  is a view illustrating a toolbar menu with learned playlist actions, in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The present technique allows for enhanced access, generation, and editing of playlists in a digital content player via a graphical user-interface of the digital content player. For example, a content player, such as the iTunes® application, available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., may perform the playlist generation functionalities described herein. The digital content player and the functions described herein may be implemented as machine-readable instructions stored on a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium. 
     With these foregoing features in mind, a general description of suitable electronic devices for implementing aspects of the present techniques are described below. In  FIG. 1 , a block diagram depicting various components that may be present in electronic devices suitable for use with the present techniques is provided. In  FIG. 2 , one example of a suitable electronic device, here provided as a desktop computer, is depicted. This type of electronic device, and other electronic devices providing comparable storage and/or processing capabilities, may be used in conjunction with the present techniques. For example, these and similar types of electronic devices may be used to display the playlist toolbar (e.g., a sidebar) and/or the “Add to” toolbar, as described herein. 
     An example of a suitable electronic device may include various internal and/or external components which contribute to the function of the device.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the components that may be present in such an electronic device  10  and which may allow the device  10  to function in accordance with the techniques discussed herein. The various functional blocks shown in  FIG. 1  may comprise hardware elements (including circuitry), software elements (including computer code stored on a machine-readable medium) or a combination of both hardware and software elements. It should further be noted that  FIG. 1  is merely one example of a particular implementation and is merely intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in a device  10 . For example, in the presently illustrated embodiment, these components may include a display  12 , I/O ports  16 , input structures  18 , one or more processors  20 , a memory device  22 , a non-volatile storage  24 , a networking device  26 , and a power source  28 . 
     With regard to each of these components, the display  12  may be used to display various images generated by the device  10 . The display  12  may be any type of display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or other suitable display. Additionally, in certain embodiments of the electronic device  10 , the display  12  may include a touch-sensitive element, such as a touch screen. 
     The I/O ports  16  may include ports configured to connect to a variety of external devices, such as a power source or other electronic devices (such as handheld devices and/or computers, printers, projectors, external displays, modems, docking stations, and so forth). The I/O ports  16  may support any interface type, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, a video port, a serial connection port, a IEEE-1394 port, an Ethernet or modem port, and/or an AC/DC power connection port. 
     The input structures  18  may include the various devices, circuitry, and pathways by which user input or feedback is provided to the processor  20 . Such input structures  18  may be configured to control a function of the device  10  when actuated. For example, the input structures  18  may include buttons, sliders, switches, control pads, keys, knobs, scroll wheels, keyboards, mice, touchpads, and so forth. 
     In certain embodiments, an input structure  18  and display  12  may be provided together, such as in the case of a touchscreen where a touch sensitive mechanism is provided in conjunction with the display  12 . In such embodiments, the user may select or interact with displayed interface elements via the touch sensitive mechanism. In this way, the displayed user interface may provide interactive functionality, allowing a user to select, by touch screen or other input structure, from among options displayed on the display  12 . 
     User interaction with the input structures  18 , such as to interact with a user or application interface displayed on the display  12 , may generate electrical signals indicative of the user input. These input signals may be routed via suitable pathways, such as an input hub or bus, to the processor(s)  20  for further processing. 
     The processor(s)  20  may provide the processing capability to execute the operating system, programs, user and application interfaces, and any other functions of the electronic device  10 . The processor(s)  20  may include one or more microprocessors, such as one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors and/or ASICS, or some combination of such processing components. For example, the processor  20  may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors, as well as graphics processors, video processors, audio processors and/or related chip sets. 
     The instructions or data to be processed by the processor(s)  20  may be stored in a memory  22 . The memory  22  may be provided as a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or as a non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory  22  may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory  22  may store firmware for the electronic device  10  (such as a basic input/output instruction or operating system instructions), other programs that enable various functions of the electronic device  10 , user interface functions, processor functions, and may be used for buffering or caching during operation of the electronic device  10 . 
     The components may further include a non-volatile storage  24  for persistent storage of data and/or instructions. The non-volatile storage  24  may include flash memory, a hard drive, or any other optical, magnetic, and/or solid-state storage media. The non-volatile storage  24  may be used to store data files such as personal information, software (e.g., an application used to play digital content on the electronic device  10  or on another electronic device), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable the electronic device  10  to establish a wireless connection, such as a telephone or wireless network connection), and any other suitable data. 
     The components depicted in  FIG. 1  also include a network device  26 , such as a network controller or a network interface card (NIC). In one embodiment, the network device  26  may be a wireless NIC providing wireless connectivity over any 802.11 standard or any other suitable wireless networking standard. The network device  26  may allow the electronic device  10  to communicate over a network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. Further, the electronic device  10  may connect to and send or receive data with any device on the network, such as portable electronic devices, personal computers, printers, and so forth. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the electronic device  10  may not include a network device  26 . In such an embodiment, a NIC may be added as an expansion card to provide similar networking capability as described above. 
     Further, the components may also include a power source  28 . In one embodiment, the power source  28  may be one or more batteries, such as a lithium-ion polymer battery. The battery may be user-removable or may be secured within the housing of the electronic device  10 , and may be rechargeable. Additionally, the power source  28  may include AC power, such as provided by an electrical outlet, and the electronic device  10  may be connected to the power source  28  via a power adapter. This power adapter may also be used to recharge one or more batteries if present. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an electronic device  10  in the form of a desktop computer  50 , such as an iMac® by Apple Inc., that may be used to generate and/or present the enhanced playlist functions described herein. It should be noted that while the techniques will be described below in reference to illustrated electronic device  50  (which may be a desktop computer), the techniques described herein are usable with any electronic device employing a display. For example, other electronic devices may include a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a viewable media player, a mobile phone, a personal data organizer, a workstation, a standalone display, or the like. In certain embodiments, the electronic device may include a model of an iMac®, Mac® mini, Mac Pro®, MacBook®, a MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, Apple Cinema Display®, Apple Thunderbolt Display®, iPad®, iPod® or iPhone® available from available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. In other embodiments, the electronic device may include other models and/or types of electronic devices, available from any manufacturer. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the desktop computer  50  includes a housing  52  that supports and protects interior components, such as processors, circuitry, and controllers, among others, that may be used to generate images to display on display  12 . The desktop computer  50  also includes user input structures  18 , shown here as a keyboard and a mouse, that may be manipulated by a user to interact with desktop computer  50 . For example, the user input structures  18  may be employed to operate a graphical user interface (GUI)  54  of an operating system running on the desktop computer  50  as well as a GUI  56  of applications running on desktop computer  50 . Input structures  18  may be connected to the electronic device  10  through a wired or wireless configuration. Further, in certain embodiments, electronic device  10  may include other types of user input structures, such as a touchscreen or trackpad, among others. 
     The GUI  54  may include various layers, windows, screens, templates, or other graphical elements that may be displayed in all, or a portion, of the display  12 . Generally, the GUI  54  may include graphical elements  58  that represent applications and functions of the electronic device. The graphical elements  58  may include icons and other images representing buttons, sliders, menu bars, and the like. The icons may correspond to various applications of the electronic device that may open upon selection of a respective icon. Furthermore, selection of an icon may lead to a hierarchical navigation process, such that selection of an icon leads to a screen that includes one or more additional icons or other GUI elements  58 . The icons may be selected via a touch screen included in the display  12 , or may be selected by a user input structure  18 , such as a wheel or button. 
     When an icon is selected, the desktop computer  50  may be configured to open an application associated with that icon and display a corresponding screen. For example, when the “iTunes” icon  60  is selected, the desktop computer  50  may be configured to open an application GUI  56  for the iTunes® application. 
     As discussed herein, the GUI  56  may include enhanced playlist functionality that enables easier creation, editing, and access to playlists. The playlists are compilations of digital content (e.g., music, movies, television shows, etc.). For example, the processor  20  of the desktop computer  50  may detect actions by a user in the GUI  56  and provide a playlist editing tool (e.g., a playlist sidebar) in the GUI  56  based upon those actions. Further, the processor  20  may suggest playlist actions, such as adding content to a particular playlist, based upon previously detected actions. While the current disclosure will refer to the playlist editing tool as a “playlist sidebar,” it should be understood that the playlist editing tool is not limited to a sidebar implementation. For example, the playlist editing tool could be provided at the top, bottom, or other area of the GUI  56 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of GUI  56  of  FIG. 2 . GUI  56  may include a currently playing box  100  that provides information regarding content that is currently being played in the digital content player application. For example, such information may include artwork  102 , a title  104 , and/or artist and album information  106 . Further, the currently playing box  100  may include playtime indicator  108  that indicates a time position of the current playback. Additionally, the GUI  56  may include playback controls  110  for the currently playing content, such as fast-forward, re-wind, skip forward, skip backward, play, pause, and/or volume controls. 
     A library sidebar  112  may also be displayed in the GUI  56 . The library sidebar  112  may display playlists  114  that are available in the digital content player. As discussed above, playlists are compilations of content available in the digital content player. These playlists  114  may be generated automatically for a user or may be manually created by the user of the digital content player. For example, the playlists  114  may include playlists  116  generated based upon content obtained by the user (e.g., Genius® playlists by Apple, Inc.). Further the playlists may include smart playlists  118 , which may be automatically generated based upon attributes of content/activities associated with the content that are known by the digital content player. For example, smart playlists might  118  include content of a particular genre, decade, most often played, recently added, recently played, etc. The playlists  114  may also include manually configured playlists  120  that are defined by the user of the digital content player. 
     Additionally, the library sidebar  112  may include a new icon  122  for creating new items in library sidebar  112  and configuration or edit icons  124  for editing items in the library sidebar  112 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when a user selects the new icon  122 , a new menu  126  may appear. As illustrated, the new menu  126  may include an option  128  for creating a new playlist, an option  130  for creating a new playlist from a selection, an option  132  for creating a new smart playlist, and an option  134  for creating a playlist folder. When selecting option  128 , an empty manually configured playlist  120  may be created for manual configuration by the user. When selecting option  130 , any selected content (e.g., selections made in the content list view  136 ) may be used to generate a playlist  116  automatically. Alternatively, the selections may be added to a new manually configured playlist  120 . When option  132  is selected, a new smart playlist  118  may be generated. Further, as will be illustrated in more detail with regards to  FIG. 9 , when option  134  is selected, a playlist folder may be generated. The playlist folder may store one or more playlists defined in the digital content library. 
     Assuming the user selected the new icon  122  and selected the new playlist option  128 , as indicated by the mouse pointers  138 , a new playlist may be generated by the content player. In the current embodiment, as will be seen in  FIG. 4 , a default name for the playlist is “Untitled 1.” In alternative embodiments, the default playlist names may be some alternative name such as “playlist 1,” “Joe&#39;s playlist 1,” where Joe is the user creating the playlist, etc. 
     Having now created a new playlist, the playlist may be accessed and/or edited via the digital content player.  FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a playlist screen  150  for the newly created manual configured playlist  120  “Untitled 1.” The playlist screen  150  may be accessed by selecting a playlist  114  in the library sidebar  112 . For example, as illustrated, the selection bar  152  indicates that “Untitled 1” is currently selected. Accordingly, the playlist screen  150  may provide a view  154  associated with the selected playlist. When the playlist is empty (e.g., does not have any content associated with it), a playlist instruction  156  may be provided. Further, an icon  158  may be provided as an indicator that the current playlist is a manually configured playlist  120 . Further, the title  160 , a content count  162 , and playlist controls  164 , such as a play button  166  and/or shuffle button  168  may be provided. 
     The user may be directed off of the play list screen  150  in one of many ways. For example, navigation buttons  190  may provide navigation away from the screen  150 . Further, as illustrated, one or more tabs  172  may be provided. When a user selects a tab other than the play lists tab  174 , the user may be directed to a view corresponding to that tab  172 . For example, the user may select the radio tab  176  and be directed to a radio view. 
     Once the manually configured playlist  120  is created, the playlist  120  may be edited. For example,  FIG. 5  is an illustration of the screen  150  providing an edit menu  200  associated with a playlist, in accordance with an embodiment. When a user selects one of the edit icon  124 , an edit menu  200  may be provided. The edit menu  200  may include an option  202  to duplicate the currently selected playlist (e.g., the playlist indicated by selection bar  152 ). Further a burn option  204  and/or a share option  206  may be provided. The burn option  204  may enable the content in the selected playlist to be copied to a storage device external to the digital content player (e.g., a writable DVD, a universal serial bus hard drive, etc.). The share option  206  may enable the playlist to be shared with others (e.g., via social networking sites, email, etc.). An edit option  208  may enable the content associated with the playlist to be altered. For example, new content may be added, existing content may be removed, and/or the order of the content may be modified. A rename option  210  may enable the playlist name to be changed. For example, the default name “Untitled 1” may not be a desired name for the playlist, so the user may modify the name using the rename option  210 . A delete option  212  enables the user to delete the currently selected playlist. 
     Using option  210  of the edit menu  200 , assume the user renames the playlist “Untitled 1” to “Road Tunes.” When the user selects the edit option  208 , the user may be directed to a different view that enables content to be added to the “Road Tunes” playlist.  FIG. 6  illustrates a content view  240  that includes a listing of current content available to be added to playlists. For instance, in the current example, an artists view  242  is provided based upon the selection of an artists tab  244 . The artists view  242  may display the user&#39;s digital content based upon artist association. For example, a library sidebar  246  may provide a list of artists that the user has in their content library. When the user selects a particular artist (e.g., “Bruce Springsteen,” as indicated by the selection bar  152 ) the content stored by the digital content player corresponding to that artist is displayed. For example, associated albums  248  and content  250  may be provided. In some embodiments, content that is not already acquired by the user may be provided. For example, an acquisition icon  252  may be provided next to content that has not already been acquired by the user. 
     Even though the current example of the content view  240  illustrates an artists view  242 , many other implementations are possible. For example, a genres tab  254  could present the content based upon genres associated with content, an albums tab  256  could present the content based upon album titles associated with the content, a songs tab  258  could present the content based upon song title, etc. Because the user reached the content view  240  via a playlist edit option (e.g., option  208  of  FIG. 5 ), the content view  240  may present a playlist sidebar  260  that may enable editing of a playlist. 
     As discussed above, in this example, the user renamed the “Untitled 1” playlist to “Road Tunes” and then selected an option to edit the “Road Tunes” playlist. Accordingly, the provided playlist sidebar  260  is associated with the “Road Tunes” playlist. As will be discussed in more detail below, there are additional ways a user might reach a playlist edit option (e.g., a tool bar menu option or a quick menu option). Accordingly, the playlist sidebar  260  may be provided in any one of a number of ways. 
     The playlist sidebar  260  may include a title  262  indicating the name of the playlist that is currently editable. Further, a count  264  of the content (e.g., number of pieces of content, total time of the content, etc.) may be provided. A content container area  266  may be provided, which displays the current content associated with the playlist. Additionally, an edit completion button  268  (e.g., a “Done” button) may be provided to close editing of the playlist and hide the playlist sidebar  260 . 
     In the current example, the user has not yet added any content to the “Road Tunes” playlist. Accordingly, the count  264  is “0 items” and the content container area  266  does not indicate any content associated with the playlist. In some embodiments, when the content container area  266  is empty, background text and/or a background image  270  may provide instructions on adding content to the playlist. 
     To add content to the playlist, the user may drag content from the artists view  242  (or other view displayed based upon the currently selected tab  172 ) into the content container area  266  of the playlist sidebar  260 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the user has placed an assortment of content  300  in the content container area  266 , thus associating the content with the “Road Tunes” playlist. As the assortment of content  300  is associated with the playlist, the count  264  may update. For example, as illustrated, the number of items has increased to 17 and the time counter has increased to 1 hour and 54 minutes. Further, for aesthetic flair, faded images  302  associated with the assortment of content  300  (e.g., album artwork) may be displayed in a playlist sidebar  260 . For example, in certain embodiments, the faded images  302  may taper in fade (e.g., more faded images on the left side of the playlist sidebar  260  and less faded images on the right side of the playlist sidebar  260 ). While the current embodiment illustrates the faded images  302  occupying a top bar  304  in the playlist sidebar  260 , the faded images may occupy other areas of the playlist sidebar  260 . For example, in alternative embodiments, the faded images  302  may occupy an entire background of the playlist sidebar  260   
     Because of the large amount of digital content available and the different compilations of content that may be desired, the number of playlists may be quite large. Accordingly, it may be desirable to organize playlists.  FIG. 8  is a view illustrating an example of the playlist screen  150  of  FIG. 4  where content has been associated with the playlist and a playlist folder  330  has been added for organization. 
     Because the playlist screen  150  now has associated content, the faded images  302  discussed in  FIG. 7  are now available in the playlist screen  150 . In the current embodiment, the faded images  302  occupy a top bar  326  of the playlist screen  150 , but in alternative embodiments these faded images  302  could occupy any portion of a screen of the digital content player that is associated with a compilation of content. As previously discussed, the playlist screen includes an option to add a new playlist folder (e.g., option  134  of  FIG. 3 ). Accordingly, when the user selects this option, a new folder may be added to the library sidebar  112 . The newly created folder may be generated with a default title such as “Untitled 1.” In some embodiments, the content player may automatically provide a prompt to change the default folder name. In the current example, the user has added a “For the Road” folder  330  to bundle all playlists associated with road trips. The user may then associate playlists with the folder  330  by dragging the playlist over the folder  330  in the library sidebar  330 . For example, the user has dragged the “Colorado Trip” playlist  332  into the “For the Road” playlist folder  330 . 
     Having now discussed generating and editing playlists through edit menus and the playlist sidebar  260 , the discussion turns to an “Add to” sidebar that may provide access to the playlist sidebar  260 .  FIG. 9  is a view  370  illustrating an “Add to” sidebar  372 , in accordance with an embodiment. Initially, the “Add to” sidebar  372  may be hidden from a user. When a user drags content in the view  370 , it may typically be an indication that the user desires to place the content in a new location. Accordingly, the “Add to” sidebar may be displayed upon detecting that a user is dragging content in the digital content player. For example, as indicated by the pointer  374  holding the content icon  376 , the user is currently dragging content or a compilation of content (e.g., dragging a compilation of album content by dragging an album name  378 , dragging a compilation of artist content by dragging an artist name  380 , or dragging a piece of content by dragging a song title  382 ). Accordingly, any reference to dragging content or a compilation of content described herein may relate to dragging the content icon  376  associated with the content or compilation. 
     As the user drags the content or compilation of content, the digital content player may detect the content or compilation of content associated with the dragging. The digital content player may then determine the objects where the dragged content or compilation may be placed. Based upon this determination, the digital content player may reveal the “Add to” sidebar  372 . For example, the “Add to” sidebar may slide out from the right of the view  370 , as indicated by the arrow  384 . 
     As discussed above, many electronic devices may be associated with the digital content player. For example, an iPhone®, iPad®, or iPod® by Apple, inc. may be associated with the digital content player, such that content accessible by the digital content player may be added to the associated electronic devices. In the current example, an iPhone® named “John&#39;s iPhone”  386 , an iPod® named “Allie&#39;s iPod”  388 , and an iPod Nano® named “Jogging Nano”  390  are associated with the digital content player. Each of these devices associated with digital content player are enabled to store digital content and thus may be determined to be objects where the dragged content or compilation may be placed. Further, manually customized playlists  120  may be objects where the dragged content or compilations may be placed. Accordingly, the digital content player may provide each of the devices and the manually customized playlists  120  in the “Add to” sidebar  372 . The automatically generated playlists, devices without sufficient storage, and/or any read only devices associated with the digital content player may not be able to receive the dragged content. Accordingly, these objects are not provided in the “Add to” toolbar (e.g., sidebar  372 ). 
     If the user releases the dragged content or compilation in an area that is not over one of the provided objects, the content player may determine that the user does not wish to store the content or compilation in an alternate location. Thus, the content player may hide the “Add to” sidebar  372 . However, when the user drags the content icon  376  over an object in the “Add to” sidebar, the content player may determine that the user desires to associate the content or compilation with the object. For example,  FIG. 10  illustrates content added to a previously created playlist via the “Add to” sidebar  372  of  FIG. 9 . As indicated by the pointer  374 , the user has dragged the content icon  376  over a “Road Tunes” playlist option  400 . Accordingly, the digital content player may determine that the user desires to associate the dragged content or compilation with the “Road Tunes” playlist. If the user releases the content icon  376  over the provided option relating to the object (e.g., the “Road Tunes” playlist option  400 ), the digital content player may place the content or compilation in a default location within the object (e.g., the “Road Tunes” playlist). For example, the digital content player may place the content or compilation at the beginning of the playlist before any other content that is stored in the playlist or at the end of the playlist after all other content that is stored in the playlist. 
     If the user hovers over the option associated with the object (e.g., the “Road Tunes” playlist option  400 ) additional options may be presented to the user.  FIG. 11  is a view of the playlist sidebar of  FIG. 6 , provided to the user based upon the user&#39;s interactions with the “Add to” sidebar  372  of  FIG. 10 . For example, assuming the user did not release the content icon  376  over the option  400  of  FIG. 10 , the playlist sidebar  260  of  FIG. 11  associated with the “Road Tunes” playlist option  400  of  FIG. 10  is revealed to the user (e.g., by sliding out from the right of the view, as indicated by arrow  402  of  FIG. 11 ). As may be appreciated, by presenting the playlist sidebar  260  of  FIG. 11 , the user may dictate the positioning of the content or compilation. In  FIG. 11 , for example, as the user drags the content icon  376  in the playlist sidebar  260 , a positioning bar  404  may be provided that represents where the content or compilation will be placed if the user releases the content icon  376 . In the current example of  FIG. 11 , the user is positioning the content or compilation between “Boy With a Coin” and “Hangin&#39; Round.” 
     The hovering actions on the “Add to” sidebar  372  of  FIG. 10  are not only useful for positioning content within a playlist. If the user had hovered the content icon  376  over any of the devices  386 ,  388 , or  390 , the user would have been provided with storage locations for the corresponding device. For example, if the user hovered over the option  386  for John&#39;s iPhone, the user would have been presented with folders and/or playlists associated with John&#39;s iPhone where the content could be stored. The user would then be free to place the content in the folder (e.g., a music folder on an iPhone®) or could hover over the play list to receive a play list sidebar  260  of  FIG. 11  associated with the playlist on John&#39;s iPhone, such that the content order could be configured by the user. 
     In some embodiments, if the user decides to change the order of content in a playlist, a sorting menu may be provided.  FIG. 12  illustrates a view  420  where a sort menu  422  for the playlist sidebar  260  is presented to the user upon selecting a “Sort by” option  424 . Occasionally, a user may desire to change the order of content within a playlist. This may be facilitated in several ways. First, as previously discussed with regards to  FIG. 11 , content within the playlist sidebar  260  can be dragged to different locations within the playlist sidebar  260 . When the user desires this type of ordering, the user may select a “Manual Order” option  426  from the sort menu  422 . If the user desires an automatic sort of the content within the playlist, the user may select automatic sorting options from the sort menu  422 . For example, the user may select a name sort option  428  that instructs the content player to sort the playlist alphabetically by title of the content. A time sort option  430  may sort the content based on time (e.g., shortest first or shortest last sorting). Further an artist sort option  432  may sort all of the content in the playlist alphabetically passed on the artist name. An album sort option  434  may sort the content alphabetically based upon album title. A rating sort option  436  sorts based upon an ratings provided by the user or others regarding the content and a genre sort option  438  sorts the content alphabetically based on genre. 
     As previously discussed, the digital content player may predict playlist actions based upon previous playlist activities that have occurred. For example,  FIG. 13  is a view  460  of a quick menu  462  providing predicted playlist actions  464 , in accordance with an embodiment.  FIG. 14  is a view  500  illustrating a toolbar menu  502  with predicted playlist actions  504 , in accordance with an embodiment. 
     The digital content player may remember activities related to playlist generation or editing. For example, a user who has recently created and/or edited a playlist may be more likely to continue to want to edit the playlist. Accordingly, the content player may provide predicted playlist options based upon a history of activities associated with the playlists. Accordingly, the content player may remember activity history (e.g., the most recently created and/or edited playlists). Further, the content player may determine a time period that has elapsed since creating and/or editing the playlists based upon the activity history. This information may be used to present playlist options to a user. In one embodiment, the most recently added and/or the most recently edited playlist will be determined to be the most likely candidate for additional editing. Accordingly, an edit option for that specific playlist may be offered as an option, reducing the number of “click-throughs” needed to edit the playlist. In some embodiments, the elapsed time between creation and/or edits of the playlist may determine whether an option is presented to the user. For example, in some embodiments, if the elapsed time is within a specific threshold, an option may be presented to the user. Otherwise, a predicted option is not presented to the user. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the quick menu  462  is presented to the user. In some embodiments, this quick menu  462  may be provided upon an alternate input selection (e.g., a right mouse click, a two-finger click of a touchpad, or an option key+mouse click). The content player may determine whether any predicted playlist options should be presented to the user (e.g., whether a playlist has been created and/or edited within a certain threshold or if there is a most recently added and/or edited playlist available). If the content player determines that such a predicted playlist option exists, the option is added to the quick menu  462 . For example, in the current example, because the user has recently modified the “Road Tunes” playlist, the option  464  is provided in the quick menu  462  to add the selected song to the “Road Tunes” playlist. This additional option  464  reduces the number of clicks needed to add content to the “Road Tunes” playlist. Because content is currently selected and the content is not already in the “Road Tunes” playlist, the predicted option is to add the selected content to the playlist. If the content were already in the “Road Tunes” playlist, the “add” option would not be presented. Instead, in some embodiments, a remove option may be presented. 
     If no content is selected when the predicted option is requested, a predicted option might be more broad. For example, the predicted option may be to edit the “Road Tunes” playlist, rather than add or remove a particular piece of content. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 , predicted options may be added to a toolbar menu. The toolbar menu might not be associated with a particular piece of content. Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , an edit “Road Tunes” Playlist option  504  is presented to the user. When selected, this option will reveal the playlist sidebar  260  in a similar manner as discussed regarding  FIG. 6 . 
     As may be appreciated, by implementing the techniques described herein, graphical user-interfaces used in electronic devices may be greatly enhanced. For example, playlists may be accessed, edited, and created in a more convenient manner. Through providing the playlist side bar, enhanced playlist cues, and suggestions of playlist actions, the layout may be more appealing to the user, thus, creating an enhanced user experience. 
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20130513
Publication Date: 20151222
Grant Date: 20151222
Priority Date: 20120911
Inventors: BACHMAN WILLIAM M.
FRICK BRIAN R.
MARTIN TIMOTHY B.
ROBBIN JEFFREY L.
SANDERS CHRISTOPHER J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0486", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0482", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F16/61", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B27/034", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B27/34", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0482", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B27/34", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B27/034", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0486", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50234687