PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10318114-B2
Application Number: US-201615271197-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Playlist-only media items

Abstract:
In some implementations, a computing device can be configured to manage playlist-only media items for a user&#39;s media library. For example, when a user adds a media item to a playlist, the user can be presented with an option to add the media item to the playlist as a playlist-only media item. When the user selects to add the media item to the playlist as a playlist-only media item, the computing device can update media metadata associated with the user&#39;s media library with data indicating that the media item is a playlist-only media item. When the computing device performs operations (e.g., displaying, searching, etc.) on the user&#39;s media library, the computing device can exclude the playlist-only media items from the operations. The computing device can change the playlist-only settings for a media item to add and/or remove a media item from the user&#39;s media library.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 storing, at a computing device, media metadata and media playlist definitions associated with a media account of a user, wherein the media metadata indicates whether one or more media items belong in a user-defined media library comprising a set of one or more media items defined by the user; 
 presenting, by the computing device, a representation of a first media item on a display of the computing device; 
 receiving, by the computing device, a first user input selecting the first media item; 
 presenting, by the computing device, a prompt for a second user input that indicates whether the first media item should be a playlist only media item; 
 receiving, by the computing device, in response to the prompt the second user input indicating that the first media item should be a playlist only media item; 
 updating, by the computing device, a playlist only field in the media metadata with a playlist only indication that indicates that the first media item should be excluded from storage in the user-defined media library; 
 excluding, by the computing device, the first media item from storage in the user-defined media library based on the playlist only indication; and 
 updating, by the computing device, a media playlist definition for a first media playlist accessible by the user to indicate that the first media item is in the first media playlist despite the first media item being excluded from storage in the user-defined media library; and 
 including, by the computing device, a second media item in the user-defined media library and the first media playlist in response to a media metadata associated with the second media item indicating that the second media item is not a playlist only media item. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the computing device, a third user input for performing an operation on the user-defined media library; 
 identifying, by the computing device, the one or more media items in a media item metadata stored in the media metadata that should be included in the storage of the user-defined media library based on the playlist only field of the media metadata; 
 generating, by the computing device, based on the identified media items, a collection of media items corresponding to the user-defined media library, wherein the generated collection of media items excludes playlist only media items; and 
 performing, by the computing device, the operation on the generated collection of media items. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the operation is presenting the user-defined media library on the display of the computing device. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the operation is searching the user-defined media library. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the operation is maintaining a smart playlist based on the user-defined media library. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user-defined media library is separate from general storage of the computing device, and wherein the user-defined media library comprises media items selected by the user. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user-defined media library comprising a set of one or more media items that a user has access to from a media subscription service of the user. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first media item is accessible by the user at the computing device despite not being stored in the user-defined media library. 
     
     
       9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including one or more sequences of instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes:
 storing, at a computing device, media metadata and media playlist definitions associated with a media account of a user, wherein the media metadata indicates whether one or more media items belong in a user-defined media library comprising a set of one or more media items defined by the user; 
 presenting, by the computing device, a representation of a first media item on a display of the computing device; 
 receiving, by the computing device, a first user input selecting the first media item; 
 presenting, by the computing device, a prompt for a second user input that indicates whether the first media item should be a playlist only media item; 
 receiving, by the computing device, a second user input indicating that the first media item should be a playlist only media item; 
 updating, by the computing device, a playlist only field in the media metadata with a playlist only indication that indicates that the first media item should be excluded from storage in the user-defined media library; 
 excluding, by the computing device, the first media item from storage in the user-defined media library based on the playlist only indication; and 
 updating, by the computing device, a media playlist definition for a first media playlist accessible by the user to indicate that the first media item is in the first media playlist despite the first media item being excluded from storage in the user-defined media library; and 
 including, by the computing device, a second media item in the user-defined media library and the first media playlist in response to a media metadata associated with the second media item indicating that the second media item is not a playlist only media item. 
 
     
     
       10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions cause:
 receiving, by the computing device, a third user input for performing an operation on the user-defined media library; 
 identifying, by the computing device the one or more media items in a media item metadata stored in the media metadata that should be included in the storage of the user-defined media library based on the playlist only field of the media metadata; 
 generating, by the computing device, based on the identified media items, a collection of media items corresponding to the user-defined media library, wherein the generated collection of media items excludes playlist only media items; and 
 performing, by the computing device, the operation on the generated collection of media items. 
 
     
     
       11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the operation is presenting the user-defined media library on the display of the computing device. 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the operation is searching the user-defined media library. 
     
     
       13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the operation is maintaining a smart playlist based on the user-defined media library. 
     
     
       14. A system comprising:
 one or more processors; and 
 a non-transitory computer-readable medium including one or more sequences of instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes: 
 storing, at a computing device, media metadata and media playlist definitions associated with a media account of a user, wherein the media metadata indicates whether one or more media items belong in a user-defined media library comprising a set of one or more media items defined by the user; 
 presenting, by the computing device, a representation of a first media item on a display of the computing device; 
 receiving, by the computing device, a first user input selecting the first media item; 
 presenting, by the computing device, a prompt for a second user input that indicates whether the first media item should be a playlist only media item; 
 receiving, by the computing device, in response to the prompt, the second user input indicating that the first media item should be a playlist only media item; 
 updating, by the computing device, a playlist only field in the media metadata with a playlist only indication that indicates that the first media item should be excluded from storage in the user-defined media library; 
 excluding, by the computing device, the first media item from storage in the user-defined media library based on the playlist only indication; 
 updating, by the computing device, a media playlist definition for a first media playlist accessible by the user to indicate that the first media item is in the first media playlist despite the first media item being excluded from storage in the user-defined media library; and 
 including, by the computing device, a second media item in the user-defined media library and the first media playlist in response to a media metadata associated with the second media item indicating that the second media item is not a playlist only media item. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the instructions cause:
 receiving, by the computing device, a third user input for performing an operation on the user-defined media library; 
 identifying, by the computing device, the one or more media items in a media item metadata stored in media metadata that should be included in the storage of the user-defined media library based on the playlist only field of the media metadata; 
 generating, by the computing device, based on the identified media items, a collection of media items corresponding to the user-defined media library, wherein the generated collection of media items excludes playlist only media items; and 
 performing, by the computing device, the operation on the generated collection of media items. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the operation is presenting the user-defined media library on the display of the computing device. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the operation is searching the user-defined media library. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the operation is maintaining a smart playlist based on the user-defined media library.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/286,410, filed Jan. 24, 2016, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure generally relates to managing media items on a computing device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern technology allows users to collect, curate, and/or manipulate digital media. Often, a user&#39;s digital media library becomes cluttered with media items that do not fit with the user&#39;s media tastes. For example, the user may create a playlist (e.g., an ordered collection of media items) for a friend that includes media items (e.g., songs) that the user does not like. However, in order to create the playlist, the user may have to add the media items for the playlist to the user&#39;s media library because playlists are built from media items in the user&#39;s library. Thus, the user&#39;s media library may become cluttered with media items that the user may not want included in the user&#39;s media library. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some implementations, a computing device can be configured to manage playlist-only media items for a user&#39;s media library. For example, when a user adds a media item to a playlist, the user can be presented with an option to add the media item to the playlist as a playlist-only media item. When the user selects to add the media item to the playlist as a playlist-only media item, the computing device can update media metadata associated with the user&#39;s media library with data indicating that the media item is a playlist-only media item. When the computing device performs operations (e.g., displaying, searching, etc.) on the user&#39;s media library, the computing device can exclude the playlist-only media items from the operations. The computing device can change the playlist-only settings for a media item to add and/or remove a media item from the user&#39;s media library. 
     Particular implementations provide at least the following advantages. Playlist-only media items allow a user to create playlists that include, perhaps undesirable, media items without having the media items show up in the user&#39;s media library. Playlist-only media items allow the user to have more control over which media items show up in the user&#39;s library, search results, etc. 
     Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and potential advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example system for implementing playlist-only media items. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates example media metadata for implementing playlist-only media items. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example graphical user interface for selecting a media item to add to a playlist. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example graphical user interface for adding a media item to a playlist. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example graphical user interface for setting the default playlist-only value for media items. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example graphical user interface for presenting options for a media item in a user&#39;s playlist. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example graphical user interface for presenting options for a playlist-only media item. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example graphical user interface for removing a media item from a playlist. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example graphical user interface for deleting a media item from the user&#39;s media library. 
         FIG. 10  is flow diagram of an example process for adding a playlist-only media item to a user&#39;s playlist. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of an example process for performing media application operations based on playlist-only media items. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow diagram of an example process  1200  for removing a media item from the user&#39;s media library. 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram of an example computing device  1300  that can implement the features and processes of  FIGS. 1-12 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     System Overview 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example system  100  for implementing playlist-only media items. For example, system  100  can be configured to allow the user to create playlists that include playlist-only media items that are not added to or included in the user&#39;s media library. Thus, the user can create playlists (e.g., for friends, colleagues, clients, etc.) that include media items that do not correspond to the user&#39;s media tastes without cluttering the user&#39;s media library with the media items in the playlist. 
     In some implementations, system  100  can include user device  110 . For example, user device  110  can be a computing device such as a laptop computer, smartphone, tablet computer, or wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, smart glasses, etc.). User device  110  can be one of several similarly configured user devices, such as user device  140 , that provide features for managing, synchronizing, accessing, and/or playing media items (e.g., music, audio books, movies, videos, etc.). 
     In some implementations, user device  110  can be configured with media application  112 . For example, media application  112  can be a multimedia software application installed and/or running on user device  110  that provides functionality for accessing and/or managing media on user device  110 . While media application  112  can be configured to access and/or manage a variety of media types (e.g., music, audio books, movies, videos, etc.) this specification will describe the features of media application  112  in terms of media items or music media for simplicity and ease of understanding. 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can be configured to manage a user&#39;s media library. For example, media application  112  can manage information describing media items (e.g., songs, audio tracks, etc.) purchased by the user of user device  110 . Media application  112  can manage information describing media items obtained from a subscription services. For example, when a user purchases a song, media application  112  can download the song and add metadata associated with the song to media metadata  114 . Similarly, when a user downloads, likes, or creates a playlist including a song from a music subscription service, media application  112  can add metadata associated with the song to media metadata  114 . In some implementations, the song (e.g., the actual media) does not need to be stored locally on user device  110  for the song to be included in media metadata  114 . For example, the song can be stored on media server  150  (e.g., a cloud media server, media subscription server, etc.) and accessed through network  160  (e.g., a local area network, wide area network, Internet, etc.). 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can include media library  120 . For example, media application  112  can dynamically generate media library  120  based on the media item metadata stored in media metadata  114 . Media metadata  114  can include entries that describe all media items in the user&#39;s media library  120  and user playlists (e.g., playlist  130 ). For example, if media metadata  114  includes metadata entries for media item  122  and media item  124 , then media item  122  and media item  124  can be included in media library  120 . Media library  120  can include all of the media items described in media metadata  114 . Media library  120  can include a portion (e.g., less than all) of the media items described in media metadata  114 . For example, media library  120  may include media items that are not identified as playlist-only media items in media metadata  114  and exclude media items that are identified as playlist-only media items in media metadata  114 . 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can include playlist  130 . For example, playlist  130  can be an ordered media item collection created and/or managed by the user of user device  110 . Playlist  130  can include, for example, data identifying each media item (e.g., media item  122 ) that the user has added to playlist  130  and the position or order of each media item the playlist  130 . 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can add a media item to playlist  130  without adding the media item to media library  120 . For example, the user of user device  110  can interact with (e.g., provide input to) a graphical user interface (GUI) of media application  112  to add media item  132  (e.g., from a subscription service or cloud resource) to playlist  130 . While interacting with media application  112 , the user can provide input indicating that media item  132  should be a playlist-only media item. When media application  112  receives the input indicating that media item  132  should be a playlist-only media item, media application  112  can update the metadata in media metadata  114  corresponding to media item  132  to indicate that the media item is a playlist-only media item. For example, media metadata  114  can include a data field (e.g., a true/false flag) for each media item in media metadata  114  that indicates whether the corresponding media item is a playlist-only media item. In the example above, media application  112  can set the value of the playlist-only data field for media item  132  to ‘true’ to indicate that the added media item is a playlist-only media item. In some implementations, media application  112  can set the value of the playlist-only data field for media item  132  based on a default value (e.g., true or false) configured for media application  112 . 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can generate media library  120  based on the playlist-only data field of media metadata  114 . For example, media application  112  can exclude media items that have been identified or marked as playlist-only in media metadata  114  from media library  120 . Thus, while media library  120  includes media items  122  and  124 , media library  120  excludes media item  132  because media item  132  is a playlist-only media item. 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can perform various operations or functions on media library  120  that exclude playlist-only media items. For example, a user can request a search for a media item in media library  120 . Since, playlist-only media items are excluded from media library  120 , the search results will not include playlist-only media items. Similarly, the user can configure a smart playlist that dynamically adds media items to the smart playlist from media library  120  based on user-specified criteria (e.g., search terms). Since the smart playlist adds media items from media library  120 , the smart playlist will not include playlist only media items. Thus, the search results and/or smart playlist will only include media items that the user has selected (e.g., that the user wants) to be included in the user&#39;s media library  120 . 
     In some implementations, user device  110  can synchronize media metadata  114  with other computing devices. For example, user device  110  can synchronize media metadata  114 , including default playlist-only value and individual media item playlist-only values, with user account  152  on media server  150 . User account  152  can be, for example, a user account of the user of user device  110 . User account  152  can be a user account of a cloud media service, an online media store, or an online storage service, for example. Media application  112  can send media metadata  114  to media server  150  so that media server  150  can update media metadata  154  in user account  152  based on changes made to media metadata  114 . For example, media application  112  can send media metadata  114  to media server  150  when a new media item is added to media metadata  114  and/or when the metadata for a media item is modified (e.g., when the playlist-only field of a media item is changed). Media server  150  can merge or synchronize media metadata  114  with media metadata  154  so that media metadata  154  reflects the changes or updates made to media metadata  114  on user device  110 . 
     In some implementations, after media metadata  154  is updated at media server  150 , media server  150  can send the updated media metadata  154  to other user devices associated with user account  152 . For example, media server  150  can send the media metadata (or a portion thereof) to user device  140  so that media application  142  can update media metadata  144  based on the changes made to media metadata  154 . Thus, each user device (e.g., user device  110 , user device  140 ) associated with user account  152  can be synchronized and configured with the same playlist-only media items. 
     In some implementations, media server  150  can be configured to add playlist-only field values to media metadata generated by other devices. For example, user device  140  may be a device that is not configured for playlist-only media items. The user of user device  140  may add a media item to a playlist using user device  140 . User device  140  may synchronize the playlist data and media metadata  144  from user device  140  with media server  150 . When media server  150  receives the playlist data and media metadata  144 , media server  150  can merge (e.g., synchronize) media metadata  144  with media metadata  154 . Since media metadata  144  does not have a playlist-only value for the added media item, media server  150  can set the playlist-only value for the added media item to the default playlist-only value received from user device  110  when merging media metadata  144  with media metadata  154 . Thus, media server  150  can enforce the desired playlist-only behavior specified by the user of user device  110 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates example media metadata  200  for implementing playlist-only media items. For example, media metadata  200  can correspond to media metadata  114  of  FIG. 1 . In some implementations, media metadata  200  can include metadata for media items in the user&#39;s media library and playlists. When a media item is added to the use&#39;s library or playlists, media application  112  can add metadata for the media item to media metadata  200 . For example, media metadata  200  can include metadata entries  222 ,  224  and  232  for media items  122 ,  124  and  132 , respectively. 
     In some implementations, metadata entries in media metadata  200  can include identifier field  202 . For example, identifier field  202  can store a globally unique identifier that is assigned to a media item by a media vendor (e.g., an online media store, media subscription service  156 , etc.). The globally unique identifier can be used to identify the corresponding media item across all devices associated with accounts with the media vendor. 
     In some implementations, media entries in media metadata  200  can include metadata field  204 . For example, metadata field  204  can store descriptive data with respect to the corresponding media item. For example, metadata filed  204  can include information identifying the artist, genre, tempo, duration and/or other descriptive information about the corresponding media item. 
     In some implementations, media entries in media metadata  200  can include asset pointer field  206 . For example, asset pointer field  206  can store a pointer (e.g., uniform resource locator “URL,” memory pointer, directory location, etc.) that describes a location (e.g., local or network) where the corresponding media item (e.g., media asset, audio file, etc.) can be found. Media application  112  can use the asset pointer to obtain the corresponding media asset so that media application  112  can playback or present the media asset to the user. 
     In some implementations, media entries in media metadata  200  can include playlist only field  208 . For example, playlist only field  208  can store a Boolean value (e.g., true, false) that indicates whether the corresponding media item is a playlist-only media item. For example, the playlist only field of entry  222  (media item  122 ) stores a ‘false’ value. Thus, media item  122  is not a playlist-only media item and media item  122  will be included in the user&#39;s media library  120 . The playlist-only field of entry  232  (media item  132 ) stores a ‘true’ value. Thus, media item  132  is a playlist-only media item and media item  132  will not be included in the user&#39;s media library  120 . 
     In some implementations, the user can specify the default value for playlist-only field  208 . For example, media application  112  can prompt the user to set the default playlist-only field value when the user adds a media item to a playlist, as described in further detail below. If the user has not set the default value for playlist only filed  208 , media application  112  can use ‘true’ as the default value for playlist-only field  208 . In some implementations, whenever a new media item is added to a playlist, media application  112  can set the value of the playlist only field  208  to the default value. 
     In some implementations, the user can change the value of the playlist-only field  208  for a media item. For example, media application  112  can present a representation of media item  132  on a GUI of media application  112  and present graphical elements that allow the user to change the value playlist-only field  208  of media item  132  (entry  232 ) from true to false or from false to true, as described further below. 
     Graphical User Interfaces 
     This disclosure describes various Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for implementing various features, processes or workflows. These GUIs can be presented on a variety of electronic devices including but not limited to laptop computers, desktop computers, computer terminals, television systems, tablet computers, e-book readers and smart phones. One or more of these electronic devices can include a touch-sensitive surface. The touch-sensitive surface can process multiple simultaneous points of input, including processing data related to the pressure, degree or position of each point of input. Such processing can facilitate gestures with multiple fingers, including pinching and swiping. 
     When the disclosure refers to “select” or “selecting” user interface elements in a GUI, these terms are understood to include clicking or “hovering” with a mouse or other input device over a user interface element, or touching, tapping or gesturing with one or more fingers or stylus on a user interface element. User interface elements can be virtual buttons, menus, selectors, switches, sliders, scrubbers, knobs, thumbnails, links, icons, radio buttons, checkboxes and any other mechanism for receiving input from, or providing feedback to a user. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example graphical user interface  300  for selecting a media item to add to a playlist. For example, GUI  300  can be a graphical user interface presented by media application  112  on a display of user device  110 . GUI  300  can, for example, present media items available from a media subscription service (e.g., streaming audio service, music subscription service, etc.). GUI  300  can present, for example, songs  302 ,  304  and/or  306  of an album made available to the user through media application  112  when the user has an active subscription to media subscription service  156 . 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can add media item  302  from media subscription service  156  to a playlist. For example, the user of user device  110  can select graphical element  310  to cause media application  112  to present an options menu for media item  302 , as illustrated by  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example graphical user interface  400  for adding a media item to a playlist. For example, media application  112  can present options menu  402  on a display of user device  110  in response to receiving a user selection of graphical element  310  of GUI  300 . 
     In some implementations, options menu  402  can include an option  404  to add media item  302  to a playlist. For example, in response to receiving user input selecting option  404 , media application  112  can present one or more graphical user interface elements (not shown) that allow the user to select or create a playlist to which media item  302  is to be added. After the user has selected or created the playlist, media application  112  can prompt the user to set the default playlist-only value for media items added to playlists in the future, as illustrated by  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example graphical user interface  500  for setting the default playlist-only value for media items. For example, graphical element  502  can be presented by music application  112  on a display of user device  110  in response to a user selecting option  404  and specifying a playlist to which media item  302  should be added. 
     In some implementations, graphical element  502  can present a prompt asking the user to set the default playlist-only value for media items added to user playlists. Graphical element  502  (e.g., the prompt) can be presented the first time a user adds a media item to a playlist so that the user can specify the default behavior for adding a media item to a playlist. The prompt can, for example, ask the user whether media application  112  should add media items added to playlists in the future to the user&#39;s media library (e.g., media library  120 ). When the user selects graphical element  504 , media application  112  will not add media items to the user&#39;s media library when the user adds media items to playlists in the future. For example, when the user selects graphical element  504 , media application  112  can update media metadata  200  to set the value of the playlist-only field of the corresponding media item to ‘false’ so that the media item will not be included in media library  120 . When the user selects graphical element  506 , media application  112  will automatically add media items to the user&#39;s media library when the user adds media items to playlists in the future. For example, when the user selects graphical element  504 , media application  112  will update media metadata  200  to set the value of the playlist-only field of the corresponding media item to ‘true’ so that the media item will be included in media library  120 . 
     In some implementations, the user can change the default playlist-only value for media items. For example, media application  112  can present a settings menu (not shown) that the user can interact with to change the default playlist-only value from ‘true’ to ‘false’ or from ‘false’ to ‘true’. In some implementations, if the user changes the default playlist-only value from ‘true’ to ‘false’ (e.g., to add media items to the user&#39;s library), media application  112  can retroactively add media items previously marked as playlist-only to the user&#39;s media library  120 . For example, media application  112  can present a graphical element (not shown) that allows the user to select whether to retroactively add media items previously marked as playlist-only to the user&#39;s media library  120 . In some implementations, if the user changes the default playlist-only value from ‘false’ to ‘true’ (e.g., mark added media items as playlist-only), media application  112  can leave previously added media items in the user&#39;s media library  120 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example graphical user interface  600  for presenting options for a media item in a user&#39;s playlist. For example, GUI  600  can be presented by media application  112  on a display of user device  110  in response to receiving input selecting to view a playlist (e.g., playlist  130 ). GUI  600  can present graphical elements  622  and  632  representing media items  122  and  132  of playlist  130 , respectively. For example, graphical elements  622  and  632  can present information identifying and/or describing the media items in playlist  130 . For example, graphical elements  622  and  632  can present information from metadata field  204  of media metadata  200  for each media item in playlist  130 . 
     In some implementations, a user can select graphical element  602  or graphical element  604  to present options for respective media items. For example, because graphical element  622  corresponds to media item  122  which is in the user&#39;s media library  120  and graphical element  632  corresponds to media item  132  which is a playlist-only media item, different options can be presented by media application  112  when the user selects graphical element  602  and/or graphical element  604 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example graphical user interface  700  for presenting options for a playlist-only media item. For example, when the user selects graphical element  602  of  FIG. 6 , media application  112  can determine whether media item  132  is a playlist-only media item based on the value of the playlist-only field for media item  132  in media metadata  200 . When media application  112  determines that media item  132  is a playlist-only media item, media application  112  can present graphical element  702  on GUI  700 . For example, graphical element  702  can be a window, overlay, or menu that presents options for media item  132 . 
     In some implementations, graphical element  702  can include a graphical element  704  for adding a playlist-only media item to the user&#39;s media library  120 . For example, in response to receiving a selection of graphical element  704 , media application  112  can change the value of the playlist-only field for media item  132  in media metadata  200  from ‘true’ to ‘false’ thereby causing application  112  to include media item  132  in the user&#39;s media library  120 , as described above. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example graphical user interface  800  for removing a media item from a playlist. For example, when the user selects graphical element  602  or graphical element  604  corresponding to media items  122  and  132  in playlist  130 , media application  112  can present graphical element  802 . For example, graphical element  802  can be a window, overlay, or menu that presents options for media items  122  and/or  132 . 
     In some implementations, graphical element  802  can present an option  804  for removing a media item from a playlist. For example, when the user selects option  804 , music application  112  can remove the corresponding media item (e.g., media item  122  or  132 ) from playlist  130 . If the media item (e.g., media item  122 ) is included in the user&#39;s media library  120 , the media item will remain in media library  120 . If the media item (e.g., media item  132 ) is a playlist-only media item and is not included in any other playlists, then the metadata entry (e.g., entry  232 ) corresponding to the media item can be removed from media metadata  200 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example graphical user interface  900  for deleting a media item from the user&#39;s media library. For example, graphical element  902  can be presented by media application  112  in response to the user selecting graphical element  604  of GUI  600  corresponding to media item  122  of  FIG. 1 . Graphical element  902  can include option  904  for removing a media item (e.g., media item  122 ) from the user&#39;s media library  120 . For example, in response to receiving a selection of option  904 , media application  112  can remove media item  122  from media library  120 . 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can remove media item  122  from media library  120  all user playlists (e.g., playlist  130 ). For example, media application  112  can remove media item  122  from media library  120  by removing the metadata entry for media item  122  from media metadata  200 . Media application  112  can remove media item  122  from playlists by removing the identifier for media item  122  from each playlist. 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can remove media item  122  from media library  120  by changing the value of the playlist-only field for media item  122  in media metadata  200  to ‘true’. Since media item  122  is now a playlist-only media item, media item  122  will remain in playlist  130  (and other playlists) while being effectively removed from (e.g., not included in) media library  120 , as described above. 
     In some implementations, media application  112  can present a prompt asking whether the user wants to remove media item  122  from playlists in addition to removing the media item from media library  120 . For example, media application  112  can receive user input specifying whether to remove media item  122  from media library  120  only or whether to remove media item  122  from media library  120  and user playlists. Upon receiving input specifying that the user wishes to remove media item  122  from media library  120  only, media application  112  can remove media item  122  from media library  120  by changing the value of the playlist-only field for media item  122  in media metadata  200  to ‘true’, as described above. Upon receiving input specifying that the user wishes to remove media item  122  from media library  120  and all user playlists, media application  112  can remove media item  122  from media library  120  all user playlists (e.g., playlist  130 ), as described above. 
     Example Processes 
       FIG. 10  is flow diagram of an example process  1000  for adding a playlist-only media item to a user&#39;s playlist. For example, computing device  110  can prompt the user to set the default playlist-only value for media items added to the user&#39;s playlist. In some implementations, only media items added from a subscription service or cloud service can be marked as playlist-only media items (e.g., playlist-only value=true). In some implementations, any media item can be marked as a playlist-only media item. 
     At step  1002 , computing device  110  can receive a selection of a media item. For example, media application  112  can receive user input selecting a media item from a list of media items presented on a display of computing device  110 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     At step  1104 , computing device  110  can receive user input for adding a media item to a playlist. For example, media application  112  can receive user input indicating that the user would like to add the selected media item to a playlist and allow the user to create and/or select a playlist, as described above with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     At step  1006 , computing device  110  can prompt the user for input specifying a default playlist-only value. For example, media application  112  can present graphical element  502  of  FIG. 5  to prompt the user to specify a default playlist-only value for media items added to a playlist in the future. In some implementations, the prompt is presented the first time the user adds a media item to a playlist. As described, below the system can save the user&#39;s selection as a default ‘playlist-only’ value and apply the value to media items added to user playlists in the future. 
     At step  1008 , computing device  110  can receive user input specifying the default playlist-only value for media items when added to playlists. For example, the user can provide input indicating that the default playlist-only value should be true or false. Each media item added to a playlist (e.g., any user playlist associated with the user) thereafter will be associated with the default playlist-only value. The user can change the playlist-only value of media items as described with reference to  FIGS. 6, 7 , and/or  8 . 
     At step  1010 , computing device  110  can store the default playlist-only value specified by the user. For example, media application  112  can store the default playlist-only value in media metadata  200  or in another storage location associated with media application  112  on computing device  110 . 
     At step  1012 , computing device  110  can update the media metadata for the media item based on the default playlist-only value. For example, media application  112  can store metadata for the media item in media metadata  200  and set the playlist-only value for the media item in media metadata  200  to the user-specified default value. 
     At step  1014 , computing device  110  can add the media item to the user selected playlist. For example, media application  112  can add the identifier corresponding to the media item to the user selected playlist. 
       FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of an example process  1100  for performing media application operations based on playlist-only media items. For example, media application  112  can perform operations such as displaying a view of the user&#39;s media library and searching the user&#39;s media library. The result of these operations may be affected by the playlist-only values assigned to media items in media metadata  200 . 
     At step  1102 , computing device  110  can receive input selecting an operation to perform with respect to the user&#39;s library. For example, media application  112  can receive user input requesting to view the user&#39;s media library on a display of computing device  110 . Media application  112  can receive user input requesting to search the user&#39;s media library for media items corresponding to user-specified search criteria. Media application  112  can receive user input limiting the search to the user&#39;s media library. For example, media application  112  can present graphical elements that allow the user to select between searching all media items in the user&#39;s library and/or playlists or just the media items in the user&#39;s library (e.g., media items not marked as ‘playlist-only’). 
     At step  1104 , computing device  110  can obtain media metadata. For example, media application  112  can obtain media metadata  200  that includes metadata for each media item in the user&#39;s media library and playlists. 
     At step  1106 , computing device  110  can determine the playlist-only value for media items in the media metadata. For example, media application  112  can determine which media items in media metadata  200  are playlist-only media items and which media items are not playlist-only media items based on the value in the playlist-only field for each media item in media metadata  200 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     At step  1108 , computing device  110  can generate a user library collection based on the playlist-only value for each media item. For example, media application  112  can include media items that are not playlist-only media items (e.g., playlist-only value is ‘false’) in the user library collection of media items. 
     At step  1110 , computing device  110  can perform the user selected operation on the user library collection of media items. For example, if the user has selected to view the user&#39;s media library, media application  112  can present a view of the user library collection of media items. If the user has selected to search the user&#39;s media library, media application  112  can search the user library collection of media items according to the user-specified search criteria and present the search results on a display of computing device  110 . 
       FIG. 12  is a flow diagram of an example process  1200  for removing a media item from the user&#39;s media library. For example, computing device  110  can remove a media item from the user&#39;s media library while retaining the media item in user playlists by marking the media item as a playlist-only media item. Computing device  110  can mark the media item as a playlist-only media item by setting the value of the playlist-only field for the media item in media metadata  200  to ‘true’. 
     At step  1202 , computing device  110  can receive a selection of a media item in the user&#39;s library. For example, media application  112  can receive a selection of a media item as described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     At step  1204 , computing device  110  can receive input for removing the selected media item from the user&#39;s library. For example, media application  112  can receive user input indicating that the user wishes to remove the selected media item from the user&#39;s library, as described with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
     At step  1206 , computing device  110  can prompt the user to specify whether to keep the selected media item in user playlists. For example, media application  112  can present a prompt that asks the user to provide input specifying whether the selected media item should be removed from user playlists when the selected media item is removed from the user&#39;s library. The prompt can present a “keep in playlists” option that indicates the user wishes to keep the selected media item in the user&#39;s playlists after removing the media item from the user&#39;s media library. The prompt can present a “remove from playlists” option that indicates the user wishes to remove the selected media item from the user&#39;s media library and user playlists. 
     At step  1208 , computing device  110  can receive user input indicating that the selected media item should remain in user playlists. For example, media application  112  can receive user input selecting a “keep in playlists” option presented on the prompt presented at step  1206 . 
     At step  1210 , computing device  110  can remove the selected media item from the user&#39;s media library while retaining the media item in the user&#39;s playlists. For example, in response to receiving the user input selecting the “keep in playlists” option, media application  112  can change the value of the playlist-only field for the selected media item in media metadata  200  to true. By marking the selected media item as a playlist-only media item, media application  112  can cause the selected media item to be removed from the user&#39;s media library while keeping the media item in the user&#39;s playlists. In contrast, had the user selected the “remove from playlists” option above, media application  112  can remove the selected media item from the user&#39;s media library and playlists by deleting the metadata entry corresponding to the selected media item from media metadata  200  and deleting the identifier corresponding to the selected media item from each user playlist. 
     Example System Architecture 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram of an example computing device  1300  that can implement the features and processes of  FIGS. 1-12 . The computing device  1300  can include a memory interface  1302 , one or more data processors, image processors and/or central processing units  1304 , and a peripherals interface  1306 . The memory interface  1302 , the one or more processors  1304  and/or the peripherals interface  1306  can be separate components or can be integrated in one or more integrated circuits. The various components in the computing device  1300  can be coupled by one or more communication buses or signal lines. 
     Sensors, devices, and subsystems can be coupled to the peripherals interface  1306  to facilitate multiple functionalities. For example, a motion sensor  1310 , a light sensor  1312 , and a proximity sensor  1314  can be coupled to the peripherals interface  1306  to facilitate orientation, lighting, and proximity functions. Other sensors  1316  can also be connected to the peripherals interface  1306 , such as a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) (e.g., GPS receiver), a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor, magnetometer or other sensing device, to facilitate related functionalities. 
     A camera subsystem  1320  and an optical sensor  1322 , e.g., a charged coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor, can be utilized to facilitate camera functions, such as recording photographs and video clips. The camera subsystem  1320  and the optical sensor  1322  can be used to collect images of a user to be used during authentication of a user, e.g., by performing facial recognition analysis. 
     Communication functions can be facilitated through one or more wireless communication subsystems  1324 , which can include radio frequency receivers and transmitters and/or optical (e.g., infrared) receivers and transmitters. The specific design and implementation of the communication subsystem  1324  can depend on the communication network(s) over which the computing device  1300  is intended to operate. For example, the computing device  1300  can include communication subsystems  1324  designed to operate over a GSM network, a GPRS network, an EDGE network, a Wi-Fi or WiMax network, and a Bluetooth™ network. In particular, the wireless communication subsystems  1324  can include hosting protocols such that the device  100  can be configured as a base station for other wireless devices. 
     An audio subsystem  1326  can be coupled to a speaker  1328  and a microphone  1330  to facilitate voice-enabled functions, such as speaker recognition, voice replication, digital recording, and telephony functions. The audio subsystem  1326  can be configured to facilitate processing voice commands, voiceprinting and voice authentication, for example. 
     The I/O subsystem  1340  can include a touch-surface controller  1342  and/or other input controller(s)  1344 . The touch-surface controller  1342  can be coupled to a touch surface  1346 . The touch surface  1346  and touch-surface controller  1342  can, for example, detect contact and movement or break thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensitivity technologies, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with the touch surface  1346 . 
     The other input controller(s)  1344  can be coupled to other input/control devices  1348 , such as one or more buttons, rocker switches, thumb-wheel, infrared port, USB port, and/or a pointer device such as a stylus. The one or more buttons (not shown) can include an up/down button for volume control of the speaker  1328  and/or the microphone  1330 . 
     In one implementation, a pressing of the button for a first duration can disengage a lock of the touch surface  1346 ; and a pressing of the button for a second duration that is longer than the first duration can turn power to the computing device  1300  on or off. Pressing the button for a third duration can activate a voice control, or voice command, module that enables the user to speak commands into the microphone  1330  to cause the device to execute the spoken command. The user can customize a functionality of one or more of the buttons. The touch surface  1346  can, for example, also be used to implement virtual or soft buttons and/or a keyboard. 
     In some implementations, the computing device  1300  can present recorded audio and/or video files, such as MP3, AAC, and MPEG files. In some implementations, the computing device  1300  can include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod™. The computing device  1300  can, therefore, include a 36-pin connector that is compatible with the iPod. Other input/output and control devices can also be used. 
     The memory interface  1302  can be coupled to memory  1350 . The memory  1350  can include high-speed random access memory and/or non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, and/or flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR). The memory  1350  can store an operating system  1352 , such as Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks. 
     The operating system  1352  can include instructions for handling basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks. In some implementations, the operating system  1352  can be a kernel (e.g., UNIX kernel). In some implementations, the operating system  1352  can include instructions for performing voice authentication. For example, operating system  1352  can implement the playlist-only media item features as described with reference to  FIGS. 1-12 . 
     The memory  1350  can also store communication instructions  1354  to facilitate communicating with one or more additional devices, one or more computers and/or one or more servers. The memory  1350  can include graphical user interface instructions  1356  to facilitate graphic user interface processing; sensor processing instructions  1358  to facilitate sensor-related processing and functions; phone instructions  1360  to facilitate phone-related processes and functions; electronic messaging instructions  1362  to facilitate electronic-messaging related processes and functions; web browsing instructions  1364  to facilitate web browsing-related processes and functions; media processing instructions  1366  to facilitate media processing-related processes and functions; GNSS/Navigation instructions  1368  to facilitate GNSS and navigation-related processes and instructions; and/or camera instructions  1370  to facilitate camera-related processes and functions. 
     The memory  1350  can store other software instructions  1372  to facilitate other processes and functions, such as the playlist-only media item processes and functions as described with reference to  FIGS. 1-12 . 
     The memory  1350  can also store other software instructions  1374 , such as web video instructions to facilitate web video-related processes and functions; and/or web shopping instructions to facilitate web shopping-related processes and functions. In some implementations, the media processing instructions  1366  are divided into audio processing instructions and video processing instructions to facilitate audio processing-related processes and functions and video processing-related processes and functions, respectively. 
     Each of the above identified instructions and applications can correspond to a set of instructions for performing one or more functions described above. These instructions need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, or modules. The memory  1350  can include additional instructions or fewer instructions. Furthermore, various functions of the computing device  1300  can be implemented in hardware and/or in software, including in one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160920
Publication Date: 20190611
Grant Date: 20190611
Priority Date: 20160124
Inventors: ALSINA, THOMAS
SCHMIDT, EDWARD T.
CARRIGAN, TAYLOR G
SANDERS, CHRISTOPHER J.
JORGENSEN, CODY D.
SHENOY, ARVIND S.
Jawa, Amandeep S
BOTTAS, GEORGE D.
CIELAK, MATTHEW J.
IRVINE, PAUL C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0482", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F16/4387", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0482", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F16/4387", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 59359317