Playlists and bookmarks in an interactive media guidance application system

• US 20060267995A1
• Filed: 03/02/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Carroll, Thomas J., Gaydou, Danny R. II, Heyner, Mark, Radloff, Jon P., Carpenter, Kenneth F. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,489,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/530
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4825 using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

Systems and method are provided for providing a playlist transport bar. The playlist transport bar provides an overlay which graphically represents assets (e.g., programs) of a playlist in a manner that enables a user to simultaneously ascertain a playback position within the playlist and a particular asset. The playlist transport may include asset regions which each correspond to an asset in a playlist and a position indication region which may provide information relating to a playback position.

Claims

1. A method for displaying a playlist transport bar using an interactive media guidance application (IMGA), comprising:

displaying a playlist transport bar for a playlist, the playlist transport bar comprising;

a plurality of asset regions, each asset region corresponding to an asset in the playlist; and

a position indication region to provide an indication of a playback position within the playlist.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the position indication region indicates the playback position within the playlist and one of the assets in the playlist.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the position indication region comprises a playback information region.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the playback information region displays an elapsed playback time of the playlist.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the playback information region displays an elapsed playback time of one of the assets.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

moving the position indication region to another position in the playlist progress bar; and

displaying the position indication region while it is being moved.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising playing back an asset in the playlist from the position that the position indication region was moved to.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein moving comprises fast-forwarding or rewinding the position indication region.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a command to select the position indication region; and

moving the selected position indication region to another location in the playlist.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the playlist transport bar comprises an information region which displays a name of the playlist.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the playlist transport bar comprises an information region which displays a name of an asset corresponding to the location of the position indication.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the playlist transport bar comprises an information region which displays a total playtime of all assets in the playlist.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of asset regions displayed in the playlist transport bar include an asset region for each asset in the playlist.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the playlist transport displays a portion of a total playtime of all assets in the playlist and wherein the playlist transport bar includes asset regions for at least two assets in the playlist.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the displayed asset regions is representative of the run-length of the asset corresponding to the displayed asset region.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

allowing a user to load a different playlist while accessing the playlist transport bar.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

allowing a user to modify the playlist while accessing the playlist transport bar.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the playlist transport bar is displayed as an overlay that overlays a portion of a currently played asset.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive media guidance application is an interactive television program guide.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive media guidance application is an online television program guide.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive media guidance application is a Website.

22. A system for displaying a playlist transport bar, the system operative to:

display a playlist transport bar, the transport bar comprising;

a plurality of asset regions, each of which corresponds to an asset in a playlist; and

a position indication region to provide an indication of a playback position within the playlist.

23. A method for displaying a playlist transport bar, comprising:

displaying at least two asset regions in a playlist transport bar, each asset region corresponding to an asset of a playlist; and

displaying a position indication region in the playlist transport bar to provide an indication of a playback position within the playlist.