Multi-media center for computing systems

• US 20070083616A1
• Filed: 10/10/2005
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Madden, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,721,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

Various “media-components” are provided in a “multi-media center.” In modular architecture, a module-controller communicates with media-modules provided for various media-components. A media-module can include or obtain data pertaining to a particular media-component, identify media-player(s), and access information related to their media. However, the media-modules are isolated from each other, and the module-controller effectively controls output generated in response to user input. A user interface library is provided for the media-modules. Media-modules can obtain a template or other tools from the library and construct their user interface (e.g., menus). Media-modules can also identify a media-player that can be initiated in response to user input. Subsequently, the media-controller forwards user input to the media-player.

Claims

1. A method of providing a multi-media center that includes a plurality of media-components, said method comprising:

configuring a plurality of media-modules for said multi-media center, wherein each of said plurality of media-modules represent a media-component in said multi-media-center, wherein each of said plurality of media-components includes one or more of the following;

digital media and an application program that can access digital media;

initiating a module-controller that can communicate with each of said plurality of media-modules;

receiving by said module-controller an input associated with said multi-media center; and

determining, by said module-controller, a response to said input.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said determining of said response, comprises:

determining whether said input should be forwarded to one of said plurality of media-modules.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said method further comprises:

determining by a first media-module, a media-module-output for said input.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said media-module-output is sent by the first media-module to the module-controller.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said determining, by said module-controller, a response to said input includes one or more of the following:

determining whether said input should be forwarded to one of said plurality of media-modules;

determining whether said input should be processed by a media-player; and

determining whether to forward said input to another module that is not one of said plurality of media-modules.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

forwarding said input to a first media-player when said determining determines that said input should be processed by a media-player; and

forwarding said input to a main view when said determining determines that said input should be forwarded to another media-module.

7. A method of providing a multi-media center that includes a plurality of media-components which each can include digital media and an application program that can access said digital data, said method comprising:

determining, based on a plurality of media-modules that each respectively represent at least one media-component, a central-user-interface that can be used to access said plurality of media-components provided by said multi-media center;

receiving input associated with said central-user-interface;

determining whether to forward said input to one of said media-modules; and

forwarding said input by a first media-module of said plurality of media-modules when said determining determines to forward said input by one of said media-modules.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said method further comprises:

determining which one of said media-modules is to receive said input when said determining determines to forward said input to one of said media-modules;

generating, by said first media-component, a first output after associated with said input; and

performing, based on said first output, at least a first operation in response to said input associated with said central-user-interface.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein said first media-module includes or can obtain data that is output by said first media-module as said first output.

10. A method as recited in claim 9,

wherein said data pertains to a menu for the media-module,

wherein said first-out is said menu, and

wherein said first operation is displaying said menu as a part of said central-user-interface.

11. A method as recited in claim 9,

wherein said first media-module accesses a library to obtain a template for said menu;

and

wherein said first media-module fills said template with said data included in or obtained by said first module.

12. A method as recited in claim 8,

wherein said output identifies a first media-player, and

wherein said first operation initiates said first media-player.

13. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said method further comprises:

determining whether to process said input by a media-player capable of presenting media; and

processing said input by a media-player when said determining determines to process said input by a media-player.

14. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said determining of whether to process said input by a media-player is performed prior to said determining of whether to process said input by a media-player.

15. A method as recited in claim 7,

wherein each one of said media-modules includes or can obtain information that can be used to generate a main menu for said media-modules, and

wherein said central-user-interface includes each of said main menu for said media-modules.

16. A method as recited in claim 15,

wherein at least one of said media-module includes or can obtain information that can be used to generate one or more submenus for said at least one media-module, and

wherein said central-user-interface includes said one or more submenus for said at least one media-module.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said information includes a number of menu (or submenus) items, icons, or streaming video.

18. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said plurality of media-modules are isolated from each other.

19. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said plurality of media-modules do not communicate with each other, but communicate with a module-controller.

20. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said module-controller:

receives said input;

sends said input to said first media-module;

receives output from said first media-module in response to said input; and

performs at least one operation based on said output.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein said at least one operation is one or more of the following:

initiate a media-player to present media; and

facilitate display of said output on a display.

22. A method as recited in claim 21,

wherein said module-controller sends said output to a menu-window for display,

wherein said module-controller forwards said input to said main window, and

wherein main window determines whether to process said input.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said method further comprises:

determining by said main window whether to process said input; and

determining by said main window a media-module to process said input when the main window determines not to process said input.

24. A computing system for providing a multi-media center that includes a plurality of media-components each including digital media, said computing environment comprising:

at least one processor;

a plurality of media-modules each respectively represent at least one media-component provided by said multi-media center, wherein said media-modules include a first media-module that can receive input and generate output; and

a module-controller that can communicate with each of said plurality of media-modules, wherein said module-controller can further operate to;

receive input associated with said multi-media center;

forward said input to a first media-module;

receive out from said first media-module in response to said input; and

perform at least one operation based on said output.

25. A computer readable medium including computer for a multi-media center that includes a plurality of media-components, wherein each of said plurality of media-components includes digital data, said computer readable medium comprising:

configuring a plurality of media-modules for said multi-media center, wherein each of said plurality of media-modules represent a media-component in said multi-media-center;

computer program code for initiating a module-controller that can communicate with plurality of media-modules for said multi-media center, wherein each of said plurality of media-modules represent a media-component in said multi-media-center;

computer program code for receiving, by said module-controller, an input associated with said multi-media center; and

computer program code for determining, by said module-controller, a response to said input.