Techniques and Graphical User Interfaces for Review of Media Items

• US 20080066102A1
• Filed: 07/17/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kondrk, Robert H., Abraham, Tammy Tova, Krevet, Oliver, Jobs, Steve, Anderson, Alexandrea, Robbin, Jeffrey L., Wiese, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 8,689,254 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/37
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42646 for reading from or writing on a non-volatile solid state storage medium, e.g. DVD, CD-ROM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• 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 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction

Abstract

Improved techniques and graphical user interfaces for presenting a media item on a computing device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the media item is a video. A video information window can provide a user with information concerning the video and can enable the user to play at least a portion of the video on request. When the video is to be played, the video information window can expand to present a video playback region in which the video is provided when played. The video can be provided with high resolution and appropriate frame size.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for playing a digital video asset on a computing device, said method comprising:

displaying a video information window having at least a video attribute area and a preview selector, the video attribute area displaying attributes of the digital video asset, and the preview selector facilitating a request to preview the digital video asset;

receiving a selection of the preview selector to preview the digital video asset;

modifying the video information window to further include a video playback area when said receiving receives the selection of the preview selector; and

thereafter playing a preview of the digital video asset in the video playback area of the video information window.

2. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the video information window further includes an image associated with the digital video asset, and a buy selector to buy the digital video asset.

3. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 2, wherein the video information window further includes a related media information area.

4. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein said modifying causes the video information window to enlarge to provide the video playback area.

5. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 4, wherein the video playback area is provided at an upper portion of the video information window.

6. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein said modifying is animated in that the video information window animates to a larger window having the video playback area.

7. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 6, wherein the video playback area is provided at an upper portion of the video information window.

8. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 7, wherein the animation causes the video attribute area of the video information window to shift downward in the video information window.

9. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the video playback area is configured for full resolution video playback.

10. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the video playback area is configured for a 640×

480 frame of video.

11. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1,

wherein the digital video asset being previewed is one of a plurality of digital video assets being hosted on a remote server, and

wherein the computing device couples to the remote server over a network.

12. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11, wherein media data pertaining to the digital video asset to be previewed is streamed to the computing device by the server.

13. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

determining when said playing of the preview of the digital video asset has concluded; and

modifying the video information window to remove the video playback area from the video information window when it is determined that the preview of the digital video asset has concluded.

14. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 13, wherein said modifying causes the video information window to reduce the enlarged video information window by removing the video playback area.

15. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 13, wherein said modifying is animated in that the video information window animates back to the smaller video information window that lacks the video playback area.

16. A graphical user interface for playing a digital video asset on a computing device, the computing device having a display device associated therewith, said graphical user interface comprising:

a video information window that is displayed on the display device associated with the computing device,

wherein said video information window includes a review mode and a preview mode,

wherein, when in the review mode, the video information window includes at least a video attribute area and a preview selector, the video attribute area displays attributes of the digital video asset, and the preview selector facilitates a request to preview the digital video asset,

wherein on selection of the preview selector, the video information window transitions from the review mode to the preview mode,

wherein, when in the preview mode, the video information window includes at least the video attribute area as well as a video playback area in which a preview of the digital video asset can be displayed, and

wherein, in the review mode, the video information window does not include the video playback area.

17. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 16, wherein on completion of the preview of the digital video asset, the video information window automatically transitions from the preview mode to the review mode.

18. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 17, wherein the transition from the preview mode to the review mode is animated in that the video information window animates to a smaller window not having the video playback area.

19. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 16, wherein in the preview mode the video information window includes a close selector, and

wherein on selection of the close selector, the video information window transitions from the preview mode to the review mode.

20. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 16, wherein the transition from the review mode to the preview mode is animated in that the video information window animates to a larger window having the video playback area.

21. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 20, wherein the animation causes the video attribute area of the video information window to shift downward in the video information window when transitioning from the review mode to the preview mode.

22. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 16, wherein the video playback area is configured for full resolution video playback.

23. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 16, wherein the video playback area is configured for a 640×

480 frame of video.

24. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code for playing a digital media asset on a computing device, said computer readable medium comprising:

computer program code for displaying a media information window having at least a media attribute area and a playback selector, the media attribute area displaying attributes of the digital media asset, and the playback selector facilitating a request to playback at least a portion of the digital media asset;

computer program code for receiving a selection of the playback selector to preview the digital media asset;

computer program code for modifying the media information window to further include a media playback area; and

computer program code for playing at least a portion of the digital media asset in the media playback area of the media information window.

25. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the digital media asset is a digital media asset.

26. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the playback selector is a preview selector.

27. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 24,

wherein said modifying causes the media information window to enlarge to provide the media playback area,

wherein the media playback area is provided at an upper portion of the media information window, and

wherein the media information window further includes a related media information area.

28. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 24, wherein said modifying is animated in that the media information window animates to a larger window having the media playback area.

29. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 28, wherein the animation causes the media attribute area of the media information window to shift downward in the media information window.

30. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the media playback area is configured for full resolution video playback.

31. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 24,

wherein the digital media asset being previewed is one of a plurality of digital media assets being hosted on a remote server, and

wherein the computing device couples to the remote server over a network.

32. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 31, wherein media data pertaining to the digital media asset to be previewed is streamed to the computing device by the server.

33. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 24, wherein said computer readable medium further comprises:

computer program code for determining when playback of at least a portion of the digital media asset has concluded; and

computer program code for modifying the media information window to remove the media playback area from the media information window when it is determined that the playback of at least a portion of the digital media asset has concluded.

34. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 33, wherein said computer program code for modifying causes the media information window to reduce the enlarged video information window by removing the media playback area.

35. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 33, wherein said computer program code for modifying operates to animate the media information window back to the smaller video information window that lacks the video playback area.