Multimedia visual progress indication system

• US 7,321,716 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2004
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TiVo Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Look, Howard, McKendrick, Ain, Vallone, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier; Robert
• Application Number:
  US10/915,990
• Time in Patent Office: 1,260 Days
• Field of Search: 386/68, 386/69, 386/52, 386/55, 386/46, 386/1, 386/4, 386/6, 386/82, 386/125, 386/45, 360/32
• US Class Current: 386/344
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/025 'Virtual' control panels, e.g. Graphical User Interface [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/455 said record carriers being in one device and being used as primary and secondary/backup media, e.g. HDD-DVD combo device, or as source and target media, e.g. PC and portable player
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/005 Reproducing at a different information rate from the information rate of recording for television signals H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/102 Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers access by moving the head G11B3/08, G11B5/54, G11B7/085, G11B21/022; by moving the record carrier G11B15/005, G11B17/005, by driving of both record carrier and head G11B15/1816
• 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 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4424 Monitoring of the internal components or processes of the client device, e.g. CPU or memory load, processing speed, timer, counter or percentage of the hard disk space used error monitoring in general G06F11/30; arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/32; diagnosis, testing or measuring for television receivers H04N17/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4583 Automatically resolving scheduling conflicts, e.g. when a recording by reservation has been programmed for two programs in the same time slot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• 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 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• 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 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 : for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8063 : using time division multiplex of the PCM audio and PCM video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8715 : involving the mixing of the reproduced video signal with a non-recorded signal, e.g. a text signal

Abstract

A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.

Claims

1. A method for visually communicating record or playback progress of audio or video program material to a user, comprising:

displaying a cache bar to a user;

wherein the cache bar indicates an available amount of program material through which the user is able to navigate and play back;

displaying a position indicator superimposed on the cache bar; and

wherein the position indicator moves within the boundaries of the cache bar; and

wherein the position indicator is a visual indication to the user indicating a current playback position within the program material.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the position indicator is moved anywhere within the cache bar by the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user for a predetermined time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the current playback position within the program material is adjusted within the program material in relation to the user'"'"'s placement of the position indicator.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user when the user selects a mode that includes any of:

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a slider that moves along the cache bar in conjunction with the position indicator.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the slider displays numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position in a vicinity of the cache bar.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying time marks outside the cache bar giving the user visual time reference points; and

wherein the time marks are displayed in any increment of time.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a mode indicator that follows the position indicator'"'"'s movement; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a mode indicator in a vicinity of the cache bar; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the cache bar expands in length as program material is being recorded.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the cache bar shifts in position opposite to direction of expansion when the cache bar expands to a predetermined expansion point.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the position indicator shifts in unison with the cache bar, reflecting a current playback position in the recording.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein total length of a stored program material or next time or counter increment in a recording session is displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the cache bar and the position indicator are displayed for a predetermined time period.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the user commands that a bookmark indicator be placed in a vicinity of the cache bar indicating a bookmarked location within a particular program material.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the user jumps to an index or bookmark indicator thereby causing play back of the program material from the index or bookmark indicator position.

20. A method for visually communicating record or playback progress of audio or video program material to a user, comprising:

displaying a cache bar to a user;

wherein the cache bar indicates a length of a recording session or a length of stored program material;

displaying a position indicator superimposed on the cache bar;

wherein the position indicator moves within boundaries of the cache bar; and

wherein the position indicator is a visual indication to the user indicating a current playback position within the program material.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the position indicator is moved anywhere within the cache bar by the user.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user for a predetermined time.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the current playback position within the program material is adjusted within the program material in relation to the user'"'"'s placement of the position indicator.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user when the user selects a mode that includes any of:

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

displaying a slider that moves along the cache bar in conjunction with the position indicator.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the slider displays a numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position.

27. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

displaying numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position in a vicinity of the cache bar.

28. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

displaying time marks outside the cache bar giving the user visual time reference points; and

wherein the time marks are displayed in any increment of time.

29. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

displaying a mode indicator that follows the position indicator'"'"'s movement; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

30. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

displaying a mode indicator in a vicinity of the cache bar; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

31. The method of claim 20, wherein the cache bar expands in length as program material is being recorded.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the cache bar shifts in position opposite to direction of expansion when the cache bar expands to a predetermined expansion point.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the position indicator shifts in unison with the cache bar, reflecting a current playback position in the recording.

34. The method of claim 20, wherein total length of the stored program material or next time or counter increment in the recording session is displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

35. The method of claim 20, wherein the cache bar and the position indicator are displayed for a predetermined time period.

36. The method of claim 20, wherein index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the user commands that a bookmark indicator be placed in a vicinity of the cache bar indicating a bookmarked location within a particular program material.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the user jumps to an index or bookmark indicator thereby causing play back of the program material from the index or bookmark indicator position.

39. An apparatus for visually communicating record or playback progress of audio or video program material to a user, comprising:

a module for displaying a cache bar to a user;

wherein the cache bar indicates an available amount of program material through which the user is able to navigate and play back;

a module for displaying a position indicator superimposed on the cache bar;

wherein the position indicator moves within boundaries of the cache bar; and

wherein the position indicator is a visual indication to the user indicating a current playback position within the program material.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the position indicator is moved anywhere within the cache bar by the user.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user for a predetermined time.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the current playback position within the program material is adjusted within the program material in relation to the user'"'"'s placement of the position indicator.

43. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user when the user selects a mode that includes any of:

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

44. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising:

a slider; and

wherein the slider moves along the cache bar in conjunction with the position indicator.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the slider displays numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position.

46. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising:

a module for displaying numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position in a vicinity of the cache bar.

47. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising:

time marks;

wherein the time marks are displayed outside the cache bar giving the user visual time reference points; and

wherein the time marks are displayed in any increment of time.

48. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising:

a mode indicator;

wherein the mode indicator follows the position indicator'"'"'s movement; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

49. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising:

a module for displaying a mode indicator in a vicinity of the cache bar; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

50. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the cache bar expands in length as program material is being recorded.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the cache bar shifts in position opposite to direction of expansion when the cache bar expands to a predetermined expansion point.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the position indicator shifts in unison with the cache bar, reflecting a current playback position in the recording.

53. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein total length of a stored program material or next time or counter increment in a recording session is displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

54. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the cache bar and the position indicator are displayed for a predetermined time period.

55. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the user commands that a bookmark indicator be placed in a vicinity of the cache bar indicating a bookmarked location within a particular program material.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the user jumps to an index or bookmark indicator thereby causing play back of the program material from the index or bookmark indicator position.

70. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the cache bar shifts in position opposite to direction of expansion when the cache bar expands to a predetermined expansion point.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the position indicator shifts in unison with the cache bar, reflecting a current playback position in the recording.

58. An apparatus for visually communicating record or playback progress of audio or video program material to a user, comprising:

a module for displaying a cache bar to a user;

wherein the cache bar indicates a length of a recording session or a length of stored program material;

a module for displaying a position indicator superimposed on the cache bar;

wherein the position indicator moves within boundaries of the cache bar; and

wherein the position indicator is a visual indication to the user indicating a current playback position within the program material.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the position indicator is moved anywhere within the cache bar by the user.

60. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user for a predetermined time.

61. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the current playback position within the program material is adjusted within the program material in relation to the user'"'"'s placement of the position indicator.

62. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user when the user selects a mode that includes any of:

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

63. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising:

a slider; and

wherein the slider moves along the cache bar in conjunction with the position indicator.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the slider displays a numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position.

65. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising:

a module for displaying numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position in a vicinity of the cache bar.

66. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising:

time marks;

wherein the time marks are displayed outside the cache bar giving the user visual time reference points; and

wherein the time marks are displayed in any increment of time.

67. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising:

a mode indicator;

wherein the mode indicator follows the position indicator'"'"'s movement; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

68. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising:

a module for displaying a mode indicator in a vicinity of the cache bar; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

69. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the cache bar expands in length as program material is being recorded.

72. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein total length of the stored program material or next time or counter increment in the recording session is displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

73. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the cache bar and the position indicator are displayed for a predetermined time period.

74. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the user commands that a bookmark indicator be placed in a vicinity of the cache bar indicating a bookmarked location within a particular program material.

76. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the user jumps to an index or bookmark indicator thereby causing play back of the program material from the index or bookmark indicator position.

77. A program storage medium readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for visually communicating record or playback progress of audio or video program material to a user, comprising:

displaying a cache bar to a user;

wherein the cache bar indicates an available amount of program material through which the user is able to navigate and play back;

displaying a position indicator superimposed on the cache bar;

wherein the position indicator moves within boundaries of the cache bar; and

wherein the position indicator is a visual indication to the user indicating a current playback position within the program material.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the position indicator is moved anywhere within the cache bar by the user.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user for a predetermined time.

80. The method of claim 77, wherein the current playback position within the program material is adjusted within the program material in relation to the user'"'"'s placement of the position indicator.

81. The method of claim 77, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user when the user selects a mode that includes any of:

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

82. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

displaying a slider that moves along the cache bar in conjunction with the position indicator.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the slider displays numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position.

84. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

displaying numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position in a vicinity of the cache bar.

85. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

displaying time marks outside the cache bar giving the user visual time reference points; and

wherein the time marks are displayed in any increment of time.

86. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

displaying a mode indicator that follows the position indicator'"'"'s movement; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

87. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

displaying a mode indicator in a vicinity of the cache bar; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

88. The method of claim 77, wherein the cache bar expands in length as program material is being recorded.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the cache bar shifts in position opposite to direction of expansion when the cache bar expands to a predetermined expansion point.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the position indicator shifts in unison with the cache bar, reflecting a current playback position in the recording.

91. The method of claim 77, wherein total length of a stored program material or next time or counter increment in a recording session is displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

92. The method of claim 77, wherein the cache bar and the position indicator are displayed for a predetermined time period.

93. The method of claim 77, wherein index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein the user commands that a bookmark indicator be placed in a vicinity of the cache bar indicating a bookmarked location within a particular program material.

95. The method of claim 93, wherein the user jumps to an index or bookmark indicator thereby causing play back of the program material from the index or bookmark indicator position.

96. A program storage medium readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for visually communicating record or playback progress of audio or video program material to a user, comprising:

displaying a cache bar to a user;

wherein the cache bar indicates a length of a recording session or a length of stored program material;

displaying a position indicator superimposed on the cache bar;

wherein the position indicator moves within boundaries of the cache bar; and

wherein the position indicator is a visual indication to the user indicating a current playback position within the program material.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein the position indicator is moved anywhere within the cache bar by the user.

98. The method of claim 96, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user for a predetermined time.

99. The method of claim 96, wherein the current playback position within the program material is adjusted within the program material in relation to the user'"'"'s placement of the position indicator.

100. The method of claim 96, wherein the cache bar and position indicator are displayed to the user when the user selects a mode that includes any of:

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

101. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

displaying a slider that moves along the cache bar in conjunction with the position indicator.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein the slider displays a numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position.

103. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

displaying numeric time or counter mark of the current playback position in a vicinity of the cache bar.

104. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

displaying time marks outside the cache bar giving the user visual time reference points; and

wherein the time marks are displayed in any increment of time.

105. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

displaying a mode indicator that follows the position indicator'"'"'s movement; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

106. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

displaying a mode indicator in a vicinity of the cache bar; and

wherein the mode indicator displays whether the user is in any of;

play, record, pause, slow play, fast play, fast forward, frame step, reverse play, or reverse modes.

107. The method of claim 96, wherein the cache bar expands in length as program material is being recorded.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein the cache bar shifts in position opposite to direction of expansion when the cache bar expands to a predetermined expansion point.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein the position indicator shifts in unison with the cache bar, reflecting a current playback position in the recording.

110. The method of claim 96, wherein total length of the stored program material or next time or counter increment in the recording session is displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

111. The method of claim 96, wherein the cache bar and the position indicator are displayed for a predetermined time period.

112. The method of claim 96, wherein index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed in a vicinity of the cache bar.

113. The method of claim 112, wherein the user commands that a bookmark indicator be placed in a vicinity of the cache bar indicating a bookmarked location within a particular program material.

114. The method of claim 112, wherein the user jumps to an index or bookmark indicator thereby causing play back of the program material from the index or bookmark indicator position.