Programming, selecting, and playing multimedia files
First Claim
1. A method for selecting and playing a multimedia file, comprising:
- a) selecting a multimedia file from a library of multimedia files, each multimedia file within the library being categorized by a description and a unique multidimensional coordinate comprising a plurality of axis values, each axis value defining a characteristic of the multimedia content of the file, said selecting comprising;
(1) Repeatedly activating at least one of a set of user-operated controls, each dedicated to an axis different from the axes to which the other user-operated controls are assigned, each activating causing a different selection of a value only on the axis to which said user-operated control is dedicated; and
(2) viewing each description associated with the multimedia file whose axes values are selected by said user-operated controls as it appears on a display system;
b) accepting the multimedia file that is displayed on said display system; and
c) playing the multimedia file that is accepted on a player system.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing a user-definable multimedia or digital library are disclosed. Also disclosed are systems and methods for selecting and playing multimedia or digital files from within the library. The selection and playback systems and methods involve a limited number of user activated buttons, which are implemented both for mapping directly to storage locations of particular multimedia or digital files, and for accepting and playing a multimedia or digital file once selected. The limited number of buttons required for the various features of these systems and methods provide vehicle operators, such as automobile drivers, with a safe mechanism and procedure for retrieving and playing customized play lists and particular songs while driving.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for selecting and playing a multimedia file, comprising:
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a) selecting a multimedia file from a library of multimedia files, each multimedia file within the library being categorized by a description and a unique multidimensional coordinate comprising a plurality of axis values, each axis value defining a characteristic of the multimedia content of the file, said selecting comprising; (1) Repeatedly activating at least one of a set of user-operated controls, each dedicated to an axis different from the axes to which the other user-operated controls are assigned, each activating causing a different selection of a value only on the axis to which said user-operated control is dedicated; and (2) viewing each description associated with the multimedia file whose axes values are selected by said user-operated controls as it appears on a display system; b) accepting the multimedia file that is displayed on said display system; and c) playing the multimedia file that is accepted on a player system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 27, 28, 31, 33)
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13. A multimedia player for playing a selected multimedia file comprising:
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a) a selection system for selecting a multimedia file to be played from a library of multimedia files, each multimedia file within the library being categorized by a description and a unique multidimensional coordinate comprising a plurality of axis values, each axis value defining a characteristic of the multimedia content of the file, said selection system comprising; (1) a set of user-operated controls, each; (a) dedicated to an axis different from the axes to which the other user-operated controls are dedicated; and (b) configured to allow a user to repeatedly select a different value only on the axis to which said user-operated control is assigned as a result of each actuation of said user-operated control; (2) a display system for displaying each description associated with the multimedia file whose axes values are selected by said user-operated controls; b) a selection-acceptance system for accepting the multimedia file that is displayed on said display system; and c) a multimedia player for playing the multimedia file that is accepted by said selection-acceptance system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 32)
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26. A method of selecting and playing a multimedia file with a single button, comprising:
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a) selecting a multimedia file from a library of multimedia files, each multimedia file within the library being categorized by a description and a unique multidimensional coordinate comprising a plurality of axis values, each axis value defining a characteristic of the multimedia content of the file, said selecting comprising; (1) repeatedly activating at least one of a set of user-operated controls, each dedicated to an axis different from the axes to which the other user-operated controls are dedicated, each activating causing a different selection of a value only on the axis to which said user-operated control is dedicated; and (2) viewing the description associated with the multimedia file whose axes values are selected by said user-operated controls as it appears on a display system; b) activating a button a first time to accept the multimedia file that is displayed on said display system; and c) activating the button a second time to play the multimedia file that is accepted on a multimedia player system.
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Specification