System and method for playback of media content with audio spinner functionality

• US 9,423,998 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2015
• Issued: 08/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spotify AB (Spotify Technology SA)
• Original Assignee: Spotify AB (Spotify Technology SA)
• Inventors: Dziuk, Dariusz
• Primary Examiner(s): ABDUL-ALI, OMAR R
• Application Number:
  US14/879,737
• Publication Number:
  US 20160103656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 16/44 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10657 Cache memories for random data access, e.g. buffers wherein the data output is controlled by a priority parameter other than retention time
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/031 Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
• 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 21/472 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

Abstract

A system and method for playback of media content, for example music, video, or other media content. A media device having a media playback application and including a touch-sensitive user interface can be adapted to display a visual array of media options, for example as a grid or list of card elements. Each media option can be associated with one or more media content items that can be streamed to and/or played on the device. The system can determine a selected card element, or media options that are proximate to a selected point or region of the visual array, and play or crossfade media content as appropriate. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be provided that improve user interaction, for example the use of audible notifications, media caching, or touch menus.

Claims

1. A system for playback of media content, including the use of audible notifications, comprising:

a media device, including a processor;

a user interface, provided at the media device, which is adapted to display a visual array of media options, wherein each media option is associated with one or more media content items that can be streamed to or played at the media device;

a playback logic, provided at the media device, which is adapted to play media content items associated with one or more media options that are proximate to a selected point or region within the visual array; and

an audible notification logic, provided at the media device, which is adapted to

determine, when a particular media option is selected to be played, that an actual or anticipated delay prior to playback of one or more associated media content items or samples associated therewith exceeds a maximum acceptable delay time, and

play an audible notification while prebuffering the associated media content items or samples associated therewith.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the audible notification logic can be alternately configured to one of enable, or disable, its determination of the actual or anticipated delay prior to playback and its playing of the audible notification.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the audible notification logic causes the audible notification to be played for a period of time, and then crossfaded with playback of the particular media option or sample.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the audible notification logic is configured to initiate playing of the audible notification upon selection of the particular media option, regardless of the actual or anticipated delay, wherein the audible notification is then cross-faded with the associated media content item or sample.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes support for force-sensitive touch input in selection, playback, or other interaction with media options.

6. A method for playback of media content, including the use of audible notifications, comprising:

displaying, at a media device having a user interface, a visual array of media options, wherein each media option is associated with one or more media content items that can be streamed to or played at the media device;

while a selected point or region is moved within the visual array in response to user input, determining media content items associated with one or more media options proximate to the selected point or region, to be played;

determine, when a particular media option is selected to be played, whether an actual or anticipated delay prior to playback of one or more associated media content items or samples associated therewith exceeds a maximum acceptable delay time; and

if the actual or anticipated delay prior to playback is determined to exceed a maximum acceptable delay time, then play an audible notification while prebuffering the associated media content items or samples associated therewith.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determination of the actual or anticipated delay prior to playback and the playing of the audible notification can be one of enabled, or disabled.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the audible notification is played for a period of time, and then crossfaded with playback of the particular media option or sample.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein playing of the audible notification is initiated upon selection of the particular media option, regardless of the actual or anticipated delay, and is then cross-faded with the associated media content item or sample.

10. The method of claim 6, further including providing support for force-sensitive touch input in selection, playback, or other interaction with media options.

11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, including instructions stored thereon which when read and executed by a computer or media device causes the computer or media device to perform the steps comprising:

displaying, at a user interface, a visual array of media options, wherein each media option is associated with one or more media content items that can be streamed to or played on the media device;

determining, while a selected point or region is moved within the visual array in response to user input, media content items associated with one or more media options proximate to the selected point or region, to be played;

determine, when a particular media option is selected to be played, whether an actual or anticipated delay prior to playback of one or more associated media content items or samples associated therewith exceeds a maximum acceptable delay time; and

if the actual or anticipated delay prior to playback is determined to exceed a maximum acceptable delay time, then play an audible notification while prebuffering the associated media content items or samples associated therewith.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein determination of the actual or anticipated delay prior to playback and the playing of the audible notification can be one of enabled, or disabled.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the audible notification is played for a period of time, and then crossfaded with playback of the particular media option or sample.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein playing of the audible notification is initiated upon selection of the particular media option, regardless of the actual or anticipated delay, and is then cross-faded with the associated media content item or sample.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11, further including providing support for force-sensitive touch input in selection, playback, or other interaction with media options.