Devices and method for providing remote control hints on a display

• US 9,532,111 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2014
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kress, Lynne, Christie, Gregory N., Sabatelli, Alessandro, Bachman, William M., Chaudhri, Imran, Robbin, Jeffrey, Young, Jim, Howard, Joe, Van Os, Marcel, Coffman, Patrick L., Lemay, Stephen O., Ma, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN BA, HOANG VU A
• Application Number:
  US14/262,435
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 386/234, 725/38, 725/61, 348/734, 715/701, 715/702, 345/173, 345/174, 345/175, 345/179
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/014 Force feedback applied to GUI
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04104 Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars
• 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: H04N 21/21815 comprising local storage units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/431 Generation of visual interfaces for content selection or interaction; Content or additional data rendering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup

Abstract

Systems and methods for a media content user interface. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. Subscribers are provided a user interface to the system that includes a side bar. The user interface provides context sensitive hints to assist the viewer. The system also tracks a viewer'"'"'s viewing history in a manner that allows the viewer to review and directly access any part of that history. Finally, magnetic points are created for use during video scrubbing to intelligently select relocation points for the current playback position.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions executable to perform a method comprising:

at an electronic device that is in communication with a remote control device and a display, the remote control device having a touch-sensitive surface that includes a plurality of predefined regions, each selectable to access an associated functionality;

generating a user interface for display on the display;

while the user interface is displayed on the display, receiving a first input that corresponds to a first touch input detected on the touch-sensitive surface of the remote control device at a first location, wherein the first touch input corresponds to a touch input for displaying information about at least one of the associated functionalities accessible from the touch-sensitive surface;

in response to receiving the first input, updating the user interface to display, on the display, a graphical indication of a first function that is associated with selection of a first region of the plurality of predefined regions of the touch-sensitive surface while the user interface is displayed, wherein the first region is distinct from the first location of the first touch input;

after displaying the graphical indication of the first function and while displaying the user interface on the display, receiving a second input that corresponds to a selection of the first region of the touch-sensitive surface of the remote control device; and

in response to receiving the second input, performing the first function.

2. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the remote control device comprises a portable multifunction device with a touchscreen display.

3. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises an overlay displayed over a moving or still image.

4. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the first touch input comprises a touch input corresponding to a resting finger.

5. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the information comprises a visual hint for accessing the first function.

6. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a visual layout similar to a layout of the touch-sensitive surface, and wherein the graphical indication of the first function is displayed in the user interface in a corresponding location in the user interface to the first region on the touch-sensitive surface associated with the first function.

7. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the selection comprises a force input above a predetermined first threshold.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 7, the method further comprising:

receiving a third input that corresponds to an additional input on the first region of the touch-sensitive surface, the additional input comprising a force above a predetermined second threshold, greater than the first threshold; and

in response to receiving the third input, initiating an action associated with the predetermined second threshold.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the selection comprises a second touch input.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the second touch input comprises a tap.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the first touch input is a first portion of a touch input and the second touch input is a second portion of the touch input.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the associated functionalities, including the first function, include one or more of reverse skipping, forward skipping, rewinding, fast-forwarding, displaying information associated with a content item, displaying guide information, skipping an advertisement, initiating a voice command mode, and navigating viewing history.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the first function comprises skipping an advertisement, and metadata associated with a content item indicates where the advertisement ends.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, the method further comprising analyzing the metadata to determine where the advertisement ends.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the remote control device and the display are separate devices.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, the method further comprising:

prior to receiving the first input and while the user interface is displayed;

receiving a third input that corresponds to a selection of the first region of the touch-sensitive surface of the remote control device; and

in response to receiving the third input, performing the first function without displaying the graphical indication of the first function that is associated with selection of the first region of the touch-sensitive surface.

17. A method comprising:

at an electronic device that is in communication with a remote control device and a display, the remote control device having a touch-sensitive surface that includes a plurality of predefined regions, each selectable to access an associated functionality;

generating a user interface for display on the display;

while the user interface is displayed on the display, receiving a first input that corresponds to a first touch input detected on the touch-sensitive surface of the remote control device at a first location, wherein the first touch input corresponds to a touch input for displaying information about at least one of the associated functionalities accessible from the touch-sensitive surface;

in response to receiving the first input, updating the user interface to display, on the display, a graphical indication of a first function that is associated with selection of a first region of the plurality of predefined regions of the touch-sensitive surface while the user interface is displayed, wherein the first region is distinct from the first location of the first touch input;

after displaying the graphical indication of the first function and while displaying the user interface on the display, receiving a second input that corresponds to a selection of the first region of the touch-sensitive surface of the remote control device; and

in response to receiving the second input, performing the first function.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the information comprises a visual hint for accessing the first function.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the user interface includes a visual layout similar to a layout of the touch-sensitive surface, and wherein the graphical indication of the first function is displayed in the user interface in a corresponding location in the user interface to the first region on the touch-sensitive surface associated with the first function.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the selection comprises a force input above a predetermined first threshold.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the selection comprises a second touch input.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the second touch input comprises a tap.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the first touch input is a first portion of a touch input and the second touch input is a second portion of the touch input.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the remote control device and the display are separate devices.

25. The method of claim 17, comprising:

prior to receiving the first input and while the user interface is displayed;

receiving a third input that corresponds to a selection of the first region of the touch-sensitive surface of the remote control device; and

in response to receiving the third input, performing the first function without displaying the graphical indication of the first function that is associated with selection of the first region of the touch-sensitive surface.

26. A device for communicating with a remote control device and a display, the remote control device having a touch-sensitive surface that includes a plurality of predefined regions, each selectable to access an associated functionality, the device comprising:

circuitry configured to;

generate a user interface for display on the display;

while the user interface is displayed on the display, receive a first input that corresponds to a first touch input detected on the touch-sensitive surface of the remote control device at a first location, wherein the first touch input corresponds to a touch input for displaying information about at least one of the associated functionalities accessible from the touch-sensitive surface;

in response to receiving the first input, update the user interface to display, on the display, a graphical indication of a first function that is associated with selection of a first region of the plurality of predefined regions of the touch-sensitive surface while the user interface is displayed, wherein the first region is distinct from the first location of the first touch input;

after displaying the graphical indication of the first function and while displaying the user interface on the display, receive a second input that corresponds to a selection of the first region of the touch-sensitive surface of the remote control device; and

in response to receiving the second input, perform the first function.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the information comprises a visual hint for accessing the first function.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the user interface includes a visual layout similar to a layout of the touch-sensitive surface, and wherein the graphical indication of the first function is displayed in the user interface in a corresponding location in the user interface to the first region on the touch-sensitive surface associated with the first function.

29. The device of claim 26, wherein the selection comprises a force input above a predetermined first threshold.

30. The device of claim 26, wherein the selection comprises a second touch input.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the second touch input comprises a tap.

32. The device of claim 30, wherein the first touch input is a first portion of a touch input and the second touch input is a second portion of the touch input.

33. The device of claim 26, wherein the remote control device and the display are separate devices.

34. The device of claim 26, the circuitry further configured to:

prior to receiving the first input and while the user interface is displayed;

receive a third input that corresponds to a selection of the first region of the touch-sensitive surface of the remote control device; and

in response to receiving the third input, perform the first function without displaying the graphical indication of the first function that is associated with selection of the first region of the touch-sensitive surface.