USER INTERFACE FOR PRESENTING MEDIA INFORMATION

• US 20020057287A1
• Filed: 04/15/1999
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: JOBS, STEVEN P., DYKSTRA-ERICKSON, ELIZABETH, WASKO, TIMOTHY E., CROW, DANIEL N., HODDIE, J. PETER, DEAN, CARY
• Granted Patent: US 6,538,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/716
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0483 Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• 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: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10 Digital recording or reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/326 used signal is a video-frame or a video-field (P.I.P.)
• 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: Y10S 715/973 Scroll tool, e.g. window scroll bar
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/974 Slider control as on-screen object in operator interface

Abstract

A user interface and methods for using a user interface for controlling processing of time-based media files. In one exemplary method, a graphical representation of a time line for a time-based media is displayed along with a graphical representation of a current time along the graphical representation of the time line. A start graphical indicator and a stop graphical indicator is also displayed along the graphical representation of the time line. A portion of the time-based media may be selected for presentation by dragging or positioning at least one of the start graphical indicator and the stop graphical indicator along the graphical representation of the time line. In another aspect of the invention, an exemplary method allows for the adaptive control of a portion of the interface which indicates time relating to a time-based media. An input speed is determined where this input is to change the portion and the rate at which the change to this portion occurs is dependent upon the input speed. Other aspects of the present invention relating to the interface for controlling the processing of time-based media files are also described.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a presentation of a time-based media, said method comprising:

displaying a graphical representation of a time line for said time-based media;

displaying a graphical representation of a current time along said graphical representation of said time line;

displaying a start graphical indicator and a stop graphical indicator along said graphical representation of said time line;

dragging at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator along said graphical representation of said time line to select a portion of said time-based media for presentation.

2. A method as in claim 1 further comprising:

presenting only said portion of said time-based media, and wherein said current time represents a current frame and wherein said current frame is updated in response to said dragging and said current frame is displayed in response to said dragging.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein said dragging comprises associating a cursor with said at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator and moving said cursor while said cursor is associated with said at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator.

4. A method as in claim 3 wherein said graphical representation of said current time is capable of being dragged along said graphical representation of said time line and said current frame is updated in response to said graphical representation of said current time being dragged.

5. A method as in claim 4 wherein said graphical representation of said time line comprises an overall start indicator which represents the beginning in time of the entire stream of said time-based media and comprises an overall end indicator which represents the end in time of said entire stream and wherein said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator may be dragged to positions along said graphical representation of said time line between said overall start indicator and said overall end indicator.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein said time-based media comprises a time sequential series of visual displays and said presenting displays a portion of said visual displays.

7. A method as in claim 6 wherein said dragging comprises dragging both said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator in separate dragging operations.

8. A method as in claim 3 further comprising:

displaying an indicator of a section of said time-based media and updating said indicator in response to said dragging.

9. A method as in claim 8 wherein said section represents a chapter in said time-based media.

10. A method as in claim 3 further comprising:

displaying a numerical representation of said current time and updating said numerical representation of said current time in response to said dragging.

11. A method as in claim 10 further comprising:

displaying an indicator of a section of said time-based media and updating said indicator in response to said dragging;

modifying a presentation of said graphical representation of said time line in response to said dragging.

13. A machine readable medium as in claim 12, said method further comprising:

presenting only said portion of said time-based media, and wherein said current time represents a current frame and wherein said current frame is updated in response to said dragging and said current frame is displayed in response to said dragging.

14. A machine readable medium as in claim 13, wherein said dragging comprises associating a cursor with said at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator and moving said cursor while said cursor is associated with said at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator.

15. A machine readable medium as in claim 14, wherein said graphical representation of said current time is capable of being dragged along said graphical representation of said time line and said current frame is updated in response to said graphical representation of said current time being dragged.

16. A machine readable medium as in claim 15 wherein said graphical representation of said time line comprises an overall start indicator which represents the beginning in time of the entire stream of said time-based media and comprises an overall end indicator which represents the end in time of said entire stream and wherein said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator may be dragged to positions along said graphical representation of said time line between said overall start indicator and said overall end indicator.

17. A machine readable medium as in claim 16 wherein said time-based media comprises a time sequential series of visual displays and said presenting displays a portion of said visual displays.

18. A machine readable medium as in claim 17 wherein said dragging comprises dragging both said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator in separate dragging operations.

19. A machine readable medium as in claim 14, said method further comprising:

displaying an indicator of a section of said time-based media and updating said indicator in response to said dragging.

20. A machine readable medium as in claim 19 wherein said section represents a chapter in said time-based media.

21. A machine readable medium as in claim 14, said method further comprising:

displaying a numerical representation of said current time and updating said numerical representation of said current time in response to said dragging.

22. A machine readable medium as in claim 21, said method further comprising:

displaying an indicator of a section of said time-based media and updating said indicator in response to said dragging;

modifying a presentation of said graphical representation of said time line in response to said dragging.

24. A system as in claim 23 further comprising:

means for presenting only said portion of said time-based media, and wherein said current time represents a current frame and wherein said current frame is updated in response to said dragging and said current frame is displayed in response to said dragging.

25. A system as in claim 24 wherein said dragging comprises associating a cursor with said at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator and moving said cursor while said cursor is associated with said at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator.

26. A system as in claim 25 wherein said graphical representation of said current time is capable of being dragged along said graphical representation of said time line and said current frame is updated in response to said graphical representation of said current time being dragged.

27. A system as in claim 26 wherein said graphical representation of said time line comprises an overall start indicator which represents the beginning in time of the entire stream of said time-based media and comprises an overall end indicator which represents the end in time of said entire stream and wherein said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator may be dragged to positions along said graphical representation of said time line between said overall start indicator and said overall end indicator.

28. A system as in claim 27 wherein said time-based media comprises a time sequential series of visual displays and said presenting displays a portion of said visual displays.

29. A system as in claim 28 wherein said dragging comprises dragging both said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator in separate dragging operations.

30. A system as in claim 25 further comprising:

means for displaying an indicator of a section of said time-based media and updating said indicator in response to said dragging.

31. A system as in claim 30 wherein said section represents a chapter in said time-based media.

32. A system as in claim 25 further comprising:

means for displaying a numerical representation of said current time and updating said numerical representation of said current time in response to said dragging.

33. A system as in claim 32 further comprising:

means for displaying an indicator of a section of said time-based media and updating said indicator in response to said dragging;

means for modifying a presentation of said graphical representation of said time line in response to said dragging.

35. A digital processing system as in claim 34, wherein said processor presents only said portion of said time-based media and wherein said current time represents a current frame and wherein said current frame is updated in response to said dragging and said current frame is displayed in response to said dragging.

36. A digital processing system as in claim 35 wherein said dragging comprises associating a cursor with said at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator and moving said cursor while said cursor is associated with said at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator.

37. A digital processing system as in claim 36 wherein said graphical representation of said current time is capable of being dragged along said graphical representation of said time line and said current frame is updated in response to said graphical representation of said current time being dragged.

38. A digital processing system as in claim 37 wherein said graphical representation of said time line comprises an overall start indicator which represents the beginning in time of the entire stream of said time-based media and comprises an overall end indicator which represents the end in time of said entire stream and wherein said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator may be dragged to positions along said graphical representation of said time line between said overall start indicator and said overall end indicator.

39. A digital processing system as in claim 38 wherein said time-based media comprises a time sequential series of visual displays and said presenting displays a portion of said visual displays.

40. A digital processing system as in claim 39 wherein said dragging comprises dragging both said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator in separate dragging operations.

41. A digital processing system as in claim 36 wherein said processor displays an indicator of a section of said time-based media and updating said indicator in response to said dragging.

12. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable program code which, when executed, causes a machine to perform a method for selecting a presentation of a time-based media, said method comprising:

displaying a graphical representation of a time line for said time-based media;

displaying a graphical representation of a current time along said graphical representation of said time line;

displaying a start graphical indicator and a stop graphical indicator along said graphical representation of said time line;

dragging at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator along said graphical representation of said time line to select a portion of said time-based media for presentation.

23. A digital processing system for selecting a presentation of a time-based media, said digital processing system comprising:

means for displaying a graphical representation of a time line for said time-based media;

means for displaying a graphical representation of a current time along said graphical representation of said time line;

means for displaying a start graphical indicator and a stop graphical indicator along said graphical representation of said time line;

means for dragging at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator along said graphical representation of said time line to select a portion of said time-based media for presentation.

34. A digital processing system comprising:

a digital processor coupled to a display device;

a memory coupled to said digital processor, said memory receiving a time-based media for display on said display device, said processor;

displaying a graphical representation of a time line for said time-based media;

displaying a graphical representation of a current time along said graphical representation of said time line;

displaying a start graphical indicator and a stop graphical indicator along said graphical representation of said time line;

allowing dragging of at least one of said start graphical indicator and said stop graphical indicator along said graphical representation of said time line to select a portion of said time-based media for presentation.

43. A method for providing a user interface, said user interface providing functionality for processing time-based media, said method comprising:

detecting input to change a portion of said graphical user interface being displayed, wherein said portion indicates time relating to said time-based media;

determining an input speed of said input to change said portion; and

determining a rate at which to change said portion, said rate being dependent on said input speed; and

changing information displayed in said portion at said rate.

42. A digital processing system as in claim 42 wherein said section represents a chapter in said time-based media.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

storing said time-based media as a QuickTime movie.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

storing said time-based media at a remote location accessible through a data processing network.

46. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

storing said time-based media on a machine-readable medium at a local location.

47. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

displaying in said portion text information indicating a chapter of said time-based media file; and

in response to said input, scrolling through a plurality of chapters at a scroll rate that depends on said input speed.

48. The method of claim 43, wherein said input comprises:

placing a cursor over said portion; and

dragging said cursor in a first direction to change the display in said portion.

49. The method of claim 43, wherein said time-based media file comprises one of video data, audio data, visual data, and a combination of audio and video data.

50. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

displaying in said portion a time bar that indicates time in said time-based media.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

using at least one display select marker to select a range of time on said time bar, said range of time corresponding to a range of time in said time-based media.

52. A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable code which causes a machine to perform a method for generating a user interface, said user interface to provide functionality for processing time-based media data, said method comprising:

detecting input to change a portion of said graphical user interface that indicates time relating to said time-based media;

determining an input speed of said input to change said portion;

determining a rate at which to change said portion, said rate being dependent on said input speed; and

changing information displayed in said portion at said rate.

53. The machine readable medium of claim 52, wherein said method further comprises:

storing said time-based media as a QuickTime movie.

54. The machine readable medium of claim 53, wherein said method further comprises:

storing said time-based media at a remote location accessible through a data processing network.

55. The machine readable medium of claim 53, wherein said method further comprises:

storing said time-based media on a machine-readable medium at a local location.

56. The machine readable medium of claim 52, wherein said method further comprises:

displaying text information indicating a chapter of said time-based media file; and

in response to said input, scrolling through a plurality of chapters at a scroll rate that depends on said input speed.

57. The machine readable medium of claim 52, wherein said method further comprises:

placing a cursor over said portion; and

dragging said cursor in a first direction to change said information displayed in said portion at said rate.

58. The machine readable medium of claim 52, wherein said time-based media file comprises one of video data, audio data, and a combination of audio and video data.

59. The machine readable medium of claim 52, wherein said method further comprises:

displaying a time bar that indicates time in said time-based media.

60. The machine readable medium of claim 59, wherein said method further comprises:

using at least one display select marker to select a range of time on said time bar, said range of time corresponding to a range of time in said time-based media.

61. An apparatus for generating a user interface, said user interface to provide functionality for processing time-based media data, said apparatus comprising:

a first means for detecting input to change a portion of said graphical user interface being displayed, wherein said portion indicates time relating to said time-based media;

a second means for determining an input speed of said input to change said portion; and

a third means for determining a rate at which to change said portion, said rate being dependent on said input speed; and

a fourth means for changing information displayed in said portion at said rate.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising:

a storing means for storing said time-based media as a QuickTime movie.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said storing means is for storing said time-based media at a remote location accessible through a data processing network.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising:

a machine-readable medium storing means for storing said time-based media at a local location.

65. The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising:

a fifth means for displaying in said portion text information indicating a chapter of said time-based media file; and

a sixth means for scrolling through a plurality of chapters at a scroll rate that depends on said input speed.

66. The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising:

a cursor control means for placing a cursor over said portion; and

said cursor control means further for allowing dragging said cursor in a first direction to change the display in said portion.

67. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said time-based media comprises one of video data, audio data, visual data, and a combination of audio and video data.

68. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

a fifth means for displaying in said portion a time bar that indicates time in said time-based media.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising:

a select marker means for selecting a range of time on said time bar, said range of time corresponding to a range of time in said time-based media.