Media engine user interface

• US 20060195789A1
• Filed: 02/24/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rogers, Ian, Heyman, Steve, New, Matthew D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,739,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/727
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/273 Asynchronous replication or reconciliation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3344 using natural language analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4393 Multimedia presentations, e.g. slide shows, multimedia albums
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/637 Administration of user profiles, e.g. generation, initialization, adaptation or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6236 between heterogeneous systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/0038 System on Chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/01 Automatic library building
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2113 Multi-level security, e.g. mandatory access control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/386 using messaging services or messaging apps using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS G06Q20/3255
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• 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: H04L 12/1822 : Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 : applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 : Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0263 : Rule management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 : Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 : Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 : specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 : Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 : Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 : Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 : The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 : Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• 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 21/4788 : 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 21/4825 : using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 : Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/913 : Multimedia

Abstract

A user interface and associated computer readable medium for a user interface within a media management application. In one aspect, the user interface comprises a plurality of panes displaying a list of one or more media file sources, a list of user selectable media file identifiers, selected information associated with the listed media file identifiers, instructional information as to how a user can cause one of the panes to display selected information associated with the listed media file identifiers and a media player control interface. In one aspect, the user interface comprises panes displaying an instant messaging platform as a media file source and a list of indicia representing messaging users that a user communicates with. In another aspect, selecting the indicia representing a messaging user can cause a pane to display information associated with media files found in a media library of the selected messaging user.

Claims

1. A computer readable medium comprising software code for a media management application, the code configured to implement functions comprising:

generating an application window within a user interface, said window comprising a plurality of panes;

displaying in a first of said panes a listing of one or more sources from which media files may be accessed;

displaying in a second of said panes a listing of user selectable media file identifiers, each identifier associated with a media file and with said one or more sources;

displaying in a third of said panes first selected information associated with said listed media file identifiers;

displaying in a fourth pane instructional information as to how a user can cause said fourth pane to display second selected information associated with said listed media file identifiers; and

displaying in a fifth pane a media player control interface through which said user can direct the playing of said media files associated with said listed identifiers.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein said listing in said second of said panes comprises columns containing at least one attribute associated with each of said media files.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 2 wherein said attribute is selected from a group comprising a title associated with said media file, an artist name associated with a media file, an album name associated with said media file, and a genre name associated with said media file.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 2 wherein said attribute comprises a rating associated with said media file.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 4 wherein said user is able to sort said media files by rating.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein selecting one of said sources in said first of said panes limits the display in said second pane to comprise media files from said clicked upon source.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein one or more of said panes comprises an interface object in which said user is able to rate different media files from.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein said one or more sources comprises a source selected from a group of sources consisting of a user'"'"'s local library, an online media service, and a server.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein said one or more sources comprises an internet radio station.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein said one or more sources comprises a portable media device.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein said one or more sources comprises an instant messaging platform.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein said one or more sources comprises a remote user'"'"'s media library.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein any of one said media file identifiers can be selected by a user in order to access said one or more sources so that said user can experience a media file associated with said selected media file identifier.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein upon selecting first selected information of said third of said panes, said fourth of said panes displays said second selected information associated with said listed media file identifiers.

15. A user interface for a media management application comprising:

a media management application window comprising a plurality of panes;

a first pane in which is displayed a listing of one or more sources from which media files may be accessed;

a second pane in which is displayed a listing of user selectable media file identifiers, each identifier associated with a media file and with said one or more sources;

a third pane in which is displayed first selected information associated with said listed media file identifiers;

a fourth pane in which is displayed instructional information as to how a user can cause said fourth pane to display second selected information associated with said listed media file identifiers; and

a fifth pane in which is displayed a media player control interface through which said user can direct the playing of media files associated with said listed identifiers.

16. The user interface of claim 15 wherein said listing in said second of said panes comprises columns containing at least one attribute associated with each of said media files.

17. The user interface of claim 16 wherein said attribute comprises a rating associated with said media file.

18. The user interface of claim 15 wherein one or more of said panes comprises an interface object in which said user is able to rate different media files from.

19. The user interface of claim 15 further comprising a sixth pane in which is displayed one or more input areas for searching said one or more sources.

20. The user interface of claim 19 wherein said user can enter a search criteria and/or a search term.

21. The user interface of claim 19 wherein said one or more input areas comprises a drop down menu and a text field box.

22. The user interface of claim 20 wherein searching said one or more sources using said criteria limits the display in said second pane to comprise a media file identifier associated with said criteria and said one or more sources.

23. The user interface of claim 15 wherein selecting said media file identifier causes said third pane to display information associated with said selected media file identifier.

24. The user interface of claim 15 wherein said one or more sources comprises a source selected from a group of sources consisting of a user'"'"'s local library, an online media service, and a server.

25. The user interface of claim 15 wherein said one or more sources comprises an internet radio station.

26. The user interface of claim 15 wherein said one or more sources comprises a portable media device.

27. The user interface of claim 15 wherein said one or more sources comprises an instant messaging platform.

28. The computer readable medium comprising software code for generating a user interface for a media management application, the code configured to implement on one or more processor functions comprising:

generating a media management application window;

displaying in said window, a first pane comprising a list of user selectable indicia, each representing a source from which media files may be accessed, wherein one of said indicia represents a media file source comprising an instant messaging platform;

displaying in said window, in response to a user selecting said messaging platform indicia, a list of indicia representing selected messaging users that said user communicates with; and

displaying in said window, in response to said user selecting one of said messaging user indicia associated with a selected messaging user, a second pane comprising information associated with media files found in a media library of said selected messaging user.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 28, said functions further comprising displaying said information in a plurality of panes.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 28, said functions further comprising displaying in a third pane said information comprising a listing of user selectable media file identifiers associated with media files of said selected messenger user.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 30, said functions further comprising displaying in a fourth pane said information comprising instructional information as to how said user can cause said first pane to display first selected information associated with said listed media file identifiers.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 31, said functions further comprising displaying in a third pane said information comprising second selected information associated with said listed media file identifiers.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 32, said functions further comprising displaying in a fourth pane, user selectable indicia representing a profile page from which profile information associated with said selected messaging user may be accessed.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 32, said functions further comprising displaying in a fourth pane of said plurality, user selectable indicia representing an internet radio station from which an internet radio station tailorable by said selected messaging user may be accessed.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 32, said functions further comprising displaying in a fourth pane of said plurality, user selectable indicia representing selecting said selected messaging user as an influencer with respect to said user'"'"'s internet radio station.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 32, said functions further comprising displaying in a fourth pane of said plurality, user selectable indicia representing an instant messaging application from which an instant messaging application in communication with said selected messaging user may be accessed.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 28, said functions further comprising displaying in said window, a media player control interface through which said user can direct the playing of said with media files associated with said selected messaging user.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 30 wherein said listing in said third pane comprises columns containing at least one attribute associated with each of said media files.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 30 wherein said user is able to sort said media files that appear in the listing of media files in said third pane.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 28 wherein said functions further comprise displaying in said window, a third pane comprising one or more input areas for searching said one or more sources.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 40 wherein said user can enter a search criterion into said one or more input areas to search said media files found in said media library of said selected messaging user.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 30 wherein one of said media file identifiers comprises a pointer.

43. The computer readable medium of claim 30 wherein one of said media file identifiers comprises a universal resource locator.

44. A user interface for a media management application comprising:

a media management application window comprising;

a first pane in which is displayed user selectable indicia, each representing a source from which media files may be accessed, wherein one of said indicia represents a media file source comprising an instant messaging platform and wherein a user selecting said messaging platform indicia causes a list of indicia representing selected messaging users that said user desires to communicate with to be displayed; and

a second pane in which is displayed, in response to said user selecting one of said messaging user indicia associating with a selected messaging user, information associated with media files found in a media library of said selected messaging user.

45. The user interface of claim 44 wherein said information is displayed in a plurality of panes.

46. The user interface of claim 44 wherein said window further comprises a third pane in which is displayed a list of user selectable media file identifiers associated with media files of said selected messenger user.

47. The user interface of claim 46 wherein said list in said third pane comprises columns containing at least one attribute associated with each of said media files.

48. The user interface of claim 46 wherein said window further comprises a fourth pane in which is displayed information comprising instructional information as to how said user can cause said third pane to display a first selected information associated with said listed media file identifiers.

49. The user interface of claim 48 wherein said window further comprises a fifth pane in which is displayed second selected information associated with said listed media file identifiers.

50. The user interface of claim 49 wherein said window further comprises a sixth pane in which is displayed a user selectable indicia representing a profile page from which profile information associated with said selected messaging user may be accessed.

51. The user interface of claim 46 wherein said window further comprises a fourth pane in which is displayed user selectable indicia representing an internet radio station from which an internet radio station tailorable by said selected messaging user may be accessed.

52. The user interface of claim 46 wherein said window further comprises a fourth pane in which is displayed user selectable indicia representing selecting said selected messaging user as an influencer with respect to said user'"'"'s internet radio station.

53. The user interface of claim 46 wherein said window further comprises a fourth pane in which is displayed a user selectable indicia representing an instant messaging application from which an instant messaging application in communication with said selected messaging user may be accessed.

54. The user interface of claim 44 wherein said window further comprises a third pane in which is displayed a media player control interface through which said user can direct the playing of said with media files associated with said selected messaging user.

55. The user interface of claim 44 wherein said window further comprises a third pane in which is displayed one or more input areas for searching said one or more sources.

56. The user interface of claim 55 wherein said user can enter a search criterion in one or more input areas to search said media files associated with said selected messaging user.