Graphic user interface that is usable as a PC interface and an A/V interface

• US 6,118,450 A
• Filed: 04/03/1998
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Mingo, Kimberly, Gioscia, Rich, Proehl, Andrew M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thai, Cuong T.
• Application Number:
  US09/054,997
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 345/328, 345/327, 345/302, 345/349, 345/970, 345/978, 345/353, 345/357, 345/329, 386/55, 386/66, 386/54, 386/69, 386/70, 707/501, 707/104, 369/30, 369/32, 369/34, 709/203
• US Class Current: 715/810
• 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: G11B 19/022 Control panels
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/213 Read-only discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2529 Mini-discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/913 Digital audio tape [DAT] format
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• 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 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• 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 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 : Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8133 : specifically related to the content, e.g. biography of the actors in a movie, detailed information about an article seen in a video program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen

Abstract

A graphic user interface for use with a multi-recording media storage apparatus includes a determiner for determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within the apparatus and an accumulator for accumulating statistical information regarding the identity of that medium. Additional information is obtained from an external database based upon the identity of the recording medium, and further additional information is obtained from an external information source in accordance with the accumulated statistical information. The graphic user interface allows a user to view and manipulate the additional information and the further additional information in order to select a particular recording medium for playing, or to perform various other operations.

Claims

1. A graphic user interface for use with a multi-recording media storage apparatus, comprising:

means for determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within said multi-recording medium storage apparatus;

means for accumulating statistical information regarding at least the identity and loading or playback frequency of said at least one of said plurality of recording media;

means for obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof; and

means for obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said accumulated statistical information,

wherein said graphic user interface allows a user to view and manipulate said additional information and said further additional information.

2. The graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein said recording medium is a compact disc (CD).

3. The graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein said recording medium is a mini disc.

4. The graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein said recording medium is a digital audio tape.

5. The graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein said additional information includes textual information regarding said recording medium.

6. The graphic user interface of claim 5, wherein said textual information includes liner notes.

7. The graphic user interface of claim 5, wherein said additional textual information includes information regarding other recordings by an artist whose performance is recorded on said recording medium.

8. The graphic user interface of claim 7, wherein said additional textual information includes concert information regarding an artist whose performance is recorded on said recording medium.

9. The graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein said additional information includes at least compact disc (CD) cover art.

10. The graphic user interface of claim 9, further comprising selection means for selecting a compact disc to be played by selecting a desired cover art associated with a particular compact disc.

11. The graphic user interface of claim 10, wherein said user selection means is operable for a user to select a plurality of compact discs to be played in a user-defined sequence.

12. The graphic user interface of claim 10, wherein said user selection means is operable for a user to select a song to be played from said selected compact disk.

13. The graphic user interface of claim 12, wherein said user selection means is operable for a user to select a plurality of songs to be played from a plurality of compact discs in a user-defined sequence so as to generate a playlist.

14. The graphic user interface of claim 13, further comprising:

means operable for a user to define a virtual media by assigning a permanent designation to said playlist; and

means for storing said playlist and said permanent designation in internal memory;

wherein said virtual media may be manipulated in accordance with said graphic user interface as if said virtual media were a compact disc so that the selection of the designation of the virtual media results in said playlist being played back one of said plurality of recording media retained within said multi-recording medium storage.

15. The graphic user interface of claim 14, further comprising means for a user to enter a plurality of textual information to be stored in said internal memory regarding said virtual media to be displayed when said virtual media is being played back.

16. The graphic user interface of claim 1, further comprising playlist means for recording on a rewritable medium a playlist of a plurality of user-selected songs from a plurality of recording media.

17. The graphic user interface of claim 16, wherein said rewritable medium is a mini disc.

18. The graphic user interface of claim 16, wherein said rewritable medium is a digital audio tape.

19. The graphic user interface of claim 16, wherein said additional information associated with each recording medium on which each song in said playlist is recorded is also recorded on said rewritable medium.

20. The graphic user interface of claim 1, wherein said graphic user interface includes means for displaying all of the retained recording media in a user-selected genre, said genre being included in said additional information.

21. The graphic user interface of claim 20, wherein said means for displaying is operable to display additional information including at least cover art for each recording medium in said user-selected genre.

22. A graphic user interface, comprising:

means for determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within said multi-recording medium storage apparatus;

means for accumulating statistical information regarding the identity of said at least one of said plurality of recording media;

means for obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof; and

means for obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said statistical information;

wherein said graphic user interface allows a user to view and manipulate said additional information and said further additional information; and

means for accumulating statistical information representing the frequency with which at least one particular recording medium is played by a user.

23. The graphic user interface of claim 22, further comprising means for providing to a user, based upon the frequency of play of at least one retained recording medium, updated information relating to said at least one recording medium from an external information service in accordance with said further additional information.

24. The graphic user interface of claim 22, further comprising means for providing to a user, based upon the frequency of play of at least one retained recording medium, links to a particular website from an external web site listing data source in accordance with said further additional information.

25. A graphic user interface, comprising:

means for determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within said multi-recording medium storage aparatus;

means for accumulating statistical information regarding the identity of said at least one of said plurality of recording media;

means for obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof; and

means for obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said statistical information;

wherein said graphic user interface allows a user to view and manipulate said additional information and said further additional information; and

wherein said statistical information includes information representing the frequency of play of retained recording media of at least one particular artist.

26. The graphic user interface of claim 25, further comprising means for providing to a user, based upon the frequency of play of at least one retained recording medium of at least one particular artist, updated information relating to said at least one retained recording medium from an external information source in accordance with said further additional information.

27. The graphic user interface of claim 25, further comprising means for providing to a user, based upon the frequency of play of at least one retained recording medium of at least one particular artist, links to a particular website from an external web site listing data source in accordance with said further additional information.

28. A graphic user interface for use with a multi-disc CD player, comprising:

means for determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of CDs retained within said multi-disc CD player; and

means for accumulating information regarding playback frequency for said at least one CD;

means for obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said CDs based upon the identity and accumulated information thereof;

wherein said graphic user interface displays said additional information.

29. The graphic user interface of claim 28, wherein said additional information includes at least CD cover art.

30. The graphic user interface of claim 29, further comprising user selection means for selecting a CD to be played by said CD player by selecting a desired cover art associated with a particular CD.

31. The graphic user interface of claim 29, wherein said additional information further includes at least a list of songs associated with said one of said plurality of CDs.

32. The graphic user interface of claim 31, further comprising:

means operable for a user to define a user-defined playlist; and

means operable for a user to select songs to be included on said playlist from said list of songs of said additional information.

33. The graphic user interface of claim 32, further comprising:

means operable for a user to establish a designation of said user-defined playlist; and

memory means for storing said user-defined playlist and said designation.

34. The graphic user interface of claim 28, wherein said additional information includes at least liner notes associated with said at least one of said plurality of CDs.

35. A graphic user interface for use with a multi-recording media storage apparatus, said multi-recording media storage apparatus having at least one hardware apparatus coupled thereto, said multi-recording media storage apparatus, said graphic user interface and said at least one coupled hardware apparatus being located at a first, local location, comprising:

means for accumulating statistical information regarding the use of said hardware apparatus; and

means for obtaining additional information from an external database located at a second, remote location in accordance with said statistical information.

36. The graphic user interface of claim 35, wherein said additional information includes at least product information updates related to said at least one associated hardware apparatus.

37. The graphic user interface of claim 35, wherein said additional information includes links to web sites associated with said at least one hardware apparatus.

38. A method for controlling a multi-recording media storage apparatus by a graphic user interface, comprising the steps of:

determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within a multi-recording medium storage apparatus;

accumulating statistical information regarding at least the identity and loading or playback frequency of said at least one of said plurality of recording media;

obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof;

obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said accumulated statistical information; and

manipulating said additional information and said further additional information by using said graphic user interface.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said recording medium is a compact disc (CD).

40. The method of claim 38, wherein said recording medium is a mini disc.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein said recording medium is a digital audio tape.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein said additional information includes textual information regarding said recording medium.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said textual information includes liner notes.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein said additional textual information includes information regarding other recordings by an artist whose performance is recorded on said recording medium.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein said additional textual information includes concert information regarding an artist whose performance is recorded on said recording medium.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein said additional information includes at least compact disc (CD) cover art.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of selecting a compact disc to be played by selecting a desired cover art associated with one particular compact disc.

48. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of selecting a plurality of compact discs to be played in a user-defined sequence.

49. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of selecting a song to be played from said selected compact disc.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of generating a playlist by selecting a plurality of songs to be played from a plurality of compact discs in a user-defined sequence.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising the steps of:

defining a virtual media by assigning a permanent designation to a playlist;

storing said playlist and permanent designation in internal memory;

manipulating said virtual media as if said virtual media were a compact disc; and

selecting the designation of the virtual media in order to play back said playlist.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of storing a plurality of textual information regarding said virtual media to be displayed when said virtual media is being played back.

53. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of defining a playlist to be recorded on a rewritable medium by selecting a plurality of user-selected songs from a plurality of retained compact discs.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of recording said playlist on a mini disc.

55. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of recording said playlist on a digital audio tape.

56. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of also recording on said rewritable medium said additional information associated with each recording medium on which each song in said playlist is recorded.

57. The method of claim 38, further comprising the steps of:

selecting a genre to be included in said additional information; and

displaying all of the recording media of a user-selected genre on said graphic user interface.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of displaying additional information on said graphic user interface including at least cover art for each recording media in said user-selected genre.

59. A method for controlling a multi-recording media storage apparatus by a graphic user interface, comprising the steps of:

determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within a multi-recording medium storage apparatus;

accumulating statistical information regarding the identity of said at least one of said plurality of recording media;

obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof;

obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said statistical information;

manipulating said additional information and said further additional information by using said graphic user interface; and

obtaining statistical information representing the frequency with which at least one particular recording medium is played by a user.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising the step of, based upon the frequency of play of at least one particular recording medium, providing updated information to a user related to said at least one particular recording medium from an external information service in accordance with said further additional information.

61. The method of claim 59, further comprising the step of, based upon the frequency of play of at least one particular recording medium, providing links to a particular website to a user related to said at least one particular recording medium from an external web site listing data source in accordance with said further additional information.

62. A method for controlling a multi-recording media storage apparatus by a graphic user interface, comprising the steps of:

determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within a multi-recording medium storage apparatus;

accumulating statistical information representing the identity of said at least one of said plurality of recording media and the frequency of play of retained recording media of at least one particular artist;

obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof;

obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said statistical information; and

manipulating said additional information and said further additional information by using said graphic user interface.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising the step of, based upon the frequency of play of retained recording media of at least one particular artist, providing updated information to a user related to said at least one particular recording medium from an external information service in accordance with said further additional information.

64. The method of claim 62, further comprising the step of, based upon the frequency of play of retained recording media of at least one particular artist, providing links to a particular website to a user related to said at least one particular recording medium from an external web site listing data source in accordance with said further additional information.

65. A method for controlling a multi-disc CD player by a graphic user interface, comprising the steps of:

determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of CDs retained within said multi-disc CD player;

accumulating information regarding loading or playback frequency for said at least one CD;

obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said CDs based upon the identity and accumulated information thereof; and

displaying said additional information on a graphic user interface.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein said additional information includes at least CD cover art.

67. The method of claim 66, further comprising the step of selecting a CD to be played by said CD player by selecting a desired cover art associated with one particular CD.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein said additional information includes at least a list of songs associated with said one of said plurality of CDs.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising the step of defining a user-defined playlist by selecting songs to be included on said playlist from said list of songs of said additional information.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a designation of said user-defined playlist; and

storing said user-defined playlist and said designation in a local memory.

71. The method of claim 65, wherein said additional information includes at least liner notes associated with said at least one of said plurality of CDs.

72. A method for controlling a multi-recording media storage apparatus and at least one associated hardware apparatus coupled thereto, by a graphic user interface, said multi-recording media storage apparatus, said graphic user interface, and said at least one associated hardware apparatus being located at a first, local location, comprising the steps of:

accumulating statistical information regarding the use of said hardware apparatus; and

obtaining additional information from an external database located at a second, remote location in accordance with said statistical information.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein said additional information includes at least product information updates related to said at least one associated hardware apparatus.

74. The graphic user interface of claim 72, further comprising the step of obtaining, from an external web site listing data source, links to web sites associated with said at least one hardware apparatus in accordance with said additional information.