System and method for playback of media content with audio touch menu functionality

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016103589-A1
Application number	US-201514879774-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 9, 2015
Priority date	Mar 28, 2014
Publication date	Apr 14, 2016
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for playback of media content, including the use of touch menus, comprising:
a media device, including a processor; a user interface, provided at the media device, which is adapted to display a visual array of playlists or 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; and 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; a touch logic, provided at the media devices, which is adapted to
determine a selection of a playlist, and
display contents of the selected playlist, including a visual array of media options associated with the playlist, for further selection and playback.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein playlists can be one of stored locally on the media device, or stored at a server.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein upon selection of the selected playlist, a media option associated with the selected playlist is played, and is displayed together with others of the media options associated with the playlist, as part of the visual array.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface is adapted to enable the selected point or region to be moved between a first and second playlist, whereupon the user interface is updated to display contents of the selected playlist including a visual array of media options associated therewith.

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 touch menus, comprising:
displaying, at a media device having a user interface, a visual array of playlists or 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, a selection of a playlist; and displaying contents of the selected playlist, as a visual array of media options, for further selection and playback.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein playlists can be one of stored locally on the media device, or stored at a server.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein upon selection of the selected playlist, a media option associated with the selected playlist is played, and is displayed together with others of the media options associated with the playlist, as part of the visual array.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the user interface is adapted to enable the selected point or region to be moved between a first and second playlist, whereupon the user interface is updated to display contents of the selected playlist including a visual array of media options associated therewith.

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 . The method of claim 6 , including that instructions for performing the method are stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which, when executed by a device having one or more processors, cause the device to perform the method.

12 . A device for playback of media content, including the use of touch menus, comprising:
a media device, including a processor; a user interface, provided at the media device, which is adapted to display a visual array of playlists or 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; and wherein input is received from a user, at the user interface, including a selection of a card element, point or region within the visual array corresponding to a selected media option, wherein a selection of card element, point or region within the visual array corresponding to a selected media option, is communicated to a media server, for use by the server in determining one or more media options associated with or proximate to the selected card element, point or region, for use in adjusting playback of those media options, wherein streamed media content associated with the one or more media options associated with or proximate to the selected card element, is received from the media server, and wherein a visual array of additional media options associated with the selected media options is displayed, wherein each media option in the visual array of additional media options is similarly associated with one or more media content items that can be selected for playing.

13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the device includes support for force-sensitive touch input in selection, playback, or other interaction with media options.

14 . A server for use in playback of media content, including the use of touch menus, comprising:
a computer device, including a processor, and a media server executing thereon; a repository of media content items, and samples associated therewith; a media application interface configured to receive requests from media devices or other systems, to retrieve media content from the media server; and wherein input is received from a client computer system or device having a media playback application and user interface which enables display of a visual array of media options, wherein each media option is associated with one or more of the media content items, including a selection of a card element, point or region within the visual array corresponding to a selected media option, wherein one or more media options associated with or proximate to the selected card element, point or region, are determined, for use in adjusting playback of those media options, and wherein media content associated with the one or more media options associated with or proximate to the selected card element, is streamed to the client computer system or device, for use by the client computer system or device in displaying a visual array of additional media options associated with the selected media options.

Assignees

• Spotify Ab

Inventors

• Dziuk Dariusz

Classifications

• G06F3/04883

  for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text · CPC title

• G06F3/04886

  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 title

• G06F3/04842 Primary

  Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06F3/0412

  Digitisers structurally integrated in a display · CPC title

• G06F3/0482 Primary

  Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus · CPC title