WO2007102107A1

WO2007102107A1 - Method of setting one or more playback markers for media playback and media player for performing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2007102107A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/050690
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabien Marcel Jacques Guillorit
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.; U.S. Philips Corporation
Priority date: 2006-03-06
Filing date: 2007-03-02
Publication date: 2007-09-13

Abstract

A media player (100) for playing media files includes memory; a user interface (190) providing one or more user selectable objects (210); and a processor (120) that executes a method of setting a marker during playback of a media file so that playback can later be resumed from the same location. The method (200) includes playing a media file; receiving an instruction from a user to save a location in the media file that is currently being played back; and storing in memory (140) an indication of the media file that is currently being played back, and an indication of the location in the media file that is currently being played back. When the user selects the object (210) of the user interface (190), the media player (100) playing back the media file, beginning from the previously stored location.

Description

METHOD OF SETTING ONE OR MORE PLAYBACK MARKERS FOR MEDIA PLAYBACK AND MEDIA PLAYER FOR PERFORMING THE SAME

This invention pertains to a media player and method of operating the same, and in particular to a method of setting one or more playback markers for playing back media files, and a media player that includes the capability of setting one or more playback markers for playing back media files.

With the proliferation of digital media file formats, such as mp3, wav, MPEG, avi, etc., and the success of media players such as MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® Media Player and APPLE® IPOD®, consumers are gaining increasing flexibility and options for storing, organizing, and playing digital media files. Capacity is ever increasing to store and organize more and more media files. It is not uncommon for a media player to have access to thousands of media files. Media players are able to organize literally thousands of media files and play them back to a user in a wide variety of different playback modes.

In addition to computer-based media players, there are an increasing number of portable media players available, such as the APPLE® IPOD®. Media players are now being rapidly integrated into other portable devices, including personal digital assistants, portable e-mail devices, and mobile telephones. In many cases, such devices are not only capable of playing back audio files, but they can play back audio-video files, too. Such devices are rapidly becoming ubiquitous.

Meanwhile, as these devices proliferate, there is a growing demand to add more and more features. At the same time, as these media players have access to literally thousands of media files, and include so many features, there is also a desire to make media players easier to use.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide increased functionality to a media player. It would also be desirable to provide increased functionality that actually makes the media player easier to use. It would also be desirable to provide such a media player that includes such increased functionality. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a capability for users of a media player to easily mark the place where the stopped listening to the device previously, and resume playback from that location in the future. It would also be desirable to provide a media player that includes such a capability. The present invention is directed to providing one or more of the preceding objects.

In one aspect of the invention, a method of playing media files, comprises: playing a media file via a media player; receiving an instruction from a user to save a location in the media file that is currently being played back; in response to the user's instruction to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back, storing in memory an indication of the media file that is currently being played back, and an indication of the location in the media file that is currently being played back; and providing an object in a user interface of the media player wherein when the user selects the object, the media player begins playing back the media file from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location.

In another aspect of the invention, a media player for playing media files comprises: memory; a user interface providing one or more user selectable objects; and a processor configured to execute a method comprising setting a marker during playback of a media file so that playback can later be resumed from the same location. The method includes playing a media file; receiving an instruction from a user to save a location in the media file that is currently being played back; and in response to the user's instruction to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back, storing in memory an indication of the media file that is currently being played back, and an indication of the location in the media file that is currently being played back. When the user selects an object of the user interface, the media player begins playing back the media file from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location.

Further and other aspects will become evident from the description to follow.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a media player;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a media player; FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method of marking a playback location of a media file and subsequently resuming playback at that location.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as teaching examples of the invention. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a media player 100. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more of the various "parts" shown in FIG. 1 may be physically implemented using a software-controlled microprocessor, hard- wired logic circuits, or a combination thereof. Also, while the parts are functionally segregated in FIG. 1 for explanation purposes, they may be combined variously in any physical implementation.

Media player 100 includes a processor 120, memory 140, one or more input-output ports 160, audio subsystem 170, and user interface 190. In the embodiment of FIG.1, media player 100 is enabled to playback audio-video media files, and accordingly media player 100 also includes video subsystem 180. It should be understood that when media player 100 only plays back audio files, then video subsystem 180 may be omitted.

Media files played by media player 100 may include audio files, audio-video files, or both. Furthermore, media player 100 may be integrated into a portable device that includes one or more other functions, such as a portable computing device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a digital camera, a portable e-mail terminal, etc. In that case one or all of the processor 120, memory 140, and user interface 190 may be used to perform functions of the media player, and also to perform one or more additional functions such as a portable computing, personal information management, mobile telephony, a digital photography, e-mail transmission and reception, etc. It should be understood that in an alternative embodiment to what is shown in FIG.

1 , the media player may be provided as a software program executed by a processor of a general purpose personal computer (PC), such that there are no dedicated hardware components to the media player. In that case, the functions of processor 120 described below may be performed by the microprocessor of the PC, the functions of memory 140 may be provided by the memory of the PC, the functions provided by audio and video subsystems 170 and 180 may be provided by the audio and video systems of the PC, and the functions of user interface 190 may be provided by a graphical user interface 195 of the PC.

Turning again now to FIG. 1, processor 120 is configured to execute one or more software algorithms in conjunction with memory 140 and user interface 190 to provide the functionality of media player 100. Beneficially, processor 120 includes its own memory (e.g., nonvolatile memory) for storing executable software code that allows it to perform the various functions of media player 100. Alternatively, the executable code may be stored in designated memory locations within memory 140.

Memory 140 stores data in response to the processor 120. Such data may include user preferences for operation of media player 120 by one or more users. Such data may also include data for organizing media files, such a playlists, directories, and other mechanisms for grouping, separating, and otherwise generally organizing media files stored in media player 100. Beneficially, memory 140 also stores media files for playback by the media player 100. Alternatively, media files may be stored in a separate memory other than memory 140.

Input/output port(s) 160 facilitates media file transfer into and out of media player 100. Input/output port(s) 160 may include one or more USB ports, Firewire ports, Bluetooth ports, wireless Ethernet ports, etc.

Audio subsystem 170 includes audio circuitry 172 and audio speaker 176. In some cases, some or all of audio circuitry 172 may be integrated with processor 120. Also, audio speaker 176 may be omitted, in which case media player 100 beneficially includes one or more audio connector(s) for driving an external speaker (e.g., a headphone jack).

Video subsystem 180 includes audio circuitry 182 and video display device 184. In some cases, some or all of video circuitry 182 may be integrated with processor 120. Also, video display device 184 may be omitted, in which case media player 100 beneficially includes one or more video connector(s) for driving an external video display. User interface 190 includes objects that allow a user to control the operation of media player 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, user interface 190 includes a graphical user interface 195. However in some embodiments graphical user interface 195 may be omitted. The objects can include one or more manual buttons 192, knobs 194, click- wheels 196, etc. mounted on a case that houses media player 100. When media player includes graphical user interface 195, objects may also include buttons, check boxes, data entry (e.g., text) boxes, pull down menus, etc, that are displayed via display screen 184. Such objects may be selected via click-wheel 196, or another scrolling device, such as a mouse, a trackball, a track-pointer, or by arrow buttons, etc. Alternatively, display screen 184 may be a touchscreen displaying buttons, check boxes, data entry (e.g., text) boxes, pull down menus, etc which a user selects on display screen 184 with a pointer.

Hereafter, a feature of media player 100 that allows one or more users to set one or more playback markers for saving playback locations for media files will be explained. In order to not obscure the explanation of this feature, the description of other audio playback operations and features of media player 100 will be omitted.

Media player 100 plays back media files stored in memory in response to a user instruction received user interface 190. Such media files may be played back in a variety of different playback modes. Such modes include playing a preset playlist, playing an individual media file, random playback, etc.

At some point during playback of a media file by media player 100, the user may wish to set a marker to mark a position or location in the media file that is currently being played back. Such a position or location may be at the start or end of the media file, particularly when the media file is being played back as one of a series of media files (e.g., a playlist). By setting a marker to a particular position or location in the media file, the user may later come back and resume playback at the selected location or position in the media file and playlist.

The user may want to set a marker so he/she can easily return at a later time to a favorite part of a song or a movie that is being played back, while continuing with playback of the rest of the media file at the present time.

Alternatively, the user may want to halt playback of the current media file by media player 100 for a period of time. This may occur for any of a variety of reasons. For example, the user may wish to switch to play back a different media file. Also, the playback may be interrupted temporarily so the user can perform a different operation. For example, where media player 100 is integrated with a mobile phone, the user may halt playback of the media file so that she/he can answer an incoming call. In another case, media player 100 may be playing back a playlist or a series of songs selected by the processor 120 either randomly, or by some other criteria (e.g., trying to match a user's musical tastes). In that case, a user may halt playback in the middle of a song or at the end of a song in the playlist. Additionally, a user may halt playback in the middle of a media file (e.g., a movie) or in between the playback of media files (e.g., songs) in a playlist in order to turn off media player 100. For example, the user may have borrowed media player 100 from its owner and may have to return it to its owner, but intends to borrow it in the future and wants to resume playback from the current location at that time. The user may halt the playback in one of a variety of ways through user interface

190. Beneficially, the user selects a predefined object in user interface 190. For example, the user may depress a manual "on/off button on a case that houses media player 100. Alternatively, the user may select an object displayed on display screen 184 via graphical user interface 195.

Whatever the reason for setting a playback marker, media player 100 provides via user interface 190 an object (a "set-marker object") that can be selected by the user to provide an instruction to media player 100 to save a location in the media file that is currently being played back so that playback can be resumed from that location in the future. In one embodiment, the set-marker object is a manual button on the case that houses media player 100. In that case, the manual button which the user depresses to instruct the media player 100 to save the location in the media file that is being played back may be the same button that the user depresses to instruct the media player 100 to halt playback of the media file. Alternatively, separate buttons may be used for setting a marker and for halting playback. Although typically it will be desirable to provide a separate object to be selected to turn off media player 100, in one embodiment the same user-depressible manual button which the user depresses to instruct the media player 100 to save the location in the media file that is being played back, and to instruct the media player 100 to halt playback of the media file, may also turn off media player 100.

In another embodiment, the set-marker object that can be selected by the user to provide an instruction to media player 100 to save a location in the media file that is currently being played back, may be displayed on display screen 184 by graphical user interface 195. In that case, the set-marker object may be selected via click-wheel 196, or another scrolling device, such as a mouse, a trackball, a track-pointer, or by arrow buttons, etc. Alternatively, where display screen 184 is a touchscreen displaying buttons, check boxes, data entry (e.g., text) boxes, pull down menus, etc., then the user may select the set- marker object on display screen 184 with a pointer.

Beneficially, media player 100 provides a plurality of different set-marker objects allowing one or more users to set different markers for a plurality of different locations in a plurality of different media files. For example, media player may include on its case a plurality of manual buttons, each of which can be depressed during playback of a media file to provide an instruction to media player 100 to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back. In response to a user selecting the set-marker object, an instruction is received by media player 100 to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back. In that case, in response to the user's instruction, processor 120 of media player 100 executes an algorithm to store in memory 140 an indication of the media file that is currently being played back, together with an indication of the location in the media file that is currently being played back. Beneficially, when a playlist is being played back at the time that the user provides the instruction to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back, then processor 120 of media player 100 also stores in memory 140 an indication of a current playlist. Also beneficially, in response to the user's instruction, processor 120 of media player 100 stores in memory 140 an indication of the current playback mode that is in effect (e.g., playlist playback, random playback, individual media file playback, etc.).

In an embodiment where a single object (e.g., pushbutton) is provided that both saves a marker and halts playback, then in response to user selection of that object, media player 100 will also halt playback of the media file. Optionally, as discussed above, in another embodiment media player 100 may also shut down in response to the user's instruction.

Meanwhile, an object (a "resume playback object") is provided in user interface 190 of the media player 100 wherein when the user selects the resume playback object, media player 100 begins playing back the media file from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location. In one embodiment, the resume playback object is a manual button on the case that houses media player 100. In that case, the resume playback object may be the same object (the set- marker object) that was selected by the user when the user originally provided the instruction to set the marker by saving the playback location of the media file. Alternatively, the resume playback object may be different from the set-marker object. In another embodiment, the resume playback object may be displayed on display screen 184 by graphical user interface 195. In that case, the resume playback object may be selected via click- wheel 196, or another scrolling device, such as a mouse, a trackball, a track- pointer, or by arrow buttons, etc. Alternatively, where display screen 184 is a touchscreen displaying buttons, check boxes, data entry (e.g., text) boxes, pull down menus, etc., then the user may select the resume playback object on display screen 184 with a pointer.

Beneficially, media player 100 provides a plurality of different resume playback objects allowing one or more users to resume playback of a plurality of different media files starting from a plurality of different locations in response to instructions form one or more users. For example, media player may include on its case a plurality of manual buttons, each of which can be depressed to provide an instruction to media player 100 to resume playback of a corresponding media file beginning at a corresponding location.

When the user selects the resume playback object, media player 100 begins playing back the media file from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the original instruction to save the location. Beneficially, processor 120 of media player 100 begins playing back the media file according to a playback mode that was in effect when the user provided the instruction to save the location. Also beneficially, processor 120 of media player 100 begins playing back the remainder of the playlist starting from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location. FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of media player 100 which is a portable unit. As shown in FIG. 2, media player 100 includes a case 205, display screen 184, click- wheel 196, and a plurality of pushbuttons 210. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each of the plurality of pushbuttons 210 is a set-marker object allowing a user to provide an instruction to set a marker for a playback location in a media file that is currently being played back so that playback can be resumed from that location in the future. Furthermore, each of the pushbuttons 210 also acts a resume playback object allowing a user to provide an instruction to resume playback of a corresponding media file from a corresponding playback location.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method of marking a playback location of a media file and subsequently resuming playback at that location.

In a first step 310, a media player plays a media file. The media file may be playing in a single playback mode, a random playback mode, as one media file in a playlist, etc.

In a next step 320, the media player receives an instruction from the user to save a location in the media file that is currently being played back. As explained above, in one embodiment the instruction is generated in response to the user depressing a pushbutton on a case housing the media player. Of course, other arrangements are possible as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

In response to the user's instruction to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back, in a step 330 an indication of the media file that is currently being played back, and an indication of the location in the media file that is currently being played back, are stored in memory. At this time, beneficially an indication of the current playlist (if any) and the current playback mode are also stored in memory. Meanwhile, in a step 340 an object is provided in a user interface of the media player wherein when the user selects the object, the media player begins playing back the media file from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location. In one embodiment, this comprises assigning the same pushbutton which the user pressed in step 320 to become a "resume playback" button for the media file and location saved by the media player. Of course, other arrangements are possible as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

Then, in a step 350, a user selects the object in the user interface to instruct the media player to resume playing back the media file at the previously stored location. In one embodiment, this comprises the user depressing the same pushbutton that she/he depressed in step 320 above. Of course, other arrangements are possible as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

Subsequently, in a step 360, in response to the user's selection, the media player begins playing back the media file according to a playback mode that was in effect when the user provided the instruction to save the location. If the media file was being played back as part of a playlist when the user saved the location in step 320, then beneficially the media player resumes playing back the remainder of the playlist, starting with the media file and location that were stored in step 330.

Accordingly, increased functionality for remembering playback locations of media files, and easily resuming playback from those locations in the future, has been provided to a media player. At the same time, this functionality makes the media player easier to use by mitigating the need for a user, who has had to halt playback of a media file or playlist, to try to remember where they stopped the playback and then perhaps to search through thousands of files to find the particular media file, and then fast forward to the exact location in the media file where he/she left off.

While preferred embodiments are disclosed herein, many variations are possible which remain within the concept and scope of the invention. Such variations would become clear to one of ordinary skill in the art after inspection of the specification, drawings and claims herein. The invention therefore is not to be restricted except within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method (300) of playing media files, comprising: playing (310) a media file via a media player; receiving (320) an instruction from a user to save a location in the media file that is currently being played back; in response to the user's instruction to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back, storing (330) in memory an indication of the media file that is currently being played back, and an indication of the location in the media file that is currently being played back; and providing (340) an object in a user interface of the media player wherein when the user selects (350) the object, the media player begins playing back (360) the media file from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing in memory an indication of a playback mode that was in effect when the user provided (320) the instruction to save the location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein when the user selects (350) the object, the media player begins playing back (360) the media file according to a playback mode that was in effect when the user provided (320) the instruction to save the location.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising when a playlist of media files is being played back when the user provides the instruction to save the location, storing in memory an indication of the playlist that was currently being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein when a playlist of media files is being played back when the user provides (320) the instruction to save the location, then when the user selects the object, the media player begins playing back a remainder of the playlist from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving (320) an instruction from the user to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back comprises receiving an indication that the user selected the object in the user interface.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an instruction from a user to halt playback of the media file.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the instruction from the user to halt playback of the media file, and the instruction from the user to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back, are received in response to a single user action.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving (320) an instruction from the user to save a location in the media file that is currently being played back comprises receiving an indication that the user selected a second object in the user interface.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is a user-selectable button of the media player.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: playing (310) a second media file to the user via the media player; receiving (320) an instruction from the user to save a location in the second media file that is currently being played back; in response to the user's instruction to save the location in the second media file that is currently being played back, storing (330) in memory an indication of the second media file that is currently being played back, and an indication of the location in the second media file that is currently being played back; and providing (340) a second object in the user interface of the media player wherein when the user selects (350) the second object, the media player begins playing back (360) the second media file from the location in the second media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second object is a second user-selectable button of the media player.

13. A media player (100) for playing media files, comprising: memory (140); a user interface (190) providing one or more user selectable objects (192, 194, 196); and a processor (120) configured to execute a method comprising the steps: playing a media file; receiving an instruction from a user to save a location in the media file that is currently being played back; and in response to the user's instruction to save the location in the media file that is currently being played back, storing in memory an indication of the media file that is currently being played back, and an indication of the location in the media file that is currently being played back; wherein when the user selects an object (192, 194, 196, 210) of the user interface, the media player begins playing back the media file from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location.

14. The media player (100) of claim 13, wherein the processor (120) also stores in the memory (140) an indication of a playback mode that was in effect when the user provided the instruction to save the location in the media file that was currently being played back.

15. The media player of claim 13, wherein the processor (120) also stores in the memory an indication of any playlist which was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location in the media file that was currently being played back.

16. The media player of claim 13, wherein the user interface (190) includes at least one manual button (192, 210), wherein receiving an instruction from the user to save a location in the media file that was currently being played back, comprises receiving an indication that the user depressed the manual button (192, 210).

17. The media player of claim 16, wherein the manual button (192, 210) is also the object of the user interface (190) selected by the user to begin playing back the media file from the location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the user interface (190) includes a plurality of manual buttons (192, 210), each button being adapted to store a corresponding location in a corresponding media file that is being played back when the user depresses the button.

19. The media player of claim 16, wherein receiving an instruction from the user to halt playback of the media file also comprises receiving an indication that the user depressed the manual button (192, 210).

20. The media player of claim 13, further comprising a display screen (184), wherein the user interface includes a graphical user interface (195) provided by means of the display screen (184), and wherein receiving an instruction from the user to save a location in the media file that was being played back when the user provided the instruction to save the location, comprises receiving an indication that the user selected a second object in the user interface (190).