WO2009000888A1

WO2009000888A1 - Method, module and device for handling a digital media file

Info

Publication number: WO2009000888A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/058168
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jon Hauksson; Jonas Tellander
Original assignee: Bokilur Ag
Priority date: 2007-06-26
Filing date: 2008-06-26
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: SE0701573L

Abstract

A method for handling a digital media file controlled by a computer program comprising the steps of starting playback of the media file and stopping playback of the media file is presented. The steps of starting and stopping are enabled either automatically or by manual input from a user. The step of automatically stopping playback of the media file comprises programming a timer with a first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped, notifying the user of the playback stop within a predetermined time interval from the first time value, enabling the user to manually input a new first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped and terminating the computer program in the absence of a new first time value input. A module for handling a digital media file is also presented, and a device comprising such module.

Description

METHOD, MODULE AND DEVICE FOR HANDLING A DIGITAL MEDIA FILE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method for handling a digital media file controlled by a computer program. The method comprises the steps of starting playback of the media file and stopping playback of the media file, wherein the steps of starting and stopping are enabled either automatically or by manual input from a user. The present invention also relates to a module for handling a digital media file, a device comprising such a module, and a computer program.

Background art

Listening to different digital media (e.g. music, film, spoken word media etc.) is today a common phenomenon and can be done through a computer program accessible on a media device. The media device is often portable such as a mobile phone with a computer program for playing digital media. From the computer program the user can access the digital media by means of different types of categories or search functionalities. When the user initiates playback of the digital media, a player screen is displayed allowing the user to pause playback, alter the sound volume, and navigate to different parts of the digital media, either through time selection or track selection. The media file can either be streamed in real-time to the portable media device for immediate listening or saved on the media device memory and listened to immediately or on a later occasion.

Alternative ways of listening to digital media are by means of media devices for removable media (e.g. compact discs, tape cassettes, memory cards etc.) or media devices for non-removable media such as mp3-players for flash memory or hard drive memory.

Currently available technology in the area of digital media played on a media player fails to address the problem that a user perceives when his attention is distracted from the listening. The user can be distracted for many reasons. Thus the user may plan for the distraction knowing that he wants to stop listening at a certain time point, but will be unable to pause playback (e.g. when driving, during a meal, when carrying luggage etc.). Another case is when the user does not plan for the distraction, but knows that it is expected, such as going to sleep.

The problem with currently available media devices is that the playback of the digital media will continue even if a distraction occurs. The consequences of a distraction can lead to a number of inconveniences for the user. It will be difficult to navigate back to the time where the distraction occurred and this will be time and energy consuming. These problems appear in particular when the digital media is a spoken word media. Another inconvenience is that the media device will run the risk of wearing out prematurely, for instance the energy source of the media device such as the battery or any movable components which have a certain lifetime.

Summary of the invention In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement of the above techniques and prior art. More particularly, it is an object to make the use of a media device more comfortable when listening to a digital media file. In its most preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to mobile phones with an application made for listening to a spoken word media where a sleeping function is installed to make the listening more comfortable and user-friendly.

This and other objects and advantages that will be apparent from the following description of the present invention are achieved according to a first aspect of the invention by a method for handling a digital media file controlled by a computer program comprising the steps of starting and stopping playback of the media file, wherein the steps of starting and stopping are enabled either automatically or by manual input from a user. The method for handling a digital media file is characterised in that the step of automatically stopping playback of the media file comprises programming a timer with a first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped, notifying the user of the playback stop within a predetermined time interval from the first time value, enabling the user to manually input a new first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped, and terminating the computer program in the absence of a new first time value input. The method is advantageous in that a more controlled way of listening to a digital media is provided. The user can by this method program the playback of the digital media file to be stopped during preknown distractions and thereby minimize the risk of wearing out the energy source on the media device.

The method for handling a digital media file may include the step of automatically starting playback of the media file, and comprise the step of programming the timer with a second time value indicating when playback of the media file is to start. This is advantageous in that the start up of the computer program on the media device and the playback of a digital media can be preset and used for example as a wake-up function.

The method for handling a digital media file may include the steps of starting playback of the media file by manual input from the user and comprise the steps of retrieving a stopping position in the media file corresponding to the latest first time value, and allowing the user to manually choose between different starting positions within a predetermined time interval before the stopping position. This is advantageous in that the user easily can start the listening after an automatic stop without missing any content of the media file, especially when listening to spoken word media where it is essential that no parts are skipped. If the user is uncertain where the listening was stopped, a starting position before the latest stopping position can be chosen.

The above objective is provided according to a second aspect of the invention by a computer program comprising program code means adapted to perform any of steps in the method according to the first aspect of the inven- tion when the program is run on a computer or on a processor.

The advantages of the first aspect of the invention are also applicable for this second aspect of the invention.

The above objective is provided according to a third aspect of the invention by a module for handling a digital media file controlled by a computer program comprising means for starting playback of the media file and means for stopping playback of the media file, wherein starting and stopping are enabled either automatically or by manual input from a user. The module is further characterized in that the means for automatically stopping playback of the media file comprises a programmable timer being programmable with a first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped, means for notifying the user of the playback stop within a predetermined time interval from the first time value, means for enabling the user to manually input a new first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped and means for terminating the computer program in the absence of a new first time value input. The advantages of the first aspect of the invention are also applicable for this third aspect of the invention.

The digital media file may be a spoken word media file. The above objective is provided according to a fourth aspect of the invention by a device comprising audio output means and a module according to the third aspect of the invention.

The advantages of the first aspect of the invention are also applicable for this fourth aspect of the invention. The device may comprise a portable media device, such as a mobile phone or a media-player.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

The above, as well as additional objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the method according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the process of restarting the program after automatic termination. Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a telecommunication system, including a mobile terminal, a mobile telecommunication network and a server for handling digital media file. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

A method for handling a digital media file according to the present invention is illustrated in fig 1. The method is controlled by a computer program, such as a media player application, suitable for controlling different types of digital media files. The computer program is initialised and running before the method is performed. In a first step 100 of the method, playback of the digital media file is started either manually by the user or automatically. The playback start may be carried out e.g. by pressing a button on a keypad or the start may be initiated by a timer. When the playback has started, the media file is played 102 and a first time value is programmed 104 e.g. by the user being able to program a timer with the first time value in order to determine the time when the playback of the media file is to be stopped. The step 104 of programming the timer can be enabled by a user interface, e.g. a dialog screen on a device display or similar. The dialog screen can be reached through navigation in a menu shown on the display. The step 104 of programming the timer with the first time value may be performed in many different ways. In one embodiment the first time value is chosen from a number of predetermined values such as 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes. In such embodiment, the user can navigate through the different options by means of e.g. a keypad, a joystick or similar. In another embodiment the first time value is programmed by the user as an arbitrary time value, e.g. by manual input of digits by means of a keypad. The time value can either be programmed as a specific instant of time or as a down counting timer value. Bookmarks in the media file may also be used in order to determine the specific time when the playback of the media file is to be stopped. In such embodiment, the user can program the timer with a time value. The programmed time value is then used by the computer program to find the bookmark being closest to the programmed time value. Such bookmark may be a change of chapter in a spoken word media file or a change of songs in a music file. The computer program then returns the actual time to the closest bookmark to the timer. The programmed time value is then switched to the actual time to the closest bookmark. The step 104 of programming the timer with a first time value may be further simplified in an embodiment where the user can choose between different chapters instead of different time values. When choosing a specific chapter to determine when the playback of the media file is to be stopped, the method calculates the actual time left to the selected change of chapter and the timer is programmed with the calculated time value.

In another embodiment, the step 104 of programming the timer with a first time value can be performed automatically. E.g., each time the user starts playback of the media file after 10 p.m. the timer is programmed with the first time value. In such embodiment, the first time value can be set for each individual user. Such automatic programming of the timer can be arranged in a complex pattern, taking into account individual user habits, working days/weekends, summer/winter calendar-items etc.

In a following step 106, the user is notified that the playback is going to be stopped. The notification will occur within a predetermined time interval from the first time value. The predetermined time interval may be set by the computer program or by the user, either as a default value or when the user is setting the first time value. The notification acts as a reminder, letting the user know that the computer program is programmed to be terminated. The time interval may be an arbitrary time interval or it may be chosen from a predetermined set of time intervals. The step of notifying the user can also be implemented with a so called snooze function, i.e. the notification is repeated several times within the predetermined time interval.

The notification of the user can be carried out in many different ways, e.g. audio, visual or tactile signals may be used. In one embodiment, the time interval is set to zero. The playback of the media file stops when the programmed first time value is reached. The step of notifying the user is for example performed by stopping the playback of the media file, i.e. silence. A user who has fallen asleep during the playback of the media file will then not wake up by an additional notification signal. In such embodiment, stopping the playback of the media file provides notification to the user. The playback of the media file can either be stopped abruptly, or the playback can be faded out. The step 106 of notifying the user about the upcoming playback stop can be provided by additional electronic equipment connected by wire or wireless to the media playing device. E.g., the notification can be implemented by automatic turn out of the lights in the users bedroom. When the user is notified of the playback stop the user has the opportunity to either enter 108 a new first time value, or discard 110 the timer in order to maintain the playback of the digital media file. The new first time value may be set in many different manners similar to as described above. If the user does not respond to the notification the computer program will be automatically terminated 112 after a predetermined time interval. The time interval may be preset by the method or by the user. The time interval may very well be an arbitrary time or a choice from a predetermined set of time intervals. In one embodiment, the time interval is set to 2 minutes which means that the user has 2 minutes to set 108 a new first time value or to discard 110 programming the timer. In case the user discards 110 the timer in order to maintain the playback of the digital media file, the user can by any time reprogram a new first time value by entering the programming step 104. In another embodiment, the user enters a new first time value simply by pressing an arbitrary button on a keypad when the user is notified 106 about the playback stop. The new first time value, which in this case is a preset time value, is then automatically programmed.

Fig 2 shows a schematic block diagram illustrating the process of restarting the playback after automatic termination 200 (shown in fig 1 as 112), i.e. when the computer program is terminated after the first time value is reached. If the computer program has been automatically terminated 200 as described above, it will on restart 202 require an action from the user to start the playback. For example a dialog screen may be shown 204 to the user. Other types of graphical user interfaces or audiovisual signals may also be used. The user has then the opportunity to choose 206 the new starting position for the playback of the media file. The starting position may be chosen from a predetermined set of time intervals 208 from the last start time and forth until the time when the method was automatically terminated. The time intervals may be set with 5 minutes in between. The time intervals may very well be arbitrary times chosen by the user or the computer program.

Bookmarks may also be used in order to determine the specific time intervals.

The starting position may also be chosen from a time prior to the last start time. Fig 3 shows a schematic view of a telecommunication system 1 comprising a mobile terminal 2 and a server 3. The mobile terminal 2 communicates with the server 3 through the telecommunication system 1.

The digital media file is transferred through streaming or downloading from the server 3 to the mobile terminal 2, where playback of the digital media file is performed. The mobile terminal 2 may be a mobile phone, a mp3-player or a portable media device comprising means for streaming or downloading digital media files.

In one embodiment, the handling of the digital media file is performed by a method which is controlled by a computer program run on the server 3 and the mobile terminal 2 is used as an interface to the computer program, as well as audio output means. Moerover, the audio output means may not be physically connected to the mobile terminal 2, but instead be e.g. a separate speaker connected to the mobile terminal 2 via Bluetooth™.

The digital media file may also be stored on a mobile phone, a mp3- player or a portable media device comprising means for storing digital media files. The mobile phone, mp3-player or portable media device may also store the digital media file on a removable media or a non removable media. It will be appreciated that a person skilled in the art can modify the above-described embodiments in many ways and still use the advantages of the invention as shown in the embodiments above. Thus, the invention should not be limited to the shown embodiments but should only be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for handling a digital media file controlled by a computer program comprising the steps of starting playback of the media file, and stopping playback of the media file, wherein the steps of starting and stopping are enabled either automatically or by manual input from a user, characterised in that the step of automatically stopping playback of the media file comprises programming a timer with a first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped, notifying the user of the playback stop within a predetermined time interval from the first time value, enabling the user to manually input a new first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped, and terminating the computer program in the absence of a new first time value input, and wherein the step of starting playback of the media file by manual input from the user comprises the steps of retrieving a stopping position in the media file corresponding to the latest first time value, and allowing the user to manually choose between different starting positions within a predetermined time interval before the stopping position.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically starting playback of the media file comprises programming the timer with a second time value indicating when playback of the media file is to start.

3. A computer program, comprising program code means adapted to perform any of the steps of claims 1 - 2 when the program is run on a computer or on a processor.

4. A module for handling a digital media file controlled by a computer program comprising means for starting playback of the media file, and means for stopping playback of the media file, wherein starting and stopping are enabled either automatically or by manual input from a user, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the means for automatically stopping playback of the media file comprises a programmable timer being programmable with a first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped, means for notifying the user of the playback stop within a predetermined time interval from the first time value, means for enabling the user to manually input a new first time value indicating when playback of the media file is to be stopped, and means for terminating the computer program in the absence of a new first time value input, and wherein the means for starting playback of the media file by manual input from the user comprises means for retrieving a stopping position in the media file corresponding to the latest first time value, and means for allowing the user to manually choose between different starting positions within a predetermined time interval from the stopping position.

5. A module according to claim 4, wherein the digital media file is a spoken word media file.

6. A device, comprising audio output means and a module according to any one of claims 4 - 5.

7. A device according to claim 6, comprising a portable media device.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the portable media device is a mobile phone or a media-player.