User interface for media playback

Abstract

A graphical user interface made up of icons representing individual files and collectively forming the shape of a spiral is described along with methods of using and creating the graphical user interface. The spiral interface is useful to display detailed information about many of the items in a list and facilitates manipulation of list order and selection of the active file in the list. The interface further permits the use of a representative icon associated with the list as a whole.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of playlist manipulation comprising:
 providing a graphical user interface in the form of a receding spiral made up of a collection of icons representing media items in a playlist;   providing an icon in a center region of the receding spiral representing the entire playlist; and   receiving inputs representative of a selection and dragging of a representation of a media item or playlist into the center region of the receding spiral and displaying a new receding spiral based on the media item or playlist currently in the center region of the receding spiral.