User interface for presenting media information

Abstract

A user interface and methods for using a user interface for controlling processing of time-based media files. In one exemplary method, a graphical representation of a time line for a time-based media is displayed along with a graphical representation of a current time along the graphical representation of the time line. A start graphical indicator and a stop graphical indicator is also displayed along the graphical representation of the time line. A portion of the time-based media may be selected for presentation by dragging or positioning at least one of the start graphical indicator and the stop graphical indicator along the graphical representation of the time line. In another aspect of the invention, an exemplary method allows for the adaptive control of a portion of the interface which indicates time relating to a time-based media. An input speed is determined where this input is to change the portion and the rate at which the change to this portion occurs is dependent upon the input speed. Other aspects of the present invention relating to the interface for controlling the processing of time-based media files are also described.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for selecting a portion of a time-based media for playback comprising:
 displaying a media player for playing time-based media in a window, wherein said media player does not display editing commands;   setting at least one of a start time in said time-based media in response to a first user action, or an end time in said time-based media in response to a second user action, said start time being after said beginning of said time-based media, said end time being before said end of said time-based media and after said start time, said start time being a beginning for said playback, and said end time being an end for said playback; and   displaying in replay mode said portion of said time-based media wherein said start time being a beginning of said playback and said end time being an end for said playback.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said first user action comprises dragging a graphical representation of said start time, and wherein said second user action comprises dragging a graphical representation of said end time. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said time-based media comprises one of video data, audio data, visual data, and a combination of audio and video data. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising storing said time-based media as a QuickTime movie. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising displaying a current time corresponding to a current position along a time line and updating said current time in response to said first and second user actions. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein displaying said current time comprises displaying a cursor corresponding to said current time along a graphical representation of the time line. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein displaying said current time further comprises displaying a numerical representation of said current time, and displaying an indicator of a section of said time-based media. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said section represents a chapter in said time-based media. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising receiving a third user action upon said cursor to alter said current position of said time-based media and to display a frame of said time-based media corresponding to said altered current position. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said third user action comprises dragging said cursor along said graphical representation of a time line. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 displaying a first indicator and highlighting said graphical representation of said start time to indicate an occurrence of said first user action;   displaying a second indicator and highlighting said graphical representation of said end time to indicate an occurrence of said second user action; and   displaying a third indicator and highlighting said cursor to indicate an occurrence of said third user action.   
     
     
         32 . A machine readable medium having stored thereon executable program code which, when executed, causes a machine to perform a method for selecting a portion of a time-based media for playback, said method comprising:
 displaying a media player for playing time-based media in a window, wherein said media player does not display editing commands;   setting at least one of a start time in said time-based media in response to a first user action, or an end time in said time-based media in response to a second user action, said start time being after said beginning of said time-based media, said end time being before said end of said time-based media and after said start time, said start time being a beginning for said playback, and said end time being an end for said playback; and   displaying in replay mode said portion of said time-based media wherein said start time being a beginning of said playback and said end time being an end for said playback.   
     
     
         33 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 32 , wherein said first user action comprises dragging said graphical representation of said start time, and wherein said second user action comprises dragging said graphical representation of said end time. 
     
     
         34 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 32 , wherein said time-based media comprises one of video data, audio data, visual data, and a combination of audio and video data. 
     
     
         35 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 34 , said method further comprising storing said time-based media as a QuickTime movie. 
     
     
         36 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 32 , said method further comprising displaying a current time corresponding to a current position along a time line and updating said current time in response to said first and second user actions. 
     
     
         37 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 36 , wherein displaying said current time comprises displaying a cursor corresponding to said current time along a graphical representation of a time line. 
     
     
         38 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 37 , wherein displaying said current time further comprises displaying a numerical representation of said current time, and displaying an indicator of a section of said time-based media. 
     
     
         39 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 38 , wherein said section represents a chapter in said time-based media. 
     
     
         40 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 37 , said method further comprising receiving a third user action upon said cursor to alter said current position of said time-based media and to display a frame of said time-based media corresponding to said altered current position. 
     
     
         41 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 40 , wherein said third user action comprises dragging said cursor along said graphical representation of a time line. 
     
     
         42 . A machine readable medium as in  claim 40 , said method further comprising:
 displaying a first indicator and highlighting said graphical representation of said start time to indicate an occurrence of said first user action;   displaying a second indicator and highlighting said graphical representation of said end time to indicate an occurrence of said second user action; and   displaying a third indicator and highlighting said cursor to indicate an occurrence of said third user action.   
     
     
         43 . A digital processing system for selecting a portion of a time-based media for replay, said digital processing system comprising:
 means for displaying a media player for playing timebased media in a window, wherein said media player does not display editing commands;   means for setting at least one of a start time in said time-based media in response to a first user action, or an end time in said time-based media in response to a second user action, said start time being after said beginning of said time-based media, said end time being before said end of said time-based media and after said start time, said start time being a beginning for said playback, and said end time being an end for said playback; and   means for displaying in replay mode said portion of said time-based media wherein said start time being a beginning of said playback and said end time being an end for said playback.   
     
     
         44 . A digital processing system as in  claim 43 , wherein said first user action comprises means for dragging said graphical representation of said start time, and wherein said second user action comprises means for dragging said graphical representation of said end time.