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

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.

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, and a media playback application executing thereon, wherein the media playback application is adapted to play media content provided by a computer system operating as a media server;   a user interface, provided at the media device,
 wherein the user interface is adapted to display a visual array including at least one of playlists or media options, and 
 wherein each playlist or media option is associated with at least one media content item that can be provided by the media server and streamed to the media device, to be played at the media device; 
   wherein the media playback application enables portions of media content items to be pre-buffered at the media device, including that, while the visual array including at least one of playlists or media options is being prepared for display, a portion of one or more media content items associated with the at least one of playlists or media options is pre-buffered at the media device; and   wherein the media playback application is adapted to
 determine a selection of a playlist, and 
 in response to the selection of a selected playlist, display one or more additional media options associated with the selected 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 , whereupon selection of the selected playlist, a media option associated with the selected playlist is played, and is displayed together with other media options associated with the playlist, as part of the visual array. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface enables a selected point or region to be moved between a first and second playlist, whereupon the visual array is updated to display contents of the selected playlist including media options associated therewith. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the media playback application includes support for force-sensitive touch input in selection, playback, or other interaction with media options. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, in response to receiving an input from the user interface, the media playback application determines a set of one or more media options that are proximate to a selected point or region, and adjusts playback volume of a set of media content items associated with the set of media options, by crossfading or otherwise combining playback of the set of media content items, to reflect relative distances of the set of media options from the selected point or region. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 whereupon selection of the selected playlist, the media playback application displays the visual array of media options associated with the selected playlist, wherein each media option is associated with one or more media content items that can be selected for playing; and   wherein, in response to selection of a new playlist, the media playback application displays a visual array of media options associated with the new playlist.   
     
     
         8 . A method for playback of media content, including the use of touch menus, comprising:
 displaying, at a media device including
 a processor, 
 a media playback application adapted to play media content provided by a computer system operating as a media server, and 
 a user interface, 
 a visual array including at least one of playlists or media options, wherein each playlist or media option is associated with at least one media content item that can be provided by the media server and streamed to the media device, to be played at the media device; 
   pre-buffering a portion of media content items at the media device, including that, while the visual array including at least one of playlists or media options is being prepared for display, a portion of one or more media content items associated with the at least one of playlists or media options is pre-buffered at the media device;   determining a selection of a playlist; and   in response to the selection of a selected playlist, display one or more additional media options associated with the selected playlist, for further selection and playback.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein playlists can be one of stored locally on the media device, or stored at a server. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , whereupon selection of the selected playlist, a media option associated with the selected playlist is played, and is displayed together with other media options associated with the playlist, as part of the visual array. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the user interface enables a selected point or region to be moved between a first and second playlist, whereupon the visual array is updated to display contents of the selected playlist including media options associated therewith. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the media playback application includes support for force-sensitive touch input in selection, playback, or other interaction with media options. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein, in response to receiving an input from the user interface, the media playback application determines a set of one or more media options that are proximate to a selected point or region, and adjusts playback volume of a set of media content items associated with the set of media options, by crossfading or otherwise combining playback of the set of media content items, to reflect relative distances of the set of media options from the selected point or region. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 ,
 whereupon selection of the selected playlist, the media playback application displays the visual array of media options associated with the selected playlist, wherein each media option is associated with one or more media content items that can be selected for playing; and   wherein, in response to selection of a new playlist, the media playback application displays a visual array of media options associated with the new playlist.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , 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. 
     
     
         16 . 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;   wherein input is received from a media device including
 a processor, 
 a media playback application adapted to play media content provided by a computer system operating as a media server, and 
 a user interface, 
 a visual array including at least one of playlists or media options, wherein each playlist or media option is associated with at least one media content item that can be provided by the media server and streamed to the media device, to be played at the media device; 
   wherein the media playback application pre-buffers a portion of media content items at the media device, including that, while the visual array including at least one of playlists or media options is being prepared for display, a portion of one or more media content items associated with the at least one of playlists or media options is pre-buffered at the media device; and   wherein, in response to determining a selection of a playlist, portions of media content associated with the selected playlist is streamed to the media device, for use by the media playback application in displaying one or more additional media options associated with the selected playlist, for further selection and playback.   
     
     
         17 . The server of  claim 16 , wherein, in response to receiving an input from the user interface, the media playback application determines a set of one or more media options that are proximate to a selected point or region, and adjusts playback volume of a set of media content items associated with the set of media options, by crossfading or otherwise combining playback of the set of media content items, to reflect relative distances of the set of media options from the selected point or region. 
     
     
         18 . A method for use in playback of media content, including the use of touch menus, comprising:
 providing, at a computer device, including a processor, and a media server executing thereon,
 a repository of media content items, and samples associated therewith, and 
 a media application interface configured to receive requests from media devices or other systems, to retrieve media content from the media server; 
   wherein input is received from a media device including
 a processor, 
 a media playback application adapted to play media content provided by a computer system operating as a media server, and 
 a user interface, 
 a visual array including at least one of playlists or media options, wherein each playlist or media option is associated with at least one media content item that can be provided by the media server and streamed to the media device, to be played at the media device; 
   wherein the media playback application pre-buffers a portion of media content items at the media device, including that, while the visual array including at least one of playlists or media options is being prepared for display, a portion of one or more media content items associated with the at least one of playlists or media options is pre-buffered at the media device; and   wherein, in response to determining a selection of a playlist, portions of media content associated with the selected playlist is streamed to the media device, for use by the media playback application in displaying one or more additional media options associated with the selected playlist, for further selection and playback.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein, in response to receiving an input from the user interface, the media playback application determines a set of one or more media options that are proximate to a selected point or region, and adjusts playback volume of a set of media content items associated with the set of media options, by crossfading or otherwise combining playback of the set of media content items, to reflect relative distances of the set of media options from the selected point or region. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , 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.