WO2011095693A1

WO2011095693A1 - User interface of media device

Info

Publication number: WO2011095693A1
Application number: PCT/FI2011/050089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harri Juhani Pekonen; Teemu Johannes Pakarinen
Original assignee: Axel Technologies
Priority date: 2010-02-04
Filing date: 2011-02-02
Publication date: 2011-08-11
Also published as: FI20105105A0

Abstract

Media stream is received and shown on a display. A first gesture of a user is detected with relation to the display. A first action is identified based on the first gesture and on the context of the first gesture and responsively a first process is initiated. The first process is one of 1) showing on the display information related to the first process;2) detecting a triggering event selected from a group consisting of: that the user performs a first selection by a second gesture with relation to the display; and that the user performs a second selection by a third gesture with relation to the display; and 3) a predetermined period has lapsed since the initiating of the first process. A second process is initiated in response to detecting of the first selection and a third process is initiated in response to detecting of the second selection. Showing of the currently received media stream on the display is then resumed in response to detecting of the first selection.

Description

USER INTERFACE OF MEDIA DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a user interface of media device. The invention relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a user interface of mobile television with a touch display.

BACKGROUND ART

Television sets have become increasingly intelligent appliances. Some television sets featu re record ing , electron ic prog ram g u ide and even time sh ifting capabilities. On the other hand, similar features are being provided for mobile devices such as portable television receivers and dedicated portable television sets. Moreover, other sources of media are also being used for rendering media to a user by various media devices. However, the portable devices in particular may suffer from restricted display size such that typical menu based access to various functions and operations may appear laborious and unintuitive. This problem is further accented by the increasing number of new functions and decreasing size of mobile televisions or media devices in general. Hence, it is an object of the invention to further enhance the user interface of media devices.

SUMMARY

According to a first example aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising

receiving a media stream;

showing currently received media stream on a display;

detecting a first gesture of a user with relation to the display;

identifying a first action based on the first gesture and on the context of the first gesture and responsively initiating a first process;

showing on the display information related to the first process;

detecting a triggering event selected from a group consisting of:

the user performs a first selection by a second gesture with relation to the display; the user performs a second selection by a third gesture with relation to the display; and

a predetermined period has lapsed since the initiating of the first process; the method further comprising:

initiating a second process in response to detecting of the first selection; initiating a third process in response to detecting of the second selection; and

resuming to showing of the currently received media stream on the display in response to detecting of the first selection.

The media stream may be a television broadcast.

The media stream may be received from one or more of the following : a radio receiver; a packet-switched data connection; a circuit-switched data connection; and a local computer-readable memory medium.

The display may be a touch screen . The touch screen may comprise a liquid crystal display. Alternatively, the touch screen may comprise a plasma display. Further alternatively, the touch screen may comprise an organic light emitting diode display.

The showing of the currently received media stream on the d isplay may be performed in a full-screen mode. One or both of the first gesture and the second gesture may be selected from a group consisting of:

tapping the touch screen;

tapping and holding the touch screen depressed;

stroking along the touch screen in left-hand direction

stroking along the touch screen in right-hand direction

stroking along the touch screen in upward direction

stroking along the touch screen in downward direction. The first process may be selected from a first list of processes consisting of:

presenting an electronic service guide;

presenting a view of recorded programs and/or scheduled recordings;

presenting a menu card;

presenting a channel bar;

presenting a miniature electronic service guide;

presenting a program info card;

presenting a personalized media stream view;

presenting a view bar;

presenting a notification card;

presenting a content bar;

presenting a graphical volume control.

The second process may be selected from the first list of processes. The second process may differ from the first process.

The method may further comprise invoking a menu card on the d isplay in response to detecting a particular pointing act on the display. The particular pointing act may be tapping on the display.

The menu card may be configured to provide the user with controls for controlling functions for presenting and/or recording of media information.

The method may further comprise removing the menu card from the display after a predetermined period since most recent user input.

The method may further comprise removing the menu card from the display in response to detecting that the user has performed a pointing act on the display outside the menu card.

The method may further comprise changing channel in response to a stroke along a first axis. The first axis may be substantially horizontal. The method may further comprise providing a sound volume control in response to detecting a prolonged pointing act on the display. The sound volume control may be adjustable about the point in which the prolonged pointing act has taken place. The adjusting of the sound volume by the provided sound volume may take place along a second axis. The second axis may be substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

The particular duration may refer to a period of time that exceeds a predetermined threshold. The pointing act for the particular duration may be referred to as long tapping.

The method may further comprise invoking a channel bar that presents a band of a pl ural ity of channel identifiers. The invoking of the channel bar may be performed by a stroking pointing act starting from a band at an edge of the display when seen along the direction of the second axis, towards the center of the display.

The method may further comprise scroll ing the presented channel bar by a stroking pointing act performed on the channel bar along the direction of the first axis.

A new channel may be shown to the user in response to detecting a pointing act on one presented channel identifier. The method may further comprise invoking a program information card for displaying information about current program on a particular channel by performing a pointing act a flip control of the menu card.

The method may further comprise changing content on the program information card to correspond with the program information on another channel. The changing may take place in response to detecting a stroking pointing act on the program information card along the direction of the first axis. The method may further comprise changing content on the program information card to correspond with program information on different time. The changing may take place in response to detecting a stroking pointing act on the program information card along the direction of the second axis.

The method may further comprise defining a personalized view comprising one or more personalized channels. The personalized channels may comprise plurality of different programs. The different programs may be selected from various sources. The programs may be selected based on the user settings (favorites, recording timers, reminders), users social media recommendations or based on detected previous user usage habits. Some of the different programs may have a set transmission time. Some of the set programs may be freely downloadable. The personalized channels may be configured to provide a plurality of alternatives for each of the different programs. The user may be allowed to select a desired program from among of the plurality of alternatives. The selection may be made by performing a stroking pointed act on presentation of a particular program in the personalized view.

The personalized channel may enable the user to consume a sequence of media from one or more different sources. The sequence may be made non-stopping by filling any gaps with downloadable content.

The method may further comprise presenting an electronic service guide to the user. The electronic service guide may be presented in form of adjacent trains of program descriptors. The program descriptors may each occupy a common area on the display. The method may further comprise allowing the user to scroll one train at the time the program descriptors (i.e. descriptors of one service channel). The method may further comprise scrolling among different service channels so as to change service channels presented in the electronic service guide.

The method may further comprise aligning different trains of program descriptors on the electronic service guide. The aligning may be performed in response to detecting that the user has made a particular point act on one program descriptor. The method may further comprise collecting social networking information related to pieces of content or programs available to the user. The collecting may employ an external social networking service. The method may further comprise ranking programs on a favorite channel making use of the collected social networking information. The collected social networking information may comprise comments, recommendations, votes, denunciations, and / or rankings provided by other users in the social networking service. The other users may be contacts of the user. Common to various embodiments of the invention, the number of steps needed by a user to accomplish a particular task may be reduced, the different pieces of information may be combined in an intuitive manner so as to further accelerate operation by the user and/or further features may be provided while maintaining desired air of simplicity. Hence, embodiments of the present invention are seen to provide numerous technical and tangible advantages over prior known methods, particularly over menu based methods for controlling presentation of media channels.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus configured to perform a method according to the first aspect of the invention. The apparatus may be configured to perform any embodiment of the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program configured to cause a computer, when performing the computer program, to perform a method according to the first aspect of the invention . The computer program may be configured to cause the computer to perform any embodiment of the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a memory medium carrying any foregoing computer program.

The memory medium may comprise a digital data storage such as a data disc or diskette, optical storage, magnetic storage, holographic storage, opto-magnetic storage, phase-change memory, resistive random access memory, magnetic random access memory, solid-electrolyte memory, ferroelectric random access memory, organic memory or polymer memory. The memory medium may be formed into a device without other substantial functions than storing memory or it may be formed as part of a device with other functions, including but not limited to a memory of a computer, a chip set, and a sub assembly of an electronic device.

Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing. The above embodiments are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in implementations of the present invention. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certa i n exam pl e aspects of the i nvention. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a mobile media device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 presents an example state transition chart that illustrates different state transitions in Full Screen View;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a sequence for invoking and closing a menu card;

Figs. 4a and 4b show a pool of different example processes illustrative of different example operations of the mobile media device;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic drawing of a sequence for invoking and closing a channel bar;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic drawing of a sequence for invoking and closing a

View bar;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic drawing of a My Media Stream View; Fig. 8 presents an example state transition chart that illustrates different state transitions in the My Media Stream View;

Fig. 9 presents an example of showing different entries of one Media stream in My Media Stream View;

Fig. 10 presents an example of browsing between different Media streams in

My Media Stream View;

Fig. 1 1 shows a schematic drawing of a sequence for checking additional information related to particular program in My Media Stream View; Fig. 12 shows a state diagram for Electronic Service Guide (ESG) View; Fig. 13 shows a schematic drawing of invoking the ESG view;

Fig. 14 shows a schematic view of scrolling a channel within the ESG view; Fig. 15 shows a schematic view of browsing between different channels within the ESG view;

Fig. 16 shows a schematic view of time aligning different channels in the

ESG view;

Fig. 17 shows a schematic view of invoking a menu card related to a particular program in the ESG view;

Fig. 18 shows a schematic view of accessing and controlling recordings; and Fig. 19 shows a schematic view of adjusting sound volume in the full screen view; and

Figs. 20 and 21 show further examples of using the Menu Card and Program Info card.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like numbers denote like elements.

This description discloses various example embodiments of the invention. The description uses for purpose of illustration only as an example apparatus a mobile media device with a touch screen and also with a television receiver or more decoder. Numerous different embodiments are explained here in connection with one another solely to demonstrate at least one way in which these embodiments can interwork without intention to restrict the invention to use of all or any of these embodiments. Instead, each of these embodiments is intended to serve as an invention for this patent application or any continuation or divisional application.

In this document, the term television decoder is intended to cover both television broadcast signal reception (and decoding) devices for cable, terrestrial or satellite networks as well as packet data and other distribution networks provided media reception.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a mobile media device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The mobile media device 100 comprises an antenna connection 1 10 that either is configured for coupling with an antenna connector or is connected with a mobile antenna . The mobile media device 100 further comprises a display 120, a memory 130 comprising work memory 140 and nonvolatile memory 1 50 with computer executable program code 160. The mobile media device 100 further comprises a television decoder or receiver 170, a user input device 180 and a processor 190 configured to control operation of the mobile media device 100 according to the program code 160 by executing the program code in place in the non-volatile memory 150 or in the work memory 140. The user input device 1 80 may comprise dedicated parts such as one or more keys, a cursor control device or the like, or the user input device 180 may be formed using the display 120 if the display 120 is a touch display.

Fig. 2 presents an example state transition chart that illustrates different state transitions in Full Screen View. The mobile media device 100 provides a basic mode that is typically a Full screen View (FSV) 210 i.e. the display is used solely for showing content (such as live or recorded TV program). From the FSV the user can invoke any of the following processes (in addition to possible other processes which may be related to other appl ications or to operating system such as launching task manager or locking desktop):

presenting an electronic service guide;

presenting a view of recorded programs and/or scheduled recordings;

presenting a menu card;

presenting a channel bar; presenting a miniature electronic service guide;

presenting a program info card;

presenting a personalized media stream view;

presenting a view bar;

presenting a notification card;

presenting a content bar;

presenting a graphical volume control.

The invoking of a process is performed in this example by a gesture made on the touch screen, using mouse, using keyboard or by using a remote controller. In some embodiments, a process can be started by more than one different input device and different acts of varying input devices are mapped as follows:

Table I example correspondence table between different input commands

In Fig. 2, the user may place her finger at a given point 200 and depending on the point and what the user next does with her finger, various transitions take place as will be explained with further detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a sequence for invoking a menu card and closing the menu card. First, a user taps at an arbitrary position of the display 120. The mobile media device 100 responsively presents a menu card with controls accessible to the user. The user may use the controls to invoke different further processes. Once the user has decided that the menu card is no longer needed, the user may wait for a while for the menu card to automatically disappear or the user may request removal of the menu card by a particular command with an input device of the mobile media device 1 00. In Fig . 3 this particular command provided by tapping on the display outside the menu card.

Example acts for invoking different processes are listed in table II in the following

Table II Example acts for invoking different processes with a touch screen

In the following the use of a touch screen with a single finger is mainly described in sake of providing one example. However, it is understood that alternatively different multitouch gestures such as using two, three or more fingers can be equally used to signify particular user input acts.

It is appreciated that the mobile media device 100 may be a device with a large touch screen, such as a laptop or a mini laptop. However, in other embodiments the mobile media device 100 may be implemented on any other electronic device using either internal or external TV decoding or receiving circuitry and/or software. The mobile media device may be a portable device. The mobile media device may be a mobile phone, personal digital assistant, game device, navigation device, electronic book or the like. In case of relatively small devices, the display may also be relatively small. On the other hand, the mobile media device may comprise a connector for external display in which case the size of the mobile media device and the size of the display may be independent of one another. Figs. 4a and 4b show a block diagram of an example process comprising various different example operations of the mobile media device 100.

4.1 . First start-up

The process starts from step 4.1 in which it is the mobile media device 100 is started at a given location. The mobile media device checks whether there are pre-stored channels that are available in the location . If no such channels are present or if a user requests new scanning of signals, television channel search is started in step 4.1 .1 .

4.1 .1 First scan

Typically, the mobile media device 100 starts a mobile television application in the FSV and the signal scanning starts automatically. During the scann ing , the scanning progress is indicated for the user. The user may be provided with one or more user interaction . For instance, one or more of the following acts may be taken during the scanning:

(a) Scan progressing indication is given;

(b) Personalization information is asked from the user. This may make the waiting for completion of signal scanning appear shorter;

(c) If the mobile media device is connected to the Internet, the user is given an option to watch "application usage videos" from an internet site (e.g. YouTube®;

(d) The user may be provided with access to different functions of the mobile media device;

When the scanning has completed, the mobile media device enters into the FSV showing the first found channel or channel identified as channel number one. Moreover, a dialog informing the user about the found channels is provided. 4.1 .2 First scan failed

If the scan fails, the mobile media device enters, after the scanning, into FSV and provides the user with a dialog informing the user of the failure to find channels. The user is provided with fault resolving information such as advice to verify antenna connection and with an option to run the scanning again. The user may also continue using the mobile media device for other tasks such as watching locally stored videos, internet videos or browsing in the internet. 4.2. Full screen view

The full screen view is in this embodiment the default state in which the process resumes. From the FSV, various acts can be taken as is explained in the following. The mobile media device keeps on monitoring user input during this state as well as during various other processes described in this document.

4.2.1 Viewing e.g. DVB-T in Full screen

Watching TV in the FSV takes place by default as a Full screen application.

4.2.2 Channel change with horizontal strokes

Channel change is invoked by horizontal strokes (state 250 in Fig. 2) for stepping up and down channels. The direction of change (next or previous) depends on the direction of stroking (e.g. left to right or to right to left). When the user makes a horizontal stroke, the stroke is recognized and a New channels program info card is shown. An animation may be used to transition from one channel to another in order to reflect to the user the channel change direction. For instance, a sliding transition may be employed as an animation that demonstrates the change to the user. The used an imation reflects the channel change direction . Once new channel content is available, it is rendered to the screen. The program info card is made to disappear automatically after some time. The program info card is also made to disappear if the user taps the screen outside the program info card.

4.2.3 Channel change via Channel bar 520 (Fig. 5)

The use of the channel bar 520 is also demonstrated by Fig. 5. Fig. 1 has shows six consecutive views on the display of the mobile media device 100. When a user is viewing TV in Full screen, the user may invoke the Channel bar 520 with stroke up. The stroke may be starting from the screen bottom (state 240 in Fig. 5), but alternatively the stroke may be similarly interpreted independent of where it starts in the Full screen view. The same may also apply to other stroke actions. That is, the user strokes with her finger on the display starting from an edge region 510 with a predeterm ined height and with a length of stroke that exceeds a predetermined stroking detection threshold. The stroking detection threshold may be common for detection of any stroking acts in this document or it may be in this context bound to the predetermined height of the edge region . As result, the Channel Bar 520 appears as appears in view 2 of Fig. 5. The Channel Bar 520 comprises a plurality of Channel bar icons 522 corresponding to various content channels. The number of different content channels may be greater than the number of Channel bar icons 522 in which case the user may scroll the Channel bar as is explained with further detail subsequently in this document. Returning to describing of the use of the Channel bar 520, the user next taps one of the Channel bar icons 522 as shown in view 3 of Fig. 5. In response, a Program info card will be shown (view 4 of Fig. 5) for the corresponding channel . Once new channel video is available, the mobile media device 100 shows the channel video on the screen. At this stage, an animation or effect such as a sound and / or visual transition effect may be presented. Hence, the new channel replaces the old one. The Program info card and Channel bar will disappear automatically after some time (view 6 of Fig. 5). The Program info card and Channel bar also disappear if user taps to the screen (view 5 of Fig. 5).

4.2.4 Checking other channels' program info via channel bar.

When the user is watching TV with the mobile media device 100 in Full screen, the user can check the other channels' program information using the channel bar as follows. First, the user invokes Channel bar with stroke up starting from the screen bottom as was disclosed in step 4.2.3. The user then taps and holds one of the Channel bar icons and a Program info card will be shown for the selected channel. The Program info card describes the program of the selected (tapped and held) channel. While the Program info card is displayed, the showing continues on the screen for the TV program of the channel that was selected on invoking the Channel bar. In th is case, the Program info card and Channel bar do not automatically disappear. Instead, to remove from sight the Program info card and the Channel bar, the user should tap the screen outside these visual elements i.e. on an area that displays the currently watched program (ref. 260 of Fig. 2). 4.2.5 Checking other channels program info via invoking menu card from FSV The user is provided with another option to check programs on other channels by invoking the Program info card when the mobile media device is in the FSV. First, the user taps the video screen and in response the Menu card is shown (230 in Fig. 2). Next, the menu card is flipped in response to the user tapping a particular card flip button e.g. at right hand side top area of the card or by performing a flipping gesture (e.g. rotating stroke on the Menu card or making a stroke to the left or right). Then, the Menu card flips to program info card side and currently viewed programs program information is shown for user (ref. 235 in Fig. 2). The flipping of the Menu card to a Program info card is particularly useful for intuitive use by the user, as the user will automatically realize connection between these two different cards. Hence, switching back and forth between Menu card and Program info card is logical in both ways.

When the Program info card is shown, the user is allowed to change channel to which the Program info card with a gesture on the Program info card. For instance, the user makes a horizontal stroke over the program info card and a next channels program info is rendered for the user. The direction of stroke for stepping up channels in Program info card state is the same as in case of stepping up shown channels in the FSV.

If the user makes no further gestures i.e. no more user input is detected during a predetermined period of time or if the user taps outside of the program info card, the menu card disappears.

4.2.6 Using program info card to show current/ next program

The user taps the video screen and the Menu card is shown in response (230, Fig. 2). Then, the user taps the card flip button at the right hand side top area of the card and the Menu card flips to program info card side and the currently viewed programs program information is shown for user. The user then makes a stroke up gesture over the program info card and in response the next programs' information of the channel shown in the program info card is rendered for the user. The user makes a stroke down gesture over the program info card and current programs' information of the channel shown in the program info card is rendered for the user. When no further user input is detected during a given time the menu is removed from display. The user may also be provided with to continue looking forward in time by stroking up.

4.2.7 Alternative actions in menu card

When the menu card is displayed, the user may start various alternative actions. In this embodiment, the user taps "more actions" button (that resides e.g. at right hand side bottom area of the card). In the following, come action buttons are described, but it is again reminded that there may be also other elements, features or entities provided depending on particular implementation . In response, the normal set of action buttons shown on the menu card are replaced with a substitute set of action buttons. The action buttons of the substitute set comprise the following:

4.2.7.1 Set program as favorite

See Fig. 2, refs. 230 and 238. The Menu card is flipped and the user is informed that the presently viewed prog ram is set as a favorite prog ram . After a predetermined period the Menu card flips back to show the normal set of action buttons. Now, the favorite button is appears as highlighted indicative of the program marked as favorite.

4.2.7.2 Pause and time shifting

When the user taps at a pause button (in the normal set of action buttons), Viewing of the current program is paused and an indication of the paused video is given and last displayed good video frame is shown on the screen. The reception of the channel continues in background and is buffered in memory of the mobile media device.

When the user desires to continue, she taps on the screen again and in response a Menu card is shown. The user then taps again the pause button and in response showing of the current program is continued again. In one other embodiment, the pause button is changed to a playback button when the program is paused.

While watching buffered program, channel bar icons are replaced with video control icons (pause, backward, forward, stop). When user invokes the channel bar with gesture stroke up, he is able to use forward and backward icons to change the time position of watched buffered program within buffered content. Using the pause icon, user can again stop the presentation of buffered content. Using the stop icon, user can stop the buffering, buffered video is removed and currently running program is shown again . The same applies when watching previously recorded programs.

4.2.7.3 Instant recording

See Fig. 2, refs. 230 and 236. The user taps Record button in the normal set of action buttons. The viewing is continued, the menu card is flipped and the flipped menu card is used to inform the user that the current program is being recorded. The Menu card is then flipped back after a predetermined period and the normal set of action buttons is shown except that the Record button is changed to Stop recording button.

When the user taps the stop recording button, the Viewing of the current program is continued, the Menu card is flipped and information is shown on the flipped menu card that recording was stopped and that the cl ip was saved . In one embodiment, the Menu card is flipped and other set of buttons is given, wherein the buttons are contextually defined. For instance, the buttons in the other set may comprise one or more of the following: Record this program, Record this and next, record for set time, record this program every day or every week.

4.2.7.4 Volume control via Menu card

The user may tap at volume control button on the normal set of action buttons on the Menu card, if such button or buttons are presented. There is also another mechanism for adjusting volume without accessing the Menu card as will be described separately outside this list of alternative actions via the Menu card. 4.2.8 Volume control

The user is allowed to quickly and easily to adjust the volume directly from the FSV by a single gesture, see Fig. 1 9. First, the user taps and holds at center region of the screen (i.e. outside possible lower and upper bands with special functions). In response, a Volume control bar is popped up in place where the user has performed the tap and hold function. A Volume control button appears under the tapped part (e.g. under the finger tip) of the screen. In order to increase sound volume, the user strokes the button up and correspondingly to decrease the sound volume, the user strokes down the sound volume control button. When a desired sound volume level is reached, the releases her finger from the screen and the sound Volume control bar disappears either immediately or after a predetermined period so that the user may, if so desired, access the volume control button instantly.

4.3. Recordings view

This view is provided for control of recording of programs.

4.3.1 Play recorded content in the FSV

The user strokes down and in response a View bar is shown, see Fig. 6 views 1 to 2 and Fig. 18, views 1 to 2. The user then taps Recordings (Fig. 6, view 3 and Fig. 2, state 236) and the user is provided with a View containing recorded programs and user scheduled recordings. Then the user strokes the list of recordings and the recordings list is moved accordingly (Fig. 18, view 3). When the user taps and holds one entry on the recordings list (Fig. 18, view 4), Recordings metadata is shown (Fig. 18, view 5). In order to watch one of the recordings, the user simply taps at desired entry on the recordings list (Fig. 18, view 6) corresponding and in response the FSV is invoked and playback of the desired recording is started (state 236 to 210 in Fig. 2).

4.4. My Media Stream View

Media streams offer a particular mechanism to produce a stream of media content from one or more sources. In this paragraph, user personalized My media streams are described. Fig. 7 displays an example of the My Media Stream View with three parallel Media Stream Views, also referred to as tubes. Fig . 8 presents an example state transition chart that illustrates different state transitions in the My Media Stream View.

4.4.1 Show My Media Stream based on favorites

On the Menu card (230 in Figs. 2 and 8) there is an action button My Media Stream (in the normal set). The user taps My Med ia Stream button and in response a My Media Stream View is invoked (232 in Figs. 2 and 8). Playback of the current program continues on the background, but only audio is rendered. The user then makes a vertical stroke in My media stream view on one of the tubes (860 in Fig. 8). In response, the user is shown following entries on that a media stream tube, see Fig. 9. Notice that in this embodiment, the user can scroll or zoom an individual tube while others remain unchanged (state 820 in Fig. 8). Next, the user strokes back to first item and makes a decision to start watching provided favorites My media stream tube. The user taps and holds the first item of the tube and in response the My media stream View changes to Full screen and playback of the selected tube is started (states 232, 880 and 210 of Fig. 8). There may be one or more than one My media streams. Often, the number of My media streams exceeds the number that can be simultaneously presented in parallel.

4.4.2 Browsing between My Media Streams and selecting one to be consumed When My Media Stream view is invoked, the user makes a horizontal stroke (860 in Fig. 8) and the My media stream tubes are shifted according to the stroke (in common direction and to an extent corresponding to the length of the stroke). This shifting or panning is also demonstrated in Fig. 10. When all My Media Stream tubes cannot be presented side by side in the My Media Stream View, the user is provided with one or more options for changing different ones of the My Media Stream tubes to be shown. In one embodiment, the user uses horizontal strokes to laterally move the view across her My Media Stream tubes. In another embodiment, the user taps a horizontal arrow provided at upper right hand side part of the screen. In response, a next set of the My Media Stream tubes is showed. For instance, all tubes may be replaced with a further set of tubes (to the extent there are more tubes available).

The user then decides to start watching provided favorites My media stream tube. This is detected by the mobile media device 100 from determining that the user taps and holds the first item of the tube. In response, the View changes to Full screen and playback of the selected tube or media stream is started.

When the initially started program from the media stream ends, the system will select the next one to be automatically presented.

4.4.3 Checking additional information relevant to particular program

When viewing the My Media Stream, the user taps one of the program info cards (Fig. 1 1 , view 1 ; 850 in Fig. 8). In response, content related to the tapped program is shown in the content bar at bottom part of the screen (Fig. 1 1 , view 2). The user may make horizontal stroke over content bar (Fig. 1 1 , view 3) and in response the related content is scrolled reflecting the stroke direction (Fig. 1 1 , view 4). When the user has found interesting related content, she taps that related content. In response, a program info card is shown with more information of the tapped content. If the user decides to start watching provided content, she taps and holds the desired related content (i.e. a button or icon representative of that related content). Then, the related content is rendered for user in a separate smaller window or in to FSV, depending on the type of the content and on the embodiment of the invention. If the user wants to view a next program from the list, she may simply make a horizontal stroke to left and the next program from the list is rendered to the user on the screen. 4.4.4 Making new Media Stream

The user is provided with an option to create a new Media stream. To this end, a dedicated control button may be d isplayed in the My Med ia Stream View. Alternatively, or additionally, tapping or tapping and holding on a title of one tube may invoke a control card in which the name of selected tube can be changed, the tube can be deleted, cloned or a new tube be created. As one example, a tube may be created of a TV series or programs of given genre. 4.4.5 Composing a Premium stream

In an embodiment of the invention, the user is provided with Premium streams. In this case, the premiums stream refers to a user experience optimized stream of content composed from broadcast and Internet content. Selection of the proposed content is based on user's past usage habits, user's markings l ike setting programs or program series to favorites, reminded, recorded, etc. Also the user's Social network or used social media services or Internet video service recommendation are used in some embodiments on composing the stream.

Changing viewing between My Media Streams and normal TV

When moving away from the My Media Stream, there are two possibilities. First, viewing is paused and when coming back watching continues from the last viewed place. Second, the viewing is not paused and when coming back watching is continued from the "real-time" place. Pausing is possible in broadcast if there is hardware supporting reception of plurality of channels in the system or if the My media stream was composed of internet or recorded content. Or if my media stream consumption was interrupted by watching other than broadcast content.

Composing a Genre stream

A Genre stream is composed of the programs of one or several genres and related internet videos. The Genre stream provides user a possibility to watch user's favorite Genres automatically in chronological order. Optionally, watched material is purged from the mobile media device after consumption. Typically setting of a Genre stream is done via My Media Stream view, and so Genre stream may be based on live and internet content.

4.4.6 Composing a Series stream

A Series stream is composed of the episodes of one TV series and related internet videos. The Series stream provides user a possibility to watch user's favorite series automatically in chronological order. Optionally, watched material is purged from the mobile media device after consumption. Typically setting of a series stream is done when setting a recording, but the series stream may be based on live content only as well.

4.4.7 Composing a Recommended stream

The Recommended stream is composed of the user's social networks or used social media recommendations, i.e. once the user's friends vote some programs, the user's mobile media device makes a summary of the votes and if certain criterion or criteria are met, the program is recommended to the user. Note that the votes may be either positive or negative in nature.

Any of the streams mentioned in the foregoing may also include other content than television programs (for instance, radio, synopsis, reviews, chat, discussion boards etc.)

4.5. Electronic Service Guide (ESG) View

Fig. 12 shows a state diagram for the ESG View. 4.5.1 Invoking ESG

Option 1 :

When the user is viewing TV in full screen, the user makes stroke down starting from upper part of the video screen -> a Views bar is shown. Next, the user taps an ESG icon. In response, the ESG view is invoked, and playback of the current program continues background but only audio is rendered (see Fig. 13, view 1 ; Fig. 12, 830). The user can tap on the service icon of related channel in order to change to that service channel . A notification message can be displayed in response as shown in view 2 of Fig. 13. Option2:

When the user is viewing TV in full screen, the user makes stroke down starting from upper part of the video screen . In response, the ESG view is shown, playback of the current program continues on background but only audio is rendered.

4.5.2 Browsing metadata content via ESG

When the ESG View open, the user makes a vertical stroke in the ESG View. In respon se , th e m etad ata of th e ch a n n el i n q u estio n is scrolled down correspondingly (1210 in Fig . 1 2 and two views in Fig . 14). On the other hand, when the user makes a horizontal stroke in the ESG View, the channels visible in the ESG View are changed accord ingly, see Fig . 1 5. In this and any other embodiment, the response of a stroking action may correspond to the stroke direction, speed, and length.

When the user decides to start watching one channel, she taps the program's name/icon/figure (header row of the ESG View). The View then changes to full screen and playback of the selected channel is started (Fig. 12, 830 to 810).

4.5.3 Aligning channel to show same time after scrolling to future programs

It is understood that while all the content items may share equal size, the actual content length (playing time) varies, and thus the columns loose time alignment. In order to see programs broadcasted at the same time, user has to re-align the columns. In one embodiment, this is performed with a long tap on selected column that is used as a reference or anchor with reference to which the other channels are aligned so that they share common time. The aligning may be performed such that the long tapping is made on one content item and the channels are aligned with that particular content item.

4.5.4 Using time align control to go certain time

The ESG may comprise a time scroll bar e.g. at either side and the time scroll bar may be equipped with a button that enables scrolling the ESG to show content items for desired time with a single gesture. Alternatively, or additionally, the users may scroll all the channels up and down simply by stroking along a side of the display outside the shown content items. 4.5.5 Invoking menu card related to certain channel

To invoke a menu card related to a particular channel the use makes a long tap on a service channel icon or button on the header row of the ESG (830 and 1220 in Fig. 12).

4.5.6 Recommend ESG object to contacts in a social networking service

In one embodiment, users may communicate recommendations with an existing social networking service by using their contact networks and su itable applications. For instance, Facebook enables use of its contact network with an add-on application according to this embodiment of the invention.

When a user is watching media (e.g. television program) in full screen, she strokes down starting from upper part of the video screen such that the Views bar is shown. Then she taps on the ESG icon and in response the ESG is invoked. The playback of the current program may continue on background so that only audio is rendered. The user may wish to vote for one of the programs shown on the ESG, so she taps and holds the programs name/icon/figure. In response, the Menu card is shown. On the menu card, the user taps a vote button. In response, the menu card is flipped and information about the vote is given for the user. Default vote is recommend (thump up). The Menu card also contains information of the used social networks (and persons). The user may also select which one or more of her social networks should be used in exchanging votes with her contacts, enter her log in credential s to these social networks and/or delete social network registrations.

Following further this example, let us assume that the user desires to criticize the selected program instead of recommending. She thus selects a voting option corresponding to her preference, in this case thump down or a number on the lower end of a numeric scale.

When the vote is correctly given, the user approves her voting by tapping at a confirmation (OK) button. In response, the users vote is delivered to the selected social media networks. Any such networked other users with a similar mobile media device will then automatically have in their mobile media device the vote which is added up with other votes from other networked contacts.

4.5.7 View votes from friends

When the user is watching television in full screen she strokes down starting from upper part of the video screen to invoke the Views bar. Next she taps the ESG button and the ESG is responsively invoked . Each program in the ESG view contains a voting indication indicative whether it had been voted or not. This voting indication may be, for instance, one or more thumbs pointing up or down based on the (e.g. average) votes related the program received. At the bottom of the screen there are shown filtering buttons one of which is votes. The user taps the vote filter button. In response, highlighting is adding to the programs for which votes have been received from the user's social network contacts. 4.5.8 Highlighting recorded, favorite, reminded, recommended programs

Particular content items may be presented with h ighlight to draw the user's attention on some particular attributes related to the content. For instance, programs being recorded, set as favorite or with a reminder may be shown with a particular highlight. The highlight may be implemented by applying a particular border around the content item, use of different color, contrast, brightness, and/or use of different font, font size, or font effect.

4.5.9 Actions by using specific gestures

Particular gestures may be used e.g. as a short-cut to desired actions. The desired actions may be pre-defined and/or user customizable. For instance, instant record ing or pausing of a television program may be started . The particular gesture may be, for instance, tapping the display with three fingers, stroking a circle, making a double-click type tap with one or more fingers or a combination of these.

Figs. 20 and 21 show further examples of using the Menu Card and Program Info card. Current programs can be viewed from full screen view by invoking the menu card, and then flipping it with "flip" button. The menu card rotates and reveals program information about current program. With stroke up, the "next" program's information is shown. With stroke down, the current program information can be seen again. When program info card is visible, next or previous channels current and next program information can be viewed with stroke from right to left (next channel) or left to right (previous channel).

Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise, include and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments of the invention a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented above, but that it can be implemented in other embod iments using equ ivalent means or in d ifferent combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the invention.

Furthermore, some of the features of the above-disclosed embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the appended patent claims.

Claims

Claims:

1 . An apparatus comprising:

a media decoder configured to receive a media stream;

a processor configured to:

cause showing of the currently received media stream on a display, and while showing the currently received media stream, the processor is further configured to:

detect if a user has made a first gesture with relation to the display and to responsively initiate a first process comprising:

showing on the display a first selection bar that presents a plurality of first icons corresponding to different media streams;

detecting if the user has made a second gesture on one of the first icons and responsively initiating a first action; and

detecting if the user has made a third gesture on a desired one of the first icons that corresponds to a desired another med ia stream and responsively changing the currently shown media stream to the desired another media stream.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect if the user has made a fourth gesture with relation to the display while the currently received med ia stream is being shown on the d isplay, and to responsively initiate a second process comprising:

showing on the display a second selection bar that presents a plurality of second icons; and

detecting if the user has made a fifth gesture on one of the second icons and responsively initiating a third action.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second selection bar is a view bar and the second icons comprise icons related to actions that are not media related, such as settings, or electronic service guide.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein in the second process, the second selection bar is shown simultaneously with at least a partial display of the currently received media stream.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the fourth gesture is stroking towards a first edge of the display and the second selection bar is presented along an edge of the display that is opposite to the first edge.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first edge of the display is bottom of the display.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the third gesture equals to the fifth gesture.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the third action enables presenting of an electronic service guide to the user.

9. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the first process, the first selection bar is shown simultaneously with at least a partial display of the currently received media stream.

10. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is further configured to detect, while the currently received media stream is being shown entirely or with at least a partial display, if the user has made a sixth gesture on the displayed currently received media stream and to responsively change channel.

1 1 . The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to detect, in the second process while displaying the first selection bar, if the user has made the sixth gesture on the first selection bar and to responsively scroll the first selection bar.

12. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is further configured to invoke a menu card on the display in response to detecting of the second gesture on the display while showing the currently received media stream.

13. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is further configured to invoke a menu card on the display as the first action in response to detecting of the second gesture.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the menu card is configured to provide the user with controls for controll ing functions for presenting and/or record ing of med ia information and the processor is configured to control the apparatus according to correspondingly received user input.

15. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first gesture is performing at least once one or more of the following options: stroking on the display; pointing; tapping; and clicking with a pointing device.

16. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second gesture is performing at least once one or more of the following options: tapping and holding; right-clicking; tapping with two or more fingers; pointing; tapping; and clicking with a pointing device.

17. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third gesture is performing at least once one or more of the following options: pointing; tapping; and clicking with a pointing device.

18. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is further configured to provide a sound volume control in response to detecting a prolonged pointing act on the display.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to enable the user to adjust the sound volume control about the point in which the prolonged pointing act has taken place, for controlling the sound volume of the apparatus.

20. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third action enables presenting of an electronic service guide to the user.

21 .The apparatus of claim 8 or 20, wherein the processor is further configured to present the electronic service guide in form of adjacent trains of program descriptors and to allow the user to scroll one train at the time the program descriptors.

22. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is further configured to collect social networking information related to pieces of content or programs available to the user and to identify to content for which the processor has collected social networking information.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configured to filter particular pieces of content based on collected social networking information related to the pieces of content and to provide the user with presentation of the filtered pieces of content.

24. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first selection bar is a channel bar and the first icons are media related icons.

25. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is further configured to detect if the user has made a fifth gesture on first selection bar and to responsively the first selection bar.

26. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the media stream is a television broadcast.

27. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display is a touch screen.

28. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first gesture is stroking apart from a first edge of the display and the first selection bar is presented along the first edge.