FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to media playback. In particular, they relate to playback of ordered audio tracks in a playlist.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION A media player running on an electronic device may have a media player control interface, displayed on a display of the electronic device, that enables a user to select audio tracks for playback. Some media players enable a user to define a playlist in which audio tracks are put into a specific order for playback. Media players provided in many portable electronic devices often have media player control interfaces that are very similar to those provided in personal computers with larger displays. Such media player control interfaces are not optimized for use in a portable electronic device with a relatively small display and, consequently, can be cumbersome to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing computer program instructions, the at least one processor being configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform: controlling a touch sensitive display to display a media player control interface comprising a coiled channel indicating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises an ordered plurality of tracks; and responding to touch input, provided by a user at the media player control interface displayed on the touch sensitive display, by controlling playback of at least one track in the playlist.

According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising: controlling a touch sensitive display to display a media player control interface comprising a coiled channel indicating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises an ordered plurality of tracks; and responding to touch input, provided by a user at the media player control interface displayed on the touch sensitive display, by controlling playback of at least one track in the playlist.

According to some, but not necessarily ail, embodiments of the invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform at least the following: controlling a touch sensitive display to display a media player control interface comprising a coiled channel indicating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises an ordered plurality of tracks; and responding to touch input, provided by a user at the media player control interface displayed on the touch sensitive display, by controlling playback of at least one track in the playlist. According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: means for controlling a touch sensitive display to display a media player control interface comprising a coiled channel indicating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises an ordered plurality of tracks; and means for responding to touch input, provided by a user at the media player control interface displayed on the touch sensitive display, by controlling playback of at least one track in the playlist.

According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention, there is provided a graphical user interface, comprising: a media player control interface comprising a coiled channel indicating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises an ordered plurality of tracks, wherein playback of at least one track in the playlist is controlled in response to touch input being provided by a user at the media player control interface. According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing computer program instructions, the at least one processor being configured to execute the computer program instructions to cause the apparatus at least to perform: controlling a touch sensitive display to display a media player control interface comprising a coiled channel for indicating a playlist; and responding to touch input, provided by a user at the media player control interface displayed on the touch sensitive display, by transferring one or more tracks to the coiled channel to define an ordered playlist.

According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising: controlling a touch sensitive display to display a media player control interface comprising a coiled channel for indicating a playlist; and responding to touch input, provided by a user at the media player control interface displayed on the touch sensitive display, by transferring one or more tracks to the coiled channel to define an ordered playlist.

According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform at least the following: controlling a touch sensitive display to display a media player control interface comprising a coiled channel for indicating a playlist; and responding to touch input, provided by a user at the media player control interface displayed on the touch sensitive display, by transferring one or more tracks to the coiled channel to define an ordered playlist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus;

Fig. 2 illustrates a further apparatus;

Fig. 3A illustrates an apparatus displaying a media player control interface;

Fig. 3B iilustrates a part of the media player control interface;

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a first method;

Figs 5 and 6 illustrate the media player control interface while a playlist is being generated;

Fig. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a second method; Fig. 8 illustrates the media player control interface while moving from a first time in the playlist to a second time in the playlist;

Fig. 9 illustrates the media player control interface when a track is paused by a user; and

Fig. 10 illustrates a track being added to a playlist.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide a media player control interface that is intuitive to use. Advantageously, some aspects of the media player control interface are particularly suited to (although not limited to) the relatively small displays that are present in portable electronic devices such as personal music players and mobile telephones. In this regard, the Figures illustrate an apparatus 10/20, comprising: at least one processor 12; and at least one memory 14 storing computer program instructions 18, the at least one processor 12 being configured to execute the computer program instructions 8 to cause the apparatus 10/20 at least to perform: controlling a touch sensitive display 22 to display a media player control interface 75 comprising a coiled channel 60 for indicating a playlist; and responding to touch input, provided by a user at the media player control interface 75 displayed on the touch sensitive display 22, by transferring one or more tracks to the coiled channel 60 to define an ordered playlist. The Figures also illustrate an apparatus 10/20, comprising: at least one processor 12; and at least one memory 14 storing computer program instructions 18, the at least one processor 12 being configured to execute the computer program instructions 18 to cause the apparatus 0/20 at least to perform: controlling a touch sensitive display 22 to display a media player control interface 75 comprising a coiled channel 60 indicating a playlist, wherein the playlist comprises an ordered plurality of tracks; and responding to touch input, provided by a user at the media player control interface 75 displayed on the touch sensitive display 22, by controlling playback of at least one track in the playlist. Fig. 1 illustrates an apparatus 10. The apparatus may, for example, be a chip or a chip-set. The apparatus 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a processor 12 and a memory 14. in alternative embodiments of the invention, the apparatus 10 may comprise multiple processors.

The processor 12 is configured to read from and write to the memory 14. The processor 12 may also comprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are output by the processor 12 and an input interface via which data and/or commands are input to the processor 12.

Although the memory 14 is illustrated as a single component, it may be implemented as one or more separate components, some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

The memory 14 stores a computer program 16 comprising computer program instructions 18 that control the operation of the apparatus 10/20 when loaded into the processor 12. The computer program instructions 18 provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus 10/20 to perform the methods illustrated in Figs 4 and 7. The processor 12, by reading the memory 14, is able to load and execute the computer program instructions 18.

The computer program 6 may arrive at the apparatus 10/20 via any suitable delivery mechanism 40. The delivery mechanism 40 may be, for example, a tangible, non- transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD or Blu-Ray disc, or any article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program 6. The delivery mechanism 40 may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 16.

Fig. 2 illustrates a further apparatus 20. The apparatus 20 illustrated in Fig. 2 may, for example, be a hand portable electronic device such as a mobile telephone, a personal music player, a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, or a games console. The apparatus 20 illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises the apparatus 10 illustrated in Fig. 1. The apparatus 20 further comprises a housing 28, a touch sensitive display 22, one or more audio output device(s) 26 and optionally, a radio frequency transceiver 24. The housing 28 houses: the processor 12, the memory 14, the touch sensitive display 22, the audio output device(s) 26 and the radio frequency transceiver 24. The elements 12, 14, 22, 24 and 26 are co-located within the housing 28. The elements 12, 14, 22, 24 and 26 are operationally coupled and any number or combination of intervening elements can exist (including no intervening elements). The memory 14 is illustrated in Fig. 2 as storing a computer program 16, a plurality of audio tracks 17 and playlist data 19. The audio tracks may, for example, be songs. In this example, the audio tracks are stored in the memory 14 in a digital format. Exemplary digital formats include MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group)-1 Layer 3 (commonly known as MP3), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) and Windows Media Audio (WMA). The playlist data 19 stored in the memory 14 includes one or more playlists. Each playlist is a list which defines a plurality of tracks to be played and an order in which the plurality of tracks are to be played.

The processor 12 is configured to receive inputs from and provide outputs to the touch sensitive display 22 and the radio frequency transceiver 24. The processor 12 is also configured to provide one or more outputs to the audio output device(s) 26.

The touch sensitive display 22 is configured to provide a graphical user interface. The touch sensitive display 22 may be any type of touch sensitive display. For example, the touch sensitive display 22 may incorporate resistive sensing technology, capacitive sensing technology or some combination of the two.

The radio frequency transceiver 24 is configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The radio frequency transceiver 24 may, for example, be a cellular transceiver that is compatible with one or more cellular protocols such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), IS-95 (Interim Standard 95) or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). Alternatively, the radio frequency transceiver 24 may be a short range transceiver that is compatible with one or more short range protocols, such as Bluetooth protocols or IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) protocols. In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus 20 comprises one or more cellular transceivers and one or more short range transceivers. The audio output device(s) 26 may include, for example, a loudspeaker and/or an output port for headphones.

Fig. 3A illustrates the touch sensitive display 22 of the apparatus 20 displaying a graphical user interface in the form of a media player control interface 75. The media player control interface 75 comprises a coiled channel 60 wrapped around a graphical item 70. The media player control interface 75 also comprises a plurality of graphical items 81-85 that are displayed on the display 22 beneath the coiled channel 60. The coiled channel 60 and the graphical item 70 are also illustrated in Fig. 3B. The coiled channel 60 may be defined by a spiral. In this example, the coiled channel 60 is defined by an Archimedean spiral. A first end of the coiled channel 60 is closed at the graphical item 70. In this particular instance, the graphical item 70 is at the centre of the spiral. The coiled channel 60 also has a second end 62 which may be open.

The coiled channel 60 illustrated in Figs 3A and 3B can be considered to comprise a plurality of different "portions" 63-66. In Fig. 3B, a first dotted fine 51 separates a first portion 63 of the coiled channel 60 from a second portion 64 of the coiled channel 60. A second dotted line 52 separates the second portion 64 of the coiled channel 60 from a third portion 65 of the coiled channel 60. A third dotted line 53 separates the third portion 65 of the coiled channel 60 from a fourth portion 66 of the coiled channel 60.

The dotted lines 51 , 52 and 53 are shown in Fig. 3B for the purposes of describing the shape of the coiled channel 60 and are not displayed on the display 22 in this example of the invention.

In this example, the first portion 63 of the coiled channel 60 is wrapped around the central graphical item 70, such that the first portion 63 is positioned around the whoie of the circumference of the central graphical item 70, and such that there are no gaps between the first portion 63 and the central graphical item 70,

The second portion 64 of the coiled channel 60 is wrapped around the first portion 63, such that the second portion 64 is positioned around the whole of the outer edge of the first portion 63 and such that there are no gaps between the second portion 64 and the first portion 63.

The third portion 65 of the coiled channel 60 is wrapped around the second portion 64, such that the third portion 65 is positioned around the whole of the outer edge of the second portion 64 and such that there are no gaps between the third portion 65 and the second portion 64. The fourth portion 66 is wrapped around part of the third portion 65, such that there are no gaps between the fourth portion 66 and the third portion 65.

Since the coiled channel 60 is defined by a spiral, the radius of curvature of the coiled channel 60 increases as the coiled channel 60 extends outwardly from the central graphical item 70. The width of the coiled channel 60, illustrated in Fig. 3B by arrow 54, increases as it extends outwardly from the central graphical item 70. In this example, the open end 62 of the coiled channel 60 is positioned on the left hand side of the display 22.

In the example illustrated in Figs 3A and 3B, the central graphical item 70 is circular in shape. In some implementations of the invention the central graphical item 70 may, for example, be presented graphically as an empty turntable of a gramophone/phonograph/record player.

The first, second, third, fourth and fifth graphical items 81-85 displayed beneath the coiled channel 60 represent first, second, third, fourth and fifth audio tracks respectively. In the illustrated example, the graphical items 81-85 are circular in shape. They may, for example, be presented as bubbles that appear to 'float' while the media player control interface 75 is displayed. Each of the graphical items 81-85 may include text indicating the name of the track that it represents. Additionally, each graphical item 81-85 may, for example, include text indicating the name of the artist of the track that it represents. A first method according to embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with Figs 4, 5 and 6. A flow chart for the first method is illustrated in Fig.

4. At block 401 of Fig. 4, the processor 12 controls the touch sensitive display 22 to display the media player control interface 75 illustrated in Fig. 3A. This may, for example, be in response to selection of a media player application by a user of the apparatus 20.

When the media player control interface 75 is displayed on the display 22 (as illustrated in Fig. 3A), the user may provide input to change the tracks that are represented by the graphical items 81-85 beneath the coiled channel 60. For example, the user may select tracks that he wishes to include in a playlist.

At this stage, the coiled channel 60 may have a graphical appearance that indicates that it is empty. This is because a playlist has not yet been generated by the user. Once graphical items 81-85 representing the tracks that the user wishes to include in a playlist are displayed on the display 22 beneath the coiled channel 60, the user 90 provides touch input at the media player control interface 75. This is illustrated in Fig.

5. In the illustrated example, the user 90 provides the touch input by touching the surface of the display 22, with a fingertip, at the central graphical item 70 and performing a repetitive action with the fingertip. The repetitive action comprises moving the fingertip, while touching the surface of the display 22, to define a plurality of circles inside the central graphical item 70 (as illustrated by the arrow 102, which may or may not be displayed). In other words, the user 90 traces a series of circles inside the central graphical item 70.

If the central graphical item 70 is presented as an empty turntable, the processor 12 may respond to detection of a moving fingertip at the central graphical item 70 by causing the displayed turntable to rotate. At block 402 of Fig. 4, the processor 12 responds to the touch input provided by the user by transferring one or more tracks to the coiled channel 60 to define a playlist. The processor 12 stores the playlist as part of the playlist data 19 in the memory 14. In this example, the processor 12 controls the display 22 to show the graphical items 81-85, representing tracks for transfer to the playlist, entering the coiled channel 60 via the open end 62. The processor 12 may show the graphical items 81-85 being coerced (for example, sucked) into the open end 62 of the coiled channel 60 as user input is being provided at the centra) graphical item 70. Advantageously, this method provides a quick and easy way for a user to create a playlist. A user can clearly see, from the graphical items 84 being coerced into the open end 62 of the coiled channel 60, which tracks are being transferred to the playlist. In this example, the track that is represented by the graphical item closest to the open end 62 is the first track to enter the playlist. The processor 12 may be configured to decide which graphical item is displayed closest to the open end 62 (and therefore enters the playlist first) on the basis of at least one criterion. For example, the graphical item displayed closest to the open end 62 may represent the most played track of all of the tracks represented on the display 22. Alternatively, the graphical item displayed closest to the open end 62 may represent the track that is the most highly rated (by the user) of all of the tracks represented on the display 22.

In alternative implementations of the invention, the first track to enter to playlist may be determined by at least one criterion (such as those described above), but is not necessarily represented by the graphical item closest to the open end 62 of the coiled channel 60.

Fig. 5 illustrates the media player control interface 75 at a point in time in which the first track, represented by the first graphical item 81, has entered the playlist (entitled "soundtrack 01" in the illustrated example). At this point in time, the processor 12 may control the display 22 to cause at least a part of the coiled channel 60 to have a graphical appearance that indicates the first graphical item 81 has entered the coiled channel 60 (for example, by shading or colouring). As the user continues to define circles at the central graphical item, the processor 12 causes more and more tracks to enter the playlist. Fig. 6 illustrates a situation where a second track (entitled "soundtrack 02" in the illustrated example), represented by the second graphical item 82, has entered the playlist. When the second track enters the playlist, the processor 12 controls the display 22 to show that the coiled channel 60 has two parts 161 , 162. A first part 161 of the coiled channel 60 relates to the first track 81 and a second part of the coiled channel 60 relates to the second track 82. The processor 12 may control the display 22 to display a boundary 164 that demarcates the first part 161 from the second part 162. The processor 12 may also control the display 22 to cause the first part 161 to be displayed in a different colour or to have a different type of shading than the second part 162.

The first part 161 of the coiled channel 60 may include text that identifies the name of the track that it relates to (rather than the text "soundtrack 01"), and possibly also the artist. Similarly, the second part 162 of the coiled channel 60 may include text that identifies the name of the track that it relates to (rather than the text "soundtrack 02"), and possibly also the artist. The processor 12 may cease transferring tracks to the playlist when the user 90 ceases to define circles at the central graphical item 70, or when all of the tracks that were represented by graphical items 81-85 beneath the coiled channel 60 have entered the playlist. The first track that is transferred to the coiled channel 60 becomes the first track in the playlist. The second track that is transferred to the coiled channel becomes the second track in the playlist, and so on. A playlist comprising an ordered plurality of tracks is created on that basis. As the tracks enter the playlist, the processor 12 may control the display 22 to cause the central graphical item 70 to change from being an empty turntable to being a turntable containing a gramophone/phonograph/vinyl record. Fig. 5 illustrates the central graphical item 70 while this change is in progress. Fig. 6 illustrates the central graphical item 70 after the change has occurred. The processor 12 may control an audio output device 26 to begin playing the tracks in the playlist while the playlist is in the progress of being created (for example, while the user is still defining circles at the central graphical item 70). Alternatively, the processor 12 may wait for the user to finish creating the playlist before controlling the audio device to begin playing the tracks in the playlist.

The first track to be played from the playlist is the track that is represented in the part 161 of the coiled channel 60 that is closest to the central graphical item 70 (the gramophone). Advantageously, the user 90 can easily see that the track being played is that which is closest to the gramophone.

The total playing time of the playlist is the sum total of the playing time of each track in the playlist. The proportion of the coiled channel 60 that is allocated to a particular track indicates of the proportion of the total playing time of the playlist that is provided by that track. Thus, if a playlist has ten tracks of a similar length, the coiled channel 60 is divided into ten equal parts. If a playlist having ten tracks of dissimilar length is created, the coiled channel 60 is divided into ten unequal parts. Advantageously, this enables the user 90 to see at a glance how many tracks are in a playlist and what proportion of the playlist is allocated to a particular track.

When the first track from the playlist is being played via an audio output device 26, the processor 12 controls the display 22 to cause the boundary 164 to move along the coiled channel 60 towards the central graphical item 70. This causes the proportion of the coiled channel 60 that is allocated to the first track to reduce, indicating that the remaining time of the first track is also reducing. Advantageously, the coiled channel 60 provides a visual indication of how much time of the current track remains, relative to the total remaining playing time of the playlist.

In some embodiments of the invention, the coiled channel 60 relates to a fixed period of playing time. When a portion of the playing time is available and not allocated to tracks, one or more tracks may be automatically transferred from beneath the coiled channel 60 to the coiled channel 60, causing them to enter the playlist at the end of the playlist.

Use of the coiled channel 60 to indicate a playlist is particularly advantageous because it enables a user to obtain a large amount of playlist information by merely glancing at the display 22. For example, the coiled channel 60 may indicate how many tracks are scheduled to be played from the playlist, which tracks are scheduled to be played and how much of the total playing time of the playlist is allocated to each one of the tracks. Furthermore, use of the coiled channel 60 does not require a large display area, meaning that it is particularly suitable for a relatively small display (for example, of a hand portable device).

A second method according to embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with Figs 7, 8, 9 and 10. A flow chart for the second method is illustrated in Fig. 7. At block 701 of Fig. 7, the processor 12 controls the touch sensitive display 22 to display a media player control interface 75 comprising a coiled channel 60 indicating a playlist. The playlist comprises a plurality of audio tracks. At block 702 of Fig. 7, the processor 12 responds to touch input, provided at the media control interface by a user, by controlling playback of at least one audio track in the playlist.

A first implementation of the second method illustrated in Fig. 7 will be now described in relation to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 illustrates the processor 12 controlling the touch sensitive display 22 to display a media player control interface 75 similar to that displayed in Fig. 3A. Fig. 8 differs from Fig. 3A in that the coiled channel 60 in Fig. 8 indicates a playlist comprising three ordered tracks (whereas the coiled channel 60 in Fig. 3A is empty).

A first boundary 164 of the coiled channel 60 demarcates a first part 161 of the coiled channel 60, relating to a first track (entitled "soundtrack 01"), from a second part 62 of the coiled channel 60. The second part 162 of the coiled channel 60 relates to a second track (entitled "soundtrack 02"). A second boundary 165 demarcates the second part 162 of the coiled channel 60 from a third part 163 of the coiled channel 60. The third part 163 of the coiled channel 60 relates to a third track (entitled "soundtrack 03"). The order of playback for the piaylist is: the first track, followed by the second track, followed by the third track.

Graphical items 84, 85, representing fourth and fifth tracks, are displayed beneath the coiled channel 60 on the display 22.

In this first implementation of the second method, a user 90 provides touch input to move from a first time in the piaylist to a second time in the piaylist. Fig, 8 illustrates a user 90 placing a fingertip on the surface of the display 22 at the right hand side coiled channel 90 of the media player control interface 75. Once the fingertip has been placed at the coiled channel 90, the user 90 swipes his finger across the display 22 while touching the display 22, defining a curved trace. The curved trace may be clockwise (as illustrated by arrow 182) or anti-clockwise (as illustrated by arrow 184). The curved trace may or may not be displayed on the display 22 as it is defined by the user's fingertip.

The processor 12 responds to detection of the touch input by controlling playback of at least one track in the piaylist. That is, in the first implementation, if the user 90 provides an anti-clockwise trace, the processor 12 moves from a first time in the piaylist to a second, later, time in the piaylist. In other words, the processor 12 "fast forwards" through the piaylist. The difference between the second time and the first time may depend upon the length of the trace provided by the user, A longer trace may result in a larger time difference between the second time and the first time. Both the first time and the second time might be in the same track. In such an example, the processor 12 responds by moving the boundaries 164, 165 as the user's fingertip is being swiped across the display 22, so that the boundaries 164, 165 are closer to the closed end 61 of the coiled channel 60 than previously. The speed of movement of the boundaries 164, 165 while the fingertip is swiped may depend upon the speed of the fingertip swipe, and is typically greater than the speed of movement of the boundaries 164, 165 during playback of a track. The user 90 may provide the fingertip swipe while the track is being output audibly by an audio output device 26. In this case, after fast forwarding, the processor 12 controls the audio output device 26 to output a different, later part of the track. The first time and the second time might be in different tracks. For example, the second time could be in the second track and the first time could be in the first track. In such an example, as the user's fingertip is swiped, the processor 12 responds by moving the first boundary 164 towards the closed end 61 until it reaches the closed end 61. When the first boundary 164 reaches the closed end 61 , it is removed from the display 22 and the first track ("soundtrack 01") is no longer represented in the coiled channel 60. The processor 12 also responds, as the user's fingertip is swiped, by moving the second boundary 65 so that it is closer to the closed end 61 of the coiled channel 60 than previously. The speed of movement of the boundaries 164, 165 while the fingertip is swiped may depend upon the speed of the fingertip swipe, and is typically greater than the speed of movement of the boundaries 164, 165 during playback of a track.

If the user provides the fingertip swipe while the first track is being output audibly by an audio output device 26, after fast forwarding, the processor 12 controls the audio output device 26 to output the second track rather than the first track.

In this particular example, the spiral that defines the coiled channel 60 is fixed. As the user 90 fast forwards though the playlist, the spiral that defines the coiled channel 60 does not move.

If the user 90 fast forwards through the playlist such that part of the coiled channel 60 becomes empty, the processor 12 may respond by transferring, to the playlist, one or more of the tracks that are represented by the graphical items 84, 85, beneath the coiled channel 60. The processor 12 may control the display 22 to show the graphical items 84, 85 being coerced (for example, sucked) into the coiled channel 60 as they are added to the playlist.

If the user 90 provides a clockwise trace, the processor 2 moves from a first time in the playlist to a second, earlier time in the playlist. In other words, the processor 12 "rewinds" through the pfaylist. The difference between the first time and the second time may depend upon the length of the trace provided by the user. A longer trace may result in a larger time difference between the first time and the second time. The first time and the second time might be in the same track. In such an example, the processor 12 responds by moving the boundaries 164, 165 as the user's fingertip is being swiped across the display 22. The boundaries 164, 165 are moved in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise) to when a track is playing, moving the boundaries 164, 165 further from the closed end 61 of the coiled channel 60 than previously. The speed of movement of the boundaries 164, 165 while the fingertip is swiped may depend upon the speed of the fingertip swipe, and is typically greater than the speed of movement of the boundaries 164, 165 during playback of a track.

The user may provide the fingertip swipe while the track is being output audibly by an audio output device 26. In this case, after rewinding, the processor 12 controls the audio output device 26 to output a different, earlier part of the track.

The first time and the second time might be in different tracks. For example, the first time could be in the second track and the second time could be in the first track. In such circumstances, prior to the user making the fingertip swipe, the first track is not represented in the coiled channel 60. As the user's fingertip is swiped, the processor 12 responds by causing the first boundary 164 to re-enter the coiled channel 60, such that the first track (entitled "soundtrack 01") is represented in the coiled channel 60. The processor 12 also responds, as the user's fingertip is swiped, by moving the second boundary 165 so that it is further from the closed end 61 of the coiied channel 60 than it was previously. The boundaries 164, 165 are moved in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise) to when a track is playing. The speed of movement of the boundaries 164, 165 while the fingertip is swiped may depend upon the speed of the fingertip swipe, and is typically greater than the speed of movement of the boundaries 164, 165 during playback of a track.

If the user provides the fingertip swipe while the second track is being output audibly by an audio output device 26, after rewinding, the processor 12 controls the audio output device 26 to output the first track rather than the second track. If the user 90 rewinds through a substantial portion of the playlist, the processor 12 may respond by transferring one or more tracks out of the playlist. The final track is transferred out first, followed by the penultimate track, and so on. The processor 12 may control the display 22 to show graphical items falling from the coiled channel 60 and into the area beneath the coiled channel 60.

In this particular example, the spiral that defines the coiled channel 60 is fixed. As the user 90 rewinds though the playlist, the spiral that defines the coiled channel 60 does not move.

The first implementation of the second method is advantageous in that it enables a user to rewind or fast forward through a number of tracks in a single action. It is also advantageous in that a user can see, as he swipes his finger, how far he has fast forwarded or rewound through the playlist (from looking at the position of the boundaries 164, 165 in the coiled channel 60).

Fig. 9 illustrates a second implementation of the second method. Fig. 9 illustrates the processor 12 controlling the touch sensitive display 22 to display a media player control interface 75 similar to that displayed in Fig. 8. In the second implementation of the second method, a user 90 provides touch input by placing a fingertip at the central graphical item 70.

The processor 12 responds to detection of this stationary touch input by controlling playback of at least one track in the playlist. That is, in this second implementation, the processor 12 pauses playback of the track currently being played, such that audio output is no longer provided by the audio output device 26.

In some embodiments of the invention, the processor 12 pauses playback of the track while the user holds his fingertip at the central graphical item 70. In response to detection of the removal of the user's fingertip from the display 22, the processor 12 controls the audio output device to recommence audio output. If the central graphical item 70 represents a rotating turntable comprising a record, the turntable may include a central spindle that the user 90 may touch to pause the track currently being played. Fig. 10 illustrates a third implementation of the second method. In the third implementation of the second method, a user 90 provides touch input by touching the display 22 with a fingertip at a graphical item 84 positioned beneath the coiled channel 60 on the display 22. The processor 12 responds by controlling the display 22 to display an arrow 43 emanating from an edge of the graphical item 84.

The user 90 then moves his fingertip across the display 22 towards the coiled channel 60. As the user 90 moves his fingertip across the display 22, the processor 12 responds by controlling the display 22 to show the graphical item 84 moving with the user's fingertip, such that the user's fingertip appears to be dragging the graphical item 84.

When the graphical item 84 (and the arrow 43) is positioned at a boundary 164 of the coiled channel 60 dividing a part allocated to a first track from a part allocated to a second track, the user 90 moves his fingertip away from the display 22. The processor 12 responds by controlling playback of at least one track in the playlist. That is, in this third implementation, the processor 12 responds by transferring the track represented by the graphical item 84 in to the playlist. The track is inserted into the playlist between the tracks that are separated in the coiled channel 60 by the boundary 164.

In the illustrated example, the graphical item 84 relates to a fourth track entitled "soundtrack 04". The boundary 164 separates "soundtrack 01" and "soundtrack 02". When "soundtrack 04" is added to the playlist, the order of playback is "soundtrack 01", followed by "soundtrack 04", followed by "soundtrack 02".

When the processor 12 transfers the fourth track to the playlist, it controls the display 22 to provide the user 90 with a visual indication that this has been done. In particular, the processor 12 allocates a part of the coiled channel 60 to the fourth track. The part allocated to the fourth track is positioned between a part 161 allocated to the first track and a part 162 allocated to the second track. A boundary separates the part of the coiled channel 60 allocated to the fourth track from that allocated to the first track. A further boundary separates the part of the coiled channel 60 allocated to the fourth track from that allocated to the second track.

In this example, when the processor 12 allocates a part of the coiled channel 60 to the fourth track, the length of the coiled channel 60 on the display 22 does not increase. Thus, when the fourth track is added to the playlist, the proportion of the total playing time of the playlist that is provided by the first track and the second track reduces, so the total area of the coiled channel 60 allocated to the first and second tracks reduces. Each track is allocated an area within the coiled channel 60 that is proportional to the amount of time of the playlist that is provided to the total playlist playing time by that particular track. The third implementation of the second method provides an intuitive way for a user to add tracks to a playlist. Advantageously, in embodiments of the invention, use of the boundaries 164, 165 within the coiled channel 60 provides a clear indication to a user of where a graphical item 84 should be dropped in order for a track to be added to the playlist.

In some embodiments of the invention, a user may remove tracks from the playlist of touching a part 161 , 162 of the coiled channel 60 with a fingertip and moving the fingertip to the lower portion of the display 22, beneath the coiled channel 60. As the user's fingertip is being moved, the processor 12 responds by controlling the display 22 to display a circular graphical item and showing that graphical item moving with the fingertip (such that it appears to be being dragged) to the lower portion of the display 22.

References to 'a tangible computer-readable storage medium', 'a computer program product', a 'computer', and a 'processor' etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single/multi-processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other devices. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

The blocks illustrated in Figs 4 and 7 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 16. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, in the embodiments of the invention described above, a track that is currently playing is represented by the part of the coiled channel 60 that is closest to the closed end 61 of the coiled channel 60. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the track that is currently playing may be represented by the part of the coiled channel 60 that is closest to the open end 62 of the coiled channel.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that it may not be necessary to touch the display 22 to register an input at the display 22. For example, if the display 22 incorporates capacitive technology, it may be sufficient to merely place a fingertip near to the display 22 to register an input.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may aiso be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.