US 7,321,716 B1
Multimedia visual progress indication system
Robert Vallone, Palo Alto, Calif. (US); Howard Look, Mountain View, Calif. (US); and Ain McKendrick, Menlo Park, Calif. (US)
Assigned to TiVo Inc., Alviso, Calif. (US)
Filed on Aug. 10, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/915,990.
Application 10/915990 is a continuation of application No. 09/539433, filed on Mar. 30, 2000, granted, now 6,847,778.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/127178, filed on Mar. 30, 1999.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04N 5/91 (2006.01); H04N 5/93 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 386—68  [386/69; 386/52] 114 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for visually communicating record or playback progress of audio or video program material to a user, comprising:
displaying a cache bar to a user;
wherein the cache bar indicates an available amount of program material through which the user is able to navigate and play back;
displaying a position indicator superimposed on the cache bar; and
wherein the position indicator moves within the boundaries of the cache bar; and
wherein the position indicator is a visual indication to the user indicating a current playback position within the program material.