text:
Publication number | US7779357 B2 |
Publication type | Grant |
Application number | US 11/733,126 |
Publication date | Aug 17, 2010 |
Filing date | Apr 9, 2007 |
Priority date | Nov 4, 2004 |
Fee status | Paid |
Also published as | US7735012, US20060095848, US20070180383 |
Publication number | 11733126, 733126, US 7779357 B2, US 7779357B2, US-B2-7779357, US7779357 B2, US7779357B2 |
Inventors | Devang K. Naik |
Original Assignee | Apple Inc. |
Export Citation | BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan |
Patent Citations (40), Non-Patent Citations (12), Referenced by (22), Classifications (14), Legal Events (2) | |
External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet | |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/981,993, filed Nov. 4, 2004, entitled "AUDIO USER INTERFACE FOR COMPUTING DEVICES," the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/623,339, filed Jul. 18, 2003, entitled "VOICE MENU SYSTEM," the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates generally to voice generation and, more specifically, to voice generation for computing devices.
People commonly use hand-held computing devices today for various personal and work-related purposes. Such hand-held devices are, for example, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDA's), media players (e.g., MP3 players), and digital cameras. Hand-held devices are increasingly popular because their small size allows people to easily carry and use the devices in remote locations.
In order to achieve portability, many hand-held devices use user interfaces that present various display screens to the user for interaction that is predominantly visual. Users can interact with the user interfaces to manipulate a scroll wheel and/or a set of buttons to navigate display screens to thereby access functions of the hand-held devices. However, these user interfaces can be difficult to use at times for various reasons. One reason is that the display screens tend to be small in size and form factor and therefore difficult to see. Another reason is that a user may have poor reading vision or otherwise be visually impaired. Even if the display screens can be perceived, a user will have difficulty navigating the user interface in "eyes-busy" situations when a user cannot shift visual focus away from an important activity and towards the user interface. Such activities include, for example, driving an automobile, exercising, and crossing a street.
In view of the foregoing, there are continuing needs to provide improved user interfaces for hand-held devices.
The present invention is directed to an audio user interface that generates audio prompts that help a user navigate through the features of a computing device. The audio prompts provide audio indicators that allow a user to focus his or her visual attention upon other tasks such as driving an automobile, exercising, or crossing a street. In one embodiment the computing device is a media player (e.g., a portable audio device). In some embodiments, the computing device is a hand-held device that may have a scaled-down computer architecture that facilitates the device's portability.
As a hand-held electronic device, one embodiment of the invention can, for example, include at least: a media database that stores media content; a display device that is capable of displaying a user interface, the user interface presenting at least one menu, the at least one menu having a plurality of menu items; a user input device capable of receiving a user input pertaining to a selection of at least one of the menu items in the at least one menu; a memory that stores audio files, the audio files being associated with the menu items of the at least one menu; and a user interface control module that plays one of the audio files in response to the user input pertaining to a selection of at least one of the menu items in the at least one menu.
As a hand-held electronic device, another embodiment of the invention can, for example, include at least: a media database that stores media content for a plurality of media items; a user input device capable of receiving a user input pertaining to a selection of at least one of the menu items; a memory that stores audio files, the audio files are associated with at least one attribute of the menu items; and a user interface control module that plays one of the audio files in response to the user input pertaining to a selection of at least one of the menu items.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be presented in more detail in the following specification of the invention and the accompanying figures, which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
The invention, together with further advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known operations have not been described in detail so not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
The present invention pertains to an audio user interface that generates audio prompts that help a user interact with a user interface of a computing device. The audio prompts provide audio indicators that allow a user to focus his or her visual attention upon other tasks such as driving an automobile, exercising, or crossing a street, yet still enable the user to interact with the user interface. As examples, the audio prompts provided can audiblize the spoken version of the user interface selection, such as a selected function or a selected (e.g., highlighted) menu item of a display menu. The audio prompts are produced by voice generation techniques, which are also referred to as speech feedback techniques.
The computing device can be various types of devices such as, but not limited to, media players, mobile phones (e.g., cell phones), personal hand-held devices, game players, video players, digital cameras, and digital video cameras. The computing device can be a hand-held device (e.g., a portable music player) or a stationary device (e.g., a personal desk computer).
One aspect of the present invention pertains to techniques for providing an audio user interface on a hand-held computing device by efficiently leveraging the computing resources of a host computer system. The relatively powerful computing resources of the host computer can convert text strings into audio files that are then transferred to the hand-held computing device, which is a smaller computing platform often not well suited for converting text strings into audio files. For example, hand-held computing devices that include voice synthesis engines to provide test-to-speech conversion tend to produce poor quality audio due to their limited computing power and memory capacity. According to this aspect of the invention, the host computer system performs the processing intensive text-to-speech conversion so that the hand-held device only needs to perform the less intensive task of playing the audio file. This approach of utilizing the host computer system in addition to the hand-held computing device allows for increased quality for the text-to-speech conversions and helps reduce not only the computational requirements but also the size and weight of the hand-held computing device.
In one embodiment, an audio user interface according to the present invention is provided by a media management system. A media management system includes a host computer system and a hand-held computing system that facilitate providing an audio user interface on the hand-held computing device. As an example, the host computer system is a personal computer and the hand-held computing system is a media player. In some embodiments, the hand-held computing device provides for multi-modal interaction with the user interface. For example, a user can interact with the user interface through audio and visual prompts.
In one embodiment, the media player is a portable computing device dedicated to processing media such as audio, video or images. For example, the media player 102 can be a music player (e.g., MP3 player), a game player, a video player, a video recorder, a camera, an image viewer, a mobile phone (e.g., cell phones), a personal hand-held device, and the like. These devices are generally battery operated and highly portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures wherever the user travels. In one implementation, the media player is a hand-held device that is sized for placement into a pocket or hand of the user. By being hand-held, the media player is relatively small and easily handled and utilized by its user. By being pocket-sized, the user does not have to directly carry the device and therefore the device can be taken almost anywhere the user travels (e.g., the user is not limited by carrying a large, bulky and often heavy device, as in a portable computer). Furthermore, the device may be operated by the user's hands so that no reference surface such as a desktop is needed.
In alternative embodiments, media player 102 may be computing devices that are not specifically limited to playing media files. For example, media player 102 can also be a mobile telephone or a personal digital assistant. The types of media transferred between personal computer 104 and media player 102 can also take the form of text files and any type of content that can be digitally stored on a computer.
The media player 202 includes a media database 210, an audio file database 218, a user interface control module 220, and communications port 220. Typically, the databases 210 and 218 can be stored to one or different data storage devices (e.g., disk drives). The media database 210 stores media content in media files, and the audio file database 218 stores audio files. The media content can pertain to songs, pictures, and movie files. The audio files stored in the audio file database 218 can be played to guide a user through an audio user interface. In one embodiment, a portion of the audio file database 218 can be stored to a cache memory for fast retrieval of audio files that are commonly used by a user. For example, commonly used audio files can relate to top-level menu items and text strings that relate to commonly played song files. A cache memory can also be used to store media content that is being played or soon to be played. In one embodiment, the audio file database 218 can be integral with the media database 210. The media player 202 also usually has a screen display for displaying information to a user and a processor (e.g., microprocessor) for controlling operation of the media player 202.
A peripheral cable 212 provides a data path (or data link) between the media player 202 and the personal computer 204. The peripheral cable 212 is connected to respective communication ports 220 on each of the personal computer 204 and the media player 202. The peripheral cable 212 provides a peripheral bus that couples the media player 202 to the personal computer 204. The peripheral bus, for example, could be a FIREWIRE bus or a Universal Serial Bus (USB).
The user interface control module 222 manages a user interface that allows a user to interact (e.g., navigate) with the media player 202. The user interface is visually presented on the screen display of the media player 202 and interaction with the user interface can cause audio prompts are played back through earphones or speakers. The user interface can, for example, allow the user of the media player 202 to browse, sort, search, play, etc. the media content resident on the media player 202. The user interface can also allow the user of the media player 202 to download (add) or delete (remove) media items from the media player 202. The media manager 206 also has a user interface that allows a user to browse, sort, search, play, make playlists, burn Compact Discs (CDs), etc. the media content resident on the personal computer 204. The user interface can also allow the user of the personal computer 204 to download (add) or delete (remove) media items from the personal computer 204. In one embodiment, the media manager 206 and its associated user interface are provided by iTunes�, version 4.6, from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. For further description on synchronization processes between personal computer 204 and media player 202, please refer to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/277,418 (APL1P228X1), entitled "Intelligent Interaction Between Media Player and Host Computer" filed on Oct. 21, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The text-to-speech conversion engine 214 is a software module that converts text strings into audio files that can be played to generate a user interface audio prompt that audiblizes (verbalizes) a respective text string. Such text-to-speech (TTS) engines can use various techniques for creating the audio files. For example, some algorithms use a technique of breaking a word down into fragments or syllables for which a certain sound is then designated. Then, a word can be verbalized through combining individual sounds. In the case where the media content pertains to music, these text strings may, for example, correspond to song titles, album names, artist names, contact names, addresses, phone numbers, and playlist names.
The audio file database 216 stores audio files that are generated by the TTS engine 214. In some embodiments, the audio files may be additionally or alternatively stored in media database 208. For example, audio files that are attached to associated media files can be conveniently stored together in media database 208.
The media database 210 has a number of media files and playlist files, which are used to classify, identify and/or describe media files in the media database 210. The media files can be, for example, song files. Each song file may contain media information that describes each song file. The media information might include, for example, the names of songs, the artist, the album, the size of the song, the format of the song, and any other appropriate information. Of course, the type of information may depend on the type of media. A video file might additionally have director and producer fields, but may not use the album field. In typical embodiments of media player 202, media files are non-editable when located within media player 202.
The playlist files contain information about each playlist available in the music database 210. Further, the information for a given playlist can include identifying information for each of the songs within the playlist. Playlists are collections of media files that may or may not be in any particular order. Users may choose to combine media files by genre, mood, artists, audience, or any other meaningful arrangement.
A synchronization operation between the file contents stored on the personal computer 204 and the file contents stored on the media player 202 can be achieved in a sophisticated manner through comparison of file contents stored in the respective media databases 208 and 210, and the respective audio file databases 216 and 218. When comparison of the file contents from the respective databases indicates that there is a particular media item resident on the personal computer 204 that is not resident on the media player 202, then the particular media item can be transmitted (downloaded) to the media player over the peripheral cable 212. On the other hand, when the comparison of the media information from the respective databases 208 and 210 indicates that a particular media item is resident on the media player 202 but is not resident on the personal computer 204, then the particular media item can be either removed (deleted) from the media player 202 or transmitted (e.g., uploaded) over the peripheral cable 212 to the personal computer 204. Hence, by providing the media player 202 with the media database 210, more sophisticated synchronization and management of file contents is enabled.
A synchronization operation between personal computer 204 and media player 202 can also ensure that media player 202 contains an audio file(s) for each text string or media file. The number of audio files to be downloaded onto media player 202 may depend upon user settings for the audio user interface. For example, a user may desire that audio files be associated with all or a subset of all text strings on media player 202.
When comparison of the media information indicates that a certain text string in the media player 202 does not have an associated audio file (by virtue of the content that is added or edited on the media player), that text string can copied to the personal computer 204. Then the text string can be converted to an associated audio file at the personal computer 204. The audio file can then be sent back to the media player 202 for use by the audio user interface. For example, the comparison can ensure that each playlist name or contact name, address, or phone number has an associated audio file. Also, as an example, the comparison can ensure that every song has an audio file associated with the song title, album name, and/or artist name.
Also, when a new media file, for example an MP3 song file, is downloaded into media player 202, the synchronization operation can ensure that both the media file and its associated one or more audio files are downloaded.
As an example, the nested menus 251-256 illustrated in
Specifically, the process 300 begins at block 302 where a media player is connected to a host computer system. As shown in
In block 306, a text-to-speech (TTS) conversion engine at the host computer system converts text strings to audio files. The newly created audio files are stored at the host computer system and are also made ready for downloading onto the media player. The audio files are typically stored in the audio file database 216, but can also be stored in the media database 208, as shown in
Next, in block 308, the audio files that have been created are downloaded into the media player from the host computer system. The audio files are typically stored in the audio file database 218, but can also be stored in the media database 210, as shown in
In block 310, the media player is thereafter optionally disconnected from the host computer system so that the user can then freely use the media player without confinement to the personal computer 204. In block 312, the media player 202 plays the audio files in response to the user's interaction (e.g., navigation) through the audio user interface. The process 300 for providing an audio user interface can be repeated each time the media player is reconnected to the host computer system.
The synchronization processing 400 initially reads 402 the file contents of the media player. The file contents can include media files such as media files (song files), text strings, and/or audio files used to implement the audio user interface. When the media items are song files, the text strings and audio files can correspond to song titles, album names and/or artist names, which pertain to characteristics or attributes of the song files. Next, the file contents are compared 404 with the file contents on a host computer. Such comparison produces comparison information concerning differences between the media player file contents and the host computer file contents. Next, the synchronization processing 400 determines 406 one or more of the file contents to copy between the host computer and the media player based on the comparison information. Thereafter, the determined one or more file contents are copied 408 and the appropriate database(s) are updated. Following the operation 408, the synchronization processing 400 is complete and ends.
According to one embodiment, the comparison of player media files and host media files is performed using media file attributes of the various media items. Media file attributes provide descriptive information regarding the media files. Namely, a media file on the media player can be deemed the same media file as one resident on the host computer if its media file attributes sufficiently match. Examples of media file attributes include title, album, track, artist, composer and genre. These attributes are particular to a particular media file. In addition, other media file attributes can pertain to quality characteristics of the media file. Examples of such media file attributes include bit rate, sample rate, equalization setting, volume adjustment, start/stop and total time. Hence, in one embodiment, if the above-identified media file attributes (e.g., title, album, track, artist and composer) pertaining to a media file on the media player all match those same media file attributes pertaining to a media file on the host computer, then the two media files stored on different devices can be deemed the same even though still further attributes or characteristics may cause these media file to not be exact duplications of one another. For example, if modification dates associated with files respectively storing the media file were different, this difference in modification date would not trigger the copying of such media file from the host computer to the media player when the above-identified media file attributes match. Hence, the intelligence of the synchronization processing of the invention allows the amount of data transfer to be properly managed such that it is relatively low or minimized.
The certain text strings to be converted can be some or all of the text strings on the host or media player. An exemplary partial grouping of certain text strings includes text strings that correspond to a certain depth of nested menus of a user interface for a media player. For example, a user may only desire to hear audio prompts for the first two or three menu levels of the nested menus. Accordingly, it should be understood that the TTS configuration settings can have various settings to correspond to a user's desires.
In decision block 504, the process 500 searches for new text strings requiring TTS conversion. If no new text strings for conversion are found, then the search for new text strings repeats at various time or event intervals until a new text string is found. For example, an event-based interval can be based upon each time a media player is connected to a host computer system.
The host computer system can search for new text strings from different sources. First, the text strings can be loaded onto the host computer system from external media sources, such as compact audio discs, DVD's, Internet websites, and online music stores, or through a local or wide-area network. Typically, these text strings are included within media files or attached to media files. For instance, the text strings for a media file, e.g., MP3 file, can be in an ID3 tag that is commonly provided with the MP3 file.
Secondly, a user can input the text strings directly into the host computer system or into the media player. For example, a user can input text corresponding to a new playlist name or text relating to a new contact. The text relating to a new contact can pertain to information about the contact such as a person's name, address, phone number, email address, and other related contact information. A user may also desire to enter textual descriptions for a media file, for example, a song title, album name, artist name, or a comment.
Thirdly, text strings loaded onto the media player without associated media files can be detected during a synchronization process and thus transferred to the host computer system for text-to-speech conversion. This can occur, for example, when a media player is connected to a host computer system that does not have TTS conversion capability. The text strings that are loaded on the media player can be transferred to a host computer system that does have TTS conversion capability so that audio files can be created.
In some situations, a media file may arrive at the host computer system without any text strings that describe the media file. A host computer can search for the appropriate text strings, for example, on the World Wide Web or through a certain network. After finding and acquiring the appropriate text strings, the TTS engine can then create appropriate audio files that can be loaded onto the media player.
Test strings that require TTS conversion can be entered directly into a media device, for example, when a media device contains its own user input device. For example, some media players or hand-held devices, such as a mobile phone or PDA's, have their own keypad for entering alphanumeric characters. Such text strings can be identified by the host computer system as requiring audio files so that a user interface audio prompt can be incorporated into an audio user interface at the media player or other hand-held device.
In another situation, a TTS engine can create new audio files to replace existing audio files. A user may want to create new audio files that have different characteristics from the older audio files. Some of the characteristics that can be changed are the volume, gender, and/or intonation of the speaking voice.
In block 506, a decision is made as to whether an audio file is to be generated for each of the text strings found in block 504. This decision is based, at least in part, upon the configuration settings retrieved in block 502. If a decision is made to not create an audio file, the process loops back to obtain another text string for conversion in block 504. When an audio file is to be created from a text string, the process 500 proceeds to block 508 where the audio file is actually created.
A text string can be a single word, phrase, or single letters and/or numbers. Various sound synthesizer rules and engines can be used to generate the audio file. A generalized example of a process for converting a word into an audio file can operate as follows. The process for converting the word "browse" begins by breaking the word into fragments that represent diphone units or syllables, such as "b" "r" "ow" "s". Then various techniques generate audio prompts for each component, which can then be combined to form an intelligible word or phrase. The audio file is typically given an extension that corresponds to the type of audio file created. For example, the audio file for "browse" can be identified by a browse.aiff filename, wherein the .aiff extension indicates an audio file.
It is noted that text strings that correspond to standard text strings can have pre-recorded audio files. Such text strings may correspond to common user interface controls, such as "play", "stop", "previous", etc., and to common menu items such as "Music", "Extras", "Backlight." These audio files can be created using a voice talent or speech synthesized from the voice talent's recordings. The other text displayed as part of the media player user interface that is usually user specific, such as contacts and customized playlist names can all be synthesized by building a voice from the voice talent recordings. This provides consistency by having the same voice for all textual data to be presented to the user.
In block 510, the created audio files are stored at the host, at least temporarily, before they are downloaded into a media player. The newly created audio files can be stored in an audio file database, such as the audio file database 216, as individual file items. In some embodiments, newly created audio files that describe a particular media file can be attached to the media file and then stored together in a media database, such as the media database 208. For example, audio files that describe the song title, album name, and artist name can be attached as an audio file onto a media file.
The audio tag 704 includes one or more audio files. As an example, the audio files can be created during the process 500 illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment that utilizes the data structure of the media item 700, the audio files associated with media file 706 can be stored separately from the media item 700. For example, the associated audio files can be stored in an audio file database (e.g., audio file database 216). In this embodiment, the audio tag 704 includes pointers to the associated audio files. In this way, the size of each media item 700 is reduced.
Generally, when a user interacts with a media player to cause an audible response, the user often selects a text string. The media player then locates the audio file corresponding to the selected text string. In one embodiment, the media player locates the audio file corresponding to the text string using a lookup table. The located audio file can then be played at the media player to provide the audible response.
It should be understood that flow diagram 500 illustrates just one implementation of the process for creating audio files. Other implementations of process 500 can perform each of the operation blocks in different sequences. For example, block 502 for retrieving TTS configuration settings can be performed after block 504 or in parallel with block 506.
In block 604, text strings associated with the media item are identified for TTS conversion. For example, each new media item can have one or more associated text strings that describe attributes of the media item. For a song file, such textual descriptions can be a song title, an album name, or an artist name. For a movie, such textual descriptions can be a movie title and names of people featured in the movie.
In block 606, an audio file is created for a text string using TTS conversion techniques. The audio files can be stored using the various techniques as described in
In block 608, a decision is made as to whether additional text strings are to be similarly processed to create other audio files. If additionally audio file are to be created, the process 600 returns back to block 604 where the additional text strings for conversion are identified. For instance, after an audio file is created for a text string that describes a song title, the process 600 can return to blocks 604 and 606 in order to create an audio file for a text string pertaining to an album name.
When all the audio files have been created for corresponding text strings, the process 600 proceeds to block 610 wherein the newly created audio files are stored at least temporarily before being downloaded to a media player.
In some embodiments, control selections are accompanied by an audio prompt that confirms the selection to the user. For example, "play" can be audiblized to the user to provide feedback that the play/pause button 266 was actually depressed. These embodiments may involve a repeated user action to make a user interface control selection. For example, a user would make multiple "clicks" of a user interface control to make the selection. A first "click" would cause the hand-held device to audiblize the selected user interface control. For example, "play" would be audiblized when a user presses the play button. This first audio prompt provides audio guidance as to which button has been depressed, which is helpful to a user when not directing visual attention upon the hand-held device. A subsequent "click" would then cause the hand-held device to perform the action corresponding to the user interface control. Continuing with the example, a media file will then be played. On the other hand, the audio prompt may have informed the user that an unintended selection is about to be made. Therefore, the user can attempt to select a different user interface control. For example, the user may then attempt to press a "next" button 262, rather than proceeding to press the play button 266 for a second time.
At decision block 904, a user interface control module determines if an audio file is available for the control selection made by the user. If no audio file is available, the process 900 loops back to block 902 where a user makes the next control selection. If an audio file exists, then in block 906, the user interface control module retrieves the audio file associated with the control selection. The audio file to be retrieved can correspond to a user interface control, information descriptive of a media file, or a menu item. A menu item includes text strings that can appear on the display screen of a media player. The audio file can be retrieved from different types of memory. For instance, commonly used and retrieved audio files can be retrieved from a cache memory. The audio files that are descriptive of a media item may be stored in a media database or an audio file database.
At block 908, the process 900 determines an audio interface mode selected by the user. Various different audio interface modes can be utilized. In some modes, a user may desire to hear an audio prompt for every action and menu item selected by the user. In another mode, a user may deactivate audio prompts for the control selections (e.g., the "play" button) and only hear audio prompts for the highlighted menu items. In another mode, audio prompts are generated for only top-level menu items.
At block 910, the audio prompts are played according to the selected audio interface mode. When a media player is not playing an audio file, only audio files corresponding to the user interface are played and made audible to the user. However, when a media file is being played back, the audio interface mode can be set to mix the media file and audio file playback in different manners. According to one setting, the volume for playing back a media file is reduced when an audio prompt is to be played. For example, the volume for playing back a song or a movie clip is lowered during the playback of the audio prompt. According to another setting, playback of a media file is paused during the playback of an audio prompt and then restarted after the audio prompt has been played. If the process 900 detects that a user is making multiple user control selections in a certain time frame, the playback of the media file can be paused for a short period of time so that the playback of the media file need not be paused and restarted multiple times. This can avoid a repeated interruption of a song's playback. For instance, playback of a media file can be paused for five seconds if a user makes at least three user control selections within 5 seconds. The time periods and number of user control selections may vary depending upon a user's preference. Some audio interface modes can designate that the audio prompts be played through a left, right, or both speakers or earphone channels.
Although the computing device of the present invention has mainly been described as a media player, it should be understood that various types of computing devices can be advantageously used with the present invention. For example, many hand-held devices that have limited processing power for handling a robust text-to-speech conversion engine can advantageously use the present invention. Specifically, the present invention allows hand-held devices to maintain their scaled-down computer architecture while improving their voice generation capabilities. Audio prompts can be generated at a host computer system and loaded onto any of these hand-held devices to provide an audio user interface. The audio prompts will vary in type to describe the various user control selections for each type of hand-held device, the various types of data files, the descriptive text strings for each type of data file, and the various menu items that relate to each type of functionality provided.
A computing device, such as a hand-held device, typically will have less computing power than the host computer system. However, in alternative embodiments, computing device can have the same or more computing power than the host computer system.
The personal computer 204 of
The media player 1100 also includes a user input device 1108 that allows a user of the media player 1100 to interact with the media player 1100. For example, the user input device 1108 can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, etc. Still further, the media player 1100 includes a display 1110 (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor 1102 to display information to the user. A data bus 1111 can facilitate data transfer between at least the file system 1104, the cache 1106, the processor 1102, and the CODEC 1112.
In one embodiment, the media player 1100 serves to store a plurality of media items (e.g., songs) in the file system 1104. When a user desires to have the media player play a particular media item, a list of available media items is displayed on the display 1110. Then, using the user input device 1108, a user can select one of the available media items. The processor 1102, upon receiving a selection of a particular media item, supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 1112. The CODEC 1112 then produces analog output signals for a speaker 1114. The speaker 1114 can be a speaker internal to the media player 1100 or external to the media player 1100. For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the media player 1100 would be considered an external speaker.
The media player 1100 also includes a bus interface 1116 that couples to a data link 1118. The data link 1118 allows the media player 1100 to couple to a host computer.
The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the invention can be used separately or in any combination.
The invention is preferably implemented by software, but can also be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data, which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alteration, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
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U.S. Classification | 715/727, 715/716, 715/729, 715/865, 715/864 |
International Classification | G06F3/16 |
Cooperative Classification | G06F3/167, G06F9/4443, G11B27/10, G11B27/34 |
European Classification | G06F3/16, G06F9/44W, G11B27/34, G11B27/10 |
Date | Code | Event | Description |
Nov 22, 2011 | CC | Certificate of correction | |
Jan 22, 2014 | FPAY | Fee payment | Year of fee payment: 4 |


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Makeup Ideas that are Perfect for Any Occasion
Look at our collection of new makeup ideas that you can try this season. Every season has its rules of applying makeup, and winter is not an exception. Due to the wind, low humidity, and cold weather, your skin may become dry, red, and even itchy. And the state of your skin predetermines your makeup choices. So, when picking makeup products and the type of makeup, your task is not to irritate your skin even more.
Click NEXT to see the most amazing makeup looks for winter, and have a happy pinning!

subset: commoncrawl


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Category Archives: Junk Food
Portobello Sliders
Want another slider recipe? Yeah, I know, I know. I'm posting two sliders back to back, but it's Labor DayView full post »
Black Bean Sliders
I had been dying to try another black bean burger recipe….and why not convert them into adorable, pint-size, andView full post »
Buffalo "Chicken"-Vegetarian Style.
One of the things I love the most about having a food blog is the sense of fearlessness it often brings me when it comesView full post »
Pretzel Rolls with Beer Cheese Sauce (Milwaukee Style)
It's about time I posted something, right? I know, I know. I'm still settling in-and by settling in, I amView full post »
Cheesecake Ice Cream
Cheesecake. Ice cream. Cheesecake ice cream. Yes, it can be done. This is the kind of thing that you only want toView full post »
Kitchen Sink Brownies
TGIF. And…even better. It's a Friday before a 3-day weekend. I figured I should post these monstrositiesView full post »
Sriracha Ranch Popcorn
Aww, yeah. It's no secret that I love popcorn. And it's no secret that I love Sriracha…and RanchView full post »
Strawberry Crème Frâiche Ice Cream
It's beginning to look a lot like summer around here. Sunny days that stay lighter for much longer in theView full post »
Guinness and Cheddar Dip
The all-consuming visual crack-like addiction known as Pinterest has claimed me. I can't get enough of theView full post »
Layered Taco Dip
The Super Bowl is coming up, and we all need good football-watching food ideas. Wait. Who am I kidding? I donView full post »
Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars
I'm sitting here writing this post….just wishing that I still had some of these little bars still. View full post »
Cherry Hazelnut Fudge
All right, enough savory stuff. Who's in the mood for some chocolate? I am, that's for sure. IView full post »
Mini Mac and Cheese Pies and a Virtual Baby Shower
I'm relatively new to the blogging world. New to who's who in the blogging world, the traditions, theView full post »
Baked Doughnuts
Oh, yes. I am totally going there. So, if I haven't talked about it enough already, I am taking aView full post »
Easter Peanut Butter Buttons
Would you like a no-bake, kid-friendly, and super simple treat to snack on? Here they are. Aren't theseView full post »


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The farther out a telescope peers into space the farther back in time are the events it sees. Light traveling from the outermost reaches of the universe would take 14 billion years to get here.
Last week a team of Dutch and American astronomers announced a new distance record: they had detected and analyzed light from a galaxy lying some 13 billion light years away -- light that began its voyage when the universe was only about 7 percent of its present age.
The measurements by scientists from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and the University of California at Santa Cruz required the heaviest observational artillery in astronomy's arsenal: the Keck telescope in Hawaii, the world's largest, and the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope. And even those behemoths would have missed the faint galaxy but for a fortuitous boost by nature: the presence of a gravitational lens created by a cluster of galaxies along the line of sight.
The newly discovered galaxy proved to be the most distant (and ancient) object ever observed, but this was less important than the hints it offers of how galaxies were born and evolved.
Although the galaxy is only a quarter the size of the Milky Way, it is 10 times as bright, studded with dazzling clumps of new stars. It emits a monster blast of gas and is illuminated by supernova explosions going off like a string of firecrackers. Astronomers believe we may be seeing a galaxy similar to our own Milky Way when it was a squalling infant.
Continue reading the main story


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Top News:
Venezuela tells CNN journalists to 'get out' — Sorting fact from fiction in Venezuela — (CNN) — Venezuela has revoked or denied press credentials for CNN journalists in the country, following the president's announcement he would expel CNN if it did not "rectify" its coverage of anti-government protests.
@tv6tnt and Business Insider
Natalie Kitroeff / The Lede:
Venezuela Battles Media, Social and Otherwise, to Restrict Protest Coverage
Venezuela Battles Media, Social and Otherwise, to Restrict Protest Coverage
New York Times, The Verge and Feministing
Frank Bajak / Associated Press:
Activists say Venezuela is blocking walkie-talkie app Zello and websites Pastebin and NTN24
Activists say Venezuela is blocking walkie-talkie app Zello and websites Pastebin and NTN24
@wexler and @nancypelosi
Hadas Gold / Politico:
Venezuela revokes CNN press credentials
Venezuela revokes CNN press credentials
Poynter, Columbia Journalism Review, @maitwiter, @nickkristof, Caracas Chronicles, @cnnee, @hadas_gold, @mmbilal, Mediaite and BBC
Jon Brodkin / Ars Technica:
Netflix packets being dropped every day because Verizon wants more money — Verizon wants to be paid by consumers and Cogent, but Cogent refuses to pay. — The battle over who should pay to carry Netflix traffic is heating up again, and one of the main players blames Verizon's greed …
@caseyliss and CNNMoney.com
Gautham Nagesh / Wall Street Journal:
Comcast Sees Time Warner Cable Deal Boosting Broadband Competition — Executive Says Deal Wouldn't Harm Home Users or Content Companies — A Comcast executive said Friday the company's planned $45 billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable would create new competition in the commercial market …
Stacey Higginbotham / Gigaom:
Direct connection between Comcast and Netflix networks suggests peering agreement reached
Direct connection between Comcast and Netflix networks suggests peering agreement reached
Eric Lipton / New York Times:
Comcast's Web of Lobbying and Philanthropy
Comcast's Web of Lobbying and Philanthropy
@nickjrusso, @nickconfessore, @amychozick, @tackettdc and @brianstelter
Jim Romenesko:
Report: Baltimore City Paper staffers will lose their jobs, but could be rehired by the Sun — Fern Shen reports Baltimore City Paper staffers met Thursday afternoon with their new boss at the Sun and were told that everyone loses their jobs, but could be rehired.
Baltimore Brew, bizjournals, @camilledodero, @maura, @carr2n and The Huffington Post
Tom Scocca / Gawker:
Baltimore Is One Step Closer to Being a Zero-Newspaper Town — It's not even possible to get mad at the Baltimore Sun now. The Baltimore Sun is a nursing home where newspapering goes to die, or to sink into terminal urine-soaked frailty and confusion. Yesterday it announced it had received …
@objectguerilla, @johnmcquaid, @tomscocca, @crash_landers, @jackshafer, @max_read, Digital Media Wire and Baltimore Sun
Margaret Sullivan / The Public Editor's Journal:
Is There Any Escape From 'Recommended for You'? — Based on what The New York Times thinks I'm interested in reading, I am not a fun person. — "Recommended for You," which tracks readers' habits and predicts their interests, finds me especially interested in the troubles of Gov. Chris Christie …
@dangillmor, @mathewi, @justinbrookman, @sulliview and JIMROMENESKO.COM
Paul Farhi / Washington Post:
Proposed FCC study of news organizations sparks outcry — A proposed government study of how media organizations gather news has incited a powerful backlash, particularly among conservatives, who said that it could be part of an official effort to intimidate or second-guess journalists.
Associated Press:
White House bars media from Dalai Lama meeting — WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House defended its decision Friday to bar reporters and photojournalists from a meeting between President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama, while acknowledging the news media's legitimate interest in covering the two leaders' encounter.
Poynter, Politico, NPPA, @fieldproducer, The Huffington Post and White House News …
Charlie Savage / New York Times:
Attorney General Signs New Rules to Limit Access to Journalists' Records — WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who drew fire last spring over the Justice Department's aggressive tactics for secretly obtaining reporters' phone logs and emails as part of leak investigations …
@drudge and Associated Press
Leo Mirani / Quartz:
Turns out Twitter is even more politically polarized than you thought — This is what Twitter looks like when two groups with different political views talk about the same thing: — As part of a new study on Twitter's network structures, the Pew Research Center and the Social Media Research …
@gregdklein, SocialTimes and AppNewser
Robert D. McFadden / New York Times:
Garrick Utley, Former NBC Anchor and Foreign Correspondent, Dies at 74 — Garrick Utley, a former anchor for NBC News who for many years was one of a rare breed in television news reporting, a full-time foreign correspondent, died on Thursday night at his home in Manhattan. He was 74.
Robert Feder, Capital New York, Gawker, CNN, @danielalpert, @glennthrush and @louiseslaughter
Emma Bazilian / Adweek:
Southern Living Puts its Name on Branded Communities — Diehard fans of Time Inc.'s Southern Living can live in a Southern Living-branded house filled with Southern Living-branded décor, thanks to the brand's formidable stable of brand extensions. There are home goods (furniture …
Roku Said to Be Weighing Initial Public Offering in U.S. in 2014 — Roku Inc., the maker of set-top boxes that connect TVs to the Internet, is weighing an initial public offering in the U.S. this year, according to people with knowledge of the matter. — A decision to move ahead hasn't been made …
VentureBeat, Gigaom and @zseward
Jeff Bercovici / Forbes:
Dish's Charlie Ergen: I'm Nervous About Comcast-TWC, Surprised Our Business Hasn't Been Worse — Optimism is supposedly one of the qualities people look for in politicians and business leaders. Apparently no one told Charlie Ergen, who seemed less concerned with soothing investors …
Peter Kafka / Re/code:
Sources say Amazon readying a Web TV box competing with Apple TV and Roku, for March rollout — Amazon Gets Its TV Box Ready, Again — Amazon is gearing up to take on Apple and Roku, again. — Industry sources say Amazon is getting ready to launch a Web TV box that would compete …
Polygon, Pulse 2.0, ReadWrite, Mashable, VentureBeat, 9to5Mac, VatorNews, Forbes, AppleInsider, WebProNews, Softpedia News, GeekWire, MacRumors, BGR, CNET, TechCrunch, The Verge, App Advice, Business Insider and VG247
Janko Roettgers / Gigaom:
TV antenna maker Mohu targets cord cutters with new Channels device — Mohu, best known for its Mohu Leaf TV antenna, is introducing a new device that combines over-the-air TV with online video services. The company will launch a Kickstarter campaign for its new Mohu Channels product early next week …
James Ball / Guardian:
Why are all the House of Cards journalists so bad at journalism? — Zoe and the gang can't report, lack ethics and have the common sense of a hacker's guinea pig. Somebody should fire them … Journalists have a guilty pleasure. In fact, we have several.
@wesleylowery and @jaredbkeller
David Bauder / Associated Press:
Jimmy Kimmel's Sochi wolf video hoax attracts criticism from media executives, others — KIMMEL'S WOLF HOAX: ABC NEWS KNEW AHEAD OF TIME — ABC News received advance warning of Jimmy Kimmel's prank about a wolf supposedly prowling the athletes' village in Sochi but didn't steer …
Mediaite, Re/code and @seangentille
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Charter CEO Rutledge: After Losing Time Warner Cable, We're Still Interested in Acquiring Subscribers — Charter Communications may have been blindsided by Comcast's $45 billion bid last week for Time Warner Cable — topping Charter's hostile takeover offer — but president and CEO Tom Rutledge …
USA Today, MediaPost, Reuters, Bloomberg, Business Insider, Hollywood Reporter and multichannel.com/rss


text:
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Friday, June 22, 2012
Character Study: Gilgamesh (Fate/Zero, Fate S/N and Etc.)
In fandom, the two most frequents interpretations of Gilgamesh's character run thusly:
1) Gilgamesh is an arrogant douchebag.
2) Gilgamesh is an arrogant douchebag with a hidden heart full of warm and fuzzy feelings.
I find both of these interpretations problematic, honestly, though aspects of both of them might, to a certain degree, prove true. Ultimately I think Gilgamesh is a more complex and nuanced character than either of these interpretations would allow. I hope to address that here (and please be forewarned I'll generally focus my thoughts on Fate/Zero since that's the currently-running series, though I'll reference other works periodically).
Let's tackle Gilgamesh's arrogance first, because it's integral to who he is. Yes, Gilgamesh is arrogant. Undoubtedly. But I think it's important to realize that in Gilgamesh's view, he isn't being arrogant; from his perspective he's simply stating facts. He's not saying the world is his garden and he owns everything in it to make people angry - he's saying it because he believes it's true. He views challengers as usurpers because he believes he is, by right, the absolute king of all things. Moreover, though he's not invincible, he's hardly a pushover in battle. Gilgamesh has the treasury and the abilities to back up a lot of his statements; what other people perceive as arrogance I think you can also interpret as complete self-assurance and pride.
Admittedly, there are those who find even self-assurance and pride unappealing, but in the Fate universe those traits count. A lot. During the mad feast of kings and the discussions between Rider and Gilgamesh, it becomes evident that these ancient kings perceive pride as a prerequisite to kingship, an integral part of the title. To have no pride (or arrogance, if you want to call it that) is to make yourself common, unworthy of leadership. Both Rider and Gilgamesh implicitly acknowledge that kingship demands a larger-than-life figure, a godlike persona that can rule fearlessly, that (for Rider) inspires others to dream. The duty of a king is not just to lead his people, but to inspire them and push them to greater things, and that idea abjures to a degree the "king-as-a-common-man" motif.
As for Gilgamesh's warm-and-fuzzy feelings, or the lack thereof... Certainly Gilgamesh is capable of feeling. I think people often misinterpret him as being incapable of any emotion but disdain, which is inaccurate. He's bemused by Kirei, he demonstrates respect for Rider and Waver, he shows an interest in Saber, and acknowledging these things is good. However, I think the depth of Gilgamesh's feeling runs the risk of being both simultaneously over- and underestimated, so it's important to talk about what Gilgamesh feels, and why, and where it all comes from.
In the Fate/Zero universe in particular, Gilgamesh's two most significant relationships (setting aside Enkidu for a moment - I'll get there) are with Kirei and with Saber. For most of the Fate/Zero series he's the serpent twined around Kirei's neck, seducing him into darkness, and later he becomes Kirei's partner in crime; his interest in Saber leads him to focus on her in particular beyond many of the other servants and masters. His interest in both characters stems from a sort of curiosity: Gilgamesh wants to see what Kirei will do with that black, empty heart of his once he discovers desire, and in Fate/Zero particularly he wants to see how Saber will bear or collapse beneath the weight of her idealistic aspirations. In both cases, I think it's fair to say that Gil holds a fondness for both characters, and in particular takes a delight in Kirei whom he has essentially nurtured into darkness. However, his curiosity about Saber and Kirei stems not just from warm-and-lovey feelings for them, but rather from the primary source of all Gilgamesh's feeling: his relationship with Enkidu.
As a being of partially-divine origin, Gilgamesh stands alone and above most mere men. It's Enkidu who aspires to stand alongside him, Enkidu whose dreams are bigger than his reach. In Enkidu Gilgamesh finds a true companion - the only companion he will acknowledge or whose company he desires - and Enkidu still inhabits Gilgamesh's memories, his thoughts and feelings, even his Noble Phantasm. I believe that Gilgamesh's interest in and curiosity about Kirei and Saber - the fact that he's drawn to those who attempt to move beyond themselves, even when that reach seems futile or dangerous - stems from his first and most precious friendship. What Gilgamesh seems to admire most in others, or to respond to at least, is aspiration, the willingness of a person to reach beyond themselves even at great cost. (Think about this in regards to his relationship with Tokiomi, whom he obviously disdains, precisely for his lack of such traits). Though Gilgamesh believes that Saber's lofty ideals will crush her and presumes that Kirei's might render Kirei a fuller man, in both cases he responds to what defined his relationship with Enkidu. And he makes no bones about the fact that it's Enkidu he holds in highest regard, whatever he might feel about others. So does Gilgamesh have a heart? Yes. Absolutely, and for Enkidu in particular. But he won't allow that heart to become his weakness, and he won't let any relationship replace the one he holds in highest esteem.
Certainly, Gilgamesh can be infuriating. He's dismissive and whimsical, sometimes cruel, and has a tendency to disregard everything he perceives as beneath his interest. Yet in sharp contrast to other characters, he seems well-suited to deny the corrupt Grail precisely because he believes himself beyond such petty desires; his belief in his absolute sovereignty over all things inoculates him against corruption. And in the morally ambiguous world of Fate/Zero, it's not impossible for him to be so complex or for his characterization to make such demands on the viewer. A creature of contradictions, he seems well-suited to the role of antagonist in the series (alongside Kirei) - and yet it's impossible to wholly dismiss him as such.
18 comments:
Once again you are spot on with you understanding of Gilgamesh. I can't wait till you do Rider. The Three Kings as I call them ended up being my favorite characters in the whole series.
ReplyDelete- AnonymousJune 24, 2012 at 9:52 PM
I'm really glad I stumbled upon this on tumblr and then came here to read it all because it really opened up my eyes. I never really paid that much attention to Gil being more than just a pretty character and an overall douchebag, but now I have things to think about so I can reevaluate my impression of him.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousApril 16, 2013 at 6:35 PM
Gilgamesh is a would-be rapist. You find this out in the visual novel
ReplyDelete I have begun my grand lurking within your blog, and I must say you are wonderfully awesome! I don't see that many comprehensive and well-written reviews/character studies such as yours! I don't always comment because I am horribly lazy that way, but you are certainly worth the effort and all my cyber-praise! :D I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS <3
Anyway, before my attention span wanes, I'll say all the stuff I want to say so far here:
1. YES I LOVE GIL. AND HIS AWESOME NUDITY AT EPISODE 25 IS THE BEST FAN SERVICE EVER. --> yes, that deserved the all caps mode
2. Your characterization of Gil is the best I've read. I certainly love him to bits. In terms of the F/Z philosophy, I initially loved Rider's more, but I gradually came to love Gil the more I understood him. AND SHIT JUST SHIT, when he said that Enkidu is the only friend he will ever have, his humanity just blew me away with that line alone; extreme arrogance all forgotten. XD
3. F/Z aside, I also absolutely agree with you that Another is one horror anime that was done very well. I wouldn't call it my ultimate favorite or anything, but it was definitely worth finishing (and I seriously mean that because even though I watch a series' episodes thoroughly before deciding whether or not to abandon it, I do abandon anime that I seriously realize I will not be able to put up with.). I sometimes think about whether or not there will be a second season, with Kouichi and Mei making appearances or even having central roles once more in breaking the curse.
I feel like we are entirely on the same wavelength. No seriously. I. MEAN. IT. LEDO </3
5. I LOVED FRAU. I LOVED YOUR CHARACTER STUDY ABOUT HIM. I LOVE YOUR POSTS. Kthnxbye.
6. I haven't read all of your posts about Shingeki no Kyojin (I don't know know how many there are. I've only seen the one about ep 4), but if we're of the same mindset, I'm sure you will like it even more as it progresses. Though I absolutely love Suisei, Shingeki has a more special appeal to me. I've read all 44 chapters of the manga so far, and I gotta say, I amazed myself by breezing through 200+ pages of just one chapter because IT WAS THAT GOOD. Shingeki's best moments are definitely when they're fighting against the Titans, because that's when each of the character's personalities really stand out. I think the greatest philosophical theme in Shingeki is when everyone is continuously debating whether or not their fighting is really changing anything, and it's amazing how that debate never gets old throughout the series when it happens so often.
Hahaa, okay that's it for now. Thank you for distracting me from work. I sincerely mean that. XDRepliesLurk away, new friend! :D
Gil is something special, isn't he? Along with just being a riot to watch. For my money he was one of the most entertaining characters in the entire anime, and I'm glad other people agree he's more complex than his arrogance lets him seem initially. Gil forever!
Another was so much fun! I thought they might be setting up for a second season too, given that particular ending (and the fact that the curse itself isn't actually dead) but we'll see how it goes. Kouichi talking on the phone in the middle of a *burning mansion* is still one of the most hilarious things I've seen in anime.
I'm relieved Shingeki gets even better! It's been good and I like it, but I've been ambivalent about Eren as a character and I think that's going to change for the better as time goes by (even though I have all of the love for Mikasa, holy cow). I've read bits of the manga, and it seems like an intense ride. This spring season is a good one!
Drop by any time to distract yourself! :D
- AnonymousJune 10, 2014 at 9:48 PM
I love this article. It is the best one I've found yet so far about Gilgamesh. It clearly explains Gilgamesh's character to where people can understand. It certainly helped clear up some of the confusion I had lol. I now have a better idea of who his character is, and I grasp it more than I would have. Thanks for writing it! It helped me out a lot. Did you write one on Saber? Her character kind of confuses me as well. Really what I don't apprehend is why she wants to change her past. I know she believes that she didn't rule correctly, but why? What got in her way of being a good king? Why did Britain fail? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteRepliesThanks so much!
I haven't written one on Saber, but I will take it into consideration for the future. Long story short, she wasn't able to protect the country as she wished and lost a lot of people she cared about. I have the impression that part of what got in her way is her idea of what a "good king" is - someone noble and honorable in the way that Gilgamesh and Rider might not always be.
- AnonymousJune 12, 2014 at 9:52 PM
Loved this analysis. Will you also write about his character in fate/Stay Night?
ReplyDelete - AnonymousJuly 31, 2016 at 8:19 AM
Gilgamesh. People can say whatever they like about him, but he's always going to be one of the greatest characters in the Fate series.


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"Attention is psychic energy, and like physical energy, unless we allocate some part of it to the task at hand, no work gets done." ~ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Whether you are self-employed, employed or unemployed, you will often find you need to focus your complete attention on the task at hand to do it well. By focusing your complete attention, you are able to accomplish more, much better and faster. However, given the distractions and challenges prevalent in our fast-paced world today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to focus our full attention on the things that matter most in our lives.
As writers and web content publishers, for example, the challenge of earning a living from our writing or publishing is growing. More web writers and bloggers today are producing content hurriedly in a bid to get their voices heard above everybody else's voice online screaming: "Read me! Read me!" "Buy me! Buy me!" "Follow me! Follow me!"
Anxiety, stress, depression and other emotional problems are taking a toll on people, even as cases of rejection increase and become common place among writers. What are we to do to with all these issues? One thing is clear, mindfulness is today more important than ever before.
The essence of mindfulness is paying attention and staying aware of the world around you. It is about focusing your attention on your immediate surroundings, responsibilities and experiences and responding to them with an objective, compassionate and non-judgmental attitude. Different from meditation techniques where you mainly focus inwards to understand and find the center of yourself, mindfulness has you focusing outwards to understand the world around you and your place in it.
To be mindful, you need to pay full attention and not let anything slide by. You need to focus with all of your senses and draw from the stillness, the peace, the consciousness inside you that is independent of all the pains and joys of external realities. You need to know life is a journey full of ups and downs—there are rainy days and there are sunny days. Mindfulness helps you respond to all of life's experiences with calmness, acceptance and hope, even when those experiences are difficult and painful.
Maria Konnikova in her New York Times bestselling book Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes argues that, not unlike willpower and habit loops, attention is analogous to a muscle that can get strained, but can also be bolstered with training and purposeful repeat use.
Holmes himself says: "I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose." He cautions tread carefully and mind how you use your brain. In other words, be aware and selective about your attention. Here are some tips to help you optimize your attention and practice mindfulness as a writer.
Whether it is a dedicated home office, a corner of the library or a shade in the park, find a quiet, comfortably and distraction-free place to write. Dis-attach from your thoughts and logical worries and concentrate on the task at hand. This sharpens focus and helps you produce your best work.
There is power in routines. When you set and take time (usually up to three weeks) to establish a consistent work pattern or routine, the force of habit kicks in and your brain begins to automatically get into work mode in your designated work hours. Find out what time of day you are at the height of your brain power and creativity (for morning people it's usually before noon), and set that time for writing. If you're a night owl, set evenings for writing. Establishing a consistent work routine helps you get "into the groove," beat procrastination and focus your attention better.
Many home workers take pride in being able to work in their pajamas and robe all day, but wearing a business shirt or skirt beforehand is a powerful way to psychologically prepare your mind for work. Dress as you would for a real job (perhaps a casual one) before you sit at your desk to work. This puts you in the right mindset and sends a warning to anyone who might think of interrupting you during work hours that you are serious about your work. It also boosts concentration and shows professionalism.
The brain can only give full attention for so long. If you force yourself to work for twelve hours straight, you will strain and fatigue your brain. Consequently, you will lose attention and make mistakes you otherwise would have easily avoided. Understand your optimum attention span. If your optimal attention span for writing is half an hour, take a five minutes break after each 30 minutes writing period. Shower, walk or do anything else other than writing during your break. When you get back to your desk, your mind will be refreshed and you will be ready for another intensive writing spell.
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Apart from helping you expand your vocabulary and teaching you more about the world we live in, reading widely and often strengthens brain connections and improves your concentration capabilities. When you are reading, you sit silently and still so you can focus on the story. Do this regularly and you develop the ability to sit silently and quietly for long periods to do what needs to be done. Besides, it's fun and enjoyable to read and learn new things from books!
Complements, awards and praise are nice—everybody enjoys them. It feels nice to hear someone tell you they like your writing and you are really talented. However, a desperate need for praise beats the purpose of writing. It shifts attention from the writing itself to the need for approval. You lose sight of your duty to educate, inform and entertain and start living for people's acceptance. Quit chasing praise and accolades and focus on doing your job the best way possible. The praise will come on its own. Lecrae warns if you live for people's acceptance, you will die from their rejection.
What you eat affects your mind. For example, high levels of sugar and fat can make it difficult for your mind to process information and leave you sluggish and easily distracted. When you mind is sluggish and easily distracted, it becomes near impossible to focus and do anything productive. Eat right to keep healthy and improve your attention. Low fat versions of your normal meals, sugar free snacks and fresh fruits are highly recommended. Avoid fat and sugar intake whenever possible, even if you're not diabetic.
Many of us love our cup of coffee and there is nothing wrong with that. Coffee is good, but water is better. Drinking water keeps you hydrated and your brain needs that hydration to work optimally. According to a 2012 study published in The Journal of Nutrition, mild dehydration (so subtle that you don't really feel it) can lead to inattention. Keep a bottle of water at your desk to sip as you work. If the thought of plain water doesn't appeal to you, try some of the low calories, low sugar flavored waters on the market. Low sugar juices are also okay for keeping yourself hydrated.
Sometimes we easily lose attention and awareness because we don't use our minds enough. A way to ensure you keep your mind sharp and engaged is to do puzzles in your free time. Instead of spending the whole afternoon in front of your television set, spend that time working puzzles. Puzzles are fun, relaxing and enhance your ability to solve problems and think critically "outside of the box." Common puzzles you can use are the word searches, crosswords and sudoku found in newspapers and magazines.
Writers love to work in solitude away from the distractions of others, but it is good for your mental and physical well-being to go out with people from time to time. Human beings are social creatures and too much isolation can drive you mad. Go out occasionally for a movie, party or other social activity with friends and/or family. Talk to people during your breaks when you are working in the coffee shop. Just think of ways to interact with others and find out what's going on in their lives. This will broaden your world view and ensure life in this big, beautiful world doesn't pass you by.
One of the worst things you can do to yourself is not recognize and appreciate all the good things you have going on in your own life. Comparing yourself to others and being jealous of their successes only creates bitterness and resentment, which serves to distract and derail you from your core goals. Stop comparing and complaining and start paying attention to all the incredible things in your life. As Oprah Winfrey says, "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
Remember: A calm and grateful mind is a fertile and mindful mind. Keep calm and write on!
See also: Three Ways to Keep Yourself Accountable
Photo Credit: Getty
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by Hugh MacLeod
Ever wonder what it really takes to make a living as a creative person in today's complicated world?
MacLeod presents some witty keys for creative success, including "ignore everybody. Why should you "ignore everybody"?
Because, he writes, nobody else can tell you whether your idea is worthwhile. People can give you advice, but at the end of the day, it's your decision. The more original an idea, the less helpful the advice is going to be.
Have something to say about this article? Share it with us in the comments section below.


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Collection of Brooches by Ekaterina Smolina
Ekaterina Smolina Reveals The Birdies Collection of Brooches
Ekaterina Smolina, the project leader of the highlighted design Award Winning Birdies Collection of brooches illustrates, "Birdies" - inspires on the impossible. For somebody impossible — it is one and a half months at the other end of the world. In the new world, in the new country, in Asia. Completely plunging into this world of smells, brightness and paints, to be filled with inspiration. If little birds were able to do so, everyone can..
Collection of Brooches by Ekaterina Smolina Images:
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Spatial Analysis
- LAST MODIFIED: 31 August 2015
- DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199756384-0058
- LAST MODIFIED: 31 August 2015
- DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199756384-0058
Recent years have seen a rapid growth in interest in the addition of a spatial perspective, especially in the social and health sciences, and in part this growth has been driven by the ready availability of georeferenced or geospatial data, and the tools to analyze them: geographic information systems (GIS), spatial analysis, and spatial statistics. Indeed, research on race/ethnic segregation and other forms of social stratification as well as research on human health and behavior problems, such as obesity, mental health, risk-taking behaviors, and crime, depend on the collection and analysis of individual- and contextual-level (geographic area) data across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Given all of these considerations, researchers are continuously developing new ways to harness and analyze geo-referenced data. Indeed, a prerequisite for spatial analysis is the availability of information on locations (i.e., places) and the attributes of those locations (e.g., poverty rates, educational attainment, religious participation, or disease prevalence). Spatial analysis is a general term to describe an array of statistical techniques that utilize locational information to better understand the pattern of observed attribute values and the processes that generated the observed pattern. The best-known early example of spatial analysis is John Snow's 1854 cholera map of London, but the origins of spatial analysis can be traced back to France during the 1820s and 1830s and the period of morale statistique, specifically the work of Guerry, D'Angeville, Duplin, and Quetelet. The foundation for current spatial statistical analysis practice is built on methodological development in both statistics and ecology during the 1950s and quantitative geography during the 1960s and 1970s and it is a field that has been greatly enhanced by improvements in computer and information technologies relevant to the collection, and visualization and analysis of geographic or geospatial data. Today four main methodological approaches to spatial analysis can be identified in the literature: exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), spatial statistics, spatial econometrics, and geostatistics. The diversity of spatial-analytical methods available to researchers is wide and growing; a function of the different types of analytical units and data types used in formal spatial analysis—specifically, point data (e.g., crime events, disease cases), line data (e.g., networks, routes), spatial continuous or field data (e.g., accessibility surfaces), and area or lattice data (e.g., unemployment and mortality rates). Applications of geospatial data and/or spatial analysis are increasingly found in sociological research, especially in studies of spatial inequality, residential segregation, demography, education, religion, neighborhoods and health, and in criminology.
General Overviews
Many problems faced by society and by social scientists require analysis of complex patterns of interrelated social, behavioral, economic, and environmental phenomena. In addressing these problems, it has been argued that both spatial thinking and spatial analytical perspectives play an important role. The role of spatial thinking and analysis is clearly articulated in Goodchild, et al. 2000, a comprehensive review of the emerging interest in space and place in recent social science literatures. Indeed, the authors don't just provide a review; they develop a vision for a spatially integrated social science, whereby the spatial perspective becomes an incubator for interdisciplinary research. Examples of how spatial analysis informs interdisciplinary research can be found in the Goodchild and Janelle 2004 "best practices" book. This edited collection includes state-of-the-art research on a diverse set of substantive topics, including crime incidence in urban environments, migration, population and environment research, and the diffusion of fertility decline in third world settings. Two recent overview articles by Logan (Logan, et al. 2010, Logan 2012) both provide concise introductions to the challenges and opportunities of spatial analysis in sociology and especially in the areas of community health, population and environment, residential segregation, land use, fertility, and migration research. Logan argues for substantive questions to be linked to more clear spatial thinking and choice of analytical method. The rediscovery of spatial thinking and spatial perspectives within sociology has been promoted in an excellent article, Gieryn 2000, while Lobao, et al. 2007 focuses explicitly on the need to incorporate spatial perspectives in sociological research, broadening the study of (spatial) inequality. Porter and Howell 2012 provides an important account of the historical roots of spatial thinking in sociology as well as introduces the application of spatial regression models and hierarchical or multilevel models. In the field of sociology, several substantive areas have embraced spatial thinking and analytical methods; see Spatial Inequality, Residential Segregation, Demography, and Crime.
Gieryn, Thomas F. 2000. A space for place in sociology. Annual Review of Sociology 26:463–495.
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.soc.26.1.463E-mail Citation »
This often-cited article argues that sociologists "have a stake in place no matter what they analyze, or how." Gieryn provides exemplars of place-sensitive sociology in studies of inequality, power, politics, social movements, community, deviance, crime, identity, memory, and history.
Goodchild, M., L. Anselin, R. Appelbaum, and B. Harthorn. 2000. Towards spatially integrated social science. International Regional Science Review 23:139–159.
This paper synthesizes the vision behind the Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science at UC Santa Barbara, an effort to advance and disseminate geographic tools and concepts—spatial analysis, geographic information systems, geolibraries—as integrating themes that cut across the traditional disciplinary boundaries of the social and behavioral sciences.
Goodchild, Michael F., and Donald G. Janelle, eds. 2004. Spatially integrated social science. Spatial Information Systems. New York: Oxford Univ. Press.
This is an outstanding collection of applications of spatial analysis and spatial thinking in the social sciences colloquially referred to as the "Best Practices" book. Chapters are grouped on the basis of four levels of analysis: individual/household, neighborhood, region, and multiscale. Contributors are leading scholars with sociologists, criminologists, and demographers well represented.
Lobao, Linda M., Gregory Hooks, and Ann R. Tickamyer, eds. 2007. The sociology of spatial inequality. Albany: State Univ. of New York Press.
Based on an ASA/NSF workshop, this book reasserts spatial thinking/analysis in inequality research. The book is organized around conceptual and methodological issues, studies of spatial inequality, and future directions in spatial sociology. Sociologists are encouraged to pay attention to the scale of geographic levels at which social processes occur.
Logan, John R. 2012. Making a place for space: Spatial thinking in social science. Annual Review of Sociology 38:507–524.
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-soc-071811-145531E-mail Citation »
This is a clear articulation of basic concepts, measures, and methods of spatial thinking and spatial analysis. Throughout Logan argues for more emphasis on spatial thinking and that theoretical and substantive concerns ought to guide the use of spatial analytic methods (e.g., greater attention to what a spatial effect represents).
Logan, John R., Weiwei Zhang, and Hongwei Xu. 2010. Applying spatial thinking in social science research. GeoJournal 75.1: 15–27.
DOI: 10.1007/s10708-010-9343-0E-mail Citation »
The theme of this paper is that the appropriate use of spatial tools requires careful thinking about spatial concepts. Key concepts are reviewed and methodological innovations are discussed with exemplars taken from applications of spatial models in community health, population and environment, residential segregation, land use, fertility, and migration research.
Porter, Jeremy R., and Frank M. Howell. 2012. Geographical sociology: Theoretical foundations and methodological applications in the sociology of location. New York: Springer.
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-3849-2E-mail Citation »
Geo-sociology is presented as a synergy between ecologically centered macro theory and the application of spatially centered research methods in the examination of sociological questions. Strengths of this book include chapters on the historical roots of spatial thinking in sociology. The book closes with chapters on hierarchical linear modeling and spatial regression.
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