Representative Scene Images
Representative scene images are described. In embodiment(s), an episodes user interface can be generated to include scene images that each represent and visually distinguish a different episode in a television program series. The episodes user interface can then be communicated to a media device to be rendered for display where the scene images are viewer-selectable via the episodes user interface. A scene image can be selected to initiate a request for an episode in the television program series to be rendered for viewing at the media device.
1 . A method, comprising:
generating an episodes user interface of scene images that each represent a different episode in a television program series, each of the scene images visually distinguishing an episode in the television program series; and
communicating the episodes user interface to a media device to be rendered for display, the scene images being viewer-selectable via the episodes user interface to initiate a request for an episode in the television program series to be rendered for viewing at the media device.
2 . A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising receiving a viewer-selectable request via the media device for the episodes user interface of the scene images.
3 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a scene image includes a visual context that is identifiable to represent what the episode in the television program series is about.
4 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a scene image includes a textual description of the episode in the television program series.
5 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a scene image includes a progress indicator that indicates how much of the episode in the television program series has been rendered for viewing at the media device.
6 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a scene image of the episode in the television program series is replaced with a suspended image that represents where a rendering of the episode is paused or stopped.
7 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the episodes user interface is generated to include the scene images that each visually indicate a viewing status of the different episodes in the television program series at the media device.
8 . A content distributor, comprising:
an imaging system configured to generate scene images that each represent and visually distinguish a different episode in a television program series;
a scene images service configured to:
generate an episodes user interface of one or more of the scene images for the episodes in the television program series; and
initiate communication of the episode user interface to a media device to be rendered for display, the scene images being viewer-selectable via the episodes user interface to initiate a request for an episode in the television program series to be rendered for viewing at the media device.
9 . A content distributor as recited in claim 8 , wherein the scene images service is further configured to receive a viewer-selectable request via the media device for the episodes user interface of the one or more scene images.
10 . A content distributor as recited in claim 8 , wherein a scene image includes a visual context that is identifiable to represent what the episode in the television program series is about.
11 . A content distributor as recited in claim 8 , wherein a scene image includes a textual description of the episode in the television program series.
12 . A content distributor as recited in claim 8 , wherein a scene image includes a progress indicator that indicates how much of the episode in the television program series has been rendered for viewing at the media device.
13 . A content distributor as recited in claim 8 , wherein a scene image of the episode in the television program series is replaced with a suspended image that represents where a rendering of the episode is paused or stopped at the media device.
14 . A content distributor as recited in claim 8 , wherein the scene images service is further configured to generate the episodes user interface to include the scene images that each visually indicate a viewing status of the different episodes in the television program series at the media device.
15 . A media device, comprising:
a display utility configured to receive and display an episodes user interface of scene images that each represent a different episode in a television program series, each of the scene images visually distinguishing an episode in the television program series; and
a content rendering system configured to receive a selected television program episode as media content via a media content input, and initiate rendering the selected television program episode for viewing.
16 . A media device as recited in claim 15 , wherein a scene image includes a visual context that is identifiable to represent what the episode in the television program series is about.
17 . A media device as recited in claim 15 , wherein a scene image includes a textual description of the episode in the television program series.
18 . A media device as recited in claim 15 , wherein a scene image includes a progress indicator that indicates how much of the episode in the television program series has been rendered for viewing.
19 . A media device as recited in claim 15 , wherein a scene image of the episode in the television program series is replaced with a suspended image that represents where a rendering of the episode is paused or stopped.
20 . A media device as recited in claim 15 , wherein the display utility is further configured to display the episodes user interface to include the scene images that each visually indicate a viewing status of the different episodes in the television program series.