Modeless Video Interface Using Hierarchical Planes

The patent introduces a hierarchical plane system with multiple depth levels (primary plane, secondary plane, tertiary plane) instead of flat 2D positioning. Media player instances can be placed on different planes, allowing the system to vertically layer interfaces without horizontal obstruction. When a media player is on a higher plane, it naturally obscures lower planes, but the system can switch planes to reveal obscured content, effectively adding a depth dimension to resolve the obscuration problem.

The patent implements dynamic plane switching based on user interaction and context. The interface automatically transitions between different planes (e.g., switching from primary to secondary plane) when content needs to be revealed or when user focus changes. This dynamic repositioning allows the same media player instance to be visible or obscured depending on the current plane state, providing adaptability without permanent loss of information.

The patent maintains continuous operation of media player instances across mode transitions by preserving them as persistent objects in the system. Instead of closing and reopening media players when switching between browse and playback modes, the system keeps the media player instance active in the background on appropriate planes. This allows seamless transitions where the media player continues playing without interruption, and the browse interface can be accessed by simply changing the active plane rather than closing applications.

The patent creates a universal interface framework that handles both browsing and media playback within the same application context. The plane-based system serves multiple functions: it can display browse content on lower planes, media players on higher planes, and automatically manage transitions between them. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate full-screen modes while maintaining distinct functional areas, as the same interface infrastructure supports both browsing and playback simultaneously on different planes.