Central control for sequential-playback objects

A method for using a computer for centralized control of a plurality of stored voice-mail messages, the computer including a memory having a plurality of memory storage locations, a video display and a pointer device for selecting indicators which are displayed on the display, the method comprising:

• displaying, on said video display, a list of identifiers of stored voice-mail messages;
• selecting a first voice-mail message using said pointer device;
• displaying, on said video display, a first toolbar image, having a plurality of tool indicators, including a playback indicator, a stop indicator, a record indicator, a rewind indicator and a fast-forward indicator;
• selecting one of said tool indicators of said toolbar image, using said pointer device, to perform a playback, stop, record, rewind or fast-forward on said first voice-mail message;
• deselecting said first voice-mail message and automatically storing, at a first memory location in said memory, an indication of a position, based on a current position within said first voice-mail message;
• selecting a second voice-mail message using said pointer device, without displaying, in response, a second toolbar image;
• selecting one of said tool indicators of said first toolbar image, using said pointer device, to perform an operation selected from the group consisting of a playback, record, rewind and fast-forward on said second voice-mail message;
• and
• terminating said operation on said second voice-mail message and automatically storing, at a second memory location in said memory, an indication of a position, based on a current position, within said second voice-mail message.

Apparatus for centralized control of a plurality of sequential-playback objects, comprising:

• a computer, having a memory with a plurality of memory storage locations, a video display device and a pointing device;
• said computer controlling said video display to display a plurality of object identifiers which identify stored digital objects, including at least first and second object identifiers which identify first and second sequential-playback objects;
• said computer controlling said video display to highlight said first object identifier, following selecting said first object identifier, using said user-controllable selection device;
• said computer controlling said video display to display a plurality of control identifiers, including at least a playback control identifier;
• a playback device, coupled to said computer for performing sequential playback of said first sequential-playback object in response to selecting of said playback control identifier, using said pointer device;
• said computer automatically storing, at a first memory location in said memory, an indication of a position, based on a current position within said first sequential-playback object in response to deselection of said first object identifier;
• said computer controlling said video display to highlight said second object identifier in response to selecting said second object identifier using said pointing device;
• said playback device performing sequential playback of said second sequential-playback object in response to selecting of said playback control identifier, using said pointing device;
• and
• said computer automatically storing, at a second memory location in said memory, an indication of a position, based on a current position within said second sequential-playback object, in response to termination of said sequential playback of said second sequential-playback object.

Apparatus for using a computer for centralized control of a plurality of sequential-playback objects, the computer including a memory having a plurality of memory locations, a display device and a user-controllable selection device, comprising:

• means for displaying, on said display device, a plurality of object identifiers which identify stored digital objects, including at least first and second object identifiers which identify first and second sequential-playback objects;
• means for selecting said first object identifier, using said user-controllable selection device;
• means for displaying a plurality of control identifiers, including at least a playback control identifier;
• means for selecting said playback control identifier;
• means for initiating sequential playback of said first sequential-playback object in response to said selecting of said playback control identifier;
• means for automatically storing, at a first memory storage location in said memory an indication of a position based on a current position within said first sequential-playback object in response to deselection of said first object identifier;
• means for selecting said playback control identifier;
• means for initiating sequential playback of said second sequential-playback object in response to said selecting of said playback control identifier;
• and
• means for automatically storing, at a second memory location in said memory, an indication of a position based on a current position within said second sequential-playback object in response to termination of said sequential playback of said second sequential-playback object.