Computer control system and user interface for media playing devices

A method of enabling a user to select a song, which is stored in a music data base, that will be played on a player piano that is controlled by a computer, wherein the method comprising the steps of:

• a) simultaneously displaying, on a display device, both a songs data field that displays a list of song titles found in the music data base, and a music categories data field that displays a list of music category items of the song titles found in the music data base;
• and
• b) selecting, by the user, a single music category item from the music category data field;
• c) redisplaying the songs data field, and not the music category data field which still displays the list of music category items as previously displayed, to display only song titles that are related to the selected music category item, in response to performing step b);
• d) selecting, by the user, a song that is displayed in the songs data field after performing step c);
• and
• e) playing the selected song title on the player piano.

A system for playing media information on a media playing means, the system comprising:

• a) the media playing means for playing the media information for a user where the playing means is capable of playing musical sound;
• and
• b) control means, coupled to the media playing means, for allowing the user to select media information and to automatically control the media playing means in playing the selected media information, the control means having:
• b1) data storage means for storing the media information, the media information including:
• 1) a first category of media information and a respective first data field containing a first list of items found in the data storage means that are related to the first category, and
• 2) a second category of media information and a respective second data field containing a second list of items found in the data storage means that are related to the second category;
• b2) display means for simultaneously visually displaying the first and second category of media information to the user;
• and
• b3) user interface means, displayed on the display means, for displaying the first and second list of items so the user may
• i) select at least one item from the first list of items and in response redisplaying the second list of items with items that are related only to the at least one item selected in the first list, and simultaneously maintaining all items originally displayed in the first list;
• and
• ii) play the selected item from the first list on the media playing means, which is a capable of playing music.