User-Definable Audio Indicators for Multimedia Channel Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia systems, such as televisions and set-top boxes, lack effective audible indicators for channel selection, failing to provide context to users who are not in direct visual range of the display, particularly for caregivers monitoring child viewing content.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that allows users to customize and associate specific audio indicators with channel selections, using a user interface to configure audio outputs based on channel characteristics, enabling audible descriptions or warnings for selected channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual indicators such as station logos or displayed channel numbers are used to identify channels, then users within direct visual range can identify the selected channel, but users not within direct visual range (such as caregivers monitoring children) cannot verify the channel selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual indication system with an acoustic indication system. Instead of relying on visual displays that require direct line of sight, the system generates audible tones or sounds that can be heard by users regardless of their visual range, allowing caregivers to monitor channel selections without being in direct visual contact with the display
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion process that transforms visual channel information into audible signals. A mediator component converts the selected channel's visual identifier into a corresponding sound or tone, enabling indirect monitoring through audio output devices such as speakers or headphones
2Ease of operation
If a preset tone is used for channel switching, then users receive audio feedback for channel changes, but the tone provides no context or description of the selected channel characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each channel's audio indicator unique and specific to that channel's characteristics. Instead of using a single preset tone for all channels, the system generates or assigns distinct audible indicators that reflect individual channel properties such as content type, rating, or category, allowing users to identify not just that a channel changed but what type of content is being selected
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the concept of visual differentiation to the acoustic domain by creating distinct 'audio signatures' for different channels. Each channel has a unique sound characteristic (analogous to color in visual systems) that encodes information about the channel's content or category, enabling users to distinguish between different types of programming through audio alone
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving user input indicating a selection of a first multimedia channel from a set of multimedia channels for display. The method further includes determining a first user-selected audio indicator associated with the first multimedia channel. The method additionally includes providing the first audio indicator for audible output in response to receiving the user input indicating the selection of the first multimedia channel. Another method includes providing a user interface to facilitate an association of one or more audio indicators with one or more corresponding channel selection actions.