Audio-Only Content Delivery for Social Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Social messaging platforms face challenges in delivering video content effectively due to device and network conditions, leading to inefficient data usage and user dissatisfaction when video data cannot be played on user devices.

Innovation Solution

A system that dynamically determines device and network conditions to request only audio data for video content, allowing users to experience video content partially through audio, even when video data cannot be played, by using an audio-only module within the client software to manage content delivery based on bandwidth and device state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If video data is requested and played on user devices, then user engagement and content experience are improved, but data usage increases and network bandwidth is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoiddata usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments video content into separate audio and video data streams, allowing the system to selectively request and play only the audio component when video cannot be displayed. This segmentation enables optimized data usage by transmitting only necessary content based on device and network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by requesting only the audio portion of video content rather than the complete video stream when device or network conditions prevent video playback. This partial request maintains user engagement through audio content while significantly reducing data usage and network bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If video data is transmitted and played, then content quality and user experience are improved, but network bandwidth and data quota consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments video content into independent audio and video streams, enabling selective transmission of audio only when video cannot be played. This reduces network bandwidth consumption while maintaining content delivery efficiency through optimized data selection based on real-time device and network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic content selection where the system adapts its request behavior based on real-time device and network conditions. The audio-only module dynamically determines whether to request audio or video content, optimizing network bandwidth usage while ensuring continuous content delivery under varying network constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If the system always requests video data, then complete content information is provided, but data usage increases when network conditions are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent information completenessVSAvoiddata usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments video content into separate audio and video components, allowing the system to request only audio data when network conditions are poor. This maintains essential content information through audio while reducing overall data usage compared to requesting complete video streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the data request parameter dynamically based on network conditions. The audio-only module adjusts the type of content requested (audio vs. video) according to real-time network quality assessment, optimizing the balance between information completeness and data usage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If video content is displayed on user devices, then user engagement is maximized, but device resources and processing power are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoiddevice processing power
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments video content into audio and video streams, enabling the system to play audio only when video playback would consume excessive device resources. This maintains user engagement through audio content while reducing processing power requirements compared to video playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by providing only audio content rather than complete video content when device resources are constrained. This maintains sufficient user engagement through audio while significantly reducing the processing power and energy consumption required for content playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11297380B2Audio only content
Publication Date: 2022.04.05 X CORP
  • US11297380B2 patent drawing
  • US11297380B2 patent drawing
  • US11297380B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for requesting audio only data for video content. One of the methods includes receiving, from a host server on a network, a plurality of content items, wherein a content item of the plurality of content items references video content. If device conditions, network conditions, or both, indicate that video data of the video content referenced by the content item should not be played on the user device, the user device requests only the audio data of the video content referenced by the content item and plays only the audio data on the user device.