Browser Interpretable Document for Unified Media Player Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face frustration when trying to access and play media files across different media players due to proprietary encoding and incompatible interfaces, leading to the need for a standardized interface to control multiple media players.

Innovation Solution

A browser interpretable document that defines a graphical user interface and associates it with a playlist, using markup languages like HTML and XML, to control multiple media players by determining the appropriate player based on media type and providing a unified interface for playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proprietary media types are used, then digital rights management capabilities are improved, but compatibility across different media players deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedigital rights managementVSAvoidcompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a playlist file as an intermediary component that bridges proprietary media types and various media players. The playlist file contains metadata and control information that enables different media players to understand and play protected content without exposing the underlying proprietary encoding details, thus maintaining both DRM protection and player compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The playlist file serves multiple functions: it acts as a container for media file references, a control mechanism for playback operations, and a compatibility layer between proprietary formats and diverse players. This multi-functional design allows a single solution to address both DRM requirements and cross-player compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple proprietary media players are used to support different media types, then media type compatibility is improved, but user interface complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia type compatibilityVSAvoiduser interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple proprietary media players into a single unified interface through the playlist file. Instead of requiring users to switch between different players for different media types, the playlist file consolidates control, allowing one unified interface to manage multiple media types and players transparently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If users switch between different media players to access various media files, then media type access is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia type accessVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-organizing media files and player capabilities into a structured playlist file before playback. This advance organization includes mapping media types to appropriate players and pre-configuring playback parameters, so users don't need to manually switch players during playback - everything is prepared in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8756505B2Browser interpretable document for controlling a plurality of media players and systems and methods related thereto

Publication Date: 2014.06.17 R2 SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A browser interpretable document comprising a first media file or a pointer to the first media file; a graphical user interface definition, or a pointer to the graphical user interface definition, the graphical user interface definition comprising a first user interface element and a function associated with the first user interface element; and, a set of commands, or a pointer to the set of commands, for controlling the operation of a plurality of media players; wherein, when the browser interpretable document is rendered by a conventional web browser, the web browser can render a graphical user interface based on the graphical user interface definition, and wherein the rendered graphical user interface controls one of the plurality of media players to facilitate playing of the first media file.