Chapter Menu with Attribute Diagrams for Video Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video reproduction devices lack sufficient information for users to navigate video content efficiently, particularly for resuming playback from a specific time or accessing a specific scene without re-watching from the beginning, as users often rely on fast-forward searching which is an unpleasant experience.

Innovation Solution

A reproduction device and method that generate and display attribute-based chapter menus, including a graphic timeline and attribute diagrams, such as violence levels and actor participation, allowing users to select chapters based on additional information, enhancing navigation and user comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a traditional chapter menu with only thumbnails is used, then the device complexity is low, but the information sufficiency for user navigation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation sufficiencyVSAvoidmenu complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chapter menu is segmented into multiple information layers: basic thumbnail view, detailed attribute information (violence level, actor presence, location, time), and interactive timeline. This segmentation allows users to access detailed information only when needed, maintaining a simple default view while providing comprehensive information on demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a temporal dimension to the chapter menu by introducing a timeline that visually represents the chronological structure of the video content. This timeline dimension allows users to navigate based on time references and understand the sequence of chapters, transforming the traditional static 2D thumbnail grid into a multi-dimensional navigation interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If users navigate using fast-forward mode to find specific scenes, then the device complexity remains low, but the navigation time and user experience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation timeVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of video content to extract and store attributes such as violence level, actors present, locations, and time references for each chapter. This preliminary processing enables users to quickly locate desired scenes through the enhanced chapter menu without manual fast-forwarding, significantly reducing navigation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The chapter menu provides immediate visual feedback about chapter content through thumbnails, attribute indicators, and timeline positioning. When users hover over or select a chapter, the system provides feedback about what content is available, allowing users to make informed decisions quickly without trial-and-error fast-forwarding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If detailed attribute information is added to chapter menus, then the user comfort and navigation efficiency improve, but the ease of operation may deteriorate due to information overload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the chapter menu provide different types of information tailored to user needs: thumbnails provide visual content previews, attribute indicators (violence level, actors) provide content warnings and identification, and the timeline provides temporal context. This local differentiation of information quality allows users to quickly scan for relevant details without being overwhelmed by all information simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The chapter menu is designed as a dynamic interface that adapts to user interactions. Information is revealed progressively based on user actions such as hovering, clicking, or selecting different view modes. The timeline can be expanded or collapsed, and attribute details can be shown or hidden, allowing the interface complexity to adjust dynamically to user needs rather than presenting all information statically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2538412B1Reproduction device and method for operating the same
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 THOMSON LICENSING SA
  • EP2538412B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2538412B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2538412B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The reproduction device is for displaying video information comprising a plurality of chapters. The reproduction device comprises a control unit which is configured to initiate a display of a chapter menu having selectable menu items. Further, the control unit is configured to initiate a reproduction of a chapter of the video information upon selection of the dedicated menu item. The reproduction device is configured to generate attributes of the chapters which are indicative to a respective one of the chapters and to generate a display diagram of the attributes. This diagram may be displayed in the chapter menu.