Content-Aware Operation Panel Switching for Multimedia Players

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital content reproduction apparatuses require numerous remote keys and large operation panels due to the need to handle both linear and interactive contents, leading to user learning difficulties and inefficient use of space.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus automatically switches between user operation interfaces based on digital content attributes, displaying only usable keys in a reduced panel area, thereby shortening user learning time and improving usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all operation keys are displayed on the panel, then complete functionality is provided, but the panel rendering area becomes large and the interface becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete functionalityVSAvoidpanel rendering area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and displays only the operation keys that are currently usable based on the digital content being reproduced. The control panel dynamically determines which keys are relevant to the current content type (e.g., video playback keys for linear content, navigation keys for interactive content) and displays only those, rather than showing all possible keys simultaneously. This reduces the panel rendering area while maintaining complete functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control panel is made dynamic by automatically changing its displayed keys based on the type of digital content being reproduced. The system monitors the content type and adjusts the operation interface in real-time, switching between different sets of keys as needed. This dynamic adaptation allows the panel to provide complete functionality for each content type while keeping the displayed area small by showing only relevant keys at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If all operation keys are displayed on the panel, then complete functionality is provided, but the device complexity increases and user learning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete functionalityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and displays only the operation keys that are currently usable based on the digital content being reproduced. The control panel dynamically determines which keys are relevant to the current content type (e.g., video playback keys for linear content, navigation keys for interactive content) and displays only those, rather than showing all possible keys simultaneously. This reduces the panel rendering area while maintaining complete functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control panel is made dynamic by automatically changing its displayed keys based on the type of digital content being reproduced. The system monitors the content type and adjusts the operation interface in real-time, switching between different sets of keys as needed. This dynamic adaptation allows the panel to provide complete functionality for each content type while keeping the displayed area small by showing only relevant keys at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a large panel rendering area is used to display all keys, then all functions are accessible, but the image display area becomes smaller

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction accessibilityVSAvoidimage display area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and displays only the operation keys that are currently usable based on the digital content being reproduced. The control panel dynamically determines which keys are relevant to the current content type (e.g., video playback keys for linear content, navigation keys for interactive content) and displays only those, rather than showing all possible keys simultaneously. This reduces the panel rendering area while maintaining complete functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control panel is made dynamic by automatically changing its displayed keys based on the type of digital content being reproduced. The system monitors the content type and adjusts the operation interface in real-time, switching between different sets of keys as needed. This dynamic adaptation allows the panel to provide complete functionality for each content type while keeping the displayed area small by showing only relevant keys at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12634547B2Multimedia player displaying operation panel depending on contents

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 MAXELL LTD

AI summary

A digital content operating apparatus, including: a communication unit which communicates with an external device which has a display for displaying the digital content; a user operation interface which receives a user operation to control the digital content which is displayed on the external device; a display which displays either a linear content operation panel or an interactive content operation panel; and a controller which controls the user operation interface corresponding to information on the digital content which is displayed on the external device; wherein either the linear content operation panel or the interactive content operation panel is displayed alternatively as the user operation interface on the display.