Content Management Device Metadata Embedding for Seamless Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing content management systems, it is difficult to detect the storage location of original content and accurately continue playing the same content when switching between devices with different resolutions, as transcoded content and original content are managed separately, leading to issues with identifying the original content location and elapsed playing time.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that transmit content with additional information including original content location and elapsed playing time information, allowing seamless device switching by inserting this information into metadata, enabling detection of the original content provider and storage location, and resuming playback from the correct point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If transcoded content is managed separately from original content, then content can be adapted to different device resolutions, but the storage location of original content cannot be easily detected and elapsed playing time cannot be tracked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent adaptation to different device resolutionsVSAvoidoriginal content location information and elapsed playing time information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds additional information (original content location and elapsed playing time) directly within the transcoded content file structure. This nesting approach allows the transcoded content to carry embedded references to the original content and playback state information, enabling seamless device switching without losing critical metadata.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces additional information as an intermediary layer between the transcoded content and the original content. This intermediary contains identification information that links the transcoded version to its source, enabling the system to trace back to the original content location and maintain playback continuity across different devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional information is added to transcoded content, then original content location and playback time can be tracked, but content file size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent location detection and playback continuityVSAvoidcontent file size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential additional information (original content location and elapsed playing time) needed for seamless playback continuity, rather than embedding complete redundant copies of the original content. This selective extraction minimizes the size increase while maintaining the necessary functionality for device switching and playback resumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate management of transcoded and original content is maintained, then device-specific optimization is achieved, but device switching causes playback interruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice-specific content optimizationVSAvoidseamless device switching and playback continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the transcoded content universally compatible across different devices by embedding universal identification information that works regardless of the playing device. The additional information structure is designed to be device-agnostic, allowing any device that encounters the transcoded content to locate the original and resume playback without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7941500B2Method and device for managing content, storage medium, and adaptive content playing method using the same

Publication Date: 2011.05.10 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A content management method includes transmitting content from a content provider device to a client device over a predetermined network; and adding additional information comprising original content location information of the content transmitted to the client device and elapsed playing time information of the content. A content management device includes a communication module which transmits content to, receives content from, or transmits content to and receives content from a device connected over a predetermined network; an additional information edit processing unit which generates additional information comprising original content location information of the content transmitted by the communication module and elapsed playing time information of the content, and inserts the additional information into the transmitted content; and a storage unit which stores the content into which the additional information has been inserted.