Content Package Dual Representation for Media Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack a mechanism for providing a file container that can be readily modified and rendered by a user, requiring re-authoring or reformatting of files after download, and do not offer efficient storage and playback of audio and video content.

Innovation Solution

A content package system that includes both physical and logical representation data, allowing for storage, download, and playback of media files, enabling direct access and playback without extraction, and supporting multiple formats, resolutions, and encryption schemes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If existing file container systems (zip, tar, cab) are used to group multiple files, then files can be stored and transmitted efficiently, but the obtained files require re-authoring or reformatting before storage or playback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of file packagingVSAvoidease of playback
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dual representation system where physical representation data serves as an intermediary layer between the raw file container and the user's playback needs. This intermediary layer automatically translates and adapts the packaged files into formats suitable for direct playback, eliminating the need for manual re-authoring while preserving the efficient packaging benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the representation parameters of the packaged files by maintaining both physical representation data (original format) and logical representation data (playback-friendly format). This parameter transformation allows the same packaged content to serve both efficient storage and direct playback requirements without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If files are packaged in generic containers, then storage and transmission efficiency is improved, but user modification and rendering capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoiduser modification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal file container system that serves multiple functions simultaneously: efficient storage, direct playback, and user modification. The dual representation system allows the same packaged content to be read by different systems (players, editors, viewers) without requiring format conversion, making the container universally adaptable to various user needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a dimensional layer by introducing logical representation data alongside physical representation data. This additional dimension enables the system to provide both the efficiency of packaged storage and the flexibility of user modification, as the logical layer can be selectively accessed or modified independently of the physical container structure

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

3Ease of operation

If media files are accessed through extraction, then direct access to individual files is enabled, but system complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile access convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing and pre-organizing the packaged files into both physical and logical representations during the packaging stage. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for complex extraction and reformatting operations during playback, as the logical representation is already prepared and ready for direct access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2340479B1Content package for electronic distribution
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2340479B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2340479B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2340479B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Defining a content package having media files and table of contents (TOC) data. The content package includes physical representation data and logical representation data for the media files (e.g., stored in the TOC data). Computing devices store, download, and play back the media files based on the data in the content package. Presentations (e.g., collections of files) within the content package are available for extraction based on a configuration of a media player. The media files are provided for presentation to a user of the computing device, or for storage by the computing device.