Dynamic Closed Caption Modification for Video Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional closed captioning systems obscure desired content when activated, limiting viewers' ability to see both captions and video simultaneously, and do not allow for easy modification of caption location, size, or opacity, leading to viewer frustration.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that enable viewers to modify the location, size, opacity, and duration of closed captions, allowing for simultaneous viewing of captions and video content, including the ability to rewind and reposition captions to avoid missed information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If closed captioning is activated to provide additional information for hard of hearing viewers, then accessibility is improved, but the desired video content becomes obscured

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidvideo content visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The closed caption box is made dynamically repositionable and resizable by the viewer. The system allows real-time modification of caption location, size, and opacity based on viewer preference, transforming the static caption display into a dynamic element that can adapt to different viewing scenarios and prevent obscuration of important video content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows different parts of the screen to have different qualities by enabling viewers to position captions in specific locations where they least interfere with important video content. The caption box can be locally adjusted in size and opacity to maintain readability while minimizing obstruction of desired content in specific screen regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If closed caption location and size are fixed to ensure readability, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different viewing preferences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaption readabilityVSAvoidviewing preference flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The caption display system transitions from fixed parameters to dynamic adjustable parameters. Viewers can modify location, size, and opacity in real-time, allowing the system to maintain ease of operation through default settings while providing adaptability when viewers need to customize their viewing experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The caption system is designed to serve multiple functions and viewer preferences through a unified interface. The same caption box can be positioned and sized differently to accommodate various viewing scenarios, making the system universally applicable to different viewer needs without requiring multiple separate systems.

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

3Ease of operation

If closed caption opacity is increased to improve readability, then ease of operation is improved, but the obscuration of desired content increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaption readabilityVSAvoidunderlying content visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows viewers to adjust the opacity parameter of the closed caption box to find the optimal balance between readability and content visibility. By making this parameter changeable, viewers can increase opacity when readability is the priority and decrease it when viewing underlying content is more important, resolving the contradiction through user-controlled parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3549347B1System and method for caption modification
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC
  • EP3549347B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3549347B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3549347B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A device is provided for use with a viewing device that operable to display a video. The device includes: an image receiver to receive image data; a closed caption receiver to receive closed caption data; an image decoder to decode the image data into image display data; a closed caption decoder to decode the closed caption data into closed caption display data; a packaging component to generate a first content package based on the image display data and the closed caption display data; an output port to output the first content package to the viewing device to display a first video image over a first period of time; an instruction receiver to receive a closed caption modification instruction and to output an image modification signal based on the closed caption modification instruction; and a closed caption modifying component to generate modified closed caption display data.