Synchronized Playback Control Interface for eBooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many devices capable of displaying eBooks and other digital content lack a simple and intuitive interface for controlling the synchronized playback of visual and audio content, making it difficult for users to manage the synchronized experience.
Innovation Solution
A computing device with a control interface that allows users to manage synchronized playback through the movement of a cursor or pointer, using content synchronization information to adjust the speed of audio and visual content based on a lead interval, enabling seamless synchronization and playback state transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices provide synchronized playback capability for visual and audio content, then the coherence of content consumption is improved, but the complexity of the control interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically maintains synchronization between visual and audio content without requiring manual control. The cursor movement automatically adjusts playback speed and position, allowing the content to self-synchronize based on user interaction patterns rather than requiring complex manual coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control mechanisms with automated software-based synchronization. Instead of requiring users to manually coordinate audio and visual playback, the system uses computational algorithms to automatically adjust playback speed and position based on cursor movement, substituting mechanical user coordination with digital automation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users can navigate through content at different speeds, then user flexibility is improved, but maintaining synchronization between visual and audio content becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts playback speed and synchronization parameters in real-time based on cursor movement speed and position. As users navigate at different speeds, the system automatically modifies audio playback rate and visual content positioning to maintain synchronization, rather than using fixed playback parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors cursor position and movement speed, using this feedback to automatically adjust audio playback speed and visual content synchronization. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that synchronization is maintained regardless of how fast or slow users navigate through the content.
3Device complexity
If a traditional control interface is used for synchronized playback, then device simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation for synchronized content control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cursor control mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it indicates content position, controls playback speed, and maintains synchronization between audio and visual content. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate controls for each function, making the interface both simple and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single cursor movement action. Instead of requiring separate controls for playback speed, content positioning, and synchronization, the system combines all these functions into one intuitive cursor-based interface that handles everything through natural movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device may provide a control interface that enables the user to manage the synchronized output of companion content (e.g., textual content and corresponding audio content generated by a text-to-speech component). For example, the computing device may display a visual cue to identify a current location in textual content corresponding to a current output position of companion audio content. As the audio content is presented, the visual cue may be advanced to maintain synchronization between the output position within the audio content and a corresponding position in the textual content. The user may control the synchronized output by dragging her finger across the textual content displayed on the touch screen. Accordingly, the control interface may provide a highlight or other visual indication of the distance between the advancing position in the textual content and the location of a pointer to the textual content indicated by the current position of the user's finger.