Entity-Based Media Navigation for Coherent Custom Presentations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional media systems require users to consume content in a linear, predetermined order, limiting the value of watching episodes out of sequence, as it results in disorganized plotlines and unrelated vignettes, failing to provide meaningful and enjoyable experiences without prior knowledge of desired content subsets.
Innovation Solution
A media guidance application that allows users to create and navigate customized media presentations based on characters, actors, locations, or other parameters, dynamically generated using data from social media, online forums, and databases, enabling users to view media content in a cohesive and engaging manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users watch episodes in a linear, predetermined order, then the plotlines remain organized and coherent, but users cannot freely select subsets of content they would like to consume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments media content by entities (characters, actors, locations, plotlines) to create multiple navigable dimensions. Users can select subsets of content based on specific entities while the system maintains coherence by organizing selected segments into a structured custom presentation that preserves narrative flow and relationships between elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new navigation dimension beyond linear episode sequencing by introducing entity-based organization. This creates a multi-dimensional content access structure where users can navigate through content organized by characters, actors, locations, or plotlines, allowing flexible subset selection while maintaining coherence through the entity-centric organizational framework.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users watch episodes out of order, then users can select arbitrary subsets of content, but the result is a disorganized jumble of plotlines and unrelated vignettes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary custom presentation layer between the user's content selection and the actual media playback. This intermediary structure automatically organizes selected content segments by entity relationships, resolving the disorganization problem while preserving user selection freedom. The system acts as a mediator that transforms arbitrary selections into coherent narratives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization of content segments into entity-based groups before presentation to the user. By pre-organizing content according to entities and their relationships, the system eliminates the need for users to manually organize content, automatically ensuring coherence while maintaining selection flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems provide linear media presentation, then the user experience is simple and straightforward, but users lack the ability to create customized presentations based on specific interests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal entity-based organizational framework that serves multiple functions: content selection, navigation, customization, and coherence maintenance. This multi-functional entity-centric structure allows the same system to handle various customization needs (characters, actors, locations, plotlines) without requiring separate mechanisms for each type of customization.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for presenting custom navigation options are described herein. In some embodiments, the media guidance application displays a first portion of a media asset, and identifies a set of entities referenced in messages associated with the media asset. The media guidance application then selects an entity frequently referenced in the plurality of messages, and displays a transport bar associated with the entity comprising an indicator identifying the entity and a region associated with only portions of the media asset associated with the entity. The media guidance application then displays a second portion of the media asset in response to receiving a user selection of a segment of the region. In some embodiments, the region corresponds to a custom presentation of the media asset featuring the selected entity, and the transport bar updates dynamically based on newly received messages, or the content displayed by the media guidance application.