Foldable Screen Bending Input for Video Playback Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling video play on mobile devices, such as sliding a slider on a progress bar or using fixed-time fast forward and fast backward operations, are inefficient and prone to play position jumps due to finger contact issues and lack of flexibility in speed adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes bending inputs to adjust the play parameters of a multimedia file, such as play progress and speed, by changing the folding angle between the screens of a foldable terminal device, eliminating the need for direct screen touch or sliding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user slides a slider on a progress bar to control video play, then the user can adjust play progress, but the play position jumps due to finger contact area changes on the screen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo play controlVSAvoidplay position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a progress bar as an intermediary element between the user's finger and the video playback system. The progress bar translates imprecise finger sliding movements into precise play position adjustments by providing visual feedback and allowing the user to release the slider at the desired position, eliminating the play position jump problem caused by direct screen contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a user uses fixed-time fast forward and fast backward operations, then the user can quickly adjust play progress, but the operations are subject to significant constraints and do not allow flexible adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback adjustment speedVSAvoidplayback speed flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic playback speed control where the playback speed is not fixed but can be continuously adjusted by the user. The system allows users to drag the slider at different speeds and for different durations, with the playback speed adapting to the user's dragging behavior, enabling both quick adjustments and precise positioning depending on user needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a user slides on the screen to control video play, then the user can adjust play progress, but the video play screen might be blocked by the finger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback controlVSAvoidvisible screen area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control interface from the video display area by introducing a separate progress bar overlay. The progress bar is a distinct control element that allows users to interact with playback controls without using the main video screen area, preventing finger obstruction of the video content while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3859504B1Multimedia file playback control method and terminal device
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3859504B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3859504B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3859504B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed by embodiments of the present disclosure are a multimedia file playback control method and a terminal device, the method being applied to a terminal device comprising a first screen and a second screen, and the method comprising: receiving a bending input for a target screen from a user, the bending input being used for triggering a change in folding angle between a first screen and a second screen; adjusting playback parameters of a target multimedia file in response to the bending input; the target screen is the first screen or the second screen; and the playback parameters comprise playback progress and/or playback speed.