Hierarchical User Interface Controls for Media Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices often present users with cluttered interfaces during multimedia content playback, leading to accidental control selections due to numerous controls, which can frustrate users and cause them to lose their playback position.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchy service determines and presents user interface controls based on the hierarchical structure of media content, allowing users to toggle between different levels of controls, such as chapter and full book levels, to simplify the interface and reduce accidental inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple user interface controls are presented during media content playback, then users can access more playback functions and navigate through content more effectively, but the user interface becomes cluttered and users may accidentally select the wrong control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user interface controls into different hierarchical levels (e.g., chapter level and book level controls). Based on the current playback position within the hierarchical structure, the system automatically determines and displays only the relevant level of controls. This segmentation allows comprehensive functionality to be available when needed while keeping the interface clean and uncluttered during normal playback, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing multiple playback functions and maintaining interface clarity.
2Ease of operation
If hierarchical control levels are implemented, then interface clutter is reduced and accidental selections are minimized, but users may have difficulty accessing controls for different hierarchical levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control level switching based on the current playback position. As users navigate through different hierarchical levels (e.g., from book level to chapter level), the system automatically determines the appropriate control level and updates the displayed controls accordingly. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the interface remains simple and intuitive at any given moment while still providing access to all necessary controls through automatic level transitions, resolving the contradiction between interface simplicity and control accessibility.
3Reliability
If automatic determination of control level is implemented, then users are presented with relevant controls without accidental selections, but the system requires complex logic to determine the current hierarchical level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors playback position and automatically adjusts the displayed control level based on the current hierarchical context. The hierarchy service receives feedback about the current playback state and determines which level of controls should be displayed. This feedback-driven approach ensures high reliability in presenting the correct controls while managing system complexity through automated level determination based on playback position feedback, resolving the contradiction between control accuracy and system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for determining user interface controls associated with hierarchical levels during media content playback. In some embodiments, instructions may be provided to display user interface controls associated with a level of media content, such as a chapter level. A change in the level of media content and/or the user interface controls associated with the level may be a response to a level change request. A level change request may be initiated by user input and/or may automatically be initiated by the current content playback position.