Media API Hierarchical Data Tiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems face challenges in managing data transfer between control applications and streaming services, particularly in presenting media content to users while ensuring data efficiency and customization options for streaming services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an API that allows control applications to receive and process subsets of data in a hierarchical tier format, enabling streaming services to specify formatting rules for different data tiers and elements, thereby reducing data transfer and providing customization options for content presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all media content data is transferred from streaming service to control application, then complete content presentation is achieved, but data transfer volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments media content data into hierarchical tiers (first tier, second tier, third tier) with each tier containing progressively more detailed information. The control application receives and processes only the necessary subset of tiers based on current browsing needs, rather than receiving all data at once. This segmentation allows complete content presentation to be achieved while controlling data transfer volume by loading only essential data first and fetching additional tiers only when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If streaming service provides full customization options for content presentation, then service control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments customization options into hierarchical levels corresponding to different data tiers. Streaming services can define formatting rules and presentation parameters for each tier independently, allowing granular control over content presentation without requiring the entire customization system to be complex. The control application applies appropriate formatting rules from the received tier data, enabling adaptability while managing complexity through modular, tier-based customization.
3Speed
If control application processes all received data immediately, then response speed is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the control application process and display the first tier of media content data immediately upon receipt, while simultaneously preparing to fetch and process subsequent tiers only when needed (e.g., when user scrolls or requests more content). This approach improves perceived response speed by displaying available content without delay, while reducing processing overhead by avoiding premature processing of data that hasn't been requested yet.
Data Source
AI summary
A control application of a media playback system controls playback of media content by a media playback system. The application receives, from a media streaming service, a page object that identifies (i) a page format identifier, (ii) page content data, (iii) a set of page elements, and (iv) a respective element format identifier for each page element of the set of page elements. The application determines a first set of formatting rules using the page format identifier and displays a corresponding page that includes the page content data formatted using the first set of formatting rules. The application asynchronously receives media content data identifying media content available for streaming. Based on a respective element format identifier of the page element associated with the media content data, the application determines a second set of formatting rules, which the application uses to update the displayed page to display the media content data.