Media Content Synchronization with Elevator Wait Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current media content delivery systems in waiting areas, such as elevators, fail to provide an indication of remaining wait time and lack synchronization with the waiting period, leading to user frustration and incomplete content experience.

Innovation Solution

A system that synchronizes media content with the predicted waiting time by dynamically selecting units of content based on user profiles, preferences, and the theme, and displays an indication of remaining wait time, ensuring complete and coherent delivery of content, such as news articles, trivia, and advertisements, through a content server and media delivery system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If media content is displayed during waiting periods in elevators, then user entertainment and information delivery are improved, but user frustration increases when content is incomplete or unsynchronized with wait duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidcontent delivery completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates the wait time before content delivery begins and pre-selects appropriate content units that will complete within the predicted wait period, ensuring content is ready and synchronized when the user waits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts content selection and duration based on real-time wait time predictions, modifying which content units are delivered and for how long to ensure complete content delivery matches the actual wait period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If fixed-duration media content is played regardless of wait time, then content delivery simplicity is improved, but time synchronization with user waiting period deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery systemVSAvoidwait time synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides media content into discrete, selectable units with known durations, allowing flexible combination of content segments to match varying wait times while maintaining simple delivery mechanics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the duration parameter of content delivery based on the predicted wait time, selecting from multiple content units with different durations to optimize synchronization between content length and actual wait period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If generic media content is displayed without user personalization, then system complexity is reduced, but user engagement and satisfaction decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent selection systemVSAvoidcontent personalization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses user profile data and preferences as feedback to automatically select and personalize content, allowing adaptive content delivery without requiring complex real-time user interaction or manual configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3450373B1Synchronizing media content for users
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3450373B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3450373B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3450373B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments include techniques for synchronizing media content for users, the techniques include receiving a request, and estimating a wait time based on a current position of a component and a destination of the component. The techniques also include selecting units of content to be provided to a user based at least in part on the estimated wait time, and providing a sequence of the selected units of content.