Media Content Quick Access Queue for Multi-Provider Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in finding and accessing specific media content events due to the complexity of multiple content providers offering different formats, pricing, and availability options, leading to a cumbersome process for identifying and obtaining desired media content.

Innovation Solution

A media content event quick access queue system that lists user-specified media content events, provides access information, and attributes, allowing users to select the best access option based on their preferences, including immediate viewing, recording, or waiting for free availability, across various content providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually search through multiple content providers to find desired media content, then they can access the content, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessing media contentVSAvoidtime to find and access content
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-generates and stores a quick access queue containing multiple access paths to media content events before users need them. When users want to access content, the pre-computed queue is immediately presented, eliminating the need for manual searching through multiple content providers and significantly reducing access time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The quick access queue acts as an intermediary layer between users and multiple content providers. Instead of users directly searching through complex content provider systems, the queue mediates by presenting a simplified, pre-organized list of access options, making the overall system easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system presents comprehensive access options from multiple content providers, then users can make informed choices, but the interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess options availabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complex information from multiple content providers into organized groups within the quick access queue. Each segment represents a specific access path with clearly defined attributes (content provider, format, pricing, availability), making the comprehensive information manageable and easy to navigate despite the multiple options presented.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a new dimension to content access by presenting multiple access paths simultaneously in a structured format. Instead of users navigating through content providers sequentially or choosing one at a time, the quick access queue displays all available paths across different dimensions (provider, format, cost, timing), allowing users to compare and select based on multiple criteria at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11997355B2Apparatus, systems and methods for media content event quick access queue
Publication Date: 2024.05.28 DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • US11997355B2 patent drawing
  • US11997355B2 patent drawing
  • US11997355B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Media content event access systems and methods are operable to indicate media content event access options. An exemplary embodiment presents a first listing that indicates a plurality of user-specified media content events of a user's watch list, receives user input corresponding to a selection of one of the user-specified media content events indicated on the first listing, presents a second listing indicating access information, wherein the second listing presents access information that informs the user of at least one access option that may be selected by the user to cause the media device to access the selected one of the plurality of user-specified media content events, and wherein the second listing presents content attribute information that informs the user of at least one attribute of the selected one of the plurality of user-specified media content events that is provided by the associated content source.