Unified Media Control Center for Intelligent Playback Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of multimedia computer systems face inconvenience in navigating and controlling sequential media content across multiple applications, as existing interfaces require frequent switching between media applications, which is time-consuming and distracting, and do not provide a centralized location for accessing various media applications.
Innovation Solution
A media control center that allows users to navigate sequentially through media content using a remote controller, enabling features like virtual chapters for intelligent navigation, where users can mark and return to specific positions within media playback, providing a unified interface for accessing various media applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users navigate through multiple media applications individually, then each application provides its full functionality, but users experience time-consuming switching and lack centralized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual media applications (photo management, music management, video applications, DVD player) into a single unified media player interface. This consolidation allows users to access all media types through one centralized location rather than switching between separate applications, directly resolving the contradiction by improving ease of operation while eliminating time spent switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified media player is designed to handle multiple media types (photos, music, video, DVDs) within a single application interface. This multi-functional approach allows one application to replace several specialized applications, providing centralized access to all media applications and eliminating the need for users to switch between them.
2Ease of operation
If users want to return to specific positions within media content, then navigation control is needed, but existing interfaces lack memory of initial positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically marks the current playback position as a virtual chapter point before allowing users to navigate away. This preliminary action of saving the position ensures that when users want to return, the initial position is already recorded and available, preventing loss of position information and enabling easy navigation back to where they started.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users by maintaining and displaying virtual chapter points that represent saved positions. When users navigate through media content, the system remembers their starting positions and makes them accessible for return navigation, creating a feedback loop that preserves position information and enhances navigation control.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and systems for intelligent navigation of sequential media content are disclosed. The intelligent navigation is well suited to enable users to better control media playback with regards to a media playback application operating on a computing device. One embodiment of a method for playing sequential media content by a media playback application operating on a computing device includes at least the acts of: initiating playing of the sequential media content by the media playback application; receiving a user input requesting to start playing at a new position in the sequential media content; marking a current position in the sequential media content; thereafter initiating playing of the sequential media content at the new position; receiving a user input requesting to reset playing to the marked current position; and subsequently initiating playing of the sequential media content at the marked current position.