Media Device Parsing WebVTT Tracks for IoT Theatrical Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating theatrical effects in media consumption, such as lighting and sound, rely on post-processing and do not effectively utilize IoT metadata to enhance the experience in real-time with media content.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a media device receives, parses, and publishes IoT metadata with presentation timestamps from an additional theatrical track, such as WebVTT, to generate and transmit instructions to IoT devices for synchronized effects during audiovisual content playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If theatrical effects are created through post-processing media content, then the effects can be generated in real-time, but the synchronization precision and immersion quality are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding theatrical effect metadata in WebVTT tracks before media content is played back. The metadata includes pre-defined lighting and sound effect instructions with precise timing information (presentation timestamps) that are synchronized with the media content timeline. This allows IoT devices to execute effects at exact moments without requiring complex real-time post-processing analysis, thereby improving synchronization precision while reducing device complexity.
2Loss of time
If theatrical effect metadata is transmitted along with media content, then the effects can be pre-synchronized with content, but the data transmission and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the WebVTT track format as an intermediary to carry theatrical effect metadata. The WebVTT format provides a standardized structure with cues, timestamps, and text-based effect descriptions that are easily parsed. The media device acts as an intermediary that parses the WebVTT track, extracts effect instructions, converts them into device-specific commands, and transmits them to IoT devices. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system by providing a common data exchange format and reducing the processing complexity at each endpoint.
3Manufacturing precision
If existing post-processing methods are used to create theatrical effects, then no additional metadata infrastructure is needed, but the effects lack precision and cannot be reliably synchronized with media content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universality of the WebVTT format, which is already widely supported by modern media players and browsers for closed captions and subtitles. By reusing this existing standardized format for theatrical effect metadata, the system gains multi-functionality - the same infrastructure that delivers captioning information can also deliver precise timing and effect instructions. This eliminates the need to create a completely new metadata infrastructure, reducing overhead while maintaining high timing precision through the format's built-in timestamp mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a media device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for creating a theatrical effect. The method includes receiving, on a media device, a theatrical track; parsing, by the media device, the theatrical track to retrieve Internet of Things metadata; generating, by the media device, Internet of Things instructions from the Internet of Things metadata; and publishing, by the media device, the Internet of Things instructions with presentation timestamps for one or more Internet of Things devices.