Media Guidance Application Fast-Forward Speed Adjustment
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems fail to accurately adjust fast-forwarding speed to prevent overshooting of intended playback positions, leading to user inconvenience when resuming playback.
Innovation Solution
A media guidance application that modifies fast-forwarding speed based on the user's reaction time, detected by analyzing historical playback data and user preferences, to slow down approaching frames of interest, allowing precise resumption at the user's intended location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the system plays back content a threshold amount of time before the user issues a command to resume playback, then the user can resume playback without overshooting the intended position, but the playback position accuracy deteriorates when the user intends to resume at a specific location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the fast-forward speed variable rather than constant. The system dynamically adjusts the playback speed during fast-forward operations based on proximity to points of interest, transitioning from a first fast-forward speed to a second, slower speed when approaching significant frames. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain both ease of operation (through automated speed adjustment) and playback position accuracy (by slowing down near important content).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring playback position relative to detected points of interest and adjusting fast-forward speed accordingly. When the system detects that a point of interest is approaching, it provides feedback by reducing the playback speed, allowing the user to see the content before it reaches the significant frame. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and playback position accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the system detects points of interest and adjusts fast-forward speed accordingly, then playback position accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-detecting and marking points of interest in the content before playback begins. During fast-forward operations, the system uses these pre-identified markers to determine when to adjust speed, eliminating the need for real-time analysis of content significance. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high playback position accuracy while reducing device complexity through offline preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the playback speed parameter based on the detected proximity to points of interest. The system transitions between discrete speed states (first fast-forward speed and second slower speed) depending on the playback context. This resolves the contradiction by achieving accurate playback positioning through simple parameter adjustment rather than complex system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for modifying a fast-forwarding speed based on a reaction time of a user when a frame of interest is detected. A media guidance application may receive a command from a user to fast-forward through a media asset and may execute a fast-forwarding operation through frames of the media asset. The media guidance application may detect that the fast-forwarding operation is approaching a frame of interest to the viewer. The media guidance application may reduce the fast-forwarding speed to a second speed slower than the first speed, where the second speed is determined based on an estimated reaction time of the user. The media guidance application may receive a command to resume playback from the user while the fast-forwarding operation is occurring at the second speed and may play back the media asset at a default playback speed from a point corresponding to a moment when the command was received.