Media Interface Navigation via Stored Display Configurations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional user interfaces are limited in allowing users to navigate and view multiple media titles, as they typically do not enable users to revisit previous display configurations or adjust the display based on user selections, requiring manual loading of data for each element.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for displaying a user interface that allows users to navigate between previously displayed configurations by detecting user commands, storing display configurations, and adjusting the interface accordingly, enabling users to revisit previous states without manually reloading data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional user interfaces are used for media playback, then the interface can display basic playback controls, but the user cannot navigate to previously viewed screens or browse multiple media titles within a single interface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoidinterface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into multiple navigable screens or views, each representing a different display configuration. The interface can be divided into media browsing screens, playback control screens, and configuration screens, allowing users to navigate between them while maintaining a consistent underlying architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The user interface is designed to perform multiple functions within a single unified structure. It can display media playback controls, browse multiple media titles, navigate to previous screens, and adjust display configurations, all through one interface that adapts to different user needs without requiring separate applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If the interface displays detailed information for each media element, then users can view comprehensive data, but the interface becomes cluttered and harder to navigate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia data visibilityVSAvoidinterface usability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface dynamically adjusts its layout and information density based on user interactions and current context. When a user selects a media title, the interface transitions from a browsing view with thumbnail information to a detailed playback screen with full metadata, adjusting the amount of displayed information to match the current task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The interface utilizes multiple dimensional organization of information, including hierarchical navigation (categories → titles → details), spatial arrangement (thumbnails arranged in grids with expandable details), and temporal sequencing (playback history and previous screens). This multi-dimensional approach allows comprehensive information display without cluttering any single view.

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

3Reliability

If users manually load data for each interface element, then data accuracy is maintained, but user time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoiddata loading time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data loading and preprocessing of media information in the background before users need it. Media titles, metadata, and display configurations are pre-loaded into memory, allowing users to navigate and interact with the interface without experiencing manual loading delays, while data accuracy is maintained through structured data management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface automatically manages data loading, caching, and updating without requiring user intervention. The system self-services by detecting when new media content is added, automatically loading and organizing it into the appropriate display configurations, and maintaining data synchronization across different screens and views.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2474895B1User interface for exploring media content
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2474895B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP2474895B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2474895B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are provided for user interface operation. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a user interface including one or more graphical elements, wherein display of the user interface is associated with a display configuration, and detecting a user command associated with navigating to one or more previously displayed user interface display configurations. The method may further include storing a user interface configuration for the display configuration, and adjusting display of the user interface based on the user command.