Media Manager Browse Window Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media management systems are limited by single text-based browse windows, which hinder users' ability to efficiently browse through multiple media groups simultaneously and can make it difficult to find desired media items, especially when dealing with large collections.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a graphical user interface with multiple browse windows that are integrated to synchronize content, allowing users to navigate through media items using both text-based and image-based interfaces, where selections in one window automatically update the other, and resetting to the currently playing media after a delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single text-based browse window is used, then the interface is simple and easy to implement, but the user's ability to browse through multiple media groups simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The browse interface is divided into multiple independent windows (first browse window for text-based browsing, second browse window for image-based browsing). Each window can operate independently to browse different media groups, allowing users to simultaneously access multiple media collections through separate interfaces without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual dimension by adding an image-based browse window alongside the traditional text-based window. This dimensional expansion allows users to navigate media collections through both textual and visual representations, enhancing browsing capability while maintaining interface manageability through structured window organization.
2Ease of operation
If rows and rows of text are displayed in a single browse window, then the interface remains simple, but finding a desired media item becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The browse function is segmented into two distinct windows: a text-based browse window for detailed media information and an image-based browse window for visual media discovery. This segmentation allows users to quickly locate desired media items through images while maintaining the ability to access detailed text information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The image-based browse window serves as an intermediary interface between the user and media items. Instead of directly presenting rows of text, the system provides visual thumbnails as an intermediate representation, making media items more discoverable and easier to locate while maintaining linkages to detailed text information.
3Productivity
If multiple browse windows are implemented, then users can browse through multiple media groups simultaneously, but the operations of the windows may not be synchronized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where selections made in one browse window provide feedback to the other window. When a user selects a media item in the text-based window, the image-based window automatically updates to display corresponding images, and vice versa. This feedback loop ensures content synchronization across multiple windows, maintaining reliability while enabling simultaneous browsing of multiple media groups.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems that improve the way media is played, sorted, modified, stored and cataloged are disclosed. One aspect relates to a browse window that allows a user to navigate through and select images that are related to media items. Another aspect relates to a graphical user interface of a media management program that utilizes multiple browse windows. Another aspect relates to simultaneously displayed media browse windows whose operations are integrated together so that the content shown therein is automatically synched when selections are made. Another aspect relates to resetting browsed content to the currently playing media.