Media Playback Preference Filtering System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current media playback systems lack the ability to effectively manage media content playback based on user preferences, leading to unwanted content being played due to a lack of personalized control over media streams.

Innovation Solution

A computing device within the media playback system identifies media preferences associated with user accounts and prevents the playback of media items with negative preferences by communicating with the media playback system and service providers to ensure that only preferred content is played, using a preference database to determine whether to play or skip specific media items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If media playback systems play all available media content without filtering, then the quantity of media content played is maximized, but unwanted content is played that does not align with user preferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of media content playedVSAvoidunwanted content playback
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining user preferences before media content is played, and uses these preferences to pre-filter the media stream. The playback device checks each media item against stored user preferences in advance, blocking unwanted content before it reaches the user, thus preventing harmful playback while maintaining high content quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If media playback systems implement preference-based filtering, then user satisfaction is improved, but system complexity increases due to preference management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser satisfactionVSAvoidpreference management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically obtaining, storing, and applying user preferences without requiring manual intervention. The playback device autonomously manages the preference database, automatically filters media streams based on stored preferences, and dynamically adjusts playback without user input, thereby improving satisfaction while minimizing the perceived complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If media items are blocked based on negative preferences, then content alignment with user preferences is improved, but the variety of media content played decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent alignment with preferencesVSAvoidmedia content variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by implementing granular, item-level filtering based on specific user preferences rather than broad categorical blocking. Each media item is evaluated individually against the user's preference profile, allowing precise alignment with user tastes while maintaining variety in content that matches their interests. The filtering is applied locally to specific items rather than globally to entire genres or sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4131980A1Media content playback management
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 SONOS INC
  • EP4131980A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4131980A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4131980A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments are provided for managing playback of media content by a media playback system based on identified preference data. In one example, the identified preference data may be associated with the media playback system. In another example, the identified preference data may be additionally or alternatively associated with one of a plurality of user accounts interfacing with the media playback system.