Media Player Preloading Progress Bar with Speed Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preloading digital media content do not effectively convey loading speed to users, leading to poor user experience due to the inability to make informed decisions about continuing playback during buffering.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that visually present data preloading speed by dividing a progress bar into played and unplayed parts, using data points or icons to indicate loading speed, allowing users to assess whether to continue or delay playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a loading progress bar showing only total loading volume is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user cannot easily know the loading speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading speed informationVSAvoidprogress bar structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The progress bar is segmented into two distinct parts: a first region displaying the total loading progress and a second region displaying data points that represent loading speed. This segmentation allows both pieces of information to be presented simultaneously without overwhelming the user or requiring a completely new interface design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The loading speed information is added as a new dimension to the existing progress bar interface. Instead of replacing the traditional progress bar, data points are superimposed on it, adding vertical information (speed) to the horizontal progress indicator, enabling users to understand both progress and speed from a single visual element.

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

2Productivity

If preloading is performed to reduce buffering wait time, then the productivity is improved, but the user experience deteriorates due to inability to make informed decisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback continuityVSAvoiduser decision-making
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to users through the dual-region progress bar, showing both current loading progress and loading speed. This feedback enables users to make informed decisions about whether to continue playback or wait for more content to be preloaded, transforming a passive buffering experience into an active user-controlled experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary loading action in the background while simultaneously providing users with information about the loading status and speed. This allows preloading to continue without interrupting the user interface, maintaining playback continuity while giving users the information needed to make decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If only total loading volume is displayed, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the measurement precision of loading status is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading status indicationVSAvoidinterface simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The progress bar is segmented into two distinct parts: a first region displaying the total loading progress and a second region displaying data points that represent loading speed. This segmentation allows both pieces of information to be presented simultaneously without overwhelming the user or requiring a completely new interface design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the progress bar have different functions: the first region provides overall progress information while the second region provides speed information. This local differentiation of quality allows each part to optimize for its specific purpose while contributing to the overall information display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3070958B1Media player preloading progress bar
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3070958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3070958B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(d)
  • EP3070958B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a device for visually presenting data preloading, where the method includes: acquiring a current playback progress of digital media content; presenting a first icon on a progress bar of a player of the digital media content according to the current playback progress, where the first icon divides the progress bar into a part that has been played and a part that has not been played; determining a parameter that is used to indicate a data preloading speed of the digital media content; and presenting, according to the parameter, at least one data point in the part, of the progress bar, that has not been played, so as to indicate the data preloading speed. According to the method and the device for visually presenting data preloading provided in the embodiments of the present invention, a parameter that is used to indicate a data preloading speed is acquired, and at least one data point is presented according to the parameter; therefore, visual presentation of data preloading can be implemented, so that a user can know the data preloading speed, and user experience can be effectively improved.