Media Player Preview Substitution for Rental List Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when trying to add media titles they have previewed to their future rentals list, as they need to switch between devices and navigate through large catalogs, making it difficult to find and manually add desired titles.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows users to select and add previewed media titles directly from a player device to their future rentals list, using an on-screen interface and communication with a media provider, with optional filtering based on user preferences and previous rental habits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually add media titles to their future rentals list by switching between devices and navigating through catalogs, then the media provider can maintain accurate rental lists, but the user experience becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the preview playback function and the future rentals list management function into a single integrated system. The player device that plays previews is also capable of directly communicating with the media provider to add selected previews to the user's future rentals list, eliminating the need to switch between separate devices and catalogs.
Solution Approach 2:
The player device serves as an intermediary between the preview content and the media provider's rental system. It receives preview information, captures user selection, and automatically transmits this information to the media provider, acting as a mediator that streamlines the addition of media titles to the future rentals list without requiring manual catalog navigation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the player device plays all previews without filtering, then users can see all available options, but users may be overwhelmed by excessive content and difficulty in finding desired titles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering of preview content based on user preferences and rental history before presenting the previews to the user. This pre-processing action organizes and prioritizes preview options, making it easier for users to find desired titles while still providing comprehensive coverage of available content.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering mechanism applies different quality levels or presentation styles to different previews based on user-specific criteria. Previews are customized and tailored to individual user preferences, rental patterns, and historical data, providing a personalized viewing experience that highlights the most relevant content for each user.
3Extent of automation
If the system integrates direct communication between player device and media provider, then the process of adding titles to future rentals list becomes automated and convenient, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The player device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a media playback device and as a communication interface with the media provider. This universal design allows the same device to handle both preview playback and automated list management, reducing the need for additional specialized components while achieving high automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the player device automatically manages the addition of selected previews to the future rentals list without requiring manual user intervention. The device autonomously handles the communication with the media provider, selecting and transmitting the necessary information based on user selections during preview playback.
Data Source
AI summary
A user viewing a preview of a media title using a media player can elect to add that media title to a list for future use, such as a future rentals list maintained by a rental media provider. The media player communicates with the rental media provider for updating a list for the user which is stored at (or accessible to) the provider. Optionally, a filtering capability may be provided to suppress viewing of particular previews which are stored on media inserted into the media player (for example, because the user has already rented the previewed media title, because the preview does not match filtering criteria such as parental controls, etc.). The filtering may comprise preventing media titles from being added to the future rentals list. Optionally, substitute previews may be provided for the previews which are suppressed by the filtering.