Media Player Proximity Buffering for Playback Responsiveness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional media file playback systems experience performance disruptions due to inadequate buffering, especially when multiple clips are streamed, leading to initial and intermittent lag in video or audio playback, which affects user experience.

Innovation Solution

A media player system that pre-buffers media files based on the proximity of an input focus device, selectively pre-loading media items within a predetermined area to improve initial playback performance without excessive memory usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If multiple video clips are buffered to improve playback responsiveness, then initial and intermittent performance disruptions occur during buffering or streaming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayback responsivenessVSAvoidperformance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads media files into buffer memory before they are requested for playback. When a user hovers over or selects a media item, the corresponding file is already buffered and ready for immediate playback, eliminating initial loading delays and performance disruptions during streaming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If multiple video clips are buffered to improve playback responsiveness, then the amount of memory or cache required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayback responsivenessVSAvoidmemory usage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of buffering all or multiple media files simultaneously, the system buffers only the specific media file that the user is currently interacting with (hovering over or has selected). This localized buffering approach provides fast playback responsiveness while minimizing memory consumption by storing only what is immediately needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If the system buffers media files to reduce loading time, then bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading timeVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system initiates buffering of media files only when the user hovers over or selects a specific item, not continuously or proactively for all items. This on-demand preliminary action reduces unnecessary bandwidth consumption while still achieving fast playback when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9148628B2Intelligent media buffering based on input focus proximity

Publication Date: 2015.09.29 R2 SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A system and method of pre-buffering media files may be employed to improve the initial playback performance of a media file. In accordance with one aspect, a media player application may present a list of media files for playback. Based on a location and/or movement of an input focus device, the media player may pre-buffer those media files located within a proximity of the input focus device. A pre-buffered media file may be selected for playback by the media player application.