Accessibility-Compatible Media Player Seek Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Screen readers often fail to correctly pass inputs to custom seek elements in multimedia playback systems, leading to difficulties in controlling multimedia playback for users with visual impairments.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system with both primary and auxiliary seek elements, where the primary seek element is hidden from the screen reader and the auxiliary seek element is accessible to it, allowing for seamless playback control even when the screen reader is active.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a custom seek element is implemented in the media player, then the playback control functionality is improved, but the accessibility for users with visual impairments deteriorates because screen readers cannot correctly process inputs to the custom seek element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayback control functionalityVSAvoidaccessibility compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seek bar is segmented into two distinct elements: a primary seek element (custom implementation) and an auxiliary seek element (accessibility-friendly implementation). Each element serves a specific function - the primary element provides full playback control functionality while the auxiliary element ensures screen reader compatibility. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both custom functionality and accessibility without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary seek element acts as an intermediary between the screen reader and the media player's playback control system. Screen readers can successfully process inputs to this standardized element and translate them into meaningful playback control actions, thereby bridging the communication gap between accessibility tools and custom media players.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the primary seek element is hidden from the screen reader, then the accessibility compatibility is improved, but the custom seek element functionality is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen reader compatibilityVSAvoidcustom seek element control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the custom seek element accessible to screen readers (which causes processing failures), the solution inverts the approach by creating a separate auxiliary element that IS accessible to screen readers. The primary custom element remains hidden from screen readers but retains full functionality for direct user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If both primary and auxiliary seek elements are implemented, then both custom functionality and accessibility are maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual functionality supportVSAvoidnumber of seek elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The primary and auxiliary seek elements are merged into a single unified seek bar component. Both elements occupy the same visual space and are coordinated to work together seamlessly. This merging approach minimizes the visual and structural complexity while maintaining the functional benefits of having both custom and accessibility-friendly control options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The seek bar is designed with multi-functionality to serve both custom control needs and accessibility requirements. By integrating both primary and auxiliary elements within a single component structure, the system achieves universal compatibility - working effectively whether the user interacts directly with the interface or through a screen reader.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10877656B1Accessibility-compatible control elements for media players

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 BUILDSCALE INC

AI summary

A computing device includes: an input assembly; a display; and a controller configured to: execute a browser application to control the display to render a page containing a media presentation element to present multimedia content received at the computing device, a primary seek element selectable to control a playback position in the media presentation element, wherein the primary seek element includes an attribute hiding the primary seek element from a screen reader process of the computing device, and an auxiliary seek element selectable to control the playback position in the media presentation element; receive input data indicating a selection of the auxiliary seek element generated via execution of the screen reader process; and in response, control the display to adjust the playback position in the media presentation element according to the input data.