Media Player Playback Speed Control for Precise Segment Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional media players offer rigid playback controls, leading to inefficient user interactions and resource waste in bandwidth and/or consumption of additional processing, causing unnecessary network bandwidth usage and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
Customizable playback speed interface elements that allow users to adjust playback speed based on user preferences, content metadata, and contextual factors, enabling dynamic speed adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rigid preset playback controls are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates as users cannot precisely control playback speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic playback speed control by replacing static preset buttons with a continuous adjustable slider that allows users to precisely set any playback speed. The interface element dynamically adapts to user preferences while the system automatically manages the complexity of speed identification and application behind the scenes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that automatically identifies and applies appropriate playback speeds based on content metadata and user preferences. This intermediary layer handles the complex processing requirements, allowing the user interface to remain simple while achieving precise playback speed control.
2Loss of time
If rigid fast-forward and rewind controls are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of time increases as users must repeatedly adjust to reach desired points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying optimal playback speeds for different content segments before playback begins. The system analyzes content metadata and user preferences in advance, so when users interact with the player, the appropriate playback speed is already determined, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments during playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor user playback behavior and content characteristics, automatically adjusting playback speed recommendations. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from user interactions and improve time efficiency by anticipating user needs for specific playback speeds in different content segments.
3Loss of energy
If multiple user interface requests for rewinding and fast-forwarding are made, then ease of operation is compromised, but loss of energy increases due to repeated network bandwidth usage and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the media player system to automatically manage playback speed adjustments based on pre-identified speeds and content metadata. Instead of requiring users to manually rewind or fast-forward multiple times, the system autonomously applies appropriate playback speeds to reach desired content points efficiently, reducing unnecessary network requests and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically modifying playback speed as a continuous variable rather than discrete jumps. This allows smooth transitions between different playback rates, eliminating the need for repeated rewind/fast-forward operations and the associated energy consumption from network rebuffering and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for customizing the playback speed of a media player. One example method includes receiving a media content item and identifying a playback speed for at least a portion of the media content item. An adjustable playback speed user interface element is generated for display, wherein the user interface element is preset to the identified playback speed. The playback speed user interface element is adjustable in that at least a portion of the playback speed user interface element is movable from a first position to a second position. An interaction with the adjustable playback speed user interface element is identified and the portion of the media content item is generated for output at the identified playback speed.