Digital Media Sharing With Time-Specific Start Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video and image hosting websites do not allow users to share specific portions of digital media items, such as engaging clips, as they lack the capability to identify and share specified start times within the media.
Innovation Solution
A computing device provides a graphical user interface for sharing digital media items, automatically selecting a start time based on the current play time and generating a link or embed code that allows the media to be presented from that start time, enabling users to share selected portions by posting the link or embed code to various locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users share digital media items using conventional mechanisms, then the sharing process is simple, but users cannot share specific portions of the media item
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the digital media item into shareable segments by allowing users to specify start times and durations. The sharing mechanism segments the media content so that only relevant portions can be shared, rather than requiring to share the entire media item. This is achieved through the interface that lets users select specific time ranges within the media item.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the sharing mechanism by incorporating start time and duration parameters into the shareable link. Instead of sharing only the entire media item or nothing, the system now operates in a multi-dimensional space that includes time-based selection, allowing precise portion sharing through URL parameters.
2Measurement precision
If users manually specify start times for sharing, then precise portion sharing is enabled, but the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically captures the current playback position as the start time when the user initiates sharing. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually input time values, as the system itself provides the precise start time based on the current playback state, thereby maintaining precision while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface pre-configures the start time and duration parameters based on the current playback position before the user completes the sharing action. This preliminary setup of parameters reduces the cognitive load on users, as the system has already prepared the precise time values based on playback context.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sharing mechanism includes start time parameters, then specific portions can be shared, but the link structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary encoding mechanism that translates complex time-based parameters into a compact format within the URL. The start time and duration information is embedded in the link structure in a way that maintains readability while conveying precise temporal information, acting as an intermediary between the complex sharing requirements and the simple link format.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device that provides access to digital media items receives a command from an entity to share a digital media item. The computing device invokes a graphical user interface for sharing the digital media item in response to receiving the command. The computing device determines a start time to apply to the digital media item based on input received via the graphical user interface. The computing device then generates a link or embed code to the digital media item, the link or embed code identifying the start time, wherein accessing the link or embed code causes the digital media item to be presented from the start time.