Media Timing Prediction and Alternate Source Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

In media content distribution systems, when a first media program runs longer than scheduled, viewers may miss the start of a subsequent program due to the system transitioning directly from the overrun portion of the first program to the second program, causing user frustration.

Innovation Solution

A computing system predicts when a first media program will end later than scheduled and retrieves a portion of a second program from an alternate source, allowing seamless transition to the second program after the scheduled start time, enabling users to watch the intended start of the second program.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the system transitions directly from the overrun portion of the first program to the second program, then the program scheduling is maintained, but users may miss the start of the second program causing user frustration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram scheduling efficiencyVSAvoiduser viewing experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by retrieving the second program from an alternate source before the scheduled transition time, so that when the first program overruns, the second program is already ready to be displayed immediately, ensuring seamless transition and preventing user frustration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism by using an alternate source to retrieve the second program independently from the primary channel, allowing the system to decouple the transition from the channel's scheduling and maintain control over the viewing experience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system waits for the channel to transition to the second program, then the channel scheduling is respected, but the user experiences interruption and delay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel scheduling accuracyVSAvoiduser waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system retrieves the second program from the alternate source in advance, before the channel actually transitions, so that no waiting time is experienced by the user when the first program overruns. The program is prepared beforehand and ready for immediate display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the second program through the alternate source, allowing the user to access the program content independently from the channel's scheduling, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with waiting for channel transitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11284152B2Computing system with timing prediction and media program retrieval and output feature

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 SPORTS DIRECT INC

AI summary

In one aspect, an example system includes a first distributor to distribute a portion of first media on a channel from a first media source scheduled to end at a scheduled end-time, a receiver to determine a predicted end-time for the first media, the determining including obtaining data representing a first state of the first media, obtaining data representing a second state of a past event corresponding to a subject of the first media, and determining the predicted end-time based on a comparison of the first and second states, and a second distributor different from the first distributor to distribute a portion of second media from a second media source other than the channel when the predicted end-time is after the scheduled end-time wherein the second media is to start at a scheduled start-time, and cause the receiver to output the portion of the second media after the scheduled start-time.