Multi-Track Media Player for Synchronized Accessibility Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media players only allow a single audio track to be output, forcing all audience members to listen to descriptive audio when it is not needed, hindering their experience.
Innovation Solution
A media player that utilizes multiple audio players to simultaneously output a first audio track of native audio on one device and a second audio track of descriptive audio on another device, synchronized with the video playback, while maintaining Digital Rights Management compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single audio track is output to all audio devices, then DRM protection is simplified, but all audience members are forced to listen to descriptive audio even when not needed, hindering their experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio output by creating separate audio player instances for different audio devices. Each audio player can be independently configured to output different audio tracks (descriptive or non-descriptive) to different audio devices simultaneously, allowing audience members to choose their preferred audio experience without affecting others.
Solution Approach 2:
The media player is enhanced to support multiple audio players within a single instance, enabling it to serve multiple audio output functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the same video content to be delivered with different audio track configurations to different devices, accommodating diverse audience needs while maintaining a unified playback experience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio players are used to output different audio tracks to different devices, then diverse audio needs are accommodated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the audio playback function into separate audio player instances, each responsible for a specific audio device. This segmentation allows independent configuration of audio tracks for each device while maintaining centralized control through the media player's audio output configuration interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an audio output configuration interface that acts as an intermediary between the user and the multiple audio players. This interface simplifies the configuration process by providing a unified method to select which audio track plays on which audio device, abstracting away the underlying complexity of managing multiple audio players.
3Ease of operation
If descriptive audio is forced on all devices, then accessibility is ensured for visually impaired users, but the audio experience is degraded for other audience members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different audio track configurations for different audio devices based on the needs of specific audience members. Visually impaired users can have descriptive audio output to their personal audio devices while other audience members enjoy non-descriptive audio on their own devices, with each device receiving optimized audio quality for its intended user.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the audio output into separate channels for different devices, the system can deliver descriptive audio selectively to devices used by visually impaired users while delivering standard audio to other devices, thus maintaining accessibility without compromising the overall audio experience for the audience.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for playing a first audio track for a video on a first audio device of a first audience member and simultaneously playing a second audio track that includes different content for the video than the first audio track on a second audio device of a second audience member by a single media player are described. According to some examples, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a media player, a manifest indicating a video, a first audio track for the video, and a second audio track comprising an audio-narrated description of the video; receiving an indication from a user of the media player that indicates a first audio device of a first audience member is to output the first audio track, and that indicates a second audio device of a second audience member is to output the second audio track; sending the video to a display coupled to the media player for displaying of the video to the first audience member and the second audience member; sending the first audio track, concurrently with the sending of the video to the display, to the first audio device of the first audience member by a first audio player of the media player; and sending the second audio track, concurrently with the sending of the video to the display and the sending of the first audio track to the first audio device, to the second audio device of the second audience member by a second audio player of the media player.