Non-linear Video Rewind via Variable Time-Gap Sampling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital video recorders (DVRs) perform rewind operations linearly, making it time-consuming to access earlier portions of a video program, especially when trying to rewind to points closer to the beginning of the broadcast.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a non-linear rewind operation by displaying a series of reduced-in-size 'rewind images' or 'frames' representing previous points in the video program, allowing users to quickly select and playback from desired locations with varying time gaps between frames, enabling faster access to earlier program points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If linear rewind operation is used, then the rewind process is simple to implement, but the time required to access earlier portions of the video program increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The video program timeline is segmented into multiple rewind images representing different time points. Instead of linear scanning through the entire program, the system divides the timeline into discrete accessible points (rewind images), allowing users to jump between these segments. This segmentation enables non-linear access to previous content, reducing rewind time while maintaining implementation feasibility through structured time-point sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-generating and storing multiple rewind images at different time points before the user actually needs to rewind. These rewind images are prepared in advance and stored in a buffer, so when the user initiates a rewind operation, the system can immediately display and select from pre-prepared images rather than scanning through the entire program in real-time. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the time required for rewind operations.
2Ease of operation
If multiple rewind rates are provided, then user convenience is improved, but the complexity of the rewind mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rewind mechanism implements dynamics by allowing the rewind rate to be adjustable based on user needs and program position. The system can dynamically change the rewind rate (e.g., normal speed, double speed, triple speed) during the rewind operation, enabling users to optimize their viewing experience. This dynamic adjustment is achieved by modifying the time gaps between consecutive rewind images or the speed at which images are displayed, providing flexibility without requiring a completely complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters such as the time gap between rewind images and the display speed of these images to implement different rewind rates. By adjusting these parameters, the system can provide normal rewind speed, double speed, or triple speed options. This parameter-based approach allows multiple rewind rates to be achieved through simple modifications to existing components rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each rate, thereby maintaining ease of operation while limiting complexity increase.
Data Source
AI summary
A rewind or fast forward operation may be performed in which a series of reduced-in-size images from previous frames in a video program may be presented to the viewer. In one implementation, a device may obtain sampled images corresponding to select frames of the video program and output a series of the sampled images in an order in which a sampling time corresponding to each of the sampled images in the video program monotonically increases or decreases in the output series. Differences in the sample times between successive images in the series of sampled images may not be uniform. The device may receive a selection of one of the images in the output series of sampled images and change a current output location of the video program to a location corresponding to the sampling time of the selected image.