Normalized In-Progress Indicator for Cross-Device Playback Resumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current content delivery systems struggle to maintain a consistent in-progress point for video playback across different devices and services, as the time is often dependent on the version of the content and the presence of advertisements, leading to inconsistencies when switching between devices or services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a normalized in-progress program indicator, which expresses the portion of the program already viewed as a fraction of the total program length, allowing for seamless resumption of playback across various devices and services, regardless of the content version or advertisement placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If advertisements are inserted into the content stream, then revenue is generated, but the in-progress point becomes inconsistent across different versions and services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content stream into program content portions and advertisement portions, tracking their respective durations separately. This allows the system to calculate the in-progress point based only on program content duration, excluding advertisement time, thereby maintaining consistency across different versions and services regardless of varying advertisement content.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different versions of the same program are provided across multiple devices and services, then user accessibility is improved, but the in-progress point cannot be maintained consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used to represent in-progress point from absolute time in the content stream to a normalized ratio calculated by dividing program content duration by total content stream duration. This normalized parameter remains consistent across different versions and services, enabling seamless resumption of playback regardless of which device or service is used.
3Measurement precision
If the in-progress point is based on content stream time including advertisements, then the playback position is accurate for that specific stream, but it becomes invalid when switching to different versions or services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a normalized in-progress point ratio as an intermediary representation that decouples the playback position from any specific content stream version. This intermediary value can be converted to appropriate playback positions for any version or service, enabling cross-service compatibility while maintaining accurate playback positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus relating to determining and using a normalized in progress program indicator that can be used for resuming content playback are described. In some embodiments the normalized in progress program indicator, also referred to as a normalized in progress program time, indicates a portion, e.g., fraction, of a program which has been viewed. The normalized in progress time is generated by determining an in progress program point after excluding the time of advertisements that may have been included in a content stream with the program. A user may begin watching a program on one device and resume playback of a different version of the same program on another playback device with the normalization process allowing for the playback starting point to be easily determined whether the same or a different version, with a different duration, of the program is played back.