On-Object Media Timeline Interaction in Presentation Software

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users, especially non-advanced ones, face difficulties in editing multimedia presentations due to the need for complex software and understanding of timelines and frames, which often requires editing outside the presentation software.

Innovation Solution

A user interface is embedded within the media object in a presentation application, featuring an edit mode and slideshow mode, allowing interaction between an on-object timeline and a ribbon UI for advanced editing scenarios like setting poster frames and creating bookmarks, enabling full control over media during editing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional media manipulation tools are used, then video editing functionality is provided, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase for basic users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsoftware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into two distinct modes: edit mode for modifying media objects and slideshow mode for presenting them. This segmentation allows basic users to simply choose a mode without understanding the complex underlying operations, while still providing access to advanced functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A presentation application serves as an intermediary layer between basic users and complex media manipulation tools. The application provides a simplified interface that mediates between user actions and the underlying media editing operations, hiding complexity while enabling powerful functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If advanced users edit clips outside presentation software, then full editing control is achieved, but productivity and ease of operation decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveediting efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges media editing functionality directly into the presentation application, combining what were previously separate tools (presentation software and media editors) into a single integrated application. This allows users to perform both presentation creation and media editing within one interface, improving productivity by eliminating the need to switch between applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The presentation application is enhanced with multi-functionality, serving both as a presentation creator and a full-featured media editor. This universal approach allows the same application to handle diverse tasks from simple slide creation to complex video editing, improving workflow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If on-object user interface is embedded, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface intuitivenessVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is designed to be dynamic, automatically adapting its complexity and available functions based on the user's selected mode (edit or slideshow). This dynamic behavior allows the interface to remain simple for basic operations while providing access to advanced features when needed, managing complexity through contextual adaptation rather than static design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2422280B1Media timeline interaction
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2422280B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2422280B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2422280B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Media timeline interaction may be provided. An electronic presentation may comprise a media object. A user may select the media object within a presentation application and use an on-object user interface in conjunction with the application's user interface to modify the media object. The user may also display the modified media object within the presentation application.