Ongoing Media Capture Indexing With SOS Tracks for Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video capture technologies require stopping the capture to create an index, leading to inefficiencies and user frustration, especially in time-lapse captures, as users cannot preview or edit content during ongoing recording without disrupting the process.
Innovation Solution
Generating a partial index, called an SOS track, during the capture to enable playback and editing of media data on a separate device without stopping the recording, using unique parameters like time stamps and frame numbers to construct a full index for seamless playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the index is created at the end of the capture, then the indexing efficiency is improved, but the playback functionality is lost during ongoing capture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the indexing process into two parts: a partial index (SOS track) created during capture that enables basic playback, and a complete index created at the end for full functionality. This segmentation allows the system to provide playback capability during ongoing capture while maintaining efficient final indexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary indexing by creating the SOS track during the capture process itself, rather than waiting until the end. This preliminary action enables playback functionality during capture, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and availability.
2Ease of operation
If the capture is stopped to create an index, then the playback functionality is enabled, but the capture time is lost and user experience is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous capture operation by creating the SOS track in the background during capture without requiring the capture to be stopped. This maintains the continuity of the useful action (capture) while enabling playback functionality through the partial index.
3Ease of operation
If a partial index (SOS track) is generated during capture, then real-time playback is enabled, but the index is incomplete without pre-allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic indexing approach where the SOS track is created with flexible structure during capture, allowing the index to grow and adapt as capture continues. This dynamic approach enables real-time playback without requiring rigid pre-allocation, managing complexity through adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for enabling indexing and playback of media content before the end of a content capture. In one aspect, a method for enabling indexing of media data obtained as part of a content capture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the indexing enables playback of the media data during the capture and before cessation thereof. In one variant, the method includes generating an “SOS track” for one or more images. The SOS track does not contain the same information as a full index, but provides sufficient information to allow an index to be subsequently constructed. In one implementation, the provided information includes identifiable markers relating to video data, audio data, or white space, but it does not provide an enumerated or complete “table of contents” as in a traditional index.