Optical Disk Player Video-on-Demand Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video-on-demand systems are cumbersome and limited in functionality, requiring hard-drive memory and inconvenient user operations, with limited flexibility in device choice and intrusive PC systems near display screens.
Innovation Solution
A method using an optical disk player without hard-drive memory, equipped with a unique identifier and code components for internet connection and video decoding, allowing users to access video-on-demand services via a web browser, enabling personal recommendations and layered video streaming with advertising overlays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hard-drive memory is used in video-on-demand players, then video storage and playback capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the video decoding functionality from a traditional hard-drive-based system and relocates it to an optical disk player. The optical disk player reads video data directly from optical disks (DVDs, Blu-ray discs) and decodes them in real-time, eliminating the need for hard-drive memory while maintaining video playback capability. This is achieved through the optical disk reader and video decoder components working together to process video data on-demand without requiring large-capacity local storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical disks as portable, removable copies of video content libraries. Instead of storing videos permanently in a hard drive, the system uses interchangeable optical disks that can be easily swapped. Each optical disk contains video data that can be read and decoded by the player, providing flexible access to video content without the complexity of hard-drive-based systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If PC-based systems are placed near display screens, then video-on-demand functionality is achieved, but user comfort deteriorates due to intrusive sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cooling system (fans) of PC-based video-on-demand systems with an optical disk-based system. Optical disk players typically use passive cooling or much quieter cooling mechanisms compared to the high-speed fans required by PCs. This substitution eliminates the intrusive fan noises while maintaining the video-on-demand functionality, allowing the player to be placed near display screens without compromising user comfort.
3Productivity
If conventional video-on-demand systems are used, then video streaming is provided, but user convenience deteriorates due to cumbersome operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical disk player universal by integrating multiple functions into a single device. The player can read various optical disk formats (DVDs, Blu-ray discs), decode different video formats, and connect to televisions or display screens. This multi-functionality simplifies the user experience by providing all video-on-demand capabilities in one easy-to-use device without requiring complex setup or multiple separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A video-on-demand system including a video server storing video-on-demand content and for streaming video-on-demand through a first layer of an internet page having a first layer and a second layer; and a controller for causing there to be formed in the second layer a plurality of selectable overlay images such that a user at a location in communication with the internet remote from the video server and the controller can display streamed video-on-demand of the first layer in combination with the overlay images of the second layer and can select one of the overlay images; wherein the overlay images correspond to respective control functions for the video-on-demand stream; and the controller is responsive to selection of an overlay image to change the video-on-demand stream in accordance with the corresponding respective control function.