Playback Resume with Condensed Preview Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often forget details of partially watched video content due to long intervals between stopping and resuming playback, as existing resume functions either resume from the start if the time difference exceeds a predetermined limit or lack effective recall mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A content playback apparatus with a control section that switches to a preview mode upon resumption, playing back content in a condensed time frame before returning to normal playback at the stop position, with the condensing ratio adjusted based on the time difference since the last playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the playback is resumed from the stop position after a long time difference, then the user can continue watching from where they left off, but the user will not remember the details of the previously watched content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresume playback convenienceVSAvoidmemory of watched content
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary action by playing back a condensed version of the content before the stop position before resuming normal playback. This preliminary condensed playback refreshes the user's memory of previously watched content, ensuring they can smoothly transition back into watching without losing context, while still allowing them to resume from the exact stop position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the playback is started from the beginning when the time difference exceeds a limit, then the user can ensure they have context, but the user loses time rewatching content they already saw

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext retentionVSAvoidtime to rewatch content
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies skipping by playing back the content before the stop position in a condensed time frame, allowing the user to quickly review previously watched material without watching it at normal speed. This rushes through the recap portion efficiently, minimizing the time lost while ensuring the user has adequate context before resuming normal playback from the stop position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Loss of information

If a condensed playback is provided before resuming, then the user can recall previous content, but the total playback time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecall of watched contentVSAvoidtotal playback time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the playback speed parameter during the recap portion, playing back content before the stop position in a condensed time frame (faster than normal speed). This parameter change allows the user to review previous content effectively while minimizing the addition to total playback time, as the condensed playback covers the same content in less time than normal playback would require.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3142117B1Content playback apparatus including a playback resume function
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 TP VISION HLDG BV
  • EP3142117B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3142117B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The application relates to a playback apparatus (1) for content, such video, audio or multimedia information. The content playback apparatus includes a resume function. The resume function resumes a playback of the content at a stop position (S) where a previous playback has been has been stopped in the past. The playback apparatus (1) comprises a playback section (2) for playing back the content and a control section (3) for controlling the playback apparatus. The play back can be controlled in normal playback mode and in a preview mode. In the normal mode the content is played back at normal speed. In the preview mode the content is played back in a playback time condensing mode. In the playback time condensing mode less playback time is required than in the normal mode for the same content (part). The control section (3) is arranged to start in response to the resumption command a playback in the preview mode from a restart position located before the stop position and to switch control to the normal mode when the stop position is reached.