Post-Credits Playback Control in OTT Media Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media applications fail to provide seamless integration of post-credits content in media assets, leading to incomplete viewing experiences and potential spoilers, especially in streaming and broadcast scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A media application that overrides default 'play-next' logic upon detecting post-credits content, offering user interface prompts or automated adjustments based on metadata and user profiles to allow users to choose between playing credits, post-credits content, or skipping directly to the latter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the media application automatically queues and plays the next media asset after credits begin, then the user can quickly access recommended content, but the post-credits content is skipped and the user is unaware of its availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-queues the next media asset in advance but delays its automatic playback until after the post-credits content has been delivered. This preliminary preparation allows the system to have the next asset ready while still respecting the user's viewing choice to watch post-credits content, thus preventing both information loss and enabling quick transition when the user chooses to move on.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary notification mechanism that informs the user about the availability of post-credits content before the automatic play-next action occurs. This intermediary step bridges the gap between the automatic queuing system and user awareness, allowing users to make informed decisions about whether to watch the post-credits content or proceed to the next asset.
2Reliability
If the media application plays the media asset from start to finish without modification, then the complete viewing experience is maintained, but the credits are played fully which compromises the viewing experience when users want to skip to post-credits content
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the playback behavior based on user preferences and detected content types. Instead of a static play-from-start-to-finish approach, the system can modify playback to skip credits when appropriate (e.g., when post-credits content is present and user prefers quick access), while maintaining complete playback when it enhances the viewing experience. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes playback parameters (such as skip credits, play credits, or pause at credits) based on user profile settings, media asset metadata, and viewing context. By allowing parameter changes in playback behavior, the system maintains reliability by offering complete viewing options while improving ease of operation through automated appropriate modifications based on user preferences and content analysis.
3Ease of operation
If the media application provides user interface prompts for post-credits content options, then user engagement with post-credits content increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the post-credits content notification and control functionality as a separate, focused user interface element that appears only when relevant (i.e., when post-credits content is detected and user preferences align). This extraction prevents the entire system from becoming complex, as the additional UI is conditional and modular rather than always-present or integrated throughout the entire playback control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements lightweight, temporary user interface prompts that appear briefly at the appropriate moment (at the beginning of credits) and then disappear. These disposable UI elements provide necessary user engagement opportunities without creating permanent complexity in the interface design. The prompts are simple, context-specific, and transient, resolving the contradiction between engagement and complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the media application detects post-credits content and overrides play-next logic, then the user can choose to watch post-credits content, but the automatic play-next functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the playback control logic into distinct pathways: one for automatic play-next operation and another for post-credits content viewing. By segmenting the logic, the system can maintain efficient automatic play-next functionality for users who want it while simultaneously providing dedicated post-credits content options for users who prefer to watch extended content. The segmentation allows both functionalities to coexist without compromising either.
Solution Approach 2:
The media application implements a universal playback control system that can handle multiple functions: automatic play-next, manual pause at credits, and post-credits content viewing. This multi-functional approach allows the same system to serve different user needs without compromising automatic play-next efficiency, as the system can automatically detect user preferences and content characteristics to select the appropriate playback mode, thereby maintaining productivity while providing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided herein for playing post-credits content in media assets by overriding play-next logic in OTT applications and presenting options for post-credits content in broadcast applications. A media application may be pre-configured to automatically “play-next” a queued media asset after the beginning of credits of a media asset start playing. However, if the media application detects post-credits content (e.g., trailer), it may display a user interface prompt to present options that may include continuing to play the credits, or to skip the credits entirely and go straight to the post-credits content. Upon receiving the user interface selection for one of the options, the media application modifies the playing of the media asset to override the configuration to automatically play-next, and instead modifies the logic to play the selected one of two options as described above.