Predicted State Manager for Glitch-Free Media Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multimedia players, especially DVD players, lack user interactivity during media playback, leading to interruptions and potential glitches when executing user inputs or application instructions, which can cause loss of synchronization between media and interactive content.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a predicted state manager that identifies executable instructions based on future states rather than current states, minimizing glitches and ensuring synchronization by timing the execution of user inputs and application instructions using a media timeline.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If user inputs or application instructions are executed immediately based on current state, then responsiveness to user input is improved, but glitches and loss of synchronization between media and interactive content occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness to user inputVSAvoidsynchronization between media and interactive content
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by identifying and queuing user inputs and application instructions during the pre-rendering phase, then executes them at the appropriate predicted time based on future media states. This ensures that actions are taken in advance but at the correct moment to maintain synchronization and avoid glitches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If execution timing is delayed to maintain synchronization, then reliability of synchronization is improved, but responsiveness to user input deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization between media and interactive contentVSAvoidresponsiveness to user input
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by identifying and queuing user inputs and application instructions during the pre-rendering phase, then executes them at the appropriate predicted time based on future media states. This ensures that actions are taken in advance but at the correct moment to maintain synchronization and avoid glitches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If instructions are executed based on current state, then simplicity of execution is improved, but accuracy of timing and synchronization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of executionVSAvoidaccuracy of timing and synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary component (the predicted state manager) that mediates between the current state and future execution. This intermediary analyzes the current state, predicts future states, and determines the optimal execution time, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving timing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If pre-rendering is performed, then glitch-free playback is improved, but loss of time for executing user inputs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglitch-free playbackVSAvoidtime for executing user inputs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by identifying and queuing user inputs and application instructions during the pre-rendering phase, then executes them at the appropriate predicted time based on future media states. This ensures that actions are taken in advance but at the correct moment to maintain synchronization and avoid glitches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7861150B2Timing aspects of media content rendering
Publication Date: 2010.12.28 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US7861150B2 patent drawing
  • US7861150B2 patent drawing
  • US7861150B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Timing for execution of certain user inputs and application instructions occurring during play of an interactive multimedia presentation is discussed. A current state is defined by a state of the presentation system at the time a current media sample is being played to a user. A predicted state is defined by a state of the presentation system one or more future play times. Examples of current and predicted states include media retrieval states and media presentation states. An instruction or user input that is based on the current state is identified, and the predicted state is used to determine an effect of the instruction or input. The effect may then be executed at a predetermined time, such as after the next playable media sample is played to the user.