Real-time Index File Generation for Accurate Playback Marker Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real-time audiovisual content delivery often lacks accurate positioning of the current-playing-position marker on a progress bar due to the absence of a generated index file, leading to inaccurate user experience during playback.
Innovation Solution
A host device generates an index file in real-time by determining initial and subsequent timeline values based on presentation timestamps, which are used to accurately position the current-playing-position marker on a progress bar, allowing for precise seek functionality and user-adjusted playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an index file is generated prior to distribution of content, then the current-playing-position marker position is accurate, but the device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating the index file in real-time as content is being received, rather than waiting for complete content or generating it beforehand. The host device creates the index file concurrently with content reception, mapping presentation timestamps to timeline values before the content is fully distributed, thus preparing the positioning data in advance without delaying content delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using a progress bar with a current-playing-position marker that visually represents the relationship between content playback position and total content duration. This intermediary visual element mediates between the actual content playback and user perception, providing accurate position feedback without requiring complex direct calculations during playback.
2Productivity
If an index file is generated in real-time, then the content can be delivered without delay, but the measurement precision of marker position may be inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The index file is generated in real-time as a preliminary action during content reception, with timeline values being mapped to presentation timestamps before content distribution begins. This preliminary index file creation enables immediate content delivery while maintaining positioning accuracy through pre-calculated timestamp mappings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously updating the current-playing-position marker based on the relationship between playback position and total content duration derived from the index file. As content plays back, the marker position is dynamically adjusted based on feedback from the playback progress and the pre-established timestamp-to-duration mappings in the index file.
3Ease of operation
If the current-playing-position marker is accurately positioned, then user experience is enhanced, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The index file generation is performed as a preliminary action during content reception rather than during playback. By establishing the timestamp-to-duration mappings before content distribution begins, the system prepares all necessary positioning data in advance, eliminating processing delays during actual content playback and user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by generating the index file continuously as content is received, rather than pausing content delivery to process the index file separately. This continuous generation approach ensures that both content delivery and index file creation proceed simultaneously without interruption, maximizing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed towards presenting a current-playing-position marker on a progress bar along with real time content. An initial timeline value of the content may be determined, along with an initial presentation timestamp value for the first frame of the content. For each next frame of the content, a next timeline value may be determined based on a difference between a next presentation timestamp value for a corresponding next frame and the initial presentation timestamp value, and mapping of the next presentation timestamp value for the corresponding next frame and the next timeline value in the index file. The content and a progress bar may be displayed to the user on a remote device based on the index file. A position of the current-playing-position marker on the progress bar for each frame of the content may be determined based on the next timeline value for each corresponding frame.