Remote Controller Progress Dial with Thumbnail Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an effective user interface for remotely controlling video content playback on television devices, particularly in scenarios where a smartphone acts as a remote control, and there is a need for a seamless integration of progress tracking and thumbnail images to enhance user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a content provider that transmits video content and thumbnail images, a remote controller configured to display a progress dial and thumbnail images, and a television device that receives and displays these images, allowing users to control video playback through a user interface on the remote controller, which can communicate with the television device via a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a smartphone acts as a remote control device to transmit video content, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a smartphone to function as a remote control device that can transmit both control signals and video content to a television device. The remote control system is designed to handle multiple functions including progress tracking, thumbnail image display, and video transmission, thereby improving ease of operation while managing device complexity through integrated design.
2Measurement precision
If thumbnail images are displayed on the progress dial to show playback progress, then the measurement precision of playback progress is improved, but the area occupied by the user interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a traditional linear progress bar to a circular progress dial. This allows thumbnail images to be distributed around the circumference of the dial, providing precise playback progress measurement while efficiently utilizing the available display area. The radial arrangement of thumbnails on the circular dial enables multiple images to be displayed without proportionally increasing the overall interface area.
3Ease of operation
If the remote controller displays thumbnail images associated with time points on the progress dial, then the ease of operation for navigating video content is improved, but the quantity of data to be transmitted and displayed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and caching thumbnail images at specific time points during video playback. These thumbnails are prepared in advance and stored locally on the remote controller, allowing users to navigate to different time points without real-time data transmission. This reduces the quantity of data transmitted during user interaction while maintaining ease of operation for content navigation.
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one example embodiment, a remote controller includes a pairing unit configured to communicatively pair the remote controller with a television device; a receiver configured to receive, from a content provider, at least one thumbnail image corresponding to video content that is played on the television device; and a display unit configured to display, on a first area, a progress dial and the at least one thumbnail image associated with at least one point in time represented on the progress dial, wherein the at least one thumbnail image is also provided to the television device by the content provider.