Single Control Media Playback via Time Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media playback systems require multiple controls and buttons to manage complex playback operations, making them cumbersome for users.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where a single control signal determines operations based on the time position in the playback of content, with different time segments triggering specific actions such as jumping to the beginning, pausing, or switching to the next piece of content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple controls and buttons are provided on remote control or user interface to manage complex playback operations, then the functionality and versatility of media playback control is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of media playback controlVSAvoidnumber of controls and buttons

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single control button is designed to perform multiple playback operations (play, pause, skip, rewind, etc.) by detecting the time position of media playback and automatically determining the appropriate action. This eliminates the need for multiple separate buttons while maintaining full functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of media playback controlVSAvoiduser interaction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system automatically determines the appropriate playback operation based on the current time position without requiring user selection. When a user presses the single control button, the system self-determines whether to play, pause, skip forward, or rewind based on where the media is in its playback timeline, making operation simple while maintaining versatile functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If time position-based operation determination is implemented, then the ease of operation and device simplicity are improved, but the measurement precision and timing accuracy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle control operationVSAvoidtime position detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors and detects the current time position of media playback, using this feedback information to automatically determine the appropriate operation. The time position detection mechanism provides real-time data that enables the single control button to execute context-appropriate actions, balancing operational simplicity with the technical requirements for precise timing measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11070885B2Method and apparatus for controlling playback of media using a single control

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HLDG

AI summary

Playback of content is modified by the application of an operation that is determined in response to a received control signal. The operation performed for the content is determined by the time position in the playback of the content where the presence of the time position in different time segments of the content will have different corresponding operations performed.