Set-Top Box Progressive Media Bookmarking via Estimated Time Index
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Solution Overview
Problem
Progressively downloaded media programs often lack full playback features due to the index file being located at the end of the container file, limiting features like bookmarking and trick play during initial playback.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a Set-Top Box (STB) to determine the approximate length of a media program, allowing partial playback and adjusting presentation accordingly, utilizing an estimated time index to enable features like bookmarking and trick play before the index file is fully downloaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If progressively downloaded media programs are presented before complete download, then user waiting time is reduced and playback starts earlier, but playback features like bookmarking and trick play become unavailable or limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by downloading and processing the index file in advance before progressive playback begins. The index file is extracted and parsed ahead of time, creating a time index structure that enables future playback features. This preliminary processing allows bookmarking and trick play to function during progressive download by having the temporal structure prepared beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary time index structure is introduced between the downloaded media segments and the playback system. This time index acts as a mediator that provides temporal positioning information without requiring the complete original index file. The intermediary structure enables playback features by translating media segment positions into meaningful time-based navigation, allowing bookmarking and trick play to work with progressively downloaded content.
2Device complexity
If the index file is located at the end of the container file for progressive download, then file structure simplicity is maintained, but playback features dependent on index file information become unavailable during initial playback
Solution Approach 1:
The index file information is segmented and distributed throughout the progressive download process rather than being contained entirely at the end. As media segments are downloaded, corresponding index information is extracted and assembled incrementally. This segmentation allows the playback system to access temporal positioning data progressively, enabling playback features to become available as each segment is downloaded without requiring the complete index file to be present first.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary extraction and processing of index file information as each media segment is downloaded, rather than waiting for the complete index file at the end. This preliminary action creates a usable time index structure incrementally, allowing playback features to function progressively as content is downloaded while maintaining the simple end-of-file index structure.
3Measurement precision
If complete index file is required for playback features, then accurate bookmarking and trick play are enabled, but progressive download capability is compromised as users must wait for complete download
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by using only the portion of the index file information that is needed for each downloaded segment, rather than requiring the complete index file. As each media segment is downloaded, the corresponding temporal positioning data is extracted and used to enable bookmarking and trick play for that segment. This partial processing provides sufficient precision for playback features to function accurately on available content without waiting for the complete download.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary extraction of temporal positioning data from downloaded segments before full download completes. This preliminary action creates accurate time references for bookmarking and trick play on the portion of content that has been downloaded, providing measurement precision for playback features on available content while eliminating the need to wait for complete download.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for presenting progressively downloaded media programs is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, obtaining an estimated length of a media program where the estimated length is based on a plurality of different reported lengths of the media program in reported media program information, presenting at a display device a portion of the media program while it is being delivered by a media delivery system via a progressive download, and enabling bookmark and chaptering functions for the media program based on the estimated length of the media program until a true time index is generated using an index file at an end of the progressive download of the media program. Other embodiments are disclosed.