Set-Top Box Playlist Management for Recorded Media Viewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in selecting and viewing multiple media content instances simultaneously due to confusing buffering mechanisms in current set-top box (STB) systems, particularly with personal video recording (PVR) applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows users to define and select entries for a playlist, enabling the display of multiple portions of recorded media content instances during a single viewing session, using a graphical user interface (GUI) to navigate and bookmark media content for inclusion in the playlist.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple media content instances are buffered in memory or storage device for personal video recording, then viewing choices are expanded, but the buffering mechanisms become confusing to the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing choicesVSAvoiduser interface clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the buffered media content into discrete, manageable units organized in playlists. Each playlist contains specific portions of media content instances that can be independently selected and viewed, breaking down the complex buffering mechanism into user-friendly segments that are easier to navigate and understand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces playlists as an intermediary layer between the buffering mechanism and the user interface. Playlists serve as a mediator that translates the complex internal buffering operations into simple, intuitive user actions for selecting and viewing media content, thereby resolving the confusion while preserving expanded viewing choices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of available media content choices increases, then user preferences are better served, but viewing conflicts arise where users must choose between multiple desired programs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia content choicesVSAvoidtime to resolve viewing conflicts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables users to pre-configure playlists containing multiple desired media content instances before viewing conflicts arise. By preparing playlists in advance, users have their viewing options ready and organized, eliminating the need to resolve conflicts in real-time and reducing the time lost when multiple programs are desired

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If trick play modes are implemented with live cache buffer, then non-linear viewing is enabled, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing modesVSAvoidbuffer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates simplified copies or representations of the buffered media content through playlists. Instead of requiring users to directly manage the complex live cache buffer for trick play operations, playlists provide simplified access points that enable non-linear viewing without exposing users to the underlying buffer management complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8468454B2Method and system for displaying portions of recorded media content instances

Publication Date: 2013.06.18 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A method and system for displaying a number of portions of a number of recorded media content instances during a single viewing session. A number of entries are defined to each correspond to one of the number of portions of the number of recorded media content instances. Each of the entries are included in a play list which is selected for viewing. The portions of the number of recorded media content instances included in the entries in the play list are then displayed during the single viewing session.