Streaming Media Playlist Navigation via Time Parameter Comparison

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing streaming media control systems, using RTSP, treat all files in a playlist as a single file, making it difficult for users to navigate and select specific files during playback, as they must pause and resume playback like controlling a single file.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allow users to pause and resume playback of a current streaming media file, using PAUSE and PLAY messages with time parameters to determine the play position, enabling seamless switching to the next or previous file in the playlist based on comparison of play time parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If all files in a playlist are treated as a single streaming media file using RTSP control, then the control procedure is simple and standardized, but the user cannot easily navigate to or select specific files within the playlist during playback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile navigation capabilityVSAvoidcontrol procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the playlist into individually addressable file units by introducing file index parameters (e.g., playlistIndex, fileIndex) into the RTSP control mechanism. This allows the terminal to specify which particular file within the playlist should be played, transformed from treating the entire playlist as one unit to enabling precise file-level control through parameterized commands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses standard RTSP PLAY command to resume playback, then the control flow is simple, but the system cannot determine whether to play the current file again or switch to another file in the playlist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback control flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the terminal sends both play time parameters (indicating desired playback position) and file index parameters (indicating which file to play) in the PLAY command. The streaming media server uses this feedback to determine whether to resume the current file or switch to a different file in the playlist, enabling adaptive playback control based on user intent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the RTSP PLAY command by incorporating additional parameters beyond the standard play time. Specifically, it adds file index parameters (playlistIndex, fileIndex) that allow the system to differentiate between resuming current file playback and switching to another file, transforming the simple play/resume command into a versatile file selection and playback control mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2341754B1Control method, equipment and system for playing stream media
Publication Date: 2014.05.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2341754B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2341754B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2341754B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A method for controlling streaming media play includes: receiving from a terminal a PAUSE message requesting to pause the playing of a current streaming media file; pausing the sending of a media stream of the current streaming media file to the terminal and obtaining a first play time parameter, where the first play time parameter is about the time when the current streaming media file is paused; receiving from the terminal a PLAY message that carries a second play time parameter used to locate a play position of the streaming media file; and comparing the first play time parameter and the second play time parameter, and play, according to the comparison result, another streaming media file in the play list to which the current streaming media file belongs. Accordingly, a device and system for controlling streaming media play are also disclosed. With the present invention, when the current streaming media file is played, a user can select to play another streaming media file in the current play list to which the current streaming media file belongs. This facilitates the selection of streaming media files by the user and enhances the user experience.