Surf Mode Streaming Interface Reduces Search Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current streaming services face challenges in reducing user search time for content within large grids, leading to decreased video consumption due to the complexity of discovering available content.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 'surf mode' that allows users to browse streamed content as if it were live channels, with videos starting at staggered times, enabling users to navigate through content like traditional channel surfing, and allowing selection at any point within the video.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If users search for content within a large grid of imagery and titles, then content discovery is possible, but user search time increases and engagement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static grid-based content presentation into a dynamic linear channel structure where content plays automatically in sequence. This dynamic approach allows users to surf through content channels without manually searching through static grids, significantly reducing search time while maintaining ease of content discovery through linear navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the large content catalog into multiple linear channels, each containing a curated sequence of content items. This segmentation allows users to select a specific channel and browse content in a manageable linear fashion rather than searching through an overwhelming grid, reducing cognitive load and search time.
2Productivity
If content is presented in a static grid format, then all content is accessible, but user engagement and immediate consumption decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having content play automatically in sequences along linear channels at scheduled times. This creates a rhythm of content delivery that encourages immediate consumption and viewing, as content is continuously flowing and updated, rather than requiring users to manually navigate static grids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces linear channels as an intermediary layer between the content catalog and the user. Instead of users directly interacting with the complex grid of all content, they interact with simplified linear channels that curate and sequence content, reducing interface complexity while maintaining access to diverse content.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users must select content from beginning playback, then content integrity is maintained, but user flexibility and immediate viewing of specific segments is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes content playback dynamic by allowing users to jump to any position within the linear channel sequence, not just from the beginning. This dynamic playback capability maintains content integrity while providing users with flexible viewing options to start content at specific points based on their interests or time constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
The described technology is generally directed towards a surf mode of operation for streaming content such as video content, in which different content is arranged as different channels though which a user can surf by changing the streaming channels. The starting times of the different content can be staggered. Aspects comprise streaming first content corresponding to a first interactively selectable streaming channel to an output device, receiving a change request to change to a second interactively selectable streaming channel, and in response to the receiving the change request, streaming second content corresponding to the second interactively selectable streaming channel to the output device.