Searchable Transcript and Histogram for Media Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of streamed and progressively downloaded media programs face difficulties in navigating media content due to lack of information about the media content at specific points, leading to inconvenient 'hunting' for desired scenes and unnecessary burden on streaming servers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generates a searchable transcript of the media program dialog, allowing users to quickly navigate through the media program by concurrently displaying the media player and the transcript, with features like histograms and keyword searches to identify popular segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users navigate media programs without transcript or histogram information, then the interface remains simple, but users must 'hunt' for desired scenes which increases navigation time and server burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media program into multiple sections with a histogram displaying popular segments. Each bar in the histogram represents a time segment, allowing users to quickly identify and navigate to desired portions without searching through the entire program. This segmentation provides structured information that improves navigation efficiency while maintaining interface simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transcript as an intermediary element between the user and the media content. The transcript provides text-based information about dialog and content at specific time points, serving as a mediator that helps users locate desired scenes without directly interacting with the video stream. This intermediary layer improves navigation while keeping the core media player interface simple.
2Loss of time
If users manually search for specific scenes in media programs, then the interface remains simple, but navigation time and server load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the media program to generate a histogram showing popular segments and a transcript of dialog. This information is prepared in advance and made available to users, allowing them to quickly navigate to desired scenes without requiring multiple server requests or manual searching. The preliminary preparation reduces both navigation time and subsequent server load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user interactions with the histogram and transcript are tracked. When users select specific segments or search for keywords, the system provides immediate feedback by highlighting relevant portions and adjusting the display accordingly. This feedback loop enables efficient navigation while reducing unnecessary server requests through client-side processing.
3Loss of information
If a transcript is displayed concurrently with the media player, then users can quickly navigate to specific portions, but the user interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transcript display with the media player interface by integrating them in a coordinated manner. The transcript is displayed alongside or below the video player, with synchronized highlighting that corresponds to the current playback position. This merging allows comprehensive information display while maintaining a unified, manageable interface structure rather than separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a textual dimension to the visual media experience by displaying the transcript. This creates a new dimension of information access where users can read dialog and content descriptions alongside watching the video. The transcript adds informational depth without significantly complicating the interface, as it utilizes the vertical space efficiently and provides searchable text content.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for navigating a media program via a searchable transcript of the dialog of the media program is disclosed. In one embodiment, a textural transcript of the dialog is generated, wherein the textural transcript comprising a plurality of portions wherein each portion is associated with a segment of the media program, a command is accepted to display the transcript and in response to that command, user interface data is transmitted to the client computer for presentation in a user interface, wherein the user interface comprising a concurrently presented media program player and the textural transcript.