Flexible Additional Information Access in Digital TV Streams
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital TV systems overwhelm users with additional information, distracting them from the main content due to lack of control over when and how additional information is consumed, leading to a 'continual partially interrupted state' (CPIS) and cluttered screens.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow users to 'set aside' additional information for later consumption without pausing the main content, providing flexible access through indicators, separate screen divisions, and the ability to output additional information on other devices, enabling users to control the timing and device for consuming additional content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If additional information is continuously displayed on the TV screen, then information availability is improved, but user distraction and screen clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is divided into multiple regions: a main content display area and a separate additional information display area. This segmentation allows additional information to be displayed without overwhelming the main content, reducing user distraction while maintaining information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional display (main content only) to a multi-dimensional display structure by adding temporal dimension (displaying additional information at appropriate times) and spatial dimension (separate display regions), allowing information to be presented without causing distraction.
2Speed
If additional information is displayed immediately, then information access speed is improved, but main content continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares additional information in advance by buffering it and associating it with specific main content segments. This preliminary preparation allows the additional information to be displayed immediately when needed without disrupting the main content flow, as the information is ready to be presented at the appropriate moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system displays additional information periodically at strategically chosen moments rather than continuously. This periodic display approach provides fast access to information when relevant while maintaining the continuity of the main content between information displays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users can access additional information freely, then information accessibility is improved, but control over information consumption is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates user feedback mechanisms that allow users to control when and how additional information is displayed. Users can provide feedback to indicate their information needs, and the system adjusts its information presentation accordingly, maintaining both accessibility and user control.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for providing flexible access to additional information to a visual stream of main information is described comprising: displaying the visual stream of main information on a screen (3); determining whether additional information is available for a specific portion of the visual stream of main information currently displayed; providing an indicator (15) when additional information is available for the specific portion of the visual stream of main information; based on a users choice concerning a temporal or spatial provision of the additional information, presenting the additional information immediately, storing the additional information for later use or discarding the additional information.