Multi-Level Video Browsing Interface for Directional Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video hosting website user interfaces designed for computer input devices, such as mice and keyboards, become difficult to navigate when applied to television systems with limited input controls like directional pads, making it hard for users to browse and select videos efficiently, especially with the increasing number of available videos.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that uses directional control input devices like D-pads or arrow keys to navigate through multiple levels of video browsing controls, including search, playback, video, and channel levels, allowing users to easily select and play videos using intuitive directional inputs, with controls overlaid on a full-screen video for seamless navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional computer mouse and keyboard interfaces are used for video browsing, then precise cursor control and direct alphanumeric input are achieved, but the interface becomes difficult to navigate on television systems with limited directional pad controls
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface dynamically adapts its control scheme based on the detected input device type. When a directional pad is detected, the system switches from conventional point-and-click controls to directional navigation controls with overlaid menus, making the interface adaptable to different input capabilities while maintaining ease of operation for each device type
Solution Approach 2:
The interface changes its operational parameters by detecting the input device type and adjusting the control mode accordingly. For directional pads, it implements directional navigation with overlaid controls at different levels, whereas for mice and keyboards it uses conventional direct selection, thereby optimizing ease of operation for each device category
2Quantity of substance
If the number of available videos is increased to provide more content, then user choice and content variety are improved, but the difficulty of browsing and searching for content of interest increases
Solution Approach 1:
The video browsing interface is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels including channel level, video level, and playback control level. This segmentation organizes the large number of videos into manageable categories and subsets, allowing users to navigate through directional pads without being overwhelmed by the total volume of content, thus maintaining ease of browsing despite increased video quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The interface adds a hierarchical dimension to video browsing by implementing multi-level navigation (channel level → video level → playback control level). This dimensional organization transforms the flat, overwhelming list of videos into a structured hierarchy that can be navigated systematically using directional controls, making content discovery easier even with millions of videos available
3Ease of operation
If multi-level navigation controls are overlaid on full-screen video, then intuitive directional control navigation is achieved, but the video display area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The overlaid navigation controls appear periodically only when needed for interaction, rather than continuously obscuring the video. The interface allows users to access directional navigation controls during playback without permanently blocking the video display area, maintaining both intuitive navigation capability and maximal video visibility
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface may be provided. A display of one or more levels of control for controlling video playback in the user interface may be provided in response to a first input from a directional controller along a first axis of the directional controller. Each level of control may include at least one control option that is different from control options at another level of control. A focus within a current level of control of the one or more levels of control may be set. The focus may be moved to another control option within the current level of control in response to a second input from the directional controller along a second axis of the directional controller.