Video Catch-Up System Using Frame Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Viewers face frustration when trying to catch up on paused video content, as existing methods like fast-forwarding often result in missing important details, and there is a need for improved systems to modify or remove material from video content in a way that allows for seamless continuation without losing valuable information.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and method that automatically present a menu to users upon resuming paused video content, allowing them to choose a quality setting for catch-up, identify and remove sequential frames with similar content, and transmit modified video content to maintain the chosen quality, thereby allowing users to catch up on lost time without noticeable loss of information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If fast-forward or skip function is used to catch up lost time, then viewing time is reduced, but important plot details and conversations are missed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing timeVSAvoidplot details
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The video content is segmented into individual frames that can be selectively removed. The system analyzes sequential frames to identify which ones provide similar content, allowing precise removal of redundant frames while preserving important content segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of frame removal rate based on quality settings. Higher quality settings result in lower removal rates to minimize noticeable loss, while still achieving catch-up functionality. The system dynamically adjusts which frames to remove based on content analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If frames are removed to achieve catch-up, then viewing time is reduced, but user notice of removal increases at higher removal rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatch-up timeVSAvoiduser notice of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides multiple quality settings that control the frame removal rate parameter. Higher quality settings use lower removal rates to reduce user notice, while still achieving the catch-up objective. The removal rate is dynamically adjusted based on the selected quality level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system presents warnings to users when the selected quality setting may result in noticeable loss of video content. This feedback mechanism allows users to make informed decisions about the trade-off between catch-up speed and content preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If automatic menu is presented upon resumption, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically presents a menu to users upon resumption of paused video content, allowing them to select their preferred catch-up quality setting without manual intervention. The system self-manages the frame removal process based on user selection, reducing operational complexity despite the added menu functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2750402B1Auto catch-up
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 ECHOSTAR TECH LLC
  • EP2750402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2750402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2750402B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device and a method for performing an automatic catch-up function are described. An exemplary system may include an electronic device (150,200) configured to receive video content and/or user inputs. The electronic device may further include one or more processors (210,610) as well as memory (635), which when executed by the one or more processors, cause them to review the received video content and identify instances of sequential frames providing similar content. The one or more processors may further be caused to determine whether at least one of the sequential frames may be removed, remove one or more of the sequential frames to produce modified video content, and transmit the modified video content to one or more display devices (160).