Video Playback Rate Indication Using Shape-Based Timeline Marks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital video editing systems lack an intuitive user interface for representing and adjusting video playback rates, making it difficult for users to distinguish between forward, reverse, and still frame playback without actual playback, especially for color-blind users or those with monochrome monitors.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface that uses different shapes, such as greater-than and less-than signs for forward and reverse playback, and vertical lines for still frame playback, along with adjustable mark density and angle, to represent varying playback rates and directions, allowing users to visualize and adjust playback rates without actual playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color-coded marks are used to indicate playback rates, then playback rate distinction is improved, but accessibility for color-blind users and monochrome monitor users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using only color (one dimension) to incorporating shape as an additional dimension for encoding playback rate information. Marks now have both color and shape attributes, allowing playback rates to be distinguished by shape geometry (circles, squares, triangles, crosses) in addition to color coding. This multi-dimensional approach ensures accessibility for color-blind users and monochrome monitor users who cannot rely on color differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different shapes are assigned to different playback rates, creating local quality variations in the mark geometry. Each playback rate (normal, slow motion, fast forward, reverse) has a specific shape characteristic, allowing users to distinguish rates by examining the local geometric properties of individual marks rather than relying solely on global color properties.
2Device complexity
If traditional vertical tic marks are used, then the interface is simple, but the ability to distinguish forward, reverse, and still frame playback deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric shapes to represent different playback directions. Forward playback is indicated by right-pointing triangles or greater-than signs (>), reverse playback by left-pointing triangles or less-than signs (<), and still frame by vertical lines or equals signs (=). This asymmetric geometric encoding provides intuitive directional information that vertical symmetric tic marks cannot convey.
Solution Approach 2:
The playback rate information is segmented into discrete shape categories rather than using a continuous scale. Each playback rate type (forward, reverse, still frame) is represented by a distinct shape segment, making the information more easily distinguishable and interpretable than a uniform vertical mark system.
3Ease of operation
If playback rate is changed without visual indication, then the operation is simple, but the user may accidentally cause unwanted playback effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate visual feedback by displaying marks with shapes and colors corresponding to the applied playback rate. When a user changes playback rate, the interface automatically updates the marks along the timeline to reflect the new rate, allowing users to verify the change visually before finalizing the edit. This feedback mechanism prevents accidental unwanted playback effects by making the applied rate visible and confirmable.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual marks indicating playback rate are displayed preliminarily during the editing process, allowing users to review and confirm the intended playback rate before final rendering or export. This preliminary visual indication enables users to detect and correct unwanted playback rate settings before they become permanent in the final output.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to indicating different video playback rates. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes providing a user interface for a digital video editing system, the user interface including a graphical representation of playback time for a sequence of digital video; receiving input specifying a change in playback rate for the sequence of digital video; and showing the change in playback rate, the showing including providing marks along the graphical representation of playback time for the sequence of digital video; wherein the marks include different shapes to represent at least two different playback rates.