Video Preview Interface Using Thumbnail Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-based video-on-demand systems lack an efficient and user-friendly mechanism for accurately previewing and navigating to specific play positions in video content, often requiring high-bandwidth networks and resulting in frustrating user experiences due to time-based references, accelerated video rendering, and slow reaction times.
Innovation Solution
A low-bandwidth technique that uses thumbnail images corresponding to desired play positions, displayed alongside a cursor, allowing users to transition from a thumbnail to a full display image, reducing network traffic and improving navigation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If time-based reference feedback is provided to users, then network bandwidth requirements are reduced, but user experience deteriorates due to multiple trial-and-error attempts needed to locate desired playback position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates thumbnail copies of video frames at different time positions within the video content. These thumbnail images serve as visual representations that users can select to navigate to specific playback positions. Instead of transmitting or processing full-resolution video data, the system generates and displays reduced-resolution thumbnail copies, thereby reducing network bandwidth requirements while providing intuitive visual navigation feedback to improve user experience.
2Speed
If accelerated speed video rendering is provided to help users locate desired position, then navigation speed is improved, but accuracy deteriorates due to user reaction time and system latency causing over-shoot or under-shoot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates and displays multiple thumbnail images representing different time positions within the video content before the user initiates playback. These thumbnails are prepared in advance, allowing users to visually scan and select their desired playback position without needing to react quickly to accelerated video playback. This preliminary preparation of navigation options eliminates the need for rapid user reactions and reduces positioning errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thumbnail images as an intermediary between the user and the full-resolution video content. Instead of directly controlling playback through accelerated video rendering, users interact with the thumbnail representations to select target positions. This intermediary layer decouples the navigation selection from the actual playback execution, allowing users to make accurate position selections without being constrained by reaction time or system latency during accelerated playback.
3Measurement precision
If professional video editing system capabilities are implemented in networked VOD systems to provide frame-level accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but system cost and complexity increase due to expensive low-latency high-bandwidth networks and server systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels to different parts of the video data processing pipeline. Thumbnail images are generated at reduced resolution for navigation purposes, while full-resolution video content is only retrieved and transmitted when the user selects a specific thumbnail for playback. This local differentiation of quality requirements allows the system to provide accurate position selection without requiring high-bandwidth networks or complex server infrastructure for the entire video stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the video content processing into two distinct phases: (1) thumbnail generation and display for position selection, and (2) full-resolution video playback after position selection. This segmentation allows the system to handle only the necessary portion of video data at high quality (the selected playback position), while using low-quality representations (thumbnails) for the navigation phase. This approach achieves frame-level positioning accuracy without requiring the entire system to operate at high bandwidth and low latency.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to display video content. A cursor associated with the relative position of the video content is provided. A new cursor position associated with a request for a new relative position of the video content is received. A thumbnail image of the video content corresponding to the new relative position is displayed. The thumbnail image is then transitioned to a full display image.