Video Thumbnail Navigation via Bidirectional Scroll
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional video navigation GUIs face challenges in providing precise time position selection due to small thumbnail sizes and limited display area, leading to awkward selection processes and noticeable delays between seek requests and playback initiation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a bidirectionally scrollable strip of thumbnails, where the currently selected thumbnail is displayed prominently and can be inertially scrolled using swipe gestures, allowing for precise control and reducing delays by displaying an expanded thumbnail during buffering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If thumbnails are displayed in a traditional small size within a limited horizontal navigation bar, then the display area is preserved, but the thumbnail visibility and selection precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional horizontal navigation bar into a vertical scrollable list of thumbnails. This dimensional change allows thumbnails to be displayed in a larger area while maintaining precise time position selection, as users can scroll vertically through the list to select specific time points in the video.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic thumbnail list that automatically adjusts its content and layout based on the video playback position. As the video plays, the thumbnail list updates to show relevant time positions, and the selected thumbnail changes dynamically to reflect the current playback state, enhancing both visibility and selection precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the horizontal navigation bar is limited by screen width, then the device compatibility is maintained, but the user selection granularity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By switching from a horizontal to a vertical layout, the patent enables the thumbnail list to adapt to various screen widths while providing sufficient vertical space for displaying multiple thumbnails with adequate spacing. This allows users to easily select time positions with appropriate granularity across different devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the video timeline into discrete, scrollable thumbnail entries in a vertical list. Each thumbnail represents a specific time position and can be independently selected, allowing users to navigate through the video timeline with precise control while maintaining compatibility with various screen sizes through the scrollable interface.
3Reliability
If there is a delay between seek request and playback initiation, then the buffering process is necessary, but the user perceived responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays the selected thumbnail in a prominent position within the vertical list before playback actually begins. This preliminary display of the target thumbnail gives users immediate visual feedback about their selection, reducing the perceived delay even though the buffering process continues in the background. The interface responds instantly to user input while the actual video data loads.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by an electronic device to allow a user to navigate a video. The method includes causing a display of a currently selected thumbnail in a first rectangular area overlaying a bidirectionally scrollable strip of thumbnails in a second rectangular area having the plurality of thumbnails logically arranged in order according to their associated time positions and responsive to data reflecting a swipe gesture in a direction, causing an update to the display of the bidirectionally scrollable strip of thumbnails to reflect inertial scrolling in the direction, where the currently selected thumbnail in the first rectangular area is updated each time the bidirectionally scrollable strip of thumbnails has scrolled past a threshold such that the currently selected thumbnail in the bidirectionally scrollable strip of thumbnails is no longer closest to the center of the first rectangular area.