Visual Marking for Multimedia Program Resumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for managing multimedia program continuity and sharing across different terminals are hindered by the need for expensive and complex recording devices, inability to resume viewing on different types of terminals, and difficulties in easy exchange due to bandwidth and implementation complexities.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing visual marking information displayed on the terminal screen, which can be photographed and processed to obtain control data for remote management, allowing users to resume or share multimedia programs seamlessly across various terminals without local recording, using a device capable of taking pictures and transmitting images for decoding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If recording devices are used to manage multimedia program continuity, then the ability to record and resume programs is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram continuityVSAvoidrecording device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual marking information (a code displayed on screen) as a simple copy or representation of the program state, rather than requiring full recording of the multimedia content. This marking contains sufficient information to resume playback without needing complex recording devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for program resumption and encoding it into a compact visual marking. This separates the critical resumption data from the full program content, allowing simple capture and processing without requiring complete recording capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If recording devices are used to manage multimedia program continuity, then the ability to record and resume programs is improved, but the cost of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram continuityVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, permanent recording devices with a temporary, inexpensive visual marking that can be captured and processed. The marking serves its purpose briefly to enable resumption, then becomes obsolete, eliminating the need for costly recording infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complete recorded files are sent for sharing between users, then the ability to share multimedia programs is improved, but the bandwidth consumption and implementation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram sharingVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of transmitting complete program files for sharing, the patent transmits only the compact visual marking containing resumption information. This marking can be captured by any terminal with picture-taking capability, enabling easy sharing without large data transfers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the program sharing function into two parts: the original program remains on the server, while only the essential resumption marking is transmitted to users. This segmentation allows sharing without duplicating or transmitting the full program content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If visual marking information is used, then the ease of operation for users is improved, but additional processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser operation simplicityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal automatically captures and processes the visual marking without requiring user intervention for complex operations. The system handles the processing burden, while the user simply needs to point the camera at the screen, making the operation intuitive despite the underlying complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2057632B1Method of management of a multimedia program, server, terminals, signal and corresponding computer programs
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 ORANGE SA
  • EP2057632B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2057632B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2057632B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of management of a multimedia program, reproduced by a terminal of a user. According to the invention, such a method comprises the following steps: reproduction (201) of said multimedia program by a terminal; obtaining (205) marking information related to a reproduction moment of said multimedia program, associated with a marking request generated on the order of a user of said terminal; utilization (209) of said marking information to reproduce said multimedia program later starting from said reproduction moment.