SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLABORATIVE ANNOTATIONS OF STREAMING VIDEOS ON MOBILE DEVICES
A system and method to enable fine-grained, contextual annotations of streaming videos by one or more users, prioritizing the use of screen space on mobile devices by allowing users to draw or place threaded comments while utilizing a touch-based interface, reducing distractions caused by a* cluttered interface. By enabling the user to control annotations beginning at a particular timestamp within the streaming video, the present invention optimizes screen real estate on mobile devices efficiently. Contextual commenting is enabled using a combination of perspectives, which highlight the parts of the video being annotated, while dimming out the rest of the screen elements and flexible extension of a user's comments across one or many frames of the streaming video. Using a simple touch-based interface the present invention is intuitive and further enables the user to select the vicinity around which he or she wishes to increase sensitivity or have finer control.
1 . A computer implemented method for fine-grained, contextual annotation of streaming video by one or more users, optimizing the use of screen space on mobile devices comprising the steps of:
a. Enabling the user to represent annotations on the video's timeline by creating one or more markers 4 ;
b. Enabling the user, by means of a hard-press action, to select a vicinity within the video over which he seeks finer control on playback or reduced sensitivity 7 ;
c. Enabling the user to approve his annotation by means of a submit button 8 ; and
d. Enabling a crisp, list-based view of collaborative annotations at the same point within the video's timeline 9 .
2 . A computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the user is enabled to represent annotations on the video's timeline by the creation of one or more markers, comments and metadata further comprising the steps of:
a. Enabling the user to pause the video at a particular timestamp, as desired;
b. Enabling the user to select a comment tool 12 and switching to comment mode, within the execution environment 11 ;
c. Enabling a combination of perspectives to highlight the user's selection of the start of the video-frames over 16 , which he is annotating with his comments;
d. Enabling the user to enter his comment in a comment box 19 , 21 ; and
e. Enabling the user to extend his comment to a larger range of frames than in his original selection, using a dragging operation 25 .
f. A computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the user is enabled to select a vicinity within the video over which he seeks finer control on playback or reduced sensitivity 27 . Further, enabling the user to zoom in to particular portions of the video 28 , while simultaneously allowing the user to move forward and backward in time by a small realizable movement of the user's hand on the time-line 30 .
3 . A computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the user is enabled to approve his annotation further comprising the steps of:
a. The system checking for the existence of prior annotations that lie within a specific interval of that timestamp 41 ;
b. In the event of pre-existing comments, adding the comment associated with this instance of the annotation to a list associated with the nearest marker 42 , further indicating this change in the User Interface with a blinking marker 43 ;
c. In the event of no pre-existing comments, creating a new marker 44 with a unique user-image for the user that has added the comment 45 ; and
d. Checking if the user has added the marker lines at the beginning or end of the timeline.
4 . A computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the user is enabled to view collaborative annotations at the same point within the video's timeline further comprising the steps of:
a. The user tapping on a marker on the video's timeline 50 , wherein the marker denotes one or more comments;
b. In the event of a marker denoting a single comment 51 , the system navigating to a point in the video where the comment is associated with a part of the video's timeline 52 ;
i. Opening the comment to allow the user to view its contents over one or more frames 53 ;
c. In the event of a marker denoting more than one comment 51 :
i. Presenting the user with a linear list of comments within that group, commenting on that frame and other frames in the vicinity 57 ;
d. Accepting the user's choice on which comment he wishes to view and displaying the details 58 .
5 . A computer implemented system for fine-grained, contextual annotation of streaming video by one or more users, optimizing the use of screen space on mobile devices comprising:
a. Means to enable the user to represent annotations on the video's timeline by creating one or more markers 4 ;
b. Means to enable the user, by means of a hard-press action, to select a vicinity within the video over which he seeks finer control on playback or reduced sensitivity 7 ;
c. Means to enable the user to approve his annotation by means of a submit button 8 ; and
d. Means to enable a crisp, list-based view of collaborative annotations at the same point within the video's timeline 9 .