Aggregated Program Guide for Overlapping Head Ends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic program guides struggle to accurately determine a user's head end for personalized television programming, especially in areas with overlapping broadcast coverage, leading to inconsistent and confusing channel listings.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that identifies multiple head ends by analyzing user-provided location information, such as a zip code, and aggregates channel information from these head ends into a combined program guide, allowing users to view programming from multiple sources in a unified format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single head end is selected based on location information, then the program guide can be simplified and easier to navigate, but it may not accurately represent all channels available to the user in areas with overlapping coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple head end listings into a single aggregated program guide that displays channels from all applicable head ends. Instead of forcing the user to choose one head end or navigate multiple separate guides, the system merges the channel lineups and presents them in one unified interface, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the program guide by organizing channels into groups corresponding to different head ends, while maintaining a unified navigation structure. This allows the system to present accurate multi-head end information without overwhelming the user, as channels are logically divided but accessed through a single guide interface.
2Loss of information
If multiple head ends are identified and aggregated, then the program guide provides comprehensive channel information, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal program guide interface that can handle multiple head ends through a single unified system. The guide is designed to automatically adapt to displaying channels from any number of head ends without requiring separate processing logic for each configuration, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines which head ends serve the user's location and aggregates their channels without requiring manual configuration. The program guide self-adjusts based on location data, eliminating the need for complex manual setup procedures and reducing operational complexity while providing comprehensive channel information.
3Ease of manufacture
If location information alone is used to determine head end, then the system is easy to implement, but it fails in areas with overlapping broadcast coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the determination parameter from a single location-based selection to a multi-parameter evaluation that includes location information plus additional criteria such as signal availability and user preferences. This allows the system to remain simple to implement while reliably handling overlapping coverage areas by considering multiple factors in the head end selection process.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes receiving information associated with a user of media services, wherein the received information does not uniquely identify one media head end for the user, identifying a plurality of head ends responsive to the received information, and generating, for display on a client device associated with the user, information for displaying a program guide aggregating channels for the plurality of head ends.