Alternative Event Identifier for Blackout Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital video systems, such as satellite television, often deny customers access to events due to blackout rules, forcing viewers to miss content unless they know alternative services offering the same event are available.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identify and notify customers of alternative video events with the same content by using alternative event identifiers, allowing access to these events when the primary event is blacked out on one service but available on another.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blackout rules are enforced to control access to events, then regional broadcasting rights are protected, but customers lose access to desired content
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (alternative event identifier and notification system) that mediates between blackout restrictions and customer access needs. When a primary event is blacked out, the system automatically identifies and presents alternative events on different services, allowing customers to access desired content without directly violating blackout rules.
2Reliability
If customers are denied access to blacked out events, then broadcasting rights agreements are maintained, but customers may miss content available on alternative services
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where the set-top box continuously monitors event availability across multiple services. When a blackout is detected on the primary service, the system automatically queries alternative services, identifies available events with matching alternative event identifiers, and notifies the customer, ensuring they are informed of content availability without compromising rights compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying alternative events and their identifiers before customer requests. The set-top box maintains a database of alternative event identifiers and proactively searches for available alternatives when a blackout occurs, rather than waiting for customer inquiries or manual searching.
3Ease of operation
If manual searching for alternative events is required, then customers can find accessible content, but time and effort are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically performing the alternative event search function that would otherwise require customer effort. The set-top box autonomously monitors multiple services, detects blackouts, queries alternative events using stored identifiers, and presents results to the customer, eliminating the need for manual searching while maintaining ease of access.
Data Source
AI summary
A video services receiver system and related operating methods provide alternative event information to a customer who is subject to a blackout for a desired event. If the blacked out content is available via a different event on a different service, the system will find the other event and provide an appropriate notification to the customer. A method of providing access to events by a customer associated with a video services receiver begins by identifying a first event on a first service, the first event corresponding to a first presentation of content. The method continues by retrieving an alternative event identifier for the first event and using the alternative event identifier to search for a second event on a second service, the second event corresponding to a second presentation of the content. Thereafter, the method generates an alternative event notification for the customer. The alternative event notification indicates availability of the second event for access by the customer.