Asset Definition Framework for DTV Application Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no standard interface for providers of digital television (DTV) managed applications to effectively communicate and deliver their assets, including metadata, to a cable headend facility, limiting the efficient distribution and management of DTV applications.
Innovation Solution
An asset definition framework and Extended Asset Definition Interface (EADI) are introduced to enable content providers to deliver DTV applications and associated metadata to a cable headend, using metadata extensions for automatic management and generation of application signaling data, facilitating the discovery and launch of applications on DTV receivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standard interface like ADI is used for VOD assets, then communication and delivery of assets and metadata to headend is effective, but no such standard exists for DTV managed applications, limiting their distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the existing ADI framework to create a universal interface that handles both traditional VOD assets and new DTV managed applications through a common metadata structure. The asset descriptor is designed to be multi-functional, accommodating different asset types (VOD, applications, games, etc.) while maintaining a consistent communication protocol with the headend facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the asset information into structured metadata fields within the asset descriptor, separating content metadata, rights metadata, operational information, and business metadata. This segmentation allows the same interface structure to efficiently handle diverse asset types by organizing their specific information in standardized categories.
2Productivity
If manual management of application signaling data is used, then control over application delivery is maintained, but the process becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service automation where the system automatically generates, manages, and updates application signaling data based on the asset descriptor metadata. The headend facility can automatically discover new applications, generate appropriate signaling information, and distribute them without manual intervention, significantly improving productivity while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The asset descriptor contains pre-configured metadata and operational information that enables preliminary setup of application delivery parameters. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-process and prepare application signaling data in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time management and enabling more efficient automated distribution.
3Reliability
If comprehensive metadata is included in asset descriptor, then complete information is provided for application management, but the data structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides comprehensive metadata into distinct, organized segments including content metadata, rights metadata, operational information, and business metadata. This segmentation maintains completeness of information while reducing apparent complexity through structured organization, allowing each segment to be independently processed and managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The asset descriptor acts as an intermediary structured data container that organizes comprehensive metadata in a standardized format. This intermediary structure mediates between the complex information requirements and the simpler processing needs of the headend system, providing complete information while maintaining a manageable data structure through consistent field definitions and hierarchical organization.
Data Source
AI summary
An implementation is described herein that generally pertains to digital video television technology. At least one implementation, described herein, provides an asset definition framework for digital television (DTV) managed applications. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.