Broadcast Receiver Application Control via Information Table

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in improving the quality of services using applications managed by entities other than broadcast stations, such as terminal device manufacturers or third-party application providers, as they lack effective control over application operations and resource management.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus equipped with a broadcast receiver and a controller that obtains and utilizes an application information table to control the operation of applications, including screen control, resource verification, and channel selection status management, enabling improved service quality for non-broadcast-managed applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If third-party applications are allowed to use broadcast resources, then service diversity and adaptability are improved, but control over application operations and resource management deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice diversityVSAvoidcontrol over application operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an application information table as an intermediary data structure that mediates between third-party applications and broadcast resources. This table contains control information that enables the broadcast system to manage and control application operations while allowing third-party applications to access broadcast resources, thus resolving the contradiction between service diversity and operational control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of application management by transitioning from direct broadcast-controlled applications to a new parameter regime where applications are controlled through an information table with specific control codes. This parameter change allows third-party applications to operate with defined control parameters, maintaining system reliability while improving adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If applications are controlled through broadcast AIT sections, then operational control is improved, but flexibility for non-broadcast-managed applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational controlVSAvoidflexibility for third-party applications
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal application information table that serves multiple functions: it maintains operational control like traditional AIT sections while also supporting third-party applications. The control information in this table can manage both broadcast-managed and non-broadcast-managed applications, providing multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between operational control and flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If all resource files are stored in the apparatus, then application execution reliability is improved, but device storage requirements and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication execution reliabilityVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating resource file management based on application type. For packaged applications, all resource files are stored locally in the apparatus to ensure execution reliability. For web-based applications, resource files are accessed remotely via URIs. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between execution reliability and storage complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3920544A1Information processing device and information processing method
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3920544A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3920544A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3920544A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an information processing apparatus including: a broadcast receiver capable of receiving a broadcast signal; and a controller configured to obtain at least information used to control an operation of an application, the application using a broadcast signal received by the broadcast receiver and an application information table describing information indicating a type of the application, and to control the operation of the application by the type based on the obtained application information table.