Digital Broadcast Receiver Application Offloading via UPnP

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Solution Overview

Problem

The visibility of broadcast audio/video (A/V) content is compromised due to the presence of applications in bidirectional TV systems, leading to user dissatisfaction and potential conflicts between broadcast providers and third-party application developers.

Innovation Solution

A method is implemented where application data is transmitted to a secondary device, such as a mobile phone, allowing the A/V content to be displayed on the digital broadcast receiver while the application is shown on the secondary device, using Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) technology to establish a network connection and manage application distribution based on device capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If applications are displayed on the digital broadcast receiver screen, then user interaction with applications is improved, but the visibility of broadcast A/V content deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction with applicationsVSAvoidvisibility of broadcast A/V content
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the display functionality by separating the A/V content display (on digital broadcast receiver) from the application display (on secondary device). This segmentation allows both broadcast content and applications to be visible simultaneously without overlapping, resolving the contradiction between application accessibility and A/V content visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A secondary device (such as a mobile phone or tablet) acts as an intermediary to display applications. The digital broadcast receiver transmits application data to the secondary device, which then renders the applications independently from the main A/V content display, eliminating screen coverage issues while maintaining user interaction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If applications are processed on the digital broadcast receiver, then application functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication processing capabilityVSAvoiddigital broadcast receiver complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the application processing function from the digital broadcast receiver and relocates it to a secondary device. The receiver only needs to transmit application data and receive control signals, significantly reducing its processing complexity while maintaining application versatility through the secondary device's capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary device serves multiple functions: it displays applications, processes user interactions, and communicates with the digital broadcast receiver. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain application processing capability while keeping the digital broadcast receiver simple and focused on its primary A/V reception role.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2343881B1Method of processing application in digital broadcast receiver connected with interactive network, and digital broadcast receiver
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2343881B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2343881B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2343881B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A digital broadcast receiver is disclosed. The method of processing an application in a digital broadcast receiver connected with an interactive network includes receiving, from a broadcast network, broadcast audio/video (A/V) content and application information table (AIT) data, wherein the AIT data includes a linkage descriptor, parsing the linkage descriptor, wherein the linkage descriptor comprises a field identifying a type of at least one secondary device able to process the application, displaying an indicator informing that the application is able to be accessed by using at least one secondary device, searching at least one secondary device connected to the digital broadcast receiver, receiving a request signal for the application, and transmitting the application or an IP address of the application to the secondary device.