Bundled Code Object Distribution for Set-Top Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manual process of code deployment to set-top boxes is time-consuming, prone to errors, and redundant, as it involves multiple steps and manual intervention by the remote project team to ensure compatibility and distribution of code objects across various digital access controller sites.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for managing and distributing bundled code objects, which automates the process by using a Digital Configuration Management system to generate profiles, combine code objects, and create bundles that can be efficiently deployed to multiple destinations, reducing the number of deployments and streamlining the code rollout process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual code deployment process is used to ensure compatibility and distribution of code objects, then code compatibility can be verified, but deployment time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating compatibility information and code object metadata before the actual deployment. The Digital CM system creates profiles and bundles code objects with their compatibility data in advance, so that during deployment, the DAC can automatically verify compatibility without manual intervention, thus maintaining reliability while reducing deployment time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary Digital CM system that acts as a mediator between the code development environment and the deployment environment. This intermediary automatically generates compatibility information and manages code object metadata, eliminating the need for manual verification while ensuring code compatibility is maintained across different STB types
2Reliability
If manual code deployment process is used to verify and distribute code objects, then compatibility can be ensured, but the number of deployment steps and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate deployment steps into a single automated process. The Digital CM system combines code object generation, compatibility verification, metadata creation, and distribution into one integrated workflow. The DAC receives a complete code object bundle with all necessary information and automatically handles the entire deployment process, reducing operational complexity while maintaining compatibility assurance
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by enabling the DAC to automatically verify code compatibility and perform deployment without manual intervention. The code objects contain embedded metadata that allows the DAC to self-verify compatibility with target STB types, eliminating the need for manual verification steps and reducing deployment process complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate deployments are performed for different DAC sites, then each site can receive appropriate code, but the total number of deployments and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the code distribution into targeted bundles for each DAC site based on the STB types present at each location. The Digital CM system analyzes the STB type inventory at each DAC site and creates customized code object bundles that contain only the relevant code objects for that specific site, enabling efficient one-to-one deployments that improve productivity while maintaining site-specific adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by tailoring the code bundles to the specific needs of each DAC site based on its STB type composition. Each bundle contains code objects with appropriate compatibility information tailored to the local STB environment, ensuring that each site receives precisely the right code objects without unnecessary overhead, thus improving deployment efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing and distributing bundled code objects to, for example, set-top boxes serviced by a multi-service operator. The system and method creates different profiles, each including code objects, download conditions and so on. The different profiles are then combined in a code download bundle and the code download bundle is downloaded to a service center, which further distributes the bundle to a plurality of site servers which distribute the information in the bundle to the appropriate destinations, such as set-top boxes used with cable television service.