Cable TV Interface Control via Personal Communication Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cable television service providers face challenges in dynamically changing their user interfaces and delivering new features due to proprietary software in set top boxes, which are difficult to modify and update.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses personal communication devices with downloadable application software to interact with the cable television distribution network, allowing for the selection and control of multimedia content and user interfaces, eliminating the need for complex proprietary software in set top boxes and enabling remote control of content delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary computer software is used in set top boxes, then functionality and user interface can be controlled by manufacturers, but the software becomes difficult to modify and update
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the software functionality from the set top box hardware and relocates it to remotely accessible server systems. This allows the core control functions to be separated from the user-facing device, enabling independent updates and modifications without requiring physical access to or reprogramming of the set top box itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal software platform that can serve multiple functions and be deployed across different set top boxes and service scenarios. This universal platform running on remote servers allows cable television service providers to deliver various services (pay-per-view, video on demand, interactive programming guides) through a single adaptable software system rather than requiring separate proprietary software for each function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If set top box software is controlled by manufacturers, then functionality can be standardized, but cable television service providers cannot easily deliver new features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software system into distinct modular components that can be independently developed, tested, and deployed. This segmentation allows standardization of core functions while enabling rapid iteration and delivery of new features through modular updates to specific components without affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary software layer between the set top box hardware and the service delivery system. This intermediary platform provides standardized interfaces and protocols that maintain system stability while allowing flexible implementation of new features and services through software updates to the intermediary layer rather than requiring hardware changes.
3Reliability
If complex proprietary software is used in set top boxes, then functionality can be maintained, but engineering and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtualization and software copying techniques where a standardized software platform is replicated across multiple set top boxes and service scenarios. This copying approach eliminates the need for custom proprietary software development for each deployment, significantly reducing engineering costs while maintaining consistent functionality through standardized software images that can be copied and deployed universally.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing multimedia content via a cable television distribution network in response to input received from a personal communication device. The system interacts with personal communication devices configured with downloaded system application computer software to receive and present information associated with multimedia content from the infrastructure via a data communication network. The system also interacts with the personal communication devices to receive data from the personal communication devices via a data communication network where the data comprises, but is not limited to, data representative of selections of multimedia content, data representative of instructions controlling the delivery and/or presentation of the multimedia content, and data identifying end user cable television network interface devices to receive the multimedia content. Additionally, the system delivers data and/or signals corresponding to the selected multimedia content to identified end user cable television network interface devices connected to the cable television distribution network.