Countdown Clock Assembly for Satellite Broadcasting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Satellite broadcasting systems face challenges in providing reliable filler content between irregularly ending and starting pay-per-view programs, requiring efficient generation and insertion of countdown clocks to enhance viewer experience and reduce customer support calls.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating a countdown clock channel display by scheduling countdown times, storing promotional content and backgrounds in a content repository, and forming a countdown clock assembly for insertion into channel signals, utilizing an automation system to manage and communicate these elements effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filler programming is placed between programs with irregular ending times, then the channel can maintain continuous content, but the viewer experience is degraded due to unwanted promotional material and commercials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous content availabilityVSAvoidviewer experience degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by generating and displaying a countdown clock before the next program begins. This allows viewers to anticipate the upcoming content and mentally prepare for the transition, transforming the previously harmful filler time into a useful information-providing interval that maintains continuous content while improving viewer experience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of filler programming time into a beneficial countdown display. Instead of showing unwanted promotional material during the gap between programs, the system displays a countdown clock that provides useful timing information to viewers, thereby converting the harmful filler period into a beneficial viewer service

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual countdown clock generation is performed, then customization is possible, but the system complexity and operational effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecountdown clock customizationVSAvoidsystem operational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically generating countdown clocks using stored templates and promotional content. The automation system retrieves pre-stored elements, assembles them according to scheduled times, and inserts them into the channel signal without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining adaptability while dramatically reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal countdown clock assembly that can serve multiple functions: it displays timing information, promotes upcoming programs, and provides branding opportunities. By using a standardized template system with stored promotional content and backgrounds, the same mechanism can be applied to any program transition, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7926081B2Method and system for forming a countdown clock channel output

Publication Date: 2011.04.12 DIRECTV LLC

AI summary

A system and method includes an automation system and a scheduling system generating a schedule having a countdown time for a countdown clock assembly and communicating the schedule to an automation system. The system also includes a content repository storing promotional content and a clock background in the content repository. The automation system retrieves the promotional content and the clock background from the content repository, stores the promotional content and the clock background, forms a countdown clock assembly from the promotional content and the clock background and inserts the countdown clock assembly into a channel signal.