Dynamic EPG Data Downloads for Set-Top Boxes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electronic program guides (EPGs) face challenges in bandwidth efficiency and timely updates, especially in areas with many channels, as they typically download the entire schedule, leading to lengthy download times and delayed updates, and require frequent full data refreshes rather than incremental updates.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic download system where set-top boxes (STBs) query a server for only the needed EPG data, allowing for partial or incremental updates, and enabling users to request additional information on demand, reducing bandwidth usage and enabling timely updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire EPG data is downloaded regularly, then the EPG information is kept updated, but the bandwidth consumption increases and download time lengthens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEPG data freshnessVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the specific EPG data that has changed or is needed, rather than downloading the entire EPG dataset. The STB identifies and retrieves only the modified portions of EPG data from the server, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining data freshness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The EPG data is segmented into individual program entries or time slots, allowing the system to download only the specific segments that have changed. This segmentation enables incremental updates where only affected portions of the EPG are refreshed,而非 the entire dataset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If the entire EPG data is downloaded, then complete program information is available, but the download time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEPG information completenessVSAvoiddownload time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary checks to identify which EPG data has changed before initiating downloads. By pre-identifying the specific data that needs updating, the system avoids downloading unchanged content, thereby reducing download time while ensuring information completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If frequent full EPG data refreshes are performed, then the information is kept current, but the bandwidth and processing resources are overwhelmed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEPG data currencyVSAvoidbandwidth traffic management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic checks to identify changes in EPG data, followed by targeted downloads only when changes are detected. This periodic action with conditional execution reduces unnecessary bandwidth consumption and processing overhead while maintaining data currency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Loss of information

If complete channel lineup EPG data is downloaded, then all program listings are available, but the bandwidth capacity is monopolized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram listing availabilityVSAvoidbandwidth capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial downloads of only the necessary EPG data portions rather than complete dataset downloads. By downloading only the required increments or corrections, the system maintains program listing availability while using minimal bandwidth capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8245257B1System and method for dynamic electronic program guide (EPG) data downloads

Publication Date: 2012.08.14 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

Set top boxes (STBs) query a source of electronic program guide (EPG) data to request only the EPG data that it needs. Thus, instead of downloading the entire set of EPG data, the STBs query the source for only a limited amount of EPG data, such as data for the next 2-3 hours of programming. STBs can dynamically request additional EPG data if it needs to do so while a user is perusing the EPG, such as when the user requests additional EPG data that may not have been previously downloaded. Updates and corrections to pieces of EPG data can be efficiently made and sent to the STB, when that EPG data is needed, rather than being sent only during regularly scheduled times along with the entire set of EPG data.