Dynamic User Interface Framework for Customizable Media Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Electronic Programming Guides (EPGs) fail to adequately accommodate changes in user interface and functionality as content sources and access methods evolve, leading to an inadequate user experience in accessing diverse media content.
Innovation Solution
A customizable media application interface is implemented, allowing user interface data to be downloaded as a package containing markup data and resources, which is processed by a user interface framework to render dynamic application pages, incorporating local and external resources, enabling flexible customization of menu items and application pages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed EPG interface structure is used, then the system is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate changes in content sources and access methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic interface structure where application pages can be customized and updated without changing the core EPG system. The interface framework allows dynamic loading of application pages from multiple sources (local files, network resources), enabling the system to adapt to changing content sources and access methods while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPG interface is designed with universal capabilities to access diverse content sources including cable television programs, video-on-demand content, media library files, and Internet Protocol streams. The application page framework provides a unified interface structure that can accommodate multiple content types and access methods through standardized mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the EPG interface is made customizable to accommodate changing content, then user experience improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into distinct components: the core EPG system, the application page framework, and customizable application pages. This segmentation allows the core system to remain simple and stable while the application pages can be customized independently. Each application page is a separate unit that can be developed, updated, and managed independently from the core EPG functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The application page framework serves as an intermediary layer between the core EPG system and the customizable interface elements. This framework provides standardized mechanisms for loading, rendering, and managing application pages from various sources, thereby managing the complexity of customization while maintaining ease of operation for end users.
3Reliability
If application pages are updated frequently to reflect new content sources, then the system remains current, but maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows application pages to be prepared and validated in advance before being deployed to the EPG interface. Application pages can be developed, tested, and packaged locally or on remote servers before being loaded into the EPG system. This preliminary action ensures that updates are reliable and do not require complex maintenance operations when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
Application pages can be copied from template definitions or remote sources and loaded into the EPG system without modifying the core system structure. The framework supports loading application pages from local files, network resources, or embedded resources, allowing frequent updates through simple copying operations rather than complex maintenance procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A system provides customized user interface data to a media application, such as a media discovery interface, or to any application for that matter, thereby extending the original application. Via a network connection, elements of the user interface can be downloaded to the application in a package of markup data and resources, including images, text, and links. A user interface framework of the media application processes the markup from the downloaded package and utilizes packaged resources, local code components, and externally-obtained (e.g., Web resources) to render a customized application page for the media application.