EBIF Agent Transcoding for Interactive TV Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) systems face challenges in seamlessly translating and rendering interactive television applications across diverse user devices, requiring efficient conversion of EBIF data into compatible formats and managing user interactions within a seamless user experience.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an EBIF agent that identifies and converts EBIF data into Web components like HTML, JavaScript, and other formats compatible with user devices, generates notifications for session establishment, and interprets user interactions, ensuring seamless interactive television experiences by recognizing device capabilities and initiating/maintaining sessions with Web services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If EBIF data is converted into Web components for compatibility with user devices, then adaptability to diverse devices is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with user devicesVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts EBIF data into Web components (HTML, JavaScript, CSS) before rendering on user devices. This mediator handles the format conversion and compatibility issues, allowing the system to support diverse devices without increasing their inherent complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the interactive television application into separate Web components (structure, style, behavior) that can be independently processed and rendered. This segmentation allows for more efficient handling of complex applications by breaking them into manageable pieces that can be processed in parallel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If real-time transcoding of EBIF data is performed, then seamless rendering across devices is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseamless renderingVSAvoidtranscoding time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary conversion of EBIF data into Web components during the application delivery phase, so that the actual rendering on user devices requires minimal real-time processing. The heavy lifting of format conversion is done in advance, reducing latency during actual interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous translation and rendering processes that operate in the background without interrupting the user experience. The system maintains continuous synchronization between EBIF data streams and their Web component representations, ensuring seamless rendering without noticeable delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If user interactions are interpreted and managed through Web services, then ease of operation is improved, but network dependency and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction managementVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal interaction management system using Web services that can handle multiple types of user interactions (clicks, gestures, voice commands) through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional approach simplifies the user experience while consolidating complexity into a centralized service layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where user interactions are captured, processed through Web services, and immediately reflected in the rendered interface. This real-time feedback loop creates a responsive user experience that feels direct and immediate, masking the underlying network communication complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8973082B2Interactive program system
Publication Date: 2015.03.03 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC
  • US8973082B2 patent drawing
  • US8973082B2 patent drawing
  • US8973082B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An interactive program system includes a device that receives program data and Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) data associated with an interactive application; identifies the EBIF data; converts the EBIF data to a data format compatible with a user device; generates an EBIF notification based on the EBIF data; transmits the EBIF notification to the user device; and transmits the converted EBIF data to a network device. The user device communicates with the network device based on the EBIF notification and displays the converted EBIF data. The user device transmits input data to the network device and the network device provides interaction data to the device.