Electronic Program Guide Channel List Sharing via Community Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of satellite and cable TV systems face inefficiencies in channel scanning due to the need for frequent channel tuning and potential signal decay, leading to incomplete channel lists and inefficient EPG updates, which burden users and cause frustration.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for sharing channel information with categorized communities, where a client device scans channels, generates a program list, and uploads it to a selected community on a server, allowing for community-based updates and sharing of electronic program guides, thereby reducing the need for frequent scanning and ensuring users receive the latest channel information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If channel scanning is performed frequently to ensure complete channel lists, then channel information completeness is improved, but user time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs channel scanning and generates program lists in advance, storing them on the server before users need them. This preliminary action ensures channel information is complete and ready for immediate access, eliminating the need for users to wait during scanning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of channel information and program lists generated by one user and makes them available to other users in the same community. This copying mechanism allows users to access complete channel lists without performing their own time-consuming scanning operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If service provider maintains and updates EPG centrally, then update consistency is improved, but update efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Users automatically perform channel scanning and generate their own program lists, which are then uploaded to the server. This self-service approach eliminates the manual workload for service providers while maintaining consistent EPG updates across the system through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where users' generated program lists are uploaded to the server, which then makes them available to other users. This creates an automated update loop that improves efficiency while maintaining consistency across all user devices.
3Measurement precision
If channel scanning is performed manually by users, then scanning accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to automatically perform channel scanning through automated processes that run in the background. This maintains scanning accuracy while completely eliminating the manual operational burden, as users simply need to initiate the process once and the system handles the rest automatically.
4Adaptability or versatility
If asynchronous update between EPG and channel changes is allowed, then system flexibility is improved, but mapping accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from automated channel scanning to continuously update and synchronize the EPG with actual channel changes. This feedback mechanism maintains mapping accuracy while allowing the system to adapt flexibly to changing channel configurations through automated detection and updates.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide convenience to usage of an electronic program guide, known as EPG, the present invention provides a method of sharing channel information for a client device coupled to a server including a plurality of communities. The method includes the following steps. A plurality of channels is received to generate a first program list. Community information corresponding to the device is obtained. One of the communities of the server is selected according to the community information. The first program list is then uploaded to the selected community.