Electronic Program Guide Channel Remapping Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic program guides become inaccurate when content is remapped to a new distribution scheme, leading to difficulties for viewers in locating desired content.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for generating an electronic program guide that re-modulates content streams and updates program guide entries to reflect new channel assignments, ensuring accurate channel information is provided to display devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If content is remapped to a new distribution scheme (reassigning channel numbers), then the content can be redistributed according to a new scheme, but the program guide becomes inaccurate and viewers cannot easily locate content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution scheme flexibilityVSAvoidprogram guide accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting channel assignment changes before they affect program guide accuracy. The change detection mechanism monitors for remapping events and triggers updates to program guide entries proactively, preventing information loss before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring channel assignments and comparing them against program guide data. When discrepancies are detected (indicating remapping), the system automatically updates the program guide to reflect current channel assignments, ensuring ongoing accuracy through closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the program guide is not provided or displayed with inaccurate channel information, then the system complexity is reduced, but viewers are unable to easily locate content they wish to watch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram guide management complexityVSAvoidcontent location ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically detecting channel assignment changes and updating program guide entries without requiring manual intervention. The change detection mechanism and automated update process enable the system to maintain accurate program guides independently, reducing operational complexity while preserving ease of content location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If program guide entries are manually updated to reflect new channel assignments, then program guide accuracy is maintained, but the process requires manual intervention and increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram guide accuracyVSAvoidupdate process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical updating processes with an automated electronic detection and update mechanism. The change detection system automatically identifies remapping events and triggers program guide updates, substituting human-operated mechanical processes with automated electronic systems that reduce operational complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9313542B2Electronic program guide generation

Publication Date: 2016.04.12 COX COMMUNICATIONS INC

AI summary

An electronic program guide may be provided. A plurality of encoded content streams may be received along with associated program guide information. The content streams may be re-modulated and associated with new channel assignments. Program guide entries for the content streams may be created and/or updated to reflect the new channel assignments. The re-modulated content streams and program guide entries may then be distributed to a plurality of display devices.