Digital Receiver EPG Service System with Server-Side Data Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital receivers face limitations in providing comprehensive Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) with sufficient channel or service coverage and metadata, leading to inadequate user experience and service quality due to restricted EPG data from broadcasting stations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that collect and process EPG data from multiple digital receivers and an external EPG server, using a server to manage and combine data, providing enhanced EPG services with improved metadata and channel coverage, and utilizing a cloud server system for efficient image management and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If EPG data is collected only from broadcasting stations, then the system is simple, but the channel coverage and metadata completeness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel coverageVSAvoiddata collection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines EPG data from multiple sources including broadcasting stations, external EPG servers, and user terminals into a unified service system. This merging of data sources expands channel coverage and metadata completeness without requiring a completely new system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The service system is designed to handle multiple data sources and types universally. It can process EPG data from broadcasting stations, external servers, and user terminals through a common data processing framework, making the system adaptable to various input sources.

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

2Loss of information

If EPG data is collected from multiple sources, then metadata completeness improves, but data management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetadata completenessVSAvoiddata management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an EPG data processing server as an intermediary between multiple data sources and user terminals. This mediator collects, validates, processes, and distributes EPG data, simplifying the management complexity by centralizing data handling functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The data management system is segmented into distinct functional modules including data collection, validation, processing, and distribution components. This segmentation allows each module to handle specific tasks independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining metadata completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If comprehensive EPG data is provided to all users, then user satisfaction improves, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser satisfactionVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary processing and caching of EPG data at the server side and user terminals. Frequently accessed EPG information is pre-processed and stored locally, reducing the need for repeated network transmissions while maintaining user access to comprehensive data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows user terminals to store and access EPG data locally after initial retrieval. This local caching provides comprehensive EPG information to users without requiring continuous network bandwidth consumption, as data is accessed from local storage rather than repeated network requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2523465B1Service system and method of providing service in digital receiver thereof
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2523465B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2523465B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2523465B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A digital receiver and method of controlling the same are provided. An embodiment of the method of providing service data in a digital receiver includes transmitting device information including information about a country and a receiver type to a server; receiving a group identifier, ID, in accordance with the device information from the server; transmitting a service list including the received group ID and first service data to the server at a first interval; and receiving second service data from the server, configuring a service guide, and providing the service guide.