EPG Synchronization During Program Pauses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic program guide (EPG) systems fail to synchronize program start and end times when programs are paused, especially in environments like airplanes where flight announcements interrupt programming, leading to mismatches between the guide and actual playback.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that include a content scheduler and program guide generator to detect pauses during program playback, adjust the end time of paused programs, and update the EPG with the adjusted times, ensuring seamless continuation and synchronization of programming schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If programs are paused during flight announcements, then user information needs to be communicated, but program timing synchronization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors program playback status and detects pause events. When a pause is detected, the system receives feedback about the pause duration and uses this information to automatically adjust the EPG timing data, ensuring synchronization is maintained despite interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The EPG timing information is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically updates program start and end times in the EPG based on actual playback conditions, including pauses, so the guide remains accurate and synchronized with what is actually being displayed
2Reliability
If EPG is updated continuously to reflect pauses, then synchronization is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes the relationship between playback events and EPG updates. When a pause is detected, the system already has the mechanism in place to automatically calculate and apply timing adjustments, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations or user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by automatically detecting pauses and updating the EPG without external intervention. The content scheduler monitors its own playback status and self-corrects timing information, reducing the need for separate complex synchronization mechanisms
3Measurement precision
If program end time is adjusted after pause, then scheduling accuracy is maintained, but processing time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and prepares EPG updates in advance based on predicted pause durations. By pre-calculating timing adjustments before the actual pause occurs, the system minimizes processing delays and ensures accurate timing information is ready when needed
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for providing an electronic program guide (EPG) to an end user are provided. The includes a audio video streaming device, content scheduler, and program guide generator provide for includes providing a program guide, the program guide containing a start time and end time for the display of a first program, providing the first program for display at the start time, determining if the first program has been paused during the display of the first program, adjusting the end time for the display of the first program if the program has been paused, and providing an updated program guide containing the adjusted end time.