IM Client Notifies IPTV Subscribers of Imminent Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) systems rely heavily on Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) for discovering live TV broadcasts, which are inadequate for Over-The-Top (OTT) content, leading to high operational costs and user dissatisfaction due to manual content aggregation and potential delays in updating schedules.
Innovation Solution
An Instant Messaging (IM) client and method that notifies IPTV subscribers about imminent or started transmissions from real-time content distributors by detecting status changes and friend list associations, allowing for real-time information dissemination without vendor dependency and reducing network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manual content aggregation is used to add OTT channels to EPG, then channels can be added to the guide, but operational costs increase and updates may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The content distributor automatically publishes transmission information through their own IM client, eliminating the need for manual aggregation by the IPTV service provider. The system self-updates the EPG by receiving status changes and program information directly from the content distributor via IM messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The IM service establishes a feedback loop where the IPTV service provider's IM client receives real-time status changes and program information from the content distributor's IM client, enabling automatic EPG updates based on actual transmission states rather than manual input.
2Loss of information
If constant polling is used to check for transmission status, then real-time information can be obtained, but network traffic increases and TV experience is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of constant polling, the system uses event-driven periodic action where the IM client only communicates when status changes occur. The IM service notifies the IPTV service provider only at relevant moments (when transmission starts, stops, or changes), eliminating continuous network traffic while maintaining real-time information accuracy.
3Reliability
If manual EPG updating is used, then EPG can be maintained, but user satisfaction decreases due to delays
Solution Approach 1:
The IM client is pre-configured with the content distributor's IM address and automatically monitors for status changes. When a transmission is about to start or has started, the system proactively pushes the information to the EPG before the user needs to check, eliminating delays associated with manual updates or user-initiated checks.
4Productivity
If automated OTT content aggregation is implemented, then operational costs can be reduced, but scaling problems occur due to lack of standardization
Solution Approach 1:
The IM service provides a universal interface that works across different content distributors and IPTV service providers. By using the standardized IM protocol, the system can automatically aggregate content from multiple sources without requiring vendor-specific implementations, enabling scalable deployment across different providers and content sources.
Data Source
AI summary
An IM client and a method performed by the IM client for providing a subscriber of a real-time content distributor of an IPTV service provider with information about a transmission from the real-time content distributor are provided. The IM client, the IPTV service provider and the subscriber are using an IM service. The method comprises detecting (110) a start, or imminent start of the transmission; and determining (130) whether the subscriber is comprised in a friend list of the real-time content distributor. The method further comprises, if the subscriber is comprised in a friend list of the real-time content distributor, notifying (140) the subscriber about the start, or imminent start, of the transmission.