Interactive Headend Queue Manager for Broadcast Content Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scheduling interactive content in satellite television systems is cumbersome due to the need for multiple systems and interactions, requiring efficient bandwidth allocation and precise timing for effective content delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an interactive headend with an interactive content manager and queue manager, which allocates bandwidth, schedules interactive broadcasts, and communicates content to user devices through a broadcast channel management system, enabling efficient and accurate delivery of interactive content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple systems and interactions are used for scheduling interactive content, then scheduling accuracy can be maintained, but the system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple scheduling functions (bandwidth allocation, queue management, content delivery scheduling) into a single integrated queue manager component. This consolidation maintains scheduling accuracy while reducing the complexity of having multiple separate systems interact, as the queue manager handles all scheduling decisions centrally through a unified queue structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual scheduling processes are used for interactive content, then flexibility in handling various content types is maintained, but the time and effort required for scheduling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The queue manager implements automated self-scheduling by continuously monitoring the queue structure and automatically allocating bandwidth and scheduling content delivery based on predefined priorities and bandwidth availability. This eliminates manual scheduling operations while maintaining flexibility through the queue's ability to handle different content types with varying priorities, significantly reducing scheduling time.
3Quantity of substance
If bandwidth is allocated without a structured queue system, then bandwidth availability is maintained, but content delivery timing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a structured queue in advance where content is organized by priority and expected delivery time before actual transmission begins. The queue manager pre-allocates bandwidth resources based on this structured organization, ensuring that when content is delivered, precise timing is maintained because the delivery sequence was predetermined through the queue structure, not left to random bandwidth availability.
4Productivity
If automated queue management is implemented, then scheduling efficiency improves, but the complexity of the management system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The queue manager is designed as a universal component that handles multiple functions: bandwidth allocation, content prioritization, scheduling decisions, and coordination with both the interactive headend and user devices. By making this single component multi-functional, the system achieves high scheduling efficiency without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as one versatile component replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for communicating with a user device includes an interactive headend having an interactive content manager, an interactive event scheduler and queue manager communicating with a queue. A broadcast channel management system communicates bandwidth allocation data to the interactive head end. The interactive head end forms a queue corresponding to the bandwidth allocation data. The interactive event scheduler schedules the interactive broadcast with the queue and issues a start command. The queue manager pulls content from the interactive content manager and communicates interactive content from the queue to the user device.