Interactive Services Using Video On Demand Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern service providers face challenges in efficiently providing video on demand (VOD) and interactive services to a growing number of end users, requiring complex and costly infrastructure to support high-quality media streaming and user interaction capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that convert images into multiple end user device readable pictures, associate video stream manipulation commands with interactive service commands, and generate transition effects using anchor and transition pictures, allowing for efficient media stream manipulation and delivery over a TVOD infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If full PVR functionality is implemented at service provider plant, then interactive service capabilities are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the PVR functionality from the service provider's plant infrastructure and relocates it to the end-user's set-top box. This allows interactive services to be provided without requiring complex service provider equipment, as the recording and playback capabilities reside in the user's device rather than the provider's infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses video on demand technology to create digital copies of television programs that can be stored and manipulated. These digital copies are transmitted over the network to the user's set-top box, where they can be recorded and played back with VCR-like controls, eliminating the need for complex service provider-based PVR infrastructure.
2Manufacturing precision
If digital PVR is implemented at end user premises, then recording quality is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the set-top box a multi-functional device that combines traditional television reception with PVR capabilities. By integrating digital recording, storage, and playback functions into the existing set-top box infrastructure, the system provides high-quality digital recording without requiring separate expensive PVR hardware at each user premises.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of analog or digital television signals that can be stored and replayed with perfect quality. These digital copies are maintained in the user's set-top box, providing high-quality recording capability without the cost of dedicated PVR equipment, as the functionality is embedded in the standard set-top box.
3Productivity
If video on demand infrastructure is used for interactive services, then service scalability is improved, but resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video content into discrete program copies that can be independently managed and transmitted. Each program is treated as a separate entity that can be stored, retrieved, and manipulated individually, allowing the system to scale efficiently by adding only the specific content needed rather than maintaining complete program libraries at all locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-transmitting and storing video program copies at the user's set-top box before they are needed for playback. This allows the interactive services to be provided without requiring real-time processing of large amounts of content, as the necessary program copies are already prepared and stored locally, reducing the processing and storage resources needed during service delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing service to an end user, the method includes: converting images to multiple end user device readable pictures; receiving a request from an end user to display at least one image, wherein the request is conveyed over a TVOD infrastructure; and providing the end user with a stream of end user device readable pictures that includes at least one end user device readable picture that corresponds to the requested image.