IPTV Set-Top Box Commercial Data Extraction for EPG Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current television viewing systems lack an efficient method for viewers to search and identify programming content based on information presented in commercials, such as upcoming broadcasts or available on-demand content, within the Electronic Programming Guide (EPG).
Innovation Solution
The system integrates an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network architecture that includes set-top boxes capable of detecting and analyzing commercial data to extract identifying information, which is then used to search for matching content within the EPG or content databases, allowing viewers to record or view advertised programs and related content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the EPG provides detailed programming information and search functionality, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting commercials and extracting identifying information in advance, then pre-processing this data to create searchable indexes. This allows the EPG to provide advanced search functionality without requiring complex real-time processing during user interaction, thus improving ease of operation while managing device complexity through proactive data preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data processing layer that extracts, normalizes, and indexes commercial information separately from the main EPG display system. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of commercial data parsing and creates simplified search indexes, allowing the EPG to offer sophisticated search capabilities while isolating complex processing tasks from the user interface.
2Productivity
If the system analyzes commercial data to extract identifying information, then the productivity is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by analyzing commercial data at specific intervals during broadcast periods rather than continuously. The commercial detection and information extraction processes are activated periodically when commercials are expected to air, allowing the system to maintain high productivity in extracting programming information while significantly reducing overall energy consumption by keeping processing components inactive during non-commercial periods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the EPG integrates commercial data analysis capabilities, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional EPG system that can both display traditional programming schedules and perform commercial data analysis, extraction, and search functionality. The same EPG platform handles multiple tasks: showing programming guides, detecting commercials, extracting identifying information from commercial audio/video, and providing search capabilities. This multi-functionality improves adaptability while managing device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated system rather than adding separate complex subsystems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining if a commercial contains one of metadata, close captioning information, recognizable speech in an audio component of the commercial, or a combination thereof. In response to determining that the commercial does not contain metadata, but does contain close captioning information, an advertised show is identified based on the close captioning information. Likewise, in response to determining that the commercial contains neither metadata, nor close captioning information, but does contain recognizable speech in an audio component of the commercial, the advertised show is identified based on the recognizable speech. Other embodiments are disclosed.