IPTV Set-Top Box Dual Stream Channel Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Television viewing experiences are hindered by channel change latency due to the buffering of video content when switching channels, as existing systems fail to provide seamless transitions between different video streams.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize primary and secondary multicast video streams, where the secondary stream has lower quality and delayed frames, allowing for a smooth transition without noticeable time shifts when switching from the secondary to the primary stream, by using a set-top box device and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network entities to manage the video content distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If video content is buffered by a receiving device during channel switching, then the system ensures complete video content delivery, but channel change latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo content delivery completenessVSAvoidchannel change latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-buffering a portion of the video content in the receiving device before the channel switch is completed. When a channel change is initiated, the set-top box begins transmitting the video content to the receiving device in advance, allowing the device to start playback immediately without waiting for complete buffering, thus reducing channel change latency while ensuring sufficient content is available for continuous playback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If a single primary multicast video stream is used, then the system maintains high video quality, but seamless channel switching cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo qualityVSAvoidchannel switching smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the video stream transmission by implementing two separate multicast video streams: a primary stream that carries high-quality video content and a secondary stream that carries lower-quality video content. The receiving device can switch between these segmented streams during channel changes, using the secondary stream as a temporary buffer to ensure seamless transitions while maintaining high video quality through the primary stream during normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary multicast video stream acts as an intermediary during channel switching operations. When a channel change occurs, the receiving device temporarily switches to the secondary stream, which has lower quality but allows for immediate playback without buffering delays. This intermediary stream facilitates smooth transitions between channels, after which the device can switch back to the primary high-quality stream

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10419783B2System and method of providing video content

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including sending, via a transmitter, a primary video stream corresponding to a particular channel to a media device. The operations further include sending a secondary video stream to the media device. The secondary video stream is associated with a lower quality level than the primary video stream. Transmission of a frame of the secondary video stream is delayed with respect to transmission of a corresponding frame of the primary video stream.