IPTV Media File Sharing via Server Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sharing large media files, such as videos, between smart devices like set-top boxes are limited due to delivery constraints, making it difficult to conveniently share high-quality content between individuals.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for transmitting media files in an IPTV multimedia format between set-top boxes, which includes receiving and converting media files, requesting authorization, checking memory availability, and managing contact lists to facilitate secure and efficient file sharing over a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If media files are delivered using traditional email or file transfer methods, then individual users can access the files, but the delivery is limited for very large files and cannot be easily shared between multiple users or devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that receives media files from source set-top boxes and distributes them to destination set-top boxes. This server acts as a central hub that handles large file transfers, overcoming the limitations of direct peer-to-peer methods like email. The server manages the actual data transmission while client devices only need to send small control messages, enabling versatile sharing across multiple users and devices without being constrained by traditional file transfer limitations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If media files are converted to IPTV multimedia format at the server device, then files can be transmitted in a format suitable for set-top box tuning, but additional processing steps and conversion time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs media file format conversion in advance during the file upload process. When a user uploads a media file to the server, the server automatically converts the file to IPTV multimedia format and stores it in that format. This preliminary conversion ensures that when the file is later distributed to destination set-top boxes, no additional conversion time is needed at the moment of sharing, as the file is already in the required format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or real-time format conversion operations with an automated server-side conversion process. Instead of requiring real-time conversion during file sharing or manual conversion by users, the system uses automated mechanical/conversion processes on the server that occur in the background during upload. This substitution of automated server-side processing for manual or real-time conversion reduces the perceived time loss and improves efficiency.
3Reliability
If authorization requests are transmitted before file transfer, then secure access is ensured, but the file sharing process requires additional communication steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the authorization request and file transfer initiation into a single integrated process. When a user wants to share a file, the system automatically sends an authorization request to the destination device and, upon receiving confirmation, immediately initiates the file transfer. This merging of authorization and transfer steps into one unified workflow reduces the perceived complexity for users, as they only need to perform one action (requesting file share) rather than separately managing authorization and transfer.
4Reliability
If the system checks for sufficient memory space before transmitting large media files, then successful delivery is ensured, but additional validation steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs memory space validation in advance before initiating large file transfers. When a file share request is made, the server checks the destination device's available storage capacity beforehand. If sufficient space is available, the transfer proceeds; if not, the user is notified before the transfer begins. This preliminary check prevents failed deliveries due to insufficient space while keeping the validation process transparent and integrated into the normal sharing workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of providing a media file include receiving the media file and an identification of a destination set-top box for the media file at a server device. The received media file is transmitted from the server device to the identified set-top box in an Internet protocol television (IPTV) multimedia format.