IPTV Service Management via Layered Architecture and Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) systems face challenges in efficiently managing and delivering advertising content across different subscription levels and channels, leading to complexities in channel mapping and service management.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a layered IPTV system architecture that includes a client-facing tier, application tier, acquisition tier, and operations and management tier, along with a service management system that automates the creation, modification, and implementation of services and channel maps, allows for dynamic management of channel content and subscriber access based on subscription levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional flat IPTV system architecture is used, then the system structure is simple, but the efficiency of managing and delivering advertising content across different subscription levels and channels is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of managing and delivering advertising contentVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the IPTV system into four distinct tiers: client-facing tier, application tier, acquisition tier, and operations and management tier. Each tier handles specific functions independently, allowing efficient content management and delivery across different subscription levels without requiring complex point-to-point configurations in a flat architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If manual management of channel maps and services is implemented, then the system architecture remains simple, but the operational efficiency and ability to provide real-time updates deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidease of managing channel maps and services

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The service management system automatically performs service creation, modification, and implementation across the distributed architecture. The system self-configures channel maps and manages service deliveries based on subscription levels without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a distributed layered architecture is implemented, then the efficiency of content delivery and service management improves, but the complexity of system implementation and maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of content deliveryVSAvoidease of system implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Each tier in the distributed architecture is designed with universal interfaces and standardized protocols that enable multi-functionality. The application tier can serve multiple acquisition tiers, and the client-facing tier can handle various types of content delivery, reducing implementation complexity despite the distributed nature of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic service management is implemented, then the ability to tailor content to subscriber preferences improves, but the complexity of service configuration and channel mapping increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to tailor content to subscriber preferencesVSAvoidcomplexity of service configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service management system dynamically configures channel maps and service deliveries based on real-time subscription level information and user preferences. The system automatically adjusts content delivery paths and service configurations without requiring complex manual setup, enabling adaptability while managing configuration complexity through automated dynamic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8806552B2System and method for managing services on an internet protocol television system

Publication Date: 2014.08.12 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A service management system for an IPTV network includes a comparison module that provides a list of differences between a channel map and a change manifest, an optimizer module that receives the list and provides another IPTV channel map based on the differences, and a storage module that provides the first IPTV channel map to the comparison module and stores the second list and the second IPTV channel map. A method includes comparing a channel map with a change manifest in a comparison module, providing a list of differences between the channel map and the change manifest, evaluating the list to provide another list of services and another channel map, and storing the second list and the second channel map.