IPTV Control via Third-Party Web Pages

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Solution Overview

Problem

IPTV devices without a public address pose a cross-domain issue for serving web pages from a third-party server, as browsers restrict HTTP requests to servers on different domains, making it difficult to control local servers securely and flexibly.

Innovation Solution

A system where a control device sends AJAX or AJAJ calls to a local server, allowing a home server to request and serve web pages from a third-party server, even if the third-party server is not publicly accessible, by identifying the type and model of the control device and tailoring the web page accordingly, thus bypassing cross-domain restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If web pages are served from a third-party server to control an IPTV client, then flexibility and robustness in updating web pages is improved, but cross-domain restrictions prevent HTTP requests from the control device to the local server

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in updating web pagesVSAvoidcross-domain HTTP request restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The IPTV client acts as an intermediary server that receives web pages from the third-party server and forwards them to the control device. This mediator approach allows the control device to access web pages without directly establishing HTTP connections to the third-party server, thereby bypassing cross-domain restrictions while maintaining the flexibility of remote web page updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the IPTV client does not have a public address, then network security and privacy are improved, but the ability to receive web pages from external servers is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork security and privacyVSAvoidexternal web page accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The IPTV client proactively initiates HTTP requests to the third-party server to retrieve web pages, then serves these pages to the control device through its local network interface. This self-service mechanism allows the IPTV to maintain its private address while still accessing external web resources, as the initiation of connections comes from the IPTV's perspective rather than requiring inbound connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If web pages are stored locally in the IPTV, then access speed is improved, but storage capacity is consumed and updates require software modification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweb page access speedVSAvoidstorage capacity and software modification

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The web pages are extracted from the IPTV's local storage and served dynamically from the third-party server. This extraction approach eliminates the need for the IPTV to store web pages locally, thereby preserving storage capacity and enabling easy updates without software modification, while maintaining acceptable access speeds through the network connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8438606B2Serving from a third party server to a control device a web page useful for controlling an IPTV client with non-public address

Publication Date: 2013.05.07 SATURN LICENSING LLC

AI summary

An IPTV may be controlled in part by a second user consumer electronic (CE) device using a web page served from a third party server even though the third party server cannot function as a proxy to the IPTV.