Interactive TV Provisioning Manager Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for provisioning interactive television (ITV) networks and client devices are inefficient, requiring manual intervention and leading to potential time delays and customer dissatisfaction, as each network component must be independently provisioned, often involving customer service representatives and resulting in higher operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A client-network provisioning manager that acts as a central collection and dissemination point for provisioning data, coordinating and automating the provisioning process across interconnected network components, allowing users to initiate provisioning transactions and reducing the need for manual intervention through a user interface and application programming interfaces (APIs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual provisioning by customer service representatives is used, then service configuration can be performed, but time delays and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service provisioning where client devices automatically configure themselves by discovering available services and resources on the network without requiring manual intervention from customer service representatives. The device autonomously performs provisioning tasks through automated discovery and configuration protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring service descriptions and resource information in a discovery database before actual provisioning occurs. This allows client devices to access pre-prepared configuration data and service catalogs, enabling rapid automated provisioning without time-consuming manual setup procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If independent provisioning of each network component is performed, then flexibility is maintained, but complexity and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent provisioning operations into a single integrated provisioning process. The client device performs discovery, selection, and configuration of multiple services and resources through one unified automated sequence, eliminating the complexity of managing separate provisioning tasks for each network component while maintaining configuration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a service description database and discovery protocol as intermediaries between client devices and network components. This intermediary layer provides standardized service catalogs and resource information, simplifying the provisioning process by mediating communications and coordinating configuration across multiple network elements without requiring direct complex interactions between each component.
3Reliability
If customer service representatives are involved in provisioning, then service configuration can be performed, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for customer service representative intervention by implementing automated self-service provisioning. Client devices independently discover services, select appropriate resources, and configure themselves using standardized protocols, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining reliable service configuration through systematic automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where client devices receive confirmation and status information during the automated provisioning process. This feedback loop ensures reliable configuration by allowing devices to verify service activation and resource allocation, providing assurance comparable to manual provisioning without requiring human operator involvement.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method manages the provisioning of an client device connected to a service distribution network, such as an interactive television service-providing network. Provisioning is managed by a provisioning manager that knows the specific provisioning data to collect and where the data is located and is to be forwarded. The client or subscriber can initiate the provisioning transaction through the client device.