Local Server Grid Guide Modification for Multi-Terminal Content Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite television systems are not economically viable for low-end installations requiring only a modest number of receivers, as they are designed for large-scale applications and lack the capability to efficiently distribute locally inserted content such as video, audio, or audio-visual signals within multi-terminal systems, including those in buildings, vehicles, or multiple dwelling units.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a receiving unit, local server, and terminals that communicate program guide data, allowing for the insertion of local content by generating and modifying grid guides, and modulating signals for display on multiple devices, forming an IP encapsulated bitstream for distribution across a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If satellite television systems are designed for large-scale applications with hundreds of simultaneous users, then the system can support extensive user capacity, but the system becomes economically unviable for low-end installations requiring only a modest number of receivers
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a head-end device that performs complex signal processing and multiple simple receiver devices. The head-end device receives satellite signals, processes them through conditional access modules, and distributes processed signals to multiple receivers. This segmentation allows the complex functionality to be concentrated in one device, making individual receivers simpler and more economical for low-end installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The head-end device acts as an intermediary between the satellite signal source and the receiver devices. It performs signal processing, conditional access verification, and signal distribution, enabling the receivers to be simpler devices that only need to display content without performing complex processing themselves.
2Device complexity
If traditional satellite receivers are designed as one integrated unit with all tuning and processing functions on the same circuit board, then the system is simple in structure, but the system lacks the capability to efficiently distribute locally inserted content across multiple terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver system is segmented into a head-end device with signal processing capabilities and multiple simple receiver devices. The head-end device contains the conditional access module and signal processing circuitry, while individual receivers only need display capabilities. This segmentation enables the system to distribute both traditional satellite content and locally inserted content across multiple terminals efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The head-end device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of processing both satellite-received signals and locally inserted content from various sources (DVD players, video cameras, etc.). It can verify conditional access for different content types and distribute them to appropriate receivers, making the system versatile for both traditional and local content distribution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IP encapsulated bitstream solutions are used to distribute content to multiple monitors, then the system can support content distribution across multiple terminals, but the system becomes too complex and expensive for low-end installations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex IP-based signal processing functions into the head-end device, while individual receivers remain simple display devices. The head-end device handles bitstream extraction, conditional access verification, and signal distribution, allowing receivers to be simple, low-cost devices suitable for low-end installations while still supporting multi-terminal content distribution.
4Reliability
If conditional access functions are integrated into each individual receiver, then each receiver can independently verify content access rights, but the system becomes expensive and complex for installations with many receivers
Solution Approach 1:
The conditional access function is segmented and centralized in the head-end device rather than being distributed to each receiver. The head-end device performs conditional access verification on incoming signals and locally inserted content before distribution. This allows individual receivers to be simple, low-cost devices without complex conditional access hardware, while maintaining reliable content protection through centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing local content in a local network includes a plurality of terminals and a receiving unit in communication with the plurality of terminals receiving first program guide data and communicating the first program guide data to the plurality of terminals. The system also includes a local video source generating a video signal. The system also includes a local server in communication with the plurality of terminals and the local video source generating second program guide data corresponding to local content and communicating the second program guide data to the plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals displays a grid guide comprising the first program guide data modified by the second program guide data.