Master-Override Configuration for Sub-Region Data Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

In systems with multiple sub-regions served by a headend, existing methods require storing and delivering identical configuration data for each sub-region individually, leading to bloated storage and bandwidth usage due to repeated changes.

Innovation Solution

Implement a master configuration data system with override data, where common data is stored as master data and unique data is stored as overrides, allowing user equipment to request and apply regional variant data specific to its sub-region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each sub-region stores its own complete configuration data individually, then each sub-region can access its specific configuration data, but the total storage space and bandwidth usage increase significantly due to duplication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesub-region specific configuration accessVSAvoidconfiguration data storage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration data is segmented into two distinct parts: master configuration data (common to all sub-regions) and sub-region specific configuration data (unique to each sub-region). This segmentation allows the system to store only one copy of the common data while maintaining the ability to provide customized configurations for each sub-region, thereby reducing overall storage requirements while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the master configuration data with sub-region specific configuration data during the data preparation phase. The master data is combined with each sub-region's unique configuration to create customized configuration packages, eliminating the need to store multiple complete copies of identical data while ensuring each sub-region receives its specific configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If configuration data is delivered in its entirety to each user equipment, then complete configuration is ensured, but bandwidth usage increases due to redundant data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration data completenessVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary sub-region specific configuration data from the complete configuration set and transmits it separately. Instead of delivering the entire configuration data package to each user equipment, the system extracts and transmits only the relevant portions, thereby maintaining configuration completeness while significantly reducing bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-combining master configuration data with sub-region specific data before transmission. This preliminary action creates optimized configuration packages that are ready for efficient delivery, eliminating the need to transmit redundant data and reducing bandwidth usage while ensuring complete and accurate configuration delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If all configuration data sets require the same change, then configuration accuracy is maintained, but the time and effort required to make changes increases due to multiple individual updates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration data accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration update time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The master configuration data serves as a universal template that can be applied to multiple sub-regions simultaneously. When a change is needed, it is made once in the master configuration and automatically propagated to all sub-regions that use it, maintaining configuration accuracy across all regions while dramatically reducing the time and effort required compared to making individual updates to each configuration set.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250287059A1Systems and methods for implementing primary/secondary configuration data to reduce an amount of configuration data that needs to be centrally stored for large-scale distribution

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 ADEIA GUIDES INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for storing configuration data as a set of master data and override data where one set of configuration data is defined as the master and every other set of configuration data is defined as override configuration data. A media guidance application may generate master configuration data including the most common configuration data used in the geographical region served by the media guidance application, and number of override configurations which contain only those data which differ from the master configuration data for a number of sub-regions of the geographical region. This reduces duplicative configuration data, and the media guidance application need only store one full set of configuration data, namely the master configuration data, and a number of smaller override configurations.