Media Interface Device Concurrent Buffering for Seamless Source Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multimedia devices often cannot receive and process content from various transmission technologies, such as satellite digital video broadcasting and internet protocol television, requiring multiple set-top boxes and causing delays during content switching.
Innovation Solution
A media interface device that buffers content from multiple sources, converting it into a common IP packet format and storing it in a FIFO buffer, allowing seamless switching between content sources without detectable delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple set-top boxes are used to receive content from different transmission technologies, then content reception capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple content reception capabilities into a single media interface device. The device includes multiple content pipeline circuits that can receive content from different transmission technologies (satellite, cable, internet protocol) and process them through a unified architecture with common buffers and packetizers, eliminating the need for multiple separate set-top boxes
Solution Approach 2:
The media interface device is designed as a universal platform that can handle multiple content sources and transmission formats through its multiple content pipeline circuits. Each pipeline circuit is configured to receive content from different transmission technologies, making the device multi-functional and adaptable to various content delivery systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If content switching between different sources is implemented, then content variety is improved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-buffering content from multiple content sources in advance. The buffers in each content pipeline circuit continuously store incoming content packets, so when content switching is requested, the media interface device can immediately retrieve pre-buffered content from the appropriate source without waiting for new content to be received and processed, thereby reducing acquisition time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces buffers as intermediary storage elements between the content reception pipelines and the output interface. These buffers act as mediators that decouple the content switching operation from the content reception process, allowing the device to switch between content sources without direct interference in the transmission streams, thus minimizing switching delays
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a plurality of packetizers, a buffer, and an interface. The plurality of packetizers includes a first packetizer and a second packetizer. Each of the plurality of packetizers is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The buffer is coupled to the plurality of packetizers and is configured to concurrently receive first content from the first packetizers and second content from the second packetizers. The interface is configured to provide the first content from the buffer to a display device and to provide the second content from the buffer to the display device responsive to a media selection request received from the display device.