Multimedia Aggregator System for Cross-Platform Content Discovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current television program delivery systems are limited by their local and regional nature, restricting access to diverse programming sources, and users face challenges in discovering available content due to inadequate program guides and navigation issues.
Innovation Solution
A video and digital multimedia aggregator system that searches, packages, and delivers content across various platforms, including video, audio, and multimedia, using a request and results processing server, search engine server, and content acquisition server to provide users with a comprehensive and user-friendly interface for accessing global content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If television delivery systems provide local and regional programming, then programming relevance to local interests is improved, but access to diverse programming sources from other regions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (the aggregator server) that mediates between multiple programming sources and the user. This intermediary collects programming information from various regional and national sources, stores it in a database, and presents it through a unified interface, thereby enabling access to diverse programming without requiring complex direct connections to each source
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal programming access point that serves multiple functions: it aggregates content from different sources, provides search and navigation capabilities, and delivers programming to users regardless of their location. This multi-functional approach allows a single system to handle diverse programming needs from various regions
2Loss of information
If program guides list all available programming, then programming discovery is improved, but navigation and search difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the programming guide into organized categories and uses a database structure that allows efficient searching. Instead of presenting all programming in a single overwhelming list, the system divides content by category, source, and other attributes, making navigation easier while maintaining comprehensive coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates search functionality that responds to user queries with relevant programming results. The search mechanism provides feedback by filtering and ranking programming based on user input, making it easier to find desired content while maintaining access to the full programming catalog
3Reliability
If program guides are made comprehensive, then programming availability information is improved, but errors and omissions decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically collecting and storing programming information in a database before it is needed for display. The aggregator server proactively gathers programming data from various sources and maintains it in an organized structure, ensuring accuracy and reducing errors while simplifying the presentation to users
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention utilizes an aggregator for searching, packaging and delivering content. The aggregator processes requests, searches, provides search results and acquires content. The aggregator, operating in a communications network, includes a request and results processing server, a search engine server coupled to the request and results processing server and a content acquisition server coupled to the request and results processing server. A request and results processing server receives a request for content, the search engine server searches for the content and the content acquisition program acquires content for delivery to the user. The request and results processing server includes a search request processor that receives information related to a user's search request and provides the information to a search results form builder that creates an electronic search request.