Multimedia Service Provisioning for Simultaneous Multi-User Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) systems lack personalized and simultaneous multi-user interaction capabilities, limiting users to a single interactive experience per device and not allowing for personalized services across multiple users in a household.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows users to select and provision additional multimedia services related to the currently playing content using associated communication devices, such as mobile devices or personal computers, which can interact with the multimedia application server to choose from a list of available services, including meta-information, advertisements, and interactive features, and provision these services over various communication networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single visual interface (TV screen) and one interaction device (remote control) are used for IPTV services, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot support personalized services for multiple users simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the TV screen and remote control to serve multiple users simultaneously by allowing each user to have their own profile and service preferences on the same physical devices. The system provides universal access to personalized content through a single interface, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated devices per user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the service layer from the hardware layer by introducing user profiles and service preferences that can be independently configured. This allows the system to provide personalized services to multiple users without requiring separate physical devices for each user, effectively segmenting the personalization capability from the hardware infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only one user can interact with the set-top box at a time, then the interaction logic remains simple, but the system cannot support simultaneous multi-user interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic user context switching that allows the system to adaptively change the service delivery based on which user is currently interacting with the device. The interaction logic dynamically adjusts to serve different users simultaneously through profile-based routing, enabling multiple users to have active sessions without complex hardware multiplexing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the TV screen is the only visual interface, then the system requires fewer display devices, but users cannot access additional multimedia services on their personal devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the universality principle to multiple device types by enabling the same IPTV services to be accessed on various personal devices (smartphones, tablets, PCs) in addition to the TV. The system provides universal service delivery across heterogeneous devices through standardized protocols and interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a service gateway or intermediary component that mediates between the set-top box and various personal devices. This intermediary enables communication and service delivery between different device types without requiring direct integration between all possible device pairs, effectively acting as a protocol translator and service router.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the remote control is the only interaction device, then the system requires fewer input devices, but it cannot provide personalized control options for different users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functionality by user profile, allowing each user to have personalized remote control settings, preferred channels, and service preferences stored and retrieved based on their identity. This segmentation enables personalized control options without requiring separate physical remotes for each user.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for provisioning a multimedia service to a multimedia rendering device RD by a multi media application server. The multimedia application server is coupled to the rendering device over a communication network, The method of the present invention further comprises the step of determining at least one additional multimedia service associated with the multimedia service provisioned by the multimedia application server to the rendering device and the subsequent step of selecting an additional multimedia service of the at least one additional multimedia service by a communications device associated with the multimedia service provisioned to the rendering device or selected by the rendering device.