Network-Based Clickstream Capture for Set-Top Box Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing set top box-based clickstream capture systems require each viewer's device to record and forward clickstream information, which is inefficient and lacks intelligence to recognize user commands in advanced television networks where stream switching occurs within the network.
Innovation Solution
A network-based clickstream capture system where user commands are forwarded from viewer appliances to a remotely located component within the television network for execution and storage, eliminating the need for local clickstream capture capabilities in set top boxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If set top box captures and stores clickstream information locally, then clickstream data can be collected from viewers, but the set top box must have recording capability and storage space which increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the clickstream capture functionality from the set top box and relocates it to the television network's central processing system. The set top box simply forwards user commands to the network, which then captures, stores, and processes the clickstream data centrally, eliminating the need for local recording capabilities in each set top box.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the television network's central processing system as an intermediary between the set top box and the clickstream data storage. This intermediary receives commands from set top boxes, captures the clickstream information, and stores it in the network's database, allowing set top boxes to remain simple forwarding devices.
2Loss of time
If set top box forwards clickstream information periodically, then data can be transmitted to service provider, but there is delay in accessing the data and the set top box must maintain buffering capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the television network capture and store clickstream data immediately upon receipt from set top boxes, before the data is needed for analysis or processing. This centralizes the data availability and eliminates delays associated with periodic forwarding and buffering at the set top box.
3Adaptability or versatility
If advanced television network switches streams within the network rather than at set top box, then network has more control over programming delivery, but set top box loses intelligence to recognize user commands reducing capture effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the television network's central processing system as an intermediary that receives user commands from set top boxes, captures the clickstream information, and stores it in the network's database. This central intermediary ensures that user command data is not lost even when stream switching occurs within the network rather than at the set top box.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems provide clickstream captures at a remote component, such as a video control system of a television network, by receiving user commands generated by the viewer that are sent to the remote component concurrently relative to when they are generated by the viewer. The commands are captured and then information related to these commands is stored remotely from the premises of the viewer. Additionally, the user commands may be executed remotely such as at a video control system of a television network or alternatively may be executed at the premises of the viewer such as within a set top box. Information related to these user commands continues to be stored remotely from the premises of the viewer after the user commands have been executed such that the information related to these user commands can be processed as necessary and used for various purposes.