Network Server Capability Profiles for Device Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack the ability to effectively identify and dynamically utilize the heterogeneous capabilities of client devices on a network for digital programming delivery, leading to user frustration due to incompatible content being displayed, and there is a need for methods to determine conditional access, codec, and network interface support in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for selecting appropriate digital technology for programming and data delivery over a network, involving video signal processing devices that generate capabilities profiles, a video-on-demand server that identifies compatible programming, and a network that transmits these profiles to ensure content compatibility with client devices, using existing infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital programming is delivered over a network with heterogeneous client devices, then the system can support diverse device capabilities, but determining real-time compatibility becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs capability determination in advance by having client devices send capability information to the network server before content delivery. The server stores and processes this capability data, creating a capability profile for each device. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time compatibility checks during content delivery, as the server can match content to devices based on pre-established capability profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network server as an intermediary between content sources and client devices. This server acts as a mediator that receives capability information from various devices, processes it into standardized capability profiles, and uses these profiles to determine content compatibility. The intermediary simplifies the complexity by centralizing the compatibility determination logic, preventing the need for direct complex interactions between diverse devices and content sources.
2Reliability
If capability information is collected from all client devices, then content compatibility can be ensured, but network bandwidth is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Capability information is collected and processed in advance before content delivery occurs. The client device sends its capability profile to the network server during an initial setup or registration phase, not during actual content streaming. This preliminary collection allows the server to cache and process capability data, ensuring compatibility is determined before bandwidth-intensive content transfer begins, thus minimizing ongoing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The client device autonomously generates and transmits its own capability information to the network server without requiring continuous server requests or complex bidirectional communication. This self-service approach allows devices to independently provide their capability profiles, reducing the need for ongoing network exchanges and minimizing bandwidth consumption while ensuring the server has necessary compatibility information.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for selecting digital coding and/or decoding technology for programming and data delivery over, e.g., a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises an HFC cable or satellite network that includes a server process interfacing with a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE), and/or associated client devices, each having different capabilities profiles. The server determines the one or more capabilities possessed by the CPE, and evaluates one or more program or content choices for possible delivery to that CPE based on its profile. The server generates a list of programs or content based on this evaluation, and transmits this list to the CPE, which displays the list for viewing by a user. The user is therefore offered a list of available content that is compatible with their specific configuration. A business and operational rules engine is also optionally employed to control the operation of the foregoing processes to accomplish particular business or operational goals.