Personalized Video Mosaic Generation in Cable Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mosaic channels in television services networks lack subscriber control over content, offering only provider-determined programming which may not be of interest to all subscribers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating a personalized video mosaic in a cable television services system, allowing subscribers to select multiple video sources for simultaneous display on a single channel, involving a head end that receives and transmits the selected sources, and a set-top box that enables source selection and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If service provider determines mosaic channel content, then content selection and curation is simplified, but subscriber control and customization capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the mosaic channel content selection process into two independent parts: (1) service provider defines available video sources and categories, and (2) subscriber selects specific sources within those categories. This segmentation allows both provider-curated options and subscriber control to coexist, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mosaic channel content is made dynamic and adjustable by allowing subscribers to modify their selections over time. The system transitions from a static provider-determined configuration to a dynamic subscriber-customizable configuration, enabling adaptability while maintaining the simplified framework provided by the service provider.
2Reliability
If provider selects video sources for mosaic, then content quality and relevance is ensured, but subscriber interest and engagement may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The content selection process is segmented into quality assurance (provider's role) and interest customization (subscriber's role). Providers ensure content quality by curating available video sources, while subscribers ensure personal interest by selecting specific sources, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different aspects of content selection are assigned different quality characteristics: the available video sources maintain high quality through provider curation, while the specific combination of sources is customized to local subscriber preferences. This local quality approach allows both content quality and subscriber interest to be optimized simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple video sources are combined in mosaic channel, then content variety and entertainment value increase, but system complexity for managing and transmitting sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal head end platform that can handle multiple video sources through standardized processes. This multi-functional head end manages source reception, processing, and distribution uniformly regardless of the number or type of sources, reducing system complexity while enabling high content variety.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating entirely new content processing pipelines for each mosaic configuration, the system uses copying of existing video sources and standardized processing templates. This approach allows multiple video sources to be combined efficiently without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for generating a personalized video mosaic from multiple of video sources in a cable television services system. A head end receives a subscriber selection of video sources from multiple video sources broadcast in the television services system and generates a personalized video mosaic from those sources. The head end then transmits the personalized video mosaic to the subscriber for simultaneous viewing of the selected video sources on a broadcast channel in the cable television services system. The set-top box executes an application program enabling the subscriber to individually select the video sources which make up the personalized video mosaic and transmits the selections to the head end. The set-top box enables the display of the personalized video mosaic on the broadcast channel in the cable television services network.