Broadcast Program Alternative Detection and Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in manually searching for broadcast programs that are repeated or aired on different channels or at different times, lacking an efficient way to select or record these programs automatically.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that automatically extract and display data for broadcast A/V programs by analyzing electronic program schedules, allowing users to select alternative broadcast times or channels based on predefined criteria, and adjust recording timers accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users manually search through EPG, teletext pages or newspaper to find repeated or alternative broadcast programs, then they can identify program alternatives, but the process is time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic program alternative detection without requiring user intervention. The microprocessor automatically analyzes the EPG data structure, compares program identifiers across multiple channels and time slots, and generates alternative program information, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user searching
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the electronic program guide data structure before user selection. By pre-processing the EPG data to identify and store program identifier patterns, the system prepares alternative program information in advance, so when a user selects a program, the alternatives are already detected and ready for display
2Loss of information
If the system displays all program instances from EPG analysis, then complete information is provided, but the display becomes complex and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential distinguishing features from complete program instance data. Instead of displaying all EPG data fields, it selectively extracts and displays only program identifier matches, channel information, and time slot differences, separating the critical alternative-identifying information from the complete data set
Solution Approach 2:
The display presents different information qualities for different program instances. The first program instance is displayed with full detail, while alternative instances are displayed with highlighted differences from the original, allowing users to quickly identify alternatives without being overwhelmed by redundant identical information
3Ease of operation
If the system automatically detects and displays alternative program instances, then user convenience is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates simplified copies of program data structures for comparison purposes. Instead of performing complex real-time analysis of complete EPG records, it generates streamlined program identifier copies that can be quickly compared across channels and time slots, reducing processing complexity while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used for program comparison from complete EPG record matching to focused program identifier matching. By transforming the comparison task from analyzing all program attributes to specifically matching program identifiers and comparing key differences, the processing complexity is reduced while alternative detection capability is maintained
Data Source
AI summary
Broadcast receiving devices usually have access to an electronic program schedule or EPG. Since often the same audio/video program is broadcasted more than once within a short time range on the same channel, or simultaneously on another channel, a method is provided for notifying this fact to the user. According to the invention, a method for automatically extracting data identifying a broadcast A/V program from received broadcast data includes the steps of receiving user input defining a first program, analyzing an EPG, determining broadcast data of the first program, automatically detecting that an identical second program is scheduled for broadcast, and displaying an indication to the user indicating that the second program was detected. If e.g. the same program is broadcasted at different times or channels with different amount of commercial interruptions, the user may select the instance with less commercials for viewing or recording.