Interactive Program Guide for Past Programming Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic program guides (EPGs) are limited to showing only current and future TV programs, failing to provide information on past programming due to legal restrictions on rebroadcasting, making it difficult for users to access and search for previously aired shows.
Innovation Solution
A system and process that includes a media box with databases storing past, current, and future TV program data, allowing users to navigate and access program information for past programming through an interactive program guide using a remote control device, which retrieves and displays detailed information on previously aired shows, including rebroadcast information, reviews, and advertisements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional EPGs are used to display TV programs, then current and future programming information is provided, but past programming information is not accessible due to legal restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments programming information by time periods (past, current, future) and handles each segment differently. Past program data is stored and made searchable in databases, while current and future programs follow conventional EPG display methods. This segmentation allows past programming information to be preserved and accessed without violating legal restrictions on rebroadcasting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary database layer between the EPG interface and program content. The database stores historical program data and provides it to the EPG system for informational purposes only, acting as a mediator that enables access to past programming information while maintaining legal compliance by not enabling unauthorized rebroadcasting.
2Loss of information
If databases storing past program data are implemented, then access to past programming information is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing multi-functional components (databases, EPG interfaces, set-top boxes) that can handle multiple types of program data. By leveraging the universal capabilities of these existing components, the system can store and display past programming information without requiring entirely new specialized hardware or software architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates informational copies of past program data in databases for search and display purposes. These are metadata copies rather than full program content copies, allowing the system to provide access to program information without the complexity of storing and managing complete video files of past broadcasts.
3Ease of operation
If search functionality for past programs is added, then user ability to find past shows is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary indexing and categorization of past program data during data ingestion and storage. Program metadata is pre-processed and organized in the database with searchable fields, genres, and timestamps. This preliminary action reduces the processing power needed during actual search operations, as the database can quickly retrieve pre-organized information rather than analyzing raw data in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system and method for providing a program guide for past programming comprising receiving a user command to retrieve program data, retrieving the program data from a data source, and outputting, to a display device, the program data in response to receiving the user command. The program data may comprise information relating to previously-aired programming.