Receiving Apparatus Universal CDM Format for Cable Satellite Broadband

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data distribution systems, such as ATSC3.0, fail to accurately collect viewing information for broadcast services received through cable and satellite services, which account for 70% of households, and also do not account for broadband communication network distributions, as they are designed to only report data from terrestrial broadcasting waves.

Innovation Solution

A receiving apparatus and data processing method that embeds CDM-compatible data as an electronic watermark in image or sound data, or stores it in a user data recording area of compressed sound data, allowing for the generation and transmission of viewing information for contents received via various communication routes, including cable, satellite, and broadband networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the CDM format is designed to only report data from terrestrial broadcasting waves, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different distribution systems (cable, satellite, broadband) deteriorates and viewing information collection completeness worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The CDM format is designed to be universal across multiple distribution systems. The patent extends the original terrestrial-broadcast-only CDM format to accommodate cable, satellite, and broadband distributions by adding service type identification fields and corresponding data structures. This allows a single CDM format to handle diverse service sources without requiring separate reporting mechanisms for each distribution type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the CDM format is extended to include cable, satellite, and broadband distribution data, then the adaptability and completeness of viewing information collection are improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of implementation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the CDM data structure into distinct sections based on service type. Each distribution system (terrestrial, cable, satellite, broadband) has its own specific data fields and formatting requirements. This segmentation allows the receiving device to selectively process and generate CDM data appropriate for each service type without having to handle all possible distribution formats simultaneously, thereby managing complexity through modular data organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If the CDM format is extended to include cable, satellite, and broadband distribution data, then the completeness of viewing information collection is improved, but the loss of time for data processing and standardization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of viewing informationVSAvoidtime for data processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates service type identification and routing logic directly into the CDM generation process. The receiving device is pre-configured with knowledge of different distribution system characteristics and the appropriate data fields to collect for each. This preliminary preparation allows the device to efficiently generate complete CDM data for multiple distribution types without requiring time-consuming post-processing or complex real-time decision-making about which data to collect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3340638B1Reception device, transmission device, and data processing method
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3340638B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3340638B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3340638B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an arrangement which is capable of reliably generating and transmitting viewing information with respect to contents received via a communication route other than terrestrial broadcasting waves. Contents in which a contents ID applicable to the generation of viewing information and viewing information-compatible data such as viewing information destination information or the like are recorded in an electronic watermark (WaterMark) or a sound data file are sent from a transmitting apparatus to a receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus acquires the contents ID and the viewing information destination information, etc. from the electronic watermark (WM) or the sound data file, generates viewing information using the acquired data, and sends the generated viewing information to a designated address.