Set-Top Box Application Provisioning via Segmented Transport Streams
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for provisioning network service provider applications in digital broadcasting environments require users to stop their current service for updates, lack monitoring, and do not guarantee normal provisioning processes.
Innovation Solution
A method that incorporates an application provisioning descriptor with version and location information into an application information table, transmitted as an always tuned transport stream, allowing for conditional downloading and monitoring of NSP applications at user set-top boxes, using DSM-CC, HTTP, or their combination, to ensure efficient and real-time provisioning without disrupting user services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If OOB transport streams are used for application provisioning, then applications can be transported and downloaded, but users must stop their current service to download the application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transport stream into multiple independent streams: main service transport streams and separate application provisioning transport streams. This segmentation allows the application provisioning function to operate independently without interrupting the main service, resolving the contradiction between provisioning efficiency and service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the application information table (AIT) and application descriptor - that mediates between the transport stream and the application download process. This intermediary structure enables seamless application provisioning by providing metadata about available applications without requiring service interruption.
2Productivity
If OOB transport streams are used for application provisioning, then applications can be downloaded, but there is no monitoring of the provisioning process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the application information table (AIT) that continuously provides status information about application provisioning. The AIT is updated to reflect download progress, success, or failure states, enabling monitoring and verification of the provisioning process without interrupting service delivery.
3Productivity
If OOB transport streams are used for application provisioning, then applications can be transported, but there is no guarantee that provisioning is carried out normally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating application provisioning information into the application information table (AIT) before the actual download occurs. This pre-provisioning phase includes validating application descriptors, checking compatibility, and preparing download parameters, ensuring that the provisioning process is guaranteed to succeed or fail gracefully without compromising service reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for provisioning a NSP application in a digital interactive broadcasting environment including: A) at a headend server transmitting the AIT table, having an application provisioning descriptor including a version information and a location information of an application in a form of ATTS; and B) at a user set-top box, b-1) checking a downloaded status of the application, and comparing the application version information in the descriptor with that stored into the set-top box, b-2) if the version in the descriptor is the same with that in the set-top box and downloading of the application has been performed normally, executing the application without downloading, and b-3) if the version in the descriptor is different from that in the set-top box or if downloading of the application has been performed abnormally, accessing and downloading the application based on the location information are performed.