Set-Top Box Application Segmentation for Cloud Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional set-top-boxes are limited in executing complex applications, require significant user interaction, and lack flexibility in integrating media content from various sources, leading to high costs and security risks, especially when trying to provide additional services or update hardware.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that divide applications into separate executable parts, determining which parts to execute on the set-top-box or a computational entity in the internet, transferring and executing these parts, and synchronizing results, allowing for more complex applications and reduced user interaction while maintaining security and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If applications are executed entirely on the set-top-box, then security and reliability are maintained, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The application is divided into multiple parts: a first part executed on the set-top-box and a second part executed on external user equipment. This segmentation allows critical security functions to remain on the set-top-box while moving less critical functionality externally, reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The second part of the application is extracted from the set-top-box and executed on external user equipment. This extraction reduces the computational burden and complexity on the set-top-box while maintaining security through controlled interaction via predefined interfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the set-top-box is upgraded with new services, then functionality is improved, but hardware replacement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically distributes application parts between the set-top-box and external user equipment based on capability requirements. This dynamic allocation allows new services to be deployed by distributing application parts rather than requiring hardware replacement, improving adaptability while reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Device complexity
If computational tasks are distributed to external equipment, then device complexity is reduced, but network dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes predefined interfaces and communication protocols between the set-top-box and external user equipment before application execution. This preliminary setup ensures reliable network-dependent operation by pre-configuring interaction mechanisms, reducing the risk of network dependency issues.
4Productivity
If more processing power is provided in the set-top-box, then application capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the set-top-box to execute multiple application parts (first part) while leveraging external user equipment for additional processing (second part). This multi-functional approach allows the set-top-box to provide application capability enhancement without proportionally increasing hardware cost, as external equipment contributes processing power.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing an application on a home user equipment, preferably a set-top-box of a television, the method includes the steps of:a) dividing the application into at least one separate executable application part,b) determining for each separate executable application part whether to be executed on the home user equipment or on a computational entity, located in the internet,c) transferring application parts determined for execution on the computational entity according to step b) to the computational entity,d) executing transferred application parts on the computational entity,e) returning results of executed application parts to the home user equipment, andf) synchronizing returned results with results of separate application parts executed on the home user equipment.