Set Top Box Concurrent File Download from Broadcast Carousel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Set top boxes in broadcast file systems face significant delays in launching applications due to the need to wait for multiple files to be broadcast and downloaded from a data carousel, which can take up to 20-40 seconds, causing user frustration and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism where the set top box concurrently reads and downloads all necessary application files and resource files during a single cycle of the data carousel, rather than sequentially, by maintaining a file listing or manifest that specifies required files for each application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the set top box waits for files to be broadcast sequentially from the data carousel, then the system uses minimal memory resources, but the application launch time increases significantly (20-40 seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-downloading and storing multiple application files and resource files in the set top box's memory before they are actually needed. The system proactively monitors the data carousel for files listed in the manifest and downloads them in advance, so that when an application is launched, all necessary files are already available locally, eliminating the 20-40 second wait time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the file download process by identifying individual files and resource bundles that need to be downloaded separately from the data carousel. The manifest file contains a segmented list of required files, and the system downloads each segment independently and stores it in memory, allowing parallel preparation of multiple file components before application launch.
2Productivity
If the set top box downloads multiple files sequentially from the data carousel, then the device complexity remains low, but the system productivity decreases due to multiple wait cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous monitoring of the data carousel for required files. Instead of stopping to wait for files to be broadcast, the system continuously watches for and downloads files as they become available on the carousel, eliminating idle wait time and keeping the download process continuous rather than interruptive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching files based on the manifest before they are requested. The file download mechanism is enhanced with a manifest parser that identifies required files in advance, and the system proactively downloads them during idle periods or as they appear on the carousel, transforming the reactive download process into a proactive one that improves productivity.
3Loss of time
If the set top box reads only the application file and then requests additional resource files, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of time increases due to multiple sequential downloads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-downloading all resource files listed in the manifest before the user initiates application launch. The system parses the manifest to identify all required files and resource bundles, downloads them in advance during idle time or as they appear on the carousel, and stores them in memory. When the user launches an application, all files are already available, reducing user wait time from 20-40 seconds to near-instantaneous.
Data Source
AI summary
An embedded processor device, communicating over a broadcast file system (BFS) with a data carousel, stores a file that specifies for one or more applications the application and all resource files required for at least start up of each application. Rather than reading a single application file from the BFS and then reading each of the resource files in a serial fashion, the embedded process or device concurrently reads the application file and any necessary resource files as they are broadcast, enabling all necessary files to be read during a single cycle of the data carousel.