Set-Top Box Content Guide for Integrated TV and OTT Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional television systems require users to switch to a separate device, such as a computer, to access supplemental content related to a TV program, which is inconvenient and disrupts the viewing experience.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to view supplemental content directly on their TV screen by displaying a content guide with selectable options for both standard TV channels and auxiliary channels providing over-the-top content, enabling easy access to related information without leaving the primary viewing interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users access supplemental content through a separate device like a computer, then they can view additional content from content sponsors, but this disrupts the viewing experience and requires switching devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the television set-top box with web browsing and content retrieval capabilities, merging the function of viewing broadcast content and accessing supplemental web content into a single device. This eliminates the need to switch to a separate computer device while maintaining access to both traditional TV content and additional sponsor-provided content.
Solution Approach 2:
The set-top box is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving and displaying traditional television broadcast content, accessing web content from content sponsor websites, and providing a unified content guide that integrates both types of content. This multi-functionality allows users to access diverse content sources through a single device without compromising convenience.
2Loss of information
If users switch to a computer to view supplemental content, then they can access additional information, but this increases the complexity of the system and操作流程
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the television receiver and web browser functions into a single integrated system. The set-top box includes both television tuning capabilities and web browsing functionality, along with a unified content guide that combines broadcast program information and web content availability, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The content guide serves as an intermediary that bridges traditional television content and web-based supplemental content. It provides a unified interface that displays both broadcast programs and available web content, allowing users to access supplemental information without directly navigating to separate websites or using additional devices.
3Loss of information
If users access web content through a separate device, then they can view additional content, but this increases the time required to access and view content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines television and web browsing functions in a single set-top box device, allowing users to access both broadcast content and supplemental web content without switching devices. This integration eliminates the time required to transition between devices and directly provides access to both content types through one interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The content guide pre-identifies and displays supplemental content availability associated with current or upcoming broadcast programs. By showing users what additional content is available before they need to access it, the system allows users to quickly navigate to and access relevant supplemental content without having to search or wait, reducing overall access time.
Data Source
AI summary
A content manager receives a request to display a content guide of available content. In response to receiving the request, the content manager initiates display of the content guide on a display screen. In the displayed content guide, the content manager initiates display of multiple selectable content viewing options. A first selectable channel viewing option of the multiple content viewing options can be configured to correspond to a television channel from which to view content originating from a content sponsor. A second channel viewing option of the multiple content viewing options can be configured to correspond to an auxiliary channel with respect to the television channel from which to access available over-the-top content associated with the content originating from the content sponsor. Accordingly, a user can be easily notified of the availability of content on a television channel and over-the-top content associated with the television channel.