Set-Top Box Program Guide Data Segmentation and Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing amount of program guide data in cable networks exceeds the limited bandwidth and memory capacity of set-top boxes, making it difficult to efficiently transmit and store the data effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of data objects, such as catalogs, is implemented to convey program guide data, with different periods defining when basic and detailed guide data are broadcast, and set-top terminals dynamically manage storage based on memory capacity and user interest, allowing for two-way communications to retrieve needed data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the amount of program guide data is increased to provide more program channels and services, then the user's program enjoyment is enhanced, but the limited bandwidth of the cable network becomes insufficient for transmitting the increasing guide data
Solution Approach 1:
The program guide data is segmented into multiple data objects organized in a hierarchical structure with catalogs at different levels (e.g., service catalogs, program catalogs). This segmentation allows the system to transmit only the necessary portions of guide data over the network, reducing overall bandwidth requirements while maintaining comprehensive program information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates frequently accessed guide data (such as current and upcoming program information) from less frequently accessed data. The extracted high-priority data is transmitted over the network via broadcast streams, while lower-priority data is stored locally or transmitted on-demand, optimizing bandwidth utilization.
2Quantity of substance
If the amount of program guide data is increased to accommodate more program channels and services, then the program information completeness is improved, but the limited memory capacity of set-top boxes becomes insufficient for storing the increasing guide data
Solution Approach 1:
Guide data is organized into a hierarchical catalog structure segmented by time periods, program types, and access frequency. Set-top boxes store only the necessary segments locally (such as current and recent program guide data), while historical or less frequently accessed data remains on the network server and is retrieved on-demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and identifies the most frequently accessed guide data portions and ensures these are maintained in set-top box memory. Less critical data is extracted from local storage and kept on network servers, reducing the memory burden on set-top boxes while maintaining data accessibility.
3Loss of information
If all guide data is transmitted over the network, then the data availability is improved, but the bandwidth consumption increases beyond sustainable levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-transmitting and caching frequently accessed guide data (such as program titles, times, and basic information) in set-top box memory before users need it. This preliminary caching reduces the need for repeated network transmissions, lowering bandwidth consumption while ensuring data availability when users access the guide.
Solution Approach 2:
Set-top boxes are equipped with local storage and processing capabilities that allow them to self-service by maintaining local copies of essential guide data. This self-service approach reduces dependency on continuous network transmission, as the set-top box can independently provide guide information from its local storage, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g., a synopsis of the program content), and grid guide data providing basic information about the program (e.g., title, channel and broadcast time). A first time window and a second time window may be defined such that the grid guide data associated with those programs broadcast within the first time window and the detail guide data associated with those programs broadcast within the second time window are automatically provided in the broadcast stream. The rest of the detail and grid guide data may be furnished upon request when needed.