Set-Top Box Network Status Module for IPTV Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internet Protocol television (IPTV) network status notifications are inadequate in detecting and communicating network failures and interference issues to users, leading to disruptions in video and audio streams, and failures in receiving IPTV signals.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for displaying notification icons/messages on set-top box devices to indicate network failures or interference, using a network status module that determines the source of the issue and provides visual and textual representations of the problem, such as a slashed connection icon, to help users identify and resolve issues within the IPTV network or customer premises.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network status notifications are enhanced to detect and communicate network failures, then user awareness and troubleshooting capability improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network status notification system that acts as an intermediary between the IPTV network infrastructure and the user. This mediator detects network failures, determines their sources (headend, network, or premises equipment), and communicates them through intuitive icons and messages on the set-top box interface, resolving the contradiction by adding detection capability without requiring complex user-side analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system segments network failure detection into distinct categories (headend failures, network failures, and premises equipment failures) with specific icons and messages for each type. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple failure types with specialized detection methods while presenting a simplified, organized interface to users, balancing reliability improvement with manageable system complexity
2Loss of information
If the system provides detailed network status information, then user troubleshooting effectiveness improves, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of information detail in different interface locations and contexts. The main guide channel display shows concise failure type indicators, while additional details about the failure source and suggested actions are available in contextual menus or help screens. This allows comprehensive information to be available when needed while maintaining low processing requirements during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system uses color-coded icons and messages to convey network status information efficiently. Different colors indicate different failure types or severity levels, allowing users to quickly grasp the nature of the problem without reading detailed technical descriptions. This visual encoding reduces the processing energy required to both generate and interpret network status information
Data Source
AI summary
A method of running a network status module in a set-top box device is disclosed. A loss of a portion of a signal in an Internet Protocol television network is detected. When interference of the signal is cause over a connection between the set-top box device and the residential gateway, a first icon to indicate a first failure in a connection between the set-top box device and a residential gateway on a display device is displayed. When the interference of the signal is over the wide area network of the Internet Protocol television network, a second icon to indicate a second failure in a wide area network of an Internet Protocol television network is displayed.