Set-Top Box Synchronization Manager for Home Network Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional set-top boxes limit interactivity in television viewing, as they operate on a broadcast model, restricting viewers to the same content as other users on the same channel, and the increasing use of personal devices competes with television programming.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a synchronization manager that extracts embedded synchronization data from television signals and transmits it to IP-connected devices via a home network, allowing simultaneous viewing of TV programs on multiple devices while maintaining synchronization with the TV content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional broadcast model is used for television delivery, then content delivery is simple and reliable, but interactivity is limited and viewers are restricted to the same content as other users on the same channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the television signal into separate components: audio/video content and embedded data (synchronization data, metadata). The set-top box extracts and separates these components, allowing the video signal to continue being broadcast while the extracted data is transmitted separately to IP-connected devices via the home network. This segmentation enables interactivity without disrupting the traditional broadcast model.
Solution Approach 2:
The set-top box acts as an intermediary device between the traditional broadcast system and modern IP-connected devices. It receives the broadcast signal, extracts synchronization data, and relays this data to tablets, smartphones, or computers through the home network. This intermediary function bridges the gap between broadcast television and interactive digital devices, enabling enhanced user experience without requiring complete system replacement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If personal devices are used for content consumption, then interactivity and device capabilities are enhanced, but these devices compete with television programming for user attention
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the synchronization data embedded in the television signal and transmits this copied data to IP-connected devices. The synchronization data includes timing information, program identifiers, and metadata that are replicated from the broadcast signal to ensure that content displayed on personal devices remains synchronized with the main television display, preventing information loss across multiple devices.
3Ease of operation
If synchronization data is extracted and transmitted to multiple devices, then user experience is enhanced with additional content, but network bandwidth and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The set-top box extracts only the essential synchronization data from the television signal, separating it from the full audio/video content. This extraction process takes out only the necessary metadata and timing information needed for synchronization, rather than transmitting entire video streams to multiple devices. This significantly reduces network bandwidth requirements while still enabling enhanced user experience through synchronized content display on IP-connected devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for transmitting TV program related content to IP connected devices on a home network, or other local area network. Users can watch television while simultaneously receiving content related to TV programs currently being displayed on a television. TV centric and TV program related content can be transmitted to IP connected devices. Moreover, this TV program related content can be displayed at the same time as a television program is being displayed on a television. As such, the system can provide media synchronization within home network using the set-top box as a gateway for delivering the content. Users can watch TV at home, and at the same time receive TV program related content on a laptop, tablet computer, mobile phone, etc.