Set-Top Box SMS Notification via Triggered Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Short message service (SMS) protocol has not been fully implemented on non-mobile devices, lacking systems and methods for controlling notification and display of SMS messages, which are typically designed for mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for displaying SMS messages on user equipment devices, such as set-top boxes, where messages are stored until a triggering event occurs, allowing controlled display, including user actions or broadcast signals, and can include extended content like video or audio, with options for response via email-to-SMS gateway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If SMS messages are displayed immediately upon receipt on mobile devices, then notification speed is improved, but on non-mobile devices this creates a contradiction between immediate notification and appropriate display timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification speedVSAvoiddisplay timing control
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing the SMS message and identifying a triggering event condition before actual display. The message is prepared and held in memory with associated display conditions, so that when the triggering event occurs (such as user presence detection or appropriate timing), the message can be displayed immediately without delay. This resolves the contradiction by separating message receipt from message display, allowing both fast notification readiness and controlled display timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If SMS protocol is implemented on non-mobile devices like set-top boxes, then device versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by enabling non-mobile devices (set-top boxes, personal computers) to perform SMS message receiving, storing, and displaying functions. The set-top box is configured with SMS capabilities alongside its existing media reception and display functions, allowing a single device to serve multiple purposes: traditional media playback and SMS notification/display. This multi-functionality approach increases versatility while managing complexity through shared hardware resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary approach by introducing a triggering event mechanism that mediates between the received SMS message and its display on the non-mobile device. The triggering event condition acts as an intermediary layer that determines when and how the message should be displayed, simplifying the control logic by using event-driven architecture rather than continuous polling or complex timing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If SMS messages are stored until a triggering event occurs, then display appropriateness is improved, but message delivery time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay appropriatenessVSAvoidmessage delivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing the SMS message immediately upon receipt and identifying the triggering event condition in advance. The message is held in memory with its associated display conditions pre-configured, so that when the triggering event occurs, the message can be displayed immediately without processing delay. This approach minimizes actual display delay while ensuring appropriateness, as the 'time loss' is only the brief storage period necessary to wait for the user's presence or appropriate context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3343910B1Cross-platform messaging
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 ADEIA GUIDES INC
  • EP3343910B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3343910B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3343910B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for displaying a short message service (SMS) message on user media equipment, in which the user media equipment includes a set-top box and a display. In some embodiments, the set-top box receives an SMS message, wherein the SMS message includes information identifying a triggering event for displaying the SMS message. The SMS message is stored until the occurrence and detection of the identified triggering event. In response to detecting the occurrence of the identified triggering event, the SMS message is displayed on at least a portion of the display of the user media equipment.