Remote Smartphone Control for Set-Top Box Parental Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parental control mechanisms in set-top boxes, such as CA and EIT, are insufficient for parents to monitor and restrict their children's TV viewing when they are away from home, as they cannot limit viewing time or specify allowed programs.
Innovation Solution
A remote smartphone-based system with three modules: CLIENT-STB embedded in the set-top box, SERVER on the broadcast server, and CONTROLLER on the smartphone, allowing parents to monitor and control set-top box state, lock channels, or turn it off remotely through a web browser or mobile device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If parental control mechanisms (CA or EIT) are used in set-top boxes, then content appropriateness can be controlled, but parents cannot monitor or control viewing time when away from home
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the set-top box and the parent's mobile device. The server receives viewing time data from the set-top box, stores it, and makes it accessible to parents remotely through mobile devices, enabling monitoring without requiring parental presence at home
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously collecting viewing time data from the set-top box, transmitting it to the server, and displaying it to parents via mobile devices. This closed-loop feedback enables real-time monitoring and control of children's viewing habits
2Adaptability or versatility
If remote monitoring capability is added to set-top box, then parents can control viewing remotely, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into three independent modules: a client module in the set-top box for data collection, a server module for data management and communication coordination, and a controller module in the mobile device for parental interaction. This segmentation distributes complexity across multiple components rather than concentrating it in one device
Solution Approach 2:
The server performs multiple functions including receiving viewing data from set-top boxes, storing viewing time information, transmitting data to mobile devices, and facilitating communication between different system components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for providing remote control of content rendered by a set top box is described including transmitting a state request message by a user to the set top box via a server, receiving a state reply message by the user from the set top box via the server, determining by the user if the user needs to control the set top box responsive to information in the state reply message and transmitting a remote control command to the set top box via the server. Also described are a method and apparatus including recording information of events by the set top box, receiving a state request message via a server, generating a state reply message including the recorded information, transmitting the state reply message via the server, receiving a remote control command via the server and performing an action specified by the remote control command.