SMS STB Server Routing Messages to TV Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems do not allow for the display of Short Message Service (SMS) messages on set-top boxes (STBs) or TVs, limiting customer convenience and experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a new application server, the SMS STB server, which conditionally directs incoming SMS messages to STBs for display on connected TVs, using a novel flag in subscriber profiles and mapping information to determine delivery routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If SMS messages are displayed on TV through STB, then customer convenience and experience are improved, but device complexity increases due to new application server and messaging infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application server as an intermediary component that bridges the SMS messaging system and the STB/TV display system. This server receives SMS messages, determines whether STB display is enabled via initial filter criteria, and forwards messages to appropriate video endpoints for TV display. The intermediary handles the complexity of message routing, filtering, and protocol conversion, isolating the complexity from the end-user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The messaging system is segmented into distinct functional components: the application server for message reception and filtering, the initial filter criteria mechanism for decision-making, video endpoints for message formatting, and the STB for delivery to TV. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable despite its increased complexity.
2Measurement precision
If SMS messages are conditionally directed to STB based on subscriber profile flags, then message delivery precision is improved, but system complexity increases due to profile checking and routing logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing initial filter criteria in advance, which include checking subscriber profile flags and determining STB display preferences before SMS messages are routed. This pre-configured filtering logic allows the system to make routing decisions based on pre-stored preferences, reducing the need for complex real-time decision-making and simplifying the routing process while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from subscriber profiles and initial filter criteria results to dynamically determine message routing. The application server queries subscriber profiles, receives feedback about STB display preferences, and adjusts message routing accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures precise message delivery while using stored preference data to minimize complex real-time processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new application server and messaging infrastructure are implemented, then SMS display functionality on TV is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The application server implements multiple functions within a single component: it receives SMS messages, evaluates initial filter criteria, queries subscriber profiles, determines routing decisions, and forwards messages to appropriate video endpoints. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate specialized components into a single versatile server, potentially reducing overall system cost while enabling SMS display functionality on TV.
Data Source
AI summary
A SMS message is conditionally additionally directed toward an STB, located at the customer premises, to which the target phone number of the SMS message corresponds, and is displayed on a device, e.g., a TV, coupled to the STB, in addition to being directed to the phone corresponding to the target phone number. A new STB SMS server: i) determines whether an incoming SIP message including a SMS message is to be sent toward a STB for SMS display on a display device coupled to the STB, or is to be dropped, e.g., based on a SMS_DISPLAY_STB flag value in a subscriber profile corresponding to the target phone number, ii) determines, for a SIP message including a SMS message, a particular video endpoint, and iii) sends a SIP message including a SMS message to a determined video endpoint for SMS message delivery to a STB interfacing with the video endpoint.