Set Top Box Aggregator for IPTV Content Interactivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current television services over IPTV networks are limited to basic channel selection and program recording, lacking enhanced content and interactivity for users.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes a computer-readable medium with instructions to store an aggregator on a Set Top Box (STB) to obtain and display content from multiple feeds over a communications network, allowing users to select and store syndicated content for viewing on a television set, using TCP/IP protocol and XML format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional television services are used, then basic channel selection and program recording are provided, but enhanced content and interactivity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The set top box is enhanced with an aggregator component that enables it to perform multiple functions: traditional channel selection, program recording, plus now syndicated content aggregation from multiple feeds. This multi-functionality approach allows a single device to provide diverse content types without requiring separate specialized devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregator acts as an intermediary component between the communications network and the user interface. It subscribes to multiple content feeds from different sources, processes and organizes this content, and presents it through the existing STB interface, thereby enabling enhanced content without directly complicating the user-facing system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If multiple content feeds are aggregated and displayed, then user interactivity and content access are enhanced, but the complexity of content management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregator automatically subscribes to multiple content feeds and continuously monitors for new content without requiring manual intervention. It autonomously manages the subscription process, content retrieval, and presentation, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining high interactivity levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures the aggregator to automatically subscribe to multiple content feeds before user interaction. Content is pre-fetched and organized in advance, allowing users to immediately access and interact with diverse content types without experiencing delays or complex manual setup procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an apparatus, method, and computer programs for obtaining content from a communications network. One aspect of the disclosure includes: storing an aggregator on a Set Top Box (STB) associated with a television set, wherein the aggregator is adapted to obtain content corresponding to a plurality of feeds from a communications network; displaying the plurality of feeds on the television set in response to a first input received by the STB; accepting at the STB a selection of at least one feed from the plurality of feeds; obtaining content from the communications network corresponding to the selected at least one feed; and providing the obtained content for display on the television set.