Set-Top Box Content Delivery via Mobile Network Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering multimedia content to iTV users do not allow for timely and user-dependent access, as they require the iTV set-top box to be on and tuned to a specific program, limiting user convenience and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that associate a user's unique identifier in a communications network with their iTV set-top box, enabling notifications of available content and delivery of content upon user confirmation, using communications terminals like mobile phones or PCs to notify and deliver content to the set-top box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the set-top box must be on and tuned to a specific program to receive content, then the content delivery can be controlled and targeted, but the user convenience and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by notifying the user of available content before the set-top box is activated. The notification is sent to the user's mobile device or email address, allowing the user to be informed of content availability without requiring the set-top box to be on or tuned to a specific program. When the user responds to the notification, the system then activates the set-top box and delivers the content.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the set-top box needs to be actively tuned to receive content, then the content can be delivered through traditional broadcast channels, but the user cannot access content at any time and location
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary notification mechanism that acts as a mediator between the content delivery system and the user. Instead of requiring direct interaction with the set-top box, the system sends notifications through alternative channels (mobile devices, email) that the user can access at any time and location. This intermediary layer decouples the content availability from the set-top box state, enabling asynchronous content delivery.
3Reliability
If traditional broadcast methods are used, then content can be delivered to tuned set-top boxes, but user-dependent and timely access is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the user is notified of content availability and must respond to confirm content delivery. The notification is sent to the user's mobile device or email, and the user's response (clicking a link, replying to the notification) serves as feedback that triggers the actual content delivery. This ensures reliable delivery while giving the user control over when content is received.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for enabling use of contents by a user of at least one set top box adapted to receive broadcast TV signals, includes: establishing an association between at least one identifier of the user in a communications network, and at least one identifier of the at least one user's set top box; notifying the user via the communications network of the availability of the contents, wherein the notifying includes exploiting the at least one identifier of the user in the communications network; upon receiving a confirmation by the user, delivering the contents to the user's set top box, wherein the delivering includes identifying the at least one user's set top box exploiting the at least one identifier thereof.