Switched Digital Video Channel Lists for Encoding-Compatible STBs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switched digital video (SDV) systems face challenges in accurately identifying and providing data streams with different encoding formats, leading to decoding errors and service interruptions due to mismatched decoding capabilities between the SDV server and set-top boxes (STBs).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a device and method that generates a list of opened channels with both channel and encoding format identifiers, allowing the SDV server and STB to compare encoding formats with their respective decoding capabilities, and retain or discard data fields based on matching formats, using reserved bits in the Mini Carousel Protocol (MCP) message for identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple MPEG coding formats are supported in SDV systems, then the system can provide more channel options and adapt to different decoding capabilities, but it becomes difficult to accurately identify and match data streams with appropriate encoding formats, leading to decoding errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel information data structure into distinct fields: a channel identifier field and an encoding format identifier field. This segmentation allows the system to separately track and identify different encoding formats (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, etc.) for each channel, enabling accurate matching between data streams and STB decoding capabilities without confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an encoding format identifier as an intermediary element that mediates between the diverse encoding formats and the STB decoding capabilities. This identifier acts as a matching key that enables the STB to correctly identify and select data streams with compatible encoding formats, preventing decoding errors while maintaining support for multiple formats.
2Measurement precision
If the system provides detailed channel information including encoding formats, then the accuracy of channel identification improves, but the complexity of data processing and transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the encoding format identifier with the existing channel information data structure in the list of opened channels. By combining the channel identifier and encoding format identifier into a unified data structure, the system achieves accurate channel identification without requiring separate complex identification mechanisms, thus limiting the increase in data processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the encoding format identifier to be universally applicable across multiple encoding formats (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and future formats). This universal identifier structure allows the system to accurately identify channels regardless of their specific encoding format without requiring format-specific identification logic, thereby controlling data processing complexity while maintaining high identification accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for switched digital video (SDV) systems. A first device used in an SDV system is provided, which can perform the following operations: generating a list of opened channels, wherein the list of opened channels includes at least one data field associated with one or more channels, each data field including a channel identifier and an encoding format identifier, wherein the channel identifier identifies a channel, and the encoding format identifier identifies the encoding format of one of data streams of one or more encoding formats for the channel identified by the channel identifier; and sending the list of opened channels to a second device, so that for each data field, the encoding format corresponding to the encoding format identifier of the data field is compared with the decoding capability of the second device, and the data field is retained in response to the encoding format matching the decoding capability, while the data field is discarded in response to the encoding format not matching the decoding capability.