Telecom Terminal Offloading Service Logic to Network Servers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current terminal devices for accessing various services via telecommunications networks are costly and lack flexibility, leading to device obsolescence due to hardware-dependent functionality, and require significant development efforts in both hardware and software for providing services like enhanced TV, interactive TV, and internet browsing.
Innovation Solution
A terminal device with a hardware-based design that offloads changeable functions to network servers, utilizing existing decoders and supporting low-cost software, enabling cost-effective production and flexibility through data transmission via high-speed networks like VDSL, with security features such as chip card readers and decryption/encryption devices for secure service delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware-based terminal devices are used to provide services like enhanced TV, interactive TV, and internet browsing, then service functionality is improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts changeable service functions from the terminal device hardware and relocates them to network servers. The terminal device retains only essential, stable functions (receiving device, transmitting device, decoder, output unit), while service-specific functionality is provided remotely through software on servers accessible via telecommunications network.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device is designed with universal, hardware-based components that can support multiple services through software. The receiving device, transmitting device, and decoder are general-purpose components that can handle various service types (enhanced TV, interactive TV, internet browsing) without requiring service-specific hardware for each function.
2Reliability
If hardware-dependent functionality is implemented in terminal devices, then service delivery is improved, but device obsolescence accelerates due to lack of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic software components that can be updated and modified on network servers without changing the terminal device hardware. Service functionality is dynamically adjustable through software downloads and updates, allowing the system to adapt to new services and requirements while maintaining stable hardware infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces software as an intermediary layer between the stable hardware terminal device and the service functionality. This software mediator can be updated, modified, and downloaded independently, allowing service changes without hardware modifications and preventing device obsolescence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If software downloads are used to provide service flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but security risks against improper use or distribution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements authentication and authorization mechanisms where users must verify their rights before accessing or downloading service software. The system automatically manages software distribution with built-in security checks, ensuring that only authorized users can access or download service components, thereby preventing improper use and distribution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional set-top boxes with full service implementation are used, then service functionality is improved, but hardware cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts service-specific functionality from expensive terminal device hardware and relocates it to network servers. This extraction allows the terminal device to use simpler, cheaper hardware components while service functionality is provided remotely through software, dramatically reducing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software copies of service functionality that can be distributed and executed on the terminal device or accessed remotely. Instead of implementing expensive hardware for each service, the system uses software representations that can be copied, distributed, and updated without additional hardware costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal device for using different services offered via a telecommunications network includes at lest one receiving device for image and sound information, at least one transmitting device for data which is used to select the received image and sound information, an input unit, a decoder for the image and sound information, and outputs for audio and video signals. A server for such terminal devices includes devices for connection to a telecommunications network, devices for carrying out authorization checks using the respective data received from a terminal device, and devices for receiving and processing service requests of the terminal devices. The services used may include television programs, such as pay TV and interactive television, and Internet applications.