Trigger Parameters Table for Interactive TV Data Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern televisions and set-top boxes face limitations in receiving and processing additional data required for interactive functions, such as electronic programming guides and interactive elements, due to data capacity constraints within television broadcasts.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for processing triggers using a trigger parameters table (TPT) stored in a reception apparatus, which extracts triggers from closed caption data and processes events based on media time, allowing for efficient and compact signaling of interactive content, enabling the display of supplemental content synchronized with television programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional data is provided along with television broadcast, then interactive functions can be supported, but data capacity constraints limit the amount of data that can be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments additional data into two parts: triggers embedded in closed caption data (transmitted with broadcast) and a trigger parameters table (TPT) stored separately in reception apparatus. This segmentation allows the broadcast to carry only compact trigger signals while the detailed parameter tables are stored locally, effectively resolving the data capacity constraint while maintaining interactive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts detailed parameter information from the broadcast data stream and stores it separately in the reception apparatus's memory as a Trigger Parameters Table (TPT). Only essential trigger identifiers are transmitted with the broadcast, while comprehensive parameter data is taken out and stored locally, thereby reducing broadcast data capacity requirements while preserving full interactive functionality.
2Quantity of substance
If compact triggers are used in closed caption data, then data capacity is reduced, but trigger processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing comprehensive parameter tables (TPT) in the reception apparatus before trigger processing is needed. When a compact trigger is received, the system can quickly retrieve pre-prepared parameter information from the TPT using the trigger identifier as a key, avoiding complex real-time processing and reducing overall system complexity despite the compact trigger format.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger identifier acts as an intermediary between the compact trigger signal and the detailed parameter table. The compact trigger contains only the identifier, which mediates the lookup process in the TPT to retrieve full parameter information. This intermediary approach simplifies the broadcast data while maintaining processing efficiency through structured table lookups.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer program, and reception apparatus, and information providing apparatus. The method includes receiving content from a content source, and displaying the received content on a display. A first trigger is extracted from closed caption data associated with the received content. The reception apparatus retrieves a trigger parameters table (TPT) based on the extracted first trigger. The TPT includes at least one event associated with one or a combination of a trigger identifier and a first media time of the received content, and is stored in a memory of the reception apparatus. Further, the reception apparatus processes the event based on one or a combination of a second trigger including the trigger identifier and the first media time equaling a current media time of the received content.