Television Appliance Communication Client Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packet-based communication systems are limited in accessibility, as they typically require a personal computer for use, which is not always a comfortable or familiar environment for making calls, and mobile devices often lack the necessary processing resources, bandwidth, or display screens to offer full features like video calling.
Innovation Solution
Integrating an embedded processing apparatus into a television set or set-top box to run a communication client application, allowing users to establish voice or video calls and share television channel information with contacts, enabling real-time shared experiences and control over the appliance based on viewed channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If packet-based communication is implemented using personal computers, then communication functionality is achieved, but accessibility and user comfort are limited due to unfamiliar environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling packet-based communication functionality on television appliances, which traditionally serve only for viewing broadcast content. The television appliance is transformed into a multi-functional device that can both receive television signals and execute communication client applications, thereby expanding the platform flexibility without compromising user accessibility and comfort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If packet-based communication is implemented on mobile devices, then portability is improved, but processing resources and display capabilities are insufficient for full features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling packet-based communication functionality on television appliances, which traditionally serve only for viewing broadcast content. The television appliance is transformed into a multi-functional device that can both receive television signals and execute communication client applications, thereby expanding the platform flexibility without compromising user accessibility and comfort.
3Ease of operation
If television appliance is used for communication, then user accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of communication client
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the communication client application from the television signal reception functionality. The processing apparatus executes the communication client application independently while the television receiver handles broadcast signals, allowing the television appliance to offer communication services without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a television appliance configured to display a selected on-screen viewing activity, and a client application. The client application is configured to maintain a list of contacts and allow a user of the media appliance to establish communication events with contacts via a network interface and packet-based network. The client application is further configured to receive a machine-readable data item via the network interface and packet-based network from a television appliance of one or more of said contacts, the machine-readable data item indicating a current television channel being viewed by the respective contact. In at least some embodiments, the client application may control operation of said user's television appliance in relation to the contact's television appliance based on the data item.