Interactive TV Data Locators for Versatile Content Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interactive television systems are limited in allowing subscribers to access data networks freely and components within the network, restricting the range of services and features provided.
Innovation Solution
An interactive television network with a data locator and memory components for television listing, programming content, e-mail, and voice mail data, enabling subscribers to access and search various data types, including multimedia streams, and allowing replay and caching of programming based on subscriber requests, with features like embedded bugs for interactive transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If interactive television systems are implemented with limited data network access, then system complexity is reduced, but subscriber service versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments data access by creating distinct data locators for different data types (television listing data, programming content data, e-mail data, voice mail data). Each data locator handles specific data retrieval operations, allowing the system to manage complexity through modular organization while providing versatile access to multiple data networks and components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces data locators as intermediary components between subscribers and the various data networks. These locators act as mediators that manage access to television listing data, programming content data, e-mail data, and voice mail data, enabling versatile service access while shielding subscribers from underlying system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If subscribers can access multiple data types and network components, then service flexibility is improved, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides data management into separate locators for different data types (television listing data, programming content data, e-mail data, voice mail data). This segmentation allows subscribers to access multiple data types flexibly while each locator independently manages its specific data category, reducing overall data management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The data locators are designed with multi-functional capabilities, enabling them to handle various operations (searching, replay, caching) across different data types. This universality allows a single locator architecture to manage diverse data access requirements, improving service flexibility without proportionally increasing data management complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If video on demand and movie on demand services are provided, then subscriber service range is expanded, but network infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary action by caching programming content data in advance based on subscriber requests. The data locators enable replay functionality by pre-positioning content in accessible memory, allowing video on demand and movie on demand services to be delivered without requiring complex real-time content delivery infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating accessible copies of programming content data through the data locators. Instead of requiring complex direct streaming infrastructure, the system creates retrievable copies of content that can be delivered on demand, expanding service range while simplifying network infrastructure requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to content searching of various databases in an interactive television network; caching programming for rebroadcasting to interactive television network subscribers; and interactively offering goods and services referred to in broadcast programming to interactive television network subscribers.