TV Messaging Adapter Server Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in enabling less mobile devices, such as set-top boxes and televisions, to display messages from more mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, which are restricted by proprietary communication protocols and incompatible operating systems, limiting their ability to perform two-way data communications over the Internet.
Innovation Solution
A server facilitates communication between consumer devices and service provider devices through an adapter-based architecture that translates and formats messages, allowing one-way or two-way messaging, and a Java-based architecture that uses adapters and protocols like Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) to enable message display on televisions, overcoming proprietary communication barriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If less mobile devices (set-top boxes, televisions) use proprietary communication protocols and incompatible operating systems, then device complexity and communication security are improved, but adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that receives messages from mobile devices via internet protocols and translates/forwards them to set-top boxes using proprietary protocols. This mediator architecture allows the set-top box to maintain its proprietary protocol stack while gaining the ability to receive messages from standard internet-connected devices, thus improving adaptability without requiring changes to the set-top box's core communication infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If less mobile devices are restricted to proprietary protocols, then communication security and system stability are improved, but ease of operation and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the mobile device layer uses standard internet protocols for flexible message composition and transmission, while the set-top box layer maintains proprietary protocols for stable communication with the service provider network. The server acts as a boundary between these segments, allowing each to operate independently in its optimal protocol environment, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two-way data communications are enabled on less mobile devices, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than enabling complex two-way communication stacks directly in the set-top box, the patent uses the server as an intermediary that handles the complexity of bidirectional communication. The server receives messages from mobile devices, manages protocol translation, and forwards appropriate commands to the set-top box, which then executes actions and can send status information back through the server. This approach provides two-way functionality without burdening the set-top box with complex communication infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system is contemplated for television displayed messaging. The television displayed messaging may be facilitated with an automated process for selecting an adapter suitable for use in formatting to be displayed messages according to operating requirements of the television. The television displayed messaging may be implemented as a one-way, downstream process such that the television or a user agent associated therewith need not overload upstream communications in order to receive and display messages.