Inline TV Processor Channel Detection via Signal Fingerprinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing television systems struggle to determine the channel being viewed when the TV signal lacks channel information, hindering personalized content delivery and user experience customization.
Innovation Solution
An inline TV processor generates fingerprints from received TV signals and compares them to stored fingerprints of multiple channels to identify the active channel, associating meta-information with the matching signal, and repeatedly checks for changes in the channel to ensure accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If cable or satellite receivers send only bare TV signal without channel information, then the signal transmission is simple and direct, but other devices cannot identify what channel is being viewed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inline TV processor as an intermediary device between the cable/satellite receiver and the display device. This processor captures the bare TV signal, generates fingerprints from it, compares these fingerprints against a database of known channel fingerprints, and retrieves associated channel information. This mediator enables channel identification without modifying the original simple signal transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/manual channel identification method with an automated electronic fingerprinting system. Instead of relying on metadata embedded in the signal or manual input, the system uses automated fingerprint generation, comparison, and matching algorithms to identify channels, substituting electronic processing for manual or metadata-dependent methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If televisions or media devices have access to channel information, then user experience can be customized based on viewed channel, but determining the channel from bare TV signal is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces difficult manual channel detection with automated electronic fingerprinting. The inline TV processor continuously generates fingerprints from the received TV signal, compares them against a comprehensive database of channel fingerprints, and automatically identifies the current channel, enabling seamless user experience customization without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the TV signal, generates fingerprints, compares them with the database, and updates the identified channel information in real-time. This continuous feedback loop ensures that the system maintains accurate channel identification even when channels change, enabling dynamic user experience adaptation.
3Measurement precision
If fingerprint comparison is performed repeatedly to detect channel changes, then channel identification accuracy is maintained, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic fingerprint comparison at predetermined intervals rather than continuous comparison. The inline TV processor is configured to perform fingerprint generation and comparison operations at specific time intervals, which maintains channel identification accuracy while reducing unnecessary processing during stable channel conditions, thus balancing precision with time efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of comparison frequency based on signal conditions. The system can increase comparison frequency when channel changes are detected or suspected, and reduce frequency during stable periods, optimizing the balance between identification accuracy and processing time requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for determining meta-information for a channel being viewed are described. At an inline TV processor with a processor and memory, a first TV signal is received from a first source. One or more fingerprints are generated from the first TV signal. A plurality of second TV signals are received from a second source, and one or more respective second fingerprints are generated for each of the second TV signals. It is then determined whether one of the first fingerprints matches one of the second fingerprints. In response to determining that one of the first fingerprints matches a respective one of the second fingerprints, meta-information of the second TV signal (that is associated with the matched respective second fingerprint) is associated with the first TV signal. In response to determining that one of the first fingerprints does not match any of the second fingerprints, the steps are repeated.