Television Receiver Idle Tuner Pre-tuning Channel Change Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
In digital television networks, particularly satellite-based systems, there is a significant delay between selecting a channel and its video being available for presentation due to video compression and tuning requirements, making rapid channel changes frustrating for users during 'channel surfing'.
Innovation Solution
A television receiver system utilizes idle tuners and decoding resources to pre-tune and decode predicted television channels before user input, using multiple tuners and decoders to prepare channels sequentially or based on popularity, and buffers video frames to reduce delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the television receiver waits for user input before tuning to selected channels, then tuner resources are conserved and device complexity is reduced, but channel change delay increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary tuning actions by identifying idle tuners and pre-tuning them to channels that are likely to be selected next, based on EPG navigation operations. This allows the channel to be ready for immediate presentation when the user actually selects it, eliminating the delay between selection and video availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts tuner allocation based on real-time conditions. Idle tuners are automatically assigned to pre-tune channels when opportunities arise, and the system continuously monitors EPG operations to update predictions. This dynamic resource management optimizes channel change speed without requiring permanent dedicated hardware for each channel.
2Speed
If multiple tuners are used to pre-tune channels, then channel change speed improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own idle tuners to serve the pre-tuning function, rather than requiring external or dedicated pre-tuning hardware. When a tuner finishes serving its current channel, it automatically becomes available to pre-tune predicted channels, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each tuner in the system serves multiple functions: it tunes to the currently selected channel for presentation, and simultaneously serves as a pre-tuner for predicted channels. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware resources to achieve both immediate channel presentation and fast channel change preparation without requiring separate dedicated components.
3Loss of time
If the system pre-decodes predicted channels, then channel change delay is reduced, but energy consumption and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial decoding action by tuning to the predicted channel and preparing to decode only when actually selected. The decoder is activated in advance only for channels that are predicted and have idle decoders available, rather than continuously decoding all possible channels. This partial action reduces energy consumption while still achieving fast channel change when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state of decoders dynamically based on prediction accuracy and current load. When a predicted channel is actually selected, the decoder transitions from idle to active state. The system monitors decoder availability and adjusts pre-decoding behavior accordingly, changing parameters like decoding timing and resource allocation to optimize energy usage while maintaining fast channel change performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for preparing a television channel for presentation, a television receiver (150) and a computer program are described. A set of one or more tuners (215) that are idle may be identified. Being idle may correspond to not being used to receive any television channel data for presentation or recording. An electronic programming guide that indicates programming may be output for presentation. One or more television channels may be selected for preparation. The television channels may be selected based at least in part on one or more navigation operations received by the electronic programming guide where one or more television channels are selected prior to receiving a user input selecting a television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. Each of the television channels may be prepared for presentation by tuning, by each tuner (215), to the one or more television channels prior to receiving the user input selecting the television channel of the television channels for presentation.