Digital TV Section Data Storage with Dynamic Memory Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In digital television systems, the storage of program specific information (PSI) and system information (SI) in nonvolatile memory is inefficient due to the need for preset array sizes, leading to potential data loss or wasteful use of storage space, as the amount of cyclic and variable-length string structure data can vary significantly.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that save section data directly in nonvolatile memory without initial parsing, allowing dynamic memory allocation based on the actual size of PSI/SI, ensuring no data loss while optimizing storage space by using section data index information for efficient retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the array size is preset to be large, then no PSI/SI data loss occurs, but storage space of nonvolatile memory is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePSI/SI data completenessVSAvoidnonvolatile memory storage space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic memory allocation by determining the actual size of PSI/SI data through parsing section data, then allocating memory arrays according to the calculated required size. This replaces the static preset array approach with a dynamic allocation mechanism that adapts to actual data needs, eliminating both data loss and storage waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of stationary object

If the array size is preset to be small, then storage space is saved, but PSI/SI data may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenonvolatile memory storage spaceVSAvoidPSI/SI data completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary parsing of section data to calculate the required array size before allocating memory. This preliminary action determines the exact storage needs, enabling subsequent memory allocation that is perfectly matched to the data requirements, thus avoiding both overflow and underallocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If section data is parsed and stored in array manner, then PSI/SI can be retrieved, but storage space cannot be optimized due to empirical array sizing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePSI/SI retrieval capabilityVSAvoidstorage space efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of array size from an empirical fixed value to a dynamically calculated value based on actual PSI/SI data size. This parameter change enables storage space optimization while maintaining retrieval capability, as the array size now adapts to the actual data requirements rather than using a predetermined empirical value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3223527B1Program play control method and digital television device
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3223527B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3223527B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3223527B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A program play control method and a digital television device are disclosed. The method includes: reading section data from received transport stream data TS packets, and directly saving the section data in a nonvolatile memory without parsing, where the section data carries program specific information PSI and system information SI; if audio/video data carried in a transport stream data TS packet corresponding to the PSI needs to be played, parsing the section data to obtain the PSI and the SI, and saving the PSI and the SI by using a dynamically allocated memory; and reading the PSI from the memory, playing, according to the PSI, the audio/video data carried in the transport stream data TS packet corresponding to the PSI, reading the SI from the memory, and displaying the SI. Implementation of embodiments of the present invention can save storage space of a memory and a nonvolatile memory in a case in which no loss of PSI/SI is ensured.