Unified Interface for Multi-Processor Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of managing multiple devices and services in a home network environment leads to user confusion, economic inefficiency, and limited interoperability, as well as challenges for service providers in maintenance and updating due to the lack of a common interface and restricted conditional access paradigms.
Innovation Solution
A multi-processor gateway apparatus provides a unified user interface that allows users to select functions managed by multiple processors, with the first processor executing calls to an API layer associated with the processor assigned to perform the requested function, enabling seamless communication and operation across different devices and services without requiring changes to the API layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processors are used in the gateway apparatus to provide diverse services, then service versatility and functionality are improved, but interface complexity and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal user interface that serves multiple processors and services through a single common interface. The gateway apparatus provides a unified interface that can access functions from different processors (first processor, second processor, etc.) without requiring users to learn separate interfaces for each service, thus achieving multi-functionality while reducing interface complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a common interface as an intermediary layer between the user and multiple processors. This intermediary abstracts the complexity of multiple processors by providing a unified access point, allowing users to interact with services from different processors through a single interface without needing to understand the underlying processor architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple service providers and equipment are integrated, then service coverage and functionality are improved, but interoperability issues and user frustration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The common interface provides universal access to services from multiple service providers and equipment types. Users can access cable TV, VOD, PVR, VoIP, and other services through a single unified interface, eliminating the need to learn different interfaces for each service provider and equipment type, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining broad service coverage
3Reliability
If conditional access paradigms are restricted to set-top boxes, then security and access control are improved, but content transferability and device flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends conditional access capability from traditional set-top boxes to multiple device types including mobile devices, tablets, and computers. The common interface enables secure conditional access control while allowing content to be transferred and accessed across different device types, thus improving both access control reliability and content transferability simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
An interface for a multi-processor gateway apparatus and method for using the same. A user device communicates with a multi-processor gateway apparatus over a wired or wireless path. A first processor within the multi-processor gateway apparatus provides the user device a user interface. The user interface allows the user to select a function that is managed by one of the multiple processors. If the selected function is assigned to the first processor, the function is performed by the first. However, if the selected function is performed by one of the other processors, the first processor executes calls to an API layer associated with the processor assigned to perform the requested function. The requested function is performed by the processor to which it is assigned and the results reported to the first processor. The first processor then provides the results of the request to the user device via the path.