Virtual Set Top System Merging Client Streams for UI Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for virtualizing set-top-boxes (STBs) are costly and inefficient due to the need for each client to have a dedicated stream for high-quality and low-latency multimedia content delivery, especially when multiple clients are viewing common video feeds.
Innovation Solution
A virtual set top system that merges clients to common video segments when viewing videos and seamlessly switches to client-dedicated segments for personalized user interface (UI) elements, utilizing a shared cache for UI objects and hybrid UI rendering to balance cloud and local rendering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each client is provided with a dedicated stream for high-quality and low-latency multimedia content delivery, then the quality and latency performance is improved, but the system cost and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple client streams into a single common stream when clients are viewing identical video content. The system identifies when multiple clients are watching the same channel and consolidates their video streams, while maintaining separate UI rendering layers for personalization. This reduces redundant video encoding and transmission resources while preserving individual user experience through separate UI elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multimedia stream into distinct components: common video content and personalized UI elements. By separating the video feed from the user interface overlays, the system can share the video portion across multiple clients while customizing the UI portion for each user. This segmentation enables efficient resource utilization without compromising personalized user experience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a virtualized 2-way environment is implemented for set-top-boxes, then system flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but the implementation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal virtualized STB architecture that can serve multiple clients simultaneously with different service requirements. The system provides a common video delivery infrastructure that works for all clients while allowing individual customization of UI elements. This multi-functional platform reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for different service scenarios.
3Productivity
If common video feeds are shared among multiple clients, then resource efficiency is improved, but the ability to provide personalized UI elements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user interface into separate renderable elements that can be independently customized for each client. The UI is divided into components such as electronic program guides, parental control interfaces, and recommendation overlays, each of which can be personalized while the underlying video stream remains shared. This allows resource efficiency through stream sharing while maintaining personalization through separate UI layers.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for providing multimedia content in a virtual set top system are described. In some embodiments, a stream switchover method for UI rendering is performed at a device (e.g., a server) with one or more processors and a non-transitory memory. The server distributes a first stream that includes a plurality of frames. The server receives a request for a user interface (UI) from a client. In response to receiving the request, the server generates a second stream by locating an encoder to encode the plurality of frames into the second stream based on the first stream, instructing the encoder to accelerate encoding of the plurality of frames and facilitating blending of the UI into the second stream with the plurality of frames. The server then switches the client from the first stream to the second stream.