Server-Side Application Processing via Video-on-Demand Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy set-top boxes in cable television systems lack the memory capacity and processing power to handle new, advanced applications, leading to costly upgrades or replacements, and limiting customers' access to improved software functionalities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a video-on-demand architecture that shifts application processing and memory to a server-side system, allowing client-side devices to receive processed content through VoD navigation commands, enabling the delivery of advanced applications without requiring upgrades to the client devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new advanced applications are deployed on legacy set-top boxes, then application functionality is improved, but device memory capacity and processing capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the application processing functionality from the legacy set-top box and relocates it to a remote server. The set-top box only retains minimal client-side components for receiving and displaying content, while the computationally intensive application processing is performed externally, thereby resolving the memory and processing capability constraints of legacy devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the legacy set-top box and the advanced application. This intermediary handles the complex processing tasks, allowing the set-top box to access sophisticated application functionality without requiring enhanced local hardware capabilities
2Power
If legacy set-top boxes are upgraded or replaced, then processing capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically replacing or upgrading expensive hardware, the patent creates a virtual copy of the application processing functionality on a remote server. This allows multiple legacy set-top boxes to access the same advanced application through software emulation, eliminating the need for costly hardware replacements while maintaining enhanced processing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive permanent hardware upgrades with a more economical software-based solution. Rather than investing in new physical devices, the system uses cost-effective server processing to provide advanced applications to legacy devices, significantly reducing the overall system cost
3Speed
If application processing is performed on client side, then response time is improved, but device capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the application processing from the traditional client-side dimension to a server-side dimension. By moving processing capability to the network infrastructure, the system achieves enhanced device capability without requiring changes to the client hardware, effectively adding capability in a different dimensional space
Data Source
AI summary
Provision of non video on demand applications and associated content through a video on demand (VoD) infrastructure is provided. An existing VoD application may be used to allow services other than traditional VoD services to be provided to a requesting networked device, such as a cable system set-top box. Applications may be provided by remote application servers acting as VoD servers. Remote content or applications may be requested by a client VoD application, wherein the requested content may be streamed to the requesting device, and a personalized client experience may be provided. The thin VoD client application may interact with the remote application as if the content were VoD content. Accordingly, normal VoD command functionality may be utilized to interact with the remote application.