VOD Protocol Server Push for Set-Top Box List Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital television set-top boxes face issues with slow on-demand program list retrieval, network congestion, limited program offerings, lack of search functionality, and browser integration complexity, which negatively impact user experience and compatibility with different video on demand (VOD) services.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that employs a server to transmit a VOD service list and additional information in a broadcasting mode to digital television receiving terminals, using a VOD protocol specification that includes a linkage descriptor, VOD service list section, price reference descriptor, picture data section, and audio/video segment insertion information, allowing terminals to store, match, and display programs based on user input, and update lists when version inconsistencies are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a browser is integrated in a bi-directional set-top box to implement VOD services, then VOD service functionality is improved, but device complexity increases and compatibility with different VOD services becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the browser functionality from the set-top box and replaces it with a dedicated VOD client application that implements VOD service logic directly. This eliminates the need for a general-purpose browser while maintaining VOD functionality, thereby reducing software complexity while preserving adaptability to different VOD services through protocol-based implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal VOD client architecture that can handle multiple VOD service types through a unified interface and protocol implementation. The system supports different VOD service modes (live, time-shifted, on-demand) and multiple protocols (HTTP, RTSP, RTP) within a single application framework, eliminating the need for separate browsers for different services
2Loss of time
If the set-top box transmits a request to acquire the on-demand program list, then the program list can be obtained, but network congestion occurs and retrieval speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by proactively pushing the on-demand program list to the set-top box before the user requests it. The system pre-generates and transmits the program list information, so when the user wants to browse VOD content, the list is already available locally, eliminating retrieval delay and avoiding concurrent request conflicts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional client-request/server-response model by implementing a server-push mechanism. Instead of the set-top box requesting the program list, the server automatically transmits it to the terminal. This reversal of the interaction pattern eliminates network congestion from concurrent requests and dramatically reduces retrieval time
3Productivity
If the on-demand program list is issued passively by the server, then network congestion is avoided, but the speed of obtaining the program list becomes slow and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by proactively pushing the on-demand program list to the set-top box before the user requests it. The system pre-generates and transmits the program list information, so when the user wants to browse VOD content, the list is already available locally, eliminating retrieval delay and avoiding concurrent request conflicts
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the server monitors terminal status and pushes program list updates proactively when changes occur. This ensures the terminal always has the latest program information without needing to request it, maintaining both network efficiency and fast access to updated content
4Ease of operation
If conventional browsing methods are used to display the on-demand program list, then the list can be displayed, but the number of offered programs is limited and no search function is available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical browsing (sequential navigation through limited lists) with an intelligent search system that uses keyword matching and database queries. Users can search for programs by title, genre, actor, or other metadata, instantly retrieving relevant results from a comprehensive program database, thereby expanding accessible content beyond what manual browsing could provide
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a searchable database copy of the VOD program catalog that can be queried locally. Instead of relying on the server to generate and transmit complete program lists for browsing, the terminal maintains a searchable copy of program metadata, enabling users to find specific content quickly without being constrained by the server's list generation capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for playing digital television program in the present invention includes a server and at least a digital television receiving terminal, wherein the server presets video on demand (VOD) protocol specification, and transmits, according the VOD protocol specification, a VOD service list and additional information thereof to the digital television receiving terminal in a broadcast mode; the digital television receiving terminal presets VOD protocol specification, and stores, according the VOD protocol specification, the VOD service list and additional information thereof transmitted by the server to a on-demand program database; the digital television receiving terminal also matches relative programs in the on-demand program database according to a matching mark input by a user, displays the program to the user, receives a program on-demand request of the user, obtains the television program from the server according the program on-demand request, and plays the program to the user. The system in the present invention can actively transmit a on-demand program list and additional information to a Set Top Box, thus improving obtaining speed of the on-demand program list.