WO2014101942A1

WO2014101942A1 - Method for generating an evolutionary multi-service grid in tv receivers and screens

Info

Publication number: WO2014101942A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/076949
Authority: WO
Inventors: Javier GIL HERNANDEZ
Original assignee: Gil Hernandez Javier
Priority date: 2012-12-27
Filing date: 2012-12-27
Publication date: 2014-07-03

Abstract

Method for generating an evolutionary multi-service grid in television receivers or screens comprising a micro-server (9) connected to the television receiver or screen (10) and a central server (1) that is a services provider and which enables user interaction by means of icons and hyper-icons via the screen or the television receiver itself.

Description

METHOD FOR GENERATING AN EVOLUTIONARY MULTI-SERVICE GRID IN TV

RECEIVERS AND SCREENS

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a method for generating and managing an evolutionary multi-service grid whose data originate from a network and which enables user interaction by means of icons and hyper-icons via a screen. Prior Art

Communication networks have evolved considerably in recent years, enabling internet access from a multitude of electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablets and significantly expanding the spectrum of users.

Nonetheless, connection to communication networks such as the Internet has been relegated to secondary importance in television signal receivers, given the difficulty of configuring universal access to content for average users or those without technological knowledge, all with reasonable user-friendliness and speed of access. Ease-of-use is very important; it is the basis for any system or application being a commercial success at user- level.

Disclosure of the Invention

The technical problem posed by this invention is how to provide efficient access to content via the Internet using a television receiver. In order to solve this problem, the method provided by the object of the invention comprises the use of a micro-server connected to a television receiver, to the communications network with access to Internet and, of course, to the electrical mains. During a first stage, the micro-server (and therefore the TV receiver) is authenticated on an external server. Subsequently, once the central server receives the request, the central server initiates the process of validation and, if this is positive, returns the codes necessary for the connection.

The aforementioned micro-server is specific to the invention herein, comprising both the hardware and the software required to run the method described and may interact with other micro-servers or with the external server, but not with any other servers.

Therefore, once the direct channel of communication has been established between the micro-server and the external server, the latter returns an initial service pack, i.e., a standard service grid. From this point, the user can now interact with the service grid.

The micro-server itself records and stores user's actions on the icons and/or hyper-icons that form the initial grid, generating a first table of user services that includes, at least, the information concerning the use of the different services, the time slots, and the use combinations of different services.

The micro-server, using data stored in said services table, subsequently establishes, by means of statistical calculations, which contents are most highly rated by the user, generating a new user profile. On the other hand, and in parallel, the central server obtains information on the most highly rated services on the network (the Internet) and generates a second external services table.

The central server then interrogates the various micro-servers connected to it, in order to obtain their respective user tables, combining them, evaluating them and generating one single weighted table. This weighted table, in turn, is compared with the external services table, generating a third deviation table indicating, at least:

- Which services from the second external services table are used daily and are not provided by the server.

Which services are common on the first table of user services and not on the second external services table.

- Which services are listed on both tables and, nonetheless, show a deviation in use greater and/or lower than 20%.

More specifically, once the central server receives the tables from the different micro-servers:

- They are combined into a single table.

All data remains in this single table and the evaluation process is begun, which organises the different services according to use, time slots and date, physical location and other relevant data.

Finally, the information is weighted according to its use and relevance (relevance depends on the user; in general terms, a service may be infrequently used, but a particular user may use it assiduously). The weighting method causes that less relevant service to appear in a particular pack, customising it for a single user. Similarly, additional comparisons may be established in this table, all to establish a fourth table with the statistically-evaluated services pack .

The micro-server sends a new request for an updated service pack. To do this, the central server requests the user services table from the micro-server and compares it with the service packs table and carries out the appropriate modifications, taking into account the particularities of the user, as a user may use a service whose value in the overall calculation is little or none and, nonetheless, this service should remain on that particular grid, which once generated is sent to the micro-server. Finally, this table will be used to update the contents, as described above.

A particular feature of the multi-service grid is the ability to show any type of video, audio, media content or application from a satellite, terrestrial, cable, internet or wireless network.

The micro-server, on the other hand, shows the multi-service grid on the screen, wherein the aforementioned grid comes from the external server with a network architecture and/or application, as described, where the graphical content displayed on screen is shaped like graphical containers arranged as icons and hyper-icons to make access as easy as changing channels on the television or conventional screen, thus avoiding the use of a keyboard, although it could also be used.

Some of the services provided are captured by the central server, which can obtain these services via satellite, terrestrial means, NET application and other similar means. By contrast, the micro-server receives these services via the Internet, by means of specific firmware and, depending on the type of service, a complementary application, for example, a video store verifies that the micro-server has DRM, therefore, a DRM application that is specific to this particular video store service is implemented.

Another important advantage of the invention is the analysis of the content and its mode of use, as described, enabling the necessary changes on the grid to be established so the content is scaled to meet user needs, ensuring content customisation. This can be done by using the algorithm described, which provides feedback on the content, making it an evolutionary system that is continually modified as it is calculated, having a starting point as a record. Throughout the description and claims the word "comprise" and its variants do not intend to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For the skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will become apparent partly from the description and partly from implementing the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments set forth herein.

Brief description of the figures FIG 1 . Shows the initial process for receiving and sending information.

FIG 2. Shows the evolutionary process of the information displayed.

FIG 3. Shows the process for generating customised packs.

FIG 4. Shows the process for controlling quality of pack reception, wherein

FIG. 4A shows the process for controlling quality of pack reception by means of external comparison.

FIG 5. Shows the algorithm for the user profile table.

FIG 6. Shows a second algorithm for the external services table.

FIG 7. Shows a third algorithm for the multi-service grid table.

FIG 8. Shows a fourth algorithm for customised multi-service grid table.

Detailed disclosure of embodiments and example

As can be seen in the attached figures, the method, object of the invention herein, comprises the stages of connecting a micro-server to the television receiver screen, to the communications network and to the electrical mains. Once the connection to the communication network (2,3,4,5,6) has been established, the micro-server (9) establishes an authentication protocol on an external server or central server (1 ), additionally requesting a service starter pack (7), generating a multi-service grid (8) and displaying it on the television receiver screen (10). From this point, the user can now interact with the micro-server (9), requesting the content to be viewed or run by clicking on the different containers shown as icons or hyper-icons.

At that point (see Figure 2), a first algorithm of user actions (12) hosted on the micro-server (9), after analysing grid use (1 1 ), starts to rate what content is more highly rated by the user depending on use, time slot, date, physical location, etc., generating a new user profile (1 5).

Once content has been rated and assessed, the micro-server (9) generates a request (14) using a table for obtaining a new content pack (13) and sends it to the central server (1 ).

The central server (1 ) uses a second algorithm (see Figure 3) that evaluates the most requested external content (16), such content is varied, such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, sports, science and technology, children, social networks, search engines, health, etc., hence the terminology used (multi-service grid); this information is stored on an external services table (1 9).

A third algorithm (1 7) evaluates which content on the multi-service grid is most valued by all users and stores it in another multi-content table (20). When a request from a micro-server (9) is received by the central server (1 ) for obtaining a new content pack (12) via the user table (18), a fourth algorithm (21 ) contrasts the table of external contents (19) with the table of contents (20) of the multi-service grid and the user table (18) that the micro-server has generated and sent (9) together with the request for the new service pack (12).

Using all the information generated by the different algorithms, a new individual and fully customised pack is created for that micro-server (9) in particular; said pack is sent backed by an authentication key. When the micro-server (9) receives the new pack, it replaces the previous pack and generates a new multi-service grid (13).

Finally, different services and/or content have been changed, added or eliminated on the new multi-service grid designed specifically for a user, making the aforementioned grid unique and customised.

An important point related to the method provided by the object of the invention is the quality control of pack reception, shown in Figure 4. For this, a real-time programmable counter (41 ) is implemented on the central server (1 ) that counts the pings or connection attempts from the central server (1 ) to the micro-server (9) and evaluates the optimum speed and quality (43 ), such that if they are at the optimum, the process described is repeated, but if they are not, a data registry and external sampling (45) are established. Formally, PING is the acronym for Packet Internet Groper which can mean "sniffer or browser of packets on networks". As a program, ping is a utility that diagnoses on computer networks verifying the status of the local host connection with one or more remote computers on a TCP/IP network by sending ICMP request and response packs. The state, speed and quality of a given network can be diagnosed using this utility. By running a ping request, the local host sends an ICMP message, embedded in an IP pack. The ICMP request message includes, in addition to the message type and code, an identifier number and a sequence of numbers, 32 bits, that must match the ICMP reply message, in addition to an optional space for data. This data record and external sampling (45), implemented on the central server (1 ) involves sending a new ping (42) to the service provider (46) and a protocol request to the same provider (47 ) and pinging (42a) the micro-server (9), collecting data from the ping (48) and evaluating the quality, such that if the quality is approximately the same for the micro-server (9) and the central server (1 ), the fault is reported to the service provider (50) whereas if the quality of the central server (1 ) is greater than that of the micro-server (9), the fault is reported to the user (51 ), ending the process in both cases.

Figure 5 shows the algorithm of the user profile table (18) on the micro-server (9), the aforementioned algorithm is initiated (100) by requesting a service pack (101 ) from the central server (1 ), which authenticates and sends the pack (102), which is received (103) on the server (9), immediately thereafter appearing on the services grid (104), which, on each occasion it is used (105) and once such use has been completed, usage data (106) are recorded and a counter (107) is activated, implementing the user profile table (108) and organizing the aforementioned table (109) according to ranking, location, date, among other factors. Subsequently, the frequently used services (1 10) are assessed in a general manner, in particular the infrequently used services (1 1 1 ) are assessed, and the data in the user profile table (18) are recorded (1 12) and sent (1 13 ) to the server (1 ) together with the request for the service pack (101 ). Figure 6 shows a second algorithm of the external services table on the central server (1 ), said algorithm is initiated by requesting external data from a variety of sources (200) from the central server (1 ), which implements the external services table (201 ), organizing it (202) according to ranking, date, location, etc. Subsequently, said use of external services is graded as a percentage (203), to then discriminate against the need to refresh data (204), wherein if this need is identified, the process is initiated (200) or, on the contrary case, data are recorded (205) on an external services table.

Figure 7 shows a third algorithm of the multi-service grid table on the central server (1 ), wherein various data records from the user profile table (300) are obtained from different micro-servers, passing to the central server (1 ) for authentication and reception (301 ), subsequently implemented on a user table (302) organised according to ranking, date, location, etc. (303). It is then graded as a percentage per use of the users table (304) and an infrequent use table (305) is implemented which is then registered (306) and finally, said data registry (306) is registered ( 307) on a data registry of the multi-services grid table.

Figure 8 shows a fourth algorithm of the customised multi-service grid table, wherein, firstly a service pack is requested (400), to be received and authenticated (401 ) by the central server (1 ), which will combine the external services tables with the multi-service grid (402), to be subsequently organised according to ranking, location, date, etc. (403), individual data from the infrequent use table will be implemented (404) and a customised pack is generated (405) for delivery (406).

Claims

1 . - A method for generating an evolutionary multi-service grid in television receivers and screens comprising a micro-server (9) connected to the television receiver or screen (10) and a central server (1 ) that is a services provider and that is characterised in that it comprises micro-server authentication stages (9) on the central server (1 ) and if the authentication is correct, the codes necessary for the connection are returned; and a second stage establishing a direct channel of communication between the central server (1 ) and micro-server (9), such that an initial service pack is sent to the micro-server from the central server (1 ), i.e., a standard services grid; and wherein the micro-server itself (9) records and stores the user's actions on the icons and/or hyper-icons that form the initial grid (8), generating a first table of user services (18) including, at least, the information concerning the use of different services, time slots, and the combined use of different services, and wherein the micro-server (9), using the data stored in said table of user services (18) subsequently establishes, by means of statistical calculations, which content is most highly rated by the user, generating a new user profile or grid (15), and wherein, in parallel, the central server (1 ) obtains information on the most highly rated services on the network (16) and generates a second external services table (19), and where the central server (1 ) then examines the various micro-servers (9) connected to it, to obtain their respective user tables (18), and wherein, in turn, a comparison is made with the external services table (19) and with a table of content most in demand on the network (20); and wherein the micro-server (9) sends a new request (14) to obtain an updated service pack (13) based on that comparison.

2. - A system for generating an evolutionary multi-service grid in television receivers and screens comprising a micro-server (9) connected to the television receiver or screen (10) and to a central server (1 ) that is a services provider and that is characterised in that it comprises means for performing the method of claim 1 .

3. - A software product for generating an evolutionary multi-service grid in television receivers and screens to be run on a micro-server (9) connected to the television receiver or screen (10) and to a central server (1 ) that is a services provider and which is characterised in that it comprises the necessary instructions for performing the method of claim 1 .

4. - A method according to claim 1 , wherein the algorithm of the user profile table (18) on the micro-server (9), is initiated (100) by requesting a services pack (101 ) from the central server (1 ), which authenticates and sends the pack (102), which is received (1 03) on the server (9), thereupon appearing on the services grid (1 04), which on each occasion it is used (105) and once such use has been completed, usage data (106) are recorded and a counter (107) is activated; implementing the user profile table (1 08), organising the aforementioned table (109) according to ranking, location, date, among other factors; subsequently the frequently used services (1 10) are assessed generally, in particular the infrequently used services are assessed (1 1 1 ), and the data in the user profile table (1 8) are recorded (1 1 2) and sent (1 1 3) to the server (1 ) together with the request for the service pack (1 01 ).

5.- A method according to claim 1 , wherein the second algorithm of the external services table on the central server (1 ) is initiated by requesting external data from a variety of sources (200) from the central server (1 ), which implements the external services table (201 ), organising it (202) according to ranking, date, location, etc. ; subsequently, said use of external services is graded as a percentage (203), to then discriminate against the need to refresh data (204), wherein if this need is identified, the process is initiated (200) or, on the contrary case, data are recorded (205) on an external services table.

6. - A method according to claim 1 , wherein in the third algorithm of the multi-service grid table on the central server (1 ), various data registries of user profile table (300) are obtained from different micro-servers, passing to the central server (1 ) for authentication and reception thereof (301 ), subsequently implemented on a user table (302) organised according to ranking, date, location, etc. (303) ; it is then graded as a percentage per use of the users table (304) and an infrequent use table is implemented (305) which is then registered (306) and finally, said data registry (306) is registered (307) in a data registry of the multi-service grid table.

7. - A method according to claim 1 , wherein on the fourth algorithm of the customised multi-service grid table, firstly a service pack is requested (400) to be received and authenticated (401 ) by the central server (1 ), which will combine the external services tables with the multi-service grid (402), to be subsequently organised according to ranking, location, date, etc. (403); individual data from the infrequent use table will be implemented (404) and a customised pack is generated (405) for delivery thereof (406).