Luyang Li

A framework supporting interaction of iDTV applications and CE devices in home network

The paper proposes a framework that extends existing interactive DTV platforms. This framework allows DTV applications to interact with consumer electronic devices in a home network in a manner which is independent of the types of devices or the underlying home networking technologies.

A possible extension for iDTV platform to support interactions with home appliances

Extensions to interactive digital TV (iDTV) platforms enabling interaction of iDTV applications with devices in the home network may create additional value for consumers. Recently, CableLabs has issued a specification for an OCAP Home Networking Extension that describes Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to enable sharing of content between OCAP compliant devices in a home network. The next logical step is to expand the capabilities of this home networking extension to enable iDTV applications to interact with other types of devices connected to the home network. In this paper we propose a framework, called the DTV Home Networking Framework (DTV-HNF), that provides mechanisms for interaction with devices in the home network in a manner that is independent of device functionality and underlying network technology. The approach is illustrated by implementation of prototypes demonstrating interaction of iDTV applications with devices connected using OSGi and UPnP home networking frameworks.

A policy engine for the OCAP monitor application [TV open cable application platform]

Television cable operators must be able to easily and economically customize the services and features that they deliver to their customers. At the same time, customers desire the ability to further refine access to those very same services and features. Combining a locally hosted policy engine with remotely managed policy files is one way to implement a network of highly configurable receivers. By separating policy enforcement from policy expression, an operator can easily modify the behavior of the policy engine by simply updating the appropriate policy files. We describe a policy engine-based architecture for the OCAP monitor application that provides flexibility in remote management of receivers.