SmartTUBE UI client applications are based on a well-known animation and graphical engine – QT for Embedded Linux from Nokia – cross-platform graphical library which supports a wide range of client devices (STBs, phones, media centers, etc.) and is integrated into SmartLabs client application framework – a powerful development environment which has all typical TV user interface objects (windows, menus, lists, etc.), animation templates (motions, movements, object behaviors, etc.) as well as typical client-server interoperability mechanisms (i.e., EPG and VoD content data exchange, available services, etc.). Moreover, all used data and service formats are compatible with existing IPTV and DVB international standards, i.e. content metadata exchange is compliant with CableLabs 2.0 standard.
SmartTUBE UI client applications include:
Components to interoperate with external systems and platforms;
Graphical libraries for animation and object movement behavior;
«Widgets» - pre-built interface objects which might be tuned or modified.
Comments: UI interface samples above are based on the same client application with the same, but modified, widgets and different animation scenarios.
SmartLabs client application framework (CAF) is a unified development environment for STB vendors and service providers:
STB application development in WYSIWYG on PC;
PC application is 100% the same as in STB;
Service provider has an access to this framework;
Service provider can step up application by its own or by third-parties;
Third-party service partners can develop their own application on the framework (i.e., photo services, information services (i.e., weather, stock data), communication services), and, then, service provider can make them available for its subscribers.
SmartLabs client applications details:
Standard user interfaces developed by design agencies;
Ability to implement any desired design;
High-speed service and application development and deployment;
Applications are available on any STB;
“The same” interface for all types of client devices and applications;
Rapid go-to-market for new services;
Open development framework for third-party providers of additional services;
Mass application upgrade feature – all STBs get the new (or updated) UI application or new modules;
Wide range of popular STBs support:
Full STB portfolio from Amino Communications (AmiNET 110, 125, 130, 530);
IPTV/DVB STBs from ADB (3800, 3810, 5800);
IPTV and hybrid STBs from Motorola (VIP19XX series);
Seamless integration process with new STBs.
Once created, the UI might be easily transferred to different end-point devices. It allows to move UIs to any new device within one technology (say, IPTV), and it also allows to build hybrid solutions (IPTV, DVB, 3G, Wi-Fi, etc.) assuming that subscribers will use the same interface experience regardless ways they have to access services.
SmartLabs' UI application features:
UI application works very fast in terms of navigating or browsing lists, changing forms/screens, redrawing interface elements - all those actions take about 40ms even at 'slow old' STBs (at the same time, boxes is surely playing video). This speed allows users to navigate through client application assuming 100% native and expected response from the UI - big difference from browser-based UIs and proprietary UIs.
UI application rapid development and transition to other boxes - UI application might be easily transitioned to new devices, in some cases, it took just few days...
Presentation capabilities - i.e., animation, 2D, 3D, scrolling lines, flying objects - are 1. possible, 2. easy to add, 3. works fast. It allows to make even slow box to looks like modern game consoles.
UI application is middleware independent. The server-side middleware and UI applications are developed the way to separate server functions from user interface presentation. To communicate with server-side middleware, UI application uses http (https) transport and XLM data format which is designed according ITU-T recommendations and standards. It means that any middleware in the market which support those standards may communicate with UI application in order to deliver, say, EPG, list of services, etc.
UI application is module-based. In case of any changes or new functionality, no necessary to upload the hole application to STBs.
Please see a sample of SmartTUBE UI client application running a production service at Comstar-UTS IPTV deployment in Moscow, Russia (150K subs) - this is a capture from the real AmiNET110 box.
