Given the "Always on" nature of the STB and its fixed network location
Given that a user might "trust" it - assuming that they have
configured it and have some reasonable assurance that the software is
doing what they expect
STB as a context source - for context and presence data
For example, this could be used to avoid interrupting a
film/show/... - similar to the work we have been trying to do with
automatic uploading of CPL scripts when a suser is likely to be in a
meeting.
STB as a secure SIP user agent, for example with minisip
(www.minisip.org) running on a STB with USB attached microphone,
headphone, and camera - as a low cost teleconferencing system
Exploit spatial audio - by using surround sound (this is a problem
for the current box as it does not seem to support surround sound and
only has two audio output channels; however, it can be faked as done in
the current minisip spatial audio by precomputing time delays and
amplitudes to be used to shift/modify each of the sources).
STB as a smart presentation system - when the device is connected to
a large display or data projector (see for example:
http://web.it.kth.se/~maguire/DEGREE-PROJECT-REPORTS/080807-Hu_Lidan-with-cover.pdf
)
STB as a home gateway (-lite)
leaving out the modem/router functions
exploiting its connectivity, increasing ubiquitousness, and its interface
What would happen it it could get sensor data (for example, fire,
smoke, water, ...)?
STB for public safety services, such as Amber alerts, polution
alerts, etc.
STB as a cache for e-media;
for example, caching your copy of Metro, DN, ... for loading on your
personal MP3, video, .. player for the day
Video/audio doorbell (which via SIP is available where ever you are)
Can also exploit Picture-in-Picture and spatial audio to multiplex
the user's attention
What other status/presence services can exploit this?
STB as peer-to-peer cache
"ex-pat TV" - TV recorded and remoted to where the user is, i.e.,
serving as a content relay