Centralized DVR System with Home Area Network for Seamless Live-Pause Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital video recording and playback systems are not optimized for home area networks, lacking the ability to efficiently and simultaneously deliver seamless 'live-pause' recording and playback across multiple television sets within the same premises.
Innovation Solution
A home area-networked digital video recording and playback system that includes a server for receiving and storing electronic audio-visual programs, networked with multiple reproduction devices, allowing seamless control and playback across devices via a home area network, enabling simultaneous viewing and control of programs across multiple receivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized digital video recording system is implemented for multiple users, then the ability to provide simultaneous viewing and control across multiple devices is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides functionality between a centralized recording system and multiple independent reproduction devices. Each reproduction device can independently control and view different programs, while the centralized system manages the actual recording. This segmentation allows multiple users to simultaneously access and control the system without requiring a single complex monolithic device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reproduction device as an intermediary between the user and the centralized recording system. The reproduction device handles user interactions (channel changes, volume, pause, rewind) and translates them into commands for the recording system. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by distributing control functions across multiple devices rather than consolidating everything in one complex unit.
2Ease of operation
If live-pause recording and playback is enabled, then user flexibility in watching programs is improved, but the buffer memory requirements and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary recording of programs into buffer memory before they are needed for playback. By pre-recording and storing programs in the buffer, the system can immediately respond to user requests for pause, rewind, or fast-forward operations without requiring complex real-time processing. The buffer is continuously updated in advance, so when a user pauses, the content is already available for immediate playback from that point.
3Productivity
If multiple reproduction devices are networked to a centralized recording system, then simultaneous program access is improved, but the network infrastructure and system integration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reproduction devices are designed to be multi-functional, capable of both receiving and displaying programs from the centralized recording system and independently controlling recording operations. This universal design allows the same device type to serve multiple purposes: viewing different programs simultaneously, controlling different aspects of the recording system, and potentially recording to different storage locations. This reduces the need for specialized devices and simplifies network integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A centralized Digital Video Recording (DVR) and reproduction system links several reproduction and control units (such as television receivers, etc.) and a centralized server via a home area network. This allows programming to be distributed throughout the premises, and novelly allows live-pause recording and playback to be effected from more than one reproduction and control unit in a seamless manner. For example, during a live-pause episode, a viewer can pause a program from one control and reproduction unit, and resume viewing the program from the same pause point at another control and reproduction unit on the premises. The present invention also allows a viewer to view multiple programs from the server on the same monitor using a multiple picture-in-picture display.