Content Management System for Distributed Storage and Bandwidth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content service providers face limitations in storage capacity and bandwidth when offering on-demand pay-per-view programming and broadcasted content, as well as restrictions on accessing previously broadcasted programs, which restrict user convenience and content availability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a centralized server to manage content from multiple sources, including IP networks, broadcast services, and peer-to-peer networks, allowing subscribers to download, record, and share content while controlling distribution based on access rights and subscriber-defined controls, thereby avoiding storage and bandwidth limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content is stored on centralized servers for on-demand delivery, then content availability to subscribers is improved, but storage capacity and bandwidth limitations worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized content storage system into distributed peer-to-peer storage across multiple subscriber devices. Instead of all content residing on provider servers, content is segmented and stored across the distributed network of subscriber devices, effectively increasing total storage capacity while maintaining content availability through networked access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional centralized storage model (provider servers) to a three-dimensional distributed storage model that adds the subscriber network dimension. Content can now be stored and accessed across multiple dimensions: provider servers, subscriber devices, and the network connecting them, vastly expanding effective storage capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more programs are stored on centralized servers to increase content variety, then subscriber content options are improved, but bandwidth requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables subscribers to serve themselves as content sources for other subscribers. When a subscriber records or downloads content, it becomes available to share with others in the network. This self-service content sharing reduces the need for the provider to maintain and distribute duplicate content across all users, significantly reducing total bandwidth consumption while increasing content variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the content distribution function with the subscriber network itself. Instead of the provider network alone bearing the burden of content distribution, the subscriber network is merged into the distribution infrastructure, allowing content to be shared peer-to-peer and reducing overall bandwidth requirements for content delivery.
3Device complexity
If broadcasted programs are made available only through traditional broadcast, then service simplicity is maintained, but access convenience to previously broadcasted programs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary recording of broadcasted programs by subscribers to their own devices. When a program is broadcast, subscribers can record it in advance to their local storage. This preliminary action allows them to access previously broadcasted programs at any time without waiting for re-broadcasts, significantly improving access convenience while maintaining service simplicity through familiar broadcast functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the subscriber's local recording device as an intermediary between the broadcast signal and the subscriber's viewing needs. This intermediary allows subscribers to capture and store broadcast content locally, enabling on-demand access to previously broadcasted programs without requiring complex provider-side archival and re-broadcasting systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If PVR recording capability is added to enable time-shifting, then program access flexibility is improved, but device complexity and local storage requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the subscriber device universal by combining traditional broadcast reception, PVR recording capability, and peer-to-peer content sharing functions in a single device. This multi-functionality allows the device to serve as a broadcast receiver, a local storage unit, and a content server for other subscribers, providing program access flexibility without requiring separate specialized devices for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a user interface to manage the recording, downloading and sharing of content from multiple sources are described. Various embodiments allow requesting content from a service provider by a user and receiving a user interface from the service provider, where the user interface indicates the availability of the content via multiple sources, and where the multiple sources include an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a broadcast service and a peer-to-peer network. Other embodiments are described and claimed.