Distributed Content Recording via Network Broker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PVR/DVR-enabled devices face limitations due to local storage capacity constraints, particularly with high-definition content, and redundancy issues arise when multiple devices attempt to record the same content, leading to inefficient use of storage and network resources.
Innovation Solution
A method for distributed recording and playback is implemented, where a content broker manages a network of set-top boxes, allowing a requesting STB to query and update information on content recording status, preventing redundant recordings and optimizing storage use by identifying a single recording STB for shared content, and enabling seamless playback from the recording STB.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple PVR/DVR-enabled devices record the same content locally, then each device can independently store and playback content, but storage redundancy increases and network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a virtual copy mechanism where remote STBs create logical copies of recorded content through network access rather than physical duplication. The content broker manages these virtual copies, allowing multiple STBs to access the same content record without creating redundant physical storage copies, thus maintaining independent access capability while eliminating storage waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the recording functionality across the network by designating one STB as the recording device while other STBs maintain virtual records through the content broker. This combining approach allows the system to function as a unified recording resource rather than isolated devices, reducing overall storage requirements while maintaining system reliability
2Ease of operation
If each STB maintains local recording of HD content, then playback independence is achieved, but disk space requirements become critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the content storage function from individual STBs and centralizes it in one recording STB. The content broker manages content records across the network, allowing playback independence to be maintained through network access while removing the requirement for each STB to have large local disk capacity for HD content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from local-dimensional storage to network-dimensional storage. Instead of requiring content to be physically present in each STB's local storage, the system uses network connectivity as a new dimension for content access, allowing any STB to stream content from the recording STB when needed
3Quantity of substance
If a content broker manages distributed recording across multiple STBs, then storage efficiency improves and redundancy is eliminated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The content broker serves as an intermediary that manages the distributed recording system. It handles content record tracking, STB coordination, and playback routing, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing management functions rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination between all STBs
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is disclosed for distributed recording of content in a client system having a home network connecting a content broker and a plurality of set-top boxes (STBs) with digital video recording capability. In a requesting STB, a command is received from a user to begin recording a content item. A query is sent from the requesting STB to the content broker to determine whether the content item is being recorded by any other STB of the plurality of STBs. A response is received from the content broker. If the response indicates that none of the plurality of STBs is then currently recording the content item, the content item is recorded in the requesting STB. If the response identifies a recording STB that is then currently recording the requested content, an internal content list is updated in the requesting STB to identify the recording STB.