Distributed DVR Recording via Network Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current DVR systems are limited in their ability to record multiple television programs simultaneously, as they typically allow only one or two recordings at a time, restricting customers' options for viewing content.
Innovation Solution
A television content delivery system that coordinates multiple DVRs to record content for other customers by distributing the recording load based on the activity schedule of each DVR, allowing a requesting customer's DVR to obtain recordings from another customer's DVR if their own DVR is overloaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single DVR is used to record television content, then the device complexity is low, but the quantity of recordable programs simultaneously is limited to one or two
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple DVR devices into a coordinated network system where DVRs can share recording resources. By combining the capabilities of multiple DVRs, the system achieves the ability to record more programs simultaneously than a single DVR could handle alone, while distributing the complexity across multiple devices rather than concentrating it in one complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal DVR network where any DVR in the system can serve multiple functions: recording for its own user, recording for other users, and sharing recordings with other users. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle a greater quantity of simultaneous recordings by utilizing any available DVR in the network for any recording task.
2Productivity
If a single DVR records all desired programs, then the system is simple, but the productivity is limited by the DVR's recording capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recording function across multiple independent DVR devices in a network. Instead of requiring one highly capable DVR to handle all recordings, the system divides the recording workload among multiple DVRs, each maintaining its own recording capability. This segmentation increases overall recording throughput while keeping individual DVR devices relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network communication layer as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple DVRs and their users. This intermediary enables DVRs to discover each other, share recording requests, and transfer recordings, thereby increasing system productivity without requiring complex changes to the individual DVR hardware.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a customer's DVR is overloaded, then the recording capacity is maximized for that customer, but other customers cannot access additional recording capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service DVR network where DVRs automatically discover each other, negotiate recording tasks, and share resources without requiring centralized management. When one DVR is overloaded, the system automatically utilizes other available DVRs in the network, allowing customers to access additional recording capacity from other devices in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a network dimension to the traditional single-DVR system. Instead of recording capacity being limited to a single device, the system creates a multi-dimensional recording space where capacity is distributed across multiple devices. This allows customers to access recordings from any DVR in the network, effectively increasing the total available recording resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A set top box determines DVR requests that the set top box is not able to record based on a number of scheduled DVR requests. The set top box provides the DVR request to a DVR management server. The DVR management server selects another set top box to record the television content associated with the DVR request based on a number DVR requests the other set top box is scheduled to record. The DVR management server issues a command to the other set top box to record the television content associated with the DVR request. The other set top box provides the recorded television content, associated with the DVR request, to the set top box.