Secure Content Transfer Between DVRs via Network Pooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital video recorders (DVRs) lack the ability to playback content that was not previously recorded, as users often forget to record TV programs or the DVR fails to record due to conflicts, resulting in unavailability of previously broadcasted content unless it is re-broadcasted.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for securely transferring previously broadcasted content between DVRs across a network, allowing users to request and receive missed programs through a service provider that validates and authorizes requests, creates a pool of DVRs with the content, and initiates a transfer of the content in portions for playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a DVR records broadcasted TV programs for later playback, then users can view programs at convenient times, but users cannot access programs that were broadcasted but not recorded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of viewing programsVSAvoidaccess to previously broadcasted content

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A service provider is introduced as an intermediary between multiple DVRs and users. The service provider receives content from DVRs that recorded programs, validates user requests, authorizes transfers, and delivers previously broadcasted content to users who missed the original broadcast. This mediator enables access to unrecorded content while maintaining the convenience of on-demand viewing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a service provider validates and authorizes requests for previously broadcasted content, then security and control are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of content transferVSAvoidcomplexity of content transfer system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service provider performs multiple functions within a single system component: receiving content from various DVRs, validating user requests, authorizing transfers, and delivering content to users. By consolidating these functions into one multi-functional service provider, the system achieves secure content transfer without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If content is transferred in portions over a network, then transfer speed and reliability are improved, but transfer time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidtime to access content

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The content transfer process is divided into portions or segments that are transmitted over the network in manageable units. This segmentation improves transfer efficiency and reliability by enabling parallel transmission, error recovery, and better network resource utilization. The system transfers content in portions rather than as a single large block, optimizing the balance between transfer speed and time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240364851A1Secure transfer of previously broadcasted content

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 ADEIA MEDIA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for secure transfer of previously broadcasted content enables the secure transfer of previously broadcasted content between DVRs on a computer network.