DVR Control via VoIP Telephone State Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of digital video recorders (DVRs) in VoIP networks face challenges in managing television programs during phone calls, as they must choose between answering calls or continuing to watch programs, leading to potential missed content or interrupted viewing experiences.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses VoIP signaling to control a digital video recorder (DVR) by detecting telephone state transitions from 'on-hook' to 'off-hook' and vice versa, allowing the DVR to pause or resume program playback accordingly, enabling seamless continuation of viewing after a call.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the subscriber answers a telephone call during program viewing, then the subscriber can communicate with the caller, but the program viewing is interrupted and may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically recording the program before the telephone call is answered. When the phone is picked up (off-hook state detected), the DVR has already captured the program content, allowing the subscriber to resume viewing from the exact interruption point without missing any content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (DVR with automatic recording capability) that mediates between the telephone call and program viewing. The DVR acts as a buffer that captures program content when the phone is picked up, enabling the subscriber to handle calls without permanently interrupting the viewing experience.
2Loss of time
If the subscriber manually records the program before or during the call, then the program can be resumed after the call, but the subscriber may miss the call or part of the program
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by having the DVR automatically detect when the phone is picked up and initiate recording without requiring manual intervention from the subscriber. The system monitors the phone state and autonomously manages the recording process, eliminating the need for the subscriber to manually start recording while ensuring they don't miss the call.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the telephone state (off-hook detection) to trigger the recording action. When the phone is picked up, the system receives feedback about this state change and automatically responds by starting the recording, creating a closed-loop system that ensures both call reception and program capture without manual effort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the subscriber watches the program while talking on the telephone, then both the program and call can be attended to, but the attention provided to both is distracted and reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the recording action preliminarily before the subscriber needs to resume viewing. When the phone is picked up, the DVR immediately captures the program content, so when the subscriber finishes the call and resumes viewing, the program is already recorded and ready to continue from the exact interruption point, eliminating the need for divided attention during the call.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling a digital video recorder on a cable network. Signaling associated with the answering or initiation of a digital telephone call by a digital telephone subscriber is used to issue commands to a digital video recorder (DVR). A signal is generated by an MTA when the telephone is enters an “off-hook” state and sent to the DVR to initiate recording of a program being viewed by the called party. When the phone goes “on-hook”, the called party resumes watching the program from exactly where it was interrupted. The MTA may be connected directly to the VTD/DVR and the telephone state is determined by the DVR from information provided by the MTA. Alternatively, a soft switch monitors signaling from the MTA indicative of the state of the called telephone. A telephone state message comprising the telephone state information is then sent over an out-of-band channel/path to a DVR client within the VTD. The DVR client uses the telephone state information to control a DVR.