DVR Storage Management via Network Resource Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital video recorders (DVRs) and other media recording elements face limitations in storage capacity, leading to the inability to record new content when full, often requiring deletion of previously recorded media.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a recording controller to determine the availability of media content on network resources, preventing local recording when content is available from the network, thereby managing storage capacity by intelligently integrating network resources with local DVR resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the DVR uses local storage capacity to record media content, then the recording capability is available, but the storage capacity becomes full and new content cannot be recorded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines local DVR storage with remote network storage resources into a unified recording system. The DVR controller accesses both local hard drive capacity and remote server capacity as if they were a single expanded storage pool, allowing continuous recording capability beyond physical local limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the storage dimension from purely local physical space to include remote network space. By adding the network dimension to the storage architecture, the system transforms limited local capacity into effectively unlimited combined capacity through the network layer.
2Quantity of substance
If the DVR prevents local recording when content is available from network resources, then storage capacity is optimized, but recording capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic recording behavior that adapts based on content availability. The system automatically adjusts between local and remote recording modes depending on whether the content exists in the network database, optimizing storage usage while maintaining reliable recording capability through conditional logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The DVR controller continuously queries the network database to check for existing content before initiating local recording. This feedback mechanism allows the system to make intelligent decisions about where to record based on real-time information about network resource availability, preventing redundant local storage.
3Quantity of substance
If the DVR retrieves media from network resources instead of local storage, then additional content can be stored locally, but network dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a recording controller as an intermediary layer between the user, local storage, and network resources. This mediator intelligently manages data flow and storage decisions, abstracting the complexity of network interactions from the user while expanding effective storage capacity through coordinated local and remote operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of limiting recording demands on digital video recorders and other media records. The limiting being facilitated through analysis of programs and other media available from one or more network resources associated with and/or having capabilities to provide media to the recording element. The network resources may be associated with provider resources, customer resources, and/or any other resource in communication with the recording element.