Digital Catch-Up DVR Network Storage Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) are limited in their ability to time shift content across multiple channels and cannot rewind to missed portions of content recorded on different channels, as they require multiple tuners and simultaneous storage, which is cost-prohibitive, and flush cached content when changing channels, losing previously recorded segments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for a digital catch-up enabled DVR that communicates with a Digital Catch-Up (DCU) server to request and receive missing portions of content in faster-than-real-time, allowing users to rewind and play back content across channels by acquiring missing segments from the server, enabling seamless catch-up functionality without the need for multiple tuners or simultaneous storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a DVR uses multiple tuners to enable time shifting across multiple channels simultaneously, then the ability to access content from multiple channels is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a content server as an intermediary that stores content from multiple channels. Instead of requiring multiple local tuners in the DVR, the system uses a single tuner to record content and a content server to store and manage content from multiple channels. The DVR can then access content from any channel by retrieving it from the server, eliminating the need for multiple simultaneous tuners while maintaining the ability to time shift across multiple channels.
2Quantity of substance
If a DVR flushes cached content when changing channels, then the storage space is freed for new channel content, but the user loses access to previously recorded segments on the new channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary recording where the DVR records a initial segment of content when first调 to a channel. This recorded segment is stored locally in the DVR's cache. When the user changes channels, this pre-recorded content remains preserved rather than being flushed. The system later supplements this initial recording by retrieving additional content from the content server, ensuring both storage efficiency and content completeness.
3Ease of operation
If a DVR records content in real-time only, then the recording process is simple and reliable, but the user cannot rewind to missed portions of content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous content acquisition where the DVR not only records content in real-time but also continuously retrieves additional content from the content server in the background. This dual action ensures that the DVR accumulates content faster than real-time playback requires, enabling the user to rewind and catch up on missed portions while maintaining simple real-time recording operations.
4Speed
If a DVR stores content locally only, then the content is immediately available for playback, but the user cannot access content from channels not currently being tuned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a network dimension to the traditional local storage model. Instead of relying solely on local storage, the system introduces a content server accessible via network connections. This allows the DVR to access content from any channel by retrieving it from the server, effectively adding a remote storage dimension that expands content accessibility without compromising local playback capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Flexibility with respect to access and enjoyment of time shifted content in a content distribution network (100) is provided, especially with regard to content not present on a digital video recorder (150). The digital video recorder (150) accesses a network storage device (120) over a network (140) for particular portions of content not available on the digital video recorder (150) and the network storage device (120) provides those missing portions. The user may then rewind and playback not only already locally stored content but also that content provided by the network storage device (120). Content can be provided through faster-than-real-time transmissions such that the content is made available to the digital video recorder (150) prior to it being needed for rewind functionality or playback.