DVR Storage Routing via Home Gateway Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital video recorders (DVRs) often run out of storage space while recording television programs, leading to interruptions or the automatic deletion of previously recorded content, as they lack sufficient internal storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows a DVR to communicate with other devices on a home network via a home gateway to determine if they have available storage space, enabling the DVR to route the recording of television content to an external device with sufficient space, thereby avoiding storage interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a DVR uses only internal data storage space for recording television content, then the device structure remains simple, but the recording continuity is interrupted when storage space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the DVR's internal data storage with external data storage resources on the home network, creating a unified storage system. The DVR controller automatically manages recordings across both internal and external storage devices, merging their capacities to ensure continuous recording without interruption when internal storage is full.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the DVR's storage system multi-functional by enabling it to use both internal storage and external network storage devices interchangeably. The system can automatically switch between storage locations based on availability, making the storage infrastructure versatile and adaptable to different storage capacity needs.
2Quantity of substance
If a DVR automatically deletes previously recorded programs to free up space, then storage space is maintained, but loss of recorded content occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively transferring recordings from internal storage to external network storage devices before the internal storage becomes full. The DVR controller monitors storage levels and initiates automatic transfer operations in advance, preventing the need to delete recordings and preserving all recorded content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces external data storage devices on the home network as intermediaries to hold recorded content. Instead of deleting recordings when internal storage is full, the system uses these external storage devices as intermediary repositories, allowing the DVR to maintain full internal storage capacity while preserving all recorded content on the network.
3Quantity of substance
If a DVR expands storage capacity by utilizing home network devices, then storage space increases, but device complexity and network dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the DVR controller to automatically manage storage operations across the home network without user intervention. The system autonomously monitors storage levels, selects appropriate external storage devices, and transfers recordings as needed, hiding the complexity from the user while providing expanded storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the home network gateway and external storage devices as intermediaries to expand storage capacity. These intermediaries handle the complexity of storage management, allowing the DVR to access additional storage space through the network infrastructure without requiring direct user configuration or management of the expanded storage system.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for recording television content. For example, in one embodiment, a method performed by a digital video recorder is disclosed that includes communicating with a home gateway to determine whether a device connected to the home gateway has enough free storage space to store a television program in the event that the digital video recorder determines that an internal data storage unit associated with the digital video recorder has enough free storage space to store the television program. In one embodiment, the method routes the storage of a recording of the television program to the device via the home gateway in response to a determination that the device connected to the home gateway has enough free storage space on the data storage unit associated with the device to store the television content.