Dynamic Time-Shift Buffer Management for Digital Home Terminals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital home communication terminals (DHCTs) have fixed buffering capacity, which may not meet the needs of users watching longer video presentations, and lack flexibility in managing buffered video presentations across channels.
Innovation Solution
The system allows users to dynamically manage buffering capacity and inter-channel buffering options through user interface screens, enabling users to select desired buffering times, manage storage capacity, and choose whether to retain or delete buffered data when changing channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed buffering capacity is used in conventional DHCTs, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different video presentation lengths and user preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering capacity is made dynamically adjustable through user interface screens that allow viewers to select different buffering durations (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours). The system transitions from a fixed buffer to a configurable buffer that adapts to different viewing needs and video lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the buffering parameter from a fixed value to a variable that can be modified by user input. The buffering capacity is reconfigured based on selections made through the user interface, allowing the buffer size to match different video presentation requirements.
2Duration of action of moving object
If larger buffering capacity is provided, then adaptability to longer video presentations is improved, but device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing a permanently large buffer that increases device complexity, the system dynamically allocates buffering capacity based on user selection. The buffer size is adjusted at runtime according to the viewer's preferences and the length of the video presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering duration parameter is made changeable through user interface interactions. Viewers can select the desired buffer length, and the system reconfigures the buffer accordingly, rather than using a fixed large buffer that consumes more resources permanently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inter-channel buffering is enabled, then accessibility of previously buffered content is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inter-channel buffering capability is activated dynamically based on user selection through the user interface. The system can switch between maintaining only current channel buffer and enabling access to previously buffered content from different channels, adjusting behavior based on viewer preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The inter-channel buffering parameter is made configurable through user input. The system changes its buffering behavior based on selections made via the user interface, enabling or disabling access to previously buffered content across different channels according to user needs.
4Loss of information
If buffering capacity is increased to accommodate longer videos, then loss of information for previously buffered data is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering retention policy is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts how much previously buffered data is retained based on user selections through the user interface, allowing viewers to control whether older buffered content is kept or overwritten based on their viewing patterns and needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The data retention parameter for buffered content is made changeable. The system modifies its retention behavior based on user input, allowing viewers to configure how much historical buffered data is maintained, thereby reducing information loss for their specific viewing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input.