Electronic Program Guide Accessing Past Broadcasts via Networked Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often miss previously broadcast programs that they wanted to view and did not record, as existing systems only provide access to current and future programming through electronic program guides, without offering a way to access past programming that has been stored by other devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and network that utilizes an electronic program guide to make available previously broadcast programs by receiving details of stored programs from networked devices, incorporating them into the guide, and allowing users to access these programs via peer-to-peer connections, while ensuring compliance with subscription terms and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electronic program guide only includes current and future programming information, then the guide remains simple and easy to maintain, but users cannot access previously broadcast programs that they missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple devices into a unified system where set-top boxes are networked together. Each device's stored programming information is merged into a collective database accessible to all users through the electronic program guide, enabling access to past programs without requiring each individual device to maintain separate archives.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic program guide is transformed into a multi-functional system that not only displays current and future programming but also provides access to previously broadcast programs. The guide serves as both an informational display and a retrieval interface for archived content stored across the networked devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If previously broadcast programs are made available through the electronic program guide, then users can access missed content, but the system requires networked devices to share storage resources
Solution Approach 1:
Each set-top box in the network automatically contributes its stored programming data to the shared database without requiring manual intervention. The system self-organizes by having each device report its available content to the network, creating a collective archive that benefits all users automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that coordinates communication between set-top boxes and manages the shared database. The server facilitates the exchange of programming information between devices, enabling efficient resource sharing without requiring direct peer-to-peer connections between all devices.
3Ease of operation
If a centralized database is used to store all programming information, then access to past programs is simplified, but the system requires significant central storage capacity and infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of consolidating all programming storage into a single centralized database, the system segments the storage function across multiple distributed set-top boxes. Each device maintains its own storage capacity, and the network collectively provides the database functionality, eliminating the need for large centralized infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that manages the distributed database across multiple devices. It coordinates access requests and redirects users to the appropriate devices that have the requested programming stored, providing centralized management without requiring centralized storage.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic program guide indicates the time of presentation and the channel or source of various programs. By use of a remote control device (30), a user is able to navigate the electronic program guide to highlight and then select a particular program which is being broadcast at the present time. The electronic program guide is displayed by a receiver (22) which is networked with other receivers. The electronic program guide is also enabled to present details of various programs which were broadcast at a time earlier than the present time. Some of those earlier programs have been stored and that is also indicated. A user, by use of the remote control device can navigate backwards in time in the electronic program guide to an earlier stored program (34). This earlier program can then be highlighted and selected. It is then either downloaded to the user's receiver or streamed in real time to the user's receiver.