Master Media Device Coordinating DVR Recording Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital video recording (DVR) devices often fail to record requested media content due to errors or insufficient storage capacity, leading to customer frustration.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a master media device to identify and select available DVR devices for recording media content, with the option to create backup copies on secondary devices, ensuring reliable recording and storage through network coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single DVR device is used to record media content, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the reliability of recording fails when the device encounters errors or has insufficient storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple DVR devices into a unified recording system where a master media device coordinates recording tasks across slave DVR devices. This merging of multiple independent recording devices into a coordinated system increases reliability by providing redundancy while managing complexity through centralized control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The master media device performs multiple functions including receiving recording requests, determining device availability, selecting appropriate DVR devices, and coordinating the recording process. This multi-functionality consolidates complex operations into a single universal controller, improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple DVR devices are used to ensure reliable recording, then recording reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The master media device automatically determines availability of DVR devices, selects appropriate devices for recording, and coordinates the recording process without requiring manual intervention. This self-service automation maintains ease of operation while achieving high reliability through multiple DVR devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The master media device acts as an intermediary between the user and the multiple DVR devices. It receives recording requests from users, translates them into appropriate DVR device selections, and manages the coordination between multiple devices, thereby preserving operational simplicity while enabling reliable multi-device recording.
3Device complexity
If a single DVR device is used, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of information occurs when the device fails to record due to errors or capacity constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes backup recording arrangements in advance by identifying and selecting alternative DVR devices before recording failures occur. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if one DVR device fails due to errors or capacity constraints, the media content is not lost but rather recorded on a backup device.
Solution Approach 2:
Different DVR devices in the system have different characteristics such as storage capacity and operational status. The master media device evaluates these local qualities of individual devices and assigns recording tasks accordingly, optimizing the distribution of recording loads and ensuring that failures in one location do not result in overall information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for recording media content are provided. A method of recording media content may include receiving a request to schedule recording of media content at a first digital video recording (DVR) device at a customer premises. The method may also include determining availability of the first DVR device to record the media content. The method may further include sending a recording request to a second DVR device at the customer premises to schedule recording of the media content based on the determined availability.