Media Device Initial Portion Retrieval via Intermediary Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of media devices cannot access the initial portion of a media content event if they select it after the scheduled start time, as the initial portion has already been broadcast and is not stored on the device.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows a media device to retrieve the initial portion of a media content event from another media device or storage device that has stored it during the broadcast, by establishing a communication link and requesting the initial portion, enabling the user to access the entire event.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the user selects a media content event after the scheduled start time, then the user can access the event, but the initial portion of the event is lost and cannot be accessed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess time to media content eventVSAvoidinitial portion of media content event

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary recording of the initial portion of the media content event at a first media device before the user selects it. When the user selects the event at a second media device after the scheduled start time, the pre-recorded initial portion is transferred from the first device to the second device, allowing complete access to the event including its initial portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the media device receives the media content stream at the scheduled presentation time, then the presentation timing is accurate, but the user cannot access the initial portion if they select the event later

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepresentation timing accuracyVSAvoiduser flexibility in selecting media content events

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a intermediary mechanism where a first media device records the initial portion of the media content event during its scheduled presentation, and then transfers this recorded portion to a second media device upon user selection. This intermediary transfer process enables both accurate original presentation timing and flexible user access to the complete event.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the system broadcasts the media content event in real-time, then the broadcast timing is synchronized, but the missed initial portion cannot be retrieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroadcast speed synchronizationVSAvoidaccess reliability to complete media content event

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a copy of the initial portion of the media content event at a first media device during the scheduled broadcast. This copy is then transferred to the second media device when the user selects the event, ensuring that the complete event is available for access regardless of when the user selects it, while maintaining synchronized broadcast timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9800936B2Apparatus, systems and methods for accessing an initial portion of a media content event

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are operable to retrieve a previously broadcast initial portion of a media content event. An exemplary embodiment stores a media content event at a first media device as the media content event is communicated over a broadcast system; receives a request at the first media device from a second media device, wherein the request identifies an initial portion of a media content event that has previously been communicated over a broadcast system; identifies the initial portion of the media content event from the stored media content event; retrieves the identified initial portion of the media content event; and communicates the initial portion of the media content event from the first media device to the second media device.