Media Guidance App Predicts Location For Local Cloud Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media systems face limitations in allowing users to access recorded media assets when they are in locations with limited or no network access, as the storage space on local digital video recorders (DVRs) is often restricted, and cloud storage solutions are not accessible in such scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A media guidance application predicts a user's future location and sets up local cloud storage there, enabling the transfer of media assets from the user's DVR to the future location, allowing access even without broadband network access, by identifying travel schedules and determining suitable storage devices at those locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cloud storage solutions are used to extend storage space, then users can access media assets from different locations, but users cannot access the stored media assets when located at places with limited or no network access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting the user's future location and pre-transferring media assets to storage devices at that location before the user arrives. The media guidance application analyzes user behavioral data (calendar events, travel schedules) to determine future locations, then initiates media asset transfers in advance, ensuring content is available locally when the user reaches the destination without requiring network access during playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism by using local storage devices at future locations as intermediate storage points between the cloud DVR and the user's playback device. These intermediate storage devices receive media assets from the cloud DVR via network transfer, then provide local access to the user without requiring continuous network connectivity, effectively mediating between cloud storage and offline playback needs.
2Quantity of substance
If local DVR storage space is increased, then users can store more media assets locally, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the storage function across multiple devices and locations rather than concentrating all storage in a single local DVR. The cloud DVR serves as primary storage, while future location storage devices serve as distributed secondary storage. This segmentation allows users to access media assets from multiple locations without requiring each local device to have large storage capacity, reducing the complexity and cost of individual devices while maintaining overall storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes storage devices at future locations serve multiple functions: they act as local storage for pre-transferred media assets, provide offline playback capability, and function as intermediate nodes in the content distribution network. By making these devices multi-functional, the system reduces the need for dedicated high-capacity local DVR storage at user premises, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while still providing extensive storage access capability.
3Ease of operation
If media assets are transferred to future location storage devices, then users can access media without network access, but network bandwidth is consumed during the transfer process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs media asset transfers as preliminary actions before the user needs to access the content at the future location. By initiating transfers in advance when network connectivity is available (such as when the user is at home or in areas with good network coverage), the system consolidates bandwidth consumption into specific transfer windows rather than requiring continuous network access. This allows users to access media offline later without additional network bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the media transfer process based on available network conditions, user behavior patterns, and storage availability at future locations. The media guidance application monitors network bandwidth availability and adjusts transfer rates, priorities, and timing accordingly. It also dynamically selects which media assets to transfer based on user preferences, viewing history, and predicted usage at the future location, optimizing bandwidth utilization while ensuring necessary content is available for offline access.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for extending the hardware of a digital video recorder (DVR) that records and stores media assets for a user to watch at a later time. For example, a media guidance application may predict a future physical location at which a user is scheduled to be located for a duration of time. The media guidance application may then cause the future location to form a local cloud storage for the user during the time when the user is located at the future location. The local cloud may be used to store one or more media assets transferred from the user's DVR to the established local cloud using the local storage hardware at the future location.