Media Management Server for Remote DVR Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DVRs and PVRs lack user authentication, making it impossible to determine which user is controlling the device and unable to share linear TV programs with friends or family who may not be subscribed or available to watch at the time of broadcasting.
Innovation Solution
A Media management server system that allows remote-controlled recording of selected linear media on a Recording device, where a User equipment belonging to one subscriber can initiate recording on a device owned by another subscriber, with authorization checks and payment handling for accessing and viewing the recorded content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional DVR/PVR is used without user authentication, then device operation is simple and accessible, but user identification and content sharing capability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Media Management Server as an intermediary between the DVR/PVR and the user equipment. This server handles authentication, authorization, and user identification, allowing the recording device itself to remain simple while gaining advanced user management capabilities through the server intermediary.
Solution Approach 2:
The Media Management Server provides multi-functional capabilities including authentication, authorization, user identification, payment handling, and content delivery. This universal service enables a single system to address multiple needs: user identification, content sharing, payment management, and device control, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If remote-controlled recording is enabled across different subscribers, then content sharing capability is improved, but authorization management and payment handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Media Management Server acts as a centralized intermediary that handles all authorization and payment logic. Individual recording devices and user equipment do not need to implement complex authorization mechanisms themselves; instead, they communicate with the server which manages the complexity of subscriber relationships, permissions, and payment processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments functionality by separating recording device operations from user management operations. The Media Management Server handles all user-related complexity (authentication, authorization, payment), while recording devices focus solely on recording and playback. This segmentation allows content sharing capability to be added without increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If payment handling is implemented for recorded content, then legitimate access control is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Media Management Server serves as an intermediary that centralizes payment processing and access control. Recording devices do not need to implement payment handling logic; instead, the server manages subscriptions, payments, and content access rights. This approach improves access control security while keeping individual devices simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital copying and encryption of content rather than physical distribution. Recorded content is copied in encrypted form and distributed through the Media Management Server, which manages payment and access control. This digital copying approach enables reliable access control without requiring complex physical security systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If user authentication is added to recording devices, then user identification capability is improved, but ease of operation and device compatibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The Media Management Server acts as an intermediary that handles all authentication and user identification operations. Recording devices remain simple and compatible with standard protocols, while the server implements sophisticated authentication mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by centralizing user management functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical authentication systems (requiring authentication hardware and protocols in each device) with a software-based server system. The Media Management Server handles authentication through standard network protocols, eliminating the need for specialized authentication hardware in recording devices and maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote-controlled recording of selected linear media, e.g. a TV program, on a Recording device (3) belonging to a first subscriber (Subscriber A). The recording is remote-controlled from a Media Management server (1), e.g. an IPTV Backend, and initiated from a User equipment (2) belonging to a different subscriber (Subscriber B), wherein Subscriber B must be authorized by Subscriber A to access the Recording device. The authorization is checked by the Media management server, e.g. from a Friends list or an Access list stored in the Media management server, or in an external social network-node.