Mobile Device Media Content Storage and Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often miss scheduled television programming and struggle to view it at their desired time due to the limitations of existing media content delivery systems, which do not allow for seamless interruption and later access to media content.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enable a mobile device to store and retrieve media content from an interactive television network, allowing users to pause and resume media playback by selecting functions to store and retrieve content based on electronic guide information and runtime, using a gateway or local memory for storage and presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users rely on scheduled broadcast timing to view content, then content delivery is simple and direct, but users cannot view content at their desired time when missing the broadcast
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads media content from the broadcast stream into local storage on the mobile device before the user needs to view it. When a user misses a broadcast, the content is already stored and can be retrieved immediately, eliminating the need for complex post-broadcast recording and transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the broadcast stream and the user, capturing and storing content locally. This intermediary function enables flexible access without requiring complex server-side recording and redistribution infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If users record missed content using Digital Video Recording technologies, then content can be viewed at leisure, but the system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Content is captured and stored in advance during the broadcast window, so when users want to view it later, it is immediately available in local storage without requiring time-consuming retrieval from external recording systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs self-service by automatically capturing, storing, and managing broadcast content locally. This eliminates the need for external DVR systems, manual recording operations, and complex content management infrastructure.
3Reliability
If mobile devices store media content locally, then users can access content without network dependency, but device memory capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the specific media content segments that users need to view, rather than storing entire programs or channels. This selective extraction approach maximizes the use of limited mobile device storage capacity while ensuring reliable access to desired content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial recording by capturing only the portions of broadcast content that are likely to be viewed, based on user preferences and viewing history. This partial action approach optimizes storage utilization while maintaining content access reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile device having a controller to present media content provided by an interactive television (iTV) network, select a function during presentation of the media content to store at least a remaining portion of the media content, wherein the function is selected when the presentation of the media content is to be interrupted, store the media content in a memory location of the mobile device, select the function to retrieve the remaining portion of the media content from the memory location, and present the remaining portion of the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.