Multimedia Storage User Table Segmentation for Multi-User Context

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multimedia content management systems fail to effectively adapt to multi-user contexts, leading to issues such as loss of reading position and accidental deletion of unviewed content, as they do not account for interactions between users and inefficiently manage storage space.

Innovation Solution

A method that creates a user table for each multimedia content item, storing context data for each user, allowing for personalized management of storage space and playback parameters, ensuring that multimedia content is only deleted when all users have requested it, and optimizing storage space by retaining only viewed portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single-user management system is used for multimedia content, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot effectively manage multi-user contexts leading to loss of reading position and accidental deletion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-user management capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the management system by creating separate user tables for each multimedia content item. Each user table stores context data specific to individual users (reading positions, deletion requests, locking requests) while sharing the same multimedia content storage. This segmentation allows independent user context management without duplicating the actual content, resolving the contradiction between multi-user adaptability and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If storage space is allocated for each user independently, then each user can manage their own content, but the same recordings are stored multiple times failing to optimize storage space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent user managementVSAvoidstorage space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating user tables that contain references to the same multimedia content storage location. Instead of physically copying the actual content for each user, the system creates logical copies in the form of user-specific context data (reading positions, preferences) that point to the shared content. This allows independent user management while maintaining storage efficiency through shared content storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If multimedia content is deleted when one user requests it, then the user's storage space is freed, but other users may lose access to unviewed content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space management efficiencyVSAvoidcontent availability for all users
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring deletion requests from multiple users through their respective user tables. Before deleting multimedia content, the system checks the deletion request status of all associated users. Only when all users have requested deletion does the system proceed with content removal and storage space freeing. This feedback mechanism ensures content availability for all users while eventually optimizing storage space when universally requested.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If the system tracks reading position for each user, then personalized playback is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to additional context data management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalized playback capabilityVSAvoidcontext data structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by storing context data (reading positions, playback settings, deletion requests, locking requests) locally in user-specific tables associated with each multimedia content item. Each user table contains only the relevant context data for that user-content pair, not all possible user data. This localized storage approach enables personalized playback for each user while keeping the overall system structure manageable through selective, targeted data storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3479584B1Method for storing multimedia content, method for reading the same, and method for managing a storage space containing such content
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS
  • EP3479584B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3479584B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3479584B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An aspect of the invention relates to a method for storing a multimedia content (CMk) by an electronics device, said device comprising a database containing a list of users and a table of recordings, a means for acquiring the multimedia content, a calculation means and a storage means; said storage method comprising: - a first step of allocating a storage space on the storage means by the calculation means; - a second step of adding an entry relating to the multimedia content stored in the table of recordings; - a third step of acquiring and storing the multimedia content (CMk) in the allocated storage space