Network DVR Resource Sharing for Content Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
DVR systems face limitations in recording and accessing content due to unavailability reasons such as nonpublic, previously-transmitted, and hardware-restricted content, which restricts user convenience and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A network-based system that enables DVRs to share resources by allowing content transmission between devices, facilitating the sharing of unavailable content through a server-supported subnet structure, peer-to-peer, or server-based environments, thereby overcoming hardware limitations and making previously-unavailable content accessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a DVR is configured with limited hardware resources (tuners, storage), then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the content availability and recording capability are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple DVR systems into a networked configuration where DVRs share hardware resources such as tuners and storage across different households. This allows a single DVR with limited hardware to effectively provide content availability to multiple users by sharing the hardware capabilities of other DVRs in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables DVR hardware to perform multiple functions by allowing it to serve not only its local household but also remote households through the network. A DVR's tuners and storage become universal resources that can be accessed by multiple users, increasing the effective content availability without adding hardware to each individual device.
2Ease of operation
If content is restricted to local DVR storage, then data security and control are improved, but user convenience and access flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network infrastructure as an intermediary between DVRs, enabling content sharing while maintaining security and control. The network mediator facilitates authorized access to remote content without requiring physical transfer of data or compromising the security model, thus improving user convenience without losing content control.
3Productivity
If DVR resources are dedicated to single-household use, then system reliability and security are improved, but resource utilization efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where DVR hardware resources are allocated based on real-time needs and authorization. The system dynamically shares tuners and storage across multiple households while maintaining security protocols, allowing resources to be utilized by different users at different times without compromising system reliability or security.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of sharing recording capability on a network, the network having a server supporting at least a recording DVR and a receiving DVR, the recording and receiving DVRs being in different households, the method comprising: (a) determining that the receiving DVR is unable to record the content at a certain time; and (b) identifying that the recording DVR is able to provide the receiving DVR with a recording of the content; (c) recording the content on the recording DVR at the certain time; and (d) transmitting the content from the recording DVR to the receiving DVR after the certain time.