Network DVR Offset Storage via Shared Media Copies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network storage systems face challenges in efficiently storing and managing offset portions of media assets, leading to excessive storage and bandwidth usage, as well as potential copyright violations.
Innovation Solution
The system determines the largest offset from multiple user requests to store a media asset and stores a single copy of the media content associated with this largest offset for shared access, reducing storage and bandwidth requirements while minimizing copyright violations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple copies of the same media asset are stored at a server for each user request, then each user can access their requested offset portions, but the disk space required becomes proportional to the number of users requesting storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple user requests for the same media asset into a single shared copy stored at the server. Instead of creating separate copies for each user, the system consolidates storage by having one copy serve multiple users, thereby reducing disk space requirements while maintaining access flexibility through shared retrieval mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a single copy of the media asset at the server that can be shared among multiple users. This copying approach eliminates the need for redundant storage of identical content across multiple user devices or server locations, optimizing space utilization while preserving the ability to serve multiple users simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If media assets are distributed to multiple user devices across a network, then users can access content locally, but excessive bandwidth is consumed during distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary offset portions of media assets from the central storage and delivers them to user devices on-demand. Instead of distributing entire media assets to multiple user devices in advance, the system retrieves and transmits only the specific time segments users need, significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining local playback capability.
3Quantity of substance
If the system stores media content for shared access by multiple users, then storage resources are optimized, but copyright violations may occur if unauthorized users access content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authorization mechanism between the shared media asset storage and user access. The system verifies user permissions and authorization status before allowing access to offset portions of media content. This intermediary layer prevents unauthorized access and copyright violations while maintaining the storage efficiency benefits of shared copies.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the system records offset portions of media assets for multiple users with different offsets, then user-specific viewing preferences are accommodated, but storage and bandwidth resources are not efficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple offset recording requests for the same media asset into a single shared storage location. By combining storage resources and using centralized retrieval mechanisms, the system accommodates different user offset preferences without creating redundant copies, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining recording flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described to address shortcomings in the conventional network storage systems via novel techniques to store offsets of a recorded program in a network digital video recorder (DVR). Storing offsets of a recorded program may be beneficial to users that would like to record media content that is broadcast either prior to a start time of a program, or media content that is broadcast after an end time of a program. This feature may be useful when start times and end times of a program are variable (e.g., in the case of sporting events, or other real-time events). This feature may also be useful for recording content of interest that is scheduled for broadcast prior to a start time of or after an end time of the program.