Network DVR Automating Popular TV Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital video recorders (DVRs) for television programming have limitations such as inability to simultaneously record multiple programs, limited storage capacity, and require users to manually set recordings, restricting flexibility and convenience for viewers.
Innovation Solution
A network-based DVR system that automatically identifies popular TV programs, records them remotely, and allows on-demand delivery to subscribers, enabling time-shifted viewing without the need for personal storage or manual recording settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a personal DVR is used to record TV programs, then viewers can watch shows at their leisure, but the device has limited storage capacity and cannot simultaneously record multiple programs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from local storage (personal DVR) to cloud-based storage (remote server), adding a spatial dimension to the storage solution. This allows virtually unlimited storage capacity and the ability to record multiple programs simultaneously without being constrained by the physical storage limits of a personal device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the television broadcast and the viewer. The server performs the recording function centrally, and viewers access recorded programs through on-demand delivery, eliminating the need for personal storage hardware and its associated limitations.
2Ease of operation
If a personal DVR is used to record TV programs, then viewers can watch shows at their leisure, but users must manually set the DVR to record the television programs of their choice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated program identification and recording. The system automatically determines which programs are popular or of interest based on viewing data and records them without requiring manual user configuration. This eliminates the complexity of manual DVR setup while maintaining ease of access to recorded content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from viewing data and popularity metrics to automatically determine what programs should be recorded. The system continuously monitors viewing patterns and adjusts recording decisions accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to user preferences without requiring manual input.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a network-based DVR system is implemented to provide on-demand programming, then storage capacity and recording flexibility are improved, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the remote server perform multiple functions: it acts as a recording device, a storage facility, a program identification system, and a delivery server. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional platform, the system achieves high adaptability while managing infrastructure complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to automatically identify popular television programs based on the viewing of broadcast television programs by at least some of the subscribers of a television distribution system. One or more of the popular television programs identified are stored and offered to one or more of the subscribers on-demand. Subscribers can obtain delivery of at least one of the stored popular television programs for viewing on a subscriber television.