Network DVR Time Shift Buffer for Fast Trick Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users experience lag when accessing video content from network-based DVRs due to differences in response rates compared to local DVRs, and existing systems do not allow seamless recording from the beginning of a content stream if started mid-broadcast.
Innovation Solution
Decoupling the Time Shift Buffer (TSB) from content allows for faster trick play modes by managing user requests through a TSB/DVR manager, enabling trick play content streams to be sent to endpoint devices and allowing recording from the beginning or current point of a content stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content is stored on network-based DVR, then users can access content from multiple devices and locations, but lag occurs during trick play operations compared to local DVR
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads content into a Time Shift Buffer (TSB) before the user actually requests trick play operations. This preliminary action ensures that when users press fast forward or rewind buttons, the content is already available locally in the TSB, eliminating network latency and providing instant response similar to local DVR performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a TSB manager as an intermediary component that sits between the network DVR and the user's endpoint device. This manager handles trick play requests by managing the TSB, decoupling the network access layer from the trick play execution layer, thereby resolving the contradiction between network-based access flexibility and local-like response speed.
2Ease of operation
If recording starts from current position in content stream, then users can record content they just discovered, but missed beginning portions cannot be acquired
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously buffering content in the TSB before the user initiates recording. When a user decides to record a program they just discovered, the TSB already contains the beginning portions that have aired, allowing the system to capture the complete program from its start rather than only from the current position.
Solution Approach 2:
The TSB manager monitors user viewing behavior and provides feedback by detecting when users switch to a content stream after it has already started. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the recording start position to capture missed beginning portions, enabling users to record complete content without needing to know the exact start time.
Data Source
AI summary
Decoupling a time shift buffer from content streams to allow faster trick mode response is provided. A TSB/DVR manager may be provided to manage user selection of trick play options while viewing linear or non-linear content streams from a network source. Indication of selection of a trick play option may be received and analyzed by the TSB/DVR manager. The content stream may be managed, such that one or more trick play content streams may be sent to an endpoint device. This provides a network trick play experience similar to the trick play experience when content resides locally. Further, the user's behavior and viewing patterns may be continually monitored and recorded to allow the system to send one or more trick play content streams prior to the user selecting the trick play option. An option to acquire and record missed portions of the content stream may also be provided.