Network Recording Device Resource Allocation for Simultaneous Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital video recording (DVR) systems are limited by the number of tuners and storage capacity, as well as bandwidth constraints, which restrict the ability to record multiple programs simultaneously, forcing users to choose between recordings or delete existing ones.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes an interactive television application to determine resource availability on a user's equipment and a network recording device, allowing recordings to be distributed across both local and remote devices based on resource constraints, with the option to record programs on the network device if local resources are insufficient, and to transfer recordings back when resources become available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a user's DVR system uses multiple tuners to simultaneously record multiple programs, then the number of programs that can be recorded increases, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple DVR systems into a networked configuration where tuners from different devices can be shared and coordinated. The interactive television application manages tuner allocation across multiple DVR devices, allowing programs to be recorded on remote DVRs when local tuners are unavailable, thereby increasing simultaneous recording capacity without each individual device needing multiple tuners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal tuner pool across multiple DVR devices in the network. Any tuner in the network can be allocated to record any program, regardless of which physical device it resides on. This multi-functional approach allows a single tuner to serve multiple recording needs across different devices and users, increasing overall system productivity.
2Productivity
If a DVR device records more programs simultaneously, then user recording capability improves, but storage space is depleted faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the storage resources of multiple DVR devices into a shared network storage pool. When one DVR's local storage is full, the system can allocate recording space on other DVR devices in the network, allowing continuous recording capability without being constrained by individual device storage limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The interactive television application acts as an intermediary that manages storage allocation across the network. It monitors storage availability on each DVR device and dynamically assigns recording tasks to devices with available space, balancing the load across the network and preventing any single device from exhausting its storage capacity.
3Productivity
If a DVR device has limited bandwidth capacity, then device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to record multiple programs simultaneously is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bandwidth resources of multiple DVR devices into a shared network bandwidth pool. The interactive television application distributes recording tasks across multiple devices, utilizing the aggregate bandwidth capacity of the entire network rather than being limited by any single device's bandwidth, thereby enabling simultaneous recording of more programs.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for recording programs using a user's equipment and a network recording device are provided. An interactive television application may determine whether the user's equipment has sufficient resources (e.g., tuners or space) to record a program selected for recording. If the interactive television application determines that the user's equipment does not have sufficient resources, the interactive television application may select, automatically or in response to a user instruction, the program for recording with a network recording device. In some embodiments, the user may have to pay for the use of the network recording device, or may be required to purchase a given tier level of service. The interactive television application may play back programs from the network recording device as VOD offerings, or may direct the network recording device to transfer recorded programs to the user's equipment when it has sufficient resources.