Optical Network Terminal Power Outage DVR Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital video recorders (DVRs) fail to record television content during power outages, resulting in missed programming.
Innovation Solution
An optical network terminal monitors for power outages and stores video data for scheduled recordings during the outage, then transfers the data back to the DVR once power is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the digital video recorder operates without external power backup, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of recording during power outages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical network terminal as an intermediary device that temporarily stores video data during power outages. This mediator captures the video stream when the DVR is offline and transfers it afterward, resolving the contradiction by adding reliability without requiring direct power backup at the DVR.
Solution Approach 2:
The recording function is segmented between two devices: the DVR for normal operation and the optical network terminal for backup during outages. This segmentation allows each device to have simpler individual designs while achieving high overall reliability through coordinated operation.
2Loss of information
If the optical network terminal maintains video service during power outage, then the loss of information is reduced, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical network terminal performs partial action by maintaining video service only during power outages rather than continuously, and only for scheduled recordings rather than all content. This selective approach reduces energy consumption while preventing information loss when it matters most.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state of the optical network terminal based on power conditions - active during outages to capture video data, and inactive during normal operation. This dynamic parameter change optimizes energy usage while ensuring video data is preserved when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for recording television content in the event of a power loss. For example, in one embodiment, an optical network terminal associated with providing video service to the digital video recorder is utilized to backup and store a scheduled television program that occurs during the duration of a power outage affecting the digital video recorder.