Program Selection Logic for Automatic Recording

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Solution Overview

Problem

Video or audio recording devices without an electronic program guide (EPG) rely on user intervention to set recording preferences, lacking the ability to automatically identify and record programs based on user viewing habits, which is inefficient and does not utilize available metadata from broadcast signals.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a processor and program selection logic that automatically identifies and records favorite programs based on user viewing habits using PSIP or XDS data, marking programs as 'ready to record' after repeated viewing, and providing options for user preferences and thresholds to manage recording and device lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic program identification and recording is implemented, then user convenience and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for EPG integration and pattern recognition algorithms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies favorite programs and generates recording patterns without requiring user configuration. The processor monitors viewing habits, detects repeated program selections, and autonomously creates recording schedules, allowing the device to serve itself rather than requiring manual EPG setup or pattern definition by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of viewing patterns to identify favorite programs before actual recording begins. By pre-processing broadcast signals and metadata to detect repeated viewing behavior, the system prepares recording patterns in advance, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If recording of all favorite programs is enabled, then user viewing preferences are captured, but device lifespan is reduced due to excessive recording operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalization capabilityVSAvoiddevice lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by recording only specific favorite programs identified through pattern recognition, rather than recording all programs or excessive repetitions. By detecting when a program has been viewed repeatedly (establishing it as a favorite) and then recording only those identified favorites, the system avoids unnecessary recording operations that would waste device resources and reduce lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of recording frequency based on identified viewing patterns. Instead of uniform recording of all programs, the processor dynamically adjusts recording parameters to match actual user preferences, recording favorite programs at appropriate intervals while avoiding redundant recordings of non-favorite content, thereby extending device operational life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If EPG data is utilized for program identification, then measurement precision of program metadata is improved, but device complexity increases due to EPG integration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram metadata accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses broadcast metadata (PSIP or XDS data) as an intermediary to identify programs without requiring full EPG integration. The processor extracts program titles and identifiers from these simplified data sources, achieving sufficient metadata accuracy for pattern recognition while avoiding the complexity of complete EPG systems. This intermediary approach provides a middle ground between raw signal analysis and full EPG dependency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2225873B1System and method for selecting programs to record
Publication Date: 2013.07.10 SHENZHEN TCL NEW-TECH CO LTD
  • EP2225873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2225873B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An exemplary method of identifying program content to record comprises receiving a signal corresponding to a plurality of broadcast programs, collecting data about specific broadcast programs selected by a user from the signal corresponding to the plurality of broadcast programs, adding a one of the plurality of broadcast programs to a list of favorite programs if the user selects the one of the plurality of broadcast programs more than a specific number of times, and recording the broadcast programs added to the list of favorite programs.