PVR on Internet TVs via Remote Media Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for personal video recording (PVR) on Internet-enabled TVs face challenges in seamlessly performing PVR operations during broadcast media reception, as they require dedicated processing and storage, and struggle with integrating various broadcast sources and media streams.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determines the availability of replacement media content from multiple sources, including satellite, cable, and Internet broadcast head-ends, allowing for PVR operations like pausing, fast-forwarding, and rewinding by buffering and retrieving replacement media data from local and remote servers, using a media playback device that communicates with cataloguing servers to locate and retrieve necessary content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated processing and storage devices are used for PVR operations, then PVR functionality is achieved, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the storage and processing functions from the television set and places them on external servers. The TV only needs to communicate replacement content requirements to the server, which then handles the complex storage and processing operations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining PVR reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the TV and the broadcast content. This server mediates the complex operations of storing and managing replacement content, allowing the TV to perform simple PVR operations without requiring complex local hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple broadcast sources are integrated, then content availability increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal server system that can handle multiple broadcast sources (satellite, cable, Internet) through a single platform. This multi-functional server consolidates the complexity of integrating various broadcast sources into one system that can manage all content delivery and replacement operations.
3Ease of operation
If replacement media content is buffered and retrieved from servers, then seamless PVR operations are enabled, but network bandwidth and server infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary buffering of replacement content on servers before it is needed. By pre-positioning content on servers and using progressive download techniques, the system reduces the instantaneous bandwidth requirement during actual PVR operations while maintaining seamless playback experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A media playback device may be operable to determine whether replacement media content corresponding to at least a portion of a received broadcast media stream is available during reception of the broadcast media stream from one or more broadcast sources. At least some of the replacement media content may then be retrieved when personal video recording (PVR) operations are requested during play of the received broadcast media stream, to enable seamless performance of the requested PVR operations using at least a portion of the retrieved replacement media content. Exemplary PVR operations may comprise pausing, fast forwarding, and/or rewinding. The replacement media content may be retrieved from a plurality of local and/or remote replacement servers. Availability of replacement media content, from remote replacement servers, may be determined based on programming data in said broadcast media stream, routing information provided by a broadcast source, and/or by inquiry via one or more cataloguing servers.