Rank-Based Digital Asset Storage Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital asset management systems face challenges in providing flexible and efficient storage and delivery of digital content, particularly with the limitations of broadcast schedules, network bandwidth, and the need for secure and user-friendly access to digital assets like movies and audio-visual programs.
Innovation Solution
A system that manages local storage of digital assets in user appliances by assigning rank orders and deleting lower-ranked assets to maintain optimal storage capacity, allowing for push or pull delivery models, and incorporating DRM for secure usage rights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital assets are stored in a broadcast fashion according to broadcaster schedule, then delivery control is simplified, but user flexibility and access timing are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads digital assets into local storage before they are needed by the user. The appliance automatically receives and stores content in advance based on predicted user needs, electronic program guide information, and usage patterns, eliminating the need for users to access content at specific broadcast times while simplifying delivery control.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage management system operates autonomously without requiring user intervention. It automatically assigns priority ranks to digital assets, manages storage space allocation, and performs background transfers of content between storage devices based on predefined criteria and user preferences, reducing management complexity while maintaining user flexibility.
2Quantity of substance
If high capacity storage devices are used to store more digital assets, then user satisfaction increases, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple storage devices with different capacities and characteristics. The method segments digital assets into priority groups and allocates them to appropriate storage devices - high-priority assets to readily accessible storage and lower-priority assets to larger capacity storage, optimizing both capacity utilization and access efficiency without requiring a single large complex storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the priority rank parameter of digital assets based on user interactions, viewing history, and predicted usage patterns. This allows the storage management to adapt to changing user needs without requiring increased storage capacity, as the same storage space is optimized to always contain the most relevant content.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple storage devices are used to increase capacity, then more digital assets can be stored, but transfer time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs background transfers of digital assets between storage devices during periods when the appliance is not actively serving user requests. High-priority assets are pre-transferred to readily accessible storage before they are needed, minimizing user-perceived transfer time while utilizing multiple storage devices to increase overall capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage management system continuously monitors user access patterns, asset priority ranks, and storage device status. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts transfer schedules and asset allocation to optimize the balance between utilizing multiple storage devices for capacity and minimizing transfer times for frequently accessed content.
4Reliability
If DRM controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized copying, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The DRM system operates transparently in the background without requiring user configuration or intervention. Digital rights management rules are automatically applied to digital assets based on their priority rank and usage rights, preventing unauthorized copying and distribution while maintaining full user convenience for legitimate access and playback of authorized content.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is described for managing the local storage of digital assets, such as audio, (moving or still) pictures, text, executable code and combinations thereof, in the storage device of a user appliance, such as a personal video recorder, set top box, mobile phone or storage server. A digital asset is received that is intended for local storage in the storage device and that has been pushed down from a source. A rank order is assigned to each digital asset stored or to be stored in a storage device that has a finite capacity storage space for storing digital assets. The assigned rank orders of one or more of the digital assets are repeatedly examined and a digital asset having a rank order that is lowest among the examined rank orders may be deleted. Each rank order is assigned based on predefined default ranking rules and user instructions pertaining to one or more of the digital assets that are capable of causing a deviation from the default ranking rules, if any have been provided by the user. A signal may be provided containing executable instructions that can be executed at programmable electronic circuits for performing the above steps. Such a signal may be stored on a storage medium. A system for performing the above steps may include a receiver for receiving the digital assets and a processor for assigning ranking orders and for repeatedly examining the ranking orders and selectively deleting digital assets with low ranking orders.