Unified Review Buffer for Multi-Stream Content Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content consumption systems face challenges in efficiently managing and playing back digital content streams with varying distribution arrangements, such as bit rates and framing rates, while allowing for seamless content source changes and storage across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for content recording and playback that utilize a review buffer to segment and store digital content streams, allowing for dynamic configuration and switching between content streams, with features like virtual file system management and encryption, enabling playback in the order or reverse order of recording, and dynamic data updating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a review buffer is used to capture and retain media content from multiple channels and formats, then the system enables flexible content navigation and playback, but the complexity of managing and accessing content across multiple buffers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple buffers for different channels and formats into a single unified review buffer. This merging approach allows the system to manage diverse content streams through a single interface, reducing the complexity of buffer management while maintaining the ability to capture and playback content from multiple sources simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The unified review buffer is designed to handle multiple content formats and channels universally. It can capture, store, and manage media content from various distribution arrangements (different bit rates, framing rates, protocols) through a single buffer structure, eliminating the need for separate specialized buffers for each content type
2Adaptability or versatility
If content streams with varying distribution arrangements (bit rates, framing rates) are recorded in the review buffer, then the system supports diverse content formats, but the difficulty of configuring and managing content segments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the review buffer into multiple content segments, where each segment is configured to handle specific distribution arrangements (bit rates, framing rates). This segmentation allows diverse content formats to be organized into manageable units, making it easier to detect, measure, and manage the characteristics of each content segment without being overwhelmed by the overall diversity
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions (segments) of the review buffer are configured with specific properties tailored to their content requirements. Each segment can be optimized for particular bit rates or framing rates, allowing the system to support diverse formats while maintaining simple, localized configuration rules for each segment rather than complex global management
3Device complexity
If a single review buffer is used for recording content streams, then the device structure is simplified, but the capability to record multiple content streams simultaneously is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single review buffer is divided into multiple independent content segments that can be actively recorded simultaneously. This segmentation allows the buffer to function as multiple virtual buffers, enabling simultaneous recording of multiple content streams while maintaining a simple single-buffer physical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a logical dimension to the single review buffer by organizing it into multiple segments along a temporal or content-type dimension. This allows the buffer to handle multiple content streams simultaneously through logical separation rather than requiring multiple physical buffers, thus maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing recording capability
Data Source
AI summary
A method of content recording and playback is carried out in a receiving device by selecting one of a plurality of digital content streams (80, 82, 84), which have respective distribution arrangements. A content segment (90) of a review buffer (88) is established and configured for the one content stream. While recording the one content stream in the review buffer (90), a content source change operation is performed to record another content stream in the review buffer (88) by discontinuing recording of the one content stream, and iterating establishing, configuring and recording with a new content segment (92). Recorded content of the content segment (90) and new content segment (92) are stored in respective data stores (102, 100). The content streams may be replayed in an order or a reverse order of recording thereof by retrieving data from respective content segments or data stores. Related apparatus is also described.