Seamless DVR Universal Directory Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital video recording systems require each user in a household to store separate instances of the same content on their individual digital video recorders (DVRs), leading to wasteful duplication of storage resources and content accessing resources.
Innovation Solution
A system and process that facilitate seamless digital video recordings across multiple devices within a local area network by using a common universal directory to identify and share content, allowing multiple devices to access and store content efficiently without duplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each user stores separate instances of content on their individual DVRs, then each user can access and store content independently, but storage resources and content accessing resources are wasted through duplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges storage resources by allowing multiple DVRs to share a common storage pool through the universal directory. Instead of each DVR maintaining separate content instances, the system combines storage capabilities so that content recorded on one DVR can be accessed by other DVRs in the household, eliminating redundant storage of identical content across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal directory serves as a multi-functional component that provides content identification, resource allocation, and access coordination across multiple DVRs. This universal interface allows any user to access content on any DVR in the household, making the storage system universally accessible rather than device-specific.
2Reliability
If multiple copies of content are stored on multiple DVRs, then each user has direct access to content, but content accessing resources such as tuners are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The universal directory acts as an intermediary that coordinates content access across multiple DVRs. When content needs to be accessed, the universal directory identifies which DVR holds the content and facilitates access without requiring duplicate content instances. This mediator approach allows efficient resource allocation where tuners are used only when necessary for recording, not for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically copying content to multiple DVRs, the system creates virtual copies through the universal directory. The directory maintains references to content locations, allowing multiple users to access the same content instance without actual duplication. This virtual copying mechanism preserves content availability while eliminating the need for multiple physical copies.
3Device complexity
If separate content instances are maintained on each DVR, then user-specific content management is simple, but storage capacity is insufficient for multiple users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to content management by introducing the universal directory layer above individual DVR storage. This additional organizational dimension allows content to be managed collectively across the household while maintaining simple access interfaces for individual users. The universal directory provides a high-level view of available content without requiring users to understand the underlying distributed storage architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and process described facilitate use of a first user device communicatively coupled to a local area network (LAN) The first user device may include a first hardware processor configured to execute first, non-transient, computer instructions for facilitating a first seamless DVR engine configured to identify a first content. A second user device is also coupled to the LAN. The second user device may include a second hardware processor configured to execute second, non-transient, computer instructions for facilitating a second seamless DVR configured to identify a second content. Each of the seamless DVR engines may be configured to generate a common universal directory identifying the first content and the second content as being available for use by each of the first user device and the second user device. User devices may independently populate the common universal directory. The universal directory may identify a distinct status for the content.