Single Tuner Recording via Packet Segmentation and Broadband Supplement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional set-top boxes (STBs) are limited in their ability to record multiple broadcasted media assets simultaneously due to the number of tuners, which restricts the number of programs that can be recorded, and transponders often lack sufficient bandwidth to include all popular programs in a single data stream.
Innovation Solution
A method that isolates data packets from multiple broadcast streams, generates a broadcast recording stream with a subset of these packets, and transmits the remaining packets via broadband IP connections to facilitate the reassembly of partially recorded media assets, allowing for simultaneous recording of multiple programs using a single tuner and dedicated 'recording' devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple tuners are used to record multiple broadcasted media assets simultaneously, then the number of programs that can be recorded increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data packets of broadcast streams into two categories: essential packets for basic playback and supplementary packets for enhanced quality. The single tuner records only the essential packets, while supplementary packets are obtained through broadband connection, effectively segmenting the recording function between traditional tuning and modern network delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the single tuner serve multiple functions by combining it with broadband network capabilities. The tuner handles fundamental signal reception and essential packet capture, while the broadband interface supplements the recording capability, creating a multi-functional recording system that achieves multi-program recording without requiring multiple dedicated tuners
2Adaptability or versatility
If transponders include all popular programs in a single data stream, then the bandwidth requirement increases, but the service quality improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential data packets needed for basic program playback from the broadcast stream, leaving out supplementary quality-enhancing packets. These extracted essential packets are recorded by the single tuner, while the omitted supplementary packets are retrieved later through broadband connection, thereby reducing the immediate bandwidth requirement during tuning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional broadcast bandwidth constraint to a two-dimensional solution space by adding the broadband network dimension. Instead of relying solely on transponder bandwidth for complete program delivery, the system uses the broadband network as an additional dimension to supplement data packets, effectively distributing the bandwidth burden across two different transmission dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for facilitating multiple recordings via a single tuner includes isolating data packets associated with recording candidate media assets from at least two broadcast data streams, generating at least one broadcast recording data stream from a subset of the isolated data packets, broadcasting the at least one broadcast recording data stream in parallel with the at least two broadcast data streams, where the broadcast recording data stream is broadcast via at least one dedicated broadcast “recording” device, and the at least two broadcast data streams are broadcast via other broadcast devices, storing remaining data packets not included in the isolated data packets in broadband data segments, and transmitting the broadband data segments via an IP connection to facilitate reassembly of partially recorded the media assets, where the partially recorded media assets were recorded from the broadcast recording stream. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.