Set-Top Box Media Content Sharing via Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional set-top boxes (STBs) are limited in the number of media content instances they can concurrently receive and process due to the restriction of having only one or two tuners, making it difficult for users to view and record multiple programs broadcast at the same time, which is a common occurrence with popular shows scheduled concurrently by broadcasters.
Innovation Solution
The system allows a set-top box to receive media content from a media content provider and also from other set-top boxes communicatively coupled to the provider, leveraging their recording capabilities to increase the receiving capacity without using additional tuners, by sharing recorded content between STBs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional tuners are added to conventional STBs to increase concurrent media content reception capacity, then the number of media content instances that can be concurrently received and processed increases, but the device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by enabling STBs to receive copies of media content from other STBs in the network rather than requiring each STB to have dedicated tuners for all content. This allows an STB with limited tuners to access multiple concurrent media content instances by copying content from peers that have recorded or are receiving those content, thereby increasing concurrent reception capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by enabling STBs to perform multiple functions: they can receive content directly from the content provider using their tuners, and simultaneously receive copies from other STBs. This multi-functionality allows a single STB to effectively access more media content instances than its physical tuner count would normally limit, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional tuners are installed to enable simultaneous viewing and recording of multiple programs, then the number of concurrent media content instances increases, but the installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables an STB to obtain copies of recorded or received media content from other STBs in the network. This copying mechanism allows users to simultaneously view and record multiple programs without needing additional physical tuners, as the content is copied from peer STBs that have already received or recorded the content, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing installation cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network communication as an intermediary between STBs and media content. Instead of requiring direct connection to content sources through dedicated tuners for each program, STBs use the network to share content copies. This intermediary approach enables multiple concurrent viewing and recording operations without proportionally increasing hardware complexity or installation cost.
3Device complexity
If a single tuner is used in conventional STBs, then the device complexity is minimized, but the number of media content instances that can be concurrently received is limited to one
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by allowing STBs with single tuners to receive media content copies from other STBs in the network. This enables a single-tuner STB to access multiple concurrent media content instances by copying content from peers, thereby increasing productivity without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the limitation from the physical dimension (number of tuners per STB) to the network dimension (ability to access content through networked STBs). By utilizing the network as an additional dimension for content delivery, a single-tuner STB can effectively receive multiple concurrent content instances, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a media content processing subsystem within a plurality of media content processing subsystems configured to receive transmissions of media content instances from a media content provider by way of a network sends a shared content request to the media content provider, the request being for a media content instance included in the transmissions of media content instances from the media content provider. The request is configured to cause the media content provider to identify at least one other media content processing subsystem within the plurality of media content processing subsystems that is able to provide the media content instance to the media content processing subsystem, and instruct the at least one other media content processing subsystem to transmit, to the media content processing subsystem, the media content instance received by the at least one other media content processing subsystem from the media content provider.