Time Shift Buffer Memory Threshold Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital television decoder devices face issues with storage resource allocation for deferred playback, leading to storage capacity malfunctions and complex storage management, especially when combined with other applications, due to unpredictable bit rate fluctuations and limited memory capacity.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that dynamically adjust the time shift buffer memory thresholds based on average and maximum bit rates, and type of data, allowing for transcoding and partial recording of data to optimize storage and reduce buffer overflows, ensuring smooth playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If storage capacity is increased to support delayed playback and other applications, then the system can handle more data, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidstorage management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment where the recording time threshold is automatically modified based on buffer fill status. When the buffer reaches a high fill ratio, the threshold is extended to prevent truncation of data being read. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to efficiently manage limited storage capacity without requiring additional complex control mechanisms or increased storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If fixed storage thresholds are used for time-shift buffer, then management is simple, but buffer overflows occur during high bit rate fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage management simplicityVSAvoidbuffer overflow prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the buffer fill ratio and uses this information to dynamically adjust the recording time threshold. The threshold is extended when the buffer is nearly full and data truncation would occur, and reduced when there is sufficient space. This feedback-based adaptation ensures reliable buffer overflow prevention while maintaining simple management through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If storage threshold is extended to prevent data loss, then playback continuity is improved, but storage capacity is consumed faster

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback continuityVSAvoidstorage capacity consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment where the recording time threshold is automatically modified based on buffer fill status. When the buffer reaches a high fill ratio, the threshold is extended to prevent truncation of data being read. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to efficiently manage limited storage capacity without requiring additional complex control mechanisms or increased storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Quantity of substance

If data truncation is performed to free buffer space, then storage capacity is recovered, but playback disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacity recoveryVSAvoidplayback smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the buffer fill ratio and uses this information to dynamically adjust the recording time threshold. The threshold is extended when the buffer is nearly full and data truncation would occur, and reduced when there is sufficient space. This feedback-based adaptation ensures reliable buffer overflow prevention while maintaining simple management through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2870773B1Data recording device and method relating to a time shifting function on a recording medium
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HLDG
  • EP2870773B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2870773B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2870773B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for recording data on a recording medium. The invention relates to the implementation of the timeshift function in a part of said recording medium called the timeshift buffer memory having a size defined in terms of recording capacity. For the timeshift buffer memory, a first threshold defines a capacity limit, a second threshold defines a recording time limit. The device records the data in the timeshift buffer memory as long as the second threshold is not reached and when the second threshold is reached before the first threshold, the processor truncates the start of the timeshift buffer memory when the data being read are not located at the start of the buffer memory or moves to reading the data of the timeshift buffer memory when the data being read are located at the start of the timeshift buffer memory.