Dynamic TV Recording Schedule Calibration via Live Broadcast Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital video recording systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust recording schedules for live television broadcasts based on changes in time and channel data, leading to potential conflicts and unauthorized recordings.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where television receivers transmit recording schedule data to monitoring devices, which analyze live broadcast time and channel data to determine updated recording schedules, allowing for dynamic recalibration of digital video recorders and notification of conflicts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital video recorders use fixed recording schedules based on predetermined broadcast times, then recording operations are simple and reliable, but they cannot adapt to changes in live broadcast schedules causing conflicts and unauthorized recordings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to broadcast schedule changesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring live broadcast time data and channel data, comparing actual broadcast schedules with predetermined recording schedules, and automatically generating updated recording schedules based on detected changes. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the DVR to adapt to broadcast schedule changes without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting broadcast schedule changes, recalculating recording schedules, and reprogramming itself without requiring user intervention. The DVR monitors its own recording conflicts and autonomously resolves them by adjusting recording parameters based on updated broadcast information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system continuously monitors and updates recording schedules dynamically, then adaptability to broadcast changes improves, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic schedule adjustment capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing multiple alternative recording schedules based on anticipated broadcast variations. When broadcast schedule changes are detected, the system can quickly switch to a pre-computed alternative schedule rather than performing complex real-time calculations, significantly reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by monitoring only critical broadcast parameters (start time, end time, channel ID) that directly affect recording schedules, rather than analyzing all broadcast metadata. This selective monitoring approach reduces processing overhead while maintaining effective schedule adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the system implements comprehensive monitoring and conflict detection, then recording accuracy improves, but device complexity and operational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary component that acts as a buffer between the complex monitoring functions and the basic recording operations. This intermediary layer processes and filters broadcast schedule information, presenting simplified conflict detection results to the recording control system, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the system automatically recalibrates digital video recorders based on broadcast changes, then user convenience improves, but potential conflicts with unauthorized channel changes increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidauthorization compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by implementing pre-recorded authorization rules and channel access lists that constrain automatic recalibration operations. Before executing schedule updates, the system verifies that proposed changes comply with authorized channels and time windows, preventing unauthorized recordings while maintaining user convenience through automatic conflict resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS10405042B2Television broadcast dynamic recording calibration

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Embodiments described herein provide various techniques for dynamically calibrating digital video recordings of television broadcasts based on analyzes of changes to time data and channel data associated with live television broadcasts. In various embodiments, television receivers may transmit sets of recording schedule data to television broadcast monitor devices, which may receive time data corresponding to live broadcast television programs from various data sources, such as satellite or cable television service providers, social media servers, user devices, and other data sources. Television broadcast monitor devices and/or television receivers may receive and analyze the live television broadcast time data and channel data, and may determine updated recording schedule data which may be used to dynamically reprogram the digital video recorders associated with one or more television receivers.