Variable Broadcast Storage Windows for Delayed Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing playback devices face issues with significant bandwidth consumption and inefficient memory usage due to fixed time ranges for storing broadcast content, leading to large description files and unnecessary storage of finished broadcasts, which affects smooth playback and interface performance.

Innovation Solution

A method and entity for managing content storage that varies the time range over which broadcast parts are stored, ensuring only current and recently finished content is retained, reducing the size of description files and bandwidth requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed time range is used for storing broadcast content, then delayed playback is enabled, but bandwidth consumption and memory usage increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelayed playback availabilityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the time range for storing broadcast content variable rather than fixed. The storage system dynamically adjusts the time range based on current playback position and user behavior, extending storage only when needed for delayed playback while discarding older content to reduce bandwidth consumption and memory usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of time range duration from a fixed value to a variable value that adapts based on playback conditions. By modifying this parameter dynamically, the system achieves delayed playback functionality while optimizing resource consumption according to actual usage patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a fixed time range is used for storing broadcast content, then delayed playback is enabled, but memory space is wasted on finished broadcasts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelayed playback availabilityVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the storage time range to match actual playback needs. Instead of permanently storing content for a fixed duration, the storage window adapts in real-time, extending only as far back as necessary to support the current delayed playback position, thereby minimizing memory occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements discarding and recovering by automatically removing finished broadcast content from storage once it is no longer needed for delayed playback. The system recovers memory space by discarding old content while maintaining necessary content for current playback requirements, optimizing memory utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If description files include distant past segments, then start over function is fully supported, but parsing time increases and interface smoothness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestart over function capabilityVSAvoidparsing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by including only the necessary portion of past content in description files, rather than all possible segments. The system includes segments up to the current playback position minus a buffer, providing sufficient content for start over functionality while excluding excessive distant past segments that would increase parsing time and degrade interface performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Loss of energy

If variable time range is used for storage, then bandwidth and memory are optimized, but storage management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidstorage management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage management system operates autonomously by automatically adjusting the time range based on playback position and user behavior without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates storage duration, extending or contracting the retention window dynamically, which simplifies the user interface while maintaining optimization benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250267312A1Method for managing access to content having been broadcast in real time
Publication Date: 2025.08.21 ORANGE SA
  • US20250267312A1 patent drawing
  • US20250267312A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for managing the storage of parts of content following successive broadcasts of the parts, wherein the parts that have been broadcast are stored over a given time range preceding the current broadcast time. The time range varies over time.