Systems and methods for mirroring and transcoding media content
AssigneeRovi Guides, Inc.
InventorJean-Francois Benjamin Grasset
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for mirroring and transcoding media content are provided. In some embodiments, media content stored on a user equipment device is mirrored on a remote server, and the mirrored copy is transcoded and provided to other user devices in a media content format that is appropriate for the user devices. By so doing, the present invention not only provides a convenient and easy way for users to backup media content and access the media content from virtually any device, but also reduces the complexity and costs associated with maintaining reliable and consistent access to media content across various user devices.
Claims16
A method for synchronizing media content across various user equipment devices without requiring external transcoding hardware, the method comprising:
- determining, at a remote server coupled to a first user equipment over a network, that a recording of the media content has been completed, wherein the recording of the media content is in a first format:
- determining that the media content recorded on the first user equipment fulfills a pre-defined user criteria of media content to be mirrored, wherein the pre-defined user criteria of media content to be mirrored is based upon one or more user query criteria comprising at least one of content title, actor name, content theme or category, text within content information fields, or audio content;
- in response to the determining that the recording of the media content has been completed, determining, at the remote server, that a predetermined maximum amount of storage allocated for a user is not exceeded by recordings that are associated with the user, wherein the user is associated with the first user equipment;
- in response to the determining that the predetermined maximum amount of storage allocated for the user is not exceeded by recordings that are associated with the user and based on the determining that the media content recorded on the first user equipment fulfills the pre-defined user criteria of media content to be mirrored automatically mirroring, at the remote server, the media content recorded on the first user equipment to create a mirrored copy of the media content recorded on the first user equipment;
- determining, at the remote server, a second user equipment that is authorized to receive the media content;
- transcoding, at the remote server, the mirrored copy to a second format that is appropriate for a second user equipment;
- and
- automatically providing the transcoded, mirrored copy to the second user equipment.
A system for synchronizing media content across various user equipment devices without requiring external transcoding hardware, the system comprising a server, coupled to a first user equipment over a network, configured to:
- determine that a recording of the media content has been completed, wherein the recording of the media content is in a first format;
- determine that the media content recorded on the first user equipment fulfills a pre-defined user criteria of media content to be mirrored, wherein the pre-defined user criteria of media content to be mirrored is based upon one or more user query criteria comprising at least one of content title, actor name, content theme or category, text within content information fields, or audio content;
- in response to determining that the recording of the media content has been completed, determine, at the remote server, whether a predetermined maximum amount of storage allocated for a user is exceeded by recordings that are associated with the user, wherein the user is associated with the first user equipment;
- in response to determining that the predetermined maximum amount of storage allocated for the user is not exceeded by recordings that are associated with the user and based on determining that the media content recorded on the first user equipment fulfills the pre-defined user criteria of media content to be mirrored;
- automatically mirror the media content recorded on the first user equipment to create a mirrored copy of the media content recorded on the first user equipment;
- determine a second user equipment that is authorized to receive the media content;
- transcode the mirrored copy to a second format that is appropriate for a second user equipment;
- and
- automatically provide the transcoded, mirrored copy to the second user equipment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.