META CHANNEL NETWORK-BASED CONTENT DOWNLOAD TECHNOLOGY
First Claim
1. A method of downloading content for viewing using a media system, the method comprising:
- identifying a network-based video scheduled to be played at a particular time, the network-based video being made available, over a network, by at least one source in response to user requests;
identifying multiple sources from which the network-based video is available for downloading;
selecting, from among the multiple sources, an initial source from which to download the network-based video;
initiating a first process to download the network-based video from the initial source;
monitoring progress of the download of the network-based video from the initial source, the monitoring including;
computing an estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete, anddetermining whether the estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete enables viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption;
in response to determining that the estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete does not enable viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption;
selecting, from among the multiple sources, an alternative source from which to download at least a portion of the network-based video, andinitiating a second process to download at least the portion the network-based video from the alternative source; and
storing, in electronic storage associated with the media system, the network-based video.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Content download technology, in which a network-based video scheduled to be played at a particular time is identified, and multiple sources from which the network-based video is available for downloading are identified. An initial source from which to download the network-based video is selected from among the multiple sources, and a first process to download the network-based video from the initial source is initiated. Progress of the download of the network-based video is monitored. When an estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete does not enable viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption, an alternative source from which to download at least a portion of the network-based video is selected from among the multiple sources, and a second process to download at least the portion the network-based video from the alternative source is initiated.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of downloading content for viewing using a media system, the method comprising:
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identifying a network-based video scheduled to be played at a particular time, the network-based video being made available, over a network, by at least one source in response to user requests; identifying multiple sources from which the network-based video is available for downloading; selecting, from among the multiple sources, an initial source from which to download the network-based video; initiating a first process to download the network-based video from the initial source; monitoring progress of the download of the network-based video from the initial source, the monitoring including; computing an estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete, and determining whether the estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete enables viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption; in response to determining that the estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete does not enable viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption; selecting, from among the multiple sources, an alternative source from which to download at least a portion of the network-based video, and initiating a second process to download at least the portion the network-based video from the alternative source; and storing, in electronic storage associated with the media system, the network-based video. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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at least one electronic storage device configured to store network-based videos; and at least one processor configured to perform operations comprising; identifying a network-based video scheduled to be played at a particular time, the network-based video being made available, over a network, by at least one source in response to user requests; identifying multiple sources from which the network-based video is available for downloading; selecting, from among the multiple sources, an initial source from which to download the network-based video; initiating a first process to download the network-based video from the initial source; monitoring progress of the download of the network-based video from the initial source, the monitoring including; computing an estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete, and determining whether the estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete enables viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption; in response to determining that the estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete does not enable viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption; selecting, from among the multiple sources, an alternative source from which to download at least a portion of the network-based video, and initiating a second process to download at least the portion the network-based video from the alternative source; and storing, in the electronic storage device, the network-based video.
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20. At least one computer-readable storage medium encoded with at least one computer program comprising instructions that, when executed, operate to cause a computer to perform operations comprising:
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identifying a network-based video scheduled to be played at a particular time, the network-based video being made available, over a network, by at least one source in response to user requests; identifying multiple sources from which the network-based video is available for downloading; selecting, from among the multiple sources, an initial source from which to download the network-based video; initiating a first process to download the network-based video from the initial source; monitoring progress of the download of the network-based video from the initial source, the monitoring including; computing an estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete, and determining whether the estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete enables viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption; in response to determining that the estimated amount of time remaining for the download of the network-based video from the initial source to complete does not enable viewing of the network-based video at the particular time without interruption; selecting, from among the multiple sources, an alternative source from which to download at least a portion of the network-based video, and initiating a second process to download at least the portion the network-based video from the alternative source; and storing, in electronic storage associated with the media system, the network-based video.
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Specification