Systems and methods for mirroring and transcoding media content

• US 9,326,016 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Grasset, Jean-Francois Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): HANCE, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US12/889,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20110106910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,041 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1446 Point-in-time backing up or restoration of persistent data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1451 by selection of backup contents
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2056 by mirroring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2082 Data synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1734 Details of monitoring file system events, e.g. by the use of hooks, filter drivers, logs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/178 Techniques for file synchronisation in file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23116 involving data replication, e.g. over plural servers synchronization of replicated data G06F11/1658; error detection or correction by means of data replication G06F11/2053; replication in distributed file systems G06F16/10; replication in distributed file systems G06F16/27; replication or mirroring of data in data networks H04L67/1095
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/274 Storing end-user multimedia data in response to end-user request , e.g. network recorder
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 : PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64784 : Data processing by the network data processing in packet switching systems H04L12/56; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; intermediate storage or scheduling H04L49/90; provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

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.

Claims

1. A method for providing access to media, the method comprising:

receiving a user request to schedule media content for recording on first user equipment;

in response to determining that recording of the media content scheduled for recording has been completed;

determining whether the media content recorded on the first user equipment is of a type selected by a user;

based on determining the media content recorded on the first user equipment is of the type selected, mirroring the media content recorded on the first user equipment on a remote server, coupled to the first user equipment over a network, to create a mirrored copy of the media content recorded on the first user equipment; and

storing the mirrored copy of the media content on the remote server, wherein the mirrored copy of the media content includes a pointer to a playback position in the mirrored copy of the media content;

determining a media content format that is appropriate for second user equipment;

transcoding, on the remote server, the mirrored copy of the media content to the media content format that is appropriate for the second user equipment;

automatically pushing the mirrored copy of the media content in the media content format that is appropriate for the second user equipment to the second user equipment; and

updating the pointer stored on the remote server based on playback controls activated on the second user equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content comprises transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content before a user input is received from the second user equipment requesting to access the mirrored copy of the media content.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically pushing the mirrored copy of the media content that is appropriate for the second user equipment occurs before receiving a user input from the second user equipment requesting to access the mirrored copy of the media content.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment is a mobile user device and the second user equipment is installed equipment.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising periodically polling the first user equipment for updated media content.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically pushing the mirrored copy of the media content based on a user-determined schedule.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment is installed equipment and the second user equipment is a mobile user device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment is in a home network, and the second user equipment is outside of the home network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the first user equipment and the second user equipment is a mobile user device selected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a portable television system, an automobile television system, a portable media player, and any combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically pushing the mirrored copy of the media content to the second user equipment comprises:

determining whether the second user equipment is included in a list of previously registered user equipment devices; and

transmitting the mirrored copy of the media content to the second user equipment in response to determining that the second user equipment is included in the list of previously registered user equipment devices.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the first user equipment and the second user equipment is user equipment selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, an optical disc recorder, a digital camera, a home telephone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a media player, and any combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment utilizes an interactive media guidance application to access the media content.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user equipment utilizes an interactive media guidance application to access the mirrored copy of the media content.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content by the remote server is performed in real-time.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a user selection of the media content to be mirrored on the remote server.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

receiving a user selection of the media content to be mirrored on the remote server comprises receiving a user designation of a storage drive on the first user equipment; and

mirroring the media content recorded on the first user equipment comprises automatically mirroring the media content recorded on the designated storage drive.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

receiving a user selection of the media content to be mirrored on the remote server comprises receiving a user designation of a media content format; and

mirroring the media content recorded on the first user equipment comprises automatically mirroring the media content recorded in the designated media content format on the first user equipment.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content is a television program series recorded on the first user equipment.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user equipment is a set-top box.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the mirrored copy of the media content is stored on the remote server before a user input is received by the second user equipment to access the mirrored copy of the media content.

21. A method for providing access to media to a mobile user device, the method comprising:

receiving a user request to schedule media content for recording on user equipment in a home network;

in response to determining that recording of the media content scheduled for recording has been completed, receiving, at a remote server, media content recorded in a first format on the user equipment, wherein the remote server is outside of the home network, and wherein the media content recorded is of a type selected by a user;

generating a mirrored copy of the media content on the remote server based on determining the media content is of the type selected;

storing the mirrored copy of the media content on the remote server, wherein the mirrored copy of the media content includes a pointer to a playback position in the mirrored copy of the media content;

determining a second media content format that is appropriate for the mobile user device;

transcoding, at the remote server, the mirrored copy into the second media content format that is appropriate for the mobile user device;

automatically pushing the mirrored copy of the media content in the second format to the mobile user device; and

updating the pointer stored on the remote server based on playback controls activated on the mobile user device.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising selecting the second format from a plurality of formats based on capabilities of the mobile user device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content comprises transcoding the mirrored copy when the media content is stored in the first format on user equipment in the home network.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content comprises transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content before a request for the mirrored copy of the media content is received from the mobile user device.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising storing the transcoded, mirrored copy of the media content on the mobile user device.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the remote server is a first remote server, and wherein:

transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content comprises transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content on a second remote server; and

automatically pushing the mirrored copy of the media content to the mobile device comprises automatically pushing the mirrored copy of the media content from the second remote server to the mobile user device.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the mobile user device is outside of the home network.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the mobile user device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a portable television system, an automobile television system, a portable media player, and any combination thereof.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein automatically pushing the mirrored copy of the media content to the mobile device comprises:

determining whether the mobile device is included in a list of previously registered user equipment devices; and

transmitting the mirrored copy of the media content to the mobile device in response to determining that the mobile device is included in the list of previously registered user equipment devices.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the user equipment is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, an optical disc recorder, a digital camera, a home telephone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a media player, and any combination thereof.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the remote server comprises a first application resident on the remote server and a second application resident on the remote server, and wherein:

generating the mirrored copy of the media content comprises receiving the mirrored copy of the media content from the first application; and

transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content comprises transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content on the second application.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein the remote server is coupled to the user equipment over a network.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein mirroring the media content stored on the user equipment comprises periodically polling the user equipment for updated media content.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the mirrored copy of the media content is generated according to a user-determined schedule.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising receiving a user selection of the user-determined schedule from an interactive media guidance application.

36. The method of claim 21, further comprising playing back the mirrored copy of the media content in real-time.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising receiving a request for the media content from the user equipment only if the media content is no longer stored on the user equipment.

38. The method of claim 21, wherein the mobile user device utilizes an interactive media guidance application to access the mirrored copy of the media content.

39. The method of claim 21, wherein the user equipment utilizes an interactive media guidance application to access the media content.

40. The method of claim 21, wherein transcoding the mirrored copy of the media content into the second format is performed in real-time.

41. The method of claim 21, wherein the media content is a television program series recording.

42. A system for providing access to media, the system comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive a user request to schedule media content for recording on first user equipment;

in response to determining that recording of the media content scheduled for recording has been completed;

determine whether the media content recorded on the first user equipment is of a type selected by a user;

mirror the media content recorded on the first user equipment on a remote server, coupled to the first user equipment over a network, to create a mirrored copy of the media content recorded on the first user equipment based on determining the media content recorded on the first user equipment is of the selected type; and

cause the mirrored copy of the media content to be stored on the remote server, wherein the mirrored copy of the media content includes a pointer to a playback position in the mirrored copy of the media content;

wherein the remote server is configured to;

determine a media content format that is appropriate for second user equipment;

transcode on the remote server the mirrored copy of the media content to the media content format that is appropriate for the second user equipment;

automatically push the mirrored copy of the media content in the media content format that is appropriate for the second user equipment to the second user equipment; and

update the pointer stored on the remote server based on playback controls activated on the second user equipment.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the remote server is configured to transcode the mirrored copy of the media content before a user requests access to the mirrored copy of the media content.

44. The system of claim 42, wherein the remote server is configured to automatically push the mirrored copy of the media content to the second user equipment in response to determining that the second user equipment is included in a list of previously registered user equipment devices.

48. The system of claim 42, wherein the mirrored copy of the media content is stored on the remote server before a user input is received by the second user equipment to access the mirrored copy of the media content.

45. A system for providing access to media to a mobile user device, the system comprising:

a processor configured to;

in response to a determination being made that recording of media content scheduled for recording has been completed on user equipment, receive, at a remote server, the media content recorded in a first format on the user equipment in a home network, wherein the remote server is outside of the home network, and wherein the media content recorded is of a type selected by a user;

generate, at the remote server, a mirrored copy of the media content based on determining the media content is of the selected type;

store the mirrored copy of the media content on the remote server, wherein the mirrored copy of the media content includes a pointer to a playback position in the mirrored copy of the media content;

determining a second format of the media content that is appropriate for the mobile user device;

transcode the mirrored copy of the media content into the second format of the media content that is appropriate for the mobile user device;

automatically push the mirrored copy of the media content in the second format to the mobile user device; and

update the pointer stored on the remote server based on playback controls activated on the mobile user device.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the processor is further configured to select the second format of the media content from a plurality of formats based on capabilities of the mobile user device.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the processor is configured to automatically push the mirrored copy of the media content to the mobile user device in response to determining that the mobile user device is included in a list of previously registered user equipment devices.