Methods and systems for content storage
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- providing a plurality of start offset options associated with a content item;
receiving a plurality of requests to store the content item, wherein the plurality of requests comprises a plurality of start times associated with one or more of the plurality of start offset options and further comprises a plurality of end times associated with the content item;
determining an earliest start time of the plurality of start times;
determining a latest end time of the plurality of end times;
storing, for each of the plurality of requests, an instance of the content item starting at the determined earliest start time and ending at the determined latest end time;
receiving a play request for the content item comprising a start time later than the determined earliest start time and an end time earlier than the determined latest end time; and
in response to the play request, providing the content item, wherein a portion of the content item earlier than the requested start time is not provided, and wherein a portion of the content item later than the requested end time is not provided.
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Abstract
Provided are methods and systems for reducing content storage space and network resources. A device, such as a network storage device, can receive a plurality of requests to record a content item with varying start times and end times. The network device can map the start time and end time of each request to a subscriber, premises, and/or device. The network device can determine the earliest of the start times associated with the content item and the latest of the end times associated with the content item. In an aspect, the network device can make a recording, starting at the earliest start time and ending at the latest end time.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of start offset options associated with a content item; receiving a plurality of requests to store the content item, wherein the plurality of requests comprises a plurality of start times associated with one or more of the plurality of start offset options and further comprises a plurality of end times associated with the content item; determining an earliest start time of the plurality of start times; determining a latest end time of the plurality of end times; storing, for each of the plurality of requests, an instance of the content item starting at the determined earliest start time and ending at the determined latest end time; receiving a play request for the content item comprising a start time later than the determined earliest start time and an end time earlier than the determined latest end time; and in response to the play request, providing the content item, wherein a portion of the content item earlier than the requested start time is not provided, and wherein a portion of the content item later than the requested end time is not provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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providing a plurality of start offset options associated with a content item; receiving a first request to store an instance of the content item, wherein the first request comprises a first start offset associated with the plurality of start offset options and a first end offset; storing a first version of the content item in a first content file, wherein the first content file represents a portion of the content item occurring between and including the first start offset and the first end offset; receiving a second request to store another instance of the content item, wherein the second request comprises a second start offset and a second end offset, wherein the second start offset is less than the first start offset, wherein the second end offset is less than the first end offset; determining that the first version of the content item has already been stored; determining that the second start offset is less than the first start offset and that the second end offset is less than the first end offset; storing a second version of the content item in a second content file, wherein the second content file represents a portion of the content item occurring between and including the second start offset and the second end offset; receiving a request for the content item, wherein the request comprises a start offset greater than the first start offset and an end offset greater than the first end offset; and in response to the request for the content item, transmitting the first content file, wherein a portion of the content item between the requested start offset and the first start offset is not transmitted, and wherein a portion of the content item between the requested end offset and the first end offset is not transmitted. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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providing, by a network device, a plurality of start offset options associated with a stored content item; receiving a request for the stored content item, wherein the request comprises a first start time associated with the plurality of start offset options and a first end time; determining, based on the request, a second start time that is offset to a time after the first start time and a second end time that is offset to a time before the first end time; generating a copy of the stored content item that comprises the second start time and the second end time; and providing the generated copy of the stored content item, wherein a portion of the content item earlier than the second start time is not provided, and wherein a portion of the content item later than the second end time is not provided. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification