Cox Communications, Inc.

Slavisha Karach

Keith Alan Rothschild

Muhammad Asif Raza

Douglas David Gravino

Donald Carl Bleyl

Sung Hoon Yun

Daniel J Geist

This disclosure describes systems and methods related to a cloud-enabled network-based digital video recorder. In some embodiments, a request to record an asset may be received from a client device. An asset record associated with the request may be created. A first record event for generation of a manifest file may be created. A second record event for entitlement validation of an asset may be created. A third record event for quality control for the asset may be created based at least in part on the asset record. A manifest file associated with the asset may be generated based at least in part on the asset record.

Cloud-enabled network-based digital video recorder

Creating a virtual DVR from a synchronized local DVR and network DVR is provided. Oftentimes, video content recorded one a local DVR may be inaccessible for playback from an internet connected device. When a request to record a video content item is received, the request is synchronized between a local DVR and a network DVR. Accordingly, the video content item is recorded on both DVRs. If a playback request is received from a device in communication with the local DVR, the local DVR recording may be played from; and if an internet connected device is used for playback, the network DVR recording may be played. Further, the data and the metadata of the recorded content including bookmarks, viewing history, deletion requests, etc. may be synchronized. Appropriate advertising may also be inserted/replaced based on the time/location of viewing, the playback device, user profile data, etc.

Creation of a virtual DVR from a synchronized local DVR and network DVR

An improved IP video playback system for quicker access and better user experience during IP video playback is provided. Aspects of the IP video playback system allow a content service provider to provide quicker access to requested content items. When a user requests access to content items, an analysis is performed to calculate the lengths of time in which a portion of the content item can be downloaded, cached, and displayed and the corresponding size of that portion. The analysis may be based on various parameters. Once the analysis is performed and the portion is downloaded, playback may begin and the process may be repeated as necessary with increasing portion sizes until a predetermined portion size is reached, the user indicates a content switch, or the content item has been fully downloaded.

IP video playback

Content information networks may be provided that may each include a plurality of content consumption devices. One or more of the content consumption devices within a content information network may be capable of serving as a content consumption hub device that coordinates the receipt and dissemination of content consumption event information pertaining to content consumption events from and to various content consumption devices within the content information network. The content consumption hub device may further communicate, to various content consumption devices within its network, content-related information relating to content consumed on content consumption devices within its network and/or devices outside of its network. The content consumption hub device may be configured to receive content-related information from one or more content information hubs. The content consumption hub device may also receive content consumption event information from a content consumption platform.

Exchange of content consumption-related information between networked devices

This disclosure describes system and methods related to entitlement validation and quality control of content in a cloud-enabled network-based digital video recording system. In some embodiments, whether a record event exists may be determined. The record event may indicate an entitlement check associated with a content asset needs to be completed. A determination may be made as to whether a user account is authorized to access the content asset. An asset record associated with the content asset may be modified to prevent future recording of the content asset. A record to delete the content asset may be generated in association with the user account in response to determining the user account is not authorized to access the content asset. The record event may be removed.

Entitlement validation and quality control of content in a cloud-enabled network-based digital video recorder

This disclosure describes systems and methods related to cloud-enabled network-based digital video recording. In some embodiments, a request to copy a file to a plurality of target file locations may be received. A file may be retrieved and processed. The processing may include apportioning the file into a plurality of data blocks. At least one of the plurality of data blocks may be stored. A plurality of references pointers associated with each of the plurality of data blocks may be generated. The plurality of reference pointers may be stored to each of the plurality of file locations.

Storage optimization in a cloud-enabled network-based digital video recorder

This disclosure describes systems and methods related to content management in a cloud-enabled network-based digital video recorder. In some embodiments, a request to view a listing of content assets associated with a user account may be received from a user device. One or more content assets associated with the user account may be identified. The listing of content assets may be generated based at least in part on the identified one or more content assets. The listing of assets may be transmitted to the user device.

Growing community of inventors

Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

Slavisha Karach