Systems and methods for mirroring and transcoding media content

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.

1 - 120 . (canceled) 
     
     
         121 . A method comprising:
 storing on at least one remote device a plurality of versions of a content item;   determining that the content item is to be mirrored to another device different from the at least one remote device;   accessing one or more criteria for the content item;   selecting a subset of the plurality of versions to mirror to the another device based on the one or more criteria for the content item, wherein the subset comprises less than all of the plurality of versions of the content item; and   automatically mirroring the subset to the another device to cause the another device to store the subset of the plurality of versions of the content item.   
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the subset of the plurality of versions is selected based on criteria about a capability of the another device. 
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 121 , further comprising:
 determining metadata corresponding to the subset; and   automatically mirroring the metadata to the another device to cause the another device to store the metadata.   
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the metadata comprises at least one of subtitles, text tracks, music information tracks, additional video formats, and additional language audio tracks corresponding to a version of the content item. 
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the automatically mirroring the subset comprises:
 transcoding the subset to a format suitable for the another device.   
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the automatically mirroring the subset comprises:
 determining whether storing the subset at the another device does not exceed a predetermined maximum amount of storage available to the another device.   
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the automatically mirroring the subset comprises:
 determining whether the another device is authorized to store the subset.   
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the one or more criteria is based on one or more of content title, actor name, content theme or category, text within content information fields, or audio content. 
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the at least one remote device includes a content server. 
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 121 , further comprising:
 receiving a request to access the content item; and   wherein the automatically mirroring the subset is based on receiving the request.   
     
     
         131 . A system comprising:
 one or more input/output (I/O) paths for storing content; and   control circuitry configured to:
 store, via the one or more I/O paths, on at least one remote device a plurality of versions of a content item; 
 determine that the content item is to be mirrored to another device different from the at least one remote device; 
 access one or more criteria for the content item; 
 select a subset of the plurality of versions to mirror to the another device based on the one or more criteria for the content item, wherein the subset comprises less than all of the plurality of versions of the content item; and 
 automatically mirror the subset to the another device to cause the another device to store the subset of the plurality of versions of the content item. 
   
     
     
         132 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the control circuitry is configured to select the subset of the plurality of versions based on criteria about a capability of the another device. 
     
     
         133 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 determine metadata corresponding to the subset; and   automatically mirror the metadata to the another device to cause the another device to store the metadata.   
     
     
         134 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the metadata comprises at least one of subtitles, text tracks, music information tracks, additional video formats, and additional language audio tracks corresponding to a version of the content item. 
     
     
         135 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the control circuitry, when automatically mirroring the subset, is configured to:
 transcode the subset to a format suitable for the another device.   
     
     
         136 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the control circuitry, when automatically mirroring the subset, is configured to:
 determine whether storing the subset at the another device does not exceed a predetermined maximum amount of storage available to the another device.   
     
     
         137 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the control circuitry, when automatically mirroring the subset, is configured to:
 determine whether the another device is authorized to store the subset.   
     
     
         138 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the one or more criteria is based on one or more of content title, actor name, content theme or category, text within content information fields, or audio content. 
     
     
         139 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the at least one remote device includes a content server. 
     
     
         140 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a request to access the content item; and   automatically mirror the subset based on receiving the request.