Systems and methods for managing local storage of on-demand content
On-demand systems and methods are provided to manage locally-stored on-demand content. A user's equipment controls the deletion of and/or access to on-demand content from a local storage device based on constraining criteria that may include rental conditions, dynamic factors, and keys.
1. A method comprising:
receiving a request for an on-demand content segment;
determining whether the requested on-demand content segment is stored in a storage device;
in response to determining that the requested on-demand content segment is not stored in the storage device:
determining whether retrieval of the requested on-demand content segment from a remote server is currently underway;
in response to determining that retrieval of the requested on-demand content segment is underway, beginning playback of the requested on-demand content segment; and
in response to determining that retrieval of the requested on-demand content segment is not underway, retrieving the requested on-demand content segment from the remote server;
determining that a user is not watching at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment, that space on the storage device is needed for other system activities, and that the space used by the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment on the storage device is less than a specified minimum keep threshold; and
deleting the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment from the storage device in response to the determining.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an on-demand rental condition, from the remote server, which constrains deletion of the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment that is stored on the storage device, in accordance with an on-demand provider's rental policies, wherein the on-demand rental condition is defined without input from the user.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the on-demand rental condition specifies a maximum total viewing time for the requested on-demand content segment allowed by the on-demand provider, wherein the maximum total viewing time is a total time the requested on-demand content segment plays, the method further comprising:
providing a plurality of viewing sessions for the requested on-demand content segment, wherein each viewing session is separated by a period of time; and
controlling deletion of the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment as a function of the on-demand rental condition and the plurality of viewing sessions.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the on-demand rental condition specifies a maximum number of on-demand programs allowed by the on-demand provider to be stored on the storage device.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the on-demand rental condition specifies a maximum number of times the user can request playback of the requested on-demand content segment allowed by the on-demand provider and a maximum total viewing time for the requested on-demand content segment allowed by the on-demand provider, wherein the maximum total viewing time is a total time the requested on-demand content segment plays, the method further comprising:
providing a plurality of viewing sessions for the requested on-demand content segment, wherein each viewing session is separated by a period of time; and
controlling deletion of the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment as a function of the on-demand rental condition and the plurality of viewing sessions.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the on-demand rental condition is a function of a rating of the requested on-demand content segment.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a key according to which the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment may be decrypted;
decrypting the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment as a function of the key; and
playing back the decrypted at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment.
8. A system comprising:
a storage device; and
control circuitry configured to:
receive a request for an on-demand content segment;
determine whether the requested on-demand content segment is stored in the storage device;
in response to determining that the requested on-demand content segment is not stored in the storage device:
determine whether retrieval of the requested on-demand content segment from a remote server is currently underway;
in response to determining that retrieval of the requested on-demand content segment is underway, begin playback of the requested on-demand content segment; and
in response to determining that retrieval of the requested on-demand content segment is not underway, retrieve the requested on-demand content segment from the remote server;
determine that a user is not watching at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment, that space on the storage device is needed for other system activities, and that the space used by the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment on the storage device is less than a specified minimum keep threshold; and
delete the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment from the storage device in response to the determining.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
receive an on-demand rental condition, from the remote server, which constrains deletion of at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment that is stored on the storage device, in accordance with an on-demand provider's rental policies, wherein the on-demand rental condition is defined without input from the user.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the on-demand rental condition specifies a maximum total viewing time for the requested on-demand content segment allowed by the on-demand provider, wherein the maximum total viewing time is a total time the requested on-demand content segment plays, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
provide a plurality of viewing sessions for the requested on-demand content segment, wherein each viewing session is separated by a period of time; and
control deletion of the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment as a function of the on-demand rental condition and the plurality of viewing sessions.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the on-demand rental condition specifies a maximum number of on-demand programs allowed by the on-demand provider to be stored on the storage device.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the on-demand rental condition specifies a maximum number of times the user can request playback of the requested on-demand content segment allowed by the on-demand provider and a maximum total viewing time for the requested on-demand content segment allowed by the on-demand provider, wherein the maximum total viewing time is a total time the requested on-demand content segment plays, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
provide a plurality of viewing sessions for the requested on-demand content segment, wherein each viewing session is separated by a period of time; and
control deletion of the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment as a function of the on-demand rental condition and the plurality of viewing sessions.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the on-demand rental condition is a function of a rating of the requested on-demand content segment.
14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
receive a key according to which the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment may be decrypted;
decrypt the at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment as a function of the key; and
play back the decrypted at least a portion of the requested on-demand content segment.