US 11,758,244 B2
Methods and systems for streaming media content on multiple devices
Ishan Dhanwal, Haryana (IN); Anjum Makkar, Punjab (IN); Vivek Sehgal, Uttar Pradesh (IN); Simranjeet Gill, Punjab (IN); and Reda Harb, Bellevue, WA (US)
Assigned to Rovi Guides, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Rovi Guides, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/556,454.
Prior Publication US 2023/0199275 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. H04N 21/8355 (2011.01); H04N 21/442 (2011.01)
CPC H04N 21/8355 (2013.01) [H04N 21/44204 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for controlling delivery of media content from a streaming service to a requesting media device through a communication system, the method comprising:
receiving a request to stream a media content item;
in response to receiving the request:
accessing a profile of a user authorized to access the streaming service;
identifying a maximum number of streams authorized by the streaming service to stream a maximum number of media content items to a maximum number of media devices;
determining a number of currently streaming media devices associated with the profile of the user;
determining whether addition of the requested stream would, if authorized, cause the number of currently streaming media devices to exceed the maximum number of media devices; and
in response to the determining that the addition of the requested stream would, if authorized, cause the number of currently streaming media devices to exceed the maximum number of media devices:
determining that a storage device of a selected currently streaming media device has sufficient storage to store a remaining portion of a selected media content item playing on the selected currently streaming media device;
transmitting the remaining portion of the selected media content item playing on the selected currently streaming media device to the storage device;
disconnecting the selected currently streaming media device from the streaming service to free up a stream and cause the number of currently streaming media devices to be less than or equal to the maximum number of media devices; and
authorizing the requested stream.