Arrangement for synchronizing media files with portable devices

摘要

Arrangements are provided which improve the efficiency of the synchronization process. The same ensure that synchronizations of large quantities of content can be completed with a minimum of delay. One method prioritizes the various tasks that are to be performed prior to synchronization. Another method initiates dependent tasks while parsing a synchronization tasks list. Yet another method allows modification of an in-process synchronization operation to allow new synchronization tasks to be accomplished within the context of the same process, negating the need to restart synchronization.

主权项

1. A computer-readable medium, encoded with computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method for synchronizing a content playback device with a content management device, the method comprising:
performing an operation on one of a first plurality of containers stored on the content playback device, each container storing a first subset of content items within a media library, the subsets of content items identified by applying filters to the media library in accordance with a predefined scheme, the content items available for playback on the content playback device, the content management device including a second plurality of containers each storing a second subset of content items; comparing one or more of the second subset of content items within one of the second plurality of containers on the content management device with a corresponding one or more of the first subset of content items within one of the first plurality of containers on the content playback device; based at least in part on detecting a difference between any of the one or more of the second subset of content items on the content management device and any one of the corresponding ones of the one or more of the first subset of content items on the content playback device, performing a list of tasks to synchronize the one or more of the second subset of content items on the content management device for which the difference was detected with the corresponding ones of the one or more of the first subset of content items on the content playback device; and while performing the list of tasks, and based at least in part on detecting a concurrent user-directed addition, deletion or modification of a content item within one of the second plurality of containers on the content management device or within one of the first plurality of containers on the content playback device, modifying the lists of tasks to add, delete or modify the content item, respectively, in the other container of either the second plurality of containers on the content management device or the first plurality of containers on the content playback device to synchronize the corresponding content items within the first plurality of containers and the second plurality of containers.