Buffering scheme for storage of broadcast content

• US 20060047602A1
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Riley, Robert M. Jr., Grace, James R.
• Application Number:
  US11/017,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20060047602A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing an occupant to store and/or purchase broadcasted media content in a vehicle. The method includes receiving and processing the media content from the broadcast source, temporarily storing the media content on a short-term memory storage disposed within the vehicle, while the media content is being received by a receiver in the vehicle, in response to a user input, causing a transmitter in the vehicle to transmit a purchase signal to a telematics system, and receiving a key to the media content to thereby cause the storage device to store the media content onto a long-term memory storage within the vehicle.

Claims

1. A media system for providing an option for a user to purchase media content received from a broadcast source while the user is in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a receiver configured to receive the media content;

a storage device coupled to the receiver and disposed within the vehicle, the storage device having a long-term memory storage and a short-term memory storage;

a transmitter coupled to the storage device and configured to transmit signals to a telematics system; and

a controller configured to;

receive and process the media content from the broadcast source;

temporarily store the media content on the short-term memory storage, while the media content is being received;

in response to a user input, cause the transmitter to transmit a purchase signal to the telematics system; and

receive a key to the media content from the telematics system to thereby cause the storage device to store the media content onto the long-term memory storage within the vehicle.

2. The media system of claim 1, wherein the storage device is configured to store digital data.

3. The media system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface coupled to the controller and configured to receive the user input.

4. A method for providing an option to a user to purchase media content received from a broadcast source while the user is in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving and processing the media content from the broadcast source;

temporarily storing the media content on a short-term memory storage disposed within the vehicle, while the media content is being received by a receiver in the vehicle;

in response to a user input, causing a transmitter in the vehicle to transmit a purchase signal to a telematics system; and

receiving a key to the media content to thereby cause the storage device to store the media content onto a long-term memory storage within the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the long-term memory storage and short-term memory storage are configured to store digital data.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the broadcast source is a satellite radio.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the media content comprises at least a first media track having a beginning and an end.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the user input is received before the end of the first media track.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the user input is received after the end of the first media track. The method of claim 7, wherein the media content further includes a second media track and the method further comprises the step of maintaining the first media track in a short-term memory storage, while the second media track is being received and stored in the short-term memory storage.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein the media content comprises at least a first media track having a beginning and an end and the step of temporarily storing the media content further comprises storing the first media track on a short-term memory storage coupled to the storage device.

11. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving a datacast identifying the media content.

13. A media system for providing an option for a user to purchase media content received from a broadcast service while the user is in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a receiver configured to receive the media content;

a storage device coupled to the receiver and disposed within the vehicle, the storage device having long-term memory storage and short-term memory storage;

a transmitter coupled to the storage device and configured to transmit signals to a telematics system; and

a controller configured to;

receive the media content from the broadcast source;

temporarily store the media content on the short-term memory storage while the media content is being received; and

copy the temporarily stored media content to the long-term memory storage, in response to a user input.

14. The media system of claim 13, wherein the storage device is configured to store digital data.

15. The media system of claim 13, further comprising a user interface coupled to the controller and configured to receive user input.

16. A method for storing media content in a vehicle, the media content received from a broadcast source, the method comprising:

receiving the media content from the broadcast source;

temporarily storing the media content on a short term memory storage while the media content is being received; and

copying the temporarily stored media content to a long-term memory storage within the vehicle in response to a user input.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the broadcast source is a satellite radio.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

in response to the user input, transmitting a purchase signal to a telematics system; and

receiving a key to the media content from a telematics system to thereby store the media content on the long-term memory storage.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the media content comprises at least a first media track having a beginning and an end.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the user input is received before the end of the first media track.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the user input is received after the end of the first media track.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the media content further includes a second media track and the method further comprises the step of maintaining the first media track in a short-term memory storage, while the second media track is being buffered.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the media content comprises at least a first media track having a beginning and an end and the step of buffering the media content further comprises storing the first media track on a short-term memory storage coupled to the storage device.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the media content is broadcasted on a first channel while a user is listening to a second channel.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving a datacast identifying the media content.

26. A method of facilitating sales of media content transmitted by a broadcast service to a vehicle and stored on the vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a request to purchase the media content stored on the vehicle;

transmitting the request to purchase the media content to the broadcast service;

receiving approval from the broadcast service; and

transmitting approval to the vehicle to unlock the media content stored on the vehicle.