RETENTION OF PROGRAM PORTIONS VIEWED IN PRIOR DISPLAYED TV CHANNELS

• US 20090202216A1
• Filed: 02/19/2009
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NDS Limited (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rodridger, Arturo A., Banker, Robert O., Kaminski, Dariusz S., Gutknecht, Valerie G.
• Application Number:
  US12/389,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20090202216A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/353
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input.

Claims

1. A method for providing access to buffered data, the method comprising:

receiving first data corresponding to successive portions of a first video signal, the first video signal corresponding to a first television program;

processing the first data for display;

buffering the first data;

receiving first user input, the first user input corresponding to whether access to the buffered first television program is to be enabled or disabled;

receiving a second user input requesting access to second data corresponding to successive portions of a second video signal, the second video signal corresponding to a second television program;

responsive to the second user input, receiving the processing the second data for display;

receiving a third user input corresponding to a request for access to the buffered first data; and

accessing the buffered first data responsive to the first user input corresponding to access, otherwise denying access to the first data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein denying access comprises rendering the buffered first data inaccessible.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the buffered data is deleted.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the buffered data is designated through a corresponding management file as inaccessible.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a user interface to enable or disable access.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the user interface is a remote control device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises a remote control device in conjunction with a user interface screen.