Display pause with elastic playback

• US 6,259,441 B1
• Filed: 09/29/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
• Original Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
• Inventors: Ahmad, Subutai, Bhadkamkar, Neal A., Cousins, Steve B., Freiberger, Paul A., Ullmer, Brygg A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US09/408,759
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 345/327, 345/328, 345/202, 345/204, 386/6, 386/46, 386/48, 386/69
• US Class Current: 715/720
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9265 with processing of the sound signal

Abstract

The invention enables the display of an image to be paused, then, at the end of the pause, resumed at an accelerated rate until a time at which the content of the display corresponds to the content that would have been displayed had the image been displayed at the normal display rate without the pause, at which time display of the image at the normal display rate resumes. The invention can be used with display systems that display pre-recorded images (such as are found on video or audio cassettes, or video or audio compact discs, for example) or with display systems that display images based upon display data that is only momentarily available to the display system (such as occurs in the display of television or radio broadcasts). The invention can be used with either analog or digital display systems. Further, the invention can be used with any type of image display, such as, for example, audio displays, video displays or audiovisual displays. The invention enables a great deal of flexibility in observing the display of an image, allowing a user to pause and resume the display as desired, without having to spend more time to view the displayed image than would otherwise be the case, and without missing any part of the displayed image.

Claims

1. A system for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data from a data source, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the system comprising:

means for identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image,

means for stopping, in response to identification of the first instruction, the transfer of display data to the display device;

means for storing the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction;

means for identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

means for causing, in response to identification of the second instruction, the transfer of stored display data to the display device in the order that the stored display data was stored;

means for processing the stored display data, before and/or after the stored display data is stored, in a manner that enables the stored display data to be displayed at a second rate that is greater than the first rate, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the processed stored display data transferred to the display device;

means for continuing to store display data, subsequent to identification of the second instruction, so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate at which the display data need be stored to enable display of the display data at the first rate;

means for causing, upon stopping storage of acquired display data, the display data to again be transferred to the display device as the display data is acquired;

means for specifying the time at which causing the display data to again be transferred is to begin; and

means for calculating the second rate based upon the specified time, the time at which pause of the display of the image begins, the time at which resumption of the display of the image begins, and the first rate.

2. A system as in claim 1, adapted for use with a data source that includes pre-recorded display data, such that next display data can be acquired at any time during generation of the display, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

3. A system as in claim 1, adapted for use with a data source in which next display data is only momentarily available from the data source, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

4. A system as in claim 1, adapted for use with digital display data.

5. A system as in claim 1, adapted for use with analog display data.

6. A system as in claim 1, adapted for use with audio display data.

7. A system as in claim 1, adapted for use with visual display data.

8. A system as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for identifying that the first instruction is an instant replay instruction;

means for storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data;

means for processing at least a portion of the stored predetermined amount of display data in a manner that enables the stored predetermined amount of display data to be displayed at a third rate; and

means for causing, after identification of the first instruction and before identification of the second instruction, transfer of the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data to the display device in the order that the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the third rate, an image generated from the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data transferred to the display device.

33. A system as in claim 1, wherein the acquired display data represents a television broadcast.

9. A method for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data from a data source, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image;

in response to identification of the first instruction, stopping the transfer of display data to the display device;

storing the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction on a means for storing display data that includes multiple transducers that each enable display data to be stored by, and/or accessed from, the means for storing display data;

identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

in response to identification of the second instruction, transferring stored display data to the display device in the order that the stored display data was stored;

processing the stored display data, before and/or after the stored display data is stored, in a manner that enables the stored display data to be displayed at a second rate that is greater than the first rate, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the processed stored display data transferred to the display device;

storing display data on the means for storing display data, subsequent to identification of the second instruction, so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored display data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate at which the display data need be stored to enable display of the display data at the first rate; and

upon stopping storage of acquired display data, again transferring the display data to the display device as the display data is acquired.

10. A method as in claim 9, adapted for use with a data source that includes pre-recorded display data, such that next display data can be acquired at any time during generation of the display, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

11. A method as in claim 9, adapted for use with a data source in which next display data is only momentarily available from the data source, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

12. A method as in claim 9, adapted for use with digital display data.

13. A method as in claim 9, adapted for use with analog display data.

14. A method as in claim 9, adapted for use with audio display data.

15. A method as in claim 9, adapted for use with visual display data.

16. A method as in claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

identifying that the first instruction is an instant replay instruction;

storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data;

processing at least a portion of the stored predetermined amount of display data in a manner that enables the stored predetermined amount of display data to be displayed at a third rate; and

after identification of the first instruction and before identification of the second instruction, transferring the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data to the display device in the order that the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the third rate, an image generated from the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data transferred to the display device.

17. A method as in claim 9, adapted for use with a means for storing that further comprises first and second data storage mediums.

18. A method as in claim 17, wherein one or both of the steps of storing further comprise the step of storing display data on one of the first and second data storage mediums when display data is being transferred to the display device from the other of the first and second data storage mediums.

19. A method as in claim 9, adapted for use with a means for storing that further comprises a data storage medium having associated therewith multiple transducing heads.

20. A method as in claim 9, adapted for use with a means for storing that further comprises a disk-array hard disk system including multiple disks, each of which have a transducing head associated therewith.

40. A method as in claim 9, wherein the acquired display data represents a television broadcast.

21. A computer readable storage medium encoded with one or more computer programs for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data from a data source, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the one or more computer programs comprising:

instructions for identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image;

instructions for stopping, in response to identification of the first instruction, the transfer of display data to the display device;

instructions for storing the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction on a means for storing display data that includes multiple transducers that each enable display data to be stored by, and/or accessed from, the means for storing display data;

instructions for identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

instructions for causing, in response to identification of the second instruction, the transfer of stored display data to the display device in the order that the stored display data was stored;

instructions for processing the stored display data, before and/or after the stored display data is stored, in a manner that enables the stored display data to be displayed at a second rate that is greater than the first rate, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the processed stored display data transferred to the display device;

instructions for storing display data on the means for storing display data, subsequent to identification of the second instruction, so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored display data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate at which the display data need be stored to enable display of the display data at the first rate; and

instructions for causing, upon stopping storage of acquired display data, the display data to again be transferred to the display device as the display data is acquired.

22. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with a data source that includes pre-recorded display data, such that next display data can be acquired at any time during generation of the display, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

23. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with a data source in which next display data is only momentarily available from the data source, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

24. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with digital display data.

25. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with analog display data.

26. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with audio display data.

27. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with visual display data.

28. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, the one or more computer programs further comprising:

instructions for identifying that the first instruction is an instant replay instruction;

instructions for storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data;

instructions for processing at least a portion of the stored predetermined amount of display data in a manner that enables the stored predetermined amount of display data to be displayed at a third rate; and

instructions for causing, after identification of the first instruction and before identification of the second instruction, transfer of the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data to the display device in the order that the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the third rate, an image generated from the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data transferred to the display device.

29. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein one or both of the instructions for storing are adapted for use with a means for storing that further comprises first and second data storage mediums.

30. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 29, wherein one or both of the instructions for storing further comprise instructions for storing display data on one of the first and second data storage mediums when display data is being transferred to the display device from the other of the first and second data storage mediums.

31. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein one or both of the instructions for storing are adapted for use with a means for storing that further comprises a data storage medium having associated therewith multiple transducing heads.

32. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein one or both of the instructions for storing are adapted for use with a means for storing that further comprises a disk-array hard disk system including multiple disks, each of which have a transducing head associated therewith.

41. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 21, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with acquired display data that represents a television broadcast.

34. A system for for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data representing a television broadcast, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the system comprising:

means for storing acquired display data, the means for storing including multiple transducers that each enable data to be stored by, and/or accessed from, the means for storing;

means for identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies a pause in the display of the image;

means for identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

means for controlling the transfer of the acquired display data to display device, the means for controlling further comprising means for processing stored display data, before and/or after the stored display data is stored, in a manner that enables the stored display data to be displayed at a second rate that is greater than a first rate, wherein;

if no first instruction is received from a user, the means for controlling causes the acquired display data to be immediately transferred to the display device for generation of the image at the first rate;

when a first instruction is received from a user, the means for controlling causes the acquired display data to be stored in the means for storing rather than being transferred directly to the display device;

when a second instruction is received from a user;

the means for controlling causes the processed stored display data to be transferred to the display device, in the order that the stored display data was stored, for generation of the image at the second rate;

the means for controlling continues to cause the acquired display data to be stored in the means for storing, rather than being transferred directly to the display device, so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate; and

when the storage of acquired display data stops after a second instruction has been received, the means for controlling again causes the acquired display data to be immediately transferred to the display device.

35. A system for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data from a data source, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the system comprising:

means for identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image;

means for stopping, in response to identification of the first instruction, the transfer of display data to the display device;

a rapidly accessible memory for storing the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction;

means for identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

means for causing, in response to identification of the second instruction, the transfer of stored display data from the rapidly accessible memory to the display device in the order that the stored display data was stored;

means for processing the stored display data, before and/or after the stored display data is stored, in a manner that enables the stored display data to be displayed at a second rate that is greater than the first rate, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the processed stored display data transferred to the display device;

means for continuing to store display data in the rapidly accessible memory, subsequent to identification of the second instruction, so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate; and

means for causing, upon stopping storage of acquired display data, the display data to again be transferred to the display device as the display data is acquired.

36. A system as in claim 35, wherein the rapidly accessible memory is a random access memory.

37. A system as in claim 35, wherein the acquired display data represents a television broadcast.

44. A system as in claim 35, adapted for use with a data source that includes pre-recorded display data, such that next display data can be acquired at any time during generation of the display, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

45. A system as in claim 35, adapted for use with a data source in which next display data is only momentarily available from the data source, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

46. A system as in claim 35, adapted for use with digital display data.

47. A system as in claim 35, adapted for use with analog display data.

48. A system as in claim 35, adapted for use with audio display data.

49. A system as in claim 35, adapted for use with video display data.

50. A system as in claim 35, further comprising:

means for identifying that the first instruction is an instant replay instruction;

means for storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data;

means for processing at least a portion of the stored predetermined amount of display data in a manner that enables the stored predetermined amount of display data to be displayed at a third rate; and

means for causing, after identification of the first instruction and before identification of the second instruction, transfer of the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data to the display device in the order that the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the third rate, an image generated from the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data transferred to the display device.

51. A system as in claim 50, wherein the means for storing is a rapidly accessible memory.

59. A method as in claim 51, further comprising the steps of:

identifying that the first instruction is an instant replay instruction;

storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data;

processing at least a portion of the stored predetermined amount of display data in a manner that enables the stored predetermined amount of display data to be displayed at a third rate; and

after identification of the first instruction and before identification of the second instruction, transferring the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data to the display device in the order that the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the third rate, an image generated from the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data transferred to the display device.

60. A method as in claim 59, wherein the step of storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data further comprises storing in a rapidly accessible memory the predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data.

38. A system for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data from a data source, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the system comprising:

means for identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image;

means for stopping, in response to identification of the first instruction, the transfer of display data to the display device;

means for processing the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction to reduce the amount of acquired display data in accordance with a predetermined second display rate that is greater than the first display rate;

means for storing the processed display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction;

means for identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

means for causing, in response to identification of the second instruction, the transfer of stored display data to the display device in the order that the stored display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the stored display data transferred to the display device;

means for continuing to store display data, subsequent to identification of the second instruction, so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate; and

means for causing, upon stopping storage of acquired display data, the display data to again be transferred to the display device as the display data is acquired.

39. A system as in claim 38, wherein the acquired display data represents a television broadcast.

72. A system as in claim 38, adapted for use with a data source that includes pre-recorded display data, such that next display data can be acquired at any time during generation of the display, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

73. A system as in claim 38, adapted for use with a data source in which next display data is only momentarily available from the data source, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

74. A system as in claim 38, adapted for use with digital display data.

75. A system as in claim 38, adapted for use with analog display data.

76. A system as in claim 38, adapted for use with audio display data.

77. A system as in claim 38, adapted for use with video display data.

78. A system as in claim 38, further comprising:

means for identifying that the first instruction is an instant replay instruction;

means for storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data;

means for processing at least a portion of the stored predetermined amount of display data in a manner that enables the stored predetermined amount of display data to be displayed at a third rate; and

means for causing, after identification of the first instruction and before identification of the second instruction, transfer of the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data to the display device in the order that the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the third rate, an image generated from the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data transferred to the display device.

79. A system as in claim 38, wherein the means for processing processes the display data in accordance with one of a plurality of predetermined second display rates that are each greater than the first display rate, the system further comprising means for identifying a third instruction from a user that specifies one of the plurality of predetermined second display rates.

42. A method for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data representing a television broadcast, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image;

in response to identification of the first instruction, stopping the transfer of display data to the display device;

storing the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction;

identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

in response to identification of the second instruction, transferring stored display data to the display device in the order that the stored display data was stored;

processing the stored display data, before and/or after the stored display data is stored, in a manner that enables the stored display data to be displayed at a second rate that is greater than the first rate, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the processed stored display data transferred to the display device;

subsequent to identification of the second instruction, storing display data so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate at which the display data need be stored to enable display of the display data at the first rate;

upon stopping storage of acquired display data, again transferring the display data to the display device as the display data is acquired;

specifying the time at which the step of again transferring is to begin; and

calculating the second rate based upon the specified time, the time at which resumption of the display of the image begins, the amount of stored display data at the time at which resumption of the display of the image begins, and the first rate.

43. A computer readable storage medium encoded with one or more computer programs for enabling display of an image over a period of time, the image represented by an ordered set of display data representing a television broadcast that, during normal operation of a display system, is used to generate an image at a first rate as the display data is acquired, comprising:

instructions for identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies a pause in the display of the image;

instructions for stopping, in response to identification of the first instruction, the transfer of display data to the display device;

instructions for causing a data storage device to store the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction;

instructions for identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

instructions for causing, in response to identification of the second instruction, the transfer of stored display data, in the order that the stored display data was stored, to the display device;

instructions for processing the stored display data, before and/or after the stored display data is stored, in a manner that enables the stored display data to be displayed at a second rate that is greater than the first rate;

instructions for continuing to store display data acquired subsequent to identification of a second instruction, so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device;

instructions for stopping, subsequent to identification of a second instruction, storage of acquired display data when the stored display data has all been transferred to the display device;

instructions for re-initiating the transfer, upon stopping storage of acquired display data, of display data to the display device as the display data is acquired so that the transferred display data can be used to generate an image at the first rate;

instructions for identifying a third instruction from a user that specifies the time at which the transfer of display data to the display device as the display data is acquired is to be re-initiated after specification of a second instruction; and

instructions for calculating the second rate based upon the specified time, the time at which resumption of the display of the image begins, the amount of stored display data at the time at which resumption of the display of the image begins, and the first rate.

52. A method for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data from a data source, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image;

in response to identification of the first instruction, stopping the transfer of display data to the display device;

storing in a rapidly accessible memory the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction;

identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

in response to identification of the second instruction, transferring stored display data, in the order that the stored display data was stored, from the rapidly accessible memory to the display device;

processing the stored display data, before and/or after the stored display data is stored, in a manner that enables the stored display data to be displayed at a second rate that is greater than the first rate, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the processed stored display data transferred to the display device;

subsequent to the second instruction, continuing to store display data in the rapidly accessible memory so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate; and

upon stopping storage of acquired display data, again transferring the display data to the display device as the display data is acquired.

53. A method as in claim 52, adapted for use with a data source that includes pre-recorded display data, such that next display data can be acquired at any time during generation of the display, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

54. A method as in claim 52, adapted for use with a data source in which next display data is only momentarily available from the data source, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

55. A method as in claim 52, adapted for use with digital display data.

56. A method as in claim 52, adapted for use with analog display data.

57. A method as in claim 52, adapted for use with audio display data.

58. A method as in claim 52, adapted for use with video display data.

61. A method as in claim 52, wherein the acquired display data represents a television broadcast.

62. A computer readable storage medium encoded with one or more computer programs for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data from a data source, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the one or more computer programs comprising:

instructions for identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image;

instructions for stopping, in response to identification of the first instruction, the transfer of display data to the display device;

instructions for storing in a rapidly accessible memory the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction;

instructions for identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

instructions for causing, in response to identification of the second instruction, the transfer of stored display data from the rapidly accessible memory to the display device in the order that the stored display data was stored;

instructions for processing the stored display data, before and/or after the stored display data is stored, in a manner that enables the stored display data to be displayed at a second rate that is greater than the first rate, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the processed stored display data transferred to the display device;

instructions for continuing to store in the rapidly accessible memory display data acquired subsequent to identification of the second instruction so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate; and

instructions for causing, upon stopping storage of acquired display data, the display data to again be transferred to the display device as the display data is acquired.

63. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 62, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with a data source that includes pre-recorded display data, such that next display data can be acquired at any time during generation of the display, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

64. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 62, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with a data source in which next display data is only momentarily available from the data source, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

65. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 62, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with digital display data.

66. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 62, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with analog display data.

67. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 62, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with audio display data.

68. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 62, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with video display data.

69. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 62, the one or more computer programs further comprising:

instructions for identifying that the first instruction is an instant replay instruction;

instructions for storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data;

instructions for processing at least a portion of the stored predetermined amount of display data in a manner that enables the stored predetermined amount of display data to be displayed at a third rate; and

instructions for causing, after identification of the first instruction and before identification of the second instruction, transfer of the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data to the display device in the order that the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the third rate, an image generated from the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data transferred to the display device.

70. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 69, wherein the instructions for storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data further comprise instructions for storing in a rapidly accessible memory the predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data.

71. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 62, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with acquired display data that represents a television broadcast.

80. A method for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data from a data source, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image;

in response to identification of the first instruction, stopping the transfer of display data to the display device;

processing the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction to reduce the amount of acquired display data in accordance with a predetermined second display rate that is greater than the first display rate;

storing the processed display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction;

identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

in response to identification of the second instruction, transferring stored display data to the display device in the order that the stored display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the stored display data transferred to the display device;

subsequent to identification of the second instruction, continuing to store display data so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate; and

upon stopping storage of acquired display data, again transferring the display data to the display device as the display data is acquired.

81. A method as in claim 80, adapted for use with a data source that includes pre-recorded display data, such that next display data can be acquired at any time during generation of the display, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

82. A method as in claim 80, adapted for use with a data source in which next display data is only momentarily available from the data source, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

83. A method as in claim 80, adapted for use with digital display data.

84. A method as in claim 80, adapted for use with analog display data.

85. A method as in claim 80, adapted for use with audio display data.

86. A method as in claim 80, adapted for use with video display data.

87. A method as in claim 80, further comprising the steps of:

identifying that the first instruction is an instant replay instruction;

storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data;

processing at least a portion of the stored predetermined amount of display data in a manner that enables the stored predetermined amount of display data to be displayed at a third rate; and

after identification of the first instruction and before identification of the second instruction, transferring the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data to the display device, in the order that the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the third rate, an image generated from the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data transferred to the display device.

88. A method as in claim 80, wherein the acquired display data represents a television broadcast.

89. A method as in claim 80, wherein the step of processing further comprises processing the display data in accordance with one of a plurality of predetermined second display rates that are each greater than the first display rate, the method further comprising the step of identifying a third instruction from a user that specifies one of the plurality of predetermined second display rates.

90. A computer readable storage medium encoded with one or more computer programs for use with a display system that acquires an ordered set of display data from a data source, transfers the display data to a display device as the display data is acquired, and displays at a first rate an image generated from the display data transferred to the display device, the one or more computer programs comprising:

instructions for identifying a first instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies pause of the display of the image;

instructions for stopping, in response to identification of the first instruction, the transfer of display data to the display device;

instructions for processing the display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction to reduce the amount of acquired display data in accordance with a predetermined second display rate that is greater than the first display rate;

instructions for storing the processed display data acquired subsequent to identification of the first instruction;

instructions for identifying a second instruction from a user that either directly or indirectly specifies resumption of the display of the image;

instructions for causing, in response to identification of the second instruction, the transfer of stored display data to the display device in the order that the stored display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the second rate, an image generated from the stored display data transferred to the display device;

instructions for continuing to store display data, subsequent to identification of the second instruction, so long as there is stored display data that has not yet been transferred to the display device, the amount of stored display data being gradually reduced by display of the stored data at the second rate that is greater than the first rate; and

instructions for causing, upon stopping storage of acquired display data, the display data to again be transferred to the display device as the display data is acquired.

91. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 90, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with a data source that includes pre-recorded display data, such that next display data can be acquired at any time during generation of the display, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

92. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 90, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with a data source in which next display data is only momentarily available from the data source, the next display data being display data that should be transferred to the display device after the most recently transferred display data.

93. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 90, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with digital display data.

94. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 90, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with analog display data.

95. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 90, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with audio display data.

96. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 90, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with video display data.

97. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 90, the one or more computer programs further comprising:

instructions for identifying that the first instruction is an instant replay instruction;

instructions for storing a predetermined amount of the most recently acquired display data;

instructions for processing at least a portion of the stored predetermined amount of display data in a manner that enables the stored predetermined amount of display data to be displayed at a third rate; and

instructions for causing, after identification of the first instruction and before identification of the second instruction, transfer of the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data to the display device, in the order that the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data was stored, wherein the display system displays, at the third rate, an image generated from the processed, stored predetermined amount of display data transferred to the display device.

98. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 90, wherein the one or more computer programs are adapted for use with acquired display data that represents a television broadcast.

99. A computer readable storage medium as in claim 90, wherein the instructions for processing process the display data in accordance with one of a plurality of predetermined second display rates that are each greater than the first display rate, the one or more computer programs further comprising instructions for identifying a third instruction from a user that specifies one of the plurality of predetermined second display rates.