Methods and apparatus for client aggregation of television programming in a networked personal video recording system

摘要

A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.

主权项

1. A method for buffering television signals, the method comprising:
receiving a plurality of television signals; tuning to each of the plurality of television signals using a respective tuner of a plurality of tuners; storing each of the plurality of television signals in a continuous ring buffer associated with the respective tuner; storing, for a first continuous ring buffer, a first read buffer position associated with a first client device and a second read buffer position associated with a second client device; based on a user request from the first client device, determining whether the second read buffer position corresponds to a media asset associated with the first read buffer position; and based on determining that the second read buffer position corresponds to the media asset associated with the first buffer position, transmitting to the first client device an identifier associated with the second client device.