Unified recording and pause buffer format

摘要

A unified recording format allows both recorded programs and paused buffered broadcasts to be stored in memory as a common virtual stream. As content is received on a channel, it is placed into the virtual stream with newer content at the start of the stream and progressively aging content migrating farther downstream. A front section of the stream effectively operates as a pause buffer, as the currently tuned broadcast program is recorded in this section and is responsive to pause/resume commands. Recorded programs are also stored as part of the same virtual stream. Pointers are used to identify the boundaries of the pause buffer, as well as the beginning and end of each recorded program in the virtual stream.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
storing in memory as a single virtual stream, a plurality of recorded programs together with content from a currently tuned broadcast program, the content from the currently tuned broadcast program stored in a front section of the single virtual stream, the front section of the single virtual stream effectively operable as a pause buffer, wherein references to an ending point of a first recorded program of the plurality of recorded programs and a starting point of a second recorded program of the plurality of recorded programs overlap within the single virtual stream to accommodate a portion of the first recorded program that was broadcast during a time period for the second recorded program; enabling a user to pause and resume play of the content in the pause buffer; and enabling the user to playback at least one of the first recorded program or the second recorded program from the single virtual stream, wherein the first recorded program and the second recorded program are recordings of different program content.