Client-server based interactive television guide with server recording

摘要

An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

主权项

1. A method for providing users at one or more user equipment devices with access to a program, the method comprising:
storing the program at a media server; caching a first portion of the stored program; maintaining a first playback pointer for a first interactive program guide, wherein the first playback pointer points to the cached first portion of the stored program; caching a second portion of the stored program; maintaining a second playback pointer for a second interactive program guide, wherein the second playback pointer points to the cached second portion of the stored program; receiving a first playback request from the first interactive program guide implemented on a first user equipment to play back the program; modifying the first playback pointer at the media server; distributing the cached first portion of the stored program, corresponding to the first playback pointer, to the first user equipment in response to receiving the first playback request; receiving a second playback request from the second interactive program guide implemented on a second user equipment to play back the program; modifying the second playback pointer at the media server; distributing the cached second portion of the stored program, corresponding to the second playback pointer, to the second user equipment in response to receiving the second playback request; determining that the first playback pointer is advancing towards an end of the cached first portion; in response to the determining:
retrieving a third portion of the stored program, wherein the third portion corresponds to a portion of the program proximate to the cached first portion; andcaching the retrieved third portion of the stored program.