METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING REAL-TIME DATA STREAMS

摘要

The present invention relates to a device and method for transferring data. According to the invention, a data storage device (100) comprises a mass storage device (116) that stores real-time data received from a data source and a data buffer (102) that buffers the real-time data before the real-time data is stored on the mass storage device (116). The data storage device (100) also comprises a controller (108) that selects one of a first plurality of operating modes if the data buffer (102) experiences a buffer overflow condition and selects one of a second plurality of operating modes if the data buffer experiences a buffer underflow condition. A method according to the invention comprises receiving a real-time data stream from a data source and buffering real-time data received from the data source. The method further comprises selecting one of a first plurality of operating modes if a buffer overflow condition is experienced while buffering the real-time data and selecting one of a second plurality of operating modes if a buffer underflow condition is experienced while buffering the real-time data.