Content storage method and system

Abstract

A content storage method and system for use in a content distribution network are provided. A personal file locker is established on the network for a user. A content-storage-request database is established. The database tracks requests by the user for placing video programs into the user's file locker for personal use by the user. Upon the broadcasting of a video program for which there exists a request by the user to place the video program into the user's file locker, the requested video program is stored in the user's file locker. The stored video program is then made available to the user for viewing. Alternative approaches to content storage methods and systems are also described, including the use of a buffer enhancement to enable the performance of operations on “live” television.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 806,251, filed on Mar. 22, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to content distribution techniques and to personal video recorders (PVRs). [0004] 2. Background Art [0005] The video cassette recorder (VCR) has been used for many years to allow users to record video programming to tape for personal use. Most modern video cassette recorders (VCRs) include a programmable memory to allow users to program the VCR in advance to later record a particular program. In this way, at the programmed time, the VCR tunes to the programmed channel and records the present video programming to tape. Over time, the VCR-programmable memory feature has been enhanced to simplify programming. [0006] Today, many viewers have turned to the personal video recorder (PVR) to record video programming for personal use. The PVR ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved content storage method that utilizes a file locker-based approach. A user has a personal file locker on the network. When content is stored in the user's file locker, it is available for the user to watch. This innovative file locker-based approach provides improvements over the existing PVR by, for example, providing added flexibility and economy of scale. At the same time, this innovative file locker-based approach may avoid some of the limitations associated with a content license approach. In this way, the personal file locker provides a solution that is not comprehended by the prior art.

[0010] It is appreciated that the file locker-based approach provided by the invention provides flexibility and economy of scale by implementing a personal file locker for the user on the network. It is further appreciated that the file locker-based approach provided by the invention provides a personal storage-space allocation for personal use by the user and in this way may avoid some of the limitations associated with a content license approach. The invention provides an improved content storage method that provides the flexibility and economy of scale of a network solution, and provides the personal use and management of an in-home solution, brought together in the file locker-based method.

Problems solved by technology

Existing PVRs have been quite successful, but some have perceived certain disadvantages associated with the PVR. U.S. Pub.

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