Managing deep and shallow buffers in a thin-client device of a digital media distribution network

A client device, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
• receiving, from a server, first content that includes one or more user-interface elements directed to a first buffer in the client device;
• receiving, from the server, second content that includes video content directed to a second buffer in the client device;
• buffering the first content in the first buffer;
• buffering the second content in the second buffer, wherein at least a portion of the second content is buffered in the second buffer substantially simultaneously with buffering the first content in the first buffer;
• running a virtual set-top local client that receives commands from a virtual set-top application, wherein the virtual set-top application controls assembly of content from the first and second buffers for the client device;
• receiving, at the virtual set-top local client, a command to insert one or more user-interface elements, from the first buffer, between one or more frames that are stored in the second buffer, from the virtual set-top application, running on the server, that corresponds to the client device;
• and
• selecting, by the virtual set-top local client, the first buffer as a content source, wherein the selecting is performed in accordance with the command received from the virtual set-top application;
• and
• providing the selected content for display.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing one or more programs configured for execution by one or more processors of a client device, the one or more programs including instructions for:

• receiving, from a server, first content that includes one or more user-interface elements directed to a first buffer in the client device;
• receiving, from the server, second content that includes video content directed to a second buffer in the client device;
• buffering the first content in the first buffer;
• buffering the second content in the second buffer, wherein at least a portion of the second content is buffered in the second buffer substantially simultaneously with buffering the first content in the first buffer;
• running a virtual set-top local client that receives commands from a virtual set-top application, wherein the virtual set-top application controls assembly of content from the first and second buffers for the client device;
• receiving, at the virtual set-top local client, a command to insert one or more user-interface elements, from the first buffer, between one or more frames that are stored in the second buffer, from the virtual set-top application, running on the server, that corresponds to the client device;
• and
• selecting, by the virtual set-top local client, the first buffer as a content source, wherein the selecting is performed in accordance with the command received from the virtual set-top application;
• and
• providing the selected content for display.