Buffering of prior displayed television channels upon accessing a different channel

#The invention is generally related to television systems, and, more particularly, is related to buffering video presentations.

#Subscriber television systems are now capable of providing many services in addition to analog broadcast video. In implementing enhanced programming, the home communication terminal (“HCT”), otherwise known as the settop box, has become an important computing device for accessing various video services. In addition to supporting traditional analog broadcast video functionality, digital HCTs (or “DHCTs”) now also support an increasing number of two-way digital services such as video-on-demand.

#A DHCT is typically connected to a cable or satellite television network and includes hardware and software for providing various services and functionality. In some systems, software executed by a DHCT can be downloaded and/or updated via the subscriber television network. The ability to download software provides flexibility in adding or updating applications executed by the DHCT. Each DHCT also typically includes a processor, communication components and memory, and is connected to a television. While many conventional DHCTs are stand-alone devices that are externally connected to a television, a DHCT and/or its functionality may be integrated into a television or other display device, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

#Embodiments of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

#FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram depicting an example of a subscriber television system.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of selected components of the DHCT depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

#The preferred embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In particular, preferred embodiments of managing time-shift buffers (TSBs) will be described. A TSB comprises storage media that is used for buffering audio and/or video (A/V) data. The buffering of A/V data allows a user of a digital home communication terminal (DHCT) to perform trick mode operations on a television presentation that is currently being broadcast. Such trick mode operations may include pause, fast-rewind, fast-forward, slow-reverse, slow-forward, and/or play. In one embodiment of the invention, a user is provided with systems for managing one or more TSBs. Where more than one TSB is used in a DHCT, each TSB typically buffers A/V data that is output by a respective tuner. In one embodiment, a TSB may buffer A/V data that is received by the DHCT from a consumer electronics device such as, for example, a camcorder. The consumer electronics device may be connected to the DHCT via a wired or wireless port. In the description that follows, FIGS. 1-4 will provide an example of system components that may be used to help implement and/or manage a TSB. Furthermore, examples of methods for managing TSBs are illustrated in the flow charts of FIGS. 5-7. Finally, user interface (UI) screens that may be provided in connection with managing a TSB are illustrated in FIGS. 8-15. Note, however, that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Furthermore, all examples given herein are intended to be non-limiting, and are provided in order to help convey the scope of the invention.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a non-limiting example of a subscriber television system (STS) 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In this example, the STS 100 includes a headend 110 and a DHCT 200 that are coupled via a network 130. The DHCT 200 is typically situated at a user's residence or place of business and may be a stand-alone unit or integrated into another device such as, for example, the display device 140. The DHCT 200 receives signals (video, audio and/or other data) including, for example, MPEG-2 streams, among others, from the headend 110 through the network 130 and provides any reverse information to the headend 110 through the network 130. The network 130 may be any suitable means for communicating television services data including, for example, a cable television network or a satellite television network, among others. The headend 110 may include one or more server devices (not shown) for providing video, audio, and textual data to client devices such as the DHCT 200. The headend 110 and the DHCT 200 cooperate to provide a user with television functionality including, for example, television programs, an interactive program guide (IPG), and/or video-on-demand (VOD) presentations. The television services are provided via the display device 140. The display device 140 may be a television or any other device capable of displaying video images and/or playing any corresponding audio.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of a DHCT 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The DHCT 200 depicted in FIG. 2 is merely illustrative and should not be construed as implying any limitations upon the scope of the preferred embodiments of the invention. For example, in another embodiment, a DHCT may have fewer, additional, and/or different components than illustrated in FIG. 2. The DHCT 200 preferably includes a communications interface 242 for receiving signals (video, audio and/or other data) from the headend 110 through the network 130 (FIG. 1) and for providing any reverse information to the headend 110.