Abstract: A unified recording format allows both recorded programs and paused buffered broadcasts to be stored in memory as a common virtual stream. As content is received on a channel, it is placed into the virtual stream with newer content at the start of the stream and progressively aging content migrating farther downstream. A front section of the stream effectively operates as a pause buffer, as the currently tuned broadcast program is recorded in this section and is responsive to pause/resume commands. Recorded programs are also stored as part of the same virtual stream. Pointers are used to identify the boundaries of the pause buffer, as well as the beginning and end of each recorded program in the virtual stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of a manager/remote content architecture are described herein. The architecture, for instance, may provide management of content received from a content provider, such as to determine which client devices are authorized to output the content. Techniques are also described which allow one of the remote client devices to act as a “limited manager” to allocate content usage by the architecture when the manager client device is not available.

Abstract: Multi-room user interface is described. In an embodiment, a viewing system includes television-based client devices that each receive a different data stream and render a viewing selection from the data stream. A multi-room user interface displayed at a first television-based client device can display a representation of a viewing selection being shown at any one or more of the other television-based client devices.

Abstract: A unified recording format allows both recorded programs and paused buffered broadcasts to be stored in memory as a common virtual stream. As content is received on a channel, it is placed into the virtual stream with newer content at the start of the stream and progressively aging content migrating farther downstream. A front section of the stream effectively operates as a pause buffer, as the currently tuned broadcast program is recorded in this section and is responsive to pause/resume commands. Recorded programs are also stored as part of the same virtual stream. Pointers are used to identify the boundaries of the pause buffer, as well as the beginning and end of each recorded program in the virtual stream.

Abstract: Gesture-based character input is described. A user inputs a character by selecting keys on a keypad device via a gesture representing the shape of the character. The sequence of keys selected by the user is interpreted to represent a specific character.

Abstract: A unified recording format allows both recorded programs and paused buffered broadcasts to be stored in memory as a common virtual stream. As content is received on a channel, it is placed into the virtual stream with newer content at the start of the stream and progressively aging content migrating farther downstream. A front section of the stream effectively operates as a pause buffer, as the currently tuned broadcast program is recorded in this section and is responsive to pause/resume commands. Recorded programs are also stored as part of the same virtual stream. Pointers are used to identify the boundaries of the pause buffer, as well as the beginning and end of each recorded program in the virtual stream.

Abstract: Streaming content navigation techniques are described. In an implementation, techniques are described to provide a non-modal message when navigation is attempted to a stream of content that is not permitted for consumption by a client device. In another implementation, techniques are described to provide an alternate content stream when sequential navigation between streams of content is attempted.

Abstract: Embodiments of virtual tuner management are described. A viewing system, for instance, may include a plurality of client devices that are configured to render content, such as television programs. The viewing system may pool the resources available from the client devices such that each client device is not limited to functionality that is provided locally by the client device. To manage content consumption in the viewing system, virtual tuners may be employed, each of which represent an ability of the viewing system to consume a single stream of content (e.g., a television program) provided by a content provider.

Abstract: Embodiments of streaming content management are described herein. For example, techniques may be employed to manage streams received by client devices such that the client devices may receive content and share functionality.

Abstract: Gesture-based character input is described. A user inputs a character by selecting keys on a keypad device via a gesture representing the shape of the character. The sequence of keys selected by the user is interpreted to represent a specific character.

Abstract: Predictive phonetic data search is described. In an embodiment, a search request to locate a term is received, where the term can be a word, a group of words, and/or any combination of characters and numbers. A numeric index is then searched to locate a number that matches a numerical equivalent of the term designated in the search request. The term is obtained from a term index that is mapped to the number in the numeric index that matches the numerical equivalent of the term, and the term is returned in response to the search request.