Abstract: In one aspect, a method related to data management includes but is not limited to accepting input for a designation of a reference designator and a beginning demarcation designator and/or an ending demarcation designator in a video/audio data stream, wherein the beginning demarcation designator and/or the ending demarcation designator are defined relative to the reference designator; and accepting input for a retention at a first resolution of a first portion of the video/audio data stream, the first portion beginning substantially at the beginning demarcation designator and ending substantially at the ending demarcation designator. In addition, other method, system, and program product aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and/or text forming a part of the present application.

Abstract: A recording-and-reproducing apparatus for reproducibly controlling data recorded on a recording medium includes: a device configured to acquire control information required for reproducing the data when the data is recorded; a device configured to control operations during the period from the start to the end of recording data on the recording medium. The apparatus further includes a device configured to determine whether a recorded file of the data exceeds a predetermined limit of a storage capacity of a file system in the recoding medium and sequentially generate a subsequent recorded file upon exceeding the limit. Moreover, the apparatus includes a device configured to generate a single recording-and-reproducing unit during the period on the recording medium indicated by the control device based on a plurality of recorded files upon exceeding the limit; and a device configured to update the control information by recording the single recording-and-reproducing unit on the control information.

Abstract: A digital media recorder includes a first storage device associated with the digital media recorder and an interface for removably attaching a second storage device to the digital media recorder. Each of the first and second storage devices are configured to store media data representing programming from a media source. The digital media recorder is configured with logic for prioritizing the storage of the media data to one of the first and second storage devices before storing the media data to the other of the first and second storage devices.

Abstract: A large amount of appreciation data such as image data exceeding capacity of a recording medium is easily managed. Image data are recorded in a recording medium by a digital camera. When a user requests storage of the image data from a DPE store, the image data are read from the recording medium and stored in a storage system. The image data are deleted from the recording medium and thumbnail image data are generated. The thumbnail image data are recorded in the recording medium and provided to the user. In this manner, free space in the recording medium can be saved. By referring to the thumbnail image data, the image data that have been stored at the DPE store can be easily confirmed, which leads to easy management of the image data.

Abstract: A recording center station includes functions for receiving a broadcast wave and saving or recording received data. In response to a request from each receiving station, the recording center station substitutionally records a specified broadcast program and provides a recorded content. There may be the case where the receiving station cannot record a reserved program independently due to insufficient free space remaining in a recording medium or a recording apparatus failure. In this case, the receiving station can automatically issue a recording substitution request to the recording center station for substitution of the program recording.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for personal video recorders (PVRs) and other devices configured for recording and playing back media content from a data storage unit, preferably a random access unit such as a hard drive. A system is described having network connectivity, such as a power-line communications, with other PVRs or similar units, wherein media content can be automatically shifted from one unit to another over the network, such as in response to changes in available storage space. Content transfers and deletions within the system being intelligently performed based on content status, user preference settings, and user preference information such as received from a preference engine, toward optimizing the value to the user of the content which is retained network wide. An additional aspect provides content restoration after mistaken deletion by the user or automated deletion functions.

Abstract: A program extraction engine 421 of an automatic recording module 42h extracts recommended programs, recording of which is recommended, out of programs scheduled to be broadcasted. A scheduling program 423 of the automatic recording module 42h does not store the recommended programs in the storage medium when a provisional free capacity of the storage medium does not exceed a first threshold or when a provisional total data amount exceeds a second threshold even if the provisional free capacity exceeds the first threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the storage of recordings in a recording device in which the recordings were requested by several users are provided. Each user may be assigned a storage space limit defining the amount of storage space each user is entitled to use. In some embodiments, the storage space limit may be flexibly increased to take advantage of extra space available from other users. The system may intelligently borrow space from other users to limit the risk that a requested recording is canceled due to unavailable storage resources. In some embodiments, the system may jointly allocate a recording to several users who commonly requested a recording. The system may also set aside space in the recording device that is saved exclusively for a particular user. In some embodiments, the recording device may allocate the storage resources based on the usage of the recordings.

Abstract: A program recording reservation system includes a recording apparatus including a recorder for recording a broadcast program; and a remote controller for making a recording reservation for the recording apparatus. A content management section is provided for managing, as recording parameters, an average recording bit rate for each of a plurality of provided recording modes and the remaining recordable capacity of the recorder. Date and time at which a broadcast program is scheduled to be broadcast are obtained as program information. A recording capacity necessary for recording a program shown in the program information is computed. On the basis of the average recording bit rate for each recording provided by the recorder, the duration of the broadcast program, and the remaining recordable capacity, the capability or incapability of recording of a broadcast program is determined. The determined capability or incapability of recording for each program is displayed in the program table.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a content playback apparatus includes a read module which reads information that is recorded in a recording medium, a clock module which is managed such that tampering is prevented, and a control module which controls the read module and the clock module. Content information and time management information is recorded in the recording medium. The time management information includes date/time recording information indicative of a date/time at which previous playback of the content information is stopped, playback allowable period information, start date/time information of a playback allowable period and end date/time information of the playback allowable period. The control module includes a time management module which corrects the start date/time information of the playback allowable period and the end date/time information of the playback allowable period, with use of time information which is acquired from the clock module.

Abstract: A method may include storing a number of programs on a digital video recorder (DVR) and assigning a score or ranking to each of the programs. The method may also include receiving a request to store another program on the DVR and determining whether the DVR has adequate storage space for the other program. The method may further include forwarding, when the DVR does not have adequate storage space for the other program, one of the programs having a lowest score or ranking to a secondary storage located remotely from the DVR.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having an automatic backup function and a method for controlling the same are disclosed which can more securely store particular data, considered to be important by the user, in a memory of the imaging apparatus, and can automatically read out the particular data. The imaging apparatus includes a tuner which receives data containing at least one of audio data and video data, a main storage unit which stores data containing at least one of audio data and video data, and a controller which determines backup data, to be stored in a backup storage unit, from the data stored in the main storage unit, copies data determined as the backup data, and stores the copied data in the backup storage unit, whereby the imaging apparatus has an automatic data backup function.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for automatically converting media content stream data from a buffer to a permanent recording are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a media content access subsystem receiving data representative of a media content stream, temporarily storing the data representative of the media content stream within a buffer for playback to a user, detecting an input command provided by the user to pause the playback of the media content stream, pausing the playback of the media content stream, accumulating data representative of a portion of the media content stream not yet played back within the buffer, detecting an alert condition indicating that the data representative of the portion of the media content stream not yet played back is about to be lost from the buffer, and converting the data representative of the portion of the media content stream not yet played back to a permanent recording.

Abstract: A system manages the allocation and storage of media content instance files in a storage device of a media client device. In one embodiment among others, the system includes logic for processing successive portions of received media content instances and storing received media content instances in the storage device as respective media content instance files; and a processor configured with the logic to track the size of media content instance files to provide an indication of available free space, such that the indication is independent of a first buffer space in the storage device.

Abstract: A method and a system for replacement of programs on a video recorder based on preferences and size constraints of a video recorder. The video recorder compares recorded programs in the computer readable storage media and a schedule of programs to be recorded to a plurality of global preferences and program specific preferences specifying preferred recording quality. For each recorded program whose quality does not match a global preference or program specific preference, a listing of future programs is examined for alternate versions of the program which do match a global preference or program specific preference.

Abstract: A recording condition and a dubbing condition of a desired program that is to be broadcast are designated by using a remote controller. These conditions are stored in the information storage unit. In accordance with the recording condition, a controller permits a tuner to receive a program for which unattended recording is designated, and to record the program on an HDD. When a DVD is set in a dubbing unit and the dubbing operation is instructed by using the remote controller, a recorded program for which a dubbing condition stored in the information storage unit is applied can be dubbed. Then, the information for this program is displayed on a monitor so as to confirm the program and the dubbing condition, and to examine or correct CM skip if the CM skip is included in the dubbing condition. Thereafter, the dubbing operation is performed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving a command input by a user to record media content, recording media content data representative of the media content in response to the command, automatically selecting at least one storage device from a local storage device and a network storage device for storage of the recorded media content data in accordance with at least one of a plurality of storage balancing factors, and storing the recorded media content data in the at least one selected storage device. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A video recording/reproducing apparatus includes a first recording unit that records video information on a first recording medium, a second recording unit that records video information on a second recording medium, a remaining capacity detecting unit that detects a remaining capacity of the first recording medium, a recording controlling unit that controls transferring of the video information on the first recording medium to the second recording medium when the remaining capacity of the first recording medium is not greater than a first reference value (?), and a reproducing unit that reproduces the video information from the second and first recording media when it is recorded on the second and first recording media, respectively, and that sequentially reproduces the video information on the second and first recording media when part of the video information is recorded on the second recording medium and the rest is recorded on the first one.

Abstract: The image recording apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a conversion device that converts an optical image of a subject to an electrical signal, a recording circuit that records the electrical signal achieved through the conversion device in a storage device as image data and a display control circuit that detects an available capacity at the storage device and the length of time that power supply by a source is possible and displays them on a display as available capacity information and remaining power supply time information. The available capacity information indicates the length of available recording time remaining at the available capacity that has been detected.

Abstract: There is provided a method for indicating whether a program is capable of being fully recorded in a remaining storage space on a storage device. An on screen display device is configured as a grid having a first axis and a second axis. The first axis is for identifying the programming selections and the second axis is for identifying the respective broadcast times of the programming selections. Any of the programming selections currently capable of being fully recorded in the remaining storage space on the storage device are identified on the grid using a first distinctive visual identifier. Any of the programming selections that are currently incapable of being fully recorded in the remaining storage space on the storage device are identified on the grid using a second distinctive visual identifier.

Abstract: A picture and audio recording apparatus that manages record positions of contents by using a management table, saves only one contents among overlapping contents recorded on a recording medium and erases other overlapping contents; stores information about which one of saved contents is the same as the erased contents in a management table; and looks up the management table for reproducing the same contents that are recorded when reproduction of the erased contents is instructed.

Abstract: A method of optically recording data on a disk-like information recording medium from the center side to the peripheral side thereof, dividing the information recording medium into a plurality of recording divisions, includes the steps of: (a) recording the data in an initial recording division; (b) recording terminal end information successively after the step (a), the terminal end information indicating the end of the initial recording division; (c) determining whether the terminal end information recorded on the information recording medium reaches a specified region beyond a predetermined range from the center of the information recording medium; and (d) extending and recording the terminal end information in the step (b) so that the terminal end information reaches the specified region if the step (c) determines that the terminal end information does not reach the specified region.

Abstract: There is provided a media playback system for monitoring usage of a plurality of media contents. The system includes a memory configured to store an analytic log file corresponding to each of the plurality of media contents. The system also includes a processor. The processor is configured to identify the analytic log file corresponding to one of the plurality of media contents. The processor is further configured to collect data relating to a plurality of events. At least one of the plurality of events relates to the usage of one of the plurality of media contents. The processor is further configured to store at least one of the plurality of events in the analytic log file. In addition, the processor is configured to send the analytic log file to a remote network server if the network connection has been detected.

Abstract: A system manages the allocation and storage of media content instance files in a hard disk of a storage device of a media client device in a subscriber television system. In one embodiment among others, the system includes a memory for storing logic, a buffer space in the hard disk for buffering media content instances as buffered media content instance files, and a processor configured with the logic to track the size of permanent media content instance files and the buffered media content instance files to provide an indication of available free space, such that the indication is independent of the buffer space.

Abstract: Communication and resolution of potential recording conflicts are disclosed. In one aspect, a request for recording a new program is received, and recording schedules are examined to determine whether another program had been previously scheduled for recording at the same time. If so, a display that illustrates and allows resolution of the conflict is automatically provided. In another aspect, a recording queue and an exception list provide efficient identification of conflicts and management of scheduled recordings. The recording queue lists each program to be recorded, and the exception list identifies conflicting pairs in the recording queue and indicates which item in each pair is respectively retained (preempting) and deferred (preempted). Canceling a preempting recording removes it from the recording queue and the conflict from the exception list to reinstate a preempted program. Channel guides that illustrate recording conflicts are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to manage previously recorded programs. In at least one embodiment identifies a plurality of previously recorded programs, categorizes each one of the plurality of previously recorded programs into one of a plurality of recorded program categories, and generates a recorded program category-based graphical user interface (GUI). The recorded program category-based GUI graphically depicts the plurality of recorded program categories and graphically depicts an amount of memory capacity utilized by each of the plurality of recorded program categories based upon an amount of memory capacity utilized by the previously recorded programs.

Abstract: Modular storage functionality is provided for a digital video recorder (DVR), which may be configured in such a way as to limit a user's access to the whole storage capacity, and wherein a user may choose to increase or decrease the amount of accessible storage capacity of the internal storage medium.

Abstract: Various embodiments reduce disruptions in recorded programming, by automatically recording retransmissions of prior programming. In one embodiment, a recording manager is provided for execution on a receiving device, such as a set-top box. The recording manager detects a disruption in a recorded program. In response, the recording manager automatically records, or schedules a recording of, a later transmission of the same program. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A media playback device may be operable to determine whether replacement media content corresponding to at least a portion of a received broadcast media stream is available during reception of the broadcast media stream from one or more broadcast sources. At least some of the replacement media content may then be retrieved when personal video recording (PVR) operations are requested during play of the received broadcast media stream, to enable seamless performance of the requested PVR operations using at least a portion of the retrieved replacement media content. Exemplary PVR operations may comprise pausing, fast forwarding, and/or rewinding. The replacement media content may be retrieved from a plurality of local and/or remote replacement servers. Availability of replacement media content, from remote replacement servers, may be determined based on programming data in said broadcast media stream, routing information provided by a broadcast source, and/or by inquiry via one or more cataloguing servers.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a recording section configured to record a personal content created by an individual on a predetermined recording medium, a meta data generating section configured to generate meta data for the personal content by analyzing details of the personal content, an advertisement content obtaining section configured to obtain an advertisement content corresponding to the meta data from a predetermined advertisement content providing server, and a controller configured to control the personal content and the advertisement content to be recorded on the recording medium via the recording section.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording an input signal on a data unit basis and management information of data units of the input signal onto a recording medium, the recording apparatus includes a recording mode determination unit for determining a recording mode representing a recording time of the input signal onto the recording medium; and a time length determination unit for determining a time length of each data unit, wherein a minimum time length of each data unit is determined by the recording mode.

Abstract: A video recorder connected to a plurality of cameras and a plurality of client devices and a method of controlling the video recorder are provided. The method includes: setting a plurality of buffers, in a memory of the video recorder, corresponding to the plurality of cameras, respectively, and setting a plurality of positions in at least one buffer of the buffers for loading image data input from a corresponding camera of the plurality of cameras; loading, in the at least one buffer, the image data on given positions of the plurality of positions; and transmitting the loaded image data to the plurality of client devices so that each of the plurality of client devices receives the image data input from a same corresponding camera.