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.

1 . A method comprising:
 establishing, by a computing device, a pause buffer for future recording of live programming;   establishing a scheduled recording buffer for future scheduled recording of programming for a first user; and   providing, the first user, a control for allocating buffer space to the pause buffer and the scheduled recording buffer.