Patent ID: 7818474
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for load sharing streaming programs in order to reduce hard drive disk activity and extend hard disk drive lifetime and reliability, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a first streaming program at a processor coupled to said hard disk drive, wherein said first streaming program is in a high definition format; determining whether the first streaming program is to be displayed in a standard definition format; in response to determining that the first streaming program is to be displayed in the standard definition format, buffering the said first streaming program at a reduced rate from the high definition format with a first buffer that is external to said hard disk drive and under command from said processor in order to enable said hard disk drive to reside in an inactive state, thereby reducing overall hard disk drive activity; and once said first buffer is full: transferring said first buffered data to a second buffer that is internal to said hard disk drive, determining whether a channel change to a second streaming program has occurred, in response to determining that the channel change to said second streaming program has occurred, buffering said second streaming program with said first buffer, and in response to determining that the channel change has not occurred, continuing to perform said buffering of said first streaming program with said second buffer.