System and method for efficiently performing a storage management procedure

A system and method for efficiently performing a storage management procedure may preferably include an audio-video recorder that is configured to receive audio and video data from a data source, and responsively store the received data into a non-volatile storage medium, such as a hard disk drive. A storage manager may preferably be configured to control the storage management procedure by selectively activating a data transcoding procedure that transcodes specified segments of the received data to thereby increase available storage space in the storage medium. The data transcoding procedure may preferably include an immediate mode during which transcoding occurs while data is initially being received by the audio-video recorder. The data transcoding procedure may also preferably include a mediate mode during which transcoding occurs when data is not currently being received by the audio-video recorder.

BACKGROUND SECTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to techniques for managing electronic information, and relates more particularly to a system and method for efficiently performing a storage management procedure.

2. Description of the Background Art

Implementing effective methods for managing electronic information is a significant consideration for designers and manufacturers of contemporary electronic devices. However, effectively managing information utilized by electronic devices may create substantial challenges for system designers. For example, enhanced demands for increased device functionality and performance may require more system processing power and require additional hardware resources. An increase in processing or hardware requirements may also result in a corresponding detrimental economic impact due to increased production costs and operational inefficiencies.

Furthermore, enhanced device capability to perform various advanced operations may provide additional benefits to a system user, but may also place increased demands on the control and management of various device components. For example, an enhanced electronic device that effectively accesses, stores and manipulates digital image data may benefit from an efficient implementation because of the large amount and complexity of the digital data involved.

Due to growing demands on system resources and substantially increasing data magnitudes, it is apparent that developing new techniques for managing information is a matter of concern for related electronic technologies. Therefore, for all the foregoing reasons, developing effective systems for managing electronic information remains a significant consideration for designers, manufacturers, and users of contemporary electronic devices.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for efficiently performing a storage management procedure are disclosed. In one embodiment, initially, a storage manager from an audio-video (AV) recorder may preferably determine whether occupied storage space in a non-volatile storage medium is greater than a predetermined user-selectable threshold value.

If the storage manager determines that occupied storage space in the storage medium exceeds the specified threshold value, then the storage manager may preferably determine whether a recording of incoming data into the storage medium is currently in progress in the AV recorder. If no recording is currently in progress, then the storage manager may preferably schedule the AV recorder to enter a mediate mode. The AV recorder may then responsively utilize a mediate transcoding system to transcode one or more previously recorded items from the storage medium into a format that requires less storage space when rewritten back into the storage medium.

The storage manager may preferably select stored items for transcoding by utilizing any appropriate techniques. For example, a system user may prioritize the stored information by item type to thereby establish an appropriate order for transcoding. Alternately, stored items may be transcoded in a chronological order in which, for example, the oldest stored items are transcoded first.

However, if a recording of incoming data is currently in progress in the AV recorder, then the storage manager may preferably determine whether to modify current recording parameters for the AV recorder in an immediate mode. The storage manager may preferably determine whether to function in the immediate mode by utilizing a real-time technique or a parallel technique.

For example, the storage manager may reference locally-stored user preferences to obtain user instructions to transcode the incoming data in real time before storing the incoming data into the storage medium. Alternately, the storage manager may reference the user preferences to obtain user instructions to transcode a previously recorded item from the storage medium in parallel with the process of receiving and storing the foregoing incoming data. The present invention thus provides an improved system and method for efficiently performing a storage management procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention comprises a system and method for efficiently performing a storage management procedure, and may include an audio-video recorder that is configured to receive audio and video data from a data source, and responsively store the received data into a non-volatile storage medium, such as a hard disk drive. A storage manager may preferably be configured to control the storage management procedure by selectively activating a data transcoding procedure that transcodes specified segments of the received data to thereby increase available storage space in the storage medium.

The data transcoding procedure may preferably include an immediate mode during which transcoding occurs while data is initially being received by the audio-video recorder. The data transcoding procedure may also preferably include a mediate mode during which transcoding occurs when data is not currently being received by the audio-video recorder.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a block diagram of an electronic system110is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In theFIG. 1embodiment, electronic system110may preferably include, but is not limited to, an analog source116, a digital source120, and an audio-video (AV) recorder140. In alternate embodiments, electronic system110may readily be implemented using various components and configurations in addition to, or instead of, those discussed in conjunction with theFIG. 1embodiment. For example, system110may also readily include multiple analog sources or multiple digital sources.

In theFIG. 1embodiment, either analog source116or digital source120may be implemented as any desired type of electronic entity or system that provides respective types of data to AV recorder140. For example, either analog source116or digital source120may be implemented as part of a computer device, a video storage device, one or more video cameras, a compact disc (CD) player, or a video broadcasting transmission system.

In theFIG. 1embodiment, analog source116may preferably transmit an analog video signal to AV recorder140via path122in accordance with any appropriate analog standard. For example, analog transmitter116may transmit a video signal from data source114in accordance with a National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) standard. Similarly, analog source116may preferably transmit an analog audio signal to AV recorder140via path126in accordance with any appropriate analog standard.

Furthermore, in theFIG. 1embodiment, digital source120may preferably transmit digital video information to AV recorder140via path130in accordance with any appropriate standard. Similarly, digital source120may preferably transmit digital audio information to AV recorder140via path134in accordance with any appropriate standard. In certain embodiments, digital source120may alternately provide various types of digital video and digital audio to AV recorder140as a multiplexed bitstream such as the digital stream on path136of theFIG. 1embodiment. In certain other embodiments, analog source116and digital source120may alternately transmit other types of information from various other information sources in accordance with any other appropriate format or standard.

In theFIG. 1embodiment, AV recorder140may be alternately implemented as any desired type of electronic entity or system. For example, AV recorder140may be alternately implemented as a computer device, a digital versatile disk (DVD) decoder device, a television settop box device, or a video broadcasting receiver device. One exemplary configuration and corresponding functionalities for AV recorder140are further discussed below in conjunction withFIG. 2.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a block diagram for one embodiment of theFIG. 1AV recorder140is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In theFIG. 2embodiment, AV recorder140preferably includes, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU)212, a device memory220, a non-volatile storage medium222, input/output interfaces (I/O interfaces)224, a video analog-to-digital converter (ADC)232, and an audio analog-to-digital converter (ADC)236. Selected ones of the foregoing components of AV recorder140may preferably be coupled to, and communicate through, a recorder bus228.

In alternate embodiments, AV recorder140may readily be implemented using various components and configurations in addition to, or instead of, those discussed in conjunction with theFIG. 2embodiment. In addition, AV recorder140may alternately be implemented as any other desired type of electronic system. For example, in certain embodiments, AV recorder140may be implemented a computer device or an electronic device that supports wireless electronic communications.

In theFIG. 2embodiment, CPU212may be implemented to include any appropriate and compatible microprocessor device that preferably executes software instructions to thereby control and manage the operation of AV recorder140. In theFIG. 2embodiment, device memory220may be implemented to include any combination of desired storage devices, including, but not limited to, various types of random-access memory (RAM) devices. The contents and functionality of memory220are further discussed below in conjunction withFIGS. 3 and 4.

In theFIG. 2embodiment, non-volatile storage medium222may preferably store various types of electronic information or data for use by AV recorder140. In theFIG. 2embodiment, non-volatile storage medium222may preferably be implemented to include any type or combination of desired storage devices, including, but not limited to, hard disks, flash memory, floppy disks, tape storage, or optical disk drives. In addition, in certain embodiments, the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with various types of volatile memory devices, instead of, or in addition to, non-volatile storage medium222.

In theFIG. 2embodiment, I/O interfaces224may preferably include one or more input and/or output interfaces to receive and/or transmit any required types of information for AV recorder140. For example, in theFIG. 2embodiment, AV recorder140may utilize I/O interfaces224to communicate with digital source120(FIG. 1) via path130and path134. In addition, I/O interfaces224may communicate with analog source116(FIG. 1) via path122and path126.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a block diagram for one embodiment of theFIG. 2device memory220is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In theFIG. 3embodiment, memory220preferably includes, but is not limited to, application software312, an operating system316, a storage manager320, a video encoder324, an audio encoder328, a video transcoder332, an audio transcoder336, a multiplexer340, a demultiplexer344, a storage medium driver348, and an interface driver350. In alternate embodiments, memory220may readily include various other components in addition to, or instead of, those components discussed in conjunction with theFIG. 3embodiment.

In theFIG. 3embodiment, application software312may include program instructions that are preferably executed by CPU212(FIG. 2) to perform various functions and operations for AV recorder140. The particular nature and functionality of application software312preferably varies depending upon factors such as the specific type and particular functionality of the corresponding AV recorder140. In theFIG. 3embodiment, operating system316preferably controls and coordinates low-level functionality of AV recorder140.

In accordance with the present invention, AV recorder140may preferably utilize storage manager320to advantageously perform storage management procedures to thereby optimize storage usage for AV recorder140. In alternate embodiments, storage manager320may readily be implemented in various types of electronic devices other than AV recorder140. The implementation and utilization of storage manager320is further discussed below in conjunction withFIGS. 4 through 8.

In theFIG. 3embodiment, video encoder324, audio encoder328, video transcoder332, audio transcoder336, multiplexer340, demultiplexer344, and storage medium driver348may preferably be utilized to perform required various functions for AV recorder140. The operation and respective functionalities of storage manager320, video encoder324, audio encoder328, video transcoder332, audio transcoder336, multiplexer340, demultiplexer344, storage medium driver348, and interface driver350are further discussed below in conjunction withFIGS. 4 through 8.

In theFIG. 3embodiment, storage manager320, video encoder324, audio encoder328, video transcoder332, audio transcoder336, multiplexer340, demultiplexer344, and storage medium driver348are disclosed and discussed as being implemented as a group of software modules that are executed by CPU212(FIG. 2). However, in alternate embodiments, some or all of the functions of storage manager320, video encoder324, audio encoder328, video transcoder332, audio transcoder336, multiplexer340, demultiplexer344, and storage medium driver348may readily be performed by appropriate electronic hardware circuits that are configured for performing various functions that are equivalent to those functions discussed herein in conjunction with storage manager320, video encoder324, audio encoder328, video transcoder332, audio transcoder336, multiplexer340, demultiplexer344, and storage medium driver348.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a block diagram for one embodiment of theFIG. 3storage manager320is shown, in accordance with the present invention. In theFIG. 4embodiment, storage manager320may include, but is not limited to, an immediate mode module416and a mediate mode module424. In alternate embodiments, storage manager320may readily include various other components in addition to, or instead of, those components discussed in conjunction with theFIG. 4embodiment.

In theFIG. 4embodiment, immediate mode module416may preferably be configured to manage a storage management procedure during an immediate mode. Similarly, mediate mode module424may preferably be configured to manage a storage management procedure during a mediate mode. The performance and functionality of the foregoing immediate mode is further discussed below in conjunction withFIG. 7. In addition, the performance and functionality of the foregoing mediate mode is further discussed below in conjunction withFIG. 6.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a block diagram510illustrating a basic data storage procedure for AV recorder140is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In alternate embodiments, the present invention may readily perform data storage procedures by utilizing various components, configurations, and techniques in addition to, or instead of, those discussed in conjunction with theFIG. 5embodiment.

In theFIG. 5embodiment, AV recorder140may preferably include at least one of a digital video input130for receiving a digital video signal, an analog video input122for receiving an analog video signal, an analog audio input126for receiving an analog audio signal, a digital audio input134for receiving a digital audio signal, and a digital stream input136for receiving a digital bitstream signal. In theFIG. 5embodiment, a video encoder324(FIG. 3) may preferably receive and encode the foregoing digital video signal to provide an encoded video signal to multiplexer340. Alternately, a video ADC232(FIG. 2) may preferably receive and digitize the foregoing analog video signal to produce a digitized video signal. Video encoder324(FIG. 3) may then preferably access and encode the digitized video signal to provide an encoded video signal to multiplexer340. In certain embodiments in which video signals are previously encoded, video encoder324may not be required by AV recorder140.

In theFIG. 5embodiment, an audio encoder328(FIG. 3) may preferably receive and encode the foregoing digital audio signal to provide an encoded audio signal to multiplexer340. Alternately, an audio ADC236(FIG. 2) may preferably received and digitize the foregoing analog audio signal to produce a digitized audio signal. Audio encoder328(FIG. 3) may then preferably access and encode the digitized audio signal to provide an encoded audio signal to multiplexer340(FIG. 3). In certain embodiments in which audio signals are previously encoded, audio encoder328may not be required by AV recorder140.

In theFIG. 5embodiment, multiplexer340may preferably multiplex the encoded video signal and the encoded audio signal to produce processed data that may then be stored into a particular storage location in storage medium222(FIG. 2). In certain embodiments in which the foregoing encoded video signal and the foregoing encoded audio signal are stored separately in storage medium222, multiplexer340may not be required here by AV recorder140.

In theFIG. 5embodiment, AV recorder140may utilize a solid-state, non-volatile storage medium140to store the processed data. The capacity of storage medium222is typically fixed, and storage medium222may be built into AV recorder140. The available recording time for a given storage capacity depends on the bitrate of the recorded signal. As more and more processed data is recorded and stored on storage medium222, the available storage space becomes smaller and eventually vanishes. Once storage medium222has been entirely filled with processed data, AV recorder140cannot continue recording or start a new recording session unless it makes storage space available by deleting one or several previous, older recordings from storage medium222. As a net result, a system user cannot acquire additional information without losing previously recorded information.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a block diagram610illustrating a mediate mode for AV recorder140is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In alternate embodiments, the mediate mode of the present invention may readily utilize various components, configurations, and techniques in addition to, or instead of, those discussed in conjunction with theFIG. 6embodiment.

In theFIG. 6embodiment, AV recorder140may preferably include at least one of a digital video input130for receiving a digital video signal, an analog video input122for receiving an analog video signal, an analog audio input126for receiving an analog audio signal, a digital audio input134for receiving a digital audio signal, and a digital stream input136for receiving a digital bitstream signal. In theFIG. 6embodiment, a video encoder324(FIG. 3) may preferably receive and encode the foregoing digital video signal to provide an encoded video signal to multiplexer340. Alternately, a video ADC232(FIG. 2) may preferably received and digitize the foregoing analog video signal to produce a digitized video signal. Video encoder324(FIG. 3) may then preferably access and encode the digitized video signal to provide an encoded video signal to multiplexer340. In certain embodiments in which video signals are previously encoded, video encoder324may not be required by AV recorder140.

In theFIG. 6embodiment, an audio encoder328(FIG. 3) may preferably receive and encode the foregoing digital audio signal to provide an encoded audio signal to multiplexer340. Alternately, an audio ADC236(FIG. 2) may preferably received and digitize the foregoing analog audio signal to produce a digitized audio signal. Audio encoder328may then preferably access and encode the digitized audio signal to provide an encoded audio signal to multiplexer340(FIG. 3). In certain embodiments in which audio signals are previously encoded, audio encoder328may not be required by AV recorder140.

In theFIG. 6embodiment, multiplexer340may preferably multiplex the encoded video signal and the encoded audio signal to produce processed data that may then be stored into a particular storage location in storage medium222(FIG. 2). In certain embodiments in which the foregoing encoded video signal and the foregoing encoded audio signal are stored separately in storage medium222, multiplexer340may not be required here by AV recorder140.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may preferably detect situations in which storage space on storage medium222becomes scarce. If there is no recording in process, AV recorder140may then preferably schedule and activate storage manager320to advantageously reformat one or more stored recording items. This reformatting process thus advantageously makes additional storage space on storage medium222available to the system user. The foregoing process is referred to herein as the “mediate” mode. The mediate mode provides additional storage space by reformatting specified data into a format that requires less storage space. In most embodiments of the present invention, the foregoing transcoding processes may preferably be performed as background processes in AV recorder140.

In the mediate mode when AV recorder140is not currently recording, the storage capacity originally required by a particular recording item may preferably be reduced by a certain factor. This “storage savings” factor is a function of the original recording bitrate, the original recording format, and the system user's preferences. For example, the system user may prefer to preserve a certain signal quality during various types of reformatting processes.

In theFIG. 6embodiment, mediate transcoding system614may therefore preferably access one or more particular recording items from storage medium via path618by utilizing video transcoder332and/or audio transcoder336(FIG. 3). Mediate transcoding system614may preferably be activated and controlled by storage manager (FIG. 3). Mediate transcoding system614may then preferably perform a transcoding procedure upon the accessed recording items, and then store the transcoded items back into storage medium222via path622.

In certain embodiments in which encoded video data and encoded audio data are multiplexed together before being stored in storage medium222, mediate transcoding system614may preferably utilize a demultiplexer344(FIG. 3) to separate audio data from video data prior to performing respective audio and video transcoding processes. Similarly, mediate transcoding system614may preferably utilize a multiplexer340(FIG. 3) to combine audio data and video data after performing respective audio and video encoding processes and before storing the combined data back into storage medium222.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a block diagram710illustrating an immediate mode for AV recorder140is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In alternate embodiments, the immediate mode of the present invention may readily utilize various components, configurations, and techniques in addition to, or instead of, those discussed in conjunction with theFIG. 7embodiment.

In theFIG. 7embodiment, AV recorder140may currently be receiving new data from any appropriate video source and/or audio source. In situations where available storage space in storage medium222has become less than a predetermined threshold amount, AV recorder140may then preferably either alter the recording characteristics of the current recording process to conserve storage space on storage medium222, transcode the incoming data in real time (on-the-fly) as illustrated in theFIG. 7embodiment, or transcode a previously recorded item (using techniques that are similar to those discussed above in conjunction with mediate mode ofFIG. 6) while concurrently recording the incoming data. This process is referred to herein as the “immediate” mode. The immediate mode provides additional storage space by reformatting specified data into a format that requires less storage space. In most embodiments of the present invention, the foregoing processes are preferably performed as background processes in AV recorder140.

In theFIG. 7embodiment, AV recorder140may preferably include at least one of a digital video input130for receiving a digital video signal, an analog video input122for receiving an analog video signal, an analog audio input126for receiving an analog audio signal, a digital audio input134for receiving a digital audio signal, and a digital stream input136for receiving a digital bitstream signal. In theFIG. 7embodiment, a video encoder324(FIG. 3) may preferably receive and encode the foregoing digital video signal to provide an encoded video signal to video transcoder332(FIG. 3). Alternately, a video ADC232(FIG. 2) may preferably received and digitize the foregoing analog video signal to produce a digitized video signal.

Video encoder324(FIG. 3) may then preferably access and encode the digitized video signal to provide an encoded video signal to video transcoder332. In certain embodiments in which video signals are previously encoded, video encoder324may not be required by AV recorder140. In theFIG. 7embodiment, video transcoder332may preferably perform a video transcoding procedure in real time to thereby convert the encoded video signal into a transcoded video signal which requires a smaller amount of storage space in storage medium222. Video transcoder332may then preferably provide the foregoing transcoded video signal to multiplexer340.

In theFIG. 7embodiment, an audio encoder328(FIG. 3) may preferably receive and encode the foregoing digital audio signal to provide an encoded audio signal to audio transcoder336(FIG. 3). Alternately, an audio ADC236(FIG. 2) may preferably receive and digitize the foregoing analog audio signal to produce a digitized audio signal.

Audio encoder328may then preferably access and encode the digitized audio signal to provide an encoded audio signal to audio transcoder336(FIG. 3). In certain embodiments in which audio signals are previously encoded, audio encoder328may not be required by AV recorder140. In theFIG. 7embodiment, audio transcoder336may preferably perform an audio transcoding procedure to convert the encoded audio signal into a transcoded audio signal which requires a smaller amount of storage space in storage medium222. Audio transcoder336may then preferably provide the foregoing transcoded audio signal to multiplexer340.

In theFIG. 7embodiment, multiplexer340may preferably multiplex the transcoded video signal and the transcoded audio signal to produce processed data that may then be stored into a particular storage location in storage medium222(FIG. 2). In certain embodiments in which the foregoing transcoded video signal and the foregoing transcoded audio signal are stored separately in storage medium222, multiplexer340may not be required here by AV recorder140.

In the immediate mode, the required storage space in storage medium222will preferably be less than originally anticipated when the recording characteristics are changed or when the input signal is transcoded on-the-fly. When one or more previously stored items are transcoded while the incoming signal is recorded, AV recorder140may preferably create at least as much additional storage space as is required at the given input data rate.

The proposed storage management procedure thus allows a system user to record new data without overwriting previously recorded items. Rather than deleting previous recordings, AV recorder140may gracefully degrade these previously recordings. Depending on the original recording mode and depending on the contents of the particular recording, AV recorder140in combination with the system user's preferences may advantageously choose a target format for any stored item in storage medium222.

The following two tables give an overview of typical transcoding processes and indicate selected examples of the storage savings achieved hereby. The input signals of AV recorder140may preferably include audio data only, video data only, or audio and video data together. In certain embodiments, input formats for video signals may preferably include, but are not limited to, D1, DV, MPEG2, and MPEG4 formats.

Video Input Table

In certain embodiments of the present invention, formats for audio data may preferably include, but are not limited to, AAC, AC3, MPEG1-Layer II, MPEG1-Layer III (MP3) formats.

Audio Input Table

Referring now toFIG. 8, a flowchart of method steps for efficiently performing a storage management procedure is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. TheFIG. 8example is presented for purposes of illustration, and in alternate embodiments, the present invention may readily utilize various other steps and sequences than those discussed in conjunction with theFIG. 8embodiment.

In theFIG. 8embodiment, initially, in step816, a storage manager320of AV recorder140may preferably determine whether occupied storage space in storage medium222is greater than a predetermined threshold value (represented as X % inFIG. 8). In theFIG. 8embodiment, a system user may preferably select one or more specific threshold values for triggering either a mediate mode or an immediate mode, as discussed above in conjunction withFIGS. 6 and 7. In certain embodiments, storage manager320may preferably receive current storage capacity information from a storage medium driver348(FIG. 3) that services storage medium222.

If storage manager320determines that occupied storage space in storage medium222exceeds the specified threshold value, then in step820, storage manager320may preferably determine whether a recording of processed data into storage medium222is currently in progress in AV recorder140. If no recording is currently in progress, then in step824, storage manager320may preferably schedule AV recorder140to enter the mediate mode, as discussed above in conjunction withFIG. 6. AV recorder140may then responsively utilize mediate transcoding system614(FIG. 6) to transcode one or more previously recorded items from storage medium222.

In theFIG. 8embodiment, storage manager320may preferably select stored items for transcoding by utilizing any appropriate techniques. For example, a system user may prioritize the stored information by item type or item characteristics to thereby establish an appropriate order for transcoding. Alternately, stored items may be transcoded in chronological order in which, for example, the oldest stored items are transcoded first. TheFIG. 8process may preferably then return to step816to continue monitoring storage medium222.

However, in foregoing step820, if a recording is currently in progress, then in step832, storage manager320may preferably determine whether to modify current recording parameters for AV recorder140by utilizing any appropriate techniques. For example, storage manager320may reference locally-stored user preferences or system settings to determine whether to modify current recording parameters for AV recorder140. If storage manager320determines not to modify current recording parameters for AV recorder140, then in step834, storage manger320may preferably delete a previously recorded item from storage medium222, and theFIG. 8process may preferably return to foregoing step816.

However, in foregoing step832, if storage manager320determines to modify current recording parameters, then in step836, storage manager320may preferably determine whether to transcode the incoming signal(s) by utilizing any appropriate techniques. For example, storage manager320may reference locally-stored user preferences or system settings to determine whether to transcode the incoming signal(s). If storage manager320determines not to transcode the incoming signal(s), then in step840, storage manager320may preferably transcode a previously recorded item on storage medium222using a parallel transcoding technique. TheFIG. 8process may preferably then return to step816to monitor the current storage level of storage medium222.

In foregoing step836, if storage manager320determines to transcode the incoming signal(s), then in step844, storage manager320may preferably transcode the incoming signal(s) “on-the-fly” using a real-time transcoding technique as discussed above in conjunction withFIG. 7. TheFIG. 8process may then preferably return to step816to monitor the current storage level of storage medium222.

The present invention may preferably provide optimized performance with a storage manager320that meets real-time requirements of a given system, such as AV recorder140. Then, the immediate mode and the mediate mode are both available to the system user. However, if the AV recorder140does not support real-time processing, the mediate mode may still be effective. In this sense, storage manager320is scalable with the performance of the AV recorder140.

The present invention may preferably be implemented in either software or in hardware environments. In addition, the present invention may easily be added to existing software-based solutions. The present invention may preferably be utilized in any system embedding a solid-state, non-volatile storage medium222. The mediate mode may further be implemented in various types of tape-drive equipped systems.

The invention has been explained above with reference to certain embodiments. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. For example, the present invention may readily be implemented using configurations and techniques other than those described in the embodiments above. Additionally, the present invention may effectively be used in conjunction with systems other than those described above. Therefore, these and other variations upon the discussed embodiments are intended to be covered by the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.