Patent ID: 8724964

Claim:
A method for managing lock and deletion requests with respect to a digital playback device, the method comprising: at least one processor receiving from a first user, via a user interface of the digital playback device a request to place a lock on a recorded program for the first user of multiple users of the digital playback device, the recorded program having been recorded by the digital playback device; responsive to receiving the request to place the lock on the recorded program for the first user, said at least one processor placing the lock for the first user on the recorded program, the lock for the first user preventing deletion of the recorded program while placed on the recorded program; said at least one processor receiving from a second user, via the user interface of the digital playback device, a request to place a lock on the recorded program for the second user of the multiple users; responsive to receiving the request to place the lock on the recorded program for the second user, said at least one processor placing the lock for the second user on the recorded program, the lock for the second user preventing deletion of the recorded program while placed on the recorded program, wherein the lock for the second user is a separate lock from the lock for the first user, and wherein the recorded program is accessible for viewing by the first user and the second user while the lock for the first user and the lock for the second user are placed on the recorded program; said at least one processor receiving a request to remove the lock for the first user and, in response, said at least one processor removing the lock for the first user from the recorded program; after said at least one processor removing the lock for the first user from the recorded program, said at least one processor receiving, via the user interface of the digital playback device, a request by the first user to delete the recorded program from the digital playback device while the lock for the second user is placed on the recorded program, and in response, said at least one processor preventing deletion of the recorded program; said at least one processor receiving a request to remove the lock for the second user and, in response, said at least one processor removing the lock for the second user from the recorded program; and after the at least one processor removing the lock for the second user from the recorded program, said at least one processor receiving a request to delete the recorded program from the digital playback device, and in response, said at least one processor deleting the recorded program from the digital playback device, thereby protecting said recorded program from being deleted without agreement among said first user and said second user.