Patent ID: 7490341

Claim:
A system for providing broadcast content comprising: a content source configured to broadcast content for a plurality of channels; and at least one terminal configured to receive and consume content for a selected channel x, wherein content for the selected channel is received from the content source, wherein the selected channel is one in a set of ordered channels of broadcast content, wherein the terminal is configured to change selection from the selected channel x to an adjacent channel x±1 in the set of ordered channels, the selection being changed in a given direction from the selected channel x, wherein the terminal is configured to receive content for the adjacent channel x±1 in response to the change in selection to the adjacent channel x±1, wherein the terminal is configured to consume content for the adjacent channel x±1 based upon the received content for the adjacent channel x±1, wherein the terminal is configured to receive content for Y next adjacent channels (x±1)±y, y=1, . . . , Y in buffer memory as content for the adjacent channel is received and consumed, wherein content for the next adjacent channels (x±1)±y is received and stored based upon the direction in which the selection is changed and in response to the change in selection to the adjacent channel, and wherein the terminal is configured to receive and consume content for the selected channel x, change selection from the selected channel x to the adjacent channel x±1, receive and consume content for the adjacent channel x±1, and receive and store content for the next adjacent channels (x±1)±y at at least one instance, and wherein the adjacent channel x±1 of one instance becomes the selected channel x for a next instance such that x=x±1 from one instance to the next, wherein the terminal is further configured to initiate a buffer timeout after the change in selection from the selected channel x to the adjacent channel x±1, wherein being configured to initiate the buffer timeout includes being configured to reset the buffer timeout for each subsequent instance of a change in selection, and wherein the terminal is configured to cease receipt and storage of content for Y next adjacent channels (x±1)±y, y=1, . . . , Y in buffer memory if the buffer timeout expires before being reset for a subsequent instance of a change in selection.