Method and apparatus for controlling digital recording and associated user interfaces

1. A method for controlling a recording operation in a digital video recording apparatus, comprising the steps of:

detecting a first user input during the recording operation, the first user input representing a command to stop the recording operation;

enabling display of a first predetermined message responsive to the first user input;

receiving a second user input representing a response to the first predetermined message; and

controlling the recording operation to generate a signal program recording in response to the second user input, and generating a single program listing for the single program recording.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second user input represents a command to continue recording.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second user input represents a command confirming the first user input to stop recording.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second user input represents a command to temporarily stop recording.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of enabling display of a second predetermined message responsive to the command to temporarily stop recording.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of receiving a third user input responsive to the second predetermined message, wherein the third user input represents a command to continue recording.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein video content recorded prior to the first user input and video content recorded after the third user input are formed as a single recording.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the recording operation is not performed during an interval between the receipt of the second user input and the receipt of the third user input.

9. A digital video recording apparatus, comprising:

memory means for storing digital video data during a recording operation;

processing means for detecting a first user input during the recording operation, the first user input representing a command to stop the recording operation;

GUI generating means for enabling display of a first predetermined message responsive to the first user input; and

wherein the processing means further receives a second user input representing a response to the first predetermined message, and controls the recording operation to generate a single program recording and to generate a single program listing for the single program recording in response to the second user input.

10. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second user input represents a command to continue recording.

11. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second user input represents a command confirming the first user input to completely stop recording.

12. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second user input represents a command to temporarily stop recording.

13. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the GUI generating means further enables display of a second predetermined message responsive to the second user input.

14. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the processing means further receives a third user input responsive to the second predetermined message, wherein the third user input represents a command to continue recording.

15. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the processing means further causes video content recorded prior to the first user input and video content recorded after the third user input to be formed as a single recording.

16. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the memory means does not store digital video data during an interval between the receipt of the second user input and the receipt of the third user input.

17. A digital video recording apparatus, comprising:

a memory operative to store digital video data during a recording operation;

a processor operative to detect a first user input during the recording operation, the first user input representing a command to stop the recording operation;

a GUI generator operative to enable display of a first predetermined message responsive to the first user input; and

wherein the processor is further operative to receive a second user input representing a response to the first predetermined message, and control the recording operation to generate a single program recording and a single program listing for the single program in response to the second user input.

18. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the second user input represents a command to continue recording.

19. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the second user input represents a command confirming the first user input to stop recording.

20. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the second user input represents a command to temporarily stop recording.

21. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the GUI generator is further operative to enable display of a second predetermined message responsive to the second user input.

22. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further operative to receive a third user input responsive to the second predetermined message, wherein the third user input represents a command to continue recording.

23. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the processor is further operative to cause video content recorded prior to the first user input and video content recorded after the third user input to be formed as a single recording.

24. The digital video recording apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the memory is operative to not store digital video data during an interval between the receipt of the second user input and the receipt of the third user input.