Buffering scheme for storage of broadcast content

1 . A media system for providing an option for a user to purchase media content received from a broadcast source while the user is in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a receiver configured to receive the media content;

a storage device coupled to the receiver and disposed within the vehicle, the storage device having a long-term memory storage and a short-term memory storage;

a transmitter coupled to the storage device and configured to transmit signals to a telematics system; and

a controller configured to:

receive and process the media content from the broadcast source;

temporarily store the media content on the short-term memory storage, while the media content is being received;

in response to a user input, cause the transmitter to transmit a purchase signal to the telematics system; and

receive a key to the media content from the telematics system to thereby cause the storage device to store the media content onto the long-term memory storage within the vehicle.

2 . The media system of claim 1 , wherein the storage device is configured to store digital data.

3 . The media system of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface coupled to the controller and configured to receive the user input.

4 . A method for providing an option to a user to purchase media content received from a broadcast source while the user is in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving and processing the media content from the broadcast source;

temporarily storing the media content on a short-term memory storage disposed within the vehicle, while the media content is being received by a receiver in the vehicle;

in response to a user input, causing a transmitter in the vehicle to transmit a purchase signal to a telematics system; and

receiving a key to the media content to thereby cause the storage device to store the media content onto a long-term memory storage within the vehicle.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the long-term memory storage and short-term memory storage are configured to store digital data.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the broadcast source is a satellite radio.

7 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the media content comprises at least a first media track having a beginning and an end.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the user input is received before the end of the first media track.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the user input is received after the end of the first media track. The method of claim 7 , wherein the media content further includes a second media track and the method further comprises the step of maintaining the first media track in a short-term memory storage, while the second media track is being received and stored in the short-term memory storage.

10 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the media content comprises at least a first media track having a beginning and an end and the step of temporarily storing the media content further comprises storing the first media track on a short-term memory storage coupled to the storage device.

11 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising receiving a datacast identifying the media content.

13 . A media system for providing an option for a user to purchase media content received from a broadcast service while the user is in a vehicle, the system comprising:

a receiver configured to receive the media content;

a storage device coupled to the receiver and disposed within the vehicle, the storage device having long-term memory storage and short-term memory storage;

a transmitter coupled to the storage device and configured to transmit signals to a telematics system; and

a controller configured to:

receive the media content from the broadcast source;

temporarily store the media content on the short-term memory storage while the media content is being received; and

copy the temporarily stored media content to the long-term memory storage, in response to a user input.

14 . The media system of claim 13 , wherein the storage device is configured to store digital data.

15 . The media system of claim 13 , further comprising a user interface coupled to the controller and configured to receive user input.

16 . A method for storing media content in a vehicle, the media content received from a broadcast source, the method comprising:

receiving the media content from the broadcast source;

temporarily storing the media content on a short term memory storage while the media content is being received; and

copying the temporarily stored media content to a long-term memory storage within the vehicle in response to a user input.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the broadcast source is a satellite radio.

18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

in response to the user input, transmitting a purchase signal to a telematics system; and

receiving a key to the media content from a telematics system to thereby store the media content on the long-term memory storage.

19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the media content comprises at least a first media track having a beginning and an end.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the user input is received before the end of the first media track.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the user input is received after the end of the first media track.

22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the media content further includes a second media track and the method further comprises the step of maintaining the first media track in a short-term memory storage, while the second media track is being buffered.

23 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the media content comprises at least a first media track having a beginning and an end and the step of buffering the media content further comprises storing the first media track on a short-term memory storage coupled to the storage device.

24 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the media content is broadcasted on a first channel while a user is listening to a second channel.

25 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising receiving a datacast identifying the media content.

26 . A method of facilitating sales of media content transmitted by a broadcast service to a vehicle and stored on the vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a request to purchase the media content stored on the vehicle;

transmitting the request to purchase the media content to the broadcast service;

receiving approval from the broadcast service; and

transmitting approval to the vehicle to unlock the media content stored on the vehicle.