Systems and methods for exporting digital content using an interactive television application

• US 20050120373A1
• Filed: 09/15/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellis, Michael D., Thomas, William L., Westberg, Thomas E., Fife, Brian, DiGiovanni, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US10/942,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20050120373A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/58
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00173 wherein the origin of the content is checked, e.g. determining whether the content has originally been retrieved from a legal disc copy or another trusted source
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00731 involving a digital rights management system for enforcing a usage restriction
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2368 Multiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42646 for reading from or writing on a non-volatile solid state storage medium, e.g. DVD, CD-ROM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42669 the medium being removable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4341 Demultiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4394 involving operations for analysing the audio stream, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in audio streams arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4398 involving reformatting operations of audio signals details of audio signal transcoding G10L19/173
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44231 Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network H04L12/2823; monitoring the status of connected device in data switched networks H04L43/0817
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 : Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 : on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and systems for extracting digital content using an interactive television application. The interactive television application may allow the user to record programs on a set-top box. The interactive television application may also allow the user to extract the audio from one of the recorded programs and transfer the extracted audio to removable media (e.g., a CD-R). The interactive television application also be configured to perform a future transfer of digital content to removable media. The future transfer may occur without requiring any further user interaction.

Claims

1. A method for providing audio content using an interactive television application, the method comprising:

allowing a user to record programs on a set-top box;

allowing the user to select a program, wherein the program is a complete recording or an incomplete recording;

allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio; and

allowing the user to extract audio from the selected recorded program using the selected settings.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises allowing the user to select a segment of the audio to extract.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising allowing the user to position a start and an end marker on a progress bar to indicate the segment of audio to extract.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying a marker on the progress bar, wherein the marker indicates the location in the selected program from which audio is played.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises allowing the user to select a removable medium for storing the extracted audio.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transferring the extracted audio to the removable medium.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises allowing the user to select the format and quality of the extracted audio.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein allowing the user to extract audio comprises separating audio and video information for the selected program.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising processing the audio information for the selected program using the selected settings.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising supplementing the extracted audio with information for the selected program.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the information is retrieved from a program schedule database.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio for an incomplete recording is extracted after the recording is complete.

13. A system for providing audio content using an interactive television application, the system comprising:

means for allowing a user to record programs on a set-top box;

means for allowing the user to select a program, wherein the program is a complete recording or an incomplete recording;

means for allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio; and

means for allowing the user to extract audio from the selected recorded program using the selected settings.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises means for allowing the user to select a segment of the audio to extract.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for allowing the user to position a start and an end marker on a progress bar to indicate the segment of audio to extract.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for displaying a marker on the progress bar, wherein the marker indicates the location in the selected program from which audio is played.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises means for allowing the user to select a removable medium for storing the extracted audio.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for transferring the extracted audio to the removable medium.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises means for allowing the user to select the format and quality of the extracted audio.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for allowing the user to extract audio comprises means for separating audio and video information for the selected program.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising means for processing the audio information for the selected program using the selected settings.

22. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for supplementing the extracted audio with information for the selected program.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the information is retrieved from a program schedule database.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the audio for an incomplete recording is extracted after the recording is complete.

25. A system for providing audio content, the system comprising:

a user input interface;

a display device; and

an interactive television application implemented at least partially on control circuitry configured to;

allow a user to record programs on a set-top box;

allow the user to select a program, wherein the program is a complete recording or an incomplete recording;

allow the user to select settings for extracting audio; and

allow the user to extract audio from the selected recorded program using the selected settings.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to select a segment of the audio to extract.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to position a start and an end marker on a progress bar to indicate the segment of audio to extract.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to direct the display device to display a marker on the progress bar, wherein the marker indicates the location in the selected program from which audio is played.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to select a removable medium for storing the extracted audio.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to transfer the extracted audio to the removable medium.

31. The system of claim 25, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to select the format and quality of the extracted audio.

32. The system of claim 25, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to separate audio and video information for the selected program.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to process the audio information for the selected program using the selected settings.

34. The system of claim 25, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to supplement the extracted audio with information for the selected program.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the information is retrieved from a program schedule database.

36. The system of claim 25, wherein the audio for an incomplete recording is extracted after the recording is complete.

37. Machine-readable media for providing audio content using an interactive television application, the machine-readable media comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for:

allowing a user to record programs on a set-top box;

allowing the user to select a program, wherein the program is a complete recording or an incomplete recording;

allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio; and

allowing the user to extract audio from the selected recorded program using the selected settings.

38. The machine-readable media of claim 37, wherein allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises allowing the user to select a segment of the audio to extract.

39. The machine-readable media of claim 38, further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for allowing the user to position a start and an end marker on a progress bar to indicate the segment of audio to extract.

40. The machine-readable media of claim 38, further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for displaying a marker on the progress bar, wherein the marker indicates the location in the selected program from which audio is played.

41. The machine-readable media of claim 37, wherein allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises allowing the user to select a removable medium for storing the extracted audio.

42. The machine-readable media of claim 41, further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for transferring the extracted audio to the removable medium.

43. The machine-readable media of claim 37, wherein allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises allowing the user to select the format and quality of the extracted audio.

44. The machine-readable media of claim 37, wherein allowing the user to extract audio comprises separating audio and video information for the selected program.

45. The machine-readable media of claim 44, further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for processing the audio information for the selected program using the selected settings.

46. The machine-readable media of claim 37, further comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for supplementing the extracted audio with information for the selected program.

47. The machine-readable media of claim 46, wherein the information is retrieved from a program schedule database.

48. The machine-readable media of claim 37, wherein the audio for an incomplete recording is extracted after the recording is complete.

49. A method for transferring digital content recorded by a user to a removable medium, the method comprising:

allowing the user to set up a future transfer of digital content to the removable medium, wherein the user selects digital content to be transferred;

establishing communications with the removable medium; and

transferring the digital content to the removable medium without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein allowing the user to set up a future transfer of digital content to the removable medium comprises allowing the user to select settings for transferring the digital content to the removable medium.

51. The method of claim 49, further comprising determining whether the removable medium is a valid target, wherein the determination is made without requiring any further user input after set up.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein information regarding whether the digital content has been viewed is stored on the removable medium.

53. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

storing a reference to the digital content in a database and retrieving the reference to the digital content from the database after establishing communications with the removable medium, wherein the reference is retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

54. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

storing a reference to the digital content in a configuration file stored on the removable medium and

retrieving the reference to the digital content from the configuration file after establishing communications with the removable medium, wherein the reference is retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein transferring the digital content to the removable medium comprises:

extracting audio from the digital content and

transferring the audio of the digital content to the removable medium.

56. A system for transferring digital content recorded by a user to a removable medium, the system comprising:

means for allowing the user to set up a future transfer of digital content to the removable medium, wherein the user selects digital content to be transferred;

means for establishing communications with the removable medium; and

means for transferring the digital content to the removable medium without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the means for allowing the user to set up a future transfer of digital content to the removable medium comprises means for allowing the user to select settings for transferring the digital content to the removable medium.

58. The system of claim 56, further comprising means for determining whether the removable medium is a valid target, wherein the determination is made without requiring any further user input after set up.

59. The system of claim 56, wherein information regarding whether the digital content has been viewed is stored on the removable medium.

60. The system of claim 56, further comprising:

means for storing a reference to the digital content in a database and

means for retrieving the reference to the digital content from the database after establishing communications with the removable medium, wherein the reference is retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

61. The system of claim 56, further comprising:

means for storing a reference to the digital content in a configuration file stored on the removable medium and

means for retrieving the reference to the digital content from the configuration file after establishing communications with the removable medium, wherein the reference is retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

62. The system of claim 56, wherein transferring the digital content to the removable medium comprises:

means for extracting audio from the digital content and

means for transferring the audio of the digital content to the removable medium.

63. A system for transferring digital content recorded by a user to a removable medium, the system comprising:

a user input interface;

a display device; and

an interactive television application implemented at least partially on control circuitry configured to;

allow the user to set up a future transfer of digital content to the removable medium, wherein the user selects digital content to be transferred;

establish communications with the removable medium; and

transfer the digital content to the removable medium without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to select settings for transferring the digital content to the removable medium.

65. The system of claim 63, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine whether the removable medium is a valid target, wherein the determination is made without requiring any further user input after set up.

66. The system of claim 63, wherein information regarding whether the digital content has been viewed is stored on the removable medium.

67. The system of claim 63, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

store a reference to the digital content in a database and

retrieve the reference to the digital content from the database after establishing communications with the removable medium, wherein the reference is retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

68. The system of claim 63, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

store a reference to the digital content in a configuration file stored on the removable medium and

retrieve the reference to the digital content from the configuration file after establishing communications with the removable medium, wherein the reference is retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

69. The system of claim 63, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

extract audio from the digital content and

transfer the audio of the digital content to the removable medium.

70. Machine-readable media for transferring digital content recorded by a user to a removable medium, the machine-readable media comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for:

allowing the user to set up a future transfer of digital content to the removable medium, wherein the user selects digital content to be transferred;

establishing communications with the removable medium; and

transferring the digital content to the removable medium without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

71. The machine-readable media of claim 70, wherein allowing the user to set up a future transfer of digital content to the removable medium comprises allowing the user to select settings for transferring the digital content to the removable medium.

72. The machine-readable media of claim 70, further comprising machine readable instructions recorded thereon for determining whether the removable medium is a valid target, wherein the determination is made without requiring any further user input after set up.

73. The machine-readable media of claim 70, wherein information regarding whether the digital content has been viewed is stored on the removable medium.

74. The machine-readable media of claim 70, further comprising machine readable instructions recorded thereon for:

storing a reference to the digital content in a database and

retrieving the reference to the digital content from the database after establishing communications with the removable medium, wherein the reference is retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

75. The machine-readable media of claim 70, further comprising machine readable instructions recorded thereon for:

storing a reference to the digital content in a configuration file stored on the removable medium and

retrieving the reference to the digital content from the configuration file after establishing communications with the removable medium, wherein the reference is retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after set up.

76. The machine-readable media of claim 70, wherein transferring the digital content to the removable medium comprises:

extracting audio from the digital content and

transferring the audio of the digital content to the removable medium.