U.S. patent application number 10/942070 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for systems and methods for exporting digital content using an interactive television application.
Invention is credited to DiGiovanni, Joseph, Ellis, Michael D., Fife, Brian, Thomas, William L., Westberg, Thomas E..
Application Number | 20050120373 10/942070 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34375290 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050120373 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas, William L. ; et
al. |
June 2, 2005 |
Systems and methods for exporting digital content using an
interactive television application
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.
Inventors: |
Thomas, William L.; (Bixby,
OK) ; Westberg, Thomas E.; (Stow, MA) ; Fife,
Brian; (Somerville, MA) ; DiGiovanni, Joseph;
(Cherry Hill, NJ) ; Ellis, Michael D.; (Boulder,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & NEAVE IP GROUP
ROPES & GRAY LLP
1251 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS FL C3
NEW YORK
NY
10020-1105
US
|
Family ID: |
34375290 |
Appl. No.: |
10/942070 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60502920 |
Sep 15, 2003 |
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/58 ; 386/230;
386/241; 386/243; 725/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/781 20130101;
H04N 21/4398 20130101; H04N 5/76 20130101; H04N 21/4341 20130101;
H04N 21/47214 20130101; H04N 5/765 20130101; H04N 21/4184 20130101;
H04N 21/439 20130101; H04N 21/4394 20130101; G11B 20/00173
20130101; H04N 21/42646 20130101; H04N 21/44231 20130101; G11B
27/034 20130101; G11B 2220/218 20130101; G11B 20/00731 20130101;
H04N 21/4135 20130101; G11B 27/34 20130101; H04N 9/8042 20130101;
H04N 21/2368 20130101; H04N 21/42669 20130101; H04N 21/4402
20130101; H04N 5/85 20130101; H04N 5/775 20130101; H04N 21/4627
20130101; G11B 2220/2545 20130101; H04N 21/4334 20130101; H04N
21/4147 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/058 ;
386/046; 725/046 |
International
Class: |
H04N 007/00; H04N
005/91; H04N 005/445; G06F 013/00; G06F 003/00; H04N 005/222 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
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.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application No. 60/502,920, filed Sep. 15, 2003, which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to interactive television
applications and more particularly to interactive television
applications with digital content exporting features.
[0003] An interactive television application, such as an
interactive program guide, may allow a user to store digital
content (e.g., record a program) on a set-top box. The user may
access the stored digital content using the interactive television
application. However, in some cases, the user may wish to be able
to access the digital content away from the interactive television
application (e.g., while running or traveling).
[0004] In some cases, the nature of the stored digital content
(e.g., a recorded program) is such that the audio content may be of
greater interest to users. Such digital content may include, for
example, a recording of the evening news, a recording of a stand-up
comedy routine, or a recording of a sports broadcast (e.g.,
football). Furthermore, the user may wish to access this audio
content away from the interactive television application. For
example, the user may wish to listen to the audio of a talk show
while jogging.
[0005] Therefore, it may be desirable to provide an interactive
television application that is capable of extracting audio from
recorded programs and transferring the extracted audio to a
removable medium (e.g., a CD-R).
[0006] The user may also wish to transfer digital content (e.g., a
recorded program) to removable media (e.g., a compact flash card).
For example, the user may wish to view yesterday's news broadcast
on a handheld computer while commuting to work in the morning. It
may be burdensome for the user to repeatedly setup transfers using
the interactive television application (i.e., selecting digital
content, selecting settings, etc.).
[0007] Therefore, it may be desirable to provide an interactive
television application that may be configured to perform a future
transfer of digital content to removable media. After the user has
configured the interactive television application to perform a
future transfer of digital content to removable media, it may also
be desirable to perform the future transfer of digital content to
the removable medium without requiring any further user
interaction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An interactive television application may be provided in
accordance with the present invention. The interactive television
application may allow a user to store digital content on a set-top
box or access digital content stored remotely (e.g., a remote
server).
[0009] In one aspect of the invention, the interactive television
application may be capable of extracting audio from a recorded
program and transferring the extracted audio to removable
media.
[0010] The interactive television application may allow the user to
select a recorded program from which audio may be extracted.
Recorded programs may include, for example, recordings of
television programs, a program stored on a live buffer, and a
program currently being recorded. The user may select a removable
medium and the interactive television application may transfer the
extracted audio to the selected removable medium.
[0011] The interactive television application may allow the user to
select an audio format and audio quality. The user may select an
audio format that is compatible with a music player on which the
audio is to be played. The user may wish to select an audio quality
based on the nature of the audio. For example, if the audio of the
selected program is mainly speech, the user may wish to select a
lower audio quality. If the audio of the selected program is music,
the user may wish to select a higher audio quality. The audio
quality may also be related to the size of the extracted audio.
Therefore, if the target medium has a small capacity, the user may
select a lower quality for the extracted audio.
[0012] In some cases, the user may instruct the interactive
television application to extract audio from the entire recorded
program. In other cases, the user may instruct the interactive
television application to extract audio from portions of the
recorded program. For example, the user may set start and end
markers on a progress bar to extract audio from segments of the
recorded program. The interactive television application may allow
the user to preview the audio at points along the recording. The
interactive television application may display a marker on the
progress bar to allow the user to identify the location of the
audio in the program. The user may select start and end markers
based on the previewed audio.
[0013] After the user has selected the settings for audio
extraction, the interactive television application may extract the
audio from the interactive television application. For example, the
interactive television application may split the selected program
into the segments indicated by the user. The interactive television
application may de-multiplex the segments of the program and split
the program into an audio file and a video file. The interactive
television application may process the resulting audio file in
accordance with the user's format and quality settings.
[0014] The interactive television application may supplement the
file with program information to allow a music player to display,
for example, title and artist information while playing the audio.
The program information may be derived from, for example, program
listings, program guide information, metadata embedded in the
broadcast stream of the program, or information entered by the
user.
[0015] The interactive television application may verify that the
selected removable medium has enough capacity to store the audio
file and the interactive television application may transfer the
audio file to the selected target medium.
[0016] The interactive television application may also allow the
user to schedule a recording of audio from a program. For example,
the user may select a program and then select options for recording
the audio of the program (e.g., removable medium, audio format, and
audio quality). When the program is broadcast, the interactive
television application may record the audio of the program on the
selected removable medium in accordance with the format and quality
settings.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, the interactive
television application may also be configured to perform future
transfers of digital content to removable media. After the user has
configured the interactive television application to perform a
future transfer of digital content to removable media, the future
transfer may occur without requiring any further user interaction.
For example, the user may configure the interactive television
application to transfer the most recent recording of a news program
to a Compact Flash (CF) card whenever it is inserted into set-top
box 60. The user may, for example, insert the Compact Flash card
into set-top box 60 every morning to retrieve the news program for
that day and view the news program on a handheld device while
riding the train to work. Because the transfer has already been set
up, the user is not burdened with the task of repeatedly setting up
the transfer every morning.
[0018] In order to set up a future transfer of digital content to
removable media, the interactive television application may allow
the user to identify digital content using the interactive
television application. For example, the user may select a series
recording of the evening news.
[0019] In addition, in order to set up a future transfer of digital
content to removable media, the interactive television application
may allow the user to select settings for the removable media. The
settings may include the format and quality of the digital content.
In some cases, the user may wish to view the digital content on a
handheld device that is only capable of playing video in certain
formats and the user may select one of the compatible formats. In
some cases, the user may wish to conserve storage space on
removable media and the user may select the lowest quality setting.
In some cases, if the digital content is a video, the user may
select a quality setting (e.g., 320.times.240) in order to match
the resolution of the digital content to the native resolution of a
device on which the digital content is to be played (e.g., a
handheld video player).
[0020] The settings may also include settings for recurring digital
content (e.g., series recordings). For example, the user may
instruct the interactive television application to transfer only
the most recent recording in a series to removable media. In
another example, the user may instruct the interactive television
application to transfer all recordings in a series that have yet to
be transferred to removable media.
[0021] The settings may also include settings for updating digital
content on removable media. For example, the user may instruct the
interactive television application to delete or overwrite digital
content only if it is older than a user-specified number of days.
In another example, the user may instruct the interactive
television application to delete or overwrite digital content only
if it has been viewed.
[0022] The interactive television application may also determine
the types of removable media to which the digital content may be
transferred. For example, digital content may be transferred to all
removable media if it is fairly small in size (i.e., the digital
content may fit on even the smallest removable medium). In another
example, digital content which is fairly large may be restricted to
removable media with at least a certain capacity (e.g., 4.7
GB).
[0023] The interactive television application may store a reference
to the selected digital content and the selected settings for
transferring the selected digital content to removable media. In
some embodiments, the reference to the selected digital content and
the selected settings for transferring the selected digital content
may be stored in a database. In some embodiments, the reference to
the selected digital content and the selected settings for
transferring the selected digital content may be stored on a
configuration file stored on removable media.
[0024] After the user has configured the interactive television
application to perform a future transfer of digital content to
removable media, the future transfer may occur without requiring
any further user interaction. To initiate the transfer of digital
content, the interactive television application may establish
communications with removable medium 62. For example,
communications may be established after the user inserts the
removable medium in the set-top box. In another example,
communications may be established over a wireless link. For
example, the removable medium may be moved in close proximity to a
wireless access point coupled to (or part of) the set-top box.
[0025] At this point, the interactive television application may
determine whether the removable medium is a valid target.
Determining whether the removable medium is a valid target may
occur without requiring any user interaction.
[0026] In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may access the database to determine whether the settings for the
removable medium are stored on the database. For example, the
interactive television application may determine the identifier for
the removable medium and check the database to see if any entries
are stored in the database under the identifier for the removable
medium. Identifiers may include, for example, volume numbers and
capacities. The interactive television application may determine
that the removable medium is a valid target if its settings are
stored in the database.
[0027] In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may access the configuration file stored on the removable medium.
If the interactive television application recognizes the settings
stored on the configuration file, then the interactive television
application may assume that the removable medium is a valid
target.
[0028] The interactive television application may retrieve a
reference to digital content and settings for transferring the
digital content for the removable medium by accessing either the
database or the configuration file. The interactive television
application may transfer the referenced digital content to the
removable medium in accordance with the settings for the removable
medium. The transfer may occur without requiring any further user
interaction.
[0029] Further features of the invention, its nature and various
advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and
the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an illustrative interactive
television application system in accordance with the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram of illustrative user television
equipment in accordance with the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an illustrative remote control in
accordance with the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram of illustrative computer equipment in
accordance with the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram of illustrative user equipment in
accordance with the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 6 is an illustrative screen for extracting audio from a
recorded program in accordance with the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 7A is an illustrative flow diagram for extracting audio
from a recorded program in accordance with the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 7B is an illustrative flow diagram for determining the
settings for extracting audio from a recorded program in accordance
with the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 7C is an illustrative flow diagram for extracting audio
from a recorded program in accordance with the present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 8 is an illustrative screen for scheduling a recording
of audio from a program on removable media in accordance with the
present invention.
[0040] FIG. 9 is an illustrative screen for configuring the
interactive television application to perform future transfers of
digital content to removable media in accordance with the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 10 is an illustrative flow diagram for transferring
digital content to removable media in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] An illustrative interactive television application system 10
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown
in FIG. 1. Content such as television programming and digital music
may be provided from programming sources 12 to television
distribution facilities such as television distribution facility 14
using communications path 16. Programming sources 12 may be any
suitable sources of television and music programming, such as
television and music production studios, etc.
[0043] Television distribution facility 14 may be a cable system
headend, a satellite television distribution facility, a television
broadcast facility, or any other suitable facility for distributing
television and music programming to users. There are typically
numerous television distribution facilities 14 in system 10, but
only one is shown in FIG. 1 to avoid overcomplicating the
drawings.
[0044] Communications path 16 may be a satellite path, a
fiber-optic path, a cable path, or any other suitable wired or
wireless communications paths or a combination of such paths.
[0045] Television distribution facility 14 may be connected to
various user equipment devices 18. Such user equipment 18 may, for
example, be located in the homes of users. User equipment 18 may
include user television equipment 20 or user computer equipment
22.
[0046] The user equipment may receive television and music
programming and other information from television distribution
facility 14 over communications paths such as communications paths
26, 27, and 28. The user equipment may also transmit signals to
television distribution facility 14 over paths 26, 27, and 28.
Paths 26, 27, and 28 may be cables or other wired connections,
free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wireless
signals), satellite links, etc.
[0047] Data source 30 may include a program listings database that
is used to provide television program schedule information such as
scheduled broadcast times, titles, channels, ratings information
(e.g., parental ratings and critic's ratings), detailed title
descriptions, genre or category information (e.g., sports, news,
movies, etc.), information on actors and actresses, running times,
etc. Data source 30 may also be used to provide advertisements
(e.g., program guide advertisements and advertisements for other
interactive television applications), real-time data such as sports
scores, stock quotes, news, weather, etc. Although data source 30
is drawn as an individual box in FIG. 1, data source 30 and the
other system components of FIG. 1 may be provided using equipment
at one or more locations. Systems components are drawn as single
boxes in FIG. 1 to avoid over-complicating the drawings.
[0048] Data source 30 may provide program schedule information and
other data to television distribution facility 14 over
communications path 32 for distribution to the associated user
equipment over paths 26, 27, and 28. Communications path 32 may be
any suitable communications path such as a satellite communications
path or other wireless path, a fiber-optic or other wired
communications path, a path that supports Internet communications,
a combination of such paths, etc. Data source 30 may provide
program schedule information and other data to the user at user
equipment 18 over path 38, communications network 34, and path 42.
Path 42 may be a wired path such as a telephone line, a cable path,
a fiber-optic path, a satellite path, a wireless path, a
combination of such paths, or any other suitable path.
[0049] User equipment devices such as user television equipment and
personal computers may use the program schedule information to
display program listings and information on media, such as, for
example, digital music for the user. An interactive television
application or other suitable application may be used to display
such information on the user's display.
[0050] An on-line program guide and other interactive television
services may be provided using a server connected to communications
network 34 such as server 36. Server 36 may receive program
schedule information and other data from data source 30 via
communications path 38, communications network 34, and
communications path 40. Paths 38 and 40 may be satellite paths,
fiber-optic paths, wired paths, etc. Communications network 34 may
be any suitable communications network, such as the Internet, the
public switched telephone network, a packet-based network, etc.
[0051] User equipment 18 may access on-line program guide
information and other information from server 36 via communications
path 42. User equipment 18 may also access the on-line program
guide and other services on server 36 via communications path 26,
television distribution facility 14, and communications path 44.
For example, a cable modem or other suitable equipment may be used
by user equipment 18 to communicate with television distribution
facility 14. Television distribution facility 14 may communicate
with communications network 34 over any suitable path 44, such as a
wired path, a cable path, fiber-optic path, satellite path, a
combination of such paths, etc.
[0052] User equipment such as user television equipment 20 and user
computer equipment 22 may access the on-line program guide and
server 36 using similar arrangements. User television equipment 20
may access the on-line program guide and server 36 using
communications path 46 or using path 27, television distribution
facility 14, and path 44. User computer equipment 22 may access the
on-line program guide and server 36 using communications path 48 or
using path 28, television distribution facility 14, and path 44.
Paths 46 and 48 may be any suitable paths, such as wired paths,
cable paths, fiber-optic paths, wireless paths, satellite paths, a
combination of such paths, etc.
[0053] The data distribution technique that is used to distribute
data to user television equipment 20 on either of paths 27 or 46
may depend on the type of information that is being distributed.
For example, text and graphics may be distributed over an
out-of-band channel using an out-of-band modulator, distributed
using a digital-in-band channel, or distributed in the vertical
blanking interval lines of one of the channels. Video information
may also be distributed in this way, although large quantities of
video information may be more efficiently distributed using one or
more digital channels or streams on paths 27 or 46. Such digital
channels or streams may also be used for distributing text and
graphics.
[0054] Program guide application functions and the functions of
other interactive television applications may be supported using
server 36 and other servers connected to communications network 34
such as server 56. Interactive television applications may also be
supported by servers or other suitable equipment at one or more
service providers such as service provider 50. For example, a home
shopping service may be supported by a service provider such as
service provider 50 that has sales representatives, order
fulfillment facilities, account maintenance facilities, and other
equipment for supporting interactive home shopping features. A home
shopping application that is implemented using the user equipment
may be used to access the service provider to provide these
features to the user. The user equipment may access service
provider 50 via television distribution facility 14 and
communications path 52 or via communications network 34 and
communications path 54. Communications paths such as paths 52 and
54 may be any suitable paths, such as wired paths, cable paths,
fiber-optic paths, satellite paths, a combination of such paths,
etc.
[0055] Another example of an interactive television application is
a home banking application. A home banking service may be supported
using personnel at facilities such as service provider 50. An
interactive home banking application that is implemented using the
user equipment may access the home banking service via television
distribution facility 14 and communications path 52 or via
communications network 34 and communications path 54.
[0056] If desired, an interactive television application such as a
network-based video recorder or a video-on-demand application may
be supported using server 56, server 36, or equipment at service
provider 50. Video-on-demand content and video recorded using a
network-based video recorder arrangement may be stored on server 56
or server 36 or at service provider 50 and may be provided to the
user equipment when requested by users. An interactive television
application may be used to support the functions of a personal
video recorder (sometimes called a digital video recorder) that is
implemented using user equipment 18. Illustrative equipment that
may be used to support personal video recorder functions include
specialized personal video recorder devices, integrated receiver
decoders (IRDs), set-top boxes with integrated or external hard
drives, or personal computers with video recording
capabilities.
[0057] If desired, applications such as the interactive television
application, a home shopping application, a home banking
application, a video-on-demand application, game applications, and
other applications (e.g., applications related to e-mail and chat
or other communications functions, etc.) may be provided as
separate applications that are accessed through a navigation shell
application (i.e., a menu application with menu options
corresponding to the applications). The features of such
applications may be combined. For example, games, video-on-demand
services, home shopping, network-based video recorder functions,
personal video recorder functions, navigational functions, program
guide functions, communications functions, and other suitable
functions may be provided using one application or any other
suitable number of applications.
[0058] Moreover, the interactive television application, the home
banking application, the home shopping application, the
network-based video recorder and personal video recorder
applications, the video-on-demand application, the gaming
applications, communications applications, and navigational
applications, are only a few illustrative examples of the types of
interactive television applications that may be supported by system
10. Other suitable applications that may be supported include, news
services, web browsing and other Internet services, and interactive
wagering services (e.g., for wagering on horse races and the
like).
[0059] The interactive television application or applications that
are used in interactive television system 10 may be implemented
locally on the user equipment. The applications may also be
implemented in a distributed fashion (e.g., using a client-server
architecture in which the user equipment serves at least partly and
for at least some of the time, as the client and a server such as
server 56 at television distribution facility 14, server 36, or
other suitable equipment acts as the server. Other distributed
architectures may also be used if desired. Moreover, some or all of
the interactive television system features of system 10 may be
provided using operating system software or middleware software.
Such operating system software and middleware may be used instead
of or in combination with application-level software. Regardless of
the particular arrangement used to implement interactive television
features related to program guides, home shopping, home banking,
video-on-demand, Internet, communications, etc., the software that
supports these features may be referred to as an application or
applications.
[0060] Illustrative user television equipment 20 that is based on a
set-top box arrangement is shown in FIG. 2. Input/output 58 may be
connected to communications paths such as paths 27 and 46.
Input/output functions may be provided by one or more wires or
communications paths, but are shown as a single path in FIG. 2 to
avoid overcomplicating the drawing. Television programming and
other information may be received using input/output 58. Commands
and requests and other information from the user may also be
transmitted over input/output 58.
[0061] Set-top box 60 may contain an analog tuner for tuning to a
desired analog television channel. Set-top box 60 may also contain
digital decoding circuitry for receiving digital television and
music channels. Both analog and digital channels may be handled
together if desired. Multiple tuners may be provided (e.g., to
handle simultaneous watch and record functions). Box 60 may be an
integrated receiver decoder (IRD) that handles satellite
television. If desired, box 60 may have circuitry for handling
cable, over-the-air broadcast, and satellite content. Box 60 may
include a storage device (e.g., a digital storage device such as a
hard disk drive) for providing recording capabilities. Box 60 may
also be connected to a recording device 62 such as a video cassette
recorder, personal video recorder, or other device or devices with
storage capabilities.
[0062] Set-top box 60 contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller
or microprocessor or the like) that is used to execute software
applications. Set-top box 60 may contain memory such as
random-access memory for use when executing applications.
Nonvolatile memory may also be used (e.g., to launch a boot-up
routine and other instructions). Hard disk storage in box 60 or in
recording device 62 may be used to back up data and to otherwise
support larger databases and storage requirements than may be
supported using random-access memory approaches.
[0063] Set-top box 60 may have infrared (1R) or other
communications circuitry for communicating with a remote control or
wireless keyboard. Set-top box 60 may also have dedicated buttons
and a front-panel display. The front-panel display may, for
example, be used to display the current channel to which the
set-top box is tuned.
[0064] Set-top box 60 may also have communications circuitry such
as a cable modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN)
modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem,
wireless modem, etc. for communications with other equipment. Such
communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable
communications networks or paths. If desired, the components of
set-top box 60 may be integrated into other user equipment (e.g., a
television or videocassette recorder).
[0065] Set-top box 60 may be controlled using a remote control or
other suitable user interface. Video recorder functions such as
start, stop, record, etc. and other functions may be controlled by
set-top box 60.
[0066] The output of set-top box 60 may be provided to television
64 for display to the user. Any suitable television or monitor may
be used to display the video. In the equipment of FIG. 2 and the
other equipment of system 10, the audio associated with various
video items is typically distributed with those video items and is
generally played back to the user as the videos are played.
[0067] Set-top box 60 may have access to additional storage
provided by one or more removable media (e.g., removable medium
62). Removable media may include, for example, optical discs (e.g.,
DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW, MD, etc.), solid-state memory
(e.g., Compact Flash, Secure Digital, Multimedia Card, xD, Memory
Stick.TM., USB flash drive, etc.), magnetic storage (e.g., USB hard
disk, Microdrive.TM., hard disk, floppy disk, tape, etc.), or any
other suitable removable medium. Set-top box 60 may include
circuitry for reading from and writing to removable medium 62.
[0068] In some embodiments, set-top box 60 may be connected to a
removable media access device, into which removable medium 62 may
be inserted. For example, if set-top box 60 does not have a slot
for inserting compact flash cards, a compact flash card may be
inserted into the removable media access device.
[0069] In some embodiments, removable medium 62 may a part of a
removable media access device (e.g., a camera, a portable music
player, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a
camcorder, etc.). The removable media access device may be
connected to set-top box 60 using, for example, a USB cable, a
serial cable, or a FireWire.TM. cable to allow set-top box 60 to
access removable medium 62. The removable media access device may
also be connected to set-top box 60 using a cradle or a dock.
[0070] In some embodiments, set-top box 60 and removable medium 62
may be configured to communicate wirelessly with one another.
Set-top box 60 and removable medium 62 may each include additional
circuitry for performing wireless communication. For example, a
wireless link may be established when removable medium 62 is moved
in close proximity to set-top box 60. Set-top box 60 and removable
medium 62 may communication using a wireless protocol, such as, for
example, Bluetooth.TM., Wi-Fi.TM., WiMAX.TM., or any other suitable
wireless protocol.
[0071] The set-top box arrangement of FIG. 2 is merely
illustrative. Other arrangements may be used if desired. For
example, user television equipment may be based on a WebTV.TM. box,
a personal computer television (PC/TV), or any other suitable
television equipment arrangement. If desired, the functions of
components such as enhanced set-top box 60, a WebTV.TM. box, or
PC/TV or the like may be integrated into a television or personal
computer or other suitable device.
[0072] An illustrative remote control 72 for operating user
television equipment 20 (or suitable user computer equipment 22) is
shown in FIG. 3. Remote control 72 may have function keys 74 and
other keys 76 such as keypad keys, power on/off keys, pause, stop,
fast-forward and reverse keys, etc. Volume up and down keys 78 may
be used for adjusting the volume of the audio portion of a video.
Channel up and down keys 80 may be used to change television
channels and to access content on virtual channels. Cursor keys 82
may be used to navigate on-screen menus. For example, cursor keys
82 may be used to position an on-screen cursor, indicator, or
highlight (sometimes all generically referred to herein as a
highlight or highlight region) to indicate interest in a particular
option or other item on a screen displayed by the interactive
television application.
[0073] An OK key 84 (or in other embodiments a select or enter key)
may be used to select on-screen options that the user has
highlighted.
[0074] Keys 74 may include a record key 86 for initiating
recordings. Menu button 88 may be used to direct the interactive
television application to display a menu on the user's display
screen (e.g., on television 64 or 68 or on a suitable monitor or
computer display). Info button 90 may be used to direct the
interactive television application to display an information
display screen. If the user has highlighted a particular program
listing, for example, selecting the info button 90 may direct the
interactive television application to provide additional program
schedule information related to that program listing (e.g., a
program summary, actor information, etc.).
[0075] Lock button 92 may be used to modify access privileges. For
example, a parent may use lock button 92 or on-screen options to
establish parental control settings for the interactive television
application. The parental control settings may be time-based
settings (e.g., to prevent a child from watching television during
a particular time block such as from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM). The
parental control settings may also be used to block programming
based on rating, channel, program title, etc. A locked or blocked
program is typically not viewable until the interactive television
application is provided with a suitable personal identification
number (PIN). Once this PIN has been entered, the interactive
television program will unlock the user's equipment and allow the
locked content to be accessed.
[0076] Exit button 94 may be used to exit the interactive
television application or to exit a portion of the interactive
television application. Guide button 96 may be used to invoke the
interactive television application.
[0077] The keys shown in FIG. 3 are merely illustrative. Other keys
or buttons may be provided if desired. For example, a music button
may be used to access music with the interactive television
application. An edit button may be used to edit stored content
(e.g., to remove commercials, remove portions of a video, etc.).
Alphanumeric buttons may be used to enter alphanumeric characters.
A last or back button may be used to browse backward in the
interactive television application (e.g., to return to a previous
channel or display screen). A help key may be used to invoke help
functions such as context-sensitive on-screen help, etc.
[0078] Illustrative user computer equipment 22 is shown in FIG. 4.
In the arrangement of FIG. 4, personal computer 98 may be
controlled by the user using keyboard 100 or other suitable user
input device, such as a trackball, mouse, touch pad, touch screen,
voice recognition system, a remote control such as remote control
72 of FIG. 3, etc. Video content such as television programming and
interactive television application display screens may be displayed
on monitor 102. Television programming, video-on-demand content,
video recordings played back from a network-based video recorder,
and other information may be received from paths 28 and 48 (FIG. 1)
using input/output 104. The user may also send commands and other
information used during interactions with the interactive
television application and system 10 over input/output line
104.
[0079] Personal computer unit 98 may contain a television or video
card such as television tuner card for decoding analog and digital
television channels and for handling streaming video content.
Multiple video cards (e.g., tuner cards) may be provided if
desired. An illustrative television tuner card that may be used may
contain an analog television tuner for tuning to a given analog
channel and digital decoding circuitry for filtering out a desired
digital television or music channel from a packetized digital data
stream. Any suitable card or components in computer unit 98 may be
used to handle video and other content delivered via input/output
line 104 if desired.
[0080] Personal computer unit 98 may contain one or more processors
(e.g., microprocessors) that are used to run the interactive
television application or a portion of the interactive television
application.
[0081] Video recording functions may be provided by the interactive
television application in a personal video recorder arrangement or
a network-based video recorder arrangement, or any other suitable
arrangement.
[0082] In a personal video recorder arrangement, storage in
personal computer unit 98 may be a hard drive, DVD-R drive, DVD-RW
drive, CD-R drive, CR-RW drive, or other suitable storage device or
devices for storing video and other content. The interactive
television application and personal computer unit 98 may use this
storage to provide the functions of a personal video recorder.
[0083] Network-based video recording functions may be provided
using a combination of user equipment 18 and network equipment.
User equipment 18 may be, for example, user television equipment 20
or user computer equipment 22. Network equipment may be, for
example, server 56, server 36, or equipment at service providers
such as service provider 50 of FIG. 1. Video recording functions
may be provided by storing copies of television programs and other
video content on a remote server (e.g., server 56 or server 36 of
FIG. 1) or other network-based equipment such as equipment at a
service provider such as service provider 50.
[0084] Video recordings may be made in response to user commands
that are entered at user equipment 18. In a personal video recorder
arrangement, the interactive television application may be used to
record video locally on the user equipment in response to the user
commands. In a network-based video recorder arrangement, the
interactive television application may be used to record video or
to make virtual recordings on network equipment such as server 36,
56, or equipment at service provider 50 in response to the user
commands. The user commands may be provided to the network
equipment over the communications paths shown in FIG. 1. The
personal video recorder arrangement and the network-based video
recorder arrangement can support functions such as fast-forward,
rewind, pause, play, and record.
[0085] To avoid unnecessary duplication in a network-based video
recorder environment, the system 10 may provide network-based video
recording capabilities by using virtual copies or recordings. With
this approach, each user may be provided with a personal area on
the network that contains a list of that user's recordings. The
video content need only be stored once (or a relatively small
number of times) on the network equipment, even though a large
number of users may have that video content listed as one of their
recordings in their network-based video recorder personal area.
[0086] The user television equipment and user computer equipment
arrangements described above are merely illustrative. A more
generalized embodiment of illustrative user equipment is shown in
FIG. 5.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 5, control circuitry 106 is connected to
input/output 108. Input/output 108 may be connected to one or more
communications paths such as paths 26, 27, 28, 42, 46, and 48 of
FIG. 1. Television and music programming may be received via
input/output 108 (e.g., from programming sources 12, servers or
other equipment such as server 36, service providers such as
service provider 50, and television distribution facility 14).
Program schedule information for an interactive television
application may be received from data source 30 via input/output
108. Input/output 108 may also be used to receive information
transmitted by data source 30 for other interactive television
applications. The user may use control circuitry 106 to send
commands, requests, and other suitable information using
input/output 108.
[0088] Control circuitry 106 may be based on any suitable
processing circuitry 110 such as processing circuitry based on one
or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal
processors, programmable logic devices, etc. Memory (e.g.,
random-access memory and read-only memory), hard drives, DVD
drives, CD drives, or any other suitable memory or storage devices
may be provided as storage 112 that is part of control circuitry
106. Tuning circuitry such as one or more analog tuners, one or
more MPEG-2 decoders or other digital video circuitry, or any other
suitable tuning or video circuits or combinations of such circuits
may also be included as part of circuitry 106. Encoding circuitry
(e.g., for converting over-the-air or cable analog signals to MPEG
signals for storage) may also be provided. The tuning and encoding
circuitry may be used by the user equipment to receive and display
or play or record a particular television or music channel or other
desired audio and video content (e.g., video-on-demand content or
requested network-based or local video recorder playback).
Television programming and other video and on-screen options and
information may be displayed on display 114. Display 114 may be a
monitor, a television, or any other suitable equipment for
displaying visual images. Speakers 116 may be provided as part of a
television or may be stand-alone units. Digital music and the audio
component of videos displayed on display 114 may be played through
speakers 116.
[0089] A user may control the control circuitry 106 using user
input interface 118. The user input interface 118 may be any
suitable user interface, such as a mouse, trackball, keypad,
keyboard, touch screen, touch pad, voice recognition interface,
remote control, etc.
[0090] As discussed previously, additional storage may be provided
one or more removable media (e.g., removable medium 120).
Processing circuitry 110 may include circuitry for reading from and
writing to removable medium 120. Processing circuitry may also
include circuitry for performing wireless communication with
removable medium 120.
[0091] The interactive television application may allow the user to
record a program using a recording device, such as a video cassette
recorder, digital video recorder, or other device or devices with
storage capabilities. The interactive television application may
also allow the user to record a program on a remote server that is
accessible by the interactive television application. The ability
to record programs using an interactive television application is
discussed in greater detail in Ellis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,488
and Ellis et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/332,244, filed
on Jun. 11, 1999, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein
in their entireties.
[0092] The interactive television application may also allow the
user to extract audio information from the recorded program. The
extracted audio information may be transmitted from the recording
device to a removable medium (e.g., a compact flash card).
[0093] It should be noted that the interactive television
application may restrict the extraction of audio to enforce digital
rights management (DRM) rights or as a security measure. For
example, data may be embedded within a recorded program, such as,
for example, a pay-per-view program to prevent the interactive
television application from extracting audio from the pay-per-view
program. In another example, a broadcast flag may be transmitted
along with a currently broadcast program, which may indicate the
restrictions on accessing or distributing the program after it has
been recorded. For example, the restriction may include a
restriction on the user's ability to extract audio from the
program. In another example, the restriction may include a
limitation on the number of times audio may be extracted from the
program. In another example, the restriction may include a
restriction of the format and quality of the extracted audio.
[0094] FIG. 6 is an illustrative screen for extracting audio from a
recorded program in accordance with the present invention. Screen
600 may include, for example, a program listing 605, a target
listing 610, a format drop-down menu 615, a quality drop-down menu
620, a segment selection area 625, a start button 630, and a cancel
button 635. Screen 600 uses common graphical user interface
objects, such as, for example, lists, drop-down menus, check boxes
and buttons. However, it should be noted that these objects are
merely illustrative and equivalent objects may be used by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention. For example, program listing 605 may be replaced by a
drop-down menu having each listing as one of its options.
[0095] Program listing 605 may include a listing of recorded
programs stored on set-top box 60 or recorded content accessible
from set-top box 60 (e.g., a remote server). As shown in FIG. 6,
the user has recorded several programs (e.g., the CBS Evening News,
a Jessica Simpson concert, and the movie, "The Rock"). These
programs may be stored locally on set-top box 60, or they may be
stored on a remote server that is accessible by set-top box 60.
[0096] The interactive television application may allow the user to
select a live buffer from program listings area 605. The
interactive television application may provide the live buffer to
record programs currently being viewed by the user, such that the
user may perform real-time transport functions on the live buffer
(e.g., rewind, pause, fast-forward, etc.). By allowing the user to
select the content stored on the live buffer, the user may, for
example, be able to extract all of the audio from a program after
having already viewed a portion of the program.
[0097] The interactive television application may allow the user to
select a current recording from program listings area 605. A
current recording is similar to a program stored in the live buffer
in that both have not been completely recorded by the interaction
television application.
[0098] Removable media listing 610 may include a listing of
removable media to which the extracted audio may be transferred.
The interactive television application may allow the user to
navigate a highlight region to select a removable medium. In some
embodiments, the interactive television application may
automatically detect the available removable media. For example, if
set-top box 60 includes or is connected to a DVD recording device,
removable media listing 610 may include an option to select a DVD-R
as the removable medium. For purposes of illustration and not
limitation, it will be assumed that removable medium 62 is the
removable medium selected by the user.
[0099] Format drop-down menu 615 may include a listing of audio
formats into which the extracted audio may be converted. The user
may select an audio format that is compatible with a music player
on which the audio is to be played (e.g., selecting the MP3 format
for use with an MP3 player). Audio formats may include, for
example, MP3, uncompressed wave (WAV), Windows Media Audio.TM.
(WMA), and any other suitable audio format. To reduce the risk of
exceeding the capacity of the selected removable medium, the user
may wish to select compressed formats (e.g., MP3, WMA) if removable
medium 62 is a small capacity medium (e.g., solid-state memory).
Uncompressed formats (e.g., WAV) may be more suitable if removable
medium 62 is a large capacity medium such as, for example, a
CD-R.
[0100] Quality drop-down menu 620 may include a listing of quality
options for the extracted audio. Basic quality options may include,
for example, CD quality, stereo quality, mono, and any other
suitable quality option. More advanced quality options may include,
for example, a range of sampling rates at which to resample the
extracted audio and options specific to the selected audio format
(e.g., the number of channels for WAV format).
[0101] The user may select an audio quality setting based on the
nature of the program selected in program listings area 605. For
example, if the selected program is news commentary, then a high
quality setting is not necessary. However, if the selected program
is a musical performance, then the user may wish select the highest
quality setting available. The highest quality available may be
limited by, for example, the available capacity on removable medium
62. The user may also select a quality setting based on the
capacity of removable medium 62. For example, if removable medium
62 has a small capacity, the user may wish to select a lower
quality for audio content stored on removable medium 62.
[0102] Segment selection area 625 may include options for allowing
the user to extract audio from a segment of the program. For
example, if the selected program is a two-hour concert, the
interactive television application may allow the user to extract
the audio for individual songs. In another example, if selected
program is a football game, then for space considerations, the
interactive television application may allow the user to extract
the audio for the first and second halves of the game, thereby not
extracting the half hour of the program devoted to half-time.
[0103] As shown in FIG. 6, the interactive television application
may allow the user to select the entire program for extraction
(e.g., by selecting checkbox 640) or a portion of the program for
extraction (e.g., by selecting checkbox 645). The interactive
television application may display a progress bar 665 to assist the
user in selecting the portions of the program from which to extract
audio. The interactive television application may allow the user to
select a start time with start marker 650 and an end time with end
marker 655 (which, by default, may be displayed at the start and
end of the program, respectively). The interactive television
application may allow the user to select and move start marker 650
and end marker 655 using, for example, remote control 72.
[0104] In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may allow the user to select multiple start and end times. For
example, the interactive television application may allow the user
to place a cursor 660 at a point along progress bar 665. The
interactive television application may also allow the user to move
cursor 660 along progress bar 665. The user may select, for
example, OK button 84 on remote control 72 to add an additional
marker at the position of cursor 660 on progress bar 665. The
interactive television application may determine whether the
additional marker is a start or end marker by examining the markers
to the left and right of cursor 660. For example, if the marker to
the left of cursor 660 is an end marker, the interactive television
application may determine that the additional marker is a start
marker.
[0105] The interactive television application may also allow the
user to remove start and end markers that were previously added.
For example, the user may select a start or end marker using remote
control 72. In response to the user selecting, for example, a
delete button on remote control 72, the interactive television
application may remove the selected marker.
[0106] The interactive television application may also allow the
user to preview the audio of the program to assist the user in
selecting start and end times. For example, in response to the user
selecting preview button 670, the interactive television
application may play the audio of the program at the position of
marker 660. Marker 660 may track the progress of the audio as it
plays. The interactive television application may also allow the
user to reposition marker 660 using, for example, cursor keys 82 on
remote control 72.
[0107] In some embodiments, in lieu of marker 660, audio may be
previewed from the location of a start or end marker whenever the
user repositions the start or end marker. For example, the user may
wish to position the start marker at the beginning of a particular
song. The interactive television application may play the audio at
the location of the start marker while it is being moved to allow
the user to pinpoint the beginning of the song.
[0108] In some embodiments, if the user selects an incomplete
recording (e.g., a currently recorded program or a program stored
on the live buffer) from program listing 605, portions of the
program which have yet to be recorded may appear on progress bar
665 in a shade of grey to indicate that it is not yet available.
For example, if "Friends" is stored in the live buffer and there is
still ten minutes left of "Friends," the interactive television
application may display the last ten minutes of the live buffer on
progress bar 665 in grey.
[0109] In some embodiments, if the user has selected a currently
recorded program (e.g., from the live buffer or a previously
scheduled recording), the interactive television application may
wait until the recording is complete before extracting audio from
the recording. In some embodiments, if the user has selected a
portion of a currently recorded program that has already been
recorded, the interactive television application may extract the
audio from the portion of the recording before the entire recording
is complete.
[0110] In response to the user selecting start button 630, the
interactive television application may begin extracting audio from
the recorded program. In some embodiments, if the user selected to
extract audio from multiple segments of the program, the
interactive television application may split the program into the
selected segments. The interactive television application may
de-multiplex each segment of the recorded program, such that the
audio and video components of the recorded programs are stored in
separate files.
[0111] In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may de-multiplex the entire recorded program. If the user selected
to extract audio from segments of the program, the interactive
television application may splice the selected segments from the
audio file.
[0112] In some embodiments, if the user selected to extract audio
from multiple segments of the program, the interactive television
application may join together the resulting audio files in the
order they occur in the recorded program. For example, if the user
selected to extract the audio for the first and second halves of a
football game (i.e., extracting audio from all but the half-time
report), the user may prefer that the two audio files be joined
together to form a single audio file. In some embodiments, the
audio files may be left separate. For example, if the user selected
segments from a concert (e.g., songs), the user may prefer that
each song be stored in a separate audio file.
[0113] The method used by the interactive television application to
de-multiplex the recorded program depends on the format in which
the recorded program is stored. For example, an MPEG file
compresses audio and video information on separate layers.
De-multiplexing an MPEG file involves separating the audio and
video layers of information. For example, the interactive
television application may parse the MPEG file to separate the data
packets corresponding to video and audio information into separate
files.
[0114] In some embodiments, if the recorded program is stored on a
remote server, the interactive television application may send a
request to the remote server to de-multiplex the recorded program.
The remote server may send an audio file corresponding to the audio
of the recorded program to set-top box 60. This approach decreases
the amount of information transferred by the remote server to
set-top box 60.
[0115] In some embodiments, if the recorded program is stored on a
remote server, the interactive television application may send a
request to the remote server to transfer the recorded program to
set-top box 60. The interactive television application may
de-multiplex the recorded program locally. This approach decreases
the amount of processing required by the remote server.
[0116] After the recorded program has been de-multiplexed, the
interactive television application may process the resulting audio
files in accordance with the settings selected by the user. For
example, the user may specify that the audio should be a CD-quality
MP3 file. The interactive television application may convert the
resulting audio file into a MP3 file with a CD-quality sampling
rate (e.g., 128 kbps).
[0117] In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may supplement the converted audio file with program information.
For example, MP3 and WMA formats support displaying program
information (e.g., artist and title) on a music player
corresponding to the audio being played by the music player.
Program information may be derived from program guide information,
program listings, or metadata embedded in the stream of the
program. In some embodiments, the program information may have been
entered by the user for the recorded program.
[0118] The interactive television application may determine the
total size of the converted audio file and compare the size of the
file to the available capacity of removable medium 62. In some
embodiments, the interactive television application may overlay a
dialog box over screen 600 indicating to the user the size of the
converted audio file and the amount of space available on removable
medium 62. The interactive television application may also request
that the user confirm that the transfer of the converted audio file
to removable medium 62.
[0119] If the interactive television application determines that
removable medium 62 does not have sufficient capacity to store the
converted audio file, the interactive television application may
provide the user with an option to select digital content stored on
removable medium 62 to overwrite (if possible) or it may prompt the
user to insert another medium. In some embodiments, the interactive
television application may automatically overwrite the oldest audio
file or the shortest audio file stored on removable medium 62
necessary to free the capacity to store the converted audio
file.
[0120] If the interactive television application determines that
there is sufficient capacity on removable medium 62 to store the
converted audio file, the interactive television application may
transfer the converted audio file to removable medium 62.
[0121] The screen shown in FIG. 6 for selecting settings for audio
extraction is merely illustrative. Those skilled in the art should
recognize that the user may select settings for audio extraction
using a different approach without departing from the scope of the
present invention. For example, in lieu of screen 600, the
interactive television application may display a series of overlays
with which the user may select options for extracting audio. The
user may select a program from, for example, program listings or a
play list. The interactive television application may display an
overlay for allowing the user to select a removable medium (e.g.,
removable medium 62). In response to the user selecting removable
medium 62, the interactive television application may display
another overlay having audio format and quality options. In
response to the user selecting format and quality options, the
interactive television application may display another overlay
having segment selection options. Once all of the settings have
been selected by the user, the interactive television application
may extract the audio from the program (e.g., de-multiplex the
program) and process the audio using the selected settings. The
interactive television application may transfer the processed audio
to removable medium 62.
[0122] FIG. 7A is an illustrative flow diagram for extracting audio
from a recorded program in accordance with the present
invention.
[0123] At step 705, the interactive television application may
allow a user to record programs using the interactive television
application. The programs may be recorded on, for example, set-top
box 60, a digital video recorder, a remote server, a DVD recorder,
or any other suitable storage device.
[0124] At step 710, the interactive television application may
allow the user to select a source from which audio may be
extracted. Sources may include, for example, recorded programs, a
program currently being recorded, or a program recorded on a live
buffer.
[0125] At step 715, the interactive television application may
allow the user to select settings for extracting audio from the
selected program. Step 715 is shown in more detail in FIG. 7B.
[0126] At step 735 (FIG. 7B), the interactive television
application may detect available removable media and display a list
of the available removable media. The user may select a removable
medium to which audio extracted from the selected program may be
transferred (e.g., removable medium 62).
[0127] At steps 740 and 745 (FIG. 7B), the interactive television
application may allow the user to select a format and quality for
the extracted audio.
[0128] At steps 750 and 755 (FIG. 7B), the interactive television
application may allow the user to select segments of the recorded
program for extracting audio. The interactive television
application may display a progress bar and start and end markers.
The interactive television application may allow the user to
position the start and end markers on the progress bar to indicate
a segment of the program from which to extract audio. The
interactive television application may also allow the user to
preview the audio of the recorded program. For example, the
interactive television application may display a marker on the
progress bar to indicate the location in the program at which audio
is being played.
[0129] At step 720, the interactive television application may
allow the user to extract audio from the selected program. If the
selected program is a recording that is not yet complete, the
interactive television application may wait until the recording is
complete before performing audio extraction. Step 720 is shown in
more detail in FIG. 7C.
[0130] At step 750 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television
application may split the recorded program into segments defined by
the user. If the user selects to extract audio from the entire
program, the interactive television application may consider the
entire program one segment.
[0131] At step 755 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television
application may de-multiplex the segments of the selected program
into separate audio and video files. In some embodiments, instead
of splitting the selected program into segments, the interactive
television application may de-multiplex the selected program before
splitting the resulting audio file into segments.
[0132] At step 760 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television
application may process the resulting audio file in accordance with
the settings selected by the user. For example, the interactive
television application may convert the resulting audio file to MP3
format. The interactive television application may also resample
the MP3 file in accordance with the user's quality setting.
[0133] At step 765 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television
application may supplement the converted audio file with program
information. The program information may be derived from, for
example, program listings, program guide information, or metadata
embedded in the stream of the program. In some embodiments, the
program information may have been entered by the user for the
recorded program. The program information may be displayed by, for
example, a music player, while playing the converted audio
file.
[0134] At step 770 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television
application may transfer the exported audio to removable medium 62.
Prior to transfer, the interactive television application may
verify that removable medium 62 contains sufficient capacity to
store the exported audio.
[0135] In addition to extracting audio from recorded programs, the
interactive television application may also record audio from
programs that have yet to be broadcast. In this approach, the user
is not required to a record program before extracting audio from
the program.
[0136] FIG. 8 is an illustrative screen for scheduling recordings
of audio information on removable media (e.g., removable medium
62). As shown, screen 800 is a program listings screen, which
includes a program listings area 805, a preview window 810, an
options area 815, and an audio recording overlay 820. Program
listings screens are discussed in greater detail in Ellis et al.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 20040103434, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0137] Program listings area 805 may include a listing of programs
that are scheduled to be broadcast during a certain time slot. The
user may navigate a highlight region to select a program listing in
program listings area 805 using, for example, cursor keys 82 on
remote control 72. In response to the user selecting a program
listing, the interactive television application may allow the user
to select options for the program from options area 815. In
response to the user selecting the option to record audio on
removable media, the interactive television application may display
audio recording overlay 820 on screen 800. Audio recording overlay
820 may also be invoked from, for example, a program information
screen by pressing a button on remote control 72.
[0138] Audio recording overlay 820 may include a removable media
selection drop-down menu 825, a format drop-down menu 830, a
quality drop-down menu 835, a set button 840, and a cancel button
845.
[0139] The user may use removable media selection drop-down menu
825 to select available removable media to which the recorded audio
for the selected program may be transferred. The interactive
television application may detect available removable media and
display entries for the available removable media in drop-down menu
825.
[0140] The interactive television application may allow the user to
select an audio format from format drop-down menu 830. Formats may
include, for example, MP3, uncompressed wave (WAV), Windows Media
Audio (WMA), and any other suitable audio format.
[0141] The interactive television application may allow the user to
select a quality setting from quality drop-down menu 835. Quality
settings may include, for example, low quality, medium quality,
high quality, mono, stereo, CD-quality, and any other suitable
quality setting. Quality settings may also include a range of
sampling rates (e.g., 128 kbps).
[0142] In response to the user selecting save button 840, the
interactive television application may schedule a recording of the
audio of the selected program when the program is broadcast. In
some embodiments, the audio may be recorded directly on the
selected removable medium. In some embodiments, the interactive
television application may record the audio on set-top box 60 or a
remote server and transfer the recorded audio to the selected
removable medium (e.g., removable medium 62) when the recording is
complete. In response to the user selecting cancel button 845, the
interactive television application may remove audio recording
overlay 820 from screen 800.
[0143] In another aspect of the invention, the user may configure
the interactive television application to perform automatic future
transfers of digital content to removable media, such that the
future transfers occur without requiring further user interaction.
For example, the user may configure the interactive television
application to transfer the most recent recording of a news program
to a Compact Flash (CF) card whenever it is inserted into set-top
box 60. The user may, for example, insert the Compact Flash card
into set-top box 60 every morning to retrieve the news program for
that day and view the news program on a handheld device (e.g., a
handheld computer, a laptop, a cellular phone, an automobile
computer) while riding the train to work. Because the transfer has
already been set up, the user is not burdened with the task of
repeatedly setting up the transfer every morning.
[0144] It should be noted that the interactive television
application may restrict the transfer of digital content to
removable media to enforce digital rights management (DRM) rights
or as a security measure. For example, data may be embedded within
digital content, such as, for example, a pay-per-view program to
prevent the interactive television application from copying the
pay-per-view program. In another example, digital content that has
been recorded from an over-the-air broadcast may include a
broadcast flag, which may indicate the restrictions on accessing or
distributing the digital content. For example, the restriction may
include a restriction on the user's ability to transfer the digital
content. In another example, the restriction may include a
limitation on the number of times the digital content may be
transferred. In another example, the restriction may include a
restriction of types of removable media to which the digital
content may be transferred. In another example, the restriction may
include a restriction on the settings for converting (e.g.,
transcoding) the digital content.
[0145] FIG. 9 is an illustrative screen for configuring the
interactive television application to perform future transfers of
digital content to removable media in accordance with the present
invention.
[0146] Screen 900 may include, for example, a digital content
selection area 905, a digital content listing area 910, a format
drop-down menu 915, a quality drop-down menu 920, recurring digital
content settings radio buttons 925 and 926, an update settings area
930, a removable media selection area 935, a save button 940, and a
cancel button 945.
[0147] Screen 900 uses common graphical user interface objects,
such as, for example, lists, drop-down menus, check boxes and
buttons. However, it should be noted that these objects are merely
illustrative and equivalent objects may be used by those skilled in
the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, checkbox 960 may be replaced by a radio button.
[0148] Digital content selection area 905 may include a listing of
digital content stored on or accessible by set-top box 60. Digital
content selection area 905 may also include an add button 950.
Digital content may include for example, recorded programs,
recorded audio, program listings and information, and any other
suitable digital content. The interactive television application
may also list series recordings in digital content selection area
905. The user may navigate a highlight region to select one of the
digital content listings, using for example, remote control 72. In
response to the user selecting add button 950, the interactive
television application may add a listing for the selected digital
content to digital content listing area 910.
[0149] Digital content listing area 910 may include a listing of
digital content selected to be transferred to removable media.
Digital content listing area 910 may also include a remove button
955. The user may navigate a highlight region in area 910 to select
one of the digital content listings displayed in area 910. In
response to the user selecting remove button 955, the selected
digital content listing may be removed from area 910. The position
of the highlight region may also determine the digital content
listing to which settings are applied. The interactive television
application may apply different settings to each digital content
listing.
[0150] Format drop-down menu 915 may include a listing of formats
into which the selected digital content may be converted before
being transferred to removable media. As shown in FIG. 9, the user
has selected to save a series recording of "NBC Nightly News" in
MPEG format.
[0151] In addition to MPEG format, other video formats may include,
for example, MPEG, AVI, MOV, RM, DIVX, and any other suitable
format. Audio formats may include, for example, MP3, WAV, WMA and
any other suitable format. Image formats may include, for example,
JPG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, and any other suitable format. Text formats
may include, for example, TXT, PDF, HTM, and any other suitable
format.
[0152] The interactive television application may allow the user to
convert digital content from one format to another format of the
same media type (e.g., video, audio, etc.). The user may select a
format to conserve storage space (i.e., the user may select a
format with a high level of compression). The user may select a
format that is compatible with a device used for accessing the
digital content. For example, the user may convert a video to MPEG
format in order to view the video on a handheld video player that
only plays MPEG files.
[0153] In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may allow the user to convert digital content from a format of one
media type to a format of another media type. For example, if the
selected digital content is video, the interactive television
application may allow the user to save the digital content in an
audio format. This may be desirable, for example, if the nature of
the digital content is such that the audio portion is of more
interest to the user (e.g., a recording of a talk show or
commentary). If the user selects an audio format for a video, the
interactive television application may de-multiplex the video
before transferring the resulting audio file to removable
media.
[0154] In some embodiments, if the user selects, for example,
program listings as the selected digital content, the interactive
television application may allow the user to save the program
listings in a text format, such as, for example, a PDF file. The
user may be able to browse the program listings while away from the
interactive television application.
[0155] Quality drop-down menu 920 may include a listing of quality
settings for the format selected in format drop-down menu 915. As
shown in FIG. 9, the user has instructed the interactive television
application to transfer the recording of "NBC Nightly News" to the
removable medium at a low resolution.
[0156] In addition to a low resolution setting, quality settings
for video formats may include medium resolution and high
resolution. Quality settings for video formats may also include a
range of resolutions from the lowest resolution (e.g.,
320.times.240) up to the native resolution of the video. In another
example, if the selected format is MP3, the quality settings may
include a range of sampling rates.
[0157] In some embodiments, if the digital content is a video, the
user may wish to select a resolution suited for a device on which
the video is to be played. For example, it would not be practical
to store a high definition video (e.g., having a 1920.times.1080
resolution) on a compact flash card if the user intends to view the
video on a cellular phone with a native resolution of 120.times.90.
Accordingly, the user may select a quality setting to scale the
resolution of the video down to the native resolution of the device
on which the video is to be played. Scaling down the resolution of
the video not only maximizes the quality of the video (i.e.,
because the video is displayed at the maximum resolution of the
device), but also reduces the amount of space required to store the
video on removable media.
[0158] In some embodiments, the quality settings may also include a
maximum quality setting. For example, the user may select an audio
file to be transferred to a removable medium that contains existing
digital content. The user may wish to listen to the audio file on a
high quality setting, but the audio file may be too large to copy
to the removable medium at the highest setting (i.e., depending on
the amount of existing digital content on the removable
medium).
[0159] Using the maximum quality setting, the interactive
television application may determine the highest possible quality
for the audio. The interactive television application may determine
the amount of space available on the removable medium prior to
transferring the audio file. The interactive television application
may transcode the audio file such that the quality setting is as
high as possible to fit on the removable medium. For example, the
interactive television application may determine that an audio file
may be resampled at a slightly lower rate to be able to fit on the
removable medium. Similarly, if the maximum quality setting is
selected for a video file, the interactive television application
may select a resolution that is as high as possible (or a
compression rate that is as small as possible) to transfer the
video file to the removable medium. In some embodiments, for the
maximum quality setting, the quality of the digital content may be
limited, such that the digital content does not occupy more than a
user-defined percentage of the remaining capacity on the removable
medium.
[0160] The interactive television application may display radio
buttons 925 and 926 if the selected digital content is recurring
(e.g., a series recording or weekly program listings, etc.). The
interactive television application may allow the user to select the
manner in which such recurring digital content is transferred.
[0161] In response to the user selecting radio button 925, the
interactive television application may be configured to transfer
the most recent version of the recurring digital content to
removable media. For example, the interactive television
application may perform a series recording of "NBC Nightly News" on
a daily basis. If the user forgets to transfer the program to
removable media on Wednesday, then on Thursday, the interactive
television application may transfer only the recording for Thursday
because the user may not be interested in viewing dated
material.
[0162] In response to the user selecting radio button 926, the
interactive television application may be configured to transfer
all recordings of the recurring digital content that have not yet
been transferred to removable media. For example, the interactive
television application may perform a series recording of "Jeopardy"
on a daily basis. If the user goes away on vacation, the
interactive television application may record several episodes of
"Jeopardy" and none of the episodes may be transferred to removable
media. When the user returns from vacation, the interactive
television application may transfer all the episodes of "Jeopardy"
that aired while the user was away on vacation.
[0163] Update settings area 930 may include settings for updating
digital content stored on removable media. For example, by
selecting checkbox 960, the user may instruct the interactive
television application to overwrite (or delete) digital content
older than a user-specified number of days.
[0164] In another example, by selecting checkbox 965, the user may
instruct the interactive television application to overwrite (or
delete) digital content once it has been viewed by the user.
Information regarding the status of digital content, such as
whether digital content has been viewed, may be stored in a file or
registry on the removable medium. For example, if the user views
digital content stored on a removable medium from a handheld
device, the handheld device may update a file stored on the
removable medium to indicate that the digital content has been
viewed. The next time the user places the removable medium in
communication with set-top box 60, the interactive television
application may determine that the digital content was viewed.
[0165] If the user does not select either checkbox 960 or checkbox
965, the interactive television application may consider the
selected digital content as marked to be saved. Therefore, the
interactive television application may not delete or overwrite the
selected digital content after it has been transferred to removable
media unless instructed otherwise by the user.
[0166] In some embodiments, update settings may apply only when a
removable medium lacks the capacity to store additional digital
content. For example, the interactive television application may
overwrite or delete existing digital content to make room for
additional digital content.
[0167] In some embodiments, if recurring digital content has been
selected for transfer to removable media, the recurring digital
content may replace older versions of the recurring digital content
in accordance with the user's selections in checkboxes 960 and 965.
For example, if the user selects checkbox 965, the current
recording of "NBC Evening News" may overwrite a previous recording
of "NBC Evening News" stored on removable media that has been
viewed by the user.
[0168] Removable media selection area 935 may include a listing of
ranges of storage capacities for removable media and a listing of
known removable media. The purpose of allowing the user to select
ranges of storage capacities for removable media is to ensure that
the selected removable media have sufficient capacity to store the
digital content.
[0169] For example, if the user configures the interactive
television application to perform a future transfer of "The Rock"
to removable media in high resolution, the selected removable media
should have sufficient capacity to store the digital content. In
this example, the user may select checkbox 970, which indicates
that the selected digital content should only be transferred to
removable media with capacities over 1 GB.
[0170] The user may also select check box 995 and select from
drop-down menu 997 a specific removable medium to which the digital
content may be transferred (e.g., a DVD-R). The interactive
television application may store a database of known removable
media in order to maintain such a listing. In some embodiments, the
known removable media may be referenced by an identifier (e.g.,
volume number).
[0171] After the user has finished selecting the settings from
screen 900, the user may select save button 840 to save the
settings. The user may also select cancel button 945 to exit screen
900. When the user saves the settings, the interactive television
application may be configured to perform a future transfer of the
selected digital content to removable media in accordance with the
settings. For example, the next time the user inserts a removable
medium into set-top box 60 (or otherwise places the removable
medium in communication with set-top box 60), the interactive
television application may transfer the selected digital content to
the removable medium without requiring any further user
interaction.
[0172] In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may process (e.g., transcode) the selected digital content in
accordance with the quality and format settings when digital
content becomes available. For example, if the user selects digital
content for a future transfer to removable media, the interactive
television application may immediately process the digital content
in anticipation of performing a future transfer of the digital
content. This prevents the interactive television application from
having to process the digital content just prior to transfer, which
saves the user from waiting for the digital content to be
processed. In another example, if the user selects recurring
digital content for a future transfer to removable media, the
interactive television application may process (e.g., transcode)
the recurring digital content as soon as it is recorded by the
interactive television application.
[0173] FIG. 10 is an illustrative flow diagram for transferring
digital content to removable media in accordance with the present
invention.
[0174] At step 1005, the interactive television application may be
configured to perform a future transfer of digital content to
removable media. Screen 900 (FIG. 9) is an illustrative screen for
configuring the interactive television application to perform a
future transfer of digital content to removable media. As shown in
FIG. 9, the interactive television application may allow the user
to select digital content for transferring to removable media. The
interactive television application may also allow the user to
select settings for performing the transfer.
[0175] At step 1010, the interactive television application may
store a reference to the selected digital content and the selected
settings for transferring the selected digital content.
[0176] In some embodiments, the reference to the selected digital
content and the selected settings for transferring the selected
digital content may be stored on a database accessible by the
interactive television application. The database may include
different entries for different removable media. For example, the
user may select to transfer "The Simpsons" to all removable media
having a capacity greater than 500 MB and "The Rock" to a
particular DVD-R. The database entry for the DVD-R may indicate
that both "The Simpsons" and "The Rock" are digital content to be
transferred. On the other hand, the database entries for other
removable media with capacities greater than 500 MB may indicate
that "The Simpsons" is digital content to be transferred.
Therefore, the entries for the removable media stored in the
database may vary because of different digital content selected to
be transferred to the removable media.
[0177] In some embodiments, the reference to the selected digital
content and the selected settings for transferring the selected
digital content may be stored on a configuration file stored on a
removable medium (e.g., removable medium 62). In some embodiments,
the interactive television application may create and transfer the
configuration file to the removable medium. In some embodiments,
the interactive television application may transfer the
configuration file to a removable medium at the time the settings
for the removable medium are created (e.g., by prompting the user
to insert the removable medium). In some embodiments, the
interactive television application may copy the configuration file
to the removable medium the next time the removable medium is used
with set-top box 60.
[0178] In some embodiments, the configuration file may be generated
by a source other than the interactive television application. For
example, a website may be accessed from a computer, which allows
the user to select settings for performing future transfers of
digital content. The website may create a configuration file based
on the user's selections and the computer may copy the
configuration file onto the removable medium.
[0179] At step 1015, the interactive television application may
establish communications with removable medium 62. For example, the
interactive television application may establish communications
with removable medium 62 when removable medium 62 is inserted into
set-top box 60 or a device coupled to set-top box 60. In another
example, the interactive television application may establish
communications with removable medium 62 over a wireless link. The
wireless link may be created when removable medium 62 is moved in
close proximity to a wireless access point that is a part of or
coupled to set-top box 60.
[0180] At step 1020, the interactive television application may
determine whether removable medium 62 is a valid target. The
determination may occur without requiring further user interaction.
The interactive television application may determine that removable
medium 62 is a valid target prior to transferring digital content
to removable medium 62.
[0181] In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may refer to the database discussed above to determine whether
settings for removable medium 62 are stored on the database. For
example, the interactive television application may determine the
identifier for removable medium 62 and check the database to see if
any entries are stored in the database under the identifier for
removable medium 62. Identifiers may include, for example, volume
numbers and capacities. If the settings for removable medium 62 are
stored on the database, then the interactive television application
may assume that removable medium 62 is a valid target.
[0182] In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may reference the configuration file discussed above to determine
whether removable medium 62 is a valid target. For example, if the
interactive television application recognizes the settings for
removable medium 62 on the configuration file, then the interactive
television application may assume that removable medium 62 is a
valid target.
[0183] If removable medium 62 is not recognized by the interactive
television application, the interactive television application may
determine whether removable medium 62 is a valid target. For
example, the interactive television application may attempt to
transfer a small file to removable medium 62 to determine whether
it is capable of storing digital content. The interactive
television application may also attempt to determine the available
storage capacity on removable medium 62.
[0184] If the interactive television application determines that
removable medium 62 is a valid target, the interactive television
application may recognize removable medium 62 as a valid target the
next time it is placed in communication with set-top box 60. In
some embodiments, the interactive television application may create
an entry for removable medium 62 in the database. In some
embodiments, the interactive television application may copy a
configuration file with a default set of settings to removable
medium 62.
[0185] If the interactive television application determines that
removable medium 62 is not a valid target, the interactive
television application may activate a red indicator light on
set-top box 60. For example, if the user mistakenly inserts a plain
CD into set-top box 60 (as opposed to a CD-R or CD-RW), the
interactive television application may determine that the plain CD
is not a valid target.
[0186] At step 1025, the interactive television application may
retrieve a reference to digital content and settings for
transferring digital content for removable medium 62 from either
the database or the configuration file. The retrieval may occur
without requiring any further user interaction.
[0187] In some embodiments, if removable medium 62 is not
recognized by the interactive television application, the
interactive television application may retrieve a reference to
digital content and settings for transferring the digital content
for removable media with capacities similar to that of removable
medium 62. For example, the user may have configured the
interactive television application to transfer certain digital
content in a certain manner to all removable media with capacities
greater than 100 MB.
[0188] At step 1030, the interactive television application may
transfer the referenced digital content to removable medium 62 in
accordance with the settings for removable medium 62. The transfer
may occur without requiring further user interaction.
[0189] The interactive television application may transcode the
referenced digital content in accordance with the settings for
removable medium 62. For example, the interactive television
application may transcode a video into MPEG file with a
320.times.240 resolution. In some embodiments, the interactive
television application may transcode the referenced digital content
in advance of the transfer (i.e., to reduce the amount of time
required to transfer the digital content). In some embodiments, the
interactive television application may transcode the referenced
digital content immediately prior to transferring the digital
content.
[0190] In some embodiments, if removable medium 62 is unable to
overwrite or delete any existing digital content to store
additional digital content (e.g., because of the settings), the
interactive television application may transfer as much content as
possible to removable medium 62. The interactive television
application may indicate to the user that the transfer was
incomplete by activating, for example, a yellow indicator light on
set-top box 60. In some embodiments, if removable medium 62 is
unable to overwrite or delete any existing digital content to store
additional digital content, the interactive television application
may require user input (e.g., to indicate which existing digital
content to delete) before transferring any content to removable
medium 62.
[0191] If the transfer of digital content to removable medium 62 is
successful, the interactive television application may activate,
for example, a green indicator light on set-top box 60.
[0192] At step 1035, information may be stored on removable medium
62 regarding the status of the transferred digital content. For
example, when the digital content is accessed by a handheld device,
the handheld device may store information regarding the status of
the digital content on removable medium 62. For example, the
handheld device may store information on removable medium 62 to
indicate that the digital content was viewed. In some embodiments,
the information may be stored on the configuration file, discussed
above. In some embodiments, the interactive television application
may update the database entry for removable medium 62 to include
the status of the digital content when removable medium 62 is
placed in communication with set-top box 60.
[0193] If the digital content is stored on a remote server
accessible by the interactive television application, the
interactive television application may send a request to the remote
server to transfer the digital content to set-top box 60 for
processing.
[0194] In some embodiments, the request may be sent immediately
after the user configures the interactive television application to
perform a future transfer of digital content. The interactive
television application may request that the remote server
automatically transfer recurring digital content to set-top box 60
as it becomes available. This approach may reduce the amount of
time it takes for the digital content to be transferred to
removable medium 62 because at the time removable medium 62 is
placed in communication with set-top box 60, the digital content is
already stored on set-top box 60.
[0195] In some embodiments, the request may be sent after the user
places removable medium 62 in communication with set-top box 60. In
this approach, set-top box 60 is not required to store the digital
content for long periods of time until the user initiates a
transfer of digital content to removable medium 62. Therefore, disk
space is not unnecessarily occupied by the digital content prior to
the digital content being transferred to removable medium 62.
[0196] In some embodiments, the user may configure the interactive
television application to perform a future transfer of digital
content, which occurs in response to the user touching, for
example, a button on set-top box 60 (e.g., a one-touch transfer).
In configuring the interactive television application to perform a
future one-touch transfer, the interactive television application
may allow the user to select digital content to be transferred and
settings for performing the transfer.
[0197] Each time the user places removable medium 62 in
communication with set-top box 60 and initiates the one-touch
transfer, the interactive television application may transfer the
digital content to removable medium 62. This approach does not
require the use of a database or a configuration file to store
customized settings, instead the digital content and settings are
the same for all types of removable media placed in communication
with set-top box 60.
[0198] The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of
this invention and various modifications can be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention.
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