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.

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;   displaying a plurality of program listings for the recorded programs, wherein the displayed plurality of program listings comprises at least one listing for a complete recording and at least one listing for an incomplete recording;   allowing the user to select a program from the recorded programs, wherein at least a segment of the selected program has been recorded on the set-top box;   allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio associated with the selected program; and   allowing the user to extract audio from the selected 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 an audio format for 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 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         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; 
 display a plurality of program listings for the recorded programs, wherein the displayed plurality of program listings comprises at least one listing for a complete recording and at least one listing for an incomplete recording; 
 allow the user to select a program from the recorded programs, wherein at least a segment of the selected program has been recorded on the set-top box; 
 allow the user to select settings for extracting audio associated with the selected program; and 
 allow the user to extract audio from the selected 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 an audio format for 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 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein allowing the user to select settings for extracting audio comprises allowing the user to select at least one of CD quality, stereo quality and mono. 
     
     
         50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to allow the user to select at least one of CD quality, stereo quality and mono. 
     
     
         52 - 54 . (canceled)