System and Method for Set-Top Box Recording

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclose an integrated set-top box for recording a voice communication and/or a voicemail. In one embodiment, the integrated set-top box automatically detects communications associated with a monitored communication line and records and stores the voice communications in a data storage unit of the integrated set-top box. In another embodiment, the integrated set-top box may provide voicemail capabilities in addition to other features.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of recording a voice communication on a set-top box, the method comprising:
 decoding a television signal to display a television program on a display unit associated with the set-top box;   monitoring, by the set-top box, a communication line to detect a connected phone call;   recording, by the set-top box, audio of a live conversation associated with the connected phone call on the communication line being monitored;   storing the audio in a data storage unit associated with the set-top box; and   generating a first user interface that displays a list of a plurality of recorded voice communications along with information relating to each of the plurality of recorded voice communications, the plurality of recorded voice communications comprising the recorded audio of the live conversation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 capturing caller identification associated with the connected phone call; and   storing the caller identification along with the audio in the data storage unit.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the connected phone call is an outbound phone call, and wherein capturing caller identification information comprises interpreting dial pulses or DTMF signals to determine the caller information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 responsive to receiving a user selected voice communication from the list of recorded voice communications, playing the user selected voice communication using audio output speakers of the display unit.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring the communication line to determine whether an incoming call is answered within a specified time;   responsive to a determination that the incoming call is not answered within the specified time, playing a voicemail greeting; and   recording and storing a voicemail message in the data storage unit associated with the set-top box.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 parsing each of the recorded voice communications to enable a user to search for specific terms spoken during the live conversation.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting an audio file of one or more of the recorded voice communications to a user-specified e-mail address.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring a communication line comprises monitoring a voltage level traveling through the communication line. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set-top box comprises an analog telephone adapter, and wherein the method comprises communicating directly with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, detecting, by the set-top box, that the connected phone call is associated with caller identifier specified by user preferences stored at the set-top box, and wherein the audio of the live conversation is recorded in response to detecting that the connected phone call is associated with the specified caller identifier. 
     
     
         11 . A set-top box configured to record voice communications, the set-top box comprising:
 memory for storing computer executable instructions;   a data storage unit for storing recorded voice communications and recorded media content files;   a line monitoring module for detecting a connected call on a communication line; and   a processing unit, wherein the computer executable instructions are executable to:
 decode a television signal to display a television program on a display unit associated with the set-top box; 
 monitor a communication line to detect a connected phone call; 
 record audio of a live conversation associated with the connected phone call on the communication line being monitored; 
 store the audio in the data storage unit; and 
 generate a first user interface that displays a list of a plurality of recorded voice communications along with information relating to each of the plurality of recorded voice communications, the plurality of recorded voice communications comprising the recorded audio of the live conversation. 
   
     
     
         12 . The set-top box of  claim 11 , wherein the computer executable instructions are further executable to
 capture caller identification associated with the connected phone call; and   store the caller identification along with the audio in the data storage unit.   
     
     
         13 . The set-top box of  claim 12 , wherein the connected phone call is an outbound phone call, and wherein capturing caller identification information comprises interpreting dial pulses or DTMF signals to determine the caller information. 
     
     
         14 . The set-top box of  claim 11 , wherein the computer executable instructions are further executable to:
 responsive to receiving a user selected voice communication from the list of recorded voice communications, play the user selected voice communication using audio output speakers of the display unit.   
     
     
         15 . The set-top box of  claim 11 , wherein the computer executable instructions are further executable to:
 monitor the communication line to determine whether an incoming call is answered within a specified time;   responsive to a determination that the incoming call is not answered within the specified time, play a voicemail greeting; and   record and store a voicemail message in the data storage unit associated with the set-top box.   
     
     
         16 . The set-top box of  claim 11 , wherein the computer executable instructions are further executable to:
 parse each of the recorded voice communications to enable a user to search for specific terms spoken during the live conversation.   
     
     
         17 . The set-top box of  claim 11 , wherein the computer executable instructions are further executable to:
 transmit an audio file of one or more of the recorded voice communications to a user-specified e-mail address.   
     
     
         18 . The set-top box of  claim 11 , wherein monitoring a communication line comprises monitoring a voltage level traveling through the communication line. 
     
     
         19 . The set-top box of  claim 11 , wherein the set-top box further comprises an analog telephone adapter, and wherein the computer executable instructions are further executable to communicate directly with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) server. 
     
     
         20 . The set-top box of  claim 11 , further wherein the computer executable instructions are further executable to detect that the connected phone call is associated with caller identifier specified by user preferences stored at the set-top box, and wherein the audio of the live conversation is recorded in response to detecting that the connected phone call is associated with the specified caller identifier.