U.S. patent application number 13/077591 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for television message system.
This patent application is currently assigned to United Video Properties, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael D. Ellis, Joel G. Hassell, Pamela L. McKissick, Mark A. Regouby, William L. Thomas.
Application Number | 20110179129 13/077591 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26795947 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110179129 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKissick; Pamela L. ; et
al. |
July 21, 2011 |
TELEVISION MESSAGE SYSTEM
Abstract
A television message system is provided that allows users at
user television equipment devices that are connected to a
television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other
relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The
television message system permits users to participate in
evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a
television program while watching that television program. The
television message system also permits users to compose and send a
message to a television program entity. The television message
system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television
programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift
certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message
system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a
set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.
Inventors: |
McKissick; Pamela L.;
(Tulsa, OK) ; Thomas; William L.; (Malvern,
PA) ; Ellis; Michael D.; (Boulder, CO) ;
Regouby; Mark A.; (Tulsa, OK) ; Hassell; Joel G.;
(Arvada, CO) |
Assignee: |
United Video Properties,
Inc.
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
26795947 |
Appl. No.: |
13/077591 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12130606 |
May 30, 2008 |
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13077591 |
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11657775 |
Jan 24, 2007 |
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12130606 |
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11408747 |
Apr 21, 2006 |
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11657775 |
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09356245 |
Jul 16, 1999 |
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11408747 |
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60099301 |
Aug 26, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/2543 20130101;
H04N 7/17309 20130101; H04N 21/4753 20130101; H04N 21/4786
20130101; H04N 21/4782 20130101; H04N 21/47211 20130101; H04N
21/4532 20130101; H04N 21/454 20130101; H04N 21/6582 20130101; H04N
21/252 20130101; H04N 21/4781 20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N
21/4788 20130101; H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/44222 20130101;
H04N 21/2408 20130101; G06Q 30/0601 20130101; H04N 21/4755
20130101; H04N 21/4751 20130101; H04N 7/147 20130101; H04N 21/84
20130101; H04N 21/2665 20130101; H04N 21/44204 20130101; H04N
21/4758 20130101; H04N 21/4316 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04N
7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/25866 20130101; H04N 21/47815 20130101;
H04N 21/42204 20130101; H04N 21/4756 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method for distributing messages in a television messaging
system, comprising: receiving from a first user a list of
identities corresponding to a plurality of users that belong to a
group of users, wherein the group of users comprises users who
share an interest in the same category of programs; storing the
received list of identities in an electronic memory; receiving from
the first user a command to transmit at least one message to the
plurality of users; and transmitting the at least one message to at
least one user television equipment device of the plurality of
users in response to receiving the command.
2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the group of users is
defined by an interest.
3. The method defined in claim 2 wherein the interest is an
interest in at least one of a television program, a channel, a
category of programs, a movie and a news segment.
4. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising receiving
identity information from the plurality of users.
5. The method defined in claim 4 further comprising including the
identity information in the list of identities.
6. The method defined in claim 4 wherein receiving identity
information from the plurality of users comprises obtaining
permission from a second user to receive the identity
information.
7. The method defined in claim 6 wherein obtaining permission to
receive the identity information comprises sending the second user
a message indicating that the first user has requested the identity
information.
8. The method defined in claim 7 further comprising allowing the
first user to receive the identity information from the second user
in response to the second user accepting the first user's
request.
9. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising determining
whether there is at least one messaging option available for a
particular television program.
10. The method defined in claim 9 further comprising receiving the
first user's selection of the at least one messaging option in
response to determining that there is at least one messaging option
available for the particular television program.
11. A system for distributing messages, the system comprising: an
interactive application implemented at least partially on control
circuitry configured to: receive from a first user a list of
identities corresponding to a plurality of users that belong to a
group of users, wherein the group of users comprises users who
share an interest in the same category of programs; store the
received list of identities; receive from the first user a command
to transmit at least one message to the plurality of users; and
transmit the at least one message to at least one user television
equipment device of the plurality of users in response to receiving
the command.
12. The system defined in claim 11 wherein the group of users is
defined by an interest.
13. The system defined in claim 12 wherein the interest is an
interest in at least one of a television program, a channel, a
category of programs, a movie and a news segment.
14. The system defined in claim 11 wherein the interactive
application is further configured to receive identity information
from the plurality of users.
15. The system defined in claim 14 wherein the interactive
application is further configured to include the identity
information in the list of identities.
16. The system defined in claim 14 wherein the interactive
application is configured to obtain permission from a second user
to receive the identity information.
17. The system defined in claim 16 wherein the interactive
application is configured to send the second user a message
indicating that the first user has requested the identity
information.
18. The system defined in claim 17 wherein the interactive
application is further configured to allow the first user to
receive the identity information from the second user in response
to the second user accepting the first user's request.
19. The system defined in claim 11 wherein the interactive
application is further configured to determine whether there is at
least one messaging option available for a particular television
program.
20. The system defined in claim 19 wherein the interactive
application is further configured to receive the first user's
selection of the at least one messaging option in response to
determining that there is at least one messaging option available
for the particular television program.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/130,606, filed May 30, 2008, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/657,775, filed
Jan. 24, 2007, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/408,747, filed Apr. 21, 2006, which
is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/356,245,
filed Jul. 16, 1999, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/099,301, filed Aug. 26, 1998, the contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to television message systems, and
more particularly, to techniques for supporting the transmission of
messages in a television environment that may include an
interactive television program guide.
[0003] A popular aspect of the Internet and other networking
environments relates to e-mail messages. A network or Internet user
can send e-mail messages to other users of the network or the
Internet. Messages are delivered to a server where they are held
until downloaded by a client such as a personal computer. The
recipient of a message can access it at any time from the server
and read it at his convenience.
[0004] Television programs are sometimes discussed in e-mail
messages. However, there is generally no way in which users of a
traditional e-mail message system may easily view a television
program while exchanging messages about that program. A user might
locate a television in the same room as the user's personal
computer, but such an arrangement would be awkward to view.
Moreover, many households locate their televisions in the living
room, but are reluctant to locate their computers in the living
room.
[0005] Although personal computers may be provided with tuner cards
that allow television signals to be displayed on the computer
monitor, many television viewers would prefer to view television on
a traditional television set. Television sets generally offer
greater viewing areas than computer monitors, so that users need
not sit nearly as close to a television screen as they would a
computer monitor. Televisions sets are also typically located in
rooms within the home that are more suitable for watching
television than where computers are typically located.
[0006] A system that attempts to integrate aspects of the Internet
with the television viewing experience is available from WebTV
Networks, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif. The WebTV system permits
television viewers to access the Internet through a WebTV Plus
Receiver connected to their television sets. The WebTV Plus
Receiver enables users to surf the World Wide Web on their
television by connecting their televisions to the web-based WebTV
Network through a standard phone line. The WebTV System permits
users to view television program listings and web sites related to
television programs that appear in the program listings.
[0007] The WebTV system also provides TV Crossover Links that allow
users to access web sites that are related to television programs.
The WebTV Plus Receiver detects data such as web links (i.e.,
universal resource locators (URL)) that is embedded in the video
broadcast and notifies users with a TV Crossover Link watermark on
the television screen. The TV Crossover Links permit users to link
to web sites through the Internet related to the television program
that the user is watching. The user can view the web site and the
television program simultaneously through the WebPIP
picture-in-picture function. If the web site supports e-mail
features, the user might then send an e-mail message through the
Internet while watching a television program. The WebTV system also
provides users with e-mail accounts for sending and receiving
e-mail through the Internet. A user can access a Web Home page from
which he can send and receive e-mail.
[0008] Interactive television program guides implemented on set-top
boxes allow users to view television program listings on their
televisions. Such program guides allow users to view television
program listings in different display formats and to perform
various other functions. For example, a user may instruct the
program guide to display a channel-ordered grid of current program
listings. The user may also use the program guide to search for
programs in a desired programming category such as sports, movies,
news, or the like. If desired, the program guide may be used to
order pay-per-view programming.
[0009] Previously known systems have not provided an integrated
system allowing television viewers to view television programming
and to exchange messages with other television viewers independent
of the Internet. Previously known systems also have not provided
television viewers with the opportunity to send messages to
exclusively other viewers of a television program or channel.
Previously known interactive program guides have not contained a
feature that allows television viewers to exchange messages with
each other.
[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a television message system that provides a television
viewer with an opportunity to view television programming and to
exchange messages related to the television programming to other
television viewers that does not rely solely on the Internet.
[0011] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an
interactive television program guide that contains message
features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in
accordance with the principles of the present invention by
providing a television message system that receives television
programming over a communications path from a television
distribution facility such as a cable system headend. The
television message system allows users to transmit messages
relating to a given television program to users who are currently
watching that television program.
[0013] The message system allows messages to be transmitted between
users at user television equipment devices. The user television
equipment devices may be connected to a television distribution
facility (such as a cable system headend) by coaxial cables or
other suitable communications paths that carry television signals.
In an illustrative configuration, the system eliminates the need
for additional communications paths physically separate from the
paths that carry television signal broadcast channels for the
transmission of messages.
[0014] The television message system of the present invention
permits users to participate in a television program-related
contest, promotion, or survey while watching a television program
by sending and receiving messages through the television message
system. The television message system also permits users to
evaluate a television program and send the evaluation to a
television program entity such as the TV channel or another user as
a recommendation.
[0015] The television message system of the present invention
permits users to compose and send a message to a television program
entity such as the program producers or a program cast member. In
addition, users can send messages through the television message
system to other users, such as other users of an interactive
program guide, Internet users, PC users, etc., who are connected to
the user's television distribution facility through a
communications network. The messages can be composed by the user,
or the messages can be standard messages such as a reminder message
to watch a particular program. Message may be composed on an
interactive TV screen or on a display remote control device.
[0016] The television message system also allows a user to purchase
a gift related to television programming for a recipient.
[0017] The television message system may be based on an interactive
television program guide implemented on the set-top box. If
desired, the system may be implemented on other suitable user
television equipment such as a satellite receiver, an advanced
television receiver (e.g. a high definitive television or HDTV
receiver), a television into which set-top box circuitry is
integrated or the like.
[0018] Further features of the present 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
[0019] FIG. 1A is a diagram of a television message system in
accordance with the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 1B is a diagram of a user television equipment device
having a user interface based on a wireless keyboard in accordance
with the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 1C is a diagram of a television screen keyboard user
interface in accordance with the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 1D is a diagram of a user interface television display
screen providing a list of standard messages or words in accordance
with the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2A is a diagram of a system configuration in which user
television equipment devices of multiple television distribution
facilities are connected via a television program entity in
accordance with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2B is a system diagram showing how multiple user
television equipment devices may be connected to a television
distribution facility and a separate server via neighborhood
networks in accordance with the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how multiple television
distribution facilities and user communications equipment devices
may be connected via a communications network in accordance with
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen containing a reduced-size version of a
television program for providing a user with an opportunity to
compose a message and to transmit the message to a television
program entity in accordance with the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an
illustrative approach for providing a user with an opportunity to
send a message to a television program entity in accordance with
the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6A is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for entering user profile information in
accordance with the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 6B is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for entering a user's name and address in
accordance with the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 6C is a depiction of an illustrative address book for
users in accordance with the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for providing a user with an opportunity to
evaluate a television program in accordance with the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an
illustrative approach for providing a user with an opportunity to
evaluate a television program in accordance with the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for providing the user with an opportunity to
participate in a survey relating to television programming in
accordance with the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a depiction of an illustrative television display
screen for providing the user with an opportunity to participate in
a promotion related to a television program in accordance with the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for providing the user with an opportunity to
participate in a contest related to a television program in
accordance with the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an
illustrative approach for providing a user with an opportunity to
participate in a television contest, promotion, or survey in
accordance with the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 13 is a depiction of an illustrative television display
screen for displaying interactive features available for television
programs in accordance with the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 14 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for providing a user with an opportunity to
send a reminder message to another user in accordance with the
present invention.
[0039] FIG. 15 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for displaying a reminder message received
from another user in accordance with the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an
illustrative approach for providing a user with an opportunity to
create a reminder message to be sent to another user in accordance
with the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 17 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for providing a user with an opportunity to
send a message to another user in accordance with the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 18 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for displaying a message received by a user
in accordance with the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 19 is a depiction of a television message system
display screen for providing a user with an opportunity to send a
message to other users based on television program-related criteria
in accordance with the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an
illustrative approach for providing a user with an opportunity send
a message to other users based upon television program-related
criteria in accordance with the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 21 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for providing a user with an opportunity to
purchase a television program-related gift for another user in
accordance with the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 22 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for providing a user with an opportunity to
purchase program-related merchandise in accordance with the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 23 is a depiction of an illustrative television message
system display screen for providing a user with an opportunity to
enter gift recipient identity and address information in accordance
with the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an
illustrative approach for providing a user with an opportunity to
purchase a gift through the television message system in accordance
with the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 25 is a depiction of a display remote control with
television messaging features in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] An illustrative television message system 10 in accordance
with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1A. Main facility 12
may contain a program guide database 14 for storing program guide
information such as television program guide listings data,
pay-per-view ordering information, etc. Database 14 allows system
10 to support an interactive television program guide if desired.
Although the television message features of the present invention
may be provided using a television message system without a program
guide, certain aspects of the invention will be described primarily
in the context of an interactive television program guide system
configuration for specificity and clarity.
[0051] Information from database 14 may be transmitted to
television distribution facility 16 via communications link 18.
Link 18 may be a satellite link, a telephone network link, a fiber
optic link, a cable link, a microwave link, a combination of such
links, or any other suitable communications path.
[0052] Television distribution facility 16 is a facility for
distributing television signals to users, such as a cable system
headend. Some aspects of the invention may be implemented using a
television distribution facility such as a broadcast distribution
facility, or a satellite television distribution facility. Only one
television distribution facility 16 is shown in FIG. 1A to avoid
over-complicating the drawings. In general, however, main facility
12 distributes information to multiple television distribution
facilities.
[0053] The program guide information transmitted by main facility
12 to television distribution facility 16 includes television
program listings data such as program times, channels, titles,
descriptions, etc. The information transmitted from main facility
12 may also include information on interactive message features
(e.g. television program contests, surveys, evaluations,
promotions, etc.) that are available for particular television
programs or channels.
[0054] If desired, some of the program guide data and other TV
message information may be provided using data sources at
facilities other than main facility 12. For example, data relating
to available television program-specific message features (e.g. a
contest, promotion, survey, etc.) may be provided by a television
program entity associated with a television channel, or other
facility that is separate from main facility 12 and television
distribution facility 16.
[0055] Television distribution facility 16 distributes program
guide data and other information to the user television equipment
20 of multiple users via communications paths 24. Communication
paths 24 are preferably bidirectional to support messaging and
preferably have sufficient bandwidth to allow television
distribution facility 16 to distribute scheduled television
programming, pay programming, messages, and other video and audio
information to user television equipment 20 in addition to
non-video program guide information and messages. The messages
supported by communication paths 24 may be text-based or, if more
bandwidth is available, may be audio or video messages. If
television distribution facility 16 is a cable system headend,
communications paths 24 may be based on coaxial cable or fiber
optics or the like. If television distribution facility 16 is a
satellite system or broadcast system, unidirectional paths may
involve transmitting information in free space. Bidirectional paths
may have a free-space downlink to the home and a telephone line or
cable or fiber optic return path from the home to the television
distribution facility 16.
[0056] User television equipment may be based, for example, on a
set-top box or other such device. For clarity, many aspects of the
invention are described in connection with this illustrative
arrangement, although any other suitable hardware arrangement for
the user television equipment 20 may be used if desired.
[0057] Multiple television and audio channels (analog, digital, or
both analog and digital) may be provided to user television
equipment devices 20 (including, e.g., set-top boxes 26) via
communications paths 24. If each path 24 includes a number of
traditional analog television channels, one or more of these
channels may be used to support a number of digital channels. The
bandwidth of each analog channel that is used to support digital
channels may support ten or more of such digital channels. Two-way
digital channels typically require more bandwidth than one-way
digital channels. Such two-way digital channels may support two-way
communications in the form of messages between set-top boxes 26 and
a server (e.g. at television distribution facility 16). If two-way
communications between set-top boxes 26 and television distribution
facility 16 involve only text or audio signals, the bandwidth
required to support such two-way communications may be
substantially less than the bandwidth required to support two-way
communications involving video.
[0058] Messages may be distributed along communications path 24
using any number of suitable techniques. For example, text messages
may be distributed using out-of-band channels on paths 24 using
out-of-band modulators. Video or audio messages may be more
efficiently transmitted using one or more digital channels on path
24. Such digital channels may also be used for distributing text
and graphics. Any suitable communications protocols may be used for
sending messages and the like. For example, communications may be
analog or digital, synchronous or asynchronous, pocket-based,
Internet protocol transmissions, etc.
[0059] Dedicated digital or analog channels, or at least an
allocated portion of the available bandwidth in communications
paths 24, may be used for the transmission of messages. Such
dedicated channels may be separate from the channels used for
transmitting television program broadcast signals to the user
television equipment.
[0060] Because communications paths 24 support transport of
messages between user television equipment devices 20 and
television distribution facility 16, the arrangement of system 10
may eliminate the need for separate telephone lines connected to
user television equipment 20 to transmit messages (although such
telephone lines may be used with certain aspects of the invention
if desired). If desired, television programming may be transmitted
to user television equipment 20 along one communications path such
as a satellite link from a satellite system, while messages to and
from the user are distributed over a second communications path
such as a telephone or cable.
[0061] Television distribution facility 16 preferably has a server
or other suitable computing equipment or audio or video equipment
such as audio voice mail equipment (herein collectively referred to
as message equipment 22) for supporting the transmission of
messages between users. For clarity, certain aspects of the
invention are simply described as being implemented using a message
server although these aspects of the invention are also applicable
to other types of message equipment. The message equipment 22
(e.g., a message server) may be capable of handling messages
involving text, graphics, video, or audio data. If desired, the
bandwidth requirements of message equipment 22 may be reduced by
restricting messages to text, audio, and/or graphics, rather than
including video. Message equipment 22 in television distribution
facility 16 may be configured in a client-server arrangement in
which each piece of user television equipment 20 (i.e., each user
television equipment device 20) acts as a client processor.
[0062] Each user has a receiver, which is typically a set-top box
such as set-top box 26, but which may also be other suitable
television equipment into which circuitry similar to set-top box
circuitry has been integrated. For example, user television
equipment 20 may be based on an advanced television receiver such
as a high-definition television (HDTV) receiver or other such
television-based platform. A set-top box may include a DOCSIS modem
for use in two-way communication to and from a server or television
distribution facility. For clarity, the present invention will be
described primarily in the context of user television equipment 20
that is based on set-top boxes 26. As shown in FIG. 1A, each
set-top box 26 may have memory 25. Memory 25 may be used, for
example, for maintaining a database of program listings data.
[0063] Program guide information may be distributed to set-top
boxes 26 continuously (in real-time), periodically, on request
(using a client-server arrangement), or using a combination of
these techniques. Messages may be distributed to set-top boxes 26
in real-time or on-demand (e.g., when a user checks his e-mail or
message equipment 22 and requests a message for viewing). The
message equipment may receive messages from set-top boxes 26 in
real-time or periodically.
[0064] Main facility 12 preferably contains a processor to handle
information distribution tasks. Each set-top box 26 preferably
contains a processor to handle tasks associated with implementing
an interactive television program guide application containing
television message features or an independent television messaging
application on the set-top box 26 (hereinafter collectively
referred to as a television messaging set-top box application or
simply a set-top box application). Television distribution facility
16 preferably contains one or more processors (e.g., part of
message equipment 22) for tasks associated with the distribution of
messages and for tasks associated with providing program guide data
to the program guide on the set-top boxes.
[0065] It should be understood that some or all of the functions of
the program guide or the messaging set-top box application
hereinafter described may be integrated into an operating system on
the set-top box, implemented as a stand-alone application on the
set-top box, or performed by a server (e.g. part of message
equipment 22 or separate from the television distribution
facility). In client server architecture, the set-top box sends
data or requests to the server. The server can store and process
data and send the results of a request back to the user television
equipment for further processing, display, or storage. Any of the
functionality of the set-top box application hereinafter described
may be implemented using client-server architecture.
[0066] Various mechanisms may be used for launching the television
messaging set-top box application from a program guide application
on the user's set-top box. One mechanism involves using a hot link
to launch the television messaging set-top box application. Hot
linking involves invoking a non-program-guide application such as
television messaging set-top box application with information such
as a web site address, e-mail address, program title, or other
information that has been preselected based on the current content
of the program guide or status of set-top box 26. For example, if
the user is watching a program, viewing a program listing, viewing
the description of a program, or taking other action within the
program guide related to a given program, channel, type of channel,
or the like and the user directs the program guide to launch a
non-program-guide application, the program guide may launch that
non-program-guide application and direct that non-program-guide to
take an action related to the given program, channel, type of
channel, or the like.
[0067] Hot links may be activated by dedicated buttons, a launch
button, menu options, or any other suitable technique. For example,
a remote control may be provided with a dedicated message button, a
dedicated shopping button, and similar buttons associated with
other non-program-guide applications. When the user presses the
message button, the program guide launches the television messaging
set-top box application and directs the television messaging
set-top box application to set up a message to a character in the
program, a fan club, or other message recipient associated with the
program. When the user presses a shopping channel button, the
program guide launches a shopping application (e.g. for purchasing
gifts for recipient users) and directs the program guide to
preselect merchandise related to the program. Further features of
an illustrative hot linking system are described in Ellis et al.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/346,134 filed Jul. 16, 1999
(Attorney Docket No. UV-85), which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0068] Each set-top box 26 is typically connected to an optional
videocassette recorder 28 or other such recording device so that
selected television programs may be recorded. Each videocassette
recorder 28 (or set-top box 26) is connected to a television 30. To
record a program, set-top box 26 tunes to a particular channel and
sends control signals to videocassette recorder 28 (e.g., using an
infrared transmitter) that direct videocassette recorder 28 to
start and stop recording at the appropriate times.
[0069] During the use of the television message systems, the
television messaging set-top box application on set-top box 26 may
display messages on television 30. If the television message system
includes an interactive television program guide, the interactive
television program guide may display program listings on television
30. A program guide with message features may also be used to
display the messages. Each set-top box 26, videocassette recorder
28, and television 30 may be controlled by one or more user
interfaces 32 which may involve a remote control, mouse, trackball,
microphone, digital video camera, dedicated set of buttons,
etc.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 1B, user interface 32 may contain a
wireless keyboard 34 that sends signals 36 (e.g. infrared signals)
to set-top box 38, which is connected to television 40. The user's
input may be displayed as part of a television message system
display screen on television 40 as the input is entered through
wireless keyboard 34. If television message system 10 is based on
an interactive television program guide, the display screen
provided on television 40 by set-top box 38 may be on an
interactive television program guide display screen. The displayed
interactive television program guide display screen or other
program guide display screens provided by the program guides may
contain program listings.
[0071] User interface 32 may also be based on a television screen
keyboard 50 as illustrated in FIG. 1C. The user can select letters
from the displayed alphabet to compose a message 52. In particular,
the user may select letters from alphabet keys 54 and spaces from
space bar 56. The user may select a letter so that it becomes
highlighted (such as letter L 58) by pressing arrow keys and an
enter key (also called an OK or select key) on a remote control.
Pressing the OK key on the remote control directs the program guide
containing message features or the independent messaging
application to place the selected letter adjacent to cursor 62. The
user may select SHIFT option 51 to place a capital letter in
message 52. In this way, a user can compose the text of a
message.
[0072] If desired, the user may compose messages by selecting from
a list of standard messages 70 or words 72 displayed in a display
screen such as display screen 75, as shown in FIG. 1D. The words or
messages may be predetermined, determined by the user, or both. If
determined by the user, they may be specifically entered by the
user into the list, or they may be automatically saved by the
system based on messages previously sent by the user. A word or
message can be selected by pressing arrow keys on a remote control
to place highlight region 76 on top of a particular word or message
such as "message 2" in FIG. 1D. The user can then select the
highlighted word or message by pressing a remote control enter (or
select or OK) key.
[0073] System 10 allows users at user television equipment 20 to
exchange television program-related messages while watching
television. The user may send messages with system 10 without
investing the effort involved in operating a personal computer and
the software that is associated with it. In addition, system 10
allows users to retain the high video quality and channel range of
television viewing while exchanging messages with similarly
situated users.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 2A, a television program entity 80 may
contain a message server 82 to store messages sent between user
television equipment 88, 92, and any other such user television
equipment. The television program entity may be a message facility
associated with a television channel that receives and processes
messages sent by users of user television equipment devices to a
television program or channel. User television equipment devices 88
and 92 are connected via communications paths 90 and 94
respectively to television distribution facilities 84 that are in
turn connected to television program entity 80 via communication
links 86. Communications links 86 may be satellite links, telephone
network links, fiber optic links, cable links, microwave links,
combinations of such links, or any other suitable communications
path.
[0075] Messages may be handled on a server that is not located at
the television distribution facility as shown in FIG. 2B. For
example, messages may be stored on server 91 and transmitted
between user television equipment devices 97 and 98 via
neighborhood nodes 95 and 96. User television equipment device 97
are connected to neighborhood node 95 via communications path 99,
and user television equipment devices 98 are connected to
neighborhood node 96 via communications path 101. Neighborhood
nodes 95 and 96 decrease the bandwidth requirements on
communications paths 103 for a given number of user television
equipment devices 97 and 98. Neighborhood nodes 95 and 96 route
television programming from television distribution facility 93 to
user television equipment 97 and 98. Neighborhood nodes 95 and 96
may also route messages between server 91 and user television
equipment 97 and 98. Neighborhood nodes 95 and 96 may also route
requests to perform many of the message system functions described
herein from user television equipment 97 and 98 to server 91.
Responses from server 91 are routed back to the appropriate user
television equipment device via a neighborhood node.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 3, messages can be distributed along
communication paths 102 from one user television equipment device
100 associated with television distribution facility 104 to another
user television equipment device 100 associated with that facility
using a message server 106 located at the facility. The messages
sent between two or more user television equipment devices 100
associated with television distribution facility 104 may be stored
on message server 106 in television distribution facility 104. An
advantage to limiting operation of the message system to individual
television distribution facilities is that it allows individual
cable system operators (for example) to control their systems, and
it does not involve coordinating the transmission of messages
related to an on-going television program between different
geographical areas or different time zones. If desired, messages
exchanged by user television equipment 100 can be stored by a
message server 108 that is connected to television distribution
facility 104 via communications network 110. Communications network
110 may be any suitable communications network such as the
Internet, a public or private telephone network, a network
involving satellite link or wireless links, a cable network,
etc.
[0077] The message system may also be configured so that users at
one or more of user television equipment devices 120 may exchange
messages with one or more of user television equipment devices 100.
User television equipment 120 is associated with a different
television distribution facility than user television equipment
100. User television equipment devices 120 are connected to
television distribution facility 116 via communications paths 122.
Message server 118 may be used to store messages. The configuration
of message server 118 and user television equipment 120 may be
based on a client-server arrangement. Television distribution
facilities 104 and 116 may be connected to each other via
communications network 110. Messages that are sent between user
television equipment 100 and user television equipment 120 may be
stored on message servers 106, 108, or 118. If desired, any number
of television distribution facilities may be connected together via
communications network 110 or other such communications networks to
allow user television equipment from these television distribution
facilities to exchange messages with each other.
[0078] In addition, messages may be transmitted between user
television equipment 100 or 120 and user communications equipment
114. User communications equipment 114 is connected via
communications network 110 to television distribution facilities
104 and 116. User communications equipment devices 114 can be any
number of, e.g., personal computers that can send and receive
messages.
[0079] Another aspect of the present invention involves using the
television messaging set-top box application to provide the user
with an opportunity to send messages related to a television
program or channel which can be sent to certain recipients.
Messages transmitted between set-top box application users are sent
from one set-top box and stored at a message server. The recipient
user's set-top box can download the message from the message server
after logging onto the message server. Once the message has been
downloaded onto the recipient's set-top box, the recipient can
review the message using message features provided by the set-top
box application. The messages sent in this format may be delayed in
the sense that they are not necessarily received by the recipient
immediately after they are sent. The messages can be stored on a
message server for a long time until recipients access them.
Messages may also be sent by a user of a user television equipment
device to a television program entity such as a television channel
using the television messaging set-top box application.
[0080] Communications may also be sent between set-top boxes in the
form of instant messages. Instant messages are messages that are
only stored temporarily at the recipient end. An instant message is
available for viewing by a recipient only for a limited period of
time after which the message is purged from memory. The message is
purged regardless of whether the recipient actually opens the
message during the time period it is available. Instant messages
are useful for transmitting information that is valid only for a
limited period of time. For example, one user may wish to send a
message containing the score of a football game to another user in
the form of an instant message because the score may change
continuously throughout the game.
[0081] Referring now to FIG. 4, television display screen 130
provides the user with the opportunity compose a human-readable
message 132 related to a television program 148. Television message
system display screen 130 may allow television program 148 to be
displayed (e.g., in window 146 of the television screen)
concurrently with the interactive message features shown in FIG. 4.
Program 148 is reduced in size to fit fully within window 146.
Advertisement 149 may also be concurrently displayed in display
screen 130. Advertisements may accompany any of the display screens
or user interface screens of the present invention.
[0082] The set-top box application may display screen 130
automatically at an appropriate time while the user is watching a
television program 148. The set-top box application may also
display screen 130 upon prompting by the user (e.g. when the user
presses a message button on the remote control). Information that
indicates that the television program has associated message
options such as those shown in FIG. 4 may be provided to the
set-top box application using any suitable data distribution
technique. For example, TV message information may be obtained
on-demand by the set-top box from a server or with the program
guide listings from the main facility. If desired, TV message
information may be encoded digitally in-band with the television
program signal on a digital channel. The message information may be
decoded by a digital set-top box along with the TV program signal.
The TV message information may also be digitally encoded on a
digital channel separate from the TV program signal. As another
example, TV message information may be maintained at a television
distribution facility and distributed to set-top box applications
over the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a standard analog
television signal. A VBI decoder located in the set-top box may be
used to decode data contained in the VBI of the received television
signal. TV message information relating to any of the herein
described features of the present invention (e.g. surveys,
contests, promotions, purchasing merchandise) may be provided to
the user using any of the above suitable techniques.
[0083] The decoded data may then be used by the set-top box
application to determine whether an option exists for the user to
send a message to a TV program entity based on the received data.
The data decoded by the set-top box also can indicate which message
options are available and the return path or destination address to
which the messages can be sent (e.g. the e-mail address of a
television program entity which is designated to receive and
process the messages from the users). If desired, TV message
information may be provided using an out-of-band data path. Such
information may also be provided as a digital data stream that
accompanies other streams of digital data (such as digital data for
various television programs).
[0084] Screen 130 allows the user to send a human-readable message
132 (e.g., a text message or a graphic message containing text) to
the TV channel which broadcasts program 148 by selecting option
134, the television program producers of program 148 by selecting
option 136, or an individual cast member of program 148 by
selecting an option such as option 138 or option 140. Television
channels include networks such as ABC, local affiliates, local
broadcast stations, pay-per-view channels, cable channels such as
HBO and CNN, etc. Once the user of the set-top box application has
chosen one or more desired recipients of the message, the user may
send the message by selecting send option 142.
[0085] The television message system will then deliver the message
to a television program entity such as a television message
facility associated with the television channel that is designated
to receive messages from users of user television equipment
devices. The television program entity will process the messages,
and respond to them if necessary. For example, a designated
television channel representative at the television program entity
may read and respond to messages sent to the television channel.
The television program entity who actually receives the message
from the user may also be, for example, the personal e-mail address
of a cast member or program producer. The user may cancel the
message and return to a full screen view of the current program 148
by selecting option 144.
[0086] An illustrative process for sending a message to a
television program entity recipient is shown in FIG. 5. At step
170, the set-top box application (i.e. the interactive program
guide with message features or the stand-alone messaging
application) functioning on the user television equipment provides
the user with an opportunity to send a message to a television
program entity recipient, for example, the television channel,
television program producers, or individual television program cast
members. The set-top box application may provide the user with an
opportunity to indicate a desire to send the message by displaying
an interactive screen such as screen 130 (FIG. 4). The interactive
screen may be displayed automatically or when the set-top box
application is prompted by the user. The interactive screen may
provide the user with an opportunity to enter the text of a message
and designate the intended recipients of the intended message. If
desired, the recipients of the message may be preselected if there
is only one potential recipient of the message. The user may then
enter the message information. The message information may include
the text of the message and may include the designated
recipients.
[0087] At step 172, the television message system sends the message
to a message server associated with the television program entity
which is designated to receive and process messages relating to the
television program, or channel. The set-top box application may
obtain the information necessary to forward the message to a
television program entity (e.g. the recipient's destination
address) from the program guide information obtained from the main
facility or from data associated with a television program (e.g.,
data embedded in the VBI of the television program signal). The
destination address may be an e-mail address or other information
identifying a location where electronic messages may be sent. The
destination address may also be stored at the television
distribution facility. In this case, the set-top box application
may forward the message to the television distribution facility,
which would then forward the message to its destination.
[0088] The television messaging set-top box application may also
present the user with the option of entering profile information
data for users in the user's household. An illustrative television
messaging system display screen 420 that the television messaging
set-top box application may present on a user's television set to
enter user profile information is shown in FIG. 6A. The names of
users may be entered in box 422. That user's favorite programs may
be selected from a pull down or expandable list 425. Additional
programs in the pull down list can be displayed on television
messaging system display screen 420 if the user selects arrow 426.
The user's favorite categories of programs such as sports programs,
movies, news segments, sitcoms, etc. may also be selected from pull
down list 432. The user can select arrow 438 so that additional
categories of programs may be displayed. The user's favorite
channels may be selected from a pull down list 430. The user can
select arrow 428 so that additional channels may be displayed on
the user's television display screen. Information about the user
that is not related to TV programs may also be entered as part of
the user's profile (e.g. birth date, place of residence, age,
etc.). The user may enter his city and state of residence in
regions 441 and 443 of screen 420.
[0089] Television display screen 420 may also provide the user with
an opportunity to filter the messages that are sent to that user.
The user may specify that all incoming messages are to be blocked,
except for those other users whom the user identifies in box 435.
Alternatively, the user may specify that only messages from certain
recipients should be blocked. The user may identify these
recipients in box 437. The filtering function may be performed by
the set-top box or by the message equipment. The set-top box or the
server checks all the incoming messages and does not accept
messages from the blocked recipients.
[0090] A user may select OK option 436 when he has finished
entering user profile information. The data entered is preferably
stored in the set-top box, but may be stored at a remote server or
elsewhere in the hardware of the user television equipment device
such as a separate storage unit connected to the set-top box. The
user may select cancel option 439 to exit display screen 420. User
profile information will not be saved if the user selects cancel
option 439. Further features of an illustrative system for entering
user profile information are described in Ellis et al. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/034,934 filed Jun. 11, 1999, which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0091] In addition, the message system may be configured similar to
the ICQ system so that a user may make his profile information
public so that it can be accessed by other users. ICQ is an
Internet tool that informs Internet user's who is on-line at any
time and enables users to contact them at will. ICQ can search for
an individuals on-line and alert a user when they log on. ICQ
allows a user to chat, send messages, files, URL's, play games, or
just hang out with fellow Internet users while surfing the
Internet.
[0092] A user may fill out a questionnaire through the message
system which includes information regarding the user's television
program preferences as well as additional non-television related
information about himself such as his hobbies (e.g. using display
screen 420). The user profile information may be useful for finding
other users who are interested in exchanging messages relating to
certain topics. The user profile information may be stored at a
remote server or jointly on the set-top boxes. A user may access
profiles which have been made public and form a "buddy list" or
address book of other users who have the same interests. The buddy
list can include a user's identity, TV preferences, and other
interests.
[0093] The message system may be set up so that a user must obtain
permission from a second user before he is able to obtain the
second user's profile information. For example, the message system
may send the second user a message indicating the first user has
requested the second user's profile information. If the second user
accepts the request, the message system allows the first user to
add the second user to his buddy list so that he can have access to
the second user's profile information. In addition, the message
system may ask the second user if he wishes to add the first user
to his buddy list. A user may add further information to the
profile based on his knowledge of the other user's preferences. The
message system may also allow users to search for other users based
on an ICQ number, an e-mail address, TV program preferences, and/or
other preferences.
[0094] An illustrative television messaging system display screen
421 that the television messaging set-top box application may
present on a user's television set to enter user identity
information is shown in FIG. 6B. Television messaging system
display screen 421 in FIG. 6B provides the user of the user
television equipment with an opportunity to enter a user's name in
box 423, and a user's address in box 427. Identities for users of
user television equipment devices and user communications equipment
devices may be entered in display screen 421. For example, an
e-mail address may be entered in box 427 for users of user
communications equipment. A user of a user television equipment
device may have an address which is a unique identifier assigned to
a particular user allowing a message server to restrict access to a
message only to the proper recipient. The address for the user of a
user television equipment may be entered in box 427.
[0095] When the user selects OK option 429, the set-top box
application will save the user identity information (i.e. the
user's name and address) in a memory device such as memory 25 in
FIG. 1A. The user identity information may also be stored at a
server instead of a set-top box. When the user selects cancel
option 431, the set-top box application will exit display screen
421 and will not save any information the user has entered in boxes
423 and 427. The user selects option 433 if the user wishes to add
the user identity entered in boxes 423 and 427 to a group of
identities that will appear as a single entry in an address book,
such as "Hockey Fans" in address book 440 shown in FIG. 6C. The
identity group feature allows the user to compile a list of the
identities of friends who enjoy watching the same television
program, channel, or category of programs into a group. The user
can then send a message to everyone in that group while watching a
television program that everyone in the group is interested in by
selecting that group in the address book. The members of the group
of identities will receive the message on their set-top box and
will be able to read it while they are watching the same television
program as the sender of the message.
[0096] The identities of users whose identity information has been
entered in display screen 421 of FIG. 6B may be displayed by the
set-top box application in an address book format on the television
screen. The television messaging system display screen shown in
FIG. 6C is an example of such an address book. Address book display
screen 440 displays a list of identities 442 of users or groups of
users. The users can be individuals such as Mary Smith, or groups
of individuals such as Hockey Fans as illustrated by the names in
the list 442. An individual user may be part of more than one group
in the address book. For example, Mary Smith may appear in the
address book as an individual, and be a member of the groups
"Seinfeld Fans" and "Movie Lovers." List 442 may contain groups of
individuals who are interested in a particular program, type of
program, or any other group identified by the user such as "Hockey
Fans," "Members of Hiking Club," "Seinfeld Fan Club," or "Movie
Lovers." The groups need not be TV-related. If desired, the set-top
box application may present a pop-up option on the television
screen to send a message to the individuals in a list in the
address book when the user is watching a related television program
(e.g. Seinfeld).
[0097] The user may select a recipient or recipients of a message,
recommendation, gift, reminder, etc., by selecting an identity or
identities in the list. Option 444 is highlighted to indicate that
the user has selected "Seinfeld Fans" to be a recipient of a
message. The user may select as many recipients of the message as
he desires from the names in the list. The user may choose to enter
additional identities of other users by selecting option 446 which
returns the user to television display screen 421 in FIG. 6B.
[0098] When the user has selected the recipients of the message
(e.g., using arrow keys and pressing enter), the user may then
position the highlight region on OK option 448 and press enter. The
television messaging set-top box application may then retrieve the
addresses for each recipient of the message. The television message
system may then deliver the message to the appropriate message
equipment for each of the recipients. The user may select option
450 to cancel and exit from the address book display screen
440.
[0099] Referring now to FIG. 7, television display screen 180
allows a user of user television equipment to evaluate the
television program that the user is viewing. The user can select
one of options 182, 184, 186, and 188 to evaluate the program
displayed in window 198. The television program is concurrently
displayed in window 198 to assist the user in evaluating the
program. Advertisement 197 may also be displayed on screen 180. The
user can augment the evaluation by entering additional text
comments in box 190 that may be distributed to recipients with the
program evaluation. The user can select who the program evaluation
will be sent to. The user can send the program evaluation to a
television program entity such as the TV channel that broadcasts
the television program (or an associated entity that compiles TV
program data for the TV channel) by selecting option 192. An
evaluation may include a simple score such as "good" or "bad," and
it may include textual commentary.
[0100] The user can select option 194 to send the evaluation to
other users of user television equipment as a recommendation to
watch or not watch the particular program. The set-top box
application will then display a user address book such as display
screen 440 so the user can choose the desired recipients of the
recommendation. The user may then select send option 199 to send
the evaluation to the designated recipients. The set-top box
application includes the identity of the TV program along with the
evaluation or recommendation message. The television message system
may then forward the evaluation to the destination addresses of the
television program entity obtained from the program guide
information or from data associated with the program. The
television message system may transmit the recommendation to
message equipment (e.g. server) for access by the recipient users
of user television equipment. The communications paths in FIGS. 1A,
2A, 2B, and 3 illustrate the types of paths that may be used with
these processes. Evaluations collected by this system from users
may then be transmitted to the set-top box application and
displayed in a variety of formats. For example, an interactive TV
display screen may indicate that 37% of the viewers gave the
program 4 stars, 46% gave it three stars, 10% gave it 2 stars, and
7% gave it 1 star.
[0101] An illustrative process for sending a television program
evaluation or recommendation to a recipient is shown in FIG. 8. At
step 220, the television messaging set-top box application
functioning on the user television equipment provides the user with
an opportunity to evaluate a television program. The set-top box
application may provide an opportunity to evaluate a program by
displaying an interactive television display screen such as display
screen 180 in FIG. 7. If desired, the set-top box application may
provide the user with an opportunity to evaluate a program by
pressing buttons on his remote control. The user may then enter
program evaluation or recommendation information for the television
program following the options or instructions displayed on the
user's television.
[0102] At step 224, the television message system delivers the
evaluation or recommendation to the destination address or return
path. If the address information is not known, the evaluation or
recommendation may be transmitted to a return path which may be,
for example, the user's television distribution facility. If the
television distribution facility has sufficient information, the
television distribution facility may forward the evaluation or
recommendation to the appropriate destination.
[0103] The television messaging system of the present invention may
also provide a fast and efficient way to gather ratings for
television programs. A TV program rating is an estimate of the
number of people who are watching a television program based on a
survey of a selected group of people. In the television messaging
system of the present invention, each set-top box connected to a
given television distribution facility may send a message to the TV
channel or an associated entity indicating whether the user is
watching the current television program. A rating may be determined
from this data if the sampling is taken from a large enough group.
This system provides television channels and ratings services with
a way in which to gather up-to-the-minute ratings on television
programs from users who are currently watching the programs.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 9, television messaging display screen 230
may be used to provide the user with an opportunity to participate
in a survey relating to television programming (e.g. a particular
television program or a group of television programs). Television
messaging system display screen 230 may provide a user with an
opportunity to enter answers to questions 1 and 2 by selecting one
or more of options 232a-c and 234a-d respectively. The set-top box
application may obtain the survey questions and the return path
from the program guide information transmitted from the main
facility. Alternatively, some of this information may be encoded
into the television messaging set-top box application.
Advertisement 235 may be displayed on screen 230 with the survey
questions.
[0105] If desired, the survey questions and return path (or
destination address) may be encoded digitally in-band with the
television program signal on a digital channel, provided in the VBI
signal, or otherwise provided as data associated with the
television program. The set-top box application functioning on the
user television equipment may then decode the survey data from the
program signal or other associated path, and indicate the
availability of the survey option on a program listings menu in an
interactive format so that the user may access the survey (see,
e.g., FIG. 13).
[0106] The user may answer an additional set of survey questions by
choosing option 236. The user can send the responses he has given
to the survey questions by choosing option 238. The television
message system will then deliver the survey answers as a survey
message to the return path or destination address (e.g., a
television program entity such as a television channel survey
center) for processing. The user can cancel and return to a menu or
to a television program by choosing cancel option 240. If desired,
the television messaging set-top box application may provide the
user with inducements for completing a survey, such as a chance to
win a free month of programming or the like.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 10, a television messaging system display
screen 250 may provide the user with an opportunity to participate
in a promotion related to television programming. The television
channel that broadcasts a television program may be offering a
promotional drawing as shown in FIG. 10. A reduced-sized image of
the television program is displayed in window 256. An advertisement
is displayed in region 255. The user can enter the drawing by
selecting option 252 or may decline by selecting option 254. If the
user selects option 252, the television message system will forward
a promotion message to the return path or destination address of
the television program entity that is handling the promotion (e.g.
the television channel or an associated facility) so that the user
will be entered in the drawing. The promotion message may include
the user's name and address.
[0108] The television message system will then deliver the message
to a television program entity associated with the television
channel that broadcasts program 256 for processing. The return path
or destination address of a television program entity and the other
promotion information displayed on screen 250 may be obtained using
any suitable technique including encoding it digitally in-band with
the television program signal on a digital channel, embedding it in
the program signal VBI, otherwise providing it as data associated
with the program, or downloading it to the set-top box 26 from a
server or the main facility 16 (FIG. 1A). Television message
display screen 250 may request that the user enter his name and
address and demographic information such as the user's programming
preferences if the user decides to enter the drawing. The
television program entity can then send additional promotional
information to the user based on the user's interests. The
television program entity (e.g. the television channel) selects a
winner from the pool of users who have entered the drawing. The
winner may be announced at the end of the program. This promotion
technique permits users of user television equipment devices to
participate in promotions simply and easily without leaving their
living rooms. A television program promotion will encourage users
to watch the program and thereby increase ratings.
[0109] Referring now to FIG. 11, the television message system may
provide a user of user television equipment with an opportunity to
participate in a television program contest. The program "Jeopardy
for Home Viewers" may be vertically compressed to fit in the upper
half screen, may be truncated by overlaying instructions on its
lower half, or may be displayed using any other suitable
arrangement. In any case, at least a portion of the program is
visible to the user in upper portion 411 of screen 410. A contest
user interface 416 is simultaneously displayed in the lower portion
of television display screen 410. This format allows a user to view
a television program and participate in a contest at the same time.
While a user is listening to questions being asked on the program
"Jeopardy for Home Viewers," he can enter answers to the questions
in box 412. The questions can also be displayed in the contest user
interface 416 portion of screen 410. When the user is satisfied
with his answer he can send it as a contest message to the return
path or destination address by choosing option 414 or by pressing
Enter on his remote control. The return path or destination address
of the television program entity that receives the contest answers
may be the television program broadcast facility that broadcasts
the television program. An advertisement may be displayed in region
415.
[0110] The contest questions and other contest information (e.g.,
the return path) may be encoded digitally in-band with the
television program signal on a digital channel, embedded in the VBI
of the television program signal, or may be provided as other
associated data or may be transmitted from a server to the set-top
box over a separate channel. These arrangements allow contest
information (such as contest questions) and the program signal to
be continuously received by the set-top box during the course of a
program. The contest information that appears on the interface
screen 416 may be updated as it is received on the set-top box.
Because the set-top box is receiving the television program signal
for the TV program and the contest information concurrently,
display screen 416 may be synchronized with the action occurring in
the program as it unfolds. The winners of the contest can be
determined immediately and may be announced during the course of
the program. This aspect of the present invention allows television
channels to implement interactive television programming for their
users.
[0111] An illustrative process for allowing a user to participate
in a contest, promotion, or survey is shown in FIG. 12. At step
400, the set-top box application functioning on the user television
equipment provides the user with an opportunity to enter survey,
promotion, or contest information. This opportunity may be provided
in the form of display screens such as display screens 230, 250,
and 410 of FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, respectively. The user may enter
appropriate survey, promotion, or contest information following the
on-screen prompts provided in the display screens. At step 402, the
television message system delivers the survey, promotion, or
contest information to the return path or destination address for
processing. If desired, step 402 may involve the step of using the
television message system to transmit the message to the television
distribution facility so that the message can be transmitted to the
appropriate destination (e.g. a television program entity).
[0112] As shown in FIG. 13, program guide listings that are
received by the set-top box from the program guide database at the
main facility may indicate which television programs have
interactive user message features available (e.g., a evaluation,
contest, promotion, or survey feature). Television message system
display screen 150 allows users to view which messaging features
are available with respect to television programs that are being
aired in a given time slot.
[0113] The user may enter a time slot in box 164 or otherwise
select a time slot of interest. The set-top box application then
displays program listings in column 154 for programs that are
scheduled to be broadcast at the time indicated in box 164 on the
channel in column 152. The messaging features available with
respect to a given program are displayed by the set-top box
application in column 156. For example, the program Wheel of
Fortune is offering a contest which a user can participate in. The
user can highlight contest option 162 and press enter on his remote
control to enter the Wheel of Fortune contest. The I icon in circle
158 indicates that the channel has provided more information with
respect to the Wheel of Fortune contest which the user may be
interested in reading before entering the contest. The set-top box
application may provide the user with an opportunity to review this
information before the user is entered into the contest. Also, the
user may simply view the program Wheel of Fortune by highlighting
the Wheel of Fortune option 155 and pressing enter on the remote
control. The user can scroll up or down to view the program
listings and messaging features for more programs and channels as
indicated by arrows 160. An advertisement may be displayed on
screen 150 such as the one in region 157.
[0114] The features described with respect to FIG. 13 may be
provided for in any format of listings. For example, the TV message
system may provide a list of all of the message features for
programs airing on a selected TV channel. The TV message system may
also allow a user to search for programs by category or
alphabetically, and list associated message features for each
program. If desired, TV messaging features may be provided on a
program information screen which allows a user to access multiple
features related to the program, including the messaging features
described in this application.
[0115] Another aspect of the present invention relates to the
ability of the television message system to transmit reminder
messages between users. Reminder messages are messages that are
sent by one user to another user to remind the other user to watch
a particular television program. Television message system display
screen 260 of FIG. 14 is an example of a user interface that
permits the user to send a reminder message to the set-top box of
another user. A user may get to information screen 260 by selecting
a program in the program guide listings and then pressing the
"info" button on the remote control. The program guide listings
contain information on programs that are currently airing on all
available channels as well as programs that will be broadcast at
future times. Information regarding the program selected in the
listings is displayed in region 262 of information screen 260. The
user can set a reminder for himself to watch the selected program
by selecting option 264. The user can send a reminder to another
user of a user television equipment device by selecting option 266.
After the user selects option 266, pop-up region 276 appears in
information screen 260. The user enters the recipient user's
address information in region 270. The location address may include
a unique code identifying the user and the message server from
which the recipient user can receive messages. The user may also
choose the recipient's identity from the address book by choosing
option 272. More than one recipient may be entered. After the user
has chosen a recipient, the user selects Done option 274. The
reminder message is now transmitted to the recipient(s). An
advertisement may also be displayed in region 275.
[0116] A reminder message may also be sent to a user of a user
television equipment device from a web site that has program
listings and that supports the transmittal of reminder messages
such as www.tvguide.com. An Internet user may select a program from
the listings displayed on the web site and enter the address of the
recipient user. The web site transmits the reminder message to the
recipient via a server.
[0117] Referring now to FIG. 15, television display screen 280
shows how a reminder message that has been sent by one user and
received on the set-top box of another user may be displayed. The
recipient's set-top box application displays the reminder message a
short time (e.g., 10 minutes) before the program that is related to
the reminder is to air, regardless of the time that the set-top box
receives the reminder message. If desired, the reminder message may
be displayed at other times or more than once. For example, the
reminder may be displayed when the user first turns on the
television set within a twelve hour interval before the program
airs. The set-top box application may also display the reminder the
first time that the user turns on the television after the set-top
box has received the reminder message. These methods help ensure
that the user will see the reminder even if he is not watching
television a short time before the program airs.
[0118] The illustrative reminder message 282 of FIG. 15 is
displayed as a relatively small overlay on television display
screen 280 so as to interrupt the user's viewing of program 284 as
little as possible. The video of program 284 may instead be shrunk
so that so that none of it is obscured by the reminder message. The
reminder message 282 indicates to the user that the program "Oprah"
will air on ABC at 4 p.m. The user can accept the reminder message
by selecting OK option 286, in which case the set-top box
application will tune to the channel that corresponds to the local
ABC affiliate.
[0119] Reminder messages can also be sent across time zones or
local broadcast areas. When a set-top box receives a reminder
message, it will search through the program guide listings to
determine when the program will be broadcast in the user's time
zone or local area. The set-top box application then displays the
reminder message on the television screen at an appropriate time
before the program airs. The user may decline the reminder message
by selecting cancel option 288 causing the message to disappear
from the TV screen. The identity of the sender of the reminder
message is displayed in region 283. If the set-top box application
does not recognize the sender, then the sender's address or web
site may be displayed in region 283. Displaying the sender's
identity is useful for allowing the user to block that sender's
reminders in the future. An advertisement may be displayed in
region 285 of reminder 282 as shown in FIG. 15. If desired,
multiple reminder messages may be displayed on a single overlay.
The overlay may include both reminders set by the user, as well as,
reminders sent by other users.
[0120] The television message system may provide the user with an
opportunity to block all future reminder messages from a specific
sender or all senders. When a reminder message is displayed to the
user, it may include an option to block all future reminder
messages from all senders such as option 287. The reminder message
may also include an option such as option 289 which allows the user
to block all future reminder messages from the user who has sent
the current reminder. The reminder message may additionally include
option 281 which configures the message system so that all reminder
messages are blocked except reminders from the sender of the
current reminder. These blocking features may be implemented to
block other types of messages received on the set-top box. The
filtering and blocking functions herein described may be performed
at the set-top box of the recipient, at a remote server, or a the
television distribution facility.
[0121] An illustrative process for allowing a user of user
television equipment to send a reminder to another user of user
television equipment is shown in FIG. 16. At step 290, the set-top
box application functioning on a user's television equipment
provides the user with an opportunity to send a reminder message
for a recipient user at a remote set-top box. The set-top box
application can provide the user with an opportunity to send a
reminder by using an interactive display screen such as television
message system display screen 260 of FIG. 14. The user may enter
reminder information such as the recipient user's address and the
television program information. At step 294, the television message
system may send the reminder to the recipient user's message server
for subsequent downloading by the recipient user's user television
equipment device.
[0122] Another aspect of the present invention relates to sending
and receiving text, audio, or video messages between other users of
user television equipment and users of communications equipment
(e.g., Internet users, users of personal computers, etc.). The
messages are similar to electronic mail (e-mail) in that they are
stored on a message server and can be downloaded onto the
recipient's set-top box by the set-top box application at any time.
The user television equipment devices may communicate with the
message server using any suitable network including the ones shown
and described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 2A, 2B, and 3. Messages can
be sent to a user's Internet service provider mail server for
subsequent downloading by a user's computer. The television message
system may also allow users to send program guide information such
as TV program listings, program schedules, and program information
as a message to other users.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 17, the set-top box application may provide
a user of user television equipment with an opportunity to send a
message to another user through a user interface such as television
message system display screen 300. Television message system
display screen 300 may be displayed by the set-top box application
on the television when requested by the user (e.g., when the user
presses a message button on his remote control). Television display
screen 300 allows a user to compose a message and to send it to
another user of user television equipment or a user of
communications equipment.
[0124] The user can compose the text of the message in box 308
using a wireless keyboard such as the one shown in FIG. 1B. If
desired, the user can compose a text message using a television
screen keyboard such as the one shown in FIG. 1C or by choosing
from a list of standard messages or words as shown, e.g., in FIG.
1D. The message sent by the user can relate to the television
program that is displayed in window 304. For example, the message
"Nice play!" relates to a television program such as football game
that the user is watching in window 304. If desired, a user of user
television equipment may send an audio message similar to a voice
mail message using the set-top box application to another user by
speaking into a microphone connected to the set-top box. A user may
even send a picture or a video recording of himself (with or
without the audio message) through the set-top box application
using a camera that can communicate with the set-top box so that
the recipient can watch a video recording of the sender on his
television set.
[0125] The user may enter the recipient's name or address in box
302. In FIG. 17, the name Bob has been entered in box 302. The
set-top box application will match the name Bob with an address
previously entered by the user in the set-top box application
address book. An e-mail address can also be entered in box 302 for
Internet user recipients of a message. The user can designate the
message as an instant message by selecting option 303 or a saved
message by selecting option 305. An instant message is erased from
memory at the recipient end after a short period of time, while a
saved message is stored indefinitely in memory at the recipient
end. The message in box 308 is only relevant for a short period of
time during the course of the program. Therefore, the user may wish
to designate it as an instant message.
[0126] The user may also send an audio message by selecting option
307 or a video message by selecting option 309. The user can
compose an audio message by speaking into a microphone connected to
the set-top box or by sending an audio clip from a program. The
user can compose a video message using a video camera, a VCR, or by
using video clips or video stills from a TV program. The video may
be recorded using a local storage device (e.g. in the set-top box)
or at a server. The user may also send video clips from a
server-based library. The user may also send program guide
information to another user as part or all of the message by
selecting option 311. The program guide information may be a brief
description of the program in window 304, a portion of the program
guide listings, or a TV program or channel schedule. The user can
send the message to the recipients by selecting send option 306.
The user can cancel the message by selecting cancel option 310 and
return to a set-top box application menu or a full screen view of
the current television program. An advertisement may be displayed
in region 301 of screen 300.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 18, if the recipient of a message is a user
of user television equipment, the recipient's set-top box
application may display the message on the television screen some
time after it is received by the set-top box. The set-top box
application can periodically access all messages that are intended
for the user from a message server and download them onto the
set-top box. The message server can communicate with the user
television equipment devices using any suitable configuration
including the ones shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 2B, and 3.
[0128] Television display screen 320 is an example of how the
message can be displayed. The message may be received by the user's
set-top box 26 and stored in memory 25 (FIG. 1A). The set-top box
application may then display the message on the user's television
screen (i.e., on television 30 of FIG. 1) preferably in a way that
interrupts the user's viewing of program 330 as little as possible.
The message should, however, be large enough so that the user may
read it. In FIG. 18, the set-top box application displays message
324 in window 322 in the lower left corner of display screen 320
while the user is watching television program 330.
[0129] If desired, the set-top box application may display an icon
such as a small mailbox in the corner of the television screen or
turn on a light on the front panel of the set-top box to indicate
to the user that a message from another user has been received. The
user may then access the content of the message by pressing a
designated button on the remote control. The message may be
displayed in a corner of the screen as shown in FIG. 18 or in a
full screen view.
[0130] Window 322 displays the content of the message 324, and the
sender of the message. If the set-top box application does not
recognize the sender or the sender's name is not provided as part
of the message, the set-top box application may display the
sender's path or address instead. Message 324 may contain an
advertisement or other information that the set-top box application
or message server appends to it. In FIG. 18, the current score of
the NFL game is attached to message 324 in region 325. Message 324
may also contain a title which may be entered by the sender or an
additional advertisement. Window 322 provides the user with an
opportunity to reply to the message by choosing reply option 326 or
to clear the message from the screen by choosing clear option 328.
If the user chooses to reply to the message, the set-top box
application can take the user to an interactive screen such as
screen 300 of FIG. 17, so the user can compose a reply message. The
user may block future messages received from the sender by
selecting option 321. The sender's address is then stored locally
or at the message server so that future messages from this address
are filtered out.
[0131] As shown in FIG. 19, the television message system may allow
a user of user television equipment to transmit a message to
another user of user television equipment who is chosen based on
television-program-related criteria. The set-top box application
may provide the user with an opportunity to select the
program-related criteria to use in sending messages to the
recipients using a user interface such as television message system
display screen 200. The criteria may be other users of user
television equipment who are currently watching a particular
television program (e.g., the current television program) (option
202), other users who are interested in a particular program (e.g.,
the current television program) (option 204), other users who are
interested in the same channel (e.g., the same channel as that on
which the current television program is being broadcast) (option
206), or other users who are interested in the same category of
programs (e.g., the same category as the current program) (option
208). The set-top box application may determine the current program
by accessing the database of program listings information stored in
memory 25 or on a remote server. The set-top box application may
also determine the current program by accessing a database (e.g., a
program listings database stored locally on the set-top box or on a
server) and using information on the current time (e.g. which the
set-top box or server has access to using a clock), and the current
channel (known from the state of the tuner in set-top box 26).
[0132] The recipients of the message may be selected in a variety
of ways. For example, the set-top box application may allow the
user to view the names of other users in the address book and to
filter out only those other users who have an interest in the same
program, channel, etc. by selecting option 210. The message would
only be sent to the other users with appropriate interests (as
determined by the user). If desired, user addresses may be provided
with information identifying their interests. The set-top box
application may then automatically search for users in the address
book who have interests that match the current program, current
channel, or category of the current program (options 204, 206, and
208). Users interested in a category of programs may be identified
in a group stored in the address book such as "Movie Lovers" or
"Monday Night Football Fans," as shown in FIG. 6C. These address
book groups may be selected via option 208. Users interested in a
particular program may be identified in a group stored in the
address book such as "Seinfeld Fans," as shown in FIG. 6C. These
groups may be selected using option 204. If desired, a message may
be sent to particular people, entities, or groups that the user
individually chooses from his address book without regard to their
interests with option 210. In any case, the television message
system may transmit messages to a message server until it is
accessed by the recipient.
[0133] If desired, the television message system can deliver a
message related to a given program to a particular message server
with an indication that the message is intended for receipt by
current viewers of the given program, users interested in the
program, users interested in the channel of the program, or users
interested in the category of the program. The message server may
group the message with other messages relating to the given
program, channel, or category. The message server then may allow
any user's set-top box application to access all the messages for
the programs, channels, or categories that the user at that set-top
box is interested in or is currently viewing. Any other users who
wish to access messages relating to a program, channel, or category
of programs can download those messages from the message server
onto their set-top boxes so that they can be read on a television
set.
[0134] A user can indicate to his set-top box application that he
wishes to access messages relating to a program he is currently
watching by, for example, pressing a message button on his remote
control. In a program guide, a user can access messages relating to
any program he is interested in by highlighting a program listing
for that program in a program guide and pressing the message button
on his remote control or by choosing a program guide menu option.
The set-top box application may provide the user with an
opportunity to access messages relating to specific channels, or
categories of programs in a similar fashion. Messages may be
download from the message server by the set-top box application
onto the set-top box for viewing by the user. The set-top box
application may display the messages in a list format by sender,
topic of message, etc. The user may then choose the messages he
wants to read from the list.
[0135] An illustrative process for transmitting a message composed
by a user of user television equipment to other users of user
television equipment that were selected based upon television
program-related criteria is shown in FIG. 20. At step 340, the
television messaging set-top box application functioning on the
user television equipment provides the user with an opportunity to
send a message to other users based upon television-program-related
criteria. The set-top box application may provide this opportunity
by displaying a user interface such as television message system
display screen 200. The message to be sent may be, for example, a
recommendation to watch a program. The message may be entered into
the set-top box application using, for example, display screen 180
in FIG. 7. If desired, the message may relate to the context of a
program entered using, for example, television message system
display screen 300 of FIG. 17. The user may choose recipients for a
message from the options provided by, for example, television
message system display screen 200 of FIG. 19. At step 342, the
television message system transmits the message to a message server
for access by the recipient users.
[0136] The set-top box application may provide the user with an
opportunity to send a gift to another user of user television
equipment or a user of communications equipment (e.g., an Internet
user). As shown in FIG. 21, a television message system display
screen 350 may be used to allow the users to scroll through
television program listings 352 to find a particular television
program. The program listings may be organized by broadcast time
and by channel. The program guide listings may include pay-per-view
channels such as PPV1 and PPV2. The user may be provided with an
option to purchase a pay-per-view program such as "Titanic" on
channel PPV1. Option 364 is highlighted to indicate that the user
has selected "Titanic."
[0137] Television message system display screen 350 may display the
gift options that are available for a particular program that the
user has selected from the program listings. Information regarding
which gift options are available for a particular channel or
program may be part of the program guide information that the
set-top box receives from the main facility, encoded digitally
in-band with the television program signal on a digital channel,
provided in the VBI signal, or otherwise provided as data
associated with the television program. If gift options are
available for "Titanic," the set-top box application will display
the gift options such as gift options 354, 356, and 358 that are
available for the program that the user has chosen. Gift option 354
allows the user to purchase program merchandise for another user.
Gift option 356 allows the user to purchase a pay-per-view program
for another user to watch, such as "Titanic" on PPV1. Gift option
358 allows the user to purchase a gift certificate for program
merchandise, a pay-per-view program viewing coupon, etc. The user
may enter the identity of the recipient of the gift by choosing
option 360. Gift information relating to a TV program may also be
provided for a specific program on a program information screen
that a user can access by highlighting the program in the listings
grid and then pressing an "info" button on the remote control.
[0138] A gift may be processed when the user selects send option
362. Gift information may be sent to a television distribution
facility or a television program entity for processing. The user's
account at the television distribution facility may be debited for
the cost of the gift or another suitable accounting mechanism may
be used. The recipient of a gift may be notified of the gift by a
message received on the recipient's set-top box or e-mail to an
Internet user. Gift merchandise may be shipped to the recipient. If
the gift is a pay-per-view program, the recipient's pay-per-view
account may be credited by the amount of the gift or gift
certificate. If the recipient is not a user of user television
equipment (e.g., the recipient is an Internet user), the recipient
may be notified of the gift and given an access code that allows
the recipient to view free pay-per-view programs on his television
up to the amount of the gift. If the recipient is a subscriber to
the services of the same television distribution facility 16 as the
gift giver, the access code may be provided by that television
distribution facility and may be released by the same television
distribution facility.
[0139] If desired, television distribution facilities may be
networked together so that a gift giver and recipient may be
subscribers in different television distribution facilities. The TV
message system may also authorize a specified gift PPV program
automatically for the recipient without requiring an access code.
In another embodiment, the local program guide that receives the
PPV gift may allow the recipient of the gift to access the PPV
program without charging the recipient and without requiring an
access code.
[0140] Referring now to FIG. 22, television message system display
screen 370 is an example of a user interface that allows a user to
purchase program-related merchandise. The set-top box application
may display screen 370 when the user selects a gift option such as
gift option 354 of screen 350 (FIG. 21). Screen 370 provides the
user with an opportunity to select program-related merchandise that
he wishes to purchase as a gift for another user. The merchandise
options 372, 374, 376, and 378 represent items of merchandise
related to the program "Titanic" which the user can purchase. If
the user wishes to pay by credit card, the user may enter his
credit card number and its expiration date in boxes 380 and 382
respectively. If the user wishes to have his account at the
television distribution facility debited, he may select payment
option 384. An advertisement may be displayed in region 381 of
screen 370.
[0141] Referring now to FIG. 23, television message system display
screen 460 is an example of a user interface that allows a user to
enter gift recipient identity and address information. The set-top
box application may display screen 460 when the user selects an
option such as the "enter recipient" option 360 of screen 350 (FIG.
21). Screen 460 provides the user with an opportunity to enter
information about the gift recipient so that the recipient may be
notified that the gift has been purchased, and so that the
recipient may receive the gift. The user may enter the gift
recipient's name in region 462. The user may enter the gift
recipient's electronic address (e.g. e-mail address) in region 464
if the recipient has an electronic address. The user may enter the
recipient's street address (e.g. home address or mailing address)
in region 466 if the gift is a tangible item such as program
merchandise that is to be physically sent to the recipient. The
user may enter the gift recipient's television address in region
468. The television address may be the address corresponding the
gift recipient's user television equipment device which has
messaging features. A notification that a gift has been purchased
may be sent to the electronic address, the street address, or the
television address. If desired, the television address may
correspond to the gift recipient's television distribution facility
so that the gift recipient may be credited for a pay-per-view
program gift or gift certificate that has been purchased by the
user.
[0142] An illustrative process for allowing a user of user
television equipment to purchase a gift through the television
message system is shown in FIG. 24. At step 390, the set-top box
application provides the user with an opportunity to send a gift to
a recipient. The set-top box application can provide this
opportunity through a user interface such as display screen 350 of
FIG. 21. The gift can be related to television programming such as
program-related merchandise or a pay-per-view program.
[0143] After the user selects the gift and the recipient of the
gift, the television message system transmits the gift information
to the television distribution facility (or a remote server or a
television program entity for e.g. the purchase of program
merchandise) at step 392 where the user's account is debited. The
user's account can be a pay-per-view account or other account
maintained with the television distribution facility, an account
maintained with a television channel, an account maintained at a
third party institution (such as a bank), a credit card account
such as a Visa account, or any other suitable account. At step 394,
the recipient may be notified that a gift has been purchased for
him. The recipient may be notified by the shipper of the
merchandise, or by the television distribution facility that
handles pay-per-view programming for that recipient. The recipient
may be notified by an electronic message that is sent to the
message server where messages for the recipient are maintained.
[0144] Many of the features of the present invention may be used
with a two-way interactive display remote control. An example of a
display remote control is shown in FIG. 25. Display remote control
480 contains display screen 482 which may be any suitable type of
display screen. A user may compose a message to another user using
buttons 484. Pressing any of buttons 484 causes the selected letter
or number to appear adjacent to cursor 491. The user may delete a
letter or number by pressing Backspace button 486, and may enter
upper case letters by pressing Shift button 488. The user may enter
the recipient's address in region 495 of display screen 482, and
may send the message by selecting Send option 494. The user may
navigate between selected regions of display screen 482 using arrow
buttons 498. For example, Send option 494 is highlighted in FIG.
25. Therefore, if the user press Enter button 490, the message will
be sent to the recipient. Pressing the down arrow causes address
region 495 to become active so that pressing buttons 484 causes
letters or numerals to be entered in region 495.
[0145] The user may also view messages that have been sent to him
by others users by selecting option 492. Option 492 opens up the
user's inbox so that the user can read incoming messages directly
on display screen 482. These features give the user additional
privacy when composing messages and reading incoming messages. The
display remote control therefore is a two-way interactive remote in
that messages may be composed and sent, as well as received and
read by the user. Further features of an illustrative display
remote control are described in Herrington et al. U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/138,868, filed Jun. 11, 1999, which
is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. A
display remote may also be used for chatting between users. Further
features of an illustrative television chat system are described in
DeWeese et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/356,270, filed
Jul. 16, 1999 (Attorney Docket No. UV-101), which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0146] 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.
* * * * *
References