System and method for using user-specific information to configure and enable functions in remote control, broadcast and interactive systems
First Claim
1. A method for creating a transaction request in an interactive television environment, said method comprising:
- receiving a first plurality of user-specific information at a remotable device for interactive television;
storing said first plurality of user-specific information in a smart card;
receiving a first indication of user intention to enter into a first transaction;
evaluating the first indication of user intention to enter into a first transaction to select a first plurality of specific instances of information from said first plurality of user-specific information based upon relevance to the first transaction;
creating a first transaction request based upon the first indication of user intention to enter into a transaction and the first specific instances of user-specific information; and
sending the first transaction request.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to the invention, techniques for using user-specific information to configure and enable functions in remote control broadcast and interactive systems. In specific embodiments, the user-specific information can be used to facilitate purchasing items electronically, for example. In other embodiments, the user-specific information can be used to complete a call for assistance in case of an emergency, select favorite material for viewing, or control access to content, such as adult entertainment. For example, in select specific embodiments, the user-specific information can be used for restricting access to sexually explicit material over electronic delivery media. In various specific embodiments, the user-specific information can also include information about persons other than the user, to which the user has a particular relationship. For example, information such as a mother'"'"'s favorite flower, or a child'"'"'s clothing size, and the like may be stored for a particular user. In specific embodiments, the present invention provides a remote access device that is configured to accept a smart card. The smart card has user modifiable information relevant to completing transactions for goods or services, for example, stored thereon. In various specific embodiments, a second plurality of user-specific information may be received and stored on a smart card, providing user interactive controlled modifiability to the information on the smart card.
76 Citations
68 Claims
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1. A method for creating a transaction request in an interactive television environment, said method comprising:
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receiving a first plurality of user-specific information at a remotable device for interactive television;
storing said first plurality of user-specific information in a smart card;
receiving a first indication of user intention to enter into a first transaction;
evaluating the first indication of user intention to enter into a first transaction to select a first plurality of specific instances of information from said first plurality of user-specific information based upon relevance to the first transaction;
creating a first transaction request based upon the first indication of user intention to enter into a transaction and the first specific instances of user-specific information; and
sending the first transaction request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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receiving at a client an input indicating an emergency situation;
retrieving user personal information from a smart card communicatively coupled with the client; and
sending an emergency distress signal including the user personal information retrieved from the smart card. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system, comprising:
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a content broadcast source;
a head end;
a client; and
a remote access device;
wherein the content broadcast source provides information content to the client via the head end;
wherein said remote access device is configured to accept a smart card;
the smart card having user modifiable information relevant to completing transactions stored thereon. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor;
a working memory;
a persistent storage;
a head end communications device;
a transceiver;
a bus, interconnecting the processor, the working memory, the persistent storage, the head end communications device and the transceiver;
wherein the transceiver is operative to provide communications with a remotable device; and
wherein the remotable device communicatively couples to a smart card having user modifiable information relevant to completing transactions stored thereon. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A set top apparatus, comprising:
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means for communicating with a head end;
means for communicating with a remotable device;
means for controlling user modification of information stored on a smart card coupled to the remotable device.
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34. A set top apparatus, comprising:
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means for communicating with a head end;
means for communicating with a remotable device;
means for coupling with a smart card; and
means for controlling user modification of information stored on the smart card.
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35. A remote control, comprising:
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means for communicating with a set top box;
means for receiving information from a user;
means for receiving a smart card, said smart card having user modifiable information storable thereon;
means for reading user modifiable information from the smart card; and
means for writing user modifiable information onto the smart card.
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36. A method, comprising:
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receiving at a set top box a request to modify user-specific information stored on a smart card;
providing an interface into which user-specific information may be entered;
receiving an input of modifications to user-specific information; and
updating user-specific information on the smart card in accordance with the input. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A computer program product for creating a transaction request in an interactive television environment, said computer program product comprising:
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code that receives a first plurality of user-specific information at a remotable device for interactive television;
code that stores said first plurality of user-specific information in a smart card;
code that receives a first indication of user intention to enter into a first transaction;
code that evaluates the first indication of user intention to enter into a first transaction to select a first plurality of specific instances of information from said first plurality of user-specific information based upon relevance to the first transaction;
code that creates a first transaction request based upon the first indication of user intention to enter into a transaction and the first specific instances of user-specific information;
code that sends the first transaction request; and
a computer readable storage medium for holding the codes. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. A computer program product comprising:
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code that receives at a client an input indicating an emergency situation;
code that retrieves user personal information from a smart card communicatively coupled with the client;
code that sends an emergency distress signal including the user personal information retrieved from the smart card; and
a computer readable storage medium for holding the codes. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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64. A computer program product, comprising:
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code that receives at a set top box a request to modify user-specific information stored on a smart card;
code that provides an interface into which user-specific information may be entered;
code that receives an input of modifications to user-specific information;
code that updates user-specific information on the smart card in accordance with the input; and
a computer readable storage medium for holding the codes. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68)
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Specification