Internet television program guide system

• US 20030066085A1
• Filed: 11/01/2002
• Published: 04/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: United Video Properties Incorporated (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Herrington, W. Benjamin, Regouby, Mark A., Demers, Timothy B., Allison, Donald W., Boyer, Franklin E., Williamson, Steven C., Hensley, Joanna L., Reddy, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US10/287,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20030066085A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4381 Recovering the multiplex stream from a specific network, e.g. recovering MPEG packets from ATM cells transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4725 using interactive regions of the image, e.g. hot spots details of information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8153 comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8549 Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer retrieval in video databases by using presentations in form of a video summary G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 : for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

An Internet television program guide system is provided that allows a user at a multimedia system to access information related to television programs over an Internet communications link. The user can view and select television program guide listings, including listings for pay-per-view programs. A program information web page may be provided for programs selected by the user. The program information page may include a selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip of the selected program. An order web page may be provided for users to order selected pay-per-view programs over the Internet by selecting an on-screen option in the order web page.

Claims

1. A method for providing web pages of information to a user of an Internet television program guide system, the method comprising:

providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link, wherein the web pages of program listings include program listings for scheduled pay-per-view programs;

providing a pay-per-view program information web page for a pay-per-view program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link; and

providing a selectable option for allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program over the Internet communications link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected pay-per-view program before ordering the selected pay-per-view program.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one scheduled time listing for which the selected pay-per-view program is to be broadcast.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the at least one scheduled time listing is a selectable hyperlink.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectable option is a hyperlink, the method further comprising:

providing an order web page from the web server in response to the user selecting the hyperlink; and

allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program with the order web page.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing instructions on how to order the selected pay-per-view program on the order web page.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the instructions include a customer service telephone number and procedures for obtaining a personal identification number.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the order web page prompts the user to enter user-specific information used to verify the user'"'"'s identity.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the user-specific information is a personal identification number.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the user-specific information is a telephone number.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a cable system operator for processing.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a third party order fulfillment processor linked to a cable headend.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

automatically processing the order and verification data using equipment at the cable headend; and

arranging for delivery of the selected pay-per-view program.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising using equipment at the cable headend to direct the multimedia system to display the selected pay-per-view program.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

processing the order and verification data entered on the order web page with the web server; and

transmitting authorization information from the web server to equipment located at the user'"'"'s premises to allow display of the selected pay-per-view program.

18. An Internet television program guide system for providing web pages of information to a user, the system comprising:

means for providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link, wherein the web pages of program listings include program listings for scheduled pay-per-view programs;

means for providing a pay-per-view program information web page for a pay-per-view program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link; and

means for providing a selectable option for allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program over the Internet communications link.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected pay-per-view program before ordering the selected pay-per-view program.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising means for providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one scheduled time listing for which the selected pay-per-view program is to be broadcast.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein each of the at least one scheduled time listing is a selectable hyperlink.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the selectable option is a hyperlink, further comprising:

means for providing an order web page in response to the user selecting the hyperlink; and

means for allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program with the order web page.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising means for providing instructions on how to order the selected pay-per-view program on the order web page.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the instructions include a customer service telephone number and procedures for obtaining a personal identification number.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the order web page prompts the user to enter user-specific information used to verify the user'"'"'s identity.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the user-specific information is a personal identification number.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the user-specific information is a telephone number.

30. The system of claim 27, further comprising means for electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a cable system operator for processing.

31. The system of claim 27, further comprising means for electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a third party order fulfillment processor linked to a cable headend.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

means for automatically processing the order and verification data using equipment at the cable headend; and

means for arranging for delivery of the selected pay-per-view program.

33. The system of claim 32, further comprising means for using equipment at the cable headend to direct the multimedia system to display the selected pay-per-view program.

34. The system of claim 27, further comprising:

means for processing the order and verification data entered on the order web page with the web server; and

means for transmitting authorization information from the web server to equipment located at the user'"'"'s premises to allow display of the selected pay-per-view program.

35. A machine-readable medium for use in providing web pages of information to a user of an Internet television program guide system, comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link, wherein the web pages of program listings include program listings for scheduled pay-per-view programs;

providing a pay-per-view program information web page for a pay-per-view program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link; and

providing a selectable option for allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program over the Internet communications link.

36. The machine-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected pay-per-view program before ordering the selected pay-per-view program.

37. The machine-readable medium of claim 36, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

38. The machine-readable medium of claim 36, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

39. The machine-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one scheduled time listing for which the selected pay-per-view program is to be broadcast.

40. The machine-readable medium of claim 39, wherein each of the at least one scheduled time listing is a selectable hyperlink.

41. The machine-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the selectable option is a hyperlink, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

providing an order web page from the web server in response to the user selecting the hyperlink; and

allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program with the order web page.

42. The machine-readable medium of claim 41, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for providing instructions on how to order the selected pay-per-view program on the order web page.

43. The machine-readable medium of claim 42, wherein the instructions include a customer service telephone number and procedures for obtaining a personal identification number.

44. The machine-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the order web page prompts the user to enter user-specific information used to verify the user'"'"'s identity.

45. The machine-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the user-specific information is a personal identification number.

46. The machine-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the user-specific information is a telephone number.

47. The machine-readable medium of claim 44, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a cable system operator for processing.

48. The machine-readable medium of claim 44, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a third party order fulfillment processor linked to a cable headend.

49. The machine-readable medium of claim 48, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

automatically processing the order and verification data using equipment at the cable headend; and

arranging for delivery of the selected pay-per-view program.

50. The machine-readable medium of claim 49, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for using equipment at the cable headend to direct the multimedia system to display the selected pay-per-view program.

51. The machine-readable medium of claim 44, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

processing the order and verification data entered on the order web page with the web server; and

transmitting authorization information from the web server to equipment located at the user'"'"'s premises to allow display of the selected pay-per-view program.

52. A method for providing web pages of information to a user of an Internet television program guide system, the method comprising:

providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link;

providing a program information web page for a program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link, wherein the program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected program; and

providing the video clip to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link in response to the user selecting the at least one selectable option.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

54. The method of claim 52, further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the video clip is a preview for the selected program.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein the video clip is an interview related to the selected program.

57. The method of claim 52, wherein the video clip is a promotion related to the selected program.

58. An Internet television program guide system for providing web pages of information to a user, the system comprising:

means for providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link;

means for providing a program information web page for a program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link, wherein the program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected program; and

means for providing the video clip to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link in response to the user selecting the at least one selectable option.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

60. The system of claim 58, further comprising means for providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

61. The system of claim 58, wherein the video clip is a preview for the selected program.

62. The system of claim 58, wherein the video clip is an interview related to the selected program.

63. The system of claim 58, wherein the video clip is a promotion related to the selected program.

64. A machine-readable medium for use in providing web pages of information to a user of an Internet television program guide system, comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link;

providing a program information web page for a program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link, wherein the program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected program; and

providing the video clip to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link in response to the user selecting the at least one selectable option.

65. The machine-readable medium of claim 64, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

66. The machine-readable medium of claim 64, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

67. The machine-readable medium of claim 64, wherein the video clip is a preview for the selected program.

68. The machine-readable medium of claim 64, wherein the video clip is an interview related to the selected program.

69. The machine-readable medium of claim 64, wherein the video clip is a promotion related to the selected program.