Messaging for communications systems

• US 20080250441A1
• Filed: 04/06/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vitendo Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vitendo Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Sharma, Ajay, Debbasch, Bernard
• Application Number:
  US11/784,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20080250441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/475 End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Interactive televised programs rely heavily on audience feedback via Short Message Service (SMS) provided by mobile/cellular network. On a polling prompt which opens a clocked “polling window”, a TV viewer enters his/her feedback message into a mobile/cell phone for transmission over a communications network such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) or CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). Especially in a residential setting, for an IP (Internet Protocol)-enabled TV or STB (Set-Top Box), message entry can be facilitated by messaging capability from a hand-held control device for the TV or the STB.

Claims

1. A TV system comprising TV apparatus and adapted for

(a) receiving feedback from a viewer of a TV program being displayed by the TV apparatus, and

(b) transmitting the feedback over a cellular network.

2. The TV system of claim 1, wherein the feedback is received on sensing touch.

3. The TV system of claim 2, wherein the feedback is received on a keypad.

4. The TV system of claim 2, wherein the feedback is received on a touch screen.

5. The TV system of claim 1, wherein the feedback is received on sensing sound.

6. The TV system of claim 1, wherein the feedback is received by the TV apparatus.

7. The TV system of claim 1, further comprising a control device for remote control of functionality of the TV apparatus, and wherein the feedback is received by the control device.

8. The TV system of claim 1, further comprising a set-top box for the TV apparatus, and wherein the feedback is received by the set-top box.

9. The TV system of claim 1, further comprising a residential broadband gateway, and wherein the feedback is received by the residential broadband gateway.

10. The TV system of claim 1, wherein the TV apparatus is equipped for communicating with the cellular network according to a protocol selected from GA, I-WLAN and IMS protocols.

11. The TV system of claim 9, wherein the set-top box is equipped for communicating with the cellular network according to a protocol selected from GA, I-WLAN and IMS protocols.