ENHANCED TELEVISION SERVICES

• US 20100060802A1
• Filed: 09/01/2009
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iCueTV, Inc.
• Original Assignee: iCueTV, Inc.
• Inventors: Huegel, Michael L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,132,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/462 Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4667 Processing of monitored end-user data, e.g. trend analysis based on the log file of viewer selections
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 for providing answers, e.g. voting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8545 for generating interactive applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A method and system to permit TV viewers to interact with program content broadcast over a subscriber network, such as cable, satellite, internet, or cellular telephone. The details of the ability for the viewer to interact is embedded as data in the program signal. The subscription provider broadcasts a visual indicator as a small icon during programming that informs the viewer that interaction is permitted. The viewer then uses a remote control to purchase products, vote on events, respond to polls, download files, request information, and request callback actions. The TV viewer uses the remote control to send information to a set-top box front-end application, and to iteratively create transactions that are batched and then sent to a back-end core application and database which then handles fulfillment.

Claims

1. A method for a TV viewer to interact with content broadcast by a service provider over a subscriber television network wherein the TV viewer uses a remote control to interact with the content, the remote control comprising electronic switches, and wherein the remote control transmits signals to a set-top box, said method comprising:

a) incorporating event identification data into the content, wherein said event identification data associates the content with an ability for the TV viewer to perform interactive tasks associated with the event by using the remote control;

b) broadcasting and displaying an indicator visible to the TV viewer, wherein said indicator indicates to the TV viewer that the TV viewer is able to perform said interactive tasks using the remote control and that the provider is ready to receive input from the TV viewer;

c) accepting input data from the TV viewer when the TV viewer activates an electronic switch on the remote control, said data indicating that the TV viewer desires detailed information, wherein said input data is accepted only during the period that the indicator is displayed to the TV viewer;

d) broadcasting and displaying said detailed information so as to be visible to the TV viewer;

e) accepting and capturing data from the set-top box that is generated by the TV viewer when the TV viewer activates at least one electronic switch on the remote control in response to said detailed information;

f) using said captured data to incrementally form a query;

g) if the query is not complete, iteratively accepting and capturing data from the set-top box that is generated by the TV viewer, and concatenating said iteratively captured data to the query until the query is complete; and

h) creating a transaction from the query.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting the transaction to an entity that fulfills transaction requests.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising fulfilling transaction requests.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using cable television service.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using a satellite and a receiving antenna.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using cellular telephone service.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using the internet.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising responding to the transaction by broadcasting a visible response visible to the TV viewer.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising accepting and capturing data from the TV viewer to form a plurality of transactions, and responding to the plurality of transactions with a plurality of responses visible to the TV viewer.

10. The method of claim 1, 8, or 9 wherein product information is displayed to the TV viewer, and wherein the TV viewer can purchase a product by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

11. The method of claim 1, 8, or 9 wherein event information is displayed to the TV viewer, and wherein the TV viewer can cast a vote by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

12. The method of claim 1, 8, or 9 wherein a TV viewer can request information by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

13. The method of claim 1, 8, or 9 wherein a TV viewer can initiate a call to action by activating one or more switches on the remote control, wherein said call to action is a request for a return communication with detailed information regarding an event or product.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the call to action is a TV viewer request for a return telephone call, a text message, or an email communication initiated by the service provider.

15. The method of claim 1, 8, or 9 wherein a TV viewer can download computer files by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said computer files are selected from the group consisting of photographs, audio recordings, ring tones, software games, and software applications.

17. The method of claim 1, 8, or 9 wherein a TV viewer can view a history containing past transactions by the TV viewer.

18. The method of claim 1, 8, or 9 wherein a TV viewer may add items to or remove items from a wish list.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the wish list items are products available for purchase or events available for action.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein transactions in the history can be of a type selected from the group consisting of confirmed, unconfirmed, and wish list items.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the TV viewer can purchase a product from the wish list.

22. A system for a TV viewer to interact with content broadcast by a service provider over a subscriber television network wherein the TV viewer uses a remote control to interact with the content, the remote control comprising electronic switches, and wherein the remote control transmits signals to a set-top box, said system comprising:

a) a component that incorporates event identification data into the content, wherein said event identification data associates the content with an ability for the TV viewer to perform interactive tasks associated with the event by using the remote control;

b) a component that broadcasts and displays an indicator visible to the TV viewer, wherein said indicator indicates to the TV viewer that the TV viewer is able to perform said interactive tasks using the remote control and that the provider is ready to receive input from the TV viewer;

c) a component that accepts input data from the TV viewer when the TV viewer activates an electronic switch on the remote control, said data indicating that the TV viewer desires detailed information, wherein said input data is accepted only during the period that the indicator is displayed to the TV viewer;

d) a component that broadcasts and displays said detailed information so as to be visible to the TV viewer;

e) a component that accepts and captures data from the set-top box that is generated by the TV viewer when the TV viewer activates at least one electronic switch on the remote control in response to said detailed information;

e) a component that uses said captured data to incrementally form a query;

g) a component that iteratively accepts and captures data from the set-top box that is generated by the TV viewer if the query is not complete, and concatenates said iteratively captured data to the query until the query is complete; and

h) a component that creates a transaction from the query.

23. The system of claim 22 further comprising a component that transmits the transaction to an entity that fulfills transaction requests.

24. The system of claim 22 further comprising a component that fulfills transaction requests.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using cable television service.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using a satellite and a receiving antenna.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using cellular telephone service.

28. The system of claim 22 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using the internet.

29. The system of claim 22 further comprising a component that responds to the transaction by broadcasting a visible response visible to the TV viewer.

30. The system of claim 29 further comprising a component that accepts and captures data from the TV viewer to form a plurality of transactions, and responds to the plurality of transactions with a plurality of responses visible to the TV viewer.

31. The system of claim 22, 29, or 30 wherein product information is displayed to the TV viewer, and wherein the TV viewer can purchase a product by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

33. The system of claim 22, 29, or 30 wherein a TV viewer can request information by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

34. The system of claim 22, 29, or 30 wherein a TV viewer can initiate a call to action by activating one or more switches on the remote control, wherein said call to action is a request for a return communication with detailed information regarding an event or product.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the call to action is a TV viewer request for a return telephone call, a text message, or an email communication initiated by the service provider.

36. The system of claim 22, 29, or 30 wherein a TV viewer can download computer files by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein said computer files are selected from the group consisting of photographs, audio recordings, ring tones, software, games, and software applications.

38. The system of claim 22, 29, or 30 wherein a TV viewer can view a history containing past transactions by the TV viewer.

39. The system of claim 22, 29, or 30 wherein a TV viewer can add items to or remove items from a wish list.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein the wish list items are products available for purchase or events available for action.

41. The system of claim 38 wherein transactions in the history can be of a type selected from the group consisting of confirmed, unconfirmed, and wish list items.

42. The system of claim 41 wherein the TV viewer can purchase a product from a wish list.

32. The system of 22, 29, or 30 wherein event information is displayed to the TV viewer, and wherein the TV viewer can cast a vote by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

43. A system for a TV viewer to interact with content broadcast by a service provider over a subscriber television network wherein the TV viewer uses a remote control to interact with the content, the remote control comprising electronic switches, and wherein the remote control transmits signals to a set-top box, said system comprising:

a) a means for incorporating event identification data into the content, wherein said event identification data associates the content with an ability for the TV viewer to perform interactive tasks associated with the event by using the remote control;

b) a means for broadcasting and displaying an indicator visible to the TV viewer, wherein said indicator indicates to the TV viewer that the TV viewer is able to perform said interactive tasks using the remote control and that the provider is ready to receive input from the TV viewer;

c) a means for accepting input data from the TV viewer when the TV viewer activates an electronic switch on the remote control, said data indicating that the TV viewer desires detailed information, wherein said input data is accepted only during the period that the indicator is displayed to the TV viewer;

d) a means for broadcasting and displaying said detailed information so as to be visible to the TV viewer;

e) a means for accepting and capturing data from the set-top box that is generated by the TV viewer when the TV viewer activates at least one electronic switch on the remote control in response to said detailed information;

f) a means for using said captured data to incrementally form a query;

g) if the query is not complete, a means for iteratively accepting and capturing data from the set-top box that is generated by the TV viewer, and a means for concatenating said iteratively captured data to the query until the query is complete; and

h) a means for creating a transaction from the query.

44. The system of claim 43 further comprising a means for transmitting the transaction to an entity that fulfills transaction requests.

45. The system of claim 43 further comprising a means for fulfilling transaction requests.

46. The system of claim 43 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using cable television service.

47. The system of claim 43 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using a satellite and a receiving antenna.

48. The system of claim 43 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using cellular telephone service.

49. The system of claim 43 wherein the subscriber television network delivers broadcast content to the TV viewer using the internet.

50. The system of claim 43 further comprising a means for responding to the transaction by broadcasting a visible response visible to the TV viewer.

51. The system of claim 50 further comprising a means for accepting and capturing data from the TV viewer to form a plurality of transactions, and responding to the plurality of transactions with a plurality of responses visible to the TV viewer.

52. The system of claim 43, 50, or 51 wherein product information is displayed to the TV viewer, and wherein the TV viewer can purchase a product by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

53. The system of claim 43, 50, or 51 wherein event information is displayed to the TV viewer, and wherein the TV viewer can cast a vote by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

54. The system of claim 43, 50, or 51 wherein a TV viewer can request information by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

55. The system of claim 43, 50, or 51 wherein a TV viewer can initiate a call to action by activating one or more switches on the remote control, wherein said call to action is a request for a return communication with detailed information regarding an event or product.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein the call to action is a TV viewer request for a return telephone call, a text message, or an email communication initiated by the service provider.

57. The system of claim 43, 50, or 51 wherein a TV viewer can download computer files by activating one or more electronic switches on the remote control.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein said computer files are selected from the group consisting of photographs, audio recordings, ring tones, software games, and software applications.

59. The system of claim 43, 50, or 51 wherein a TV viewer can view a history containing past transactions by the TV viewer.

60. The system of claim 43, 50, or 51 wherein a TV viewer may add items to or remove items from a wish list.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein the wish list items are products available for purchase or events available for action.

62. The system of claim 59 wherein transactions in the history can be of a type selected from the group consisting of confirmed, unconfirmed, and wish list items.

63. The system of claim 60 wherein the TV viewer can purchase a product from the wish list.

64. A system to enable a TV viewer to interact with content broadcast onto a television set by a service provider over a subscriber television network allowing the TV viewer to use a remote control to interact with the content, the remote control comprising electronic switches, wherein the remote control transmits signals to a set-top box, said system comprising:

a) at least one multiple cable television system network comprising hardware and software components,

b) a back-end hardware and software component that resides with the service provider and which interacts with the at least one multiple cable television system network;

said back-end software component further comprising;

i) web portal components;

ii) a business application engine component;

iii) a common business services component; and

iv) a component that allows third party integration;

and,

c) said system further comprising a central data base,

wherein the at least one multiple cable television system network functions at the service provider; and

wherein each of the at least one multiple cable television system network further comprises;

at least one front-end hardware and software component that handles TV user interaction with the subscriber television network, and

wherein each of the at least one multiple cable television system network further comprises;

i) a component that permits the TV viewer to purchase products;

ii) a component that permits the TV viewer to download software or data;

iii) a component that permits the TV viewer to vote or be polled;

iv) a component that permits the TV viewer to request information;

v) a component that permits the TV viewer to initiate a call to action control, wherein said call to action is a request for a return communication with detailed information regarding an event or product; and

vi) a component that permits authentication of TV viewers.

65. The system of claim 64 wherein the at least one front-end hardware and software component that handles TV user interaction with the subscriber television network further comprises:

a set-top box application bundle;

a front-end control sub-system;

wherein;

a) the set-top application bundle resides in the set-top box, accepts TV viewer input from the remote control, and transmits it to the proxy sub-system;

b) the front-end control sub-system responds to the request by transmitting said response back to the set-top application bundle using XML format protocol; and

c) the set-top box application bundle sends the response to the television set so the TV viewer can view the data on the television as a response to the viewer input.

66. The system of claim 64 wherein each of the at least one multiple cable television system network software component further comprises a component that permits the TV viewer to view a transaction history.

67. The system of claim 64 wherein the at least one multiple cable television system network accumulates transactions and transmits them to the back-end hardware and software component in batches for later processing.

68. The system of claim 64 wherein the at least one front-end hardware and software component that handles TV user interaction with the subscriber television network further comprises:

a set-top box application bundle;

a proxy sub-system further comprising a deployed web application and a TV works 2-way package library; and

a front-end control sub-system;

wherein;

a) the set-top application bundle resides in the set-top box, accepts TV viewer input from the remote control, and transmits it to the proxy sub-system;

b) the proxy sub-system sends the same request to the front-end control sub-system;

c) the front-end control sub-system responds to the request by transmitting said response back to the proxy sub-system using XML format protocol;

d) the proxy sub-system converts the XML into EBIF format data by using the TV works 2-way package library;

e) the proxy sub-system transmits the converted EBIF data back to the set-top box application bundle as a response; and

f) the set-top box application bundle sends the EBIF data to the television set so the TV viewer can view the data on the television as a response to the viewer input.

69. The system of claim 65, 66 or 68 wherein the front-end control sub-system further comprises an application server and a data base.

70. The system of claim 64 wherein the back-end hardware and software component further communicates with third-party vendors and payment service providers, thereby allowing the TV viewer to interact with said third-party vendors and payment service providers using the remote control.

71. The system of claim 70 wherein communication between the back-end hardware and software component and the third-party vendors and payment service providers takes place over the internet.

72. The system of claim 70 wherein the back-end software component further comprises:

a) an administrative portal that handles communications with system administrators;

b) a subscriber portal that that handles direct communications with the TV viewer;

c) a vendor portal that handles communications with third-party vendors and payment service providers; and

d) a customer service portal that handles communications with customer service representatives.

73. The system of claim 70 wherein the back-end software component further comprises:

a) an order management component that processes product orders from the TV viewer;

b) a product management component that maintains product images, pricing, discounts, categories, features, descriptions, inventory, storage, supplier, fulfillment methods, and fulfillment logic;

c) an event management component that further comprises vendor maintenance functions of editing and deleting events;

d) an inventory management component serves as a vendor interface to product inventory data;

e) a dashboard management component that serves as a secure interface for the third-party vendors and payment service providers to view data on their event performance and information in near real-time and to generate ad-hoc reports from said data;

f) an identity management component;

g) a subscriber management component wherein the subscriber is the TV viewer; and

h) a user management component wherein the user is the vendor.

74. The system of claim 65, 66, or 68 wherein the subscriber management software component provides the following functionality to the TV viewer:

the TV viewer can search for products available for purchase;

the TV viewer can search the TV viewer'"'"'s order history;

the TV viewer can view current unfulfilled orders;

the TV viewer can view pending downloads;

the TV viewer can view the TV viewer'"'"'s recorded profile;

the TV viewer can view votes that were cast by the TV viewer;

the TV viewer can the manage TV viewer'"'"'s wish list;

the TV viewer can manage a virtual shopping cart;

the TV viewer can move items from the wish list to the shopping cart and from the shopping cart to the wish list;

the TV viewer can initiate a call to action control, wherein said call to action is a request for a return communication with detailed information regarding an event or product;

the TV viewer can receive and respond to special offers; and

the TV viewer can obtain help and support which further comprises engaging in a chat with customer service representatives, obtain customer service contact numbers, view video tutorials, and view a site map.

75. The system of claim 64 wherein the business application engine component further comprises the logic to process TV viewer requests and automate transaction processing by inserting the order into the back-end software component and applying business logic into the back-end software component, wherein:

a) said business application engine contacts a payment gateway to charge the TV viewer for a purchased product;

b) said business application engine transmits all successful transactions to an internal or third party fulfillment center;

c) said business application engine transmits a confirmation of successful transactions; and

d) said business application engine handles product sales, download requests, and voting.