SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A PROGRAM AS A GIFT USING AN INTERACTIVE APPLICATION
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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. Users can send messages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user'"'"'s television distribution facility through a communications network. 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.
2 Citations
50 Claims
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1-30. -30. (canceled)
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31. A method for allowing a user to purchase media programs as gifts, the method comprising:
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receiving, from a first user equipment device at a first location, a user selection of a media program to purchase for a recipient at a second user equipment device at a second location; receiving, from the first user equipment device, information for purchasing the selected media program for the recipient; and in response to receiving the information transmission and without any input from the second user equipment device, automatically authorizing the second user equipment device to access the selected media program. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A system for allowing a user to purchase media programs as gifts, the system comprising processing circuitry configured to:
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receive, from a first user equipment device at a first location, a user selection of a media program to purchase for a recipient at a second user equipment device at a second location; receive, from the first user equipment device, information from the user for purchasing the selected media program for the recipient; and in response to receiving the information transmission and without any input from the second user equipment device, automatically authorize the second user equipment device to access the selected media program. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method for allowing a user to purchase media programs as gifts, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a first user equipment device at a first location, a user selection of a media program to purchase for a recipient at a second user equipment device at a second location; receiving, at the first user equipment device, information for purchasing the selected media program for the recipient; and transmitting the received information to a distribution facility through a communication path, wherein, in response to receiving the information transmission and without any input from the second user equipment device, the distribution facility automatically authorizes the second user equipment device to access the selected media program.
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50. A system for allowing a user to purchase media programs as gifts, the system comprising processing circuitry configured to:
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receive, at a first user equipment device at a first location, a user selection of a media program to purchase for a recipient at a second user equipment device at a second location; receive, at the first user equipment device, information from the user for purchasing the selected media program for the recipient; and transmit the received information to a distribution facility through a communication path, wherein, in response to receiving the information transmission and without any input from the second user equipment device, the distribution facility automatically authorizes the second user equipment device to access the selected media program.
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Specification