Enhanced television services

• US 8,776,140 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2012
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iCueTV, Inc.
• Original Assignee: iCueTV, Inc.
• Inventors: Huegel, Michael L., Huegel, Patrick P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry, Hunter B
• Application Number:
  US13/372,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20120144414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 725/13, 725 60- 61, 725/136
• US Class Current: 725/60
• 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 implemented by a service provider to support interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the method comprising the service provider:

(a) causing an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receiving interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) creating a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) causing the transaction to be fulfilled, wherein transaction fulfillment causes a communication comprising detailed information regarding the transaction to be transmitted to the viewer via one or more of an email message, a text message, and a phone call.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein, prior to step (a), the service provider establishes an event associated with the interactive session by defining an event ID, event timing, and event data for the event, wherein:

the service provider determines when to cause the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content based on the event timing; and

the service provider transmits the event ID and the event data to the viewer equipment to configure the viewer equipment to;

(1) receive an initial response from the viewer responding to the indicator in the displayed initial video content, the viewer'"'"'s initial response indicating that the viewer has requested the interactive session;

(2) cause further information for the interactive session to be included in subsequent video content displayed to the viewer, wherein the viewer equipment determines the further information based on the event data received from the service provider; and

(3) receive a subsequent response from the viewer responding to the further information in the displayed subsequent video content, wherein the viewer equipment generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider based on the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response and the event ID.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein the viewer equipment (1) causes the initial video content to be displayed to the viewer with the indicator, (2) receives the viewer'"'"'s initial response, (3) causes the further information for the interactive session to be included in the displayed subsequent video content, (4) receives the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response, and (5) generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider, all without requiring any intervening communication from the viewer equipment to the service provider.

4. The invention of claim 2, wherein the viewer uses a remote control to transmit the viewer'"'"'s initial and subsequent responses to the viewer equipment.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein the remote control is a legacy standard remote control.

6. The invention of claim 4, wherein the viewer equipment comprises (i) a television that displays the initial and subsequent video content and (ii) a set top box that:

receives the event ID and the event data from the service provider;

receives the viewer'"'"'s initial response;

causes the further information for the interactive session to be included in the displayed subsequent video content displayed;

receives the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response; and

generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider.

7. The invention of claim 2, wherein the service provider establishes the event in response to an event request received from a third party.

8. The invention of claim 1, wherein the service provider comprises a core and an edge, wherein:

the edge causes the indicator to be included in the initial video content transmitted for display by the viewer equipment to the viewer;

the edge receives the interactive session results;

the edge creates the transaction based on the interactive session results;

the edge informs the core about the transaction; and

the core causes the transaction to be fulfilled, which in turn causes the communication comprising the detailed information regarding the transaction to be transmitted to the viewer via one or more of the email message, the text message, and the phone call.

9. The invention of claim 8, wherein:

the edge is configured to communicate with multiple instances of viewer equipment for multiple interactive sessions by multiple viewers;

the edge is associated with a first multi-service operator (MSO); and

the service provider further comprises one or more different edges associated with one or more different MSOs.

10. The invention of claim 8, wherein the service provider further comprises a proxy configured to translate communications between the edge and the viewer equipment between edge language associated with the edge and viewer-equipment language associated with the viewer equipment.

11. The invention of claim 10, wherein:

the edge language is XML; and

the viewer-equipment language is EBIF.

12. The invention of claim 8, wherein the edge (1) causes the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content, (2) receives the interactive session results, (3) creates the transaction based on the interactive session results, and (4) informs the core about the transaction, all without requiring any intervening communication from the edge to the core.

13. The invention of claim 8, wherein, prior to step (a):

the core establishes an event associated with the interactive session by defining an event ID, event timing, and event data for the event;

the core informs the edge about the event;

the edge determines when to cause the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content based on the event timing; and

the edge transmits the event ID and the event data to the viewer equipment to configure the viewer equipment to;

(1) receive an initial response from the viewer responding to the indicator in the displayed initial video content, the viewer'"'"'s initial response indicating that the viewer has requested the interactive session;

(2) cause further information for the interactive session to be included in subsequent video content displayed to the viewer, wherein the viewer equipment determines the further information based on the event data received from the edge; and

(3) receive a subsequent response from the viewer responding to the further information in the displayed subsequent video content, wherein the viewer equipment generates and transmits the interactive session results to the edge based on the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response and the event ID.

14. The invention of claim 13, wherein the viewer equipment comprises a set top box that (1) causes the initial video content to be displayed to the viewer with the indicator, (2) receives the viewer'"'"'s initial response, (3) includes the further information for the interactive session into the displayed subsequent video content, (4) receives the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response, and (5) generates and transmits the interactive session results to the edge.

15. The invention of claim 8, wherein the core establishes the event in response to an event request from a third party.

16. The invention of claim 1, wherein the service provider fulfills the transaction.

17. The invention of claim 1, wherein the service provider transmits the transaction to a third party for fulfillment.

18. The invention of claim 1, wherein the video content is transmitted to the viewer equipment using cable television service.

19. The invention of claim 1, wherein the video content is transmitted to the viewer equipment using a satellite and a receiving antenna.

20. The invention of claim 1, wherein the video content is transmitted to the viewer equipment using cellular telephone service.

21. The invention of claim 1, wherein the video content is transmitted to the viewer equipment using the Internet.

22. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the interactive session results comprise voting/polling results from the viewer; and

the communication provides, to the viewer, voting/polling results for multiple viewers.

23. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the interactive session results comprise a request by the viewer for a product; and

the communication provides, to the viewer, the detailed information associated with the product request.

24. The invention of claim 23, wherein:

the transaction fulfillment corresponds to a purchase of the product; and

the communication confirms the product purchase.

25. The invention of claim 23, wherein:

the transaction fulfillment initiates a purchase of the product; and

the communication enables the viewer to complete the product purchase.

26. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the interactive session results comprise a request by the viewer for a digital download; and

the communication provides, to the viewer, a link for downloading the digital download.

27. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the interactive session results comprise a request by the viewer for a history of past interactive sessions by the viewer; and

the transaction fulfillment provides the history to the viewer.

28. The invention of claim 27, wherein the history identifies each past interactive session as confirmed, unconfirmed, or wish list.

29. The invention of claim 27, wherein the service provider causes an email or text message to be transmitted to the viewer to enable the viewer to access the history.

30. The invention of claim 27, wherein the service provider transmits the history to the viewer equipment for display to the viewer.

31. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the interactive session involves creation or modification of a wish list by the viewer; and

the transaction fulfillment involves enabling the viewer to complete items on the wish list.

32. A service provider for supporting interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the service provider configured to:

(a) cause an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receive interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) create a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) cause the transaction to be fulfilled, wherein transaction fulfillment causes a communication comprising detailed information regarding the transaction to be transmitted to the viewer via one or more of an email message, a text message, and a phone call.

33. The invention of claim 32, wherein, prior to step (a), the service provider establishes an event associated with the interactive session by defining an event ID, event timing, and event data for the event, wherein:

the service provider determines when to cause the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content based on the event timing; and

the service provider transmits the event ID and the event data to the viewer equipment to configure the viewer equipment to;

(1) receive an initial response from the viewer responding to the indicator in the displayed initial video content, the viewer'"'"'s initial response indicating that the viewer has requested the interactive session;

(2) cause further information for the interactive session to be included in subsequent video content displayed to the viewer, wherein the viewer equipment determines the further information based on the event data received from the service provider; and

(3) receive a subsequent response from the viewer responding to the further information in the displayed subsequent video content, wherein the viewer equipment generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider based on the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response and the event ID.

34. The invention of claim 33, wherein the viewer equipment (1) causes the initial video content to be displayed to the viewer with the indicator, (2) receives the viewer'"'"'s initial response, (3) causes the further information for the interactive session to be included in the displayed subsequent video content, (4) receives the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response, and (5) generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider, all without requiring any intervening communication from the viewer equipment to the service provider.

35. The invention of claim 33, wherein the service provider establishes the event in response to an event request received from a third party.

36. The invention of claim 32, wherein the service provider comprises a core and an edge, wherein:

the edge causes the indicator to be included in the initial video content transmitted for display by the viewer equipment to the viewer;

the edge receives the interactive session results;

the edge creates the transaction based on the interactive session results;

the edge informs the core about the transaction; and

the core causes the transaction to be fulfilled, which in turn causes the communication comprising the detailed information regarding the transaction to be transmitted to the viewer via one or more of the email message, the text message, and the phone call.

37. The invention of claim 36, wherein:

the edge is configured to communicate with multiple instances of viewer equipment for multiple interactive sessions by multiple viewers;

the edge is associated with a first multi-service operator (MSO); and

the service provider further comprises one or more different edges associated with one or more different MSOs.

38. The invention of claim 36, wherein the service provider further comprises a proxy configured to translate communications between the edge and the viewer equipment between edge language associated with the edge and viewer-equipment language associated with the viewer equipment.

39. The invention of claim 38, wherein:

the edge language is XML; and

the viewer-equipment language is EBIF.

40. The invention of claim 36, wherein the edge (1) causes the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content, (2) receives the interactive session results, (3) creates the transaction based on the interactive session results, and (4) informs the core about the transaction, all without requiring any intervening communication from the edge to the core.

41. The invention of claim 36, wherein, prior to step (a):

the core establishes an event associated with the interactive session by defining an event ID, event timing, and event data for the event;

the core informs the edge about the event;

the edge determines when to cause the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content based on the event timing; and

the edge transmits the event ID and the event data to the viewer equipment to configure the viewer equipment to;

(1) receive an initial response from the viewer responding to the indicator in the displayed initial video content, the viewer'"'"'s initial response indicating that the viewer has requested the interactive session;

(2) cause further information for the interactive session to be included in subsequent video content displayed to the viewer, wherein the viewer equipment determines the further information based on the event data received from the edge; and

(3) receive a subsequent response from the viewer responding to the further information in the displayed subsequent video content, wherein the viewer equipment generates and transmits the interactive session results to the edge based on the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response and the event ID.

42. The invention of claim 41, wherein the viewer equipment comprises a set top box that (1) causes the initial video content to be displayed to the viewer with the indicator, (2) receives the viewer'"'"'s initial response, (3) includes the further information for the interactive session into the displayed subsequent video content, (4) receives the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response, and (5) generates and transmits the interactive session results to the edge.

43. The invention of claim 36, wherein the core establishes the event in response to an event request from a third party.

44. The invention of claim 32, wherein the service provider fulfills the transaction.

45. The invention of claim 32, wherein the service provider transmits the transaction to a third party for fulfillment.

46. The invention of claim 32, wherein the video content is transmitted to the viewer equipment using cable television service.

47. The invention of claim 32, wherein the video content is transmitted to the viewer equipment using a satellite and a receiving antenna.

48. The invention of claim 32, wherein the video content is transmitted to the viewer equipment using cellular telephone service.

49. The invention of claim 32, wherein the video content is transmitted to the viewer equipment using the Internet.

50. The invention of claim 32, wherein:

the interactive session results comprise voting/polling results from the viewer; and

the communication provides, to the viewer, voting/polling results for multiple viewers.

51. The invention of claim 32, wherein:

the interactive session results comprise a request by the viewer for a product; and

the communication provides, to the viewer, the detailed information associated with the product request.

52. The invention of claim 51, wherein:

the transaction fulfillment corresponds to a purchase of the product; and

the communication confirms the product purchase.

53. The invention of claim 52, wherein:

the transaction fulfillment initiates a purchase of the product; and

the communication enables the viewer to complete the product purchase.

54. The invention of claim 32, wherein:

the interactive session results comprise a request by the viewer for a digital download; and

the communication provides, to the viewer, a link for downloading the digital download.

55. The invention of claim 32, wherein:

the interactive session results comprise a request by the viewer for a history of past interactive sessions by the viewer; and

the transaction fulfillment provides the history to the viewer.

56. The invention of claim 55, wherein the history identifies each past interactive session as confirmed, unconfirmed, or wish list.

57. The invention of claim 55, wherein the service provider causes an email or text message to be transmitted to the viewer to enable the viewer to access the history.

58. The invention of claim 55, wherein the service provider transmits the history to the viewer equipment for display to the viewer.

59. The invention of claim 32, wherein:

the interactive session involves creation or modification of a wish list by the viewer; and

the transaction fulfillment involves enabling the viewer to complete items on the wish list.

60. Viewer equipment for supporting interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the viewer equipment configured to:

(a) receive an event ID and event data for an event from a service provider;

(b) cause initial video content to be displayed to the viewer, wherein the displayed initial video content includes an indicator indicating to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(c) receive an initial response from the viewer responding to the indicator in the displayed initial video content, the viewer'"'"'s initial response indicating that the viewer has requested the interactive session;

(d) determines further information for the interactive session based on the event data received from the service provider;

(e) cause the further information for the interactive session to be included in subsequent video content displayed to the viewer;

(f) receive a subsequent response from the viewer responding to the further information; and

(g) generate and transmit interactive session results to the service provider based on the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response and the event ID, wherein the viewer equipment performs all of functions (b)-(g) without requiring any intervening communication from the viewer equipment to the service provider.

61. The invention of claim 60, wherein the viewer uses a remote control to transmit the viewer'"'"'s initial and subsequent responses to the viewer equipment.

62. The invention of claim 61, wherein the remote control is a standard remote control.

63. The invention of claim 61, wherein the viewer equipment comprises a set top box that performs functions (a)-(g).

64. The invention of claim 60, wherein the interactive session results are further generated based on a viewer ID for the viewer.

65. A method implemented by a service provider to support interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the method comprising the service provider:

(a) causing an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receiving interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) creating a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) causing the transaction to be fulfilled, wherein, prior to step (a), the service provider establishes an event associated with the interactive session by defining an event ID, event timing, and event data for the event, wherein;

the service provider determines when to cause the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content based on the event timing; and

the service provider transmits the event ID and the event data to the viewer equipment to configure the viewer equipment to;

(1) receive an initial response from the viewer responding to the indicator in the displayed initial video content, the viewer'"'"'s initial response indicating that the viewer has requested the interactive session;

(2) cause further information for the interactive session to be included in subsequent video content displayed to the viewer, wherein the viewer equipment determines the further information based on the event data received from the service provider; and

(3) receive a subsequent response from the viewer responding to the further information in the displayed subsequent video content, wherein the viewer equipment generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider based on the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response and the event ID, wherein the service provider establishes the event in response to an event request received from a third party.

66. A method implemented by a service provider to support interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the method comprising the service provider:

(a) causing an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receiving interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) creating a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) causing the transaction to be fulfilled, wherein;

the interactive session results comprise a request by the viewer for a history of past interactive sessions by the viewer; and

the transaction fulfillment provides the history to the viewer.

67. The invention of claim 66, wherein the history identifies each past interactive session as confirmed, unconfirmed, or wish list.

68. The invention of claim 66, wherein the service provider causes an email or text message to be transmitted to the viewer to enable the viewer to access the history.

69. The invention of claim 66, wherein the service provider transmits the history to the viewer equipment for display to the viewer.

70. A method implemented by a service provider to support interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the method comprising the service provider:

(a) causing an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receiving interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) creating a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) causing the transaction to be fulfilled, wherein;

the interactive session involves creation or modification of a wish list by the viewer; and

the transaction fulfillment involves enabling the viewer to complete items on the wish list.

71. A service provider for supporting interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the service provider configured to:

(a) cause an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receive interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) create a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) cause the transaction to be fulfilled, wherein, prior to step (a), the service provider establishes an event associated with the interactive session by defining an event ID, event timing, and event data for the event, wherein;

the service provider determines when to cause the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content based on the event timing; and

the service provider transmits the event ID and the event data to the viewer equipment to configure the viewer equipment to;

(1) receive an initial response from the viewer responding to the indicator in the displayed initial video content, the viewer'"'"'s initial response indicating that the viewer has requested the interactive session;

(2) cause further information for the interactive session to be included in subsequent video content displayed to the viewer, wherein the viewer equipment determines the further information based on the event data received from the service provider; and

(3) receive a subsequent response from the viewer responding to the further information in the displayed subsequent video content, wherein the viewer equipment generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider based on the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response and the event ID, wherein the service provider establishes the event in response to an event request received from a third party.

72. A service provider for supporting interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the service provider configured to:

(a) cause an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receive interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) create a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) cause the transaction to be fulfilled, wherein;

the interactive session results comprise a request by the viewer for a history of past interactive sessions by the viewer; and

the transaction fulfillment provides the history to the viewer.

73. The invention of claim 72, wherein the history identifies each past interactive session as confirmed, unconfirmed, or wish list.

74. The invention of claim 72, wherein the service provider causes an email or text message to be transmitted to the viewer to enable the viewer to access the history.

75. The invention of claim 72, wherein the service provider transmits the history to the viewer equipment for display to the viewer.

76. A service provider for supporting interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the service provider configured to:

(a) cause an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receive interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) create a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) cause the transaction to be fulfilled, wherein;

the interactive session involves creation or modification of a wish list by the viewer; and

the transaction fulfillment involves enabling the viewer to complete items on the wish list.

77. A method implemented by a service provider to support interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the method comprising the service provider:

(a) causing an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receiving interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) creating a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) causing the transaction to be fulfilled, prior to step (a), the service provider establishes an event associated with the interactive session by defining an event ID, event timing, and event data for the event, wherein;

the service provider determines when to cause the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content based on the event timing; and

the service provider transmits the event ID and the event data to the viewer equipment to configure the viewer equipment to;

(1) receive an initial response from the viewer responding to the indicator in the displayed initial video content, the viewer'"'"'s initial response indicating that the viewer has requested the interactive session;

(2) cause further information for the interactive session to be included in subsequent video content displayed to the viewer, wherein the viewer equipment determines the further information based on the event data received from the service provider; and

(3) receive a subsequent response from the viewer responding to the further information in the displayed subsequent video content, wherein the viewer equipment generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider based on the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response and the event ID, wherein the viewer equipment (1) causes the initial video content to be displayed to the viewer with the indicator, (2) receives the viewer'"'"'s initial response, (3) causes the further information for the interactive session to be included in the displayed subsequent video content, (4) receives the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response, and (5) generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider, all without requiring any intervening communication from the viewer equipment to the service provider.

78. A service provider for supporting interactive video content viewing by a viewer, the service provider configured to:

(a) cause an indicator to be included in initial video content transmitted for display by viewer equipment to the viewer, wherein the indicator indicates to the viewer that an interactive session is available;

(b) receive interactive session results from the interactive session with the viewer responding to the indicator;

(c) create a transaction based on the interactive session results; and

(d) cause the transaction to be fulfilled, wherein, prior to step (a), the service provider establishes an event associated with the interactive session by defining an event ID, event timing, and event data for the event, wherein;

the service provider determines when to cause the indicator to be included in the displayed initial video content based on the event timing; and

the service provider transmits the event ID and the event data to the viewer equipment to configure the viewer equipment to;

(1) receive an initial response from the viewer responding to the indicator in the displayed initial video content, the viewer'"'"'s initial response indicating that the viewer has requested the interactive session;

(2) cause further information for the interactive session to be included in subsequent video content displayed to the viewer, wherein the viewer equipment determines the further information based on the event data received from the service provider; and

(3) receive a subsequent response from the viewer responding to the further information in the displayed subsequent video content, wherein the viewer equipment generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider based on the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response and the event ID, wherein the viewer equipment (1) causes the initial video content to be displayed to the viewer with the indicator, (2) receives the viewer'"'"'s initial response, (3) causes the further information for the interactive session to be included in the displayed subsequent video content, (4) receives the viewer'"'"'s subsequent response, and (5) generates and transmits the interactive session results to the service provider, all without requiring any intervening communication from the viewer equipment to the service provider.