Participating in television programs

• US 9,319,161 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2012
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sti-Acq LLC
• Original Assignee: Youtoo Technologies
• Inventors: Wyatt, Christopher W., Harwell, Mark A., Reed, Ryland M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saltarelli, Dominic D
• Application Number:
  US13/442,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20130268951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,471 Days
• Field of Search: 725/4, 725/5, 725/9, 725/11, 725/13, 725/23, 725/24, 725/32, 725/60, 725/105
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2542 for selling goods, e.g. TV shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2547 Third Party Billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 for providing answers, e.g. voting
• 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 21/4784 receiving rewards
• 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

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

transmitting a linear television program, wherein the linear television program includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device;

receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user;

receiving a payment, wherein the viewer response is associated with the payment and the viewer response provides information from which a source of the payment can be determined, and wherein the payment includes, at least in part, credits stored in association with an identifier of the user;

allocating one or more credits to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and receiving the payment associated with the viewer response;

storing a record of the one or more credits in association with an identifier of the user; and

redeeming credits associated with the identifier of the user in exchange for goods or services.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, through a communication network, a plurality of electronic messages from a plurality of users, with each electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a respective user;

receiving a payment associated with the viewer response from each respective user;

allocating one or more credits to each user in response to receiving the viewer response from the respective user and receiving the payment associated with the viewer response; and

storing a record of the one or more credits in association with an identifier of the respective user.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising redeeming credits associated with the identifier of each respective user in exchange for goods or services.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising selecting one or more of the plurality of users to receive an award having monetary value, with each user selected based on the viewer response of the respective user.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the request for viewer responses includes an offer for the award having monetary value in exchange for a viewer response that at least satisfies predetermined criteria.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the request for viewer responses includes an offer for the award having monetary value in exchange for a viewer response that is selected for distribution.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising selecting one or more of the plurality of users to receive an award associated with delivery of content over a network, with each user selected based on the viewer response of the respective user.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the number of credits allocated to each user is based upon one or more criteria related to the viewer response of the respective user.

9. The method of claim 2 further comprising selecting one or more of the plurality of users to compete for an award based on the viewer responses from the one or more selected users to requests included in the linear television programming.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the award includes an opportunity to participate in a linear television program.

11. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

combining data from the plurality of electronic messages to generate aggregate data; and

including a display of the aggregate data in the linear television program.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the request for viewer responses includes a request for feedback relating to the linear television program.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the plurality of electronic messages are received through a plurality of user devices remotely located from a studio source of the linear television program.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the electronic message is submitted by each of the plurality of viewers through an application on a corresponding user device, with the application associated with the linear television program.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the electronic message is submitted by each of the plurality of viewers through a web page displayed on a corresponding user device, with the web page associated with the linear television program.

16. The method of claim 2 wherein the payment is associated with the viewer response based on user login credentials associated with a user account.

17. The method of claim 2 wherein the payment is made using credits in a virtual currency.

18. The method of claim 2 wherein the payment is made using credits awarded in exchange for monetary value.

19. The method of claim 2 wherein the payment is made by a sponsor.

20. The method of claim 2 wherein the payment is made using credits awarded in exchange for viewing advertising.

21. The method of claim 2 wherein the payment is associated with one of a credit card, debit card, a bank account, online payment account, or micro payment transaction.

22. The method of claim 2 wherein the payment is associated with a pre-authorized subscription.

23. The method of claim 2 wherein the payment comprises a fee for each viewer response.

24. The method of claim 2 wherein the payment is made using credits awarded in exchange for a referral.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein the payment includes, at least in part, credits purchased for monetary value, wherein the credits are associated with the user.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein the payment includes, at least in part, credits earned through performing predefined actions.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein the goods or services include a premium user experience associated with content delivered from a web server.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic message is submitted by the user through an application on a user device, with the application associated with the linear television program and the application is skinned by a distributor of the linear television program or a producer of the linear television program.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic message is submitted by the user through a web page displayed on a user device, with the web page associated with the linear television program.

30. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing compensation to a local television station that broadcasts the linear television program to the user.

31. The method of claim 1 wherein the viewer response identifies a user account and the user account identifies the source of the payment.

32. The method of claim 1 wherein the viewer response identifies the source of the payment.

33. A computer storage medium encoded with a computer program, the program comprising instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus cause the data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:

receiving, through a communication network, a plurality of electronic messages each including a viewer response from a respective user device, wherein the electronic messages are received in response to a request included in a linear television program;

deducting payments from one or more accounts, wherein each payment is associated with the viewer response from the respective user device and the viewer response provides information from which a source of the payment can be determined, and wherein the payment includes, at least in part, credits stored in association with an identifier of the user;

allocating one or more credits to one or more of the users in response to at least receiving the viewer response from the respective user device;

storing a record of the one or more credits in association with an identifier of the one or more users, wherein the credits are redeemable in exchange for goods or services.

34. The computer storage medium of claim 33 wherein the one or more credits are allocated to the one or more users based on criteria associated with the viewer responses.

35. The computer storage medium of claim 33 wherein the payments are based on credits purchased for monetary value.

36. The computer storage medium of claim 33 wherein the goods or services include an opportunity to submit at least one of a video or a textual message to be included in at least one or linear television programming or content delivered from a web server.

37. The computer storage medium of claim 33 wherein the payment is associated with the viewer response based on user login credentials associated with a user account.

38. The computer storage medium of claim 33, wherein the program comprises instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus cause the data processing apparatus to perform operations including:

receiving at least one electronic message from an additional user including a viewer response to the request without receiving a payment associated with the viewer response from the additional user; and

allocating one or more credits to the additional user in response to receiving the viewer response from the additional user, wherein a quantity of credits allocated to the additional user differs from a quantity of credits allocated to users submitting viewer responses with an associated payment.

39. The computer storage medium of claim 33 wherein a quantity of credits allocated to each user is based, at least in part, on user status information associated with a user account for the respective user.

40. A system comprising:

a user device; and

one or more servers operable to interact with the user device and to;

transmit data for use in presenting a user interface on the user device, wherein the user interface is adapted to receive user input for submitting a response to a request for viewer responses included in a linear television program;

receive an electronic message, wherein the electronic message includes a response to the request, with the response received through the user device;

deduct a payment from an account based on the response received through the user device and the response provides information from which a source of the payment can be determined, and wherein the payment includes, at least in part, credits stored in association with an identifier of the user;

allocate one or more credits to the user in response to receiving the electronic message; and

store a record of the one or more credits in association with a user account.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the one or more servers are further operable to:

receive a request to redeem the credits associated with the user account for goods or services.

42. The system of claim 40 wherein the payment is deducted from a sponsor account.

43. The system of claim 40 wherein the payment is associated with a pre-authorized subscription.

44. The system of claim 40 wherein the one or more servers are operable to:

receive at least one electronic message from an additional user including a viewer response to the request without receiving a payment associated with the viewer response from the additional user; and

allocating one or more credits to the additional user in response to receiving the viewer response from the additional user.

45. A method comprising:

transmitting a linear television program, wherein the linear television program includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device;

receiving, through a communication network, a plurality of electronic messages from a plurality of users, with each electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a respective user;

receiving a payment associated with the viewer response received from each respective user;

allocating one or more credits to each user in response to receiving the viewer response from the respective user and receiving the payment associated with the viewer response;

storing a record of the one or more credits in association with an identifier of the respective user;

receiving at least one electronic message from an additional user including a viewer response to the request without receiving a payment associated with the viewer response from the additional user; and

allocating one or more credits to the additional user in response to receiving the viewer response from the additional user, wherein a quantity of credits allocated to the additional user differs from a quantity of credits allocated to users submitting viewer responses with an associated payment, wherein the credits are redeemable in exchange for goods or services.

46. A method comprising:

transmitting a linear television program, wherein the linear television program includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device;

receiving, through a communication network, a plurality of electronic messages from a plurality of users, with each electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a respective user;

receiving a payment associated with the viewer response received from each respective user;

allocating one or more credits to each user in response to receiving the viewer response from the respective user and receiving the payment associated with the viewer response;

receiving at least one electronic message from an additional user including a viewer response to the request without receiving a payment associated with the viewer response from the additional user;

allocating one or more credits to the additional user in response to receiving the viewer response from the additional user, wherein a quantity of credits allocated to the additional user differs from a quantity of credits allocated to the respective users submitting viewer responses with an associated payment; and

storing a record of the one or more credits in association with an identifier of the respective user and in association with an identifier of the additional user.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein a quantity of credits is based on a status of the respective user.

48. A method comprising:

transmitting a linear television program, wherein the linear television program includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device;

receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user;

receiving a payment, wherein the viewer response is associated with the payment;

allocating one or more credits to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and receiving the payment associated with the viewer response;

storing a record of the one or more credits in association with an identifier of the user; and

redeeming credits associated with the identifier of the user in exchange for goods or services, wherein the goods or services include an opportunity to submit at least one of a video, an audio message, or a textual message to be included in linear television programming.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the goods or services include an opportunity to submit at least one of a video, an audio message, or a textual message to be included in linear television programming.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein the number of credits allocated to each user is based upon one or more criteria related to the viewer response of the respective user.

51. The method of claim 48 wherein the goods or services include an opportunity to submit at least one of a video, an audio message, or a textual message to be included in content delivered from a web server.