Systems and methods for contextually linking television program information

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 837,298, filed on Apr. 11, 1997, which claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60 / 022,826, filed on Jul. 26, 1996, and 60 / 015,648, filed on Apr. 19, 1996, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 537,650, filed on Oct. 2, 1995, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 837,025, filed Apr. 11, 1997, and its Appendices A, B, and C, the complete disclosure which is also incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for providing information to television viewers, and more particularly to systems and methods for allowing the viewer to retrieve, search, select and interact with television schedule information located in a remote database, c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides systems and methods for displaying and accessing television schedule information on a visual interface, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, and PCTVs. The viewer can browse through the schedule information, select, and interact with the program guide. The system can access remote databases or network servers, such as the Internet or World Wide Web, and allow users to navigate and interact with the program guide. The system can also allow users to contextually link with external computer networks and search, select, and initiate subscriptions to more information related to a program or television show. Additionally, the system can automatically record television programs that the user likes and allow the user to view the recorded programs at a later time. The invention provides a convenient and efficient way for viewers to access and interact with television schedule information."

Problems solved by technology

Offering this type of information to the television viewer can be difficult, however, because their are hundreds of different programs broadcast every day.

In addition, the available information changes at a rapid pace, which makes it even more difficult to provide this information in present television schedule guides.

One problem with this existing system is that it is often difficult to motivate a viewer to request information or send in a contribution after the broadcast of the commercial or program.

Viewers will often forget the advertisement or simply lose motivation to spend money or request information after the commercial or program is over.

Another problem is that companies sponsoring these commercials or programs would often like to provide their viewers with further information, if the viewers could be identified or if the viewer requests the additional information.

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