AU5926500A - Interactive television systems with data collection - Google Patents

Interactive television systems with data collection Download PDF

Info

Publication number
AU5926500A
AU5926500A AU59265/00A AU5926500A AU5926500A AU 5926500 A AU5926500 A AU 5926500A AU 59265/00 A AU59265/00 A AU 59265/00A AU 5926500 A AU5926500 A AU 5926500A AU 5926500 A AU5926500 A AU 5926500A
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
user
information
data collection
display
control circuitry
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
AU59265/00A
Inventor
Robert A. Knee
William L. Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Adeia Guides Inc
Original Assignee
United Video Properties Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by United Video Properties Inc filed Critical United Video Properties Inc
Publication of AU5926500A publication Critical patent/AU5926500A/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/165—Centralised control of user terminal ; Registering at central
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/535—Tracking the activity of the user
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/466—Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/4667—Processing of monitored end-user data, e.g. trend analysis based on the log file of viewer selections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6156—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6175—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the upstream path of the transmission network involving transmission via Internet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/658—Transmission by the client directed to the server
    • H04N21/6582—Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/812—Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/50—Network service management, e.g. ensuring proper service fulfilment according to agreements
    • H04L41/508—Network service management, e.g. ensuring proper service fulfilment according to agreements based on type of value added network service under agreement
    • H04L41/509—Network service management, e.g. ensuring proper service fulfilment according to agreements based on type of value added network service under agreement wherein the managed service relates to media content delivery, e.g. audio, video or TV

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Testing, Inspecting, Measuring Of Stereoscopic Televisions And Televisions (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Description

WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEMS WITH DATA COLLECTION Background of the Invention This invention relates to television systems, and more particularly, to interactive television 5 systems such as interactive television program guide systems in which data is collected on user activities. Interactive television program guides are typically implemented on set-top boxes connected to televisions. Such program guides may be used to 10 present screens of interactive television program listings to users. Program guides may also be used to control which television channels the set-top box tunes to when a user is watching television. For example, a program 15 guide may tune to different television channels in response to channel-changing commands from the user's remote control. Users may also select programs from the program guide for recording or viewing. Additional information may be obtained for a program by selecting 20 the displayed listing for that program with a highlight region. Reminders may be set for programs.
WO 01/06784 PCT/USO0/18771 -2 The user's interactions with the program guide and the television programs that the user watches are indicative of the user's interests. These activities may be monitored. The information that is 5 collected on the viewer's interests may be used for marketing purposes. For example, information that is collected on the viewer's interests may be used to target program guide advertisements to the user as described in Knudson et al. U.S. patent application 10 Serial No. 09/034,939, filed March 4, 1998, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Viewer monitoring is described, for example, in Thomas et al. U.S. patent application Serial No. 09/139,798, filed August 25, 1998, which is hereby 15 incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. It is an object of the present invention to provide arrangements for collecting information on the viewing habits and other activities of the user. Summary of the Invention 20 A system is provided that gathers information on a user's television viewing activities and interactions with an interactive television program guide or other interactive television application. The user's activities may be monitored by an 25 interactive television program guide or other application. The monitoring software may maintain, for example, information on which channels the user watches, the duration that each channel is watched, and information on which household members are in the room 30 while the television is being viewed. Information may also be collected on the user's interactions with the WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 -3 interactive television program guide or other interactive television application. For example, information may be collected on which interactive buttons the user selects, which screens the user views, 5 etc. The user information that is collected may be transmitted to a data collection facility for analysis. Analysis may reveal that certain television programs are more popular than others, that certain program 10 guide screens are more popular than others, etc. Analysis may also reveal the particular interests of a viewer and may reveal data trends. Correlations may be observed between certain viewer interactions with the program guide and certain viewer activities. 15 The user may participate in a monitoring scheme that requires the user to periodically submit information to a data collection facility for analysis. If desired, user information may be collected and transmitted to the data collection facility 20 automatically and without user intervention. User data may be transmitted to the data collection facility using e-mail, using the communications capabilities of the user's browser application (e.g., the forms capabilities of such 25 browsers), using communications capabilities associated with the operating system on the user's equipment, using a stand-alone FTP application, etc. Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the 30 accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 -4 Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a diagram of an illustrative interactive television system with data collection capabilities in accordance with the present invention. 5 FIG. 2 is a diagram of illustrative user television equipment in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram of additional illustrative user television equipment in accordance 10 with the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative remote control in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram of illustrative user computer equipment in accordance with the present 15 invention. FIG. 6 is a generalized diagram of illustrative user equipment in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 7 shows an illustrative menu screen in 20 accordance with the present invention. FIG. 8 shows an illustrative program guide screen in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in gathering user information and 25 automatically reporting such information to a data collection facility in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in gathering user information and reporting 30 such information to a data collection facility when authorized by the user in accordance with the present invention.
WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 FIG. 11 shows an illustrative e-mail message that may be presented to the user to allow the user to authorize transmission of a user report to a data collection facility in accordance with the present 5 invention. FIG. 12 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing the e-mail message of FIG. 11 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 13 shows an illustrative program guide 10 screen containing an interactive prompt that allows a user to decide whether or not to submit a user report in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 14 shows an illustrative program guide settings screen that may be provided in accordance with 15 the present invention. FIG. 15 shows an illustrative personalization settings screen that may be provided by a program guide in accordance with the present invention. 20 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments An illustrative interactive television system 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Television programming and digital music may be provided from programming sources 12 to television 25 distribution facilities such as television distribution facility 14 using communications path 16. Programming sources 12 may be any suitable sources of television and music programming, such as television and music production studios, etc. 30 Television distribution facility 14 may be a cable system headend, a satellite television distribution facility, a television broadcast facility, WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 -6 or any other suitable facility for distributing television and music programming to users. There are typically numerous television distribution facilities 14 in system 10, but only one is shown in FIG. 1 to 5 avoid overcomplicating the drawings. Communications path 16 may be a satellite path, a fiber-optic path, a cable path, or any other suitable wired or wireless communications paths or combinations of such paths. 10 Television distribution facility 14 may be connected to various user equipment devices 18. Such user equipment 18 may, for example, be located in the homes of users. User equipment 18 may include user television equipment 20 or user computer equipment 22. 15 The user equipment may receive television and music programming and other information from television distribution facility 14 over communications paths such as communications paths 26, 27, and 28. The user equipment may also transmit signals to television 20 distribution facility 14 over paths 26, 27, and 28. Paths 26, 27, and 28 may be cables or other wired connections, free-space connections (e.g., for broadcast or other wireless signals), satellite links, etc. 25 Program listings source 30 may be used to provide the user with television program schedule information such as scheduled broadcast times, titles, channels, ratings information (e.g., parental ratings and critic's ratings), detailed title descriptions, 30 genre or category information (e.g., sports, news, movies, etc.), information on actors and actresses, running times, etc.
WO 01/06784 PCTIUSOO/18771 -7 Program listings source 30 may provide program schedule information to television distribution facility 14 over communications path 32 for distribution to the associated user equipment over 5 paths 26, 27, and 28. Communications path 32 may be any suitable communications path such as a satellite communications path or other wireless path, a fiber optic or other wired communications path, a combination of such paths, etc. 10 User equipment devices such as user television equipment and personal computers may use the program schedule information to display program listings and information on digital music for the user. An interactive television program guide application or 15 other suitable application may be used to display such information on the user's display. An on-line program guide may be provided by a server connected to communications network 34 such as server 36. Server 36 may receive program schedule 20 information from program listings source 30 via communications path 38, communications network 34, and communications path 40. Paths 38 and 40 may be satellite paths, fiber-optic paths, wired paths, etc. Communications network 34 may be any suitable 25 communications network, such as the Internet, the public switched telephone network, a packet-based network, etc. User equipment 18 may access the on-line program guide via communications path 42, which may be 30 any suitable communications path such as a wired path, a cable path, fiber-optic path, satellite path, a combination of such paths, or any other suitable path.
WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 -8 User equipment 18 may also access the on-line program guide via communications path 26, television distribution facility 14, and communications path 44. For example, a cable modem or the like may be used by 5 user equipment 18 to communicate with television distribution facility 14. Television distribution facility 14 may communicate with communications network 34 over any suitable path 44, such as a wired path, a cable path, fiber-optic path, satellite path, a 10 combination of such paths, etc. User equipment such as user television equipment 20 and user computer equipment 22 may access the on-line program guide using similar arrangements. User television equipment 20 may access the on-line 15 program guide using communications path 46 or using path 27, television distribution facility 14, and path 44. User computer equipment 22 may access the on-line program guide using communications path 48 or using path 28, television distribution facility 14, and path 20 44. Paths 46 and 48 may be any suitable paths, such as wired paths, cable paths, fiber-optic paths, satellite paths, a combination of such paths, etc. Interactive television applications other than program guide applications may use service 25 providers such as service provider 50. For example, a home shopping service may be supported by a service provider such as service provider 50 that has sales representatives, order fulfillment facilities, account maintenance facilities, and other equipment for 30 supporting interactive home shopping features. A home shopping application that is implemented using the user equipment may be used to access the service provider to WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 -9 provide these features to the user. The user equipment may access service provider 50 via television distribution facility 14 and communications path 52 or via communications network 34 and communications path 5 54. Communications paths such as paths 52 and 54 may be any suitable paths, such as wired paths, cable paths, fiber-optic paths, satellite paths, a combination of such paths, etc. Another example of an interactive television 10 application is a home banking application. A home banking service may be supported using personnel at facilities such as service provider 50. An interactive home banking application that is implemented using the user equipment may access the home banking service via 15 television distribution facility 14 and communications path 52 or via communications network 34 and communications path 54. If desired, an interactive television application such as a video-on-demand application may 20 be supported using server 56. Videos may be stored on server 56 and provided to the user equipment when requested by users. If desired, applications such as the interactive television program guide application, a 25 home shopping application, a home banking application, a video-on-demand application, and other applications (e.g., applications related to e-mail and chat or other communications functions, etc.) may be provided as separate applications that are accessed through a 30 navigation shell application (i.e., a menu application with menu options corresponding to the applications). The features of such applications may be combined. For WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 10 example, video-on-demand, home shopping, and communications functions may be incorporated into the program guide. Moreover, the interactive television program 5 guide application, the home banking application, and the home shopping application, the video-on-demand application, the communications application, and the navigation shell application, are only a few illustrative examples of the types of interactive 10 television applications that may be supported by system 10. Other suitable applications that may be supported include, news services, Internet services, interactive wagering services (e.g., for wagering on horse races and the like), communications services (e.g., e-mail, 15 chat, etc.), and any other suitable interactive applications. These applications may be implemented locally on the user equipment. The applications may also be implemented using a client-server architecture in which 20 the user equipment serves as a client processor and a server such as server 56 at television distribution facility 14 or other suitable location acts as a server processor. Other distributed architectures may also be used if desired. Regardless of the particular 25 arrangement used to implement interactive television features related to program guides, home shopping, home banking, video-on-demand, Internet, communications, etc., the software that supports these features may be referred to as an application. 30 As the user interacts with the application and as the user watches television on the user equipment, information may be gathered on the user's WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 11 activities. For example, information may be gathered regarding which television channels the user tunes to and the times at which the user watches each television channel. Because the programs that are being aired at 5 any given time may be determined from program schedule data, gathering information on the television channels that the user tunes to and the times at which these channels are tuned to allows the viewing habits of the user to be monitored. Information may also be gathered 10 on which selectable on-screen interactive television application options the user selects when interacting with interactive television applications. This may reveal, for example, information on the advertisements that the user responds to, information on the user's 15 favorite genres of television programming, information on other user interests (e.g., sports, news, etc.). The information that is collected on the user's activities may be reported back to a suitable data collection facility for processing. For example, 20 the information may be collected at user equipment 18 and reported back to computer equipment at data collection facility 13 via communications path 26, television distribution facility 14, and communications path 15 or via communications path 42, communications 25 network 34 (e.g., the Internet), and communications path 17. Communications paths 15 and 17 may be fiber optic paths, cable or other wired paths, wireless paths, or any other suitable communications paths. If desired, the data collection facility may 30 be located at television distribution facility 14. Data may, for example, be collected using a server such as server 56. User data may also be collected at a WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 12 server connected to the Internet or other communications network. For example, information on the user's activities may be collected using a server such as server 36. These examples are merely 5 illustrative. User information may be collected using any suitable facility. Moreover, user information may be collected regardless of the type of architecture used to provide television programming and interactive television 10 services to the user. For example, if a client-server arrangement is used to provide program guide services to the user, information that has been gathered on the user at the server may be provided to the data collection facility using a communications path between 15 the server and the data collection facility. Such a path may, for example, involve a communications network such as communications network 34. Illustrative user television equipment 20 that is based on a set-top box arrangement is shown in 20 FIG. 2. Input/output 60 may be connected to communications paths such as paths 27 and 46. Television programming and other information may be received using input/output 58. Commands and requests and other information from the user may also be 25 transmitted over input/output 58. Set-top box 60 may be any suitable analog or digital set-top box. Set-top box 60 may contain an analog tuner for tuning to a desired analog television channel. Set-top box 60 may also contain digital 30 decoding circuitry for receiving digital television and music channels. Both analog and digital channels may be handled together if desired. Set-top box 60 also WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 13 contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor or the like) that is used to execute software applications. Set-top box 60 may contain memory such as random-access memory for use when 5 executing applications. Nonvolatile memory may also be used (e.g., to launch a boot-up routine and other instructions). Hard disk storage may be used to back up data and to otherwise support larger databases than may be supported using random-access memory approaches. 10 Set-top box 60 may have infrared (IR) or other communications circuitry for communicating with a remote control. Set-top box 60 may also have dedicated buttons and a front-panel display. The front-panel display may, for example, be used to display the 15 current channel to which the set-top box is tuned. Set-top box 60 may also have communications circuitry such as a cable modem for cable communications over a cable, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem for ISDN communications, a 20 digital subscriber line (DSL) modem for DSL communications, a telephone modem for communications over telephone lines, paging communications circuitry for paging communications (e.g., wireless radio frequency transmissions using paging frequencies), 25 cellular telephone communications circuitry (e.g., for digital cellular telephone data communications), and other equipment for communications using other approaches. Such communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications networks 30 or paths. A videocassette recorder 62 or other suitable recording device may be connected to set-top box 60.
WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 14 This allows videos from set-top box 60 to be recorded. For example, if set-top box 60 is tuned to a given television channel, the video signal for that television channel may be passed to videocassette 5 recorder 62 for recording on a videocassette. If desired, videocassette recorder functions such as start, stop, record, etc. may be controlled by set-top box 60. For example, set-top box 60 may control videocassette recorder 62 using infrared commands 10 directed toward the remote control inputs of videocassette recorder 62. The output of videocassette recorder 62 may be provided to television 64 for display to the user. If videocassette recorder 62 is not being used, the 15 video signals from set-top box 58 may be provided directly to television 64. If desired, any suitable monitor may be used to display the video. Another illustrative arrangement for user television equipment 20 is shown in FIG. 3. In the 20 example of FIG. 3, user television equipment 20 includes a digital video recorder 66 (e.g., a personal video recorder (PVR)) and a television 68. Input/output 70 may be connected to communications paths such as paths 27 and 46. Television programming 25 and other information may be received using input/output 70. Commands and requests and other information from the user may be transmitted over input/output 70. Digital video recorder 66 may be similar to a 30 standard set-top box, except that a hard disk or other suitable storage medium may be used for video storage WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 15 in lieu of videocassettes. The hard disk may be internal to digital video recorder 66. Digital video recorder 66 may contain an analog tuner for tuning to a desired analog television 5 channel. Digital video recorder 66 may also contain digital decoding circuitry for receiving digital television and music channels. If desired, digital video recorder 66 may contain circuitry for handling both analog and digital channels. Digital video 10 recorder 66 also contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor or the like) that is used to execute software applications. Digital video recorder 66 may contain memory such as random-access memory for use when executing applications. 15 Nonvolatile memory may also be used to store a boot-up routine or other instructions. The hard disk and other storage in digital video recorder 66 may be used to support databases (e.g., program guide databases or interactive television application databases). 20 Digital video recorder 66 may have IR communications circuitry or other suitable communications circuitry for communicating with a remote control. Digital video recorder 66 may also have dedicated buttons and a front-panel display. The 25 front-panel display may, for example, be used to display the current channel to which the digital video recorder is tuned. Digital video recorder 66 may also have communications circuitry such as a cable modem, an 30 integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, etc. for communications with other equipment. Such WO 01/06784 PCTUSOO/18771 - 16 communications may involve the Internet or any other suitable communications networks or paths. If desired, digital video recorder 66 of FIG. 3 or set-top box 60 of FIG. 2 may be a satellite 5 receiver or other equipment that has wireless communications circuitry for receiving satellite signals. Television programming may be recorded on the hard disk of digital video recorder 66. Digital video 10 recorder 66 may record new video while previously recorded video is being played back on television 68. This allows users to press a pause button during normal television viewing. When the pause button is pressed, the current television program is stored on the hard 15 disk of digital video recorder 66. When the user presses play, the recorded video may be played back. This arrangement allows the user to seamlessly pause and resume television viewing. The set-top box arrangement of FIG. 2 and the 20 digital video recorder set-top box arrangement of FIG. 3 are merely illustrative. Other arrangements may be used if desired. For example, user television equipment may be based on a WebTV box, a personal computer television (PC/TV), or any other suitable 25 television equipment arrangement. If desired, the functions of components such as set-top box 60, digital video recorder 66, a WebTV box, or PC/TV or the like may be integrated into a televison or personal computer or other suitable device. 30 An illustrative remote control 72 for operating user television equipment 20 is shown in FIG. 4. Remote control 72 may have keys 74 such as channel WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 17 up and down keys, a power on/off key, numeric keys, a favorites key (e.g., for setting favorites in a program guide application or other interactive television application), an info key (for requesting that 5 additional information on a selection be displayed), etc. Arrow keys 76 may be used to position an on screen cursor or highlight region on options of interest. Highlighted options may be selected using OK key 78. Menu key 80 may be used to direct an 10 interactive television application (e.g., a program guide application, a nav shell application, or any other suitable application) to display a menu of available options. Help key 82 may be used to invoke help 15 functions such as context-sensitive on-screen help, etc. Illustrative user computer equipment 22 is shown in FIG. 5. In the arrangement of FIG. 5, personal computer 84 may be controlled by the user 20 using keyboard 86 or other suitable user input device, such as a trackball, mouse, touch pad, touch screen, voice recognition system, etc. Television programming and interactive television application content may be displayed on monitor 88. Television programming and 25 other information may be received from paths 28 and 48 (FIG. 1) using input/output 90. The user may also send commands and other information to remote services over input/output line 90. Personal computer unit 84 may contain a 30 television tuner card for decoding analog and digital television channels. The television tuner card may contain an analog tuner for tuning to a given analog WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 18 channel and digital decoding circuitry for filtering out a desired digital television or music channel from a packetized digital data stream. The user computer equipment arrangement of 5 FIG. 5 is merely illustrative. Any suitable computer equipment arrangement may be used if desired. Moreover, the user television equipment and user computer equipment arrangements described above are merely illustrative. A more generalized embodiment 10 of illustrative user equipment is shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, control circuitry 92 is connected to input/output 94. Input/output 94 may be connected to communications paths such as paths 26, 27, 28, 42, 46, and 48 of FIG. 1. Television and music 15 programming may be received via input/output 94 (e.g., from programming sources 12 and television distribution facility 14). Program scheduled information for an interactive television program guide may also be received via input/output 94. Input/output 94 may also 20 be used to receive information for other interactive television applications. The user may use control circuitry 92 to send commands, requests, and other suitable information using input/output 94. Information that is collected locally on the 25 user such as information on the user's television viewing habits and information on the user's interactions with interactive television applications such as an interactive television program guide application may be sent to a data collection facility 30 via input/output 94. Any suitable technique may be used to transmit the information that is collected about the user. For example, information may be WO 01/06784 PCTIUSOO/18771 - 19 transmitted using a cable return path in a cable system, using fiber-optic links, using a dial up modem connection (e.g., over a telephone link, a DSL or ISDN link, etc.), using a wireless link (e.g., using a 5 cellular or paging frequency), using combinations of such paths, etc. Information that is collected at a server (e.g., a server used to support a client-server program guide) may be passed from the server to the data collection facility using paths such as these or 10 any other suitable paths. Control circuitry 94 may be based on any suitable processor such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, etc. Memory or other suitable storage devices may be provided as part of control circuitry 15 94. Tuning circuitry such as an analog tuner, an MPEG-2 decoder or other digital tuning circuitry, or any other suitable tuning circuits or combinations of such circuits may also be included as part of circuitry 92. The tuning circuitry may be used to tune the user 20 equipment to a particular television or music channel. The state of the tuning circuitry may be monitored by an interactive television application such as an interactive television program guide or may be monitored by a monitoring application, or by monitoring 25 functions embedded in any other suitable application. Monitoring may also involved gathering information on the time of day, whether the user equipment is on or off, the status of various button presses, or any other function or hardware state of the user equipment. The 30 information that is monitored may be stored in storage in control circuitry 92 (e.g., on a hard disk or on random-access memory, etc.).
WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 20 Television programming and on-screen options and information may be displayed on display 100. Display 100 may be a monitor, a television, or any other suitable equipment for displaying visual images. 5 Speakers 102 may be provided as part of a television or may be stand-alone units. Digital music and the audio component of videos displayed on display 100 may be played through speakers 102. A user may control the control circuitry 10 using user input interface 96. The user input interface may be any suitable user interface, such as a mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard, touch screen, touch pad, or any other suitable user input interface. A microphone 98 and video camera 104 may be used to 15 supply audio and video information to control circuitry 92. A user of user equipment 18 (e.g., a user of user television equipment or a user of user computer equipment, or a user of any other suitable user 20 equipment device) may invoke an interactive television menu by pressing menu button 80 (FIG. 4). An illustrative interactive television navigation shell or menu 106 is shown in FIG. 7. Remote control 72 (FIG. 4) may be used to position highlight region 108 on top 25 of options 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and 120. If the user selects option 110, a screen of program listings may be displayed. Option 112 may be used to invoke a home shopping application. Option 114 may be selected to display options related to video-on-demand services. 30 If the user selects option 116, the user may be presented with an opportunity to access home banking functions. Selecting Internet option 118 may launch a WO 01/06784 PCTIUSOO/18771 - 21 web browser or the like. Option 120 may be used to access a settings screen that allows the user to adjust various settings. If desired, the user may use such a menu option to access a program guide settings screen 5 with which the user may adjust program guide settings. An illustrative program guide screen 122 that may be displayed for the user is shown in FIG. 8. Program guide screen 122 may be displayed, for example, when the user selects program listings option 108 of 10 FIG. 7 or when the user selects a suitable option from within an interactive television program guide application. Program guide screen 122 may contain a grid or list of program listings 124. Program listings 124 may include program titles, channels, scheduled 15 broadcast times, and any other suitable program schedule information. Advertisements may be displayed if desired. A highlight region such as highlight region 126 may be used to select a desired program listing. 20 If the user presses an OK key when a program listing a for a current program is highlighted, the program guide may tune to the channel for that program. If the user presses an OK key when a program listing for a future program is highlighted, the program guide may provide 25 the user with an opportunity to set a reminder for that program. Other functions that the program guide may provide include the ability to set favorite channels and establish other preferences and settings. For example, the user may select a particular channel for 30 the program guide to automatically tune to when the user equipment is powered on. The user may also select favorite programs, favorite channels, etc. The program WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 22 guide may provide the user with the ability to establish parental control settings, the ability to search for programming of interest, and the ability to view program descriptions, advertisements, text, 5 graphics, and video, etc. The use of any of these functions by the user may be monitored. Moreover, these are merely illustrative examples of program guide functions that may be provided by an interactive television program application. Any other suitable 10 program guide functions may be provided if desired. The program guide may be invoked from an option such as option 110 of FIG. 7, by pressing a dedicated guide button on a remote control, by selecting any other suitable button or on-screen option, etc. 15 The user's response to any interactive content in the interactive program guide may be monitored. For example, the user's response to interactive advertisements that are presented by the program guide may be monitored. 20 Illustrative steps involved in monitoring the user are shown in FIG. 9. At step 128, the program guide or other application may monitor the user's interactions with the program guide or other interactive television application and may monitor 25 other user activities (e.g., which television programs the user is watching, etc.). The television program guide or other interactive television application or a monitoring application or the like may be used to collect information on the user's activities. 30 Information on the television programs that the user is watching may be gathered by comparing information on the channels and times at which the user is watching WO 01/06784 PCT/USO0/18771 - 23 television with information on the programs scheduled to be broadcast at those times on those channels. This comparison may be performed locally (e.g., at user equipment 18) prior to or during monitoring or may be 5 performed remotely (e.g., a the data collection facility after monitoring or at a server or other computer during monitoring). These are merely illustrative examples. Any suitable monitoring techniques may be used if desired. The information 10 that is collected on the television viewing habits of the user and the user's interactions with the interactive program guide or other interactive television application may be gathered using the interactive television program guide or other 15 interactive television application or may be gathered using a monitoring application or any other suitable application. At step 130, the program guide or other application may automatically transmit the collected 20 user information to the data collection facility (e.g., a data collection facility such as data collection facility 13 of FIG. 1). The user data may be transmitted using an e-mail protocol such as the standard Post Office Protocol (POP) or Simple Mail 25 Transport Protocol (SMPT). The program guide or interactive television application or other monitoring application or the like may access e-mail communications functions such as these through an existing e-mail application or other application or the 30 like that is installed on user equipment 18. Accordingly, with an e-mail transport arrangement a proprietary communications protocol need not be WO 01/06784 PCTIUS0O/18771 - 24 developed for transmitting collected user data to the data collection facility. If desired, the gathered information on the user may be reported to the data collection facility 5 using communications functions that are part of an existing web browser implemented on user equipment 18. For example, the gathered information may be sent to the data collection facility using the forms capabilities of a web browser. If desired, such 10 capabilities may be accessed directly by the reporting application (e.g., the program guide) without displaying forms on the display of the user equipment. Alternatively, keystrokes or a clickstream or other inputs for the browser's forms may be generated by the 15 program guide automatically to emulate the commands that would be provided by the user should the user need to use such capabilities. Another way in which the user information may be transmitted to the data collection facility is using 20 the existing communications capabilities of the operating system installed on user equipment 18. If a web browser or stand-alone file transfer protocol (FTP) application is provided on user equipment 18, the user information may be transmitted to the data collection 25 facility using FTP techniques. At step 132, after the data collection facility has received the information on the user, the data collection facility may analyze the information on the user and other users. This analysis may be used to 30 determine the rates to charge for interactive advertising in the interactive television program guide, which types of advertisements should be WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 25 displayed, whether certain types of interactions with the interactive television program guide are correlated with certain user interests in television programming, or for other marketing or business purposes. 5 If desired, the user may be notified before information on the user is transmitted to the data collection facility. This is shown in FIG. 10. At step 134, the user's interactions with the interactive television program guide and other activities (e.g., 10 television watching activities) may be monitored. At step 136, the user may be provided with an opportunity to authorize the submission of a report containing information on the user's interactions with the interactive television program guide an other user 15 activities. If the user does not authorize submission of the report, the report may not be submitted for processing. If, however, the user authorizes submission of the report at step 136, the report may be provided to the data collection facility at step 138 20 using e-mail protocols, browser communications protocols, FTP protocols, etc. At step 140, the data collection facility may analyze the information that has been gathered on the user. 25 One way in which the user may be provided with an opportunity to authorize the release of the information gathered on the user is shown in FIG. 11. In the screen 142 of FIG. 11, the user has been sent an e-mail 144 with an attachment 146. The attachment 146 30 may be automatically generated and may be a report containing information on the user's monitored interactions with the program guide and other WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 26 activities. The e-mail may be generated by the program guide or other application used for monitoring the user (e.g., an application that is installed on the user's set-top box). The reply address in the e-mail may be 5 automatically set to that of the data collection facility. Accordingly, when the user responds to the e-mail on the screen of the user equipment the response may be automatically routed to the data collection facility. The user need not memorize the correct e 10 mail address for the data collection facility. The ability to place the correct address in the reply address field may be supported by standard e-mail applications. If desired, e-mail 144 may contain text 148 that asks the user to reply. 15 Illustrative steps involved in sending a report to the data collection device using an arrangement such as shown in FIG. 11 are shown in FIG. 12. At step 150, the program guide may generate an e mail. Information that has been collected on the user 20 may be embedded into the e-mail or may be attached to the e-mail in the form of a report. At step 152, the e-mail may be sent to the user using the program guide to access e-mail functions of an e-mail application installed on the user 25 equipment 18 or using the program guide to perform e mail functions. The reply e-mail address for the e mail may be automatically set to the e-mail address of the data collection facility. At step 152, the user may be allowed to reply 30 to the e-mail. For example, a reply button may be provided. The user may select the reply button, which directs an e-mail application on the user equipment or WO 01/06784 PCT/US0O/18771 - 27 the program guide to send the e-mail to the data collection facility at step 156. The approach of FIGS. 11 and 12 in which the user is provided with an opportunity to authorize the transmission of the report 5 to the data collection facility may be used, for example, in situations in which the user has agreed with a data collection agency to allow their households data to be monitored (e.g., in return for a fee). If desired, the program guide may provide the 10 user with a screen 158 containing a notification 160 of the type shown in FIG. 13. If the user responds by selecting yes option 162, the program guide may submit the report to the data collection facility. If the user responds by selecting no option 164, the program 15 guide will not submit the report. If desired, the user may be provided with an opportunity to adjust data reporting settings using program guide setup screens or the like. For example, if the user selects set up option 120 of FIG. 7, the 20 program guide may display a screen such as program guide settings screen 166 of FIG. 14. Screen 166 may include audio settings option 168 and video settings option 170 that allow the user to adjust the audio and video settings of the program guide or the user's set 25 top box or other user equipment. Language settings option 172 may be used to change the default language used for program guide text or audio tracks for programs that have multiple audio tracks. The user may select parental control settings option 174 to adjust 30 settings related to program blocking (e.g., based on rating, keyword, etc.) or title blocking (e.g., in the program guide listings grids).
WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 28 The program guide may also provide an option such as personalization settings 176. If the user selects option 176, the program guide may provide the user with a screen such as screen 178 of FIG. 15. 5 Screen 178 may contain options related to the collection and transmission of data on the user's activities in the program guide. The user may use right and left remote control keys or other suitable user interface arrangement to select between various 10 entries for each option (e.g., the user may press a right remote control arrow key to select an on option and may press a left remote control arrow key to select an off option). The user may use up and down remote control arrow keys or any other suitable user interface 15 to select between various options. A highlight region may be used to indicate the user's current position in the options of screen 178 and other program guide screens. The user may toggle option 180 to turn the 20 reports collection feature on or off. For example, if the user desires to have information on the user's television viewing activities and other information on the user's activities reported to a data collection facility, the user may turn option 180 on. If the user 25 desires not to have information on the user's television viewing activities and other user activities collected or reported to the data collection facility, the user may turn option 180 off. If the reports function is turned on, the 30 user may be provided with an opportunity to adjust the frequency with which reports are transmitted to the data collection facility using option 182. The user WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 29 may, for example, select between available transmission frequencies of continuously, once per hour, once per day, once per week, etc. The user may desire to be notified before 5 reports are sent. If the user wishes to receive notifications, the user may use option 184 to turn the program guide's notification capabilities. If the user does not wish to receive notifications, option 184 may be used to turn notification off. 10 When the user has finished making the selections available on screen 178, the user may select done option 186 (e.g., by navigating a highlight region to done option 186 and pressing a remote control OK key or the like). 15 Although described primarily in the context of interactive television program guides, the user's interactions with any suitable interactive television applications may be monitored. For example, the user's interactions with a video-on-demand application may be 20 monitored, etc. Moreover, any suitable application (e.g., a program guide, an interactive television application, or a stand-alone monitoring application may be used to provide the monitoring functions of the present invention). 25 The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (194)

1. A method for collecting information on the television viewing activities of a user at user equipment and providing that information to a data collection facility, comprising: collecting information on the television viewing activities of the user by monitoring which television channels the user tunes to with the user equipment; and transmitting the collected information on the viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility using e-mail protocols.
2. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising using an e-mail application to transmit the collected information.
3. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising using the post office protocol to transmit the collected information.
4. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising using the Simple Mail Transport Protocol to transmit the information.
5. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising collecting the information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television program guide.
6. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising: WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 31 collecting the information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television program guide; and transmitting the information on the television viewing habits of the user that were collected with the interactive television program guide to the data collection facility.
7. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising collecting the information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television application.
8. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising: collecting the information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television application; and transmitting the information on the television viewing habits of the user that were collected with the interactive television application to the data collection facility.
9. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising collecting information on interactions of the user with an interactive television program guide.
10. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising using an interactive television program guide to collect information on interactions of the user with the interactive television program guide. WO 01/06784 PCT/USO0/18771 - 32
11. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising: collecting information on interactions of the user with an interactive television program guide; and transmitting the information collected on the interactions of the user with the interactive television program guide to the data collection facility.
12. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising collecting information on interactions of the user with an interactive television application.
13. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising using an interactive television application to collect information on interactions of the user with the interactive television application.
14. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising: collecting information on interactions of the user with an interactive television application; and transmitting the information collected on the interactions of the user with the interactive television application to the data collection facility.
15. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising collecting information on what times the user tunes to the television channels. WO 01/06784 PCTUSOO/18771 - 33
16. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the user equipment includes a set-top box, the method further comprising allowing the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the set top box to a given television channel.
17. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the user equipment includes a digital video recorder, the method further comprising allowing the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the digital video recorder to a given television channel.
18. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the user equipment includes a personal computer, the method further comprising allowing the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the personal computer to a given television channel.
19. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising using an interactive television program guide to display program listings on the user equipment for the user.
20. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying an interactive menu on the user equipment that includes options that allow the user to invoke at least an interactive television program guide and a video-on-demand application.
21. The method defined in claim 1 wherein collecting information on the television viewing habits of the user comprises collecting information on the WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 34 television viewing habits of the user by monitoring the time and by monitoring the channels tuned to by the user with an interactive television program guide.
22. The method defined in claim 1 wherein collecting information on the television viewing habits of the user comprises storing information on the television viewing habits of the user in storage on the user equipment.
23. The method defined in claim 1, wherein an interactive television program guide is implemented on the user equipment, the user equipment is connected to a television distribution facility by a communications path, and program listings data is provided from a program listings source, the method further comprising: receiving the program listings data at the television distribution facility from the program listings source; and providing the program listings data from the television distribution facility to the interactive television program guide on the user equipment over the communications path.
24. The method defined in claim 1, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information using paging frequencies.
25. The method defined in claim 1, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 35 transmitting the collected information using digital subscriber line communications.
26. The method defined in claim 1, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information using cable communications.
27. The method defined in claim 1, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information using communications over telephone lines.
28. The method defined in claim 1, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information to a server.
29. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility over a wireless path.
30. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising notifying the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
31. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising: notifying the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility; and WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 36 providing the user with an opportunity to choose whether to send the collected information to the data collection facility.
32. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising transmitting the collected information in an e-mail attachment.
33. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising transmitting the collected information in the body of an e-mail message.
34. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising: using a program guide to generate an e mail message with which to provide the collected information to the data collection facility as a report; and automatically setting the reply address in the e-mail message to the e-mail address of the data collection facility.
35. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising sending an e-mail message to an in-box associated with the user equipment before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
36. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to authorize submission of the collected information WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 37 before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
37. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising analyzing the collected information at the data collection facility.
38. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility.
39. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a cable system headend.
40. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility and wherein the user equipment is in communication with the television distribution facility, the method further comprising transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility through the television distribution facility.
41. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility over the Internet.
42. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to authorize transmission of the collected information using a setup option. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 38
43. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to select a desired frequency for transmitting the collected information.
44. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising providing the user with a setup option that allows the user to choose whether to notify the user prior to transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
45. A system including user equipment in which information on the television viewing activities of a user at the user equipment is provided to a data collection facility, comprising: control circuitry; a display; and a user input interface, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are configured to: collect information on the television viewing activities of the user by monitoring which television channels the user tunes to with the control circuitry; and transmit the collected information on the viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility using e-mail protocols.
46. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an e-mail application to transmit the collected information. WO 01/06784 PCTIUSO0/18771 - 39
47. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use the post office protocol to transmit the collected information.
48. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use the Simple Mail Transport Protocol to transmit the information.
49. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect the information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television program guide.
50. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to: collect the information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television program guide; and transmit the information on the television viewing habits of the user that were collected with the interactive television program guide to the data collection facility.
51. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect the information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television application. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 40
52. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to: collect the information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television application; and transmit the information on the television viewing habits of the user that were collected with the interactive television application to the data collection facility.
53. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect information on interactions of the user with an interactive television program guide.
54. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an interactive television program guide to collect information on interactions of the user with the interactive television program guide.
55. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to: collect information on interactions of the user with an interactive television program guide; and transmit the information collected on the interactions of the user with the interactive WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 41 television program guide to the data collection facility.
56. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect information on interactions of the user with an interactive television application.
57. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an interactive television application to collect information on interactions of the user with the interactive television application.
58. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to: collect information on interactions of the user with an interactive television application; and transmit the information collected on the interactions of the user with the interactive television application to the data collection facility.
59. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect information on what times the user tunes to the television channels.
60. The system defined in claim 45, wherein the user equipment includes a set-top box, and wherein WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 42 the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the set top box to a given television channel.
61. The system defined in claim 45, wherein the user equipment includes a digital video recorder, and wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the digital video recorder to a given television channel.
62. The system defined in claim 45, wherein the user equipment includes a personal computer, and wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the personal computer to a given television channel.
63. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an interactive television program guide to display program listings on the user equipment for the user.
64. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to display an interactive menu on the user equipment that includes options that allow the user to invoke at least an interactive television program guide and a video-on-demand application. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 43
65. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect information on the television viewing habits of the user by monitoring the time and by monitoring the channels tuned to by the user with an interactive television program guide.
66. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to store the collected information on the television viewing habits of the user in storage on the user equipment.
67. The system defined in claim 45, wherein an interactive television program guide is implemented on the user equipment, the user equipment is connected to a television distribution facility by a communications path, and program listings data is provided from a program listings source, and the television distribution facility is configured to receive the program listings data at the television distribution facility from the program listings source and provide the program listings data from the television distribution facility to the interactive television program guide on the user equipment over the communications path.
68. The system defined in claim 45, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using paging frequencies. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 44
69. The system defined in claim 45, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using digital subscriber line communications.
70. The system defined in claim 45, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using cable communications.
71. The system defined in claim 45, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using communications over telephone lines.
72. The system defined in claim 45, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to a server.
73. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to the data collection facility over a wireless path.
74. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to notify the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. WO 01/06784 PCTUSOO/18771 - 45
75. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to: notify the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility; and provide the user with an opportunity to choose whether to send the collected information to the data collection facility.
76. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information in an e-mail attachment.
77. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information in the body of an e-mail message.
78. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to: use a program guide to generate an e mail message with which to provide the collected information to the data collection facility as a report; and automatically set the reply address in the e-mail message to the e-mail address of the data collection facility. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 46
79. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to send an e-mail message to an in box associated with the user equipment before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
80. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to authorize submission of the collected information before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
81. The system defined in claim 45 further comprising means for analyzing the collected information at the data collection facility.
82. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility.
83. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a cable system headend.
84. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility, wherein the user equipment is in communication with the television distribution facility, and wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further WO 01/06784 PCTUSOO/18771 - 47 configured to transmit the collected information to the data collection facility through the television distribution facility.
85. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to the data collection facility over the Internet.
86. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to allow the user to authorize transmission of the collected information using a setup option.
87. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to allow the user to select a desired frequency for transmitting the collected information.
88. The system defined in claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to provide the user with a setup option that allows the user to choose whether to notify the user prior to transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
89. A method for collecting information on interactions of a user at user equipment with an interactive television application implemented on the WO 01/06784 PCT/US0O/18771 - 48 user equipment and providing that information to a data collection facility, comprising: collecting information on the interactions of the user with the interactive television application; and transmitting the collected information on interactions of the user with the interactive television application to the data collection facility using e-mail protocols.
90. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising using an e-mail application to transmit the collected information.
91. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising using the post office protocol to transmit the collected information.
92. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising using the Simple Mail Transport Protocol to transmit the information.
93. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising collecting the information with an interactive television program guide.
94. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising collecting information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television program guide and collecting the information on the user's interactions with the interactive WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 49 television application using the interactive television program guide.
95. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising: collecting information on the television viewing activities of the user with an interactive television program guide; and transmitting the information collected on the television viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility.
96. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising collecting information on the television viewing activities of the user with the interactive television application.
97. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising using an interactive television program guide to collect information on the television viewing habits of the user.
98. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising collecting information on what times the user tunes to television channels.
99. The method defined in claim 89, wherein the user equipment includes a set-top box, the method further comprising allowing the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the set top box to a given television channel. WO 01/06784 PCT/USO0/18771 - 50
100. The method defined in claim 89, wherein the user equipment includes a digital video recorder, the method further comprising allowing the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the digital video recorder to a given television channel.
101. The method defined in claim 89, wherein the user equipment includes a personal computer, the method further comprising allowing the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the personal computer to a given television channel.
102. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising using an interactive television program guide to display program listings on the user equipment for the user.
103. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising displaying an interactive menu on the user equipment that includes options that allow the user to invoke at least an interactive television program guide and a video-on-demand application.
104. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising collecting information on the television viewing habits of the user comprises by monitoring the time and by monitoring the channels tuned to by the user with an interactive television program guide.
105. The method defined in claim 89 wherein collecting the information comprises storing the information in storage on the user equipment. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 51
106. The method defined in claim 89, wherein an interactive television program guide is implemented on the user equipment, the user equipment is connected to a television distribution facility by a communications path, and program listings data is provided from a program listings source, the method further comprising: receiving the program listings data at the television distribution facility from the program listings source; and providing the program listings data from the television distribution facility to the interactive television program guide on the user equipment over the communications path.
107. The method defined in claim 89, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information using paging frequencies.
108. The method defined in claim 89, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information using digital subscriber line communications.
109. The method defined in claim 89, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information using cable communications.
110. The method defined in claim 89, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises WO 01/06784 PCT/US0O/18771 - 52 transmitting the collected information using communications over telephone lines.
111. The method defined in claim 89, wherein transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information to a server.
112. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility over a wireless path.
113. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising notifying the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
114. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising: notifying the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility; and providing the user with an opportunity to choose whether to send the collected information to the data collection facility.
115. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising transmitting the collected information in an e-mail attachment.
116. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising transmitting the collected information in the body of an e-mail message. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 53
117. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising: using a program guide to generate an e mail message with which to provide the collected information to the data collection facility as a report; and automatically setting the reply address in the e-mail message to the e-mail address of the data collection facility.
118. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising sending an e-mail message to an in-box associated with the user equipment before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
119. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to authorize submission of the collected information before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
120. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising analyzing the collected information at the data collection facility.
121. The method defined in claim 89 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 54
122. The method defined in claim 89 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a cable system headend.
123. The method defined in claim 89 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility and wherein the user equipment is in communication with the television distribution facility, the method further comprising transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility through the television distribution facility.
124. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility over the Internet.
125. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising allowing the user to authorize transmission of the collected information using a setup option.
126. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising allowing the user to select a desired frequency for transmitting the collected information.
127. The method defined in claim 89 further comprising providing the user with a setup option that allows the user to choose whether to notify the user prior to transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 55
128. A system including user equipment on which an interactive television application is implemented in which information on the interactions of a user at the user equipment with the interactive television application is provided to a data collection facility, comprising: control circuitry; a display; and a user input interface, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are configured to: collect information on the interactions of the user with the interactive television application; and transmit the collected information on interactions of the user with the interactive television application to the data collection facility using e-mail protocols.
129. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an e-mail application to transmit the collected information.
130. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use the post office protocol to transmit the collected information.
131. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 56 further configured to use the Simple Mail Transport Protocol to transmit the information.
132. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect the information with an interactive television program guide.
133. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect information on the television viewing habits of the user with an interactive television program guide and collecting the information on the user's interactions with the interactive television application using the interactive television program guide.
134. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to: collect information on the television viewing activities of the user with an interactive television program guide; and transmit the information collected on the television viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility.
135. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect information on the television viewing activities of the user with the interactive television application. WO 01/06784 PCT/USO0/18771 - 57
136. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect information on the television viewing habits of the user.
137. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect information on what times the user tunes to television channels.
138. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the user equipment includes a set-top box, and wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the set top box to a given television channel.
139. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the user equipment includes a digital video recorder, and wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the digital video recorder to a given television channel.
140. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the user equipment includes a personal computer, and wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television program guide to tune the personal computer to a given television channel. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 58
141. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an interactive television program guide to display program listings on the user equipment for the user.
142. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to display an interactive menu on the user equipment that includes options that allow the user to invoke at least an interactive television program guide and a video-on-demand application.
143. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to collect information on the television viewing habits of the user comprises by monitoring the time and by monitoring the channels tuned to by the user with an interactive television program guide.
144. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to store the information in storage on the user equipment.
145. The system defined in claim 128, wherein an interactive television program guide is implemented on the user equipment, the user equipment is connected to a television distribution facility by a communications path, and program listings data is provided from a program listings source, and wherein WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 59 the television distribution facility is configured to receive the program listings data at the television distribution facility from the program listings source and provide the program listings data from the television distribution facility to the interactive television program guide on the user equipment over the communications path.
146. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using paging frequencies.
147. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using digital subscriber line communications.
148. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using cable communications.
149. The system defined in claim 128, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using communications over telephone lines.
150. The system defined in claim 128,wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 60 further configured to transmit the collected information to a server.
151. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to the data collection facility over a wireless path.
152. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to notify the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
153. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to: notify the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility; and provide the user with an opportunity to choose whether to send the collected information to the data collection facility.
154. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information in an e-mail attachment.
155. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 61 further configured to transmit the collected information in the body of an e-mail message.
156. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to: use a program guide to generate an e mail message with which to provide the collected information to the data collection facility as a report; and automatically set the reply address in the e-mail message to the e-mail address of the data collection facility.
157. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to send an e-mail message to an in box associated with the user equipment before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
158. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to provide the user with an opportunity to authorize submission of the collected information before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
159. The system defined in claim 128 further comprising means for analyzing the collected information at the data collection facility. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 62
160. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility.
161. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a cable system headend.
162. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility and wherein the user equipment is in communication with the television distribution facility, and wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to the data collection facility through the television distribution facility.
163. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to the data collection facility over the Internet.
164. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to allow the user to authorize transmission of the collected information using a setup option.
165. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 63 further configured to allow the user to select a desired frequency for transmitting the collected information.
166. The system defined in claim 128 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to provide the user with a setup option that allows the user to choose whether to notify the user prior to transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility.
167. A method for collecting information on the television viewing activities of a user at user equipment and providing that information to a data collection facility, comprising: collecting information on the television viewing activities of the user by monitoring which television channels the user tunes to with the user equipment; and transmitting the collected information on the viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility using a web browser's communications capabilities.
168. The method defined in claim 167 further comprising using the browser's forms capabilities to transmit the collected information.
169. The method defined in claim 167 further comprising transmitting the collected information using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). WO 01/06784 PCTUSOO/18771 - 64
170. The method defined in claim 167 further comprising using an interactive television program guide to access the web browser's communications capabilities.
171. The method defined in claim 167 further comprising using an interactive television program guide to generate inputs for the web browser to emulate user commands.
172. A system including user equipment in which information on the television viewing activities of a user at the user equipment is provided to a data collection facility, comprising: control circuitry; a display; and a user input interface, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are configured to: collect information on the television viewing activities of the user by monitoring which television channels the user tunes to with the control circuitry; and transmit the collected information on the viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility using a web browser's communications capabilities.
173. The system defined in claim 172 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use the browser's forms capabilities to transmit the collected information. WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 65
174. The system defined in claim 172 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
175. The system defined in claim 172 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an interactive television program guide to access the web browser's communications capabilities.
176. The system defined in claim 172 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an interactive television program guide to generate inputs for the web browser to emulate user commands.
177. A method for collecting information on the interactions of a user at user equipment with an interactive television application implemented on the user equipment and providing that information to a data collection facility, comprising: collecting information on the interactions of the user with the interactive television application implemented on the user equipment; and transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility using a web browser's communications capabilities. WO 01/06784 PCT/USO0/18771 - 66
178. The method defined in claim 177 further comprising using the browser's forms capabilities to transmit the collected information.
179. The method defined in claim 177 further comprising transmitting the collected information using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
180. The method defined in claim 177 further comprising using an interactive television program guide to access the web browser's communications capabilities.
181. The method defined in claim 177 further comprising using an interactive television program guide to generate inputs for the web browser to emulate user commands.
182. A system including user equipment in which information is collected on the interactions of a user with an interactive television program guide implemented on the user equipment is provided to a data collection facility, comprising: control circuitry; a display; and a user input interface, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are configured to: collect information on the interactions of the user with the interactive television application implemented on the user equipment; and WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 67 transmit the collected information to the data collection facility using a web browser's communications capabilities.
183. The system defined in claim 182 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use the browser's forms capabilities to transmit the collected information.
184. The system defined in claim 182 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
185. The system defined in claim 182 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an interactive television program guide to access the web browser's communications capabilities.
186. The system defined in claim 182 wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are further configured to use an interactive television program guide to generate inputs for the web browser to emulate user commands.
187. A method for collecting information on the television viewing activities of a user at user equipment and providing that information to a data collection facility, comprising: collecting information on the television viewing activities of the user by monitoring which WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 68 television channels the user tunes to with the user equipment; and transmitting the collected information on the viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility using a stand-alone FTP application.
188. A system including user equipment in which information on the television viewing activities of a user at the user equipment is provided to a data collection facility, comprising: control circuitry; a display; and a user input interface, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are configured to: collect information on the television viewing activities of the user by monitoring which television channels the user tunes to with the control circuitry; and transmit the collected information on the viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility using a stand-alone FTP application.
189. A method for collecting information on the interactions of a user at user equipment with an interactive television application implemented on the user equipment and providing that information to a data collection facility, comprising: collecting information on the interactions of the user with the interactive WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 69 television application implemented on the user equipment; and transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility using a stand-alone FTP application.
190. A system including user equipment in which information is collected on the interactions of a user with an interactive television program guide implemented on the user equipment is provided to a data collection facility, comprising: control circuitry; a display; and a user input interface, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are configured to: collect information on the interactions of the user with the interactive television application implemented on the user equipment; and transmit the collected information to the data collection facility using a stand-alone FTP application.
191. A method for collecting information on the television viewing activities of a user at user equipment and providing that information to a data collection facility, comprising: collecting information on the television viewing activities of the user by monitoring which television channels the user tunes to with the user equipment; and WO 01/06784 PCT/US0O/18771 - 70 transmitting the collected information on the viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility using the communications capabilities of an operating system installed on the user equipment.
192. A system including user equipment in which information on the television viewing activities of a user at the user equipment is provided to a data collection facility, comprising: control circuitry; a display; and a user input interface, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are configured to: collect information on the television viewing activities of the user by monitoring which television channels the user tunes to with the control circuitry; and transmit the collected information on the viewing activities of the user to the data collection facility using the communications capabilities of an operating system installed on the user equipment.
193. A method for collecting information on the interactions of a user at user equipment with an interactive television application implemented on the user equipment and providing that information to a data collection facility, comprising: collecting information on the interactions of the user with the interactive WO 01/06784 PCT/USOO/18771 - 71 television application implemented on the user equipment; and transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility using the communications capabilities of an operating system installed on the user equipment.
194. A system including user equipment in which information is collected on the interactions of a user with an interactive television program guide implemented on the user equipment is provided to a data collection facility, comprising: control circuitry; a display; and a user input interface, wherein the control circuitry, display, and user interface are configured to: collect information on the interactions of the user with the interactive television application implemented on the user equipment; and transmit the collected information to the data collection facility using the communications capabilities of an operating system installed on the user equipment.
AU59265/00A 1999-07-20 2000-07-10 Interactive television systems with data collection Abandoned AU5926500A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14469799P 1999-07-20 1999-07-20
US60144697 1999-07-20
US60803300A 2000-06-30 2000-06-30
US09608033 2000-06-30
PCT/US2000/018771 WO2001006784A2 (en) 1999-07-20 2000-07-10 Interactive television systems with data collection

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU5926500A true AU5926500A (en) 2001-02-05

Family

ID=26842269

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU59265/00A Abandoned AU5926500A (en) 1999-07-20 2000-07-10 Interactive television systems with data collection

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1279285A2 (en)
JP (1) JP2004513533A (en)
CN (1) CN1421100A (en)
AR (1) AR028478A1 (en)
AU (1) AU5926500A (en)
BR (1) BR0012596A (en)
CA (1) CA2380165A1 (en)
MX (1) MXPA02000750A (en)
WO (1) WO2001006784A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (51)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6769128B1 (en) 1995-06-07 2004-07-27 United Video Properties, Inc. Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access
US6732369B1 (en) 1995-10-02 2004-05-04 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for contextually linking television program information
US8850477B2 (en) 1995-10-02 2014-09-30 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters
US6323911B1 (en) 1995-10-02 2001-11-27 Starsight Telecast, Inc. System and method for using television schedule information
US6469753B1 (en) 1996-05-03 2002-10-22 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Information system
KR100363119B1 (en) 1997-07-21 2002-12-05 이 가이드, 인코포레이티드 Systems and methods for displaying and recording control interfaces
US6604240B2 (en) 1997-10-06 2003-08-05 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television program guide system with operator showcase
US20020095676A1 (en) 1998-05-15 2002-07-18 Robert A. Knee Interactive television program guide system for determining user values for demographic categories
US6442755B1 (en) 1998-07-07 2002-08-27 United Video Properties, Inc. Electronic program guide using markup language
CN1867068A (en) 1998-07-14 2006-11-22 联合视频制品公司 Client-server based interactive television program guide system with remote server recording
US6898762B2 (en) 1998-08-21 2005-05-24 United Video Properties, Inc. Client-server electronic program guide
AU5775900A (en) 1999-06-29 2001-01-31 United Video Properties, Inc. Method and system for a video-on-demand-related interactive display within an interactive television application
AU8928901A (en) 2000-03-31 2001-10-15 United Video Properties Inc System and method for meta-data-linked advertisements
EP2262262A1 (en) 2000-10-11 2010-12-15 United Video Properties, Inc. System and methods for providing storage of data on servers in an on-demand media delivery system
GB2371707B (en) * 2001-01-30 2004-06-30 Media Logic Systems Ltd Improved interactive system for enabling TV shopping
US7305697B2 (en) 2001-02-02 2007-12-04 Opentv, Inc. Service gateway for interactive television
US7017175B2 (en) 2001-02-02 2006-03-21 Opentv, Inc. Digital television application protocol for interactive television
EP1356680B1 (en) 2001-02-02 2013-05-22 Opentv, Inc. A method and apparatus for reformatting of content for display on interactive television
KR20140126420A (en) 2001-02-21 2014-10-30 유나이티드 비디오 프로퍼티즈, 인크. Systems and methods for interactive program guides with personal video recording features
WO2003034735A1 (en) * 2001-10-15 2003-04-24 Nokia Corporation A method of providing live feedback
US20030196206A1 (en) 2002-04-15 2003-10-16 Shusman Chad W. Method and apparatus for internet-based interactive programming
US20040210947A1 (en) 2003-04-15 2004-10-21 Shusman Chad W. Method and apparatus for interactive video on demand
US7493646B2 (en) 2003-01-30 2009-02-17 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television systems with digital video recording and adjustable reminders
US7984468B2 (en) 2003-11-06 2011-07-19 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for providing program suggestions in an interactive television program guide
US7788266B2 (en) 2005-08-26 2010-08-31 Veveo, Inc. Method and system for processing ambiguous, multi-term search queries
US9113107B2 (en) 2005-11-08 2015-08-18 Rovi Guides, Inc. Interactive advertising and program promotion in an interactive television system
WO2007103938A2 (en) 2006-03-06 2007-09-13 Veveo, Inc. Methods and systems for selecting and presenting content based on learned user preferences
US8316394B2 (en) 2006-03-24 2012-11-20 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive media guidance application with intelligent navigation and display features
CN100461824C (en) * 2006-08-30 2009-02-11 航天新世界(中国)科技有限公司 Value-added application service supporting system for digital TV and its method
US8832742B2 (en) 2006-10-06 2014-09-09 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for acquiring, categorizing and delivering media in interactive media guidance applications
US7801888B2 (en) 2007-03-09 2010-09-21 Microsoft Corporation Media content search results ranked by popularity
US10063934B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2018-08-28 Rovi Technologies Corporation Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV
US9166714B2 (en) 2009-09-11 2015-10-20 Veveo, Inc. Method of and system for presenting enriched video viewing analytics
US9014546B2 (en) 2009-09-23 2015-04-21 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for automatically detecting users within detection regions of media devices
CN101964921B (en) * 2010-09-21 2015-11-25 深圳创维数字技术有限公司 Set Top Box, audience ratings real-time statistical method and system
JP5703664B2 (en) 2010-09-30 2015-04-22 ソニー株式会社 Reception device, reception method, transmission device, transmission method, program, and broadcasting system
WO2012094564A1 (en) 2011-01-06 2012-07-12 Veveo, Inc. Methods of and systems for content search based on environment sampling
US8713300B2 (en) 2011-01-21 2014-04-29 Symantec Corporation System and method for netbackup data decryption in a high latency low bandwidth environment
US8495178B1 (en) 2011-04-01 2013-07-23 Symantec Corporation Dynamic bandwidth discovery and allocation to improve performance for backing up data
US8805418B2 (en) 2011-12-23 2014-08-12 United Video Properties, Inc. Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules
CN102857798A (en) * 2012-01-18 2013-01-02 中山大学 Monitoring system of system software operation condition based on set-top box
US20160119675A1 (en) 2012-09-06 2016-04-28 Flextronics Ap, Llc Programming user behavior reporting
US11368760B2 (en) 2012-08-17 2022-06-21 Flextronics Ap, Llc Applications generating statistics for user behavior
CN103748530A (en) 2012-08-17 2014-04-23 弗莱克斯电子有限责任公司 Media center
WO2014092808A1 (en) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-19 Flextronics Ap, Llc Data reporting of usage statistics
WO2014092809A1 (en) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-19 Flextronics Ap, Llc Thumbnail cache
US20140196062A1 (en) 2013-01-10 2014-07-10 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for setting prices in data driven media placement
US9848276B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2017-12-19 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for auto-configuring a user equipment device with content consumption material
US10044835B1 (en) 2013-12-11 2018-08-07 Symantec Corporation Reducing redundant transmissions by polling clients
US9992118B2 (en) 2014-10-27 2018-06-05 Veritas Technologies Llc System and method for optimizing transportation over networks
PH22016000096U1 (en) * 2016-02-17 2016-03-04 Gma New Media Inc An apparatus operable as a set-top unit

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6006257A (en) * 1995-09-29 1999-12-21 Comverse Networks Systems, Inc. Multimedia architecture for interactive advertising in which secondary programming is varied based upon viewer demographics and content of primary programming
US5781901A (en) * 1995-12-21 1998-07-14 Intel Corporation Transmitting electronic mail attachment over a network using a e-mail page
JP3911047B2 (en) * 1996-04-30 2007-05-09 ソニー株式会社 Recording reservation control system and recording reservation control method
CA2185053C (en) * 1996-06-24 2002-04-16 Frank B. Norman Interactive reverse channel for direct broadcast satellite system
WO1998001997A1 (en) * 1996-07-08 1998-01-15 Mark Sinclair Krebs Video mail delivery system
US5870134A (en) * 1997-03-04 1999-02-09 Com21, Inc. CATV network and cable modem system having a wireless return path
IL121230A (en) * 1997-07-03 2004-05-12 Nds Ltd Intelligent electronic program guide

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2380165A1 (en) 2001-01-25
CN1421100A (en) 2003-05-28
BR0012596A (en) 2004-06-22
EP1279285A2 (en) 2003-01-29
WO2001006784A3 (en) 2002-10-03
WO2001006784A2 (en) 2001-01-25
AR028478A1 (en) 2003-05-14
MXPA02000750A (en) 2002-07-22
JP2004513533A (en) 2004-04-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU5926500A (en) Interactive television systems with data collection
US8856844B2 (en) Systems and methods for automatically purchasing and recording popular pay programs in an interactive media delivery system
CA2648784C (en) Interactive media content delivery using a separate backchannel communications network
CA2687607C (en) Systems and methods for personalizing an interactive media guidance application
EP3211890B1 (en) Systems and methods for creating aggregations of episodes of series programming in order
AU2008295588B2 (en) Systems and methods for recording popular media in an interactive media delivery system
US8667538B1 (en) Methods and devices for presenting an interactive media guidance application
AU2013204481B2 (en) Systems and Methods for Personlizing an Interactive Media Guidance Application
AU2013263772B2 (en) Systems and Methods for Recording Popular Media in an Interactive Media Delivery System