Electronic-mail reminder for an internet television program guide
Abstract
An Internet television program guide e-mail reminder system for providing e-mail reminder messages for television events scheduled for a user in an Internet multimedia system (10), comprising: means (10) to provide listings of television programs on the Internet; means (218) for selecting a television program from the television program listings provided on the Internet; and means (Figure 6) for providing e-mail reminder messages to the Internet multimedia system that remind the user when the television program is to be broadcast.

Term
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Projected expiry passed 19 August 2018, 8.1 years ago.
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52 claims: 8 independent, 44 dependent
- 1ES 2 177 040 T3 REIVINDICACIONES 1. Un sistema de recordatorio por e-mail de guóa de programas de televisióon por Internet para proporcionar mensajes recordatorios por e-mail para los eventos de televisioón programados para un usuario en un sistema multimedia en Internet (10), que comprende:medios (10) para proporcionar listados de programas de televisioón en Internet;medios (218) para seleccionar un programa de televisioón desde los listados de programas de televisioón proporcionados en Internet;y medios (figura 6) para proporcionar mensajes de recordatorio por e-mail para el sistema multimedia en Internet que recuerdan al usuario cuóando va a emitirse el programa de televisioón.
- 2El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 1, que comprende adicionalmente medios (235) para proporcionar una opcioón de recordatorio por email que el usuario selecciona para ordenar mensajes de recordatorios por e-mail.
- 3El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 2, donde los medios (235) para proporcionar la opcióon de recordatorio por e-mail comprende adicionalmente medios (410) para presentar una póagina web de recordatorios por e-mail cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon de recordatorio por e-mail.
- 4El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 3, donde los medios (410) para presentar la póagina web de recordatorios por e-mail comprende adicionalmente medios (424, 430) para proporcionar opciones seleccionables representadas en la póagina web de recordatorios por e-mail cuando se presenta al usuario la póagina web de recordatorios por e-mail.
- 5El sistema seguón una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 4, que comprende adicionalmente medios (233,483) para proporcionar una opcioón de visualizacióon de recordatorios actuales que el usuario selecciona para recibir una lista de óordenes actuales de recordatorios por e-mail.
- 6El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 5, donde los medios (233, 483) para proporcionar la opcióon de visualizacióon de recordatorios actuales comprende adicionalmente medios (710) para presentar una paógina web de visualizacioón de recordatorios actuales cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon de visualizacióon de recordatorios actuales.
- 7El sistema seguón una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 6, que comprende adicionalmente medios (231) para proporcionar una nueva opcioón de recordatorios que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por email introduciendo el tótulo de un programa.
- 8El sistema seguón la reivindicacióon 7, donde los medios (231) para proporcionar la nueva opcióon de recordatorios comprende adicionalmente medios (810) para presentar una póagina web de nuevos recordatorios cuando el usuario selecciona la nueva opcioón de recordatorios.
- 9El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 8, donde los medios (810) para presentar la póagina web de nuevos recordatorios comprende adicionalmente medios (824, 830) para proporcionar opciones seleccionables representadas sobre la póagina web de nuevos recordatorios cuando se presenta al usuariolapóagina web de nuevos recordatorios.
- 10El sistema seguón las reivindicaciones 4 a 9, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de antelacioón (430, 480) para determinar con quóe antelacióon antes de que la difusioón del programa de televisioón, se debe generar y enviar al usuario el mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail.
- 11El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 10, donde la opcioón de antelacióon comprende adicionalmente medios (510, 515) para presentar una póagina web de antelacioón.
- 12El sistema seguón las reivindicaciones 4 o 9, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de frecuencia (424, 824) para determinar con quóe frecuencia el mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail debe generase y enviarse al usuario.
- 13El sistema seguón la reivindicacióon 12, donde la opcioón de frecuencia comprende adicionalmente medios (510, 513) para presentar una paógina web de frecuencia.
- 14El sistema seguón en cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 13, que comprende adicionalmente medios (336) para proporcionar una paógina web de orden de pago por visióon.
- 15El sistema seguón la reivindicacióon 14, donde los medios (336);para proporcionar la póagina web de orden de pago por visioón comprende adicionalmente medios (377) para proporcionar una opcioón de recordatorio por e-mail que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail.
- 16El sistema seguón una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 15, que comprende adicionalmente medios (244) para proporcionar una opcioón de perfil de preferencia del usuario que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail seleccionado a partir de varias preferencias de recordatorios por e-mail.
- 17El sistema seguón la reivindicacióon 16, donde los medios (244) para proporcionar al usuariolaopcióon de perfil de preferencia comprende adicionalmente medios (910) para presentar una paógina web de perfil de preferencia del usuario cuando el usuario selecciona la opcioón de perfil de preferencia del usuario.
- 18El sistema seguón la reivindicacióon 17, donde los medios (910) para presentar una paógina web de perfil de preferencia del usuario comprende adicionalmente medios (913) para proporcionar opciones seleccionables representadas sobre la póagina web del perfil de preferencia cuando se presenta al usuario la póagina web de perfil de preferencia del usuario.
- 19El sistema seguón la reivindicacióon 18, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de góeneros (913) que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail introduciendo un góenero de programa.
- 20El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 19, donde la opcioón de góenero (913) comprende adicionalmente medios (950) para presentar una póagina web de góeneros cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon de góeneros.
- 21El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 18, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de actor (913) que el usuario selecciona para ordenar el mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail introduciendo un nombre del actor.
- 22El sistema seguón la reivindicacióon 21, donde la opcioón de actor (913) comprende adicio9 ES 2 177 040 T3 nalmente medios (figura 14) para presentar una paógina web del actor cuando el usuario selecciona la opcioón del actor.
- 23El sistema seguón la reivindicacióon 18, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de tótulo exacto (013) que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail introduciendo un tótulo exacto del programa.
- 24El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 23, donde la opcioón del tótulo exacto (913) comprende adicionalmente medios (figura 15) para presentar una paógina web de tótulo exacto cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon del tótulo exacto.
- 25El sistema seguón la reivindicacióon 18, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de tótulo parcial (913) que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail introduciendo un tótulo parcial del programa.
- 26El sistema seguón la reivindicacioón 25, donde la opcioón del tótulo parcial del programa (913) comprende adicionalmente medios (figura 16) para presentar una paógina web del tótulo parcial cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon del tótulo parcial.
- 27Un móetodo para proporcionar mensajes de recordatorios por e-mail para eventos de televisióon organizados para un usuario en un sistema multimedia en Internet (10) utilizando un sistema de guóa de programas de televisioón por Internet, comprendiendo el móetodo las etapas de:proporcionar listados de programas de televisióon en Internet (10);seleccionar un programa de televisióon a partir de los listados de los programas de televisioón proporcionados en Internet (218);y proporcionar mensajes de recordatorios por email para el sistema multimedia en Internet que recuerdan al usuario cuóando debe difundirse el programa de televisióon (figura 6).
- 28El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 27, que comprende adicionalmente la etapa (235) de proporcionar una opcioón de recordatorio por e-mail que el usuario selecciona para ordenar mensajes de recordatorio por e-mail.
- 29El móetodo seguón la reivindicacióon 28, donde la etapa (235) de proporcionar la opcióon de recordatorio por e-mail comprende adicionalmente la etapa (410) de presentar una póagina web de recordatorio por e-mail cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon de recordatorio por e-mail.
- 30El móetodo seguón la reivindicacióon 29, donde la etapa (410) de presentacióon de la paógina web de recordatorio por e-mail comprende adicionalmente la etapa (424, 430) de proporcionar opciones seleccionables representadas en la póagina web de recordatorios por e-mail cuando se presenta al usuario la póagina web de recordatorios por e-mail.
- 31El móetodo seguón una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 27 a 30, que comprende adicionalmente la etapa (234, 483) de proporcionar una opcióon de visualizacióon de recordatorios actuales que el usuario selecciona para recibir una lista de ordenes de recordatorios por e-mail.
- 32El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 31, donde la etapa (233, 483) de proporcionar la opcióon de visualizacioón de recordatorios actuales comprende adicionalmente la etapa (710) de presentacióon de una póagina web de visualizacioón de recordatorios actuales cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon de visualizacióon de recordatorios actuales.
- 33El móetodo seguón una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 27 a 32, que comprende adicionalmente la etapa (231) de proporcionar una nueva opcioón de recordatorios que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por email introduciendo el tótulo de un programa.
- 34El móetodo seguón la reivindicacióon 33, donde la etapa (231) de proporcionar la nueva opcióon de recordatorios comprende adicionalmente la etapa (810) de presentar una paógina web de nuevos recordatorios cuando el usuario selecciona la nueva opcioón de recordatorios.
- 35El móetodo seguón la reivindicacióon 34, donde la etapa (810) de presentacioón de paógina web de nuevos recordatorios comprende adicionalmente la etapa (824, 830) de proporcionar opciones seleccionables representadas en la póagina web de nuevos recordatorios cuando se presenta al usuario la paógina web de nuevos recordatorios.
- 36El móetodo seguón las reivindicaciones 30 óo 35, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de antelacioón (430, 830) para determinar con quóe antelacioón antes de la difusioón del programa de televisioón el menaje de recordatorio por e-mail debe generarse y enviarse al usuario.
- 37El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 36, donde la opcióon de antelacióon comprende adicionalmente la etapa (510, 515) de presentacioón de una paógina web de antelacioón.
- 38El móetodo seguón las reivindicaciones 30 óo 35, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de frecuencia (424, 824) para determinar con quóe frecuencia el mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail debe ser generado y enviado al usuario.
- 39El móetodo seguón la reivindicacióon 38, donde la opcioón de frecuencia comprende adicionalmente la etapa (510, 513) de presentacioón de una paógina web de frecuencia.
- 40El móetodo seguón cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 27 a 39, que comprende adicionalmente la etapa (336) de proporcionar una paógina web de orden pago por visioón.
- 41El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 40, donde la etapa (336) de proporcionar la paógina web de orden pago por visioón comprende adicionalmente la etapa (377) de proporcionar una opcioón de recordatorio por e-mail que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail.
- 42El móetodo seguón cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 27 a 41 que comprende adicionalmente la etapa (244) de proporcionar una opcioón de perfil de preferencia del usuario que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail seleccionando a partir de varias preferencias de recordatorio por e-mail.
- 43El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 42, donde la etapa (244) de proporcionar la opcioón de perfil de preferencia del usuario comprende adicionalmente la etapa (910) de presentar una paógina web de perfil de preferencia del usuario cuando el usuario selecciona la opcioón del perfil de preferencia del usuario.
- 44El móetodo seguón la reivindicacióon 43, ES 2 177 040 T3 donde la etapa (910) de presentacióon de la paógina web de perfil de preferencia del usuario comprende adicionalmente la etapa (913) que proporciona las opciones seleccionables representadas en la paógina web de perfil de preferencia del usuario cuando se presenta al usuario la póagina web de perfil de preferencia del usuario.
- 45El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 44, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de góenero (913) que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail introduciendo un góenero del programa.
- 46El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 45, donde la opcióon del góenero (913) comprende adicionalmente la etapa (950) de presentacióon de una paógina web de góeneros cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon de góeneros.
- 47El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 44, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de actor (913) que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail introduciendo el nombre del actor.
- 48El móetodo seguón la reivindicacióon 47, donde la opcióon de actor (913) comprende adicionalmente la etapa (figura 14) de presentacióon de una paógina web del actor cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon de actor.
- 49El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 44, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de tótulo exacto (913) que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail introduciendo un tótulo exacto del programa.
- 50El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 49, donde la opcioón de tótulo exacto (913) comprende adicionalmente la etapa (figura 15) de presentacióon de una póagina web del tótulo exacto cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon de tótulo exacto.
- 51El móetodo seguón la reivindicacioón 44, donde la opcioón seleccionable es una opcióon de tótulo parcial (913) que el usuario selecciona para ordenar un mensaje de recordatorio por e-mail introduciendo un tótulo parcial del programa.
- 52El móetodo seguón la reivindicacióon 51, donde la opcióon de tótulo parcial (913) comprende adicionalmente la etapa (figura 16) de presentacióon de una póagina web de tótulo parcial cuando el usuario selecciona la opcióon de tótulo parcial. NOTA INFORMATIVA:Conforme a la reserva del art. 167.2 del Convenio de Patentes Europeas (CPE) y a la Disposición Transitoria del RD 2424/1986, de 10 de octubre, relativo a la aplicacion del Convenio de Patente Europea, las patentes europeas que designen a España y solicitadas antes del 7-10-1992, no producirán ningún efecto en Espana en la medida en que confieran protección a productos químicos y farmaceuticos como tales. Esta informacioón no prejuzga que la patente estóe o no incluóda en la mencionada reserva.
Independent claims52
87 paragraphs in 2 sections, as filed
ES 2 177 040 T3
DESCRIPTION
Email reminder for an Internet TV show gluttony. Background of the invention
This invention relates to the Internet, and more particularly, to techniques for reminding a user via electronic mail (e-mail) of scheduled television programs represented in an Internet television program guide.
Cable, satellite and broadcast television systems provide viewers with a large number of television channels. Viewers have traditionally had to consult previously printed television program listings to determine which programs were scheduled to air on a particular day and time. Technological advances have allowed more convenient and advanced program guide services to be created. For example, passive television-based program guides have been created, which allow viewers to view television program listings directly on their television sets. Additionally, interactive television program guide services have been created that allow a service provider to provide television program listings data to a setting box. An interactive program guide application in the setting box allows the user to render the television program listings on the user's television set. More recently, television program guide systems have been created that provide television program listings on the Internet. Such systems are described in WO-A-97 02701 and WO-A-96 34491.
With an Internet television program guide system, users with personal computers or integrated personal computers and televisions (PC / TVS) can obtain online television program listings. In addition, users of Internet television program guides are able to view promotional video clips, interview segments, audio clips, and any other multimedia material related to a given television program.
Although Internet television program guides provide users with a number of useful features, users are still facing the problem of forgetting the television programs they want to watch but do not remember when the program is going to air on the Internet. televised. Users must frequently refer back to the program listings to determine when the desired programs aired.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a way to remind users of Internet television program guides when certain Internet programs are to be broadcast.
Summary of the invention
AND<sup>or</sup>This and other objects of the invention are achieved in accordance with the principles of the present invention by providing an Internet television program guide electronic mail (e-mail) reminder system. The system sends e-mail messages to users to remind users when the selected television programs are going to be broadcast.
Television program information and related data for an Internet television program guide are provided to a web server from a computer system that may be maintained by a service provider. The web server provides this information to the user's multimedia system through an Internet communication link. The user's multimedia system may include an integrated personal computer, personal computer and television or an Internet capable set-top box and television.
The program information and related data are preferably provided to the user's multimedia system in the form of one or more web pages. Program guide listings can be displayed in a grid format arranged in channel order from top to bottom and by broadcast time from left to right. Web browser cursors allow the user to scroll through the listings to locate programs at different times of the day or different days of the month.
If a user selects a pay-per-view show or event from the show listings, additional information related to the show or event may be displayed in the show information box. In addition to observing additional information about the selected program, the user can order a reminder message by e-mail to remind the user when the selected program was broadcast. They are optional provisions that allow the user to determine when and how some messages will be generated and received.
Before the scheduled broadcast time of each selected program, the system sends an e-mail message to the user reminding the user of the program.
If desired, the user can order reminder messages by e-mail without first looking at the program listings. This can be achieved by directly entering the title of the television program for which the reminders should be computers. This method is useful when the user knows the title of the program and does not want to consult the program listings or when the user knows the title of the program but does not know the place of the program in the program listings.
The user can also see a list of all currently requested email reminders. Information such as the name of the program, type of email reminder, and the date and time of the submitted application can be displayed on the list for each reminder. Entries can be added to the current reminder list as soon as the user issues a new request. Additionally, the user can cancel the reminder entries if the user no longer wishes to be reminded of this program.
In another aspect of the invention, reminder messages by e-mail can be ordered and generated to remind the user when the pro2 pay-per-view programs will be issued.
ES 2 177 040 T3 grams.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the e-mail reminders can be ordered and generated based on other preferences that the user can specify.
Additional features of the invention, its nature, and various advantages will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments.
Brief description of the drawings
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an Internet television program guide system in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram of an illustrative web page containing television program guide listings and e-mail reminder options in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 3 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder page that allows the user to enter information to order email reminders in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative program information web page containing information about a program selected by the user and allowing the user to order an e-mail reminder in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder page allowing the user to enter more specific information to order email reminders in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder message in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder page listing of all current email reminder orders in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 8 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder page that allows the user to enter a program title and select from various options when ordering an email reminder in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 9 is a diagram of an illustrative web page that allows the user to order a pay-per-view event and email reminder in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 10 is a site map showing options that can be selected when ordering e-mail reminder messages through an Internet television program guide in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 11 is a diagram of an illustrative web page that allows the user to select from various preferences when ordering an e-mail reminder in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder message in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder page that allows the user to specify various genres of programs when ordering an email reminder in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder page that allows the user to enter an actor when ordering an email reminder in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder page that allows the user to enter an exact caption when ordering an email reminder in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram of an illustrative email reminder page allowing the user to enter a partial caption when ordering an email reminder in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments
An Internet television program guide system 10 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The information of the television program is stored in media library 12 and data server 14. Media library 12 preferably contains a series of compact discs read only from memory discs (CD-ROM), digital video discs (DVD), or other media suitable for storing multimedia content. Media Library 12 contains clips from television shows and related interviews and reviews. The television program information stored in media library 12 was primarily video-based. Data server 14 maintains various databases of television program information. For example, data server 14 may have a remote media database containing descriptions of videos in media library 12. The data server 14 may also have a database that contains information about standard titles, a pay-per-view database that contains information regarding pay-per-view events, and a database of scheduling information. The data server 14 may also have a cable system operator database containing channel rows, information on the operator's time zone, weather data for the operator's region, data on postal codes in the operator's area. cable system operator area, etc. Other databases may be supported by data server 14, as desired. The television program information on data server 14 is primarily in non-video formats.
Media library 12 and data server 14 may be interconnected with streaming server 16 via the internal network.
18. Media library 12, data server 14, network 18, and broadcast server 16 form computer system 19. Television program information can be stored on data server 14 in a database format. related and may be stored on the streaming server 16 in an object-oriented database format. A build process can be used to periodically build (for example, once a day) a
ES 2 177 040 T3 temporary data set of television program information (for example, a set of seven days to a month) for storage on the broadcast server 16. The broadcast server 16 can receive information for the guide service Internet TV program such as weather data, sports results, etc., through data entry 17.
Television program information and related data may be transferred from broadcast server 16 to web server 20 via communications link 22. Communications link 22 may be part of an internal network or it may be an internal link. specific communications standard. The web server 20 can connect to the Internet 24 through the communication link 26. Communications link 26 is preferably a telephonic line or other suitable Internet communications path.
If the streaming server 16 and the web server 20 are separate devices, as shown in Figure 1, the streaming server 16 can be used as a common data processing facility for other applications that use the streaming data type. television program stored on the broadcast server 16. If desired, the functions of the broadcast server 16 and the web server 20 can be integrated into a single machine. The web server configuration in figure 1 is only illustrative. Any other suitable web server configuration can be used, if desired. For example, web servers that are located at cable system operator facilities may be used in conjunction with or instead of web servers such as web server 20.
The web server 20 uses standard protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and hypertext transfer protocol to produce the television program information available on the Internet 24 for users on various multimedia systems. such as multimedia systems 34, 36, and 38. Communications links 34, 36, and 38 are Internet links formed from telephone lines, radio frequency (RF) links, cable modem links, dish satellite links, link combinations such as these, or other suitable Internet connection paths.
The multimedia system 28 has a personal computer 40 with access to the Internet provided through an Internet communication link 34.
Multimedia system 30 has a personal computer and integrated television 46 such as the Gateway 2000 Destination® PC-TV Hybrid available from Gateway 2000 Inc. of North Sioux City, South Dakota. Television signals are provided at entrance 48. Internet access was provided through Internet communications link 36.
The multimedia system 32 has an Internet capable setting box 50. The setting box 50 can use the application software of the TV Online mailbox.<sup>1</sup>® from Worldgate Corporation, which can be carried in mailboxes such as the CFT-2200® from General Instrument Corporation of Hatboro, Pennsylvania and the 8600x® from Scientific Atlanta of Atlanta, Georgia. Setting box 50 receives television signals through input 52. Internet access was provided through Internet communications link 38. The video representation signals that contain television and information on the Internet are provided for television 54 through path 56.
During the operation of the system 10, certain data processing functions, such as user-initiated searches and rankings, are performed topically on the web server 20. If desired, such functions can be performed on a suitable data processing component in the multimedia system 28, 30 or 32.
Shown in Figure 2 is a topical Internet television program guide system screen, which may be provided using systems 28, 30, and 32. Screen 218 contains program listings 220 that are arranged in channel order from top to bottom. down and by diffusion time from left to right. Cursors 222 and 224 can be used to navigate from earlier or later time periods, respectively. The web browser cursors 226 and 228 allow the user to scroll through the program listings. The user can also navigate through the program listings with time navigation buttons 230 to view program listings for different times in the day. Calendar buttons 232 can be used to view program listings for different days of the month. The user can choose from several available display options by selecting a desired time button, channel, category, or search button from among other display buttons 234.
Another component of screen 218 is the program information setting box 236. When the user has selected a pay-per-view program or event from the program 220 listings, additional information related to the program or event is displayed. in program information box 236. For example, the user has clicked on the entry "Primal Fear" in the listings for program 220 in figure 2. As a result, the contents of the program information setting box 236 reflect this selection. Program information box 236 topically contains the title of the program (for example, Prime Fear), the run time of the program (for example, 2:09), a brief description of the program (for example, One Hot Shot .. ..) and a description of the type or genre of the show (for example, drama movie). If the user wishes to see additional information in relation to the selected program, the user must click on the icon "more detailed view" 238 (or alternatively on any portion of the setting box 236), which the user takes for the information page4
ES 2 177 040 T3 mation of program 234 (figure 4). The program information page 240 allows the user to obtain additional information such as video clips and interview segments about the selected program.
Another component of the program information setting box 236 is an e-mail reminder setting box 235. This setting box is displayed at the same time with the program information setting box 236 when the user has selected a program or event the 220 program listings. If the e-mail reminder setting box 235 is selected, the user is presented with an e-mail reminder page such as the e-mail reminder page 410 of Figure 3. The e-mail reminder page mail 410 contains user selectable options, where the user can fill in when ordering an e-mail reminder message to remind the user when a particular television program is to be broadcast. As defined herein, such uses of the term "broadcast" refer to the process of putting television programs on the air by traditional television broadcast techniques, cable systems, or satellite systems.
Fields 414 and 418 of the email reminder page 410 allow the user to enter the name and email address, respectively, of the person to be sent the email reminder message. If desired, the user's name and e-mail address can be entered automatically in fields 414 and 418, based on the information previously provided to the system (for example, information provided when the user registered with the guide service. Internet television programs).
If the user was browsing program listings from a computer located in the user's office, the user may wish to have e-mail reminders addressed to their home (i.e., using their personal Internet access account and email address). mail for the multimedia system at home). Alternatively, the user may wish to have email reminders sent to an office email address. If the user has a common email address for both home and office, email reminders can be accessed anywhere. If desired, the system can provide more than one field 418 (eg, field 421) so that e-mail reminders can be sent to more than one e-mail address.
The e-mail reminder page 410 may provide various user selectable options that specify when and how often the user will remind the broadcast of selected television programs. For example, the e-mail reminder page 410 may contain the remember me box 424. Selecting an option in the remember me box 424 allows the user to specify how often the system will generate and send a reminder message to the user. As shown in figure 3, the options in the remember me box 424 can allow the user to remember the selected program only once, each time the program is broadcast in a week, each time the program is broadcast in a month, or at any other specified time. If "other" is selected in the remind me box 424, page 510 shown in Figure 5 is presented to the user. Page 510 allows the user to specify the period of time during which the reminder messages will be generated and sent. The user can specify a period of time by completing box 513.
The e-mail reminder page 410 of figure 3 can also contain the advance box 430. By selecting an option in box 430, the user is allowed to indicate with what advance notice before the broadcast of the program reminder messages should be generated and sent to the user. As shown in Figure 3, box 430 may contain options that allow the user to be reminded 1 hour, 1 day, 2 days, or another amount of time before the selected program is broadcast. If "other" is selected in box 430, the user is presented with page 520 of Figure 5, which allows the user to specify a desired required time before an event scheduled by termination box 515.
After completing page 510 of Figure 5, the user can present the information that has been entered by selecting the input button 517. The user can remove page 510 without presenting the information by selecting the exit button 519. If the user selects either the entry button 517 or the exit button 519, the user is returned to the reminder page by e-mail 410.
The options that the user selects in boxes 424 and 430 on page 410 determine, respectively, when and how often the email reminder messages will be sent. For example, a user may select a program from the program listings 220 (Figure 2) that will broadcast five times during the coming week. When the user selects the email reminder box 235 of FIG. 2, the user is then presented with the email reminder page 410 of FIG. 3. If the user selects the option "1 hour" in box 430, and the option "every time this week" in box remember me 424, the user will receive five reminder messages by e-mail (assuming that fields 414 and 418 are completed with the user's own information) 1 hour before each broadcast of the program during that week. Messages can be sent from the web server 20 to the user's multimedia system using standard e-mail techniques.
At any time during the completion of the e-mail reminder screen 410 (figure 3), the user can cancel the e-mail reminder order by selecting the cancel box 480. Selecting the cancel box 480 returns to the user to representation 218 of Figure 2.
After finishing the reminder screen 410, the user can present a reminder order for processing by selecting the display box 440. Selecting the display box 440 directs the multimedia system
ES 2 177 040 T3 of user 28, 30 or 32 of figure 1 to send the order to the web server 20 (or other suitable web server of this type) through communication links 34, 36 or 38, Internet 24, and communication link 26. The order is processed and a reminder message is generated by the web server 20 and transmitted to the user's multimedia system by e-mail at the appropriate time. Depending on the television program and the user selectable options selected, the user may request and receive one or more reminder messages by e-mail.
A typical e-mail reminder message is shown in figure 6. The message may represent the e-mail address of the person to whom the message was sent (611), the name of the television program that was being sent. reminded the person (613), and a reminder message indicating "DO NOT FORGET", along with information about when the television program is broadcast (615). The user can delete the message by selecting the delete button 618. An announcement 620 (text, graphics, etc.) can be included or attached to the reminder message if desired. The announcement can be delivered using information stored in the computer system 19.
Another aspect of the invention relates to the management of own reminders. If desired, the e-mail reminder page 410 of Figure 3 may contain the current reminder display box 483. If the current reminder display box 483 is selected, the user can be presented with the current reminder page 710 of Figure 7. The current reminders page 710 contains a list of all requested e-mail reminders. Information such as the name of the program, the type of e-mail reminder, and the date and time presented can be displayed.
For example, a current reminder entry for the “Primary Fear” program can be represented as shown in Figure 7. This reminder was presented by the user on November 1, 1997, at 3:03 PM and set to remind the user one hour before each broadcast during the week beginning November 1, 1997. Entries can be added to the current reminder list as soon as the user submits each request (eg, by clicking the display button 440 from the e-mail reminder page 410 of FIG. 3). If the user wishes to cancel a current reminder that the user has previously ordered, the user highlights the desired entry on the screen with the lighting region 713 and clicks the cancel button 712. After clicking the cancel button 712, the highlighted entry is removed from the current reminder list and the user will no longer be reminded of the broadcasts of that program. The user can return to page 410 by clicking on the exit button 714.
Another way for the user to access the e-mail reminder page 410 of figure 3 is by clicking on the e-mail reminder button 365 in the program information page 240 of figure 4. Another way In order for the user to access the current reminders page 710 of figure 7, it is by clicking on the current reminders display button 233 on screen 218 of figure 2.
Another component of the screen 218 is the new reminder box 231. The new reminder box 231, which can be adjacent to the navigation controls of the rendering program 218, allows the user to sort the reminder messages by e-mail without using the program listings 220. If the new reminders box 231 is selected, the user is presented with the new reminders page 810 of FIG. 8. The new reminders page 810 contains user-selectable options similar to the options contained in the e-mail reminder page 410 in Figure
3. For example, the new reminders page 810 contains a user information box 813, an advance box 820, and a remember me box 824. However, the new reminders page 810 allows the user to enter the title of the television program to so the reminders must be ordered directly in box 818 without looking for 220 program listings. This is useful when the user knows the title of the program and does not want to consult the listings for program 220 or when the user knows the title of the program but does not know the location of the program in the listings for program 220.
If the user does not wish to enter the exact title of the television program, on the new reminder screen 810, the program listings data 220 or any other suitable set of television program listings data can be scanned to find the program. or programs that most closely match the program title indicated by the user. If multiple matches are found, a list of program matches can be presented to the user and the user can choose the actual desired program. Once the user has chosen the program from the list, the title of the program in box 818 can be automatically updated.
The user can exit the new reminders screen 810 at any time by clicking on the exit button 880. By selecting the exit button 880, the user will return to screen 218 of Figure 2.
After completing the new reminders screen 810, the user may submit the reminder order for processing by selecting display box 840. Selecting display box 840 allows the program guide system 10 (FIG. 1) to process the request. The request can be processed in the same way that a reminder request can be processed when commanded from the reminder screen 410 of FIG. 3.
The user can access the current reminders page 710 of figure 7 from the new reminders page 810 of figure 8 by clicking on the current reminders display button 883.
Reminder messages by e-mail can also be ordered and generated to remind the user when the messages will be broadcast.
ES 2 177 040 T3 scheduled pay-per-view programs. The program information page 240 of FIG. 4 contains information related to the program selected by the user on the previous pages. For example, if the user has selected a pay-per-view event from the program listings 220 and then selects the appearance icon for narrow 238, the program information page 240 will contain more information related to this pay-per-view event.
The program information page 240 of FIG. 4 contains program listings 366, which provide the title, channel, and day and time information for the selected program. If the user has selected a pay-per-view event in order to reach the program information page 240, the program listings for program 366 represent additional broadcast information for this pay-per-view program. When the user clicks on a pay-per-view entry in the program listings 366, the order page 336 is suggested to the user (FIG. 9).
As shown in FIG. 9, the order page 336 contains instructions 368 on how to order a pay-per-view event. The order page 336 also contains a question box for the telephone number 370 and the box for the personal identification number 372. The user can formulate an order for a pay-per-view event by clicking on the order formulation button 374. Information entered by the user in boxes 370 and 372 can be used to verify the identity and status of the user's account. Once the user's information has been verified, the pay-per-view event can be provided to the user's multimedia system.
The user can request an e-mail reminder message for the selected pay-per-view event by clicking on an e-mail reminder button 377. When the user selects the 377 e-mail reminder button, the user is presented with the email reminder screen 410 of FIG. 3. After the user has completed the email reminder screen 410, the user can click on the presentation button 440 to process the request.
The way in which pay-per-view event orders are processed depends on the particular hardware used to provide such services to the user. In the system 10 of Figure 1, web servers such as web server 20 may be located at the head end of the cable system to receive and process the submitted viewing pay orders using order pages such as the order page. orders 336. After an order is processed, the web server can direct the conventional pay-per-view equipment at the head end of the cable system to authorize the performance of the ordered pay-per-view event using setting box 50 or a component. similar integrated. Selecting the e-mail reminder button 377 directs the user's multimedia system 32 of FIG. 1 (or a similar system-based setting box) to send the command to the Internet 24 via a communication link 38. L Order is then transmitted to web server 20 via communication link 26. The order can be processed and the reminder message generated by the web server 20, then transmitted to the user's multimedia system 32 by e-mail. Depending on the pay-per-view event and the user selectable options selected, the user can request and receive one or more reminder messages by e-mail of this type for pay-per-view events.
If the program information page 240 in Figure 4 details a pay-per-view event, a pay-per-view e-mail reminder message can be ordered from the program information page 240 by selecting a reminder button per view. e-mail 365 (figure 4). Selecting the reminder button by e-mail 365, the user will take again the reminder page by e-mail 410 of figure 3. There, the user can establish a reminder order by e-mail using the same steps used for a reminder request of the television program without pay per view.
Figure 10 is a site map showing the interrelationship of the web pages used to provide the reminder service features of the e-mail message program. The service can initially be accessed from the program menu page 218 (figure 2). When the user selects a scheduled television program, the program information box 236 represents the information about the selected item and represents the e-mail reminder button 235. Similarly, when the user selects a pay-per-view event programmed, the program information box 236 represents the information about the pay-per-view event and represents the e-mail reminder button 235. By selecting the e-mail reminder button on the page of the menu deguóa of program 218, the user is suggested the e-mail reminder page 410 (figure 3). The user, who has selected the closest look-alike icon 238 from box 236, is presented with the program information page 240 (FIG. 4) that represents additional information about the outlined program or pay-per-view event. The user can also access the e-mail reminder page 410 from page 240 by selecting the e-mail reminder button 365.
The user can also access the reminder page by e-mail 410 and order a reminder of the payment event by e-mail viewing by selecting the reminder by e-mail button 377 from the payment order page by viewing 336 ( figure 9). Viewing payment orders page 336 can be accessed from the program information page 240.
The e-mail reminder page 410 allows the user to submit an e-mail reminder command as well as specifying the type of message desired (ie, when and how some messages should be sent). User can pre7
ES 2 177 040 T3 place a reminder order by e-mail by selecting the present button 440 (figure 3). Once the user submits a reminder command (shown at step 890 in Figure 10), the reminder is added to the current reminders page 710 of Figure 7. The user can also be suggested the current reminders page. 710 selected the current reminder display button 483 (figure
3). While on the current reminders page 710, the user can view all current reminders and can delete any reminders that are no longer desired. The user can also access the current reminders page 710 from the program guide menu page 218 by selecting the current reminders display button 233 (FIG. 2).
When the user is in the program guide menu page 218, selecting the new reminders button 231, the new reminders page 810 is suggested to the user (figure 8). Although in the new reminders page 810, the user can enter the title of the desired program directly, completing field 818. The user can access, by selecting the current reminders display button 883 (FIG. 8), to the current reminders page 710 or submit an order by selecting the present button 840 (FIG. 8).
In another aspect of the invention, the user can enter other reminder preferences by e-mail by clicking on the user preference profile button 244, as shown in figure 2. If the user preference profile button is selected user 244, the user preference profile page 910 of FIG. 11 is presented to the user. The user preference profile page 910 may contain clickable options 913 that allow the user to further tailor the e-mail reminder messages that are generated and received. This allows the user to sort the reminder messages by e-mail without using program listings 220 of FIG. 2. For example, if the user clicks on "Genres", from the options that can be clicked 913, the user can be presented with the web page 950 of figure 13. The web page 950 allows the user to specify a particular genre of programs television for which reminders must be ordered. The program listings data 220 or any other suitable set of television program listings data can be scanned to find programs having this genre. Similarly, the user can click on "Actor", "Exact Title", or "Partial Titles", from the options that can be clicked 913, so the web pages shown in the figures can be presented to the user 14, 15 and 16, respectively. The user can specify additional preferences to further customize the e-mail reminder message that is generated and received. In addition, the user can specify a processing time and period of time during which the reminder messages will be generated and received.
A typical custom tailored e-mail reminder message is shown in Figure 12. The message may represent television programs that have user preferences specified through the user preference profile page 910.
Additionally, the user can receive the information depicted in the adapted e-mail reminder message of FIG. 12 without actually receiving an e-mail message or actively browsing the Internet. The user can (for example, through an active Internet channel) subscribe to a service that allows the user to receive the adapted reminder information and make it available on the user's multimedia system based on the user's information 915 and check the information. 918 of figure 11. The user can also request that the reminder information be updated and sent to the user periodically.
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 of the invention.
Contents2
16 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12 Sheet 13 Sheet 14 Sheet 15 Sheet 16
102 members in 20 offices
Priority claims10
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19970938028 | United States of America | – | |
| 93802897 | United States of America | A | |
| 93802897 | United States of America | A | |
| 19970987740 | United States of America | – | |
| 98774097 | United States of America | A | |
| 98774097 | United States of America | A | |
| 938028 | – | – | – |
| 987740 | – | – | – |
| US19970938028 | – | – | – |
| US19970987740 | – | – | – |
Members102
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2274560A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2581116A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2714104A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2764753A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO9826584A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| AU5696898A | Australia | A | |
| CA2302250A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO9914947A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| AU8913098A | Australia | A | |
| NO992703D0 | Norway | D0 | |
| NO992703L | Norway | L | |
| EP0945003A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| PL334062A1 | Poland | A1 | |
| CN1244990A | China | A | |
| BR9714391A | Brazil | A | |
| IL130101D0 | Israel | D0 | |
| EP1008260A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| HU0000446A2 | Hungary | A2 | |
| HUP0000446A2 | Hungary | A2 | |
| HK1023018A1 | Hong Kong, China | A1 | |
| NZ336373A | New Zealand | A | |
| HU0000446A3 | Hungary | A3 | |
| HUP0000446A3 | Hungary | A3 | |
| KR20000057512A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| JP2001506095A | Japan | A | |
| AU743395B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| US2002026496A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| EP1008260B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| AT217744T | Austria | T | |
| ATE217744T1 | Austria | T1 | |
| DE69805420D1 | Germany | D1 | |
| ES2177040T3This record | Spain | T3 | |
| DE69805420T2 | Germany | T2 | |
| US2003066085A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CN1112799C | China | C | |
| EP0945003B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| AT246861T | Austria | T | |
| ATE246861T1 | Austria | T1 | |
| DE69723999D1 | Germany | D1 | |
| EP1361751A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| EP1361751A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
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| EP1722551A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| EP1722551A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| CA2274560C | Canada | C | |
| JP2007181222A | Japan | A | |
| EP1809017A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| JP2007184947A | Japan | A | |
| JP2007184948A | Japan | A | |
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| EP1809017A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| EP1361751B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| AT442003T | Austria | T | |
| ATE442003T1 | Austria | T1 | |
| DK1361751T3 | Denmark | T3 | |
| DE69739566D1 | Germany | D1 | |
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| US2010211975A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CA2581116C | Canada | C | |
| EP2262242A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP2262243A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| JP2011004423A | Japan | A | |
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| US2012272270A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CA2714104C | Canada | C | |
| EP1809017B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| EP2699011A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| EP2699012A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| EP2699013A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| JP2014039319A | Japan | A | |
| EP2699013A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| EP2699011A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| EP2699012A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| PT1809017E | Portugal | E | |
| DK1809017T3 | Denmark | T3 | |
| ES2467440T3 | Spain | T3 | |
| US8762492B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2014250458A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP5638179B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| US9003451B2 | United States of America | B2 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2177040
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2177040
- Publication, EPODOC
- ES2177040T
- Application
- 98940972
- Application, DOCDB
- 98940972
- Application, EPODOC
- ES19980940972T
Titles2
- Spanish
- RECORDATORIO DE CORREO ELECTRONICO PARA UNA GUIA DE PROGRAMAS DE TELEVISION POR INTERNET.
- English
- EMAIL REMINDER FOR A GUIDE TO INTERNET TELEVISION PROGRAMS.
Classification
- CPC, 21
- H04N7/17318
- H04N21/4532
- H04N21/26283
- H04N21/4381
- H04N21/4622
- H04N21/47211
- H04N21/4725
- H04N21/4782
- H04N21/4786
- H04N21/482
- H04N21/4828
- H04N21/6125
- H04N21/6175
- H04N21/64322
- H04N21/84
- H04N21/8586
- H04N21/42228
- H04N21/47
- H04L51/224
- H04N5/445
- H04N21/8126
- IPC, 3
- H04N5 445
- H04N5 44
- H04N7 173