Television chat system

IS 2 188 234 T3

DESCRIPTION

TV chat system.

Background of the invention

This invention relates to television chat systems, and more particularly to techniques for supporting chat communications in a television environment, which may include an interactive television program guide.

A popular aspect of the Internet was related to online chat services. A user of such a service can join a chat group to discuss any variety of topics. The participants in a chat are linked to each other through the Internet. Chat participants can view other participants' comments in real time, as other participants type their comments using their computers.

Television shows are frequently discussed in group chats. However, there is generally no way in which a user of the chat service can easily watch a television program while participating in a chat on that program. A user could place a television in the same room as the user's personal computer, but such a configuration would be difficult to view. Additionally, many private households place their televisions in the living room, but are reluctant to place their computers in the living room.

Although personal computers may be provided with tuner cards that allow television signals to be displayed on the computer monitor, many viewers preferred to watch television on a traditional television. Televisions generally offer larger viewing areas than computer monitors, so users do not need to sit as close to the television screen as they do to a computer monitor. Televisions are also topically located in rooms within the home that are more suitable for viewing television than are places where computers are located.

A system that attempts to integrate aspects of the Internet with the television viewing experience is available through WebTV Networks, Inc., of Palo Alto, California. The WebTV system allows viewers to access the Internet through a WebTV Plus receiver connected to their televisions. The WebTV Plus receiver allows users to browse the WEB on their televisions by connecting their televisions to the WebTV network through a standard telephone line. The WebTV system allows users to view TV show listings and related TV show websites that appear on their show listings.

The WebTV system also provides TV Cross Reference Links that allow users to access WEB sites that are related to television programs. The WebTV Plus receiver detects data such as WEB links (that is, universal resource locators (URLs)) that are embedded in video broadcasts and notifies users with a watermark or watermark. cross-reference link on your TV screens. TV cross-reference links allow users to link to WEB page sites across the Internet related to the television program the user was watching. The user can view the WEB site and the TV program simultaneously through the WebPIP picture-in-picture function. If the WEB site supports the chat features, the user could then engage in an online chat via the Internet while watching the television program. There is nothing in the WebTV system, however, that ensures that participants in this type of WEB-based chat are watching the same programs as the user. Chat can therefore be considerably less focused than it would be if all participants were actively watching the same television program.

During certain television programs, the MTV television channel presents a chat message that hovers over the top of the current MTV television program. Users can link to the chat that is being viewed on the Internet. However, only those users whose televisions are located in the same room as their personal computers can participate in the chat. Additionally, all viewers of the television show have to watch the chat, even if they are not interested in participating. The system can only accommodate one group chat, so if more than a few want to chat it may be difficult or impossible to follow a particular chat topic of interest.

Interactive TV program guides implemented in set-top boxes allow users to view TV show listings on their televisions. Such program guides allow users to view television program listings in different screen formats and to perform various other functions. For example, a user may instruct the program guide to display a channel-ordered grid of current program listings. The user can also use the program guide to search for programs of a desired programming category such as sports, movies, news, or the like. If desired, the program guide can be used to order a pay-per-view schedule. The interactive program guides, however, have not been able to provide the chat-related functions.

Another system previously known in US Patent No. 5583927 to Ely et al. Discloses a system in which users at the set-top box controllers can participate in video conferencing sessions with each other using a camera and video screen. Additionally, a known system previously described in US Pat. Harrison number 5694163 exposes a system for providing chat messages to the user in the interval of vertical blanking of a signal from a te2 program.

ES 2 188 234 T3 levision. The user can participate in the chat group by transmitting the chat text through the telephone connection of the return channel to the online service of the chat server.

Thus, previously known systems have generally not provided viewers with the opportunity to join real-time chat communications with other viewers without relying exclusively on the Internet. Previously known systems have not provided viewers with the opportunity to join chat groups consisting exclusively of other viewers of a television program or channel. Previously known interactive television program guides have not supported such functions.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a television chat system that does not rely solely on the Internet to form chat connections and that allows users who are watching a television program or channel to join chat communications in real time. each.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an interactive television program guide system that supports chat.

These and other objects of the invention are carried out in accordance with the principles of the present invention, providing a television chat system that allows viewers to join real-time communications in group chats with other viewers while they watch television. Users of the television chat system can join in real-time communications with other users who are concurrently watching the same television program or channel.

The system allows real-time communications in a group chat to be transmitted between users on the devices of the user's television equipment through a server. For example, a cable system headend containing a server can transmit such communications over coaxial cables that also carry television signals or other communications paths. The system can therefore eliminate the need for additional communication paths independent of the paths to carry the broadcast channels of the television signals for the transmission of the chat communications.

The television chat system of the present invention allows users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs in which the user may be interested. Real-time communications can be text messages, audio communications, or video communications.

The television chat system can also allow users to send chat requests to request other users to join a group chat related to a television program or channel. A chat request can be automatically displayed on the recipient's television screen or you can access the recipient's request. The system also allows users to establish chat groups that viewers can join.

The TV chat system can be based on an interactive TV program guide implemented in the cable box. If desired, the system can be implemented in other suitable user television equipment such as a satellite receiver, an advanced television receiver (for example, a high definition television or HTDV receiver), a television into which it is integrated. a decoder circuit or the like.

Additional features of the invention, its nature, and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1A is a diagram of a television chat system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1B is a diagram of a television user equipment having a wireless keyboard-based interface in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 1C is a diagram of a television screen interface keyboard in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1D is a representation of an illustrative display screen containing a list of standard messages or words in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2A is a system diagram showing how multiple television distribution facilities can be connected through a communication network in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a system diagram showing how multiple devices of user television equipment can be connected to a television distribution facility and a separate server via neighboring networks in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a diagram of a system configuration in which multiple television distribution facilities are connected through a television chat facility in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a representation of an illustrative display screen for entering user profile information in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is a representation of an illustrative display screen that allows the user to select a user profile in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 is a representation of an illustrative display screen for entering user information outside the home in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a representation of an illustrative program guide address book for out-of-home users in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the steps involved in creating user identities in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9 is a representation of a pan3

ES 2 188 234 T3 illustrative display size containing video for a television program and a chat group display area related to the program, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an illustrative system for transmitting real-time audio chat communications to user television equipment in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 11 is an illustrative television display screen showing video images of participants in a group chat in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an illustrative system for video chat image transmission in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 13 is a representation of an illustrative display screen that allows a user to join a chat group in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 14 is a representation of an illustrative display screen that allows the user to choose a chat group option in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15A is a representation of an illustrative display screen to allow the user to choose a group chat option related to an ongoing television program in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 15B is a representation of an interactive television program guide display screen to allow the user to select a scheduled chat group from a list to join, record, or set a reminder in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 16 is a representation of an illustrative display screen containing multiple chat groups along with a television program in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 17 is a representation of an illustrative display screen for allowing a user to enter a group chat related to a television program in progress in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 18A is a flow chart showing the steps included in a solution to provide a user with an opportunity to join a chat group in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 18B is a flow chart showing the steps included in a solution to provide a user with an opportunity to join a group chat between users on other devices of the user television equipment in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 18C is a flow chart showing the steps included in a solution to provide the user who is watching a television program with the opportunity to join a group chat only between users who are watching the television program according to the present invention.

Figure 19 is a representation of an illustrative display screen that allows the user to send a chat request to other users in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 20 is a representation of an illustrative display screen for displaying chat requests in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 21 is a representation of an illustrative display screen for displaying a chat request and allowing a user to join the chat group and / or tune in to the related channel in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 22 is a flow chart showing the steps included in a solution for distributing a chat request and supporting a group chat with the user and other users in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a flow chart showing the steps included in a solution for establishing a chat group with the user and other users in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 24 is a flow chart showing the steps included in a solution for joining a chat group in response to a chat request in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 25 is a diagram of a two-way type interactive display remote control device for sending and receiving group chat messages and chat requests according to the present invention. Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

An illustrative television chat system 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1A. The main facility 12 may contain a program guide database 14 for storing program guide information such as television program guide listings, pay-per-view system ordering information, and the like. Database 14 enables system 10 to support an interactive television program guide if desired. Although the television chat functions of the present invention can be provided using a television chat system without a program guide, certain aspects of the invention will be described primarily in the context of a television program guide system configuration. interactive for specificity and clarity. The information from the database 14 may be transmitted to the television distribution facility 16 via the communications link 18. Link 18 may be a satellite link, a telephone network link, a fiber optic link, a cable link, microwave link, combinations of such links, or any other suitable communications path.

Television distribution facility 16 is a facility for distributing television signals to users, such as a cable system headend, a broadcast distribution facility, or a satellite television distribution facility. In figure 1A only one television distribution installation 16 is shown to avoid overcomplicating the drawings. In general, however, the main facility 12 distributes information to multiple television distribution facilities.

Program guide information transmitted from main facility 12 to television distribution facility 16 includes

ES 2 188 234 T3 the data of the lists of the television programs such as the hours of programs, channels, titles, descriptions, etc. The information transmitted from the main facility 12 may also include information about the chat groups that are available for particular programs or television channels.

If desired, some of the program guide data and other information may be provided using data sources at facilities other than the main facility 12. For example, the data related to the specific chat groups of available programs can be provided through a television channel chat facility or another facility that is independent from the main facility 12 and the television distribution facility 12.

The television distribution facility 16 distributes the program guide data and other information to the multi-user television user equipment 20 through the communications path 24. The communications paths 24 preferably have a sufficient bandwidth to allow the television distribution facility 16 to distribute scheduled television programming, pay programming, real-time communications, chat requests and other video and audio information, at the same time. user's television equipment 20 in addition to the information and communications of the program guide without video. The real-time communications supported by the communication paths 24 may be text-based, or if more bandwidth is available, it may be audio or video communications.

Multiple television and audio channels (analog, digital, or both analog and digital) can be supplied to set-top boxes 26 through communications paths 24. If each path 24 includes several traditional analog television channels, one or more of these channels can be used to support various digital channels. The bandwidth of each analog channel that is used to support digital channels can support ten or more digital channels. Two-way digital channels require more bandwidth than one-way digital channels. These two-way digital channels can support two-way real-time communications between set-top boxes 26 and the television distribution facility 16. If the two-way communications between the set-top boxes 26 and the television distribution facility 16 include only text or audio signals, the bandwidth required to support such two-way communications may be substantially less than the bandwidth necessary to support two-way communications that include video.

Real-time communications and chat requests can be distributed along the communications path 24 using any number of suitable techniques. For example, text chat communications and chat requests can be distributed using out-of-band channels on paths 24 using out-of-band modules. Video or audio chat communications can be transmitted more efficiently using one or more digital channels on path 24. Such digital channels can also be used to distribute text and graphics.

Dedicated digital or analog channels on communication paths 24 can be used for real-time transmission and for chat requests. Said dedicated channels are independent of the channels used to transmit the broadcast signals of the television program to the user's television equipment.

Because the communications paths 24 support the transport of real-time communications and chat requests between the user television equipment 20 and the television distribution facility 16, the configuration of the system 10 eliminates the need for telephony lines. independent connected to user television equipment 20, to transmit communications in real time (although telephonic lines could be used with certain aspects of the invention if desired). If desired, television programming can be transmitted to user television equipment 20 along with a communications path such as a cable link to a cable headend, while real-time communications are transmitted between the user television. 20 along with a second communications path such as a satellite link.

Each television distribution facility 16 may distribute real-time communications and chat requests to at least the devices of the user's television equipment that are associated with that facility. A television distribution facility may establish a forum for real-time communications referred to as television chat groups, using chat equipment 22 such as a chat server. A television chat group (sometimes referred to here as simply a chat group) is an electronic forum in which a group of users join in a real-time discussion through their television user team. Real-time communications such as chat messages are sent back and forth between participants in the group.

The television distribution facility 16 preferably has a server or other suitable computer equipment or audio or video equipment (collectively referred to as the chat equipment 22), to support real-time communications and transmission of broadcasts. chat requests between users. For clarity, certain aspects of the invention are simply described as being implemented using a chat server. If desired, however, these functions may be implemented topically using chat equipment such as equipment based on audio or video conferencing equipment (i.e., audio bridges, video bridges, and the like, or by using equipment chat based on other suitable computer equipment or a combination thereof.

ES 2 188 234 T3 chat 22 (for example, a chat server) is capable of handling real-time communications and chat requests that include text, graphics, video or audio data. If desired, the bandwidth requirements of the chat equipment 22 can be reduced by restricting communications to text and audio, or text only, rather than including video. Chat equipment 22 in television distribution facility 16 may be configured in a client-server arrangement, with each component of user television equipment 20 acting as a client processor.

Each user has a receiver, which is typically a set-top box such as set-top box 26, but may also be other suitable television equipment into which a circuit similar to a set-top box circuit has been integrated. For example, user television equipment 20 may be based on an advanced television receiver such as a high definition television (HDTV) or other television based platform. A set-top box can include a DOCSIS modem for use in two-way communication to / from a server or a television distribution facility. As defined herein, user television equipment 20 does not include personal computer-based equipment. For clarity, the present invention will be described primarily in the context of a user television set 20 that is based on set-top boxes 26. As shown in FIG. 1A, each decoder 26 may have memory 25. Memory 25 may be used, for example, to maintain a database of program listings data.

Program guide information can be distributed to set-top boxes 26 continuously (in real time), periodically, or on request (using a client-server configuration), or using a combination of these techniques. Real-time communications and chat requests can be distributed to set-top boxes 26 in real time. The television distribution facility 16 may also receive real-time communications or chat requests from the set-top boxes 26 in real time or periodically. The main facility 12 preferably contains a processor to manage the information distribution tasks. Each set-top box 26 preferably contains a processor to manage the tasks associated with implementing an interactive television program guide application containing chat functions (sometimes referred to here as a set-top box 26) or a chat application independent of set-top box 26. . The television distribution facility 16 preferably contains one or more processors (for example, in chat equipment 22) for the tasks associated with the distribution of real-time communications and chat requests, and for the tasks associated with the provisioning. data from the program guide to the program guide in the decoders.

It was understood that some or all of the program guide or chat decoder application functions described here may sometimes be embedded in an operating system on the decoder, implemented as a standalone application on the decoder, or executed by the decoder. chat team (for example, a server, a video bridge or an audio bridge) operating in the television distribution facility or independent of the television distribution facility. In a client-server architecture, the decoder sends data or requests to the server for processing. The server can store data and send the results of a return request to the decoder for further processing, display or storage. Any part of the functionality of the decoder application described hereinafter can be implemented in the client-server architecture.

Various mechanisms can be used to launch a chat application from a program guide application on the user's set-top box. One mechanism includes the use of a hot link to launch the chat application. Hot linking includes invoking a programless guide application such as a chat application with information such as a WEB site address, e-mail address, program title, group chat or Either other information that has been preselected based on the current content of the program guide or on decoder 26 status. For example, if the user was watching a program, viewing a list of programs, viewing the description of a program, or taking another action within the program guide related to a given program, channel, type of channel or similar, and the user makes the program guide launch a guide application without programs, The program guide can launch said application of the guide without programs and direct said guide without programs to take an action related to the given program, channel, type of channel or the like.

Hot links can be activated by dedicated buttons, a launch button, menu options, or by any other suitable technique. For example, a remote control can be provided with a dedicated chat button, and buttons associated with other guide applications without programs. When the user presses the chat button, the program guide launches the chat application and directs the chat application to set up a chat group with other users or a character in the program, or join the user to an existing chat group. . Additional features of an exemplary hot link system are described in US Pat. Ellis et al. number 09/346134, filed concurrently with this (attorney file number UV-85), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Each set-top box 26 is topically connected to an optional video cassette recorder (VCR) 28 or other storage device at the home or remote location, so that selected television programs and / or chat sessions can be recorded. When a user indicates to the deco6 application

In order to record a TV program that has one or more associated chat sessions, the application can record the chat session along with the audio and video for the program. When the user plays the program, the chat session can be accessible for viewing, even if they do not actively participate in it. The chat system can be configured to replay the chat session in a user-selected format. For example, the chat session can be played as an overlay on top of the program, or the program and the chat session can be viewed concurrently in reduced-size windows on the television screen. Likewise, a user may be able to instruct the decoder application at any time to record a chat session by itself, without recording the program. Said chat session can be stored (be it text, audio, video or a combination), and be viewed later. Programs and chat sessions can also be recorded on, for example, a DVD device, a hard drive in the set-top box, or a remote server.

Each VCR 28 (or decoder 26) was connected to a television 30. Additional functions of a program recording system are described in the US patent application. Ellisy others, filed June 11, 1999, and Hassell et al., U.S. Patent Application No. 09/157256, filed June 17, 1998, which are incorporated herein by reference in their whole. To record a program, decoder 26 tunes to a particular channel, and sends control signals to VCR 28 (for example, using an infrared transmitter) which directs VCR 28 to start and stop at the same time. recording at the appropriate times.

During use of television chat systems, set-top box 26 displays real-time communications and chat requests on television 30. If the television chat system includes an interactive television program guide, the program guide The interactive television station can view program listings on the television 30. The program guide can also be used to view real-time communications and chat requests. Each set-top box 26, video cassette recorder 28, and television 30 may be controlled by one or more interfaces 32 which may include a remote control, mouse, trackball, microphone, digital video camera, dedicated set of buttons, etc.

As shown in Figure 1B, user interface 32 may contain a wireless keyboard 34 that sends signals 36 (eg, infrared signals) to set-top box 38, which was connected to television 40. User input can be displayed as part of a display screen on television 40 as input is entered via wireless keyboard 34. If the television chat system 10 is based on an interactive television program guide, the display screen provided on the television 40 by the set-top box 38 may be on an interactive television program guide display screen containing, for example, For example, program listings.

User interface 32 may also be based on a television screen keyboard 50 as shown in FIG. 1C. The user can select the letters from the displayed alphabet to compose a message 52. In particular, the user can select the letters of the alphabet keys 54 and the spaces in the space bar 56. The user can select a letter so that it becomes highlighted (such as the letter L 58) by pressing the arrow keys and the enter key (either OK or Select) on a remote control. Pressing the enter key on the remote control makes the program guide containing the chat functions or the standalone chat application located at the letter adjacent to cursor 62. The user can select option 51 from SHIFT TO SHIFT^í SCULAS to place a capital letter in the message 52. In this way, the user can compose the text of a chat message.

If desired, the user may compose messages by selecting from a list of standard messages 70 or words 72 displayed on a display screen such as display screen 75, such as in FIG. 1D. A word or message can be selected by pressing the arrow keys on a remote control to position the highlighted area 10 over the top of a particular word or message, such as message 2 in Figure 1D. The user can then select the highlighted word or message by pressing the enter key on the remote control (or with the Select or OK keys).

System 10 allows users on user television equipment 20 to join in real-time chat communications related to the television program while watching television, without the cost and complexity of learning to operate a personal computer and the software associated with it. In addition, the system 10 allows users to retain a high quality channel and video range on television viewing while engaging in real-time chat discussions with similarly situated users.

As shown in FIG. 2A, real-time communications and chat requests can be distributed along communications paths 24 from a user television equipment device 20 associated with a given television distribution facility. 16 to another device of user television equipment 20 associated with said facility, using a chat server located at the facility. For example, real-time communications and chat requests sent between two or more devices of user television equipment 20 associated with television distribution facility 16 of FIG. 2A can be managed by chat server 90 at the facility. of television distribution 16. An advantage to limit the operation of the chat system to the distribution facilities of tele7

ES 2 188 234 T3 individual vision is that it allows individual cable system operators (for example) to control their systems, and this does not include coordination chats between zones or in different time zones. If desired, however, the real-time communications and chat requests exchanged by the user television equipment 20 can be managed by a chat server 88, which is connected to a television distribution facility 16 by means of the communications network 86. The communication network 86 can be any suitable communication network such as the Internet, a public or private telephone network, a network that includes satellite or wireless links, a cable network, and the like.

The chat system may also be configured so that users on one or more devices of the user television equipment 84 can participate in the discussion in real time or exchange chat requests with one or more of the user television equipment 20. User 84 television equipment was thus associated with a different television distribution facility than user 20 television equipment. The devices of the user television equipment 84 are connected to the television distribution facility 80 through the communications paths 82. The chat server 82 is used to manage real-time communications and chat requests for the devices. of user television equipment 84. The configuration of server 92 and user television equipment 84 may be based on a client-server configuration. Television distribution facilities 80 and 16 are connected to each other via a communications network 86. Real-time communications and chat requests sent between user television equipment 20 and user television equipment 84 can be managed by chat servers 88, 90 or 92. If desired, numerous television distribution facilities can be connected together via communication network 86 or other communication networks to allow user television equipment from these television distribution facilities to couple together in communications. in real time.

Real-time communications and chat requests can be managed on a server that is not located in the television distribution facility as shown in Figure 2B. For example, real-time communications and chat requests can be transmitted between user television equipment devices 97 and 98 through neighboring nodes 95 and 96. The device of the user television equipment 97 was connected to the neighbor node 95 via the communication path 99, and the devices of the user television equipment 98 are connected to the neighbor node 96 through the communication path 101. The neighboring nodes 95 and 96 lower the bandwidth requirements on communication paths 103 for a given number of user television equipment devices 97 and 98. The neighboring nodes 95 and 96 route the television programming from the television distribution facility 93 to the user television equipment 97 and 98. The neighboring nodes 95 and 96 also route the chat requests, real-time communications, group information chat, etc., between server 91 and user television set 97 and 98. Neighbor nodes 95 and 96 can also route requests to perform many of the chat system functions described here from user television equipment 97 and 98 to server 91. Responses from server 91 are routed back to the server. device of the appropriate user's television equipment through a neighboring node.

As shown in Figure 3, the chat facility of television channel 100 that was associated with a particular television channel may contain a chat server 102 to manage real-time communications and chat requests sent between the channel. user television equipment 106, 108, and other user television equipment. The devices of the user television equipment 106 and 108 are connected through the communications paths 110 and 112 to the television distribution facilities 104, which in turn are connected to the chat facility of the television channel 100 through of communications paths 114.

If desired, the user on a particular device of the user's television set can enter profile data that formed the identity of a particular individual. The individual can be the user himself or another member of his household. Figure 4 shows an example of a display screen 120 that may be provided by the interactive television program guide with the chat functions or by the separate chat application, to provide the user with the opportunity to enter profile data information about a particular individual within your home address. The user's profile data can include the user's name, which can be entered in box 121. The user's profile data may also include the user's favorite program, which can be entered in box 122 (either directly or by selection from a menu or other suitable list of programs). The user's favorite shows associated with the user's profile can be the same favorite television shows that are saved in the program guide database, or in a subset thereof. If desired, the favorite TV shows in the user's profile can be different from the favorite TV shows in the program guide database. The user may also select option 124 to enter more favorite programs (eg, providing more frames 122).

The user profile screen 120) may also present the user with an option to enter a favorite television channel such as ABC-W in box 126. Television channels include television networks such as ABC, local affiliates, broadcast stations. local broadcasts, pay-per-view channels, cable channels such as HBO and CNN, etc. The user can select option 130, so that the channels

ES 2 188 234 T3 additional favorites may appear on the user profile screen 120. The user profile screen 120 may also present an option to enter favorite program categories such as sports programs, movies, news segments, series of short novels, etc.

The user has entered "movies" as a favorite category in box 132 of FIG. 4. The user may select option 136 so that additional categories can be entered on the user's profile screen 120. If desired, the program guide (or standalone chat application) can present the user with an optional unique user identification code (displayed in box 138), to help the system distinguish the user from other users on the same device. of the user's television equipment when receiving a real-time communication or a chat request from the outside. In this way, real-time communications and chat requests can be targeted at specific users. The user can also enter a nickname for himself in box 133. A nickname can be used for anonymity in a group chat or as a creative pseudonym related to the topic of the chat. Alternatively, screen 120 may provide the user with an opportunity to enter an icon that identifies the user with the chat room in lieu of a nickname.

The user can select the RUN option when they have finished entering their profile data, or they can press a key on the remote control (for example, the EXIT key). Once the user has entered the profile data, the data is stored for later retrieval. The user profile data can be stored in the set-top box, on a server as described above, or anywhere on the user television equipment 20, such as in a separate storage unit connected to the set-top box. Additional functions of an illustrative system for entering user profile information are described in US Pat. Ellis et al. serial number 09/034934, filed March 4, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

When the user is watching television, the program guide with the chat functions or the independent chat application (hereinafter collectively referred to as the set-top box application) allows the user to identify himself by selecting the identities of the user. user profile that were previously entered or by adding a new user profile identity. The display screen 150 in FIG. 5 is an illustrative display screen that can be used to display all members of a home address for those user identities that have been established using the set-top box application.

The set-top box application may provide a display screen such as display screen 150 of FIG. 5 when the user turns on set-top box 26 or when the user has indicated a desire to identify himself. For example, if Mamóa is watching television, she would select box 152. The set-top box then accessed Mamaó's profile data. If desired, user identities can be controlled by password. If a new member of the home address was watching television, that user will click on box 154 to add a new identity to the user's profile. The set-top box application will then provide the display screens 120 (Figure 4), so that the user can enter their profile data. If the user does not want to identify himself or does not want to enter a new user profile, the user can select the cancel option 156 to cancel the display of the splash screen 150. If the set-top box application includes a program guide, User profiles can be used for chat-related functions and for program guide functions.

The program guide may also present the option to enter the identity data that is related to the users of other user television equipment. Users of another user's television equipment may be the recipients of real-time communications and chat requests sent by a user from the home address. These recipients of real-time communications or chat requests are referred to as users outside the home. Users outside their home address can send real-time communications and chat requests that are received by a user from their home address.

Figure 6 shows a display screen 160 that the set-top box application can display on the user's television when the user indicates a desire to enter the identity data related to a user outside the home address. The name of the user outside the home address can be entered in box 162 and the address of the user outside the home address can be entered in box 164. The user address is a unique identifier assigned to a particular user that allows a chat server to transmit real-time communications and chat requests to the appropriate recipient.

The home user can enter the user's favorite programs away from home, channels, and program categories on the display screen of the television 160. The home user can determine the user's preferences away from home through chat. with that person in a group chat. The user's favorite programs away from home may be entered in box 166, and additional frames for entering more favorite programs will be displayed on the display screen of television 160 if the user selects option 168 of more frames. The user's favorite channels outside the home address can be entered in box 170 as

ES 2 188 234 T3 as channel 2. The user can select option 174 so that additional channels can be entered on the display screen of the television 160. The user's favorite categories of programs outside the home such as sports programs, Movies, news segments, short novel series, etc., can also be entered on the 160 TV's presentation screen. The user can enter a favorite category of programs such as sports in box 172. The user can select option 176 from more boxes, so that additional categories of programs can be entered. The information of the user's preferences outside the home address on the presentation screen 160 can be useful to send chat requests to other users who are interested in chatting about the same programs, channels or categories of programs as the user of the home address.

The user can also enter user information not related to television programming such as the user's date of birth outside the home, city and state of residence, favorite actor, favorite hobbies, etc. On screen 160, the user can enter the user's date of birth away from home in zones 161, 163, and 165. The user can select the option to select 178 to indicate that the user's information outside the home address has to be added to the existing or newly created subgroup of identities. The subset of identities would appear as a group of identities on an address book screen (such as the Hiking Club Members screen on display screen 180 in Figure 7). If desired, the set-top box application can automaotically group all individuals together as groups in the address book based on your viewing preferences. The user can select the Executed option 179 when they have finished entering the user's information outside the home address. The user's data outside the home can be stored in the set-top box, a server, or anywhere on the television equipment 20 such as a separate storage unit connected to the set-top box. Additionally, it was understood that a user profile of a chat system such as those described above could incorporate information from a home address and a user outside the home address into an identity (for example, a husband-wife couple).

Additionally, the chat system can be configured in a similar way to the ICQ system so that a user can make public their profile information so that they have access to the mass by other users. The ICQ system is an Internet tool that informs Internet users of who is enrolled at any time and allows users to contact them at will. The ICQ system can search for individuals online and alert a user when they enter online. The ICQ system allows a user to chat, send messages, files,

URL, play games, or just communicate with Internet users while surfing the Internet

A user can fill out a questionnaire through the chat system that includes information regarding the user's television program preferences, as well as additional non-television related information about himself such as his hobbies (for example, using the screen presentation 120). The information from the user's profile can be useful to form chat groups between users. User profile information can be stored on a remote server or jointly on set-top boxes. A user can access profiles that have been made public and that form a "list of comrades" or address book of other users who have the same interests. The buddy list can include the user's identity, TV preferences, and other interests.

The chat system can be configured so that the user can obtain permission from a second user before they are able to add the second user to their buddy list. For example, the chat system may send the second user a message indicating that the first user has requested the second user's profile information. If the second user accepts the request, the chat system allows the first user to add the second user to his list of comrades, so that he can have access to the profile information of the second user, and that he can initiate chat sessions with said user. Username. Additionally, the chat system can ask the second user if they want to add the first user to their buddy list. A user can add additional information to the profile based on their knowledge of the other user's preferences (for example, through the splash screen 160). The chat system may also allow users to search for chat buddies based on the user's ID number, an email address, TV show preferences, and / or other preferences.

The identities of users outside the home whose names, addresses, and other corresponding information have been entered can be displayed by the set-top box application in an address book format on the user's television screen. An example of an address book display screen 180 is shown in Figure 7. The address book display screen 180 displays a list of identities 182 of users outside the home or subset of users outside the home. Non-home users can be individuals such as Mary Smith, or groups of individuals such as the Jones Family, as shown by the names in list 182. An individual user can be part of more than one group in the book. addresses. For example, Mary Smith may appear in the address book as an individual, and be a member of the "Seinfeld Fan Club" and "Movie Lovers" groups.

The user can send a chat request

ES 2 188 234 T3 by selecting an identity or identities from the list. The list may contain groups of individuals who are interested in a particular program, program type, chat group, or any other group identified by the user such as "Jones Family", "Members of the Hiking Club", "Club of Seinfeld Fans ”,“ Movie Lovers, ”or“ Dallas Cowboy Chat, ”Groups don't need to be TV-related. If desired, the set-top box application may present a pop-up option on the television screen to send a chat request to individuals listed in the address book when the user is watching a related television program (for example, the Seilfeld show).

Option 184 is highlighted to indicate that the user has selected "Friends watching news at 6". This may be a group of friends of the user who enjoy watching the “News at 6” show, and who want to join the group chat with the user. The user can choose as many recipients of the chat request as he wishes by selecting the names in the list. The user can select to enter additional identities of users outside the home address by selecting option 186, which will take the user to the television screen 160 of figure 6. When the user has selected the recipients of the chat request, the user You can select the EXECUTE option 188. The set-top box application then retrieved the address of each recipient of the chat request and delivered the chat request to each of the recipients. The user can select the Cancel option 189 to exit the address book display screen 180.

An illustrative process for creating the identities of home users and non-home users that has been discussed with respect to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 is shown in Figure 8. In step 190, the set-top box application (that is, the program guide with the chat functions or the stand-alone chat application) provides the user with the opportunity to enter identity data with respect to a home user or user. outside the home by viewing, for example, the user interface screens of television 120 or 160, respectively. The user then enters the requested data on the television user interface screen. Once the user has finished, the decoder application will create an identity data structure in step 192 that contains the information that was entered by said user of the particular home address or by the user outside the home address. The decoder application appended the data structure to the appropriate group in step 194. The group to which the data structure is attached can be a group of users from the home address, the address book of users outside the home address, or a subgroup of users outside the home address within the address book. Steps 190, 192 and 194 of Figure 8 can be executed by the decoder application implemented in the user's television equipment, but can also be implemented at least partially by a chat server using the client-server architecture. For example, data entered into screens 120 and 160 can be sent by the decoder to the server for processing.

A user can use the set-top box application to send and receive real-time communications to / from other users within a forum called a group chat. All users who are participants of the chat group can send and receive communications in real time from all other participants. The communications in real time in the chat group can be messages or other communications that are text, audio, video or in HTML language. A user can enter a URL of a WEB page, for example, as part of a chat message in a chat group using HTML language, so that other users in the chat group can link to said WEB page in a way easy. Text has the advantage of low bandwidth requirements. Audio may be desirable for users who like the immediacy of voice communications, but it may not be desirable for users who prefer the anonymity of text. Video is similar to audio in this respect. The selection of whether to support text, audio, or video in a particular chat depends on a variety of factors such as these. Additionally, a group chat can be configured as a mixed media chat, so that it accepts text, audio, video, and HTML input from different users. For example, a group chat with three users might have one user entering audio communications, another entering text and HTML communications, and another entering video communications. Real-time communications in mixed media chat can be received in the form in which it was sent in another format (for example, text converted to audio for a blind person). Aspects of the present invention are applicable to all of these configurations, although for clarity the invention is primarily described in relation to text-based chat.

Real-time communications are transmitted through the communication paths shown and described in connection with Figures 2A, 2B, and 3. A group chat in which real-time messages are typed in by the participants and transmitted in the form Texting everyone else in the group chat is referred to as a chat room.

Figure 9 is an example of how real-time communications are presented by the set-top box application, in the form of text messages in a chat room. Television program 202 can be displayed in area 203 of presentation screen 200, while chat room area 206 can be simultaneously displayed at the bottom of presentation screen 200. Announcement 201 can be displayed simultaneously in zone 205

ES 2 188 234 T3 of the display screen 200. The advertisements may accompany any of the display screens or user interface screens of the present invention. This configuration is merely illustrative. Any suitable configuration can be used to display chat messages and television programming simultaneously. For example, chat room area 206 can be viewed as an opaque or translucent overlay of television show 202. Chat room participants send the chat messages that appear in area 206. A chat participant can send an HTML chat message such as a URL to a WEB site.

On display screen 200, chat topic 204 may be related to television show 202 as can be seen from the context of messages 208 and 210. The user can enter messages using keyboard 34 (FIG. 1B) prior to which are displayed in the chat room at cursor 212. The user's chat message can be sent to the chat server when the user presses the Send button or other suitable buttons on a remote control or on a keyboard. If desired, the chat system can be configured in such a way that the characters are sent to the other participants in the chat group one by one as the user types them. With this functionality, the errors that the user makes can be seen by the other users in the chat group. If desired, the set-top box application may allow the user to send real-time communications to the chat room using an interactive television display screen such as a keyboard screen 50 (figure 1C) or presentation screen 75 (figure 1D).

The chat system can be configured so that the user can add another user to another user in a chat group in his buddy list or in the address book by selecting the user's nickname (or icon) in the chat group. . For example, the set-top box application may recognize a command such as "add Sally" as an indication that the user wishes to add Sally to their buddy list. The chat system may require the first user to get the permission of the second user before the first user can add the second user to their buddy list.

Additionally, the chat system can be configured to allow a user to block chat messages from specific users in a chat group who do not wish to communicate with it. For example, the set-top box application may recognize a user command typed adjacent to cursor 212 such as "block Joe" as indicating that the user wishes to block Joe's chat messages from now on. The user can type a command such as "unblock Joe" to start receiving Joe's chat messages again. Other protective functions may be established within the system to protect children from obscenity. For example, the chat system can be configured to block certain vulgar words in group chats.

As an additional example, parents can block certain offensive chat groups so that their children cannot join them.

The split nature of the screen 200 allows users to simultaneously watch a television program and send real-time communications to other users who are watching the same program at the same time. In this way, the chat room 206 is directly linked to the actions in progress in the program 202 because the user can send and receive comments on the content of the program as they display it on their television screen. A chat room can end at the end of the program or it can continue beyond the end of the program, until all users have exited the chat room.

Real-time communications can be stored on a chat server (for example, located in a television distribution facility). The communications paths illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3 can be used to route real-time communications to user television equipment connected to various television distribution facilities. The real-time communications system of the present invention therefore allows real-time communications to be transmitted between users of the user's television equipment that are connected through numerous television distribution facilities such as the network in the figure. 2A.

If desired, a simpler configuration system can be used in which all participants are linked to a common chat server and an associated television distribution facility. Although this configuration is more limited than more interconnected configurations that include multiple television distribution facilities, it has the advantage of being easier to implement because it is only a zone of a single time zone and potential participants who all have access to the network. same programming. A chat group maintained by a chat server associated with a particular television distribution facility may also be restricted to users connected to that particular television distribution facility in order to limit the size of the chat group. If desired, a group chat can be limited to those television distribution facilities that broadcast to users in a particular time zone to ensure that all users participating in the group chat can watch the television program that is being used. be the subject of the group chat at the same time. Additionally, a group chat may be limited to television distribution facilities that broadcast to users in a particular local area. This may be desirable, for example, if the subject of the chat group is a local news segment or a local television channel.

In another possible configuration, a chat session can be recorded while a TV program is broadcast in one time zone and played while the program is broadcast at a later time in another time zone. This per12

ES 2 188 234 T3 allows users in the later time zone to view comments previously entered by users in the other time zone while user comments are entered in the current time zone. Second time zone chat messages can be recorded and played back in a third time zone at a later time, along with first time zone chat messages. However, users may not communicate in real time with users from other time zones using this system, unless the program is broadcast at the same time in multiple time zones, or users participate in the group chat before and / or after the program broadcasts in your area.

Another aspect of the present invention was related to the use of the decoder application to support real-time audio communications. Real-time audio communications can be linked to a particular television program. For example, a television debate show may have a live question and a reply session with multiple users watching the debate show. Users can be given the opportunity to join an audio chat group. A selected group of users can then join in the audio chat group. Audio chat group participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions or make spoken comments on various topics discussed during the debate show. Audio chat participants may also be allowed to send questions in text form and receive answers in text form just like in a chat room. Certain questions of the chat participants could be discussed live on the TV program. Participants in the audio chat can also send video images (for example, of themselves) as well as in a video chat, which is exposed further on). The video image of a user participant can be played live on a TV show while the user's question or comment is being discussed on the TV show.

Figure 10 shows an example of an audio chat system in which real-time audio communications can be transmitted between the various devices of the user television equipment 220. The devices of the user television equipment 226 are connected to the television distribution facility 220 through communications paths 224. Real-time audio communications are transmitted over communication paths 224 and processed by chat server 222 or by suitable audio conferencing equipment. Chat server 222 may be located in a television distribution facility 220 as shown in FIG. 10 or it may be separate from TDF 220 (television distribution facility). The audio chat system may be configured to cancel the audio of the TV program in progress in the audio chat messages of the sending user, so that the receiving user does not hear the audio of the TV program along with the messages of the sending user. sender's audio. This procedure can be executed on a microphone terminal using signal subtraction whereby the microphone input is compared with the audio of the TV program and only the user input is passed to the chat server.

Real-time audio communications can also be transmitted between the user's television equipment devices connected to the different television distribution facilities, with the use of communications networks such as those shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 3. Real-time audio communications can be transmitted from user television equipment devices 226 to the television channel's chat facility along a communications network such as that shown in Figure 3, so that the Moderator of the audio chat or a television personality can participate in the group chat. The moderator can determine the person who can speak in the group chat at a given point of time. text-based or video-based chat can also have a moderator, although this is less desirable during a text-based chat with a small number of participants. If desired, a group chat can be configured so that participants are only allowed to send a chat message when it is that person's turn. The determination of who is allowed to send a chat message at any given time can be determined automatically.

The television distribution facility can provide a telephone service through the same communication lines that provide the television service. This type of television distribution facility is called a central office (CO) for a telephone system. The audio chat can be configured using the telephone facilities of said system. This took advantage of the telephone infrastructure advantage that many cable systems make up through a broadband cable network. The television channels and the phone service can be transmitted along the same cable line, although the information on each route would be logically separable.

Each device of the user television equipment 226 in FIG. 10 contains a set-top box 228 that receives the real-time audio communications from the chat server 222 and a television 230 for viewing the programs. Real-time audio communications can be sent by a user speaking into microphone 232. The user's voice is converted into a signal that can be received by set-top box 228. Decoder 228 transmits the user's voice signal to chat server 222. Chat server 222 or other suitable equipment such as an audio bridge (i.e., audio conferencing equipment) that distributes the signal from the user voice to other users who are the participants of the same audio chat group. Real-time communications can then be heard by a user on speaker 234 that was connected to television 230 or set-top box 228 or as a component of television 230.

IS 2 188 234 T3

The real-time audio communication system of the present invention allows users who are watching a particular television program to talk to each other while watching the program. It also allows users to speak with a chat moderator located in a television channel chat facility or a television distribution facility. It also allows users to speak to a television show personality while that personality is appearing on the television show. In these last two examples, audio chat communications would include the user's connection to the television channel's chat facility or distribution facility where the chat moderator or television show personality is located, throughout of communications paths such as those shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 3.

The images of the video chat can also be transmitted in real time by the chat system if desired. Video chat images can include audio or they can be silent (for example, if participants use sign language or body language, or if there is text attached to the chat). The video may also include attached text communications. FIG. 11 shows an example of how live video images of various users in a group chat can be displayed on display screen 240 in display areas 241-245. The subject of the video chat can be displayed in the display area 246. This feature of the present invention allows users to view images of other users with whom they are speaking in said group chat. If desired, the user can view video images of participants in multiple chat groups. For example, display areas 241, 242, and 243 may contain video images of participants in one chat group while display areas 244 and 245 may contain video images of participants in another chat group. The set-top box application can provide the user with the opportunity to select the chat group from which they wish to receive communications. This allows the user to view the most video images of a group, while listening to a television program or the real-time audio communications of one of the chat groups as desired by the user.

The participants in a video chat can communicate with each other in real time, through visual images and signals. For example, users have the advantage of being able to see the reactions of other users to comments made during a chat by observing their facial expressions and body language. A video image of a chat moderator or TV show personality can be provided in one of the viewing areas 241-245. If desired, a television program can be viewed in one of the display areas 241-245. With this type of setup, the chat topic group can be related to the action on the TV show, or to a topic discussed on the TV show.

FIG. 12 is an example of user television equipment 250 for implementing the video image function of the present invention. Signals containing video images from other users participating in a chat group can be received by a decoder 252 from the chat equipment (eg, a video bridge). The set-top box application displays the images on the television 254. Signals may contain audio communications. Each user image can be obtained using a video camera such as video camera 256 connected to set-top box 252. The set-top box application can transmit the signal containing the user image to the chat equipment associated with the user television equipment to the redistribution to the other participants of the chat group through communication networks such as those shown in figures 2A, 2B and 3.

A user can obtain and transmit video images of any person or object for transmission to other participants in a group chat. A user can communicate through video images. For example, a user can view written messages in front of the video camera 256 that can be read by other users on their television screens. A single group chat could comprise audio, video, text, HTML, or any other means of communication.

The video chat team that coordinates the video or audio chat can implement the transmission of messages between users using one of the currently available technologies to manage the video or audio conference. For example, a chat system can be implemented using a chat server to continuously route real-time communications from the participants in a chat group to the other participants in the chat group. If desired, the originator of a message such as a text message can be presented with all the messages from each participant in the chat group, including their own message. With regard to audio chat, there is generally no need to redistribute a return message to its originator because the user does not need to hear their own voice repeated to it on return. Therefore, an audio chat system can ensure that the sender of a real-time communication does not receive his own communication. In video chat, the chat system can be configured, for example, to only display on the television screen the image of the person who is speaking in progress.

The chat system can join a user to a chat group when the user has indicated a desire to join a particular chat group. The wishes of the user can be determined, for example, through a display screen provided by the set-top box application, such as the display screen 270 of Figure 13. The television program 271 is overlapped by the interface area. 274 so that only the top 272 of the program is visible

IS 2 188 234 T3

271. The user interface area 274 provides the user with the opportunity to indicate a desire to join a chat group by selecting the YES option 276. The user interface screen 274 also allows the user not to join a group. chat by selecting option NO 278. If option NO 278 is selected, the interface screen 274 disappears. The user interface screen 274 can be presented automatically by the set-top box application when a group chat related to the television program the viewer was watching becomes available or becomes available, or it could be displayed according to a previously set reminder by the user. Announcement 275 can also be displayed on the interface screen 274. If desired, the user interface screen 274 can be displayed when the user selects a chat option on a program guide presentation screen, or when pressing a dedicated chat button on a remote control, or when using any other user interface to indicate the desire to join a chat. Alternatively, this screen could be skipped and the user could proceed directly to the group chat if the user has selected a chat option. The group chat can continue beyond the end of program 271.

Referring now to Figure 14, the set-top box application may provide the user with the opportunity to join one or more chat groups according to the user's selection. The chat group options that are provided to the user by the set-top box application can be chat groups that are related to a particular program or television channel that the user is tuned to when the chat group options are initially displayed. .

Information regarding real-time communications, such as chat group listings that are available for a particular television program or channel, can be provided to the set-top box application using any suitable data distribution technique. For example, information about scheduled chat groups can be obtained on request by the set-top box from the server or with the listings in the main facility's program guide. If desired, the information on available chat groups can be digitally encoded on the band with the signal from the television program on a digital channel. The chat information can be decoded by a digital decoder together with the signal of the TV program. As an additional example, information about which chat groups are supported can be obtained from the television distribution facility, and distributed to set-top box applications through the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a standard analog television signal. A VBI decoder can be used in the decoder to decode the data contained in the VBI from the received television signal.

The decoded data can then be used by the decoder application to determine if there are chat groups available for a show or channel based on the data received. If desired, information regarding real-time communications such as available chat groups can be provided using an out-of-band data path. Such information can also be provided as a digital data stream that accompanies other digital data streams (such as digital data for various television programs).

The presentation screen 280 is an example of an options screen that the set-top box application may present to provide the user with the opportunity to join various chat groups related to a program or channel being watched. If the user was watching the Opera Dollars of Our Lives program on channel 3, the user was given the opportunity to join the Opera chat group by selecting option 282, to the Channel 3 chat group using the by selecting option 284, or to the Dollars of Our Lives chat group by selecting option 288. The user can join multiple chat groups. Multiple chat groups can be selected with a remote control or a wireless keyboard. The chat system can join the user to all selected chat groups. The user can also be provided with the opportunity to create a new chat group by selecting option 286. The user can search for more chat groups by selecting option 290. The user can set a reminder for himself to participate in a scheduled group chat by selecting option 281. If option 281 is chosen, the chat system can set a reminder for a previously selected chat group, or provide the user a list of chat groups to choose from. If the user does not want to join a chat group, the user can select exit option 292, which directs the set-top box to the exit display screen 280.

Another example of a way the user is presented with an opportunity to join various chat groups that are related to a particular television show is shown in FIG. 15A. A reduced-size version of a television program such as "News at 6" is displayed on portion 310 of display screen 300, simultaneously with a user interface zone 312 at the bottom of display screen 300. . Also, announcement 311 can be displayed on screen 300 in conjunction with user interface 312. User interface area 312 can allow the user to join chat groups relating to news segments offered in News to News. 6. The user can join any or all chat groups (1), (2), (3) and (4) (corresponding to options 302, 304, 306, and 308 respectively), by pressing the appropriate number on your remote. If the user does not want to enter a chat group, he can press (5) (corresponding to the option Exit 314) to exit the presentation screen 300 and return to the menu of the program guide or to a panel15

ES 2 188 234 T3 full presentation size of the News program at 6. The presentation screen 300 can be displayed by the decoder application at the user's request or automatically at an appropriate moment during the television program. Chat groups can continue beyond the end of the program, to allow participants to discuss follow-up issues. The group chat ends when all the participants have left.

The television display screen 500 of FIG. 15B is an interactive television program guide display screen, which provides the user with the opportunity to view a schedule of the incoming chat groups related to the TV programs listed on the screen. program guide. The user can scroll vertically to the appropriate time interval 506 by manipulating the arrow options 508. TV programs are displayed in column 502 and corresponding chat groups are displayed in column 504. A user can select a chat group by placing the highlighted area 509 in a chat group. The user can then set a reminder to participate in the selected chat group by selecting option 505. The user can join the selected chat group by selecting option 503. The user can also record a chat session of the selected chat group by selecting option 501. The user can view additional shows and chat groups by manipulating the arrows 510.

The television display screen 295 of FIG. 16 shows how the set-top box application may allow the user to participate in a plurality of chat groups concurrently. The television program called the News Program is viewed in the upper left quadrant 315 of the television 295 presentation screen. The user can watch the News Program and concurrently participate in three different chat groups displayed in quadrants 316, 317 and 318. Real-time text communications from two chat rooms are displayed in the upper right quadrant 316 and in the lower left quadrant 317. Each of the topics are related to the topics discussed in the News Program. The subject of the chat room in quadrant 316 is the Clinton Indictment. The subject of the chat room in quadrant 317 is Lewinsky's Testimony. The video image of a participant in the third video chat group is displayed in quadrant 318. Audio messages to / from the participants in the video chat room can be sent and also received. If multiple chat rooms are linked by user usage audio, the decoder application can allow the user to select between the different groups, so that the audio component of only one group is activated at the same time.

Another example of a presentation screen that provides the user the opportunity to enter a group chat is related to a television program, shown in figure 17. Monica Lewinsky's new segment 321 on screen 320 of the Figure 17 is overlaid by screen 324, so that only the top 322 of program 322 is visible. When the new Monica Lewinsky 321 segment of the television program starts, the decoder application will automatically invite the user to join Monica Lewinsky's chat group by presenting the message displayed on screen 324. Monica's chat group Lewinsky can be a chat group of users who are watching the television program and who wish to discuss the issues related to it that are being presented on the program. The user can press the Chat button on his remote control to enter Monica Lewinsky's chat group, or he can press Cancel on his remote control to return to normal television viewing by deleting the message on screen 324 The chat server can be configured to support Monica Lewinsky's group chat only for the duration of the news show or discussion show. Alternatively, the group chat can continue beyond the end of the program, so that participants can discuss follow-up issues. Monica Lewinsky's chat group and any of the other illustrative chat groups discussed here can be text chat groups, audio chat groups, video chat groups (silent or with audio), or combinations of such groups. chat.

An illustrative process for allowing a user of a user television set to join a chat group is shown in FIG. 18A. At step 340, the set-top box application implemented on the user's television equipment provides the user with the opportunity to indicate a desire to join a chat group in real time. The opportunity can be provided automatically (for example, at a particular time during the course of a television program) or in response to an invitation by the user (for example, the user chooses an option on the screen or an option on a menu. from the program guide that indicates you want to see available chat groups). Real-time group chat can be in the form of written, audio, or video communications (audio or silent), or an appropriate combination of such communications.

The opportunity for the user to indicate a desire to join a chat group can be provided, for example, using presentation screens, such as the presentation screens 270, 280, 300, 500 or 320, of Figures 13, 14 , 15A, 15B or 17, respectively, or any other suitable display screens. The decoder application can also provide the user with the opportunity to indicate a desire to join a chat group, being able to respond to a signal from another type of user interface mechanism (for example, a dedicated chat button on a remote control).

The chat group the user joins can be determined by the user or by the program guide. The user may be provided with

ES 2 188 234 T3 an opportunity to select a chat group from a predetermined grouping or list of available chat groups, as described in relation to the presentation screens 280, 300, 500 of figures 14, 15A and 15B , respectively. Option 290 of FIG. 14 provides the user with an opportunity search of more chat groups and to select a chat group based on the search results. The user may be provided with an opportunity to search for a chat group based on a chat topic or by typing in the name of the chat group and other information necessary to identify the chat group. If desired, the chat system can automatically determine which chat group the user joined. For example, the display screen 320 of FIG. 17 may provide the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to join an available chat group that is related to the program being watched. If desired, the information about where the user joined the chat group can be based, for example, on the number of current participants in a group, which can be limited (for example, to a maximum of 20 participants). Information about available chat groups can be maintained by the television distribution facility or by a chat server. When the user makes the set-top box application join said user to a chat group, the set-top box informs the server, which can join the user to the next available group. The information identifying the available chat groups can be supplied to the set-top box application together with the broadcast signal of the television program and decoded by the set-top box application on the user's television set.

After the user has indicated a desire to join a chat group, the chat system joined the user to the chat group and supports the chat group by distributing real-time communications to the users in the chat group. chat at step 342. For example, the set-top box application may make a connection to the chat team that maintains real-time communications for the chat group, which then joins the user to the chat group. After the user has joined the chat group, the chat group is supported by the chat team (for example, the chat server), and the user can send and receive real-time communications to / from other participants. of the group chat. Step 342 may be performed by the chat team at the television distribution facility, at a television channel chat facility, or by a separate chat team. If desired, equipment such as an audio or video bridge at the television distribution facility or other suitable location can be used in chat group training and support.

Referring now to FIG. 18B, an illustrative process is shown for allowing a user of a user television set to join a chat group restricted to users located on the user television set devices. At step 344, the set-top box application implemented on the user's television equipment provides the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to join a chat group. The functions of this stage are the same as the functions previously described with respect to stage 340 of FIG. 18A.

After the user indicated a desire to join a chat group, the chat system joined the user to the chat group and supported the chat group by distributing real-time communications only among the users in the group. chat devices found on the user's television equipment devices in step 346. The set-top box application instructed the chat equipment to join the user to the chat group. The chat team then supported the chat group by distributing real-time communications. The entrance to the group chat was restricted to the users of the devices of the user's television equipment. Entry may be restricted to users of user television equipment devices connected to a particular television distribution facility or to users of user television equipment devices connected to a limited number of television distribution facilities. .

The chat team may monitor requests to enter the chat group, to ensure that all participants in the chat group are on the user's television equipment device, as opposed to, for example, a personal computer. For example, the chat team could maintain entry codes with the television distribution facilities to restrict access to a chat group to only the devices of the users' television equipment. Each television distribution facility transmitted the entry code along with a request from one of its devices from the user television team to the chat team, so that the user can join the chat group. Only requests to join the chat group that present a valid entry code from a television distribution facility will be recognized. If desired, access to a TV chat group can be restricted to the user's television equipment devices, making the chat group unavailable on the Internet.

Referring now to FIG. 18C, an illustrative process is shown for allowing a user of a user's television set to join a chat group related to a television program that the user is watching. At step 348, the set-top box application implemented on the user's television equipment provides the user who is watching a particular television program an opportunity to join the chat group related to the program. The television display screen 300 in Figure 15A, and the television display screen 320 in Figure 17 are examples of how the set-top box application can provide the user with an opportunity to join a chat group related to a broadcast program. television in particular, while the user is watching the program. The opportunity to join the group

ES 2 188 234 T3 chat can be provided by the decoder application automaotically during the course of the television program, or with the invitation to the user, for example, by pressing a button on a remote control.

After the user has indicated a desire to join the chat group, the chat system will join the user to the chat group and support the chat group by distributing real-time communications only among the users in the chat group. They are watching the same TV show in step 350. The set-top box application will instruct the chat team to join the user to the chat group. The chat team would then support the chat group by distributing communications in real time, only among the users in the chat group who are watching the show. Each set-top box application will ensure that the user is not provided with an opportunity to join the group chat unless the user has tuned into the channel that is broadcasting the television program. If desired, the user can have the option to join the chat group related to the show at any time, but the set-top box app will tune in to the TV show as soon as the user indicates the desire to join the related chat group. With the program.

Another aspect of the present invention includes providing the user with the opportunity to send a chat request to other users who are interested in joining a chat group. The chat request is a request for other users to join a chat group (for example, from a TV set-top box application or an interactive TV show guide). An illustrative chat request display screen 360 is shown in Figure 19, which can be used to provide the user with an opportunity to select groups of other users who may be interested in joining the chat group from a list.

The user can send a chat request to all other users who are currently watching the same television program that the user has tuned in by selecting option 362. The chat system then distributed the chat request to the recipients to through the communications and network paths shown in Figures 1A, 2A, 2B or 3. The chat team may distribute all chat requests it receives that are directed to users associated with a television distribution facility to each set of user television equipment connected to that television distribution facility. Chat requests can then be filtered by the set-top box application on the recipient's user television set. The set-top box application can only display the chat requests on the recipient's television screen if the recipient user was watching the television program related to the chat request. The user can also block in his decoder all incoming chat requests, or chat requests that are sent by specific individuals. If desired, the decoder can be configured to only notify the user of the chat request sent by certain individuals. Likewise, the user can indicate to his decoder application that he only wants to receive chat requests that are related to particular programs, channels, or program categories. The set-top box application will then display only incoming chat requests on the TV, based on the preferences indicated by the user.

If desired, any user can view all available chat requests that are related to a particular television show as a potential recipient of a chat request. The display screen 380 of FIG. 20 is an example of a menu format that can be used to present target users with an opportunity to accept a chat request related to the current television program (option 382). Chat requests displayed on display screen 380 may also be related to a television program not being broadcast in progress, selected from program listings, a channel, or any category of programs. This information will also be displayed as part of option 382. Incoming chat requests can be displayed in a list as part of a presentation screen 380. The recipient user can accept a chat request and join the corresponding chat group, by selecting one of the chat request options 384, 386 or 388. In the example of figure 20, the recipient user can join a group chat by entering the number of a desired chat request on the remote control. The user may also have the ability to block all incoming chat requests for a period of time or indefinitely by selecting option 381. This feature allows the user to maintain privacy. The user can block incoming chat requests regarding certain individuals by entering their names or addresses in zones 383. The user can also program the chat system in such a way that it only allows chat requests from certain individuals to be received by the user's decoder. The user can enter the names or addresses of these individuals in zones 390. The user can decline to join any of the chat groups in which he is being asked to join, by pressing a Cancel button on the remote control. .

Referring now to Figure 19, the user who wishes to send a chat request can select to send a chat request to other users who are interested in the particular television show to which the user is tuned by selecting the option 364. Option 364 is highlighted to indicate that it has been selected by the sending user. The sending user can use the cursor keys on their remote control to select option 364. The user can also press the OK button on the remote control to enter their selection. The sending user can select option 366 to send a chat request

ES 2 188 234 T3 to other users who are interested in the channel that was broadcasting the current program. The sending user can also select option 368 to send a chat request to other users who are interested in the category of programs that match the category of the program the user is currently watching.

The chat request can be sent to the chat team (eg a server) that forwards the chat request to the appropriate recipients. For example, chat requests can be sent to users who have indicated to the chat team or television distribution facility that they are interested in receiving chat requests relating to a particular show, channel, or category of shows. If desired, the decoder application can assist in the filtering process used to ensure that chat requests are delivered only to the appropriate users. For example, if a chat request has to be distributed to all users tuned to channel 4, the chat server in a television distribution facility may distribute a chat request to all users with information that specifies that the request was on. Restricted for viewers whose decoders are currently tuned to channel 4. The decoder application of each recipient user determines if the user was tuned to channel 4. If the decoder was not tuned to channel 4, the chat request is not displayed. Some filtering operations can be performed on the server.

If desired, users can specify certain chat preferences to the chat team. For example, a user may specify that they want to receive chat requests regarding special programs, channels, or categories of programs. The user can also specify that they want to block all incoming chat requests, or chat requests that are sent by specific individuals, at their decoder. The user can even specify that he wants to only receive chat requests sent by certain individuals. This information can then be sent to the chat team, the television distribution facility, or the television channel's chat facility. The profile data related to the user's preferences entered through a presentation screen provided by the decoder application such as the presentation screen 120 of Figure 4 can be sent to the chat team associated with the particular address, in a way that the chat team can use this information to filter chat requests that are related to television programs, channels, or categories of television programs in which the user is interested. With this configuration, only filtered chat requests can be sent by the chat team to the recipient user.

The chat system can allow the user to send a chat request only to users outside the home address in the user's personal address book, who have been identified as having an interest in a program, channel or category of related programs. with the chat request. The chat system can filter only those other users in the address book whose preferences match the program, channel or category of programs related to the chat request. The preferences of other users can be stored in the address book along with the names and addresses of the users. The user interface such as the display screen 160 of FIG. 6 may be provided by the set-top box application to input such user preference information.

A user can select names of other users from his address book by selecting option 370. In this case, the chat request will be sent only to the particular people that the user individually chooses in his address book. Said chat request can be displayed on the TV screen of the user who is receiving the chat request automatically as soon as the chat request is received. If desired, the chat system can be configured to only have the ability to send chat requests to people on the user's buddy list or address book. Additionally, the chat system can be configured so that only one user receives chat requests from people on his buddy list or address book. The functionality of the filtering operations described with respect to the television chat system of the present invention can be executed on a server, on the recipient's set-top box, or on the sender's set-top box.

The presentation screen 360 may also present option 372 which allows the user to send a chat request to a list of individuals who may wish to participate in a group chat related to the current program. For example, the individuals on the list may be regular participants in the chat group related to the novel series on a weekly basis. The list can be created by the user as he determines the identities of the participants on a weekly basis.

As shown in FIG. 21, display screen 400 can be used to display a chat request 410 at the bottom of the recipient user's television screen. Chat request 410 overlaps with the television program the user was watching. Chat request 410 may be translucent in order to minimize disruption to the user's viewing of the program. The program was still unobscured at top 408. Chat request 410 indicates the name of the chat group that the recipient of the request is being invited to join and the name of the sender of the chat request. The recipient of the chat request can accept the chat request and join the chat group by selecting option 402. The recipient of the chat request can tune in to the channel that is broadcasting the program by selecting option 404 . The recipient of the chat request can decline the chat request by selecting option 406. The recipient may be authorized to block future requests from a sender, or go "private", that is, not allow any

ES 2 188 234 T3 chat request from anyone until further notice.

An illustrative process for allowing a user on the user's television set to establish a chat group between himself and other users is shown in Figure 22. In step 420, the set-top box application implemented on the television set Username provides the user with an opportunity to set up a group chat with other users. This opportunity can be provided by the decoder using an appropriate user interface. The display screen 360 of FIG. 19 is an example of a user interface that provides the user with the opportunity to set up a chat group with other users, by sending a chat request. Other suitable configurations can be used to implement the function of step 420 if desired.

In the next step 420, the user can enter the chat configuration information. The chat configuration information can include, for example, an identification of the recipients of the chat request, the name of the chat group, an identification of the chat server that will support the chat group, the television program with which the chat group would be related, and the channel on which the program is broadcast. If desired, at least part of this information can be inserted automatically by the decoder application. For example, because the set-top box application knows the channel to which the sending user's set-top box is tuned, the set-top box application can automatically append this information to the chat request. The set-top box application can also determine which program the sending user is watching by accessing a database (for example, a database of program listings stored locally or on the set-top box or on a server), and use this information at the current time (for example, accessing a decoder or a server using a clock). If desired, part of this type of information can be attached to the chat request through the chat team or chat server. For example, the decoder application can provide the chat server with information about which channel the sending user is tuned to in progress, and the chat server can then determine which program is being watched in progress (from the information of program listings stored in the television distribution facility) and being able to attach this information to the chat request.

At step 424, the chat system distributes the chat request to other users who may be interested in joining the chat group. The ongoing recipients of the chat request can be determined by the chat server, by the user's television team, at the television distribution facility, at the television channel's chat facility, or by a combination thereof. . If desired, the distributed chat request can be blocked at the recipient's decoder (for example, if the recipient has instructed their decoder's application not to accept such requests).

In step 426, the chat system supports the chat group in which the user and the other users have decided to join the chat group by distributing real-time communications from each user in the group to the other users in the group. chat. The chat group may be supported by the chat equipment such as a chat server. Other users can receive notification of the chat group and the opportunity to join the group when the chat request appears on their TV screens, as shown and described with respect to figures 20 and

twenty-one. The group of other users who have decided to join the chat group can be those who have accepted the chat request or those who have previously indicated a desire to join a chat group.

Figure 23 shows an illustrative process for establishing a group chat with the user and other users. In step 430, the set-top box application implemented in the user's television equipment provides the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to establish a chat group with other users or to indicate a desire to join an existing chat group. Option 286 on the television display screen 280 of FIG. 14 is an example of how the set-top box application may provide the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to create a new chat group. The user interface area 274 of Figure 13 is an example of how the set-top box application may provide the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to join an existing chat group or a chat group that is about to be formed. . Continuing with step 430, users indicate their desire to establish a chat group or join an existing chat group, or a chat group that was about to be formed, for example, by selecting option 276 in figure 13, or by using the selection of option 286 in figure 14. The user can also enter configuration information such as the name of the chat group.

In step 434, the chat system establishes a chat group that joins the user and other users who have decided to join. The chat group can be a new chat group that has been created, for example, on a chat server, and in which the user can be joined to said new chat group. The chat group can also be an existing chat group that the user joins.

In the case of a new chat group, a new chat group is created on a chat server or using other suitable equipment, such as an audio or video bridge. The user is then joined to the chat group. The other users who have decided to join are also joined to the new chat group once it has been created. All users are now able to send and receive real-time communications from other participants in the group chat. Step 434 can be performed by the chat team (for example, a server or an audio bridge or vi20

ES 2 188 234 T3 deo), by the decoder application in the user's television equipment, or with a combination of both.

Users can access a list of currently available chat groups related to a television program or channel from their television distribution facility, from a television channel's chat facility, or directly from the chat team (for example, a server) through the decoder application. The chat system may join the user to a selected chat group or to selected groups through a process such as those described in relation to Figures 18A and 23.

An illustrative process for joining a user to a chat group in response to a chat request is shown in Figure 24. At step 440, the set-top box application on the user's television set presents a chat request inviting the user to join a chat group. At step 442, the set-top box application provides the user with an opportunity to indicate a desire to join the chat group. The display screens 380 in Figure 20 and 400 in Figure 21 are examples of how the set-top box can display chat requests and provide the user with the opportunity to join a chat group in response to a chat request.

Following in step 442, when the user has decided to join a chat group linked to a chat request, the chat system joins the user to the chat group in step 446. For example, if the chat group is running On a chat server, the user is linked to the chat group on that server. If the group chat is implemented using an audio or video conferencing equipment, the user is linked to the chat group by connecting the user to the group with the audio or video conference equipment. The chat group information required to connect the user to the chat group can be supplied to the chat team with the chat request. After the user joins the chat group, the user can send and receive real-time communications from other participants in the chat group.

At step 448, the set-top box application provides the user with an opportunity to tune in to the television program that is the subject of the chat. Option 404 of FIG. 21 is an example of how the user may be provided with an opportunity to tune in to the television program that is the subject of the chat. If the user selects this option, the decoder will automatically tune to the television channel that is broadcasting the television program that is the subject of the chat. The information of which channel is broadcasting the program related to the chat request can be supplied to the user's decoder with the chat request. This function allows the user to participate in said group and watch the television program that is the subject of the chat simultaneously. Step 448 is optional and can be omitted if desired.

Many of the functions of the present invention can be used with a two-way interactive display remote control. An example of a display remote control is shown in FIG. 25. The display remote control 480 contains the display screen 482 which can be any suitable type of display screen. A user can compose a chat message in a chat room for another user using buttons 484. Pressing any of the 484 buttons causes the selected letter number to appear simultaneously in the input zone 483 and adjacent to the 491 cursor. The user can delete a letter or number by pressing the Delete button 486, and can enter uppercase letters by pressing the Shift button. 488. The user can move the cursor in the screen area 483 of the display screen 482 using the cursor buttons 498. A user may use an icon such as the smiley face on display screen 482 to represent himself. A screen remote may also have a touch screen. Some or all of the keys (for example, the alphabet keys) may be displayed on the screen, instead of having normal keys.

The remote viewing control provides the user with additional privacy when sending and receiving messages in a group chat. The remote screen can also be used to send and receive chat requests. The screen remote control is therefore a bidirectional interactive remote device in which messages can be composed and sent, as well as being received and read by the user. The remote display device can also be used to send messages between users.