Television message system.

(54) Title: A SYSTEM FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF MESSAGES BY TELEVISION.

(54) Title: TELEVISION MESSAGE SYSTEM.

(57) Summary

A television message transmission system is provided which allows users on user television equipment connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other regarding a television program or other suitable topic. The television broadcasting system allows users to participate in reviews, competitions, promotions and surveys related to a television program while they are watching this television program. The television message system also enables users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send messages through the television message transmission system to users on personal computers connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communication network. The television message transmission system also enables a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift can be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view scheduling. The television message transmission system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a cable television box application implemented in a cable television box.

(57) Abstract

A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send messages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a Communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certify yourself for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an Interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.

Mexican Institute of Industrial Property

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PATENT TITLE NO. 345906

Owner (s): ROVI GUIDES, INC.

Address: South Lewis Avenue 7140, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74136, USA

Name: A SYSTEM FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF MESSAGES BY TELEVISION.

Classification: lnt.CI.8: G06F13 / 00; G06Q30 / 02; H04N7 / 025; H04N7 / 14; H04N7 / 173

Inventor (s): PAMELA L. MCKISSICK, WILLIAM I. THOMAS; MICHAEL D. ELLIS: MARK A.

REGOUBY; JOEL G. HASSELL

REQUEST

..... Number: International filing date:

MX / a / 2015/010579 August 26, 1999

Divisional File Number: MX / 2013/009619

PRIORITY

Country: Date: Number:

US August 26, 1998 60 / 099,301

US July 16, 1999 09 / 356,245

Validity: Twenty years

Expiration Date: August 26, 2019 the reference patent is granted based on articles 1, 2 section V, 6 section III, and 59 of the Industrial Property Law.

In accordance with article 23 of the Industrial Property Law, this patent is valid for twenty years, non-extendable, counted from the filing date of the international application and will be subject to the payment of the fee to keep the rights in force. . .............

Guien subscribes to this title and does so based on the provisions of articles 6 ° sections III and 7 ° bis 2 of the Industrial Property Law (Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) 08/27/1991, resumed on 02 / 08/1994, 10/25/1996, 12/26/1997, 05/17/1999, 01/26/2004, 06/16/2005, 01/25/2006, 05/06/2009, 06/01 / 2010, 06/18/2010, 06/28/2010, 01/27/2012 and 04/09/2012); Articles 1, 3^or fraction V subsection a), 4th and 12th fractions I and III of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/14/1999, amended on 07/01/2002, 07/15/2004, 07/28 / 2004 and 9/7/2007); items 1^or, 3®, 4 ", 5" section V subsection a), 16 sections I and III and 30 of the Organic Statute of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/27/1999, amended on 10/10/2002, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007); 1, 3 and 5 subsection a) of the Agreement that delegates powers to the Deputy General Directors, Coordinator, Divisional Directors, Heads of Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. (DOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

A SYSTEM FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF MESSAGES BY TELEVISION

This application claims the benefit of the North American provisional application serial number 60 / 099,301 filed on August 26, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to systems for the transmission of messages on television, and more particularly, to techniques for supporting the transmission of messages in a television environment that may include an interactive television program guide.

A popular aspect of the Internet and other network environments is related to electronic mail (e-mail) messages. A user on a network or the Internet can send e-mail messages to other users on the network or the Internet. The messages are sent to a server where they are maintained until they are downloaded by a client such as a personal computer. The recipient of a message can access it at any time from the server and can read it at their convenience.

Television shows are sometimes discussed in e-mail messages. However, there is generally no way that users of an e-mail messaging system can easily watch a television program while exchanging messages about this program. A user can place a television in the same environment as his personal computer but such an arrangement would make viewing difficult. Furthermore, family members place their television sets in the living room, but are reluctant.

Although personal computers may be provided with tuning cards that allow

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO M LA INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY television signals are displayed on the computer monitor, many viewers would prefer to watch television on a traditional television set. Television sets generally offer larger screens than computer monitors, so users should not be seated as close to a television screen as they are to a computer screen.

Television sets are also typically located in family home settings that are more appropriate for watching television than the settings in which computers are typically located.

A system that attempts to integrate aspects of the Internet with the television viewing experience is available from WebTV Networks, Inc. of Palo Alto, California. The WebTV system allows viewers to access the Internet through a WebTV Plus Receiver connected to their television sets. The WebTV Plus receiver allows users to browse the World Wide Web on their television set, connecting their television sets to the World Wide Web-based WebTV Network via a standard telephone line. The WebTV system allows users to view television program advertisements and television program related websites that appear in the program advertisements.

The WebTV system also provides TV Cross Links that allow users to access websites related to television shows. The WebTV Plus receiver detects data such as web links (i.e. universal resource locators = universal resource locators (URL) = websites) that are embedded in the video stream and notifies users with a TV Crosslink watermark on the TV screen. The links

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO Di LA INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

Cruzados TV allow users to link over the Internet to websites related to the television program that the user is watching. The user can simultaneously view the website and the television program through the web's picture-in-picture function (WebPIP picture-in-picture function). If the website supports e-mail functions, the user can send an e-mail message over the Internet while watching a television program. The WebTV system also provides users with current e-mail accounts to send and receive e-mail over the Internet. A user can access a home page on the Web from which they can send or receive email.

Interactive television program guides implemented in set-top boxes allow users to view advertisements for television programs on their televisions. Such program guides allow users to view television program advertisements in different presentation formats and perform various other functions. For example, a user can instruct the programming guide to display a grid of announcements of programs in progress ordered by channel. The user can also use the program guide to search for programs in a desired programming category such as sports, movies, news, or the like. If desired, the programming guide can be used to request paid programming. US Patent No. 5,583,937 to Ely et. to the; describes a video conferencing system between receiver controllers, and a telephone service in which a user can receive a telephone call over a telephone network.

International application WO 94/14284 discloses a reprogrammable receiver terminal for a system of

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provision of television programs that

International application WO 96/41478 discloses an electronic program scheme system with access to both stored television schedule information as well as data feeds containing status information, eg live sports. International application WO 96/25006 discloses an interactive broadcast system where customers can order items or services offered by vendors International application WO 93/22877 discloses a cable system that offers conventional cable services in a traditional way as well as interactive television information services on demand using switching arrangements.

Previously known systems did not provide an integrated system that allows viewers to view television programming and exchange messages with other viewers independently of the Internet. Previously known systems also did not provide viewers with the opportunity to exclusively send messages to other viewers of a television program or channel, previously known interactive program guides did not comprise a function that allows viewers to exchange messages with each other.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for transmitting messages on television that provides a viewer with an opportunity to view television programming and exchange messages related to television programming with other viewers, messages that do not depend exclusively on the Internet.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an interactive television program guide comprising functions for transmitting messages.

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects of the invention are achieved in accordance with the principles of the present invention, by providing a system for transmitting messages on television that receives television programming through a communication path from a television distribution facility such as a television terminal. a cable system. The system for transmitting messages on television allows users to transmit messages related to a given television program to users who are currently watching this television program. The system for transmitting messages allows messages to be transmitted between users of television equipment. The television user sets may be connected to a television distribution facility (such as a terminal in a cable system) by means of coaxial cables or other suitable communication channels carrying television signals. In an illustrative configuration, the system eliminates the need for suitable communication paths carrying television signals. In an illustrative configuration, the system eliminates the need for additional communication pathways for the transmission of messages physically separated from the pathways carrying the television signals broadcast by the channels.

The system for the transmission of messages by television of the present invention allows users to participate in a contest, promotion or survey related to a television program while they are watching a television program, sending and receiving messages through the system to transmit messages By television. The system for transmitting messages on television also

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE.

OF THE PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL allows users to evaluate a television program and send the evaluation to a programming entity of LéiéV'lyiOfr, “such as a TV channel or as a recommendation to another user.

The system for transmitting television messages of the present invention allows users to compose and send a message to a television programming entity such as the producers of a program or a cast member of the program. In addition, users can send messages through the system to broadcast television messages to other users, such as other users of an interactive program guide, Internet users, PC users, etc .; which are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The messages can be user-composed, or the messages can be standard messages such as a reminder message to watch a particular show. Messages can be written on an interactive TV screen or on a remote control device with a screen.

The system for transmitting messages on television also allows a user to purchase a gift related to the television program for a recipient.

The system for transmitting messages by television can be based on an interactive television programming guide implemented in a decoder (set-top box). If desired, the system can be implemented in other suitable user television equipment, such as a satellite receiver, an advanced television receiver (by satellite receiver, an advanced television receiver for example, a high definition television receiver or HDTV ), a television equipment in which the decoder circuit is integrated, or the like.

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

Additional features of the present invention, its nature, and various advantages will become 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 system for transmitting messages on television, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure IB is a diagram of a television user set having a user interface based on a wireless keyboard, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1C is a diagram of a user interface based on a keyboard on the television screen, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure ID is a diagram of a user interface on a television display screen providing a list of standard messages or words, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2A is a system configuration diagram in which user television sets of multiple television distribution facilities are connected through a television scheduling entity, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2B is a system diagram showing how multiple user television sets may be connected to a television distribution facility and to a separate server via neighborhood networks, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing how multiple television distribution facilities and equipment of □ ΛΤ .—-.

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INDUSTRIAL user communications may be connected via a communications network, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 is a representation of a display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television containing a reduced-size version of a television program to provide a user with an opportunity to compose a message and to transmit said message to a television program entity, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an illustrative approach to providing a user with an opportunity to send a message to a television program entity, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6A is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television to input information about a user's profile, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6B is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television for entering the name and address of a user, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6C is a representation of an illustrative address book for users, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television to provide a user with an opportunity to rate a television program, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing steps Mexican institute 'ík- M

OF THE PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL involved in an illustrative approach to providing a user with an opportunity to rate a television program, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9 is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for broadcasting messages on television to provide a user with an opportunity to participate in a survey related to television programming, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10 is a representation of an illustrative television display screen for providing the user with an opportunity to participate in a promotion related to a television program, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 11 is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television to provide the user with an opportunity to participate in a contest related to a television program, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 12 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an illustrative approach to providing a user with an opportunity to participate in a contest, promotion, or survey, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 13 is a representation of an illustrative television display screen for displaying interactive features available for television programs, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 14 is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television to provide a user with an opportunity to send a reminder message to another user,

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO '.O

OF THE PROPERTY QaasrrMsl

INDUSTRIAL according to the present invention.

Figure 15 is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television to display a reminder message received from another user, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 16 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an illustrative approach to providing a user with an opportunity to create a reminder message to be sent to another user, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 17 is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television to provide one user with an opportunity to send a message to another user, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 18 is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for broadcasting messages on television to display a message received by a user, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 19 is a representation of a display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television to provide an opportunity for a user to send a message to other users based on criteria related to a television program, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 20 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an illustrative approach to providing a user with an opportunity to send a message to other users based on criteria related to a television program, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 21 is a representation of a screen of

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Illustrative display of a system for transmitting messages on television to provide an opportunity for a user to purchase a gift related to a television program for another user, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 22 is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television to provide a user with an opportunity to purchase merchandise related to a program, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 23 is a representation of an illustrative display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television to provide an opportunity for a user to enter information about the identity and address of the recipient of a gift, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 24 is a flow chart showing steps involved in an illustrative approach to providing a user with an opportunity to purchase a gift through the system for broadcasting messages on television, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 25 is a representation of a display remote control with functions for transmitting messages on television, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1A shows an illustrative system 10 for 12 may contain a program guide database 14 for storing information from a program guide, such as data about television program guide advertisements, information for ordering programs,

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I * 'payments, etc. Database 14 allows system 10 to support an interactive television programming guide, if desired. While the functions for transmitting television messages of the present invention can be provided using a system for transmitting messages on television without a program guide, certain aspects of the invention will be described primarily within the context of a configuration of a guide system. interactive television programming, for greater specificity and clarity.

Information from database 14 can be transmitted to television distribution facility 16 via communication link 18. Link 18 can be a satellite link, a telephone network link, a fiber optic link, a cable, a microwave link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable communication path.

Television distribution facility 16 is a facility for distributing television signals to users, such as the terminal of a cable system. Some aspects of the invention can be implemented using a television distribution facility such as a broadcast distribution facility, or a satellite television distribution facility. To avoid complicating the drawings, Figure 1A shows only one television distribution facility 16.

Generally, however, the main facility 12 distributes information to multiple television distribution facilities.

Program guide information transmitted by main facility 12 to television distribution facility 16 includes data about television program advertisements, such as program schedules, || II — i .Μ »-» ··. ·

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IMPI INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PROPIEDAD INDUSTRIAL channels, titles, descriptions, etc. The information transmitted from the main facility 12 may also include information on interactive functions for transmitting messages (eg, contests, surveys, evaluations, promotions, etc. of television programs) that are available for particular television programs or channels.

If desired, some programming guide data and other information on TV messages can be provided by data sources that are in other facilities than the main facility 12. For example, data related to functions available to broadcast specific messages for a television program (eg, a poll, a schedule, a quiz, etc.) may be provided by a television programming entity associated with a television channel or by another facility separate from the main facility 12 and from the television distribution facility 16.

Television distribution facility 16 distributes program guide data and other information to multi-user television sets 20 via communication pathways 24. The communication paths 24 are preferably bi-directional to support the transmission of messages and preferably have sufficient bandwidth to allow the television distribution facility 16 to distribute to the user television equipment 20 scheduled television programming, paid programs, messages, and other. information about video and audio, as well as information not related to the program guide, videos and messages. The messages supported by the communication paths 24 may be text-based or, if greater width of

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band, they can be anHin messages. If the television distribution installation 16 is the terminal of a cable system, the communication channels 24 can be based on coaxial cables or optical fibers or the like. If the television distribution facility 16 is a satellite system or a broadcasting system, one-way pathways may involve transmitting information through space. Two-way paths can have a downlink from the space to the home and a return path by telephone line or cable or fiber optic from the home to the television distribution facility 16.

The television user equipment may be based, for example, on a decoder or other such device. For clarity, many aspects 15 of the invention are described in connection with this illustrative arrangement, although, if desired, any other suitable hardware arrangement may be used for user television equipment 20.

Multiple television and audio channels (analog, 20 digital or analog and digital) can be provided to user television sets 20 (including, for example, set-top box 26) through communication channels 24. If each channel 24 includes several traditional analog television channels, one or more of these analog channels 25 can be used to support several digital channels. The bandwidth of each analog channel used to support digital channels can support ten or more such digital channels. Two-way digital channels typically require a greater bandwidth than one-way digital channels. Such two-way digital channels can support two-way communications in the form of messages between set-top box 26 and a server (for example, in the

IMPI institute μ α κλνο OF THE PROPERTY 'CjasnrdEÍisf lZ INDUSTRIAL CZ *' 'television distribution facility 16). If the two-way communications between set-top box 26 and distribution facility 16 involve only text or audio signals, the bandwidth required to support such two-way communications may be substantially less than the bandwidth required to support two-way communications. avenues for video.

Messages can be distributed along communication paths 24 using any suitable technique. For example, text messages can be distributed using out-of-band channels on tracks 24 with the use of out-of-band modulators. Video or audio messages can be transmitted more efficiently using one or more digital channels on track 24. Such digital channels can also be used to distribute text and graphics. Any suitable communication protocol can be used to send messages and the like. For example, communications can be analog or digital, synchronous or asynchronous, based on a pocket modem, transmissions according to Internet protocol, etc.

For the transmission of messages, specific digital or analog channels can be used, or at least an allocated part of the bandwidth available in the communication channels 24. Such specific channels can be separated from the channels used to transmit broadcast signals of television programs. to the television crew to use it.

Because communication paths 24 support the transport of messages between user television equipment 20 and television distribution facility 16, the arrangement of system 10 can eliminate the need to use separate telephone lines connected to television equipment.

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television 20 for transmitting messages (although, if desired, such telephone lines may be used with certain aspects of the invention). If desired, television programming can be transmitted to user television equipment 20 along one communication path such as a satellite link from a satellite system, while messages to and from the user are distributed through a second communication path. communication such as a telephone or cable.

The television distribution facility 16 preferably comprises a server or other suitable computer, audio or video equipment, such as voice mail audio equipment (equipment collectively referred to herein as broadcast equipment). 22) to support the transmission of messages between users. For clarity, certain aspects of the invention are described simply as implemented with a server for message transmission, although these aspects of the invention are also applicable to other types of message transmission equipment. Equipment for transmitting messages 22 (eg, a server for transmitting messages) may be capable of handling messages involving text, graphics, video or audio data. If desired, the bandwidth requirements of the equipment for transmitting messages 22 can be reduced, restricting the messages to text, audio, and / or graphics, rather than also including video. The equipment for transmitting messages 22 at the television distribution facility 16 may be configured in a client-server arrangement in which each unit of the user television equipment 20 (i.e., each user television equipment 20), acts as a processor. client.

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Each user has a receiver, which is typically a decoder, such as a decoder 26, but can also use other suitable television equipment in which a circuit similar to the decoder 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) receiver or other platform based on such television equipment. A set-top box may include a DOCSIS modem to be used for two-way communications to and from a server or television distribution facility. For clarity, the present invention will be described primarily within the context of a television user equipment 20 that is based on set-top box 26. As shown in Figure 1A, each set-top box 26 may comprise a memory 25. Memory 25 can be used, for example, to maintain a database containing data on program advertisements.

Program guide information can be distributed to set-top box 26 continuously (in real time), periodically, on demand (using a client-server device), or using a combination of these techniques. Messages can be delivered to set-top boxes 26 in real time or on demand (for example, if a user controls his e-mail or message transmission equipment 22 and requests a message to view). The equipment for transmitting messages can receive messages from the decoders 26 in real time or periodically.

Main facility 12 preferably contains a processor to handle information distribution tasks. Each decoder 26 preferably contains a processor to handle tasks associated with the

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implementation of an interactive television guide application containing functions for transmitting messages on television or said set-top box contains a separate application for transmitting messages on television (applications hereinafter collectively referred to as a set-top box application for transmitting messages television or simply a decoder application). The television distribution facility 16 preferably contains one or more processors (forming part of, for example, the equipment for transmitting messages 22) for tasks associated with the distribution of messages and for tasks associated with the provision of program guide data to the programming guide on decoders.

It should be understood that some or all of the functions described below in the programming guide or the application for transmitting messages from the set-top box can be integrated into a set-top box operating system, or can be implemented as a standalone application on the set-top box, or can be performed by a server (which is part, for example, of the equipment for transmitting messages 22 or which is separate from the television distribution installation). In a client-server architecture, the decoder sends data or requests to the server. The server can store and process data and send the results of an order back to the user's television set for further processing, display or storage. Any of the decoder functions described below can be implemented using a client-server architecture.

Various mechanisms can be used in the user's decoder to start the application to transmit messages

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TV set-top box from a program guide application. One mechanism involves using a hot link to start the application to broadcast television messages on the cable box. A hot link involves invoking an application not related to the program guide, such as an application for broadcasting TV messages from the set-top box, with information such as a website address, an email address, a program title or other preselected information based on the current content of the program guide or the current state of the decoder 26. For example, if the user is watching a program, watching a program advertisement, looking at a description of a program, or taking any other action within the programming guide related to a program, channel, given channel type, or the like, and if the user directs the programming guide to launch an application not related to it, the program guide can launch that application not related to the program guide and direct it to take an action related to a given program, channel, type of channel, or the like.

Active links can be activated by specific buttons, a start button, menu options, or any other suitable technique. For example, a remote control may be provided with a specific button for transmitting messages, a specific button for purchases, and similar buttons associated with other applications not related to the programming guide. If the user presses the button to broadcast messages, the program guide launches the application to broadcast messages on TV from the cable box and directs the application to broadcast messages on TV to set a message

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to a show character, fan club, or other recipient of the show-related message. If the user presses a button specific to the shopping channel, the programming guide launches a shopping application (for example, to buy gifts for receiving users) and directs the programming guide to preselect merchandise related to the program. Additional features of an illustrative active bonding system are described in Ellis et. to the; US Serial WO 09 / 346,134, filed concurrently with this (Representative's Registration Number UV-85) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Each set-top box 26 is typically connected to an optional video recorder 28 or other such recording device, so that selected television programs can be recorded. Each VCR 28 (or decoder 26) is connected to a television 30.

To record a program, decoder 26 tunes to a particular channel and sends control signals to video recorder 28 (using, for example, an infrared transmitter) that direct video recorder 28 to start and stop recordings at appropriate times.

During use of the television broadcasting systems, the television broadcasting application on set-top box 26 may display messages on the television 30. If the television broadcasting system includes an interactive television program guide, the program guide Interactive television can display program advertisements on the television 30. A program guide with message broadcast functions can also be used to display the messages. Each decoder 26, VCR 28 and television 30 can be

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controlled by one or more 32 user interfaces which may involve a remote control, mouse, trackball, microphone, digital video camera, dedicated button set, etc.

As shown in Figure IB, user interface 32 may contain a wired keyboard 34 that sends signals 36 (eg, infrared signals) to set-top box 38, which is connected to television 40. Information entered by the user it may be displayed on television 40 as part of a display screen of a system for transmitting messages on television as information is entered through wireless keyboard 34. If the system for transmitting messages on television is based on an interactive television programming guide, the display screen provided on the television 40 by the set-top box 38 may be an interactive television program guide display screen. The display screen displayed by the interactive television program guide or other display screens provided by program guides may contain program advertisements.

The user interface 32 may also be based on a keyboard 50 of a television screen as illustrated in Figure 1C. the user can select letters from the displayed alphabet to compose a message 52. In particular, the user can select letters from the letter keys 54 and spaces from the space bar 56. The user can select a letter so that it is highlighted (such as the letter L 58) by pressing arrow keys and an enter key (also called the OK or select key) on a remote control. Press the OK key on the remote control

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INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY directs the programming guide containing functions for transmitting messages or the standalone application for transmitting messages to place the selected letter adjacent to the cursor 62. The user can select the SHIFT 51 option to place a capital letter in the message 52. In this way the user can compose the text of a message.

If desired, the user can compose messages by selecting messages from a list of standard messages 7C or words 72 displayed on a display screen such as display screen 75, as shown in Figure ID. Words or messages can be predetermined, determined by the user, or both. If determined by the user, they can be specifically entered by the user in the list, or they can be automatically saved by the system based on messages previously sent by the user. A word or message can be selected by pressing arrow keys on a remote control to position the highlight region 76 over a particular word or message, such as message 2 in Figure ID. then the user can select the highlighted word or message by pressing an enter key (or select or OK) on the remote control.

The system 10 allows users of the television equipment 20 to exchange messages related to the television program while they are watching television. The user can send messages with the system 10 without the effort involved in operating a personal computer and the software associated therewith. Furthermore, the system 10 allows users to retain the high video quality and range of channels of a television set while they are exchanging messages with similarly situated users.

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OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

As shown in Figure 2A, a television scheduling entity 80 may comprise a message server 82 for storing messages sent between a user television equipment 88, 92, and any other such user television equipment. The television scheduling entity may be a message transmission facility associated with a television channel that receives and processes messages sent by user television equipment to a television program or channel. Television user sets 88 and 92 are connected via communication paths 90 and 94 respectively to television distribution facilities 84 which are in turn connected to television programming entity 80 via communication links 86. The communication links 86 may be satellite links, telephone network links, fiber optic links, cable links, microwave links, combinations of such links, or any other suitable communication path.

The messages can be handled by a server that is not located in the television distribution facility, as illustrated in Figure 2B. For example, messages can be stored on server 91 and transmitted between user television sets 97 and 98 through neighborhood nodes 95 and 96. The user television sets 97 are connected to the neighborhood node 95 through communication routes 99, and the user television sets 98 are connected to the neighborhood nodes 96 through communication routes 101. The neighborhood nodes 95 and 96 reduce the bandwidth requirements on communication routes 103 for a given number of television sets for users 97 and 98. Neighborhood nodes 95 and 96 direct television programming from the

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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television distribution facility 93 ^ _las_aqui ^ e&gt; s-&gt; de. user television 97 and 98. Neighborhood nodes 95 and 96 can also direct messages between server 91 and user television sets 97 and 98. Neighborhood nodes 95 and 96 can also direct requests to perform many of the system functions to transmit messages described therein from the user television sets 97 and 98 to the server 91. The responses from the server 91 are returned to the user television set via a neighborhood node.

As Figure 3 shows, messages can be distributed along communication pathways 102 from a user television equipment 100 associated with the television distribution facility 104 to another user television equipment 100 associated with this facility, using a message server 106 placed in the facility. Messages sent between two user television sets 100 associated with television distribution facility 104 may be stored on message server 106 at television distribution facility 104. An advantage of limiting the operation of the message system to individual television distribution facilities is that it allows individual cable system operators (for example) to control their systems, and that it does not involve coordinating the transmission of messages related to television programs. ongoing between different geographic areas or different time zones. If desired, the messages exchanged by the television user equipment 100 can be stored by a message server 108 that is connected to the television distribution facility 104 through the communication network 110. The communication network 110 can be

<img file="MX345906B_D0017.tif" />

any suitable communication network such as the Internet, a public or private telephone network, a network involving satellite links or wireless links, a cable network, etc.

The system for transmitting messages may also be configured such that users of one or more of the user television sets 120 can exchange messages with one or more of the user television sets 100. The user television set 120 is associated with a different television distribution facility than the user television equipment 100. User television sets 120 are connected to television distribution facility 116 via communication pathways 122. Message server 118 can be used to store messages. The configuration of message server 118 and user television equipment 120 may be based on a client-server arrangement. Television distribution facilities 104 and 116 may be connected to each other via communication network 110. Messages sent between the user television set 100 and the user television set 120 may be stored on the message servers 106, 108, 116, 118. If desired, any number of television distribution facilities may be connected to each other through communication network 110 or such other communication network to allow user television sets of these television distribution facilities to exchange messages with each other. .

In addition, messages can be transmitted between the television user equipment 100 or 120 and the communication equipment for user 114. The communication equipment for user 114 is connected through the network of

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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communications 110 to television distribution facilities 104 and 116. User communications equipment devices 114 can be any number of, for example, personal computers that can send and receive messages.

Another aspect of the present invention involves using the application to transmit television messages from the set-top box to provide the user with an opportunity to send messages related to a television program or channel that can be sent to certain receivers. Messages transmitted between users of the set-top box application are sent from a set-top box and are stored on a message server. The decoder of the receiving user can download the message from the message server after connecting with the message server. Once the message has been downloaded to the receiver's decoder, the receiver can review the messages using functions for transmitting messages provided by the decoder's application. Messages sent in this format may be withheld, in the sense that they are not necessarily received by the recipient immediately after they are sent. Messages can be stored on a message server for an extended period of time until they are accessed by recipients. Messages can also be sent by a user of television equipment to a television programming entity, such as a television channel, using the set-top box application to transmit messages on television.

Communications can also be sent between set-top boxes in the form of instant messages. Instant messages are messages stored only temporarily on the receiving terminal. An instant message

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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it is available to be viewed by the rpr-Apmr dnranfa for a limited period of time, after which the message is removed from memory. The message is deleted regardless of whether the recipient actually opened the message during the availability period. Instant messages are useful for transmitting information that is only valid for a limited period of time. For example, a user may wish to send a message containing the result of a soccer game to another user in the form of an instant message, because the result may change continuously during the game.

Referring now to Figure 4, the television display screen 130 provides the user with an opportunity to compose a message 132 related to a television program 148. The display screen 130 of the system for transmitting messages on television can allow the television program 148 to be displayed (for example, in the window 146 of the television screen) simultaneously with the interactive functions for transmitting messages shown in Figure 4 The size of program 148 has been reduced to fit completely within sale 146. Notices 14 9 may also be simultaneously displayed on display screen 130. Notices may be displayed by any of the display screens or user interface screens of the present invention.

The set-top box application may display screen 130 automatically at an appropriate time while the user is watching a television program 148. The set-top box application may also display screen 130 upon user prompts (for example, if the user presses a remote control button to 'transmit

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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messages). Information indicating that the television program has associated options for transmitting messages, such as those indicated by Figure 4, can be provided to the set-top box application by any suitable data distribution technique. For example, the TV message information can be obtained on demand by the set-top box from a server or in conjunction with the program guide advertisements from the main facility. If desired, the TV message information can be digitally encoded in-band with the television program signal on a digital channel. The information of the message can be decoded by a digital decoder together with the signal of the TV program. The TV message information can also be digitally encoded on a separate digital channel from the TV program signal. As another example, TV message information can be maintained in a 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 located in the decoder can be used to decode data contained in the VBI from a received television signal. TV message information related to any of the functions of the present invention described herein (eg, surveys, contests, promotions, merchandise to buy) can be provided to the user using any of the above suitable techniques.

The decoded data can then be used by the decoder application to determine if there is a decoder application to determine if there is an option for the user to send a message to an entity.

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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TV programming based on the fast t.dq Hai-nci data decoded by the decoder can also indicate the options available for sending messages and the return path or recipient address to which the messages can be sent (for example, the e-mail address of a television programming entity that has been designated to receive and process messages sent by users). If desired, information can be provided by TV messages using an out-of-band route. Such information can also be provided in the form of a digital data stream that accompanies other digital data streams (such as digital data for various television programs).

Screen 130 allows the user to send a message 132 to be read by another user (for example, a text message, or a graphic message that contains text) to the TV channel that broadcasts the program 148 by selecting option 134, to the producers of the television program 148 by selecting option 136, or to an individual cast member of the program 148 by selecting an option such as option 138 or option 140. Television channels include networks such as ABC, local partners, broadcast television stations, pay channels, cable channels such as HBO and CNN, etc. Once the set-top box application user has chosen one or more desired recipients for the message, they can send it by selecting option 142 send.

Then, the system for transmitting messages on television will send the message to a television programming entity, such as a facility for transmitting messages on television associated with the television station television equipment. The television programming entity will process the messages and answer them if

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE

OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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necessary. For example, a representative of the television channel at the television programming entity can read and reply to messages sent to the television channel. The television programming entity that actually receives the message from the user may also be, for example, the personal email address of a cast member or producer of the program. By selecting option 144, the user can cancel the message and rewatch the current program 148 on the full screen.

Figure 5 illustrates the process for sending a message to a television programming entity. At step 170, the set-top box application (for example, the interactive program guide with functions for transmitting messages or the standalone application for transmitting messages) operating on the user's television equipment provides the user with an opportunity to send a message to a television programming entity, for example the television station, producers of the television program or individual cast members of the television program. The decoder application can provide the user with an opportunity to indicate the desire to send a message by displaying an interactive screen such as screen 130 Figure 4. The interactive screen can be displayed automatically or if the user indicates it to the decoder application. . The interactive display may provide the user with an opportunity to enter the text of a message and to designate the desired recipients of the message. If desired, the recipients of the message can be preselected if there is only one potential recipient. Then the user can enter the information to send. Message information can include the text of the message and

IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PROPERTY INDUSTRIAL designated recipients.

At step 172, the television message transmission system sends the message to a message server associated with the television programming entity designated to receive and process the messages related to the television program or channel. The set-top box application may obtain the information necessary to transmit the message to a television programming entity (for example, the address of the recipient receiver) from program guide information obtained from the main facility or from data associated with a television program. television (for example, data embedded in the VBI of the television program signal). The recipient's address can be an email address or other information that identifies a site to which electronic messages can be sent. The destination address can also be stored in the television distribution facility. In this case, the set-top box application can transmit the message to the television distribution facility, which in turn transmits the message to its destination.

The set-top box message transmission application may also present the user with the option of entering information data on the users' profile at the user's home. Shown in FIG. 6A is an illustrative display screen 420 of a television messaging system that can be displayed by the set-top box application on the user's television set to input information about the users' profile. User names can be entered in box 422. Favorite programs

<img file="MX345906B_D0023.tif" />

User settings can be selected from a drop-down or expandable — l-iota —425. The display screen of the television broadcasting system can display additional programs in the drop-down list if the user selects arrow 426. The categories of the user's favorite programs, such as sports programs, movies, news segments, programs comedians, etc. they can also be selected using drop down list 432. The user may select arrow 438 to display additional categories of programs. The user's favorite channels can be selected from a drop-down list 430. The user can select arrow 428 to display additional channels on their television screen. Information not related to TV programs (eg date of birth, address, age, etc.) may also be entered as part of the user profile. The user can enter the city and state of their home address in zones 441 and 443 of screen 420.

Television screen 420 may also provide the user with an opportunity to filter messages sent to him. The user can specify that all incoming messages be blocked, with the exception of messages from those users identified by the user in box 435. Alternatively, the user can specify that only messages from certain users be blocked. These users can be identified in box 437. The filtering function can be performed by the decoder or by the equipment for transmitting messages. The decoder or server controls all incoming messages and does not accept messages from users who have been blocked.

Once the user is done with entering

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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profile information can select * · option 43 &lt;t OK. The entered data is preferably stored in the set-top box, but can be stored on a remote server or on any part of the user's television equipment hardware, such as a separate storage unit connected to the set-top box. The user may select option 439 cancel to exit the display screen 420. The information about the users profile will not be stored if the user selects option 439 cancel. Additional features of an illustrated system for entering user profile information are described in Ellis et. to the; US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 034,934, filed June 11, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In addition, the system for transmitting messages can be configured similarly to the ICQ system, so that a user can publish the information about their profile so that it can be accessed by other users. ICQ is an Internet tool that informs Internet users who is online at any time and that enables users to contact each other at will. ICQ can search for individuals online and alert a user about the connection. The ICQ allows a user to chat, send messages and documents, search for websites, play games, or terminate communication with other Internet users while browsing the Internet.

Through the system for the transmission of messages, a user can fill out a questionnaire that includes personal information about his favorite television programs and also additional information not related to television such as his hobbies (using, for example, the

INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PROPIEDAD INDUSTRIAL visual presentation screen 420). The information on the user profile can be useful to find other users interested in exchanging messages on certain topics. Information about the user's profile can be stored on a remote server or at a nearby location such as the cable box. A user can access the profiles that have been published and form a list of colleagues or an address book of other users who have the same interests. The buddy list can include a user's identity, their TV preferences, and other interests.

The message transmission system can be configured so that a user must obtain permission from a second user before he can obtain the information about the second user's profile. For example, the message transmission system may send the second user a message indicating that the first user requested the information about the second user's profile.

If the second user accepts the request, the messaging system allows the first user to add the second user to their address list so that they have access to information about the second user's profile. Additionally, the messaging system may ask the second user if they want to add the first user to their address list. A user can add additional information about their profile based on their knowledge of the other user's preferences. The messaging system may also allow users to search for other users based on an ICQ number, an e-mail address, preferred TV shows, and / or other preferences.

Figure 6B shows a splash screen

IMPIASINSTITUTO M EX ICaNO DE LA MOHBDAD INDUSTRIAL - ^^ - 1 ^ - ^) 8 ^ visual 421 of the system for the transmission of messages by television to enter the information about the identity of the user, screen that can be presented on the television set of a user by the application for broadcasting messages on television from the set-top box. The visual display screen 421 of the television message transmission system of Figure 6B provides the user of the television equipment an opportunity to enter the name of a user in box 423, and the address of a user in box 427 The identities of users of television equipment and communications equipment can be entered on screen 421. The user of a television set may be addressed by a unique identifier assigned to a particular user that enables a message server to restrict access to messages to the appropriate recipient. The address of the user of a television set can be entered in box 427.

If the user selects option 429 OK, the set-top box application will save the information about the identity of the user (ie the name and address of the user) to a memory device such as the memory in Figure 1A. information about the identity of the user can also be stored on a server instead of a decoder. If the user selects option 431 cancel, the set-top box application will exit display screen 421 and will not save any information entered by the user in boxes 423 and 427. The user selects option 433 if they want to add the user's identity entered in boxes 423 and 427 to a group of identities that appears as a simple entry in a ticket book, such as the hockey fans entry in the address book 440 shown in Figure

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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6C. The function to group identities pef Π11 t'SST “TISUarló compile a list to form a group with the identities of friends who enjoy watching the same television program, channel or category of programs. The user can send a message to anyone in the group while watching a television program in which all members of the group are interested, by selecting this group in the address book. Members of the identity group will receive the message on the decoder and will be able to read it while they are watching the same television program as the sender of the message.

The identities of users whose identifying information has been entered on the display screen 421 of Figure 6B can be displayed by the set-top box application on the television screen in the format of an address book. The display screen of the television message transmission system shown in Figure 6C is an example of such an address book. The address book screen 440 displays a list 442 of user identities or user groups. The users can be individuals such as Mary Smith, or groups of individuals such as hockey fans, as illustrated by the names in list 442. An individual user can be part of more than one address book group. For example, Mary Smith may appear in the address book as an individual, and may be a member of the 5 Seinfeld fan groups, and movie lovers. List 442 can contain groups of 30 individuals who are interested in a particular program, type of program, or any other group identified by the user such as hockey fans, members of the

IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PROPERTY INDUSTRIAL excursion club, Seinfeld fan club, or movie lovers. The groups are not necessarily related to TV. If desired, the set-top box application may present on the television screen a pop-up option to send a message to individuals on a list in the address book while the user is watching a related television program (for example, Seinfeld ).

The user can select a recipient or recipients of a message, recommendation, gift, reminder, etc .; selecting an identity or identities from the list. Option 444 is highlighted to indicate that the user has selected Seinfeld fans as the recipient of a message. The user can select as many recipients of the message as they want from the names listed. The user may choose to enter additional identities of other users by selecting option 446 which returns the user to the television screen 421 of Figure 6B.

Once the recipients of the message have been selected (for example, using the arrow keys and pressing enter), the user can position the highlight region over option 448 OK, and press enter. The set-top box's TV messaging application can then retrieve the addresses for each recipient of the message. The system for transmitting messages by television can then send the messages to the appropriate message transmitting equipment for each of the receivers. The user may select option 450 to cancel and exit the display screen 440 containing the address book.

Referring now to Figure 7, television screen 180 allows a user of a computer to

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO M LA INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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Television Evaluate the television program you are watching. The user can select one of options 182, 184, 186 and 188 to evaluate the program displayed in window 198. The television program is simultaneously displayed in window 198 to help the user evaluate the program. Display 180 can also display 197 prompts. The user can also add comments to the evaluation by entering text in box 190, comments that can be distributed to the recipients together with the evaluation of the program. The user can select to whom he wishes to send the evaluation of the program. By selecting option 192, the user can send the program evaluation to a television programming entity, such as the TV channel that broadcasts the television program (or to an associated entity that compiles television programming data for the TV channel), selecting option 192. An evaluation can include a simple rating such as good or bad, it can include a textual comment.

The user may select option 194 to send the evaluation to other television equipment users as a recommendation to watch or not watch the particular program. In this case the set-top box application will display a user address book such as a display screen 440 so that the user can choose the desired recipients of the recommendation. The user can then select the send option 199 to send the assessment to designated recipients. The decoder application will include the identity of the TV program together with the evaluation or recommendation message. Then the system for the transmission of messages by television can transmit the evaluation to the addresses

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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recipients of the television programming entity obtained from the program guide information or data associated with the program. The television messaging system may transmit the recommendation to a messaging equipment (eg, a server) to be accessed by receiving users of television equipment. The communication pathways in Figures ΙΑ, 2A, 2B, and 3 illustrate the types of pathways that can be used with these processes. Ratings collected by this system from users can then be transmitted to the set-top box application and displayed in a variety of formats. For example, an interactive TV display screen may indicate that 37% of viewers gave the program 415 stars, 46% gave 3 stars, 10% gave 2 stars, and 796 gave 1 star.

Figure 8 shows an illustrative process for sending a television program rating or recommendation to a receiver. In step 220, the television set-top box application operating on the user's television equipment provides the user with an opportunity to evaluate a television program. The set-top box application may provide an opportunity to evaluate a program by displaying an interactive television display screen such as screen 180 in Figure 7. If desired, the set-top box application can provide the user with an opportunity to evaluate a program by pressing buttons. on your remote. The user can then enter the television program rating or recommendation by following the options or instructions displayed on the user's television. In step 224, the television message transmission system sends the evaluation or recommendation to the recipient address or to the

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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return. If the information is not known I use the digagción ,, ·. the evaluation or recommendation may be transmitted to a return path, which may be, for example, the user's television distribution facility. If the television distribution facility has enough information, it can forward the evaluation or recommendation to the appropriate recipient.

The television message transmission system of the present invention can also provide a fast and efficient way to collect television program ratings. A television program rating is an estimate of the number of people who are watching a television program based on a survey of a selected group of people. In the system for the transmission of messages by television of the present invention, each decoder connected to a given television distribution facility can send a message to the TV channel or an associated entity that indicates whether the user is watching the television program in progress . If the sample is taken from a large enough group, a rating can be determined from these data. This system provides television channels and ratings services a way to collect up-to-the-minute ratings on television programs from users who are currently watching the program.

As shown in Figure 9, the display screen 230 of the television broadcasting system may provide the user with an opportunity to participate in a survey related to television programs for example, a particular television program or a group of TV shows. The screen 230 of the system for transmitting messages can provide a user an opportunity to enter answers to questions 1

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE

PE LA RROFIEDAD INDUSTRIAL

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and 2, selecting one or more options from nnrinnpq 232a-c and 234a-d, respectively. The set-top box application can obtain the survey questions and the return path of the programming guide information transmitted from the main facility. Alternatively, some information may be encoded in the application to transmit messages from the set-top box. Prompts 235 may be displayed on screen 230 in conjunction with the survey questions.

If desired, the survey questions and the recipient's address return path can be digitally encoded in-band with the television program signal on a digital channel, provided in the signal's VBI, or provided by another. mode as data in conjunction with the television program. The set-top box application that works with the user's television equipment can then decode the survey data from the program signal or other associated channels, and indicate the availability of the survey option in a menu of program announcements in an interactive format, so that the user can access the survey (see, for example, Figure 13).

The user can answer an additional set of survey questions by selecting option 236. The user can submit the answers given to the survey questions by selecting option 238. The television broadcasting system will then send the responses to the survey as a survey message to the return route or address of the recipient (for example, a television programming entity such as a survey center for broadcast channels). television) for processing. User can cancel and return to a menu

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE

Say INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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or to a television program splproÍonanrin the npriήη 240 cancel. If desired, the TV set-top box application can provide the user with incentives to complete a survey, such as a chance to win a free month of programming or similar.

As shown in Figure 10, a system display screen 250 for the transmission of messages on television can provide the user with an opportunity to participate in a promotion related to a television program. The television channel that broadcasts a television program may offer a promotional giveaway as shown in Figure 10. A reduced-size image of the television program is displayed in window 256. In region 255 an advertisement is displayed. The user can enter the draw by selecting option 254. If the user selects option 252, the system for the transmission of messages on television will transmit a promotional message to the return route or to the destination address of the television programming entity. who is handling the promotion (for example, the television channel or an associated facility), so that the user will be entered into the giveaway. The promotion message can include the name and address of the user.

Then, the television message transmission system will send the message to a television programming entity associated with the television channel that broadcasts program 256 for processing. The return path or destination address of a television programming entity and other information about the promotion displayed on screen 250 can be obtained using any suitable technique, including encoding such information.

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE

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digitally in-band with the webcast program signal on a digital channel, embedding the information in the VBI of the programming signal, otherwise providing it as associated data in a program, or downloading the information to set-top box 26 from a server or from main installation 16 Figure 1A. If the user chooses to enter the sweepstakes, the television message broadcast system display screen 250 may require the user to enter their name and address and demographic information such as the user's programming preferences. The television programming entity may then send the user additional promotional information based on the interests of the user. The television programming entity (eg, the television channel) selects a winner from the set of users who have entered the draw. The winner can be announced at the end of the program. This promotion technique allows television equipment users to participate in promotions easily and easily without leaving their living rooms. A television promotion program will encourage users to watch the program and thus increase the ratings.

Referring now to Figure 11, the television message transmission system may provide a user of television equipment with an opportunity to participate in a television program contest. The Danger to Viewers program can be vertically compressed to fit the top half of the screen, it can be shortened by overlaying instructions on its bottom half, or it can be displayed using any other suitable arrangement. In any case, at least a part of the program can be seen by the user in the upper part 411 of the screen 410. It is simultaneously displayed in

<img file="MX345906B_D0032.tif" />

IMPI INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PROPIEDAD INDUSTRIAL the bottom of the screen 410 a user interface 416 related to the contest. This format allows a user to watch a television program and simultaneously participate in a contest. While a user is listening to questions about the Dangers for Viewers program, they can enter answers to the questions in box 412. Questions can also be displayed in portion 416 of screen 410 that contains the quiz user interface. If the user is satisfied with their answer, they can send it as a contest message to the return route or to the destination address by selecting option 414 or by pressing enter on their remote control. The return route or the address and destination of the television programming entity that receives the answers to the contest may be the installation for the broadcast of television programs that broadcasts the television program. In zone 415 a warning can be displayed.

Quiz questions and other quiz information (e.g. return path) can be digitally in-band encoded with the TV show signal on a digital channel, embedded in the VBI of the TV show signal, or they can be provided in conjunction with other associated data or they can be transmitted from a server to the set-top box through a separate channel. These provisions allow quiz information (such as quiz questions) and show feed to be continuously received by the set-top box during the course of a show. The contest information that appears on interface screen 416 can be updated as it is received by the decoder. Since the decoder simultaneously receives the signal from the program of

IMPI INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PROPIEDAD INDUSTRIAL television and contest information, the visual display screen 416 can be synchronized to the auulüll that occurs in the program as it unfolds. Contest winners can be determined immediately and can be announced during the course of the program. This aspect of the present invention enables television channels to implement interactive television programming for their users.

Figure 12 shows an illustrative process to allow a user to participate in a contest, promotion, or survey. In step 400, the set-top box application that works with the user's television equipment provides the user with an opportunity to enter information about a survey, promotion, or contest. These opportunities can be provided in the form of display screens such as screens 230, 250 and 410 of Figures 9, 10 and 11 respectively. The user can enter appropriate information about the survey, promotion or contest by following the prompts on screens provided by the visual display screens. At step 402, the television message transmission system sends the information about the survey, promotion or contest to the return path or destination address for processing. If desired, step 402 may involve the step of using the television message transmission system to transmit the message to the television distribution facility, so that the message can be transmitted to the appropriate recipient (e.g., an entity television programming).

As Figure 13 shows, programming guide announcements received by the cable box from the base station.

<img file="MX345906B_D0033.tif" />

IMPI INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PROPIEDAD INDUSTRIAL data from the programming guide in the main facility may indicate which television programs have available interactive functions to exchange messages with users (for example, an evaluation function, contest, promotion or survey). The display screen 150 of the television broadcasting system allows users to see what message broadcasting features are available with respect to broadcast television programs on a given time slot.

The user may enter a particular time segment in box 164 or select a time of interest in another way. The set-top box application then displays program announcements in column 154 for the programs to be broadcast on the channel in column 152 at the time indicated in box 164. The functions available for transmitting messages regarding a particular program are displayed by the decoder application at column 156. For example, the Wheel of Fortune program offers a contest in which a user can participate. The user can highlight contest option 162 and press their remote to enter the Wheel of Fortune contest. The I icon inside the circle 158 indicates that the channel provides more information regarding the Wheel of Fortune contest, which may be of interest to the user reading before entering the contest. The decoder application may provide the user an opportunity to read this information before entering the contest. The user can also simply watch the Wheel of Fortune program by highlighting option 155 in this program and pressing enter on the remote control. The user can scroll up or down the screen to view program and feature announcements to broadcast messages for more programs and channels, as indicated by the

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MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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fie chas 160. The pants

150 may display a notice such as the one in region 157.

The functions described with respect to Figure 13 can be provided for any ad format. For example, the system for the transmission of messages on TV can provide a list of all the functions for sending messages related to programs broadcast on a selected TV channel. The TV messaging system may also allow the user to search for programs by category or alphabetically, and announce the associated message functions for each program. If desired, the functions for transmitting messages on TV may be provided on a program information screen that allows a user to access multiple functions related to the program, including the message transmission functions described in this application.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to the ability of the system to broadcast messages on television to transmit reminder messages between users. Reminder messages are messages sent by one user to another user to remind them to watch a particular television program. The display screen 260 of the television broadcasting system shown in Figure 14 is an example of a user interface that allows the user to send a reminder message to another user's set-top box. A user can access the information screen 260 by selecting a program in the program guide advertisements and then pressing the info button on the remote control. Program guide announcements contain information about programs that are currently broadcasting on all available channels and programs that will be broadcast at future times. In the

IMPI

Mexican Institute of Industrial Property

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Information screen region 262 An ocn avi ^ has information regarding the program selected from the advertisements. By selecting option 264, the user can set a reminder for himself to watch the selected program. By selecting option 266, the user can send a reminder to another user of a television set. After the user selects option 266, the pop-up region 276 appears on the information screen 260. The user enters the address of the receiving user in box 270. The address may include a unique code that identifies the user and the message server from which the receiving user can receive messages. The user can also select the identity of the recipient from the address book by selecting option 272. More than one recipient can be entered. Once a receiver is selected, the user selects option 274 OK (done). Now the reminder message is transmitted to the recipient (s). A notice may also be displayed in region 275.

A reminder message can also be sent to the user of a television equipment from a website that has program advertisements and that supports the transmission of reminder messages such as www.tvguide.com. An Internet user can select a program from the advertisements displayed on the website and enter the address of a receiving user. The website transmits the reminder message to the recipient through a server.

Referring now to Figure 15, television screen 280 shows how a reminder message that has been sent by one user and received at another user's set-top box can be displayed. The receiver's decoder app displays the reminder message

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OF THE PROPERTY for a short time (for example, 10 minutes) before broadcasting the program related to the reminder, regardless of the reception time of the reminder message by the decoder, If desired, the reminder message can be displayed at other times or more at once. For example, the reminder can be displayed when the user turns on the television for the first time within a twelve hour interval prior to the broadcast of the program. The set-top box application can also display the reminder the first time the user turns on the TV after the set-top box received the reminder message. These methods help to ensure that the user sees the reminder even if they are not watching television moments before the broadcast of the program. The illustrative reminder message 282 of FIG. 15 is displayed as a relatively small overlay on the television screen 280 to interrupt the viewing of the program 284 by the user as little as possible. The view of program 284 can also be collapsed so that no part of the program is obscured by the reminder message. The reminder message 282 indicates to the user that the Oprah program will be broadcast on the ABC channel at 4 pm The user can accept the reminder message by selecting the OK option 286, in which case the decoder application will tune to the channel corresponding to the local affiliate of the ABC network.

Reminder messages can also be sent across different time zones or local broadcast areas. If a set-top box receives a reminder message, it will search through the program guide advertisements to determine when the program will be broadcast in the user's time zone or local area. Then, the application of

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INDUSTRIAL - decoder displays the reminder message on the television screen at an appropriate time before the broadcast of the program. The user can decline the reminder message by selecting option 288 cancel, whereupon the message disappears from the TV screen. The identity of the sender of the reminder message is displayed in region 283. If the set-top box application does not recognize the sender, region 283 may display the sender's address or website. The display of the sender's identity is useful, as it allows the user to block the sender's reminders in the future. In region 285 a reminder may be displayed as shown in Figure 15. If desired, multiple reminder messages may be displayed in a single overlay. The overlay can include both reminders posted by the user, as well as reminders posted by other users.

The system for broadcasting messages on television can provide the user with an opportunity to block all future reminder messages sent by a specific sender or by all senders. A message displayed to the user may include an option to block all future reminder messages from all senders, such as option 287. The reminder message may also include an option, such as option 289, that allows the user to block all future reminder messages from the user who has sent the current reminder. Additionally, the reminder message may include option 281 that configures the message system such that all reminder messages are blocked except those sent by the sender of the current reminder. These blocking functions can be implemented to block other types of messages received on the

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decoder. The filtering and DTUqilUUÜHSU11 functions in this can be performed on the decoder connected to the receiver's television set, on a remote server, or on a television distribution facility.

Figure 16 shows an illustrative process for allowing a television set of one user to send a reminder to another user of another television set. At step 290, the set-top box application operating in connection with a user's television equipment provides an opportunity to send a reminder message to a receiving user's remote set-top box. The opportunity to send a reminder using an interactive display of the system for broadcasting messages on television, such as screen 260 in Figure 14. The user can enter reminder information such as the address of the receiving user and information about the TV show.

In step 294, the television messaging system may send the reminder to the receiving user's message server for subsequent download by the receiving user's television equipment.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to sending and receiving text, audio or video messages between users of television equipment and users of communications equipment (eg, Internet users, personal computer users, etc.). The messages are similar to messages in an electronic mail (e-mail) in that they are stored on a message server and can be downloaded by the decoder application by the receiver at any time. The user's television equipment can communicate with the message server using any network

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA PROPIEDAD INDUSTRIAL ^ ¿^ £ 25 ^ adequate, including the networks shown and described by Figures 1A, 2A, 2B AND 3. Messages can be sent to the mail server of a user's Internet service provider to be subsequently downloaded by the user's computer. The television message transmission system may also allow users to message other users about program guide information, such as TV program announcements, program times, and program information.

As shown in Figure 17, the set-top box application may provide the user of a television set an opportunity to send a message to another user via a user interface such as the display screen 300 of the message transmission system. By television. Screen 300 may be displayed by the set-top box application on the television as requested by the user (eg, if the user presses a message button on their remote control ). Screen 300 allows a user to compose a message and send it to another user of television equipment or a user of communications equipment.

The user can compose the text of the message in box 308 using a wireless keyboard such as that shown in Figure IB. If desired, the user can compose a text message using a television screen keyboard such as that shown in Figure 1C or by selecting messages or words from a standard list as shown, for example, in Figure ID. The message sent by the user may be related to the television program displayed on screen 304. For example, the message Nice game! refers to a television program such as a football game that the user is watching on

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INDUSTRIAL window 304. If desired, a user of a television set can send another user an "aua ± o" message - similar to a voicemail message using the set-top box application, speaking into a microphone connected to the set-top box. A user can even send an image or a video recording of himself with or without an audio message through the decoder application, using a camera that communicates with the decoder, so that the receiver can watch a video recording of the transmitter on his device. of TV.

The user can enter the name or address of the receiver in box 302. In Figure 17, the name Bob has been entered in box 302, The decoder application will compare the name Bob with an address previously entered by the user in the box. decoder app address book. An e-mail address for recipients of a message who are Internet users can also be entered in box 302. The user can designate the message as an instant message by selecting option 303 or as a message to be saved by selecting option 305. An instant message is deleted from the memory of the receiving terminal after a short period of time, while a message to be saved it is stored indefinitely in the memory of the receiving terminal. The message in box 308 is only relevant for a short time during the course of the program. Therefore, the user may wish to designate it as an instant message.

The user can also send an audio message by selecting option 307 or a video message by selecting option 309. The user can compose an audio message by speaking into a microphone connected to the

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set-top box or sending an audio clip from a program ρί user can compose a video message using a camcorder, a VCR, or using video clips or video still images from a TV program. The video can be recorded using a local storage device (for example, the cable box connected to the TV) or on a server. The user can also submit video clips from a library on the server. The user can also send another user information from the programming guide as a message or part of a message by selecting option 311. The information in the programming guide can be a brief description of the program in window 304 or a portion of the advertisements from the program guide, or a schedule of a TV program or channel. The user can send the message to the recipients by selecting option 306 send. The user can cancel the message by selecting the cancel option 310 and return to the set-top box application menu or to the full screen of the current television program. A warning may be displayed in region 301 of screen 300.

As Figure 18 shows, if the receiver of a message is a user of a television set, the set-top box application connected to the receiver's television set may display the message on the television screen some time after it has been received by the receiver. decoder. The set-top box application can periodically access all messages sent to the user from a message server and download them to the set-top box. The message server can communicate with user television sets using any suitable configuration, including the configurations shown in Figures 1A, 2A, 2B, and 3.

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Television screen 320 is an example of how the message can be displayed. The message can be received by the user's decoder 26 and stored in memory 25 (Figure 1A). The set-top box application may then display the message on the user's television screen (eg, television 30 of Figure 1), preferably in a way that interrupts as little as possible the user's viewing of the program 330. However, the message must be large enough for the user to read it. In Figure 18, the set-top box application displays message 324 in window 322 located in the lower left corner of screen 320 while the user is watching television program 330.

If desired, the set-top box application connected to the television set may display an icon such as a small letterbox in the corner of the television screen or light a light on the set-top box front panel to indicate to the user that a message has been received. message from another user. Then the user can access the content of the message by pressing a specific button on the remote control. The message can be displayed in one corner of the screen, as shown in Figure 18, or on the full screen.

Window 322 displays the content of message 324 and the sender of the message. If the set-top box application does not recognize the sender or if the sender name is not part of the message, the set-top box application may instead display the sender's path or address. Message 324 may contain an advertisement or other information added by the set-top box application or the message server. In Figure 18, the current result of the NFL game is added to message 324 in region 325. Message 324 can also be

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OF THE PROPERTY X ^ ux ^^ tí ^ 'INDUSTRIAL contain a title that can be entered by the issuer or an additional notice. Window 322 provides the user with an opportunity to reply to the message by selecting option 326 reply, or to remove the message from the screen by selecting option 328 delete. If the user chooses to reply to the message, the set-top box application can take the user to an interactive screen such as screen 300 in Figure 17, so that the user can compose a reply message. The user can block future messages received from the sender by selecting option 321. In this case, the sender's address is stored locally or on the message server so that future messages from this address will be filtered.

As shown in Figure 19, the system for transmitting messages on television can allow a user of a television equipment to transmit a message to another user of another television equipment, the message being selected with criteria related to the broadcast program. TV. The set-top box application may provide the user with an opportunity to select the criteria related to the program to be used when sending messages to the receivers through the use of a user interface such as that of the system's display screen 200 for transmission. of messages on television. The criteria can be other users of television equipment who are currently watching a particular television program (for example, the current television program) (option 202), other users interested in a particular program (for example, the television program in progress) (option 204), other users interested in the same channel (for example, the same channel on which the television program is broadcast on

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course) (option 206), or other interested users ^ £ juJ-a-Jiiiama. program category (for example, in the same category to which the current program belongs) (option 208). The set-top box application can determine the program in progress by accessing the database with the program announcement information stored in memory 25 or on a remote server. The set-top box application may also determine the current program by accessing a database (for example, a program announcement database stored locally on the set-top box or on a server) and using information about the current time (for example, if the decoder or the server has access to the use of a clock) and on the current channel (known by the state of the tuner in the decoder 26).

The recipients of the message can be selected in various ways. For example, the set-top box application can allow the user to see the names of other users in the address book and retrieve by filtration only those other users who have an interest in the same program, channel, etc., by selecting option 210. The message It will be sent only to those other users who have the appropriate interest (as determined by the user). If desired, addresses and users with certain preferences can be provided. In this case, the decoder application can automatically search the address book for users who are interested in the current program (options 204, 206 and 208). Users interested in a certain category of programs can be identified in a group stored in the address book such as movie lovers or fans of Monday night football games as shown in Figure 6C. These groups from the book of

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Addresses can be selected via option 208. Users interested in a particular program can be identified in a group stored in the address book such as Seinfeld fans as shown in Figure 6C. These groups can be selected using option 204. If desired, a message can be sent to particular persons, entities or groups individually selected by the user from his address book regardless of his interest, using option 210. In any case, the system for transmitting messages on television can transmit the messages. messages to a message server until they are accessed by the recipient.

If desired, the system for the transmission of messages by television can send a message related to a given program to a particular message server with the indication that the message is directed to the viewers of the given program to users interested in the program, at users interested in the program's channel, or users interested in the program's category. The message server can group the messages with other messages related to the given program, channel or category. Then, the message server can allow any user's set-top box application to access all messages about the programs, channels or categories that are of interest to the user of that set-top box or that said user is currently watching. Any other user who wants to access messages related to a program, channel or category of programs can download those messages from the message server to their decoder, so that they can read them on a television set.

A user can indicate the application of the

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set-top box that wants to access messages related to a program you are currently watching, for example by pressing a message button on your remote control. In a programming guide, a user can access messages related to any program of interest by highlighting a program advertisement for that program in a programming guide and pressing the message button on their remote control or by selecting an option from the guide menu. programming. The set-top box application may then provide the user with an opportunity to access messages related to specific channels, or categories of programs in a similar way. The messages can be downloaded by the decoder application from the message server to the decoder, for reading by the user. The decoder application can display the messages in a list ordered by sender, message topic, etc. Then the user can select from the list the messages they want to read.

Figure 20 shows an illustrative process for transmitting a message selected based on criteria related to other television programs, composed by a user of a television equipment, to other users of other television equipment. At step 340, the TV set-top box application that operates with the user's television equipment provides the user with an opportunity to send a message to other users based on criteria related to a television program. The set-top box application can provide this opportunity by displaying a user interface such as a system display screen 200 to as a system display screen 200 for transmitting messages on television. The message to be sent

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it can be, for example, a rprnmpnrhHón to watch a program. The message can be entered into the set-top box application using, for example, the display screen 180 in Figure 7. If desired, the message can be related to the context of an entered program, using, for example, the display screen. display 300 of Figure 17. The user can select the recipients for a message from the options provided, for example, by means of the visual display screen 200 of Figure 19. In step 342, the television message transmission system transmits a message to a message server to be accessed by receiving users.

The set-top box application may provide the user with an opportunity to send a gift to another user of television equipment or to a user of communications equipment (eg, an Internet user). As shown in Figure 21, a system display screen 350 for television message transmission may be used to allow users to scroll through television program advertisements 352 to find a particular television program. Program announcements can be organized by airtime and by channel. Program guide advertisements can include paid channels such as PPV1 and PPV2. The user may be provided with an option to purchase a paid program such as Titanic from the PPV1 channel. Option 364 is highlighted to indicate that the user has selected Titanic.

The system display screen 350 for the gift options available for a particular program selected by the user from among the

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programs. Information regarding freebies available for a particular channel or program may be part of the programming guide information that the set-top box receives from the main facility, it may be digitally encoded in-band with the signal of the television program on a digital channel , it may be provided in the signal's VBI, or it may be otherwise provided as data associated with the television program. If gift options are available for Titanic, the set-top box will display such options as gift options 354, 356, and 358 that are available for the user selected program. The gift option 354 allows the user to purchase merchandise, a coupon to view a paid program, etc. By selecting option 360, the user can enter the identity of the recipient of the gift. Information on gifts related to a TV program can also be provided for a specific program on a programming information screen which the user can access by highlighting the program in the announcement grid and then pressing an info button on the remote control.

A gift can be processed if the user selects the send option. Information on gifts may be reported to a television distribution facility or programming entity for processing. The amount corresponding to the cost of the gift may be debited from the user's current account at the television distribution facility or any other suitable account mechanism may be used. The recipient of a gift can be notified of the gift by a message received on the receiver's decoder or by e-mail sent to an Internet user. Gift merchandise can be shipped to the recipient. If the gift is a paid program, it can be credited

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the sum of the gift or certificate of t-cjtIi, i stream of paid programs of the recipient. If the receiver is not a user of a television set with a cable box (for example, he is an Internet user), the user can be notified of the gift and can obtain an access code that allows him to watch free paid programs on his television until the gift limit amount. If the receiver subscribes to the services of the same television distribution facility 16 as the sending user, the access code can be provided and communicated by said television distribution facility.

If desired, television distribution facilities can form a network allowing the sender and receiver to be subscribed to different television distribution facilities. The TV messaging system can also automatically authorize a paid gift program for the recipient without requiring an access code. In another embodiment, the local program guide receiving the paid program gift may allow the recipient of the gift to access the paid program without charging the cost to the recipient and without requiring an access code.

Referring now to Figure 22, the television messaging system display screen 370 is an example of a user interface that enables a user to purchase merchandise related to a program. The set-top box application may display screen 370 if the user selects a gift option such as option 354 on screen 350 (Figure 21). Screen 370 provides the user with an opportunity to select merchandise related to the program that they wish to purchase as a gift for another user. Options

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Merchandise 372, 374, 376 and 378 represent merchandise items related to the Titanic program that can be purchased by the user. If the user wishes to buy by credit card, the user can enter the number and expiration date of his credit card in boxes 380 and 382, ​​respectively. If the user wishes to debit his checking account with the television distribution facility, he can select the payment option by checking account 384. In region 381 of screen 370 the notice may be displayed.

Referring now to Figure 23, the television message transmission system display screen 460 is an example of a user interface that allows a user to enter information about the identity and address of the recipient of a gift. The set-top box application may display screen 460 if the user selects an option such as option 360 enter receiver from screen 350 (Figure 21). Screen 460 provides the user with an opportunity to enter information about the recipient of the gift, so that the recipient can be notified of the purchase of the gift and can receive the gift. The user can enter the name of the gift recipient in region 462. The patron can enter the patron's postal address (eg, home address or mailbox) in region 466 if the gift is a tangible item, such as program-related merchandise that must be physically shipped to the recipient. The user can enter the television address of the recipient of the gift in region 468, the television address can be the address that corresponds to the television equipment with functions to transmit and receive messages from the recipient user. A notification of the

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purchase of a gift can be sent to the email address, the postal address or the television address. If desired, the television address may correspond to the gift recipient's television distribution facility, so that the gift recipient can receive a credit for the paid program gift or gift certificate purchased by the issuing user.

Figure 24 shows an illustrative process for allowing a user of a television set to purchase a gift through the system for broadcasting messages on television. In step 390, the application that is placed on the decoder of the television set provides the user with an opportunity to send a gift to a recipient. The set-top box application may provide this opportunity through a user interface such as display screen 350 of FIG. 21. The gift may be related to a television program such as program-related merchandise or a paid program. After the user selects the gift and the recipient thereof, in step 392 the television message transmission system transmits the information about the gift, for example the purchase of merchandise related to the program, to the distribution facility. television station or to a remote server or programming entity. The user's account may be an account to pay for paid programs or another account maintained with the television distribution facility, an account maintained with a television channel, an account maintained with a third party (such as a bank), an account with credit card such as Visa, or any other suitable account. In step 394 the receiver can be notified by the dispatcher of the merchandise, or by the installation of

TMPI ^ Λ · 'TUTO MEXICANO 8 LA PROPERTY INDUSTRIAL television distribution that handles paid programming for that receiver. The recipient can be notified by means of an electronic message sent to the message server that stores the messages for the recipient.

Many of the functions of the present invention can be used with a remote control that has a two-way interactive display. An example of a display screen remote control is shown in Figure 25. Remote control 480 contains display screen 482 which can be any suitable type of display. A user can compose a message addressed to another user using buttons 484. Pressing any of the 484 buttons causes the selected letter or number to appear in front of the 491 cursor. The user can delete a letter or number by pressing the shift button 488. The user can enter the receiver's address in region 495 of the 482 screen. , and you can send the message by selecting option 494 send. The user can navigate between selected areas of the screen 482 using the arrow buttons 498. For example, if the user presses the enter button 490, the message will be sent to the receiver. Pressing the down arrow key activates address region 495, so pressing buttons 484 will insert letters and numbers into region 495.

The user can also view messages sent by other users by selecting option 492. Option 492 opens the user input box so that you can directly read incoming messages on screen 482. These functions give the user more privacy when composing messages and read incoming messages. Therefore, the remote control display screen is a two-way interactive remote display that allows the

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user compose and send, as well as gaoibir, and read messages. Additional functions of an illustrative display screen remote control are described in Herrington et al., US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 138,868, filed June 11, 1999, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. A screen of a remote control can also be used for chats between users. Additional features of an illustrative television talk system are described in DeWeese et al., US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 356,270, filed July 16, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.