US20030066085A1 - Internet television program guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

An Internet television program guide system is provided that allows a user at a multimedia system to access information related to television programs over an Internet communications link. The user can view and select television program guide listings, including listings for pay-per-view programs. A program information web page may be provided for programs selected by the user. The program information page may include a selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip of the selected program. An order web page may be provided for users to order selected pay-per-view programs over the Internet by selecting an on-screen option in the order web page.

Description

• This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/560,207, filed Apr. 27, 2000, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/938,028, filed Sep. 18, 1997 (now abandoned), which is a nonprovisional of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/032,539, filed Dec. 10, 1996. All of these prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to the Internet, and more particularly, to techniques for providing television program guide information and services to a user over the Internet.[0002]
• A large number of television channels are available over cable television systems and satellite television systems. Television viewers have traditionally had to consult preprinted television program listings to determine which programs were scheduled to be broadcast on a particular day. More recently, television-based program guides have been developed that allow television viewers to view television program listings directly on their television sets.[0003]
• For example, the Prevue® channel is a scrolling television program listings service that a cable system operator may make available to subscribers over a dedicated cable channel. Viewers can tune to the appropriate television channel to view program listings for television programs that are currently being broadcast and are scheduled to be broadcast in the next few hours. Although the Prevue® channel is a valuable service, the viewer is somewhat constrained by the passive nature of the service. For example, the viewer cannot view television listings for the next day or week.[0004]
• As a result, more advanced television program guide services have been developed that allow the service provider to deliver television program listing data to the user's set-top box. The data is typically delivered over the television cable system infrastructure (e.g., on a given television channel during the vertical blanking interval or over an out-of band channel). Software in the set-top box allows the viewer to display the television program listings on the viewer's television set.[0005]
• These program guide services allow the user to manipulate the television listings by searching or sorting through the listings using criteria such as genre, channel, and broadcast time. An example of a such an interactive television program guide is the Prevue Express® guide of Prevue Networks, Inc. of Tulsa, Okla., the assignee of the present invention.[0006]
• Although passive scrolling guides and interactive set-top box guides are useful sources of television program guide information, millions of users with personal computers have not been able to obtain on-line television program listings. In addition, users have not been able to select from diverse options that allow the user to view promotional video clips, interview segments, audio clips, and other multimedia material related to a given television program.[0007]
• It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a television program guide system that provides television program listings from a server to a user's multimedia system over an Internet communications link.[0008]
• It is a further object of the present invention to provide a television program guide system that allows users to click on text or still images to view promotional video clips, audio clips, interview segments, and other multimedia material related to a given television program.[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the present invention by providing an Internet television program guide system. A computer system having a media library and a data server is used to provide multimedia clips and related television program guide data. The multimedia material and program guide data are provided to a web server. The web server provides this information to the user's multimedia system via an Internet communications link.[0010]
• The multimedia system has a processing unit for receiving information from the Internet communications link and processing such information accordingly. The multimedia system also has a video unit for receiving television signals. In a first embodiment, the processing unit is based on a personal computer running a standard web browser with plug-ins. The video unit is based on a television. In a second embodiment, the processing unit and video unit of the multimedia system are provided by an integrated personal computer and television unit. In a third embodiment, the processing unit is in an Internet capable set-top box and the video unit is based on a television.[0011]
• The web server may be located adjacent to the computer system and the program guide data and multimedia material provided to the multimedia system via the Internet. Alternatively, the web server may be located in a cable system headend. When the web server is located in the cable system headend, program guide data and other multimedia material may be provided to the web server via a satellite link. The program guide data and multimedia material are provided to the multimedia system over an Internet communications link.[0012]
• Television program guide data and related multimedia information are preferably provided to the user's multimedia system in the form of one or more web pages. Because such an arrangement allows the use of the widely adopted hypertext transfer protocol (http) and emerging web standards, a user with a personal computer can access information using commonly available web browser software. Because program guide information is distributed over the Internet, the user can access this information at remote locations. For example, the user can access the television program guide service while traveling by car, bus, train, or plane, from a hotel room or business meeting, from a personal computer at work, or in any suitable environment in which there is a link to the Internet. In all arrangements (whether the user is accessing the program guide service from their home or from a remote location), the system benefits from using the established protocols and standards of the Internet.[0013]
• In addition, because the Internet television program guide is provided as a web site having a number of linked web pages, features can be easily added or deleted from the service by the service provider, without directly affecting the hardware and software of the user.[0014]
• Using a web site platform also allows a wide range of service options to be provided. In particular, numerous media formats (animation, full motion video, sound, still images, and text) are supported and may be interconnected using various embedded hypertext transfer protocol links.[0015]
• Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.[0016]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a media library and data server interconnected with a web server and various multimedia systems.[0017]
• FIG. 2 is a generalized diagram of a user's multimedia system.[0018]
• FIG. 3 is a system diagram similar to that of FIG. 1 showing an arrangement in which the web server is located in a cable system headend.[0019]
• FIG. 4 is a diagram of a home page for an Internet television program guide.[0020]
• FIG. 5 is a diagram of a map-based menu for identifying a geographical area of interest.[0021]
• FIG. 6 is a diagram of a map-based menu for a smaller geographical region than shown in FIG. 5.[0022]
• FIG. 7 is a web page informing the user that no service is available.[0023]
• FIG. 8 is a web page offering alternatives to local service.[0024]
• FIG. 9 is a web page allowing the user to provide information regarding the user's multimedia system to the service provider.[0025]
• FIG. 10 is a web page presenting various program guide options to the user.[0026]
• FIG. 11 is a web page containing information on community events.[0027]
• FIG. 12 is a web page providing the user an opportunity to give feedback to a local cable system operator.[0028]
• FIG. 13 is a web page containing information pertaining to the local cable operator's system.[0029]
• FIG. 14 is a web page containing weather information.[0030]
• FIG. 15 is a web page presenting various program guide options including direct links to related program guide and movie guide television channels.[0031]
• FIG. 16 is a web page containing television program guide listings organized by time.[0032]
• FIG. 17 is a web page presenting a menu of channel selections.[0033]
• FIG. 18 is a web page containing television program guide listings organized by channel.[0034]
• FIG. 19 is a web page containing icons representing category options.[0035]
• FIG. 20 is a web page containing television program guide listings organized by category.[0036]
• FIG. 21 is a search page containing a box for entering search text and various search field options.[0037]
• FIG. 22 is a television program guide listing page based on the results of a search.[0038]
• FIG. 23. is a web page presenting program guide options related to promotional clips, interview segments, and pay-per-view and premium services.[0039]
• FIG. 24 is a web page presenting various image stills that may be selected by the user when it is desired to view related video clips.[0040]
• FIG. 25 is a web page presenting user options regarding pay-per-view and premium services.[0041]
• FIG. 26 is a web page containing television program listings for a selected pay-per-view channel.[0042]
• FIG. 27 is a web page containing television program listings for a selected premium channel.[0043]
• FIG. 28 is a web page providing information regarding upcoming pay-per-view sporting and special events.[0044]
• FIG. 29 is a web page containing still images corresponding to available interview segments.[0045]
• FIG. 30 is a program information web page containing information on a program selected by the user and presenting related options.[0046]
• FIG. 31 is a web page that allows a user to enter information for ordering a pay-per-view event.[0047]
• FIG. 32 is a web page that provides a showcase for advertisers.[0048]
• FIG. 33 is a web page containing detailed advertising information on a selected topic or television program.[0049]
• FIG. 34 is a site map showing the options that are selected and the links that are traversed in navigating among the television program guide web pages of FIGS.[0050]4-33.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• An Internet television[0051]program guide system10 is shown in FIG. 1. Television program information is stored inmedia library12 anddata server14.Media library12 preferably contains an array of compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) disks, digital video disks (DVDs), or other suitable media for storing multimedia content.Media library12 contains television program clips and related interviews and reviews. The television program information stored inmedia library12 is primarily video-based.Data server14 maintains various databases of television program information. For example,data server14 may have a remote media database containing descriptions of videos inmedia library12.Data server14 may also have a database containing information on standard titles, a pay per view database containing information regarding pay-per-view events, and a scheduling information database.Data server14 may have a cable system operator database containing channel lineups, information on the time zone of the operator, weather data for the operator's region, data on the zip codes in the cable system operator's area, etc. Other databases may be supported bydata server14, as desired. The television program information indata server14 is primarily in non-video formats.
• [0052]Media library12 anddata server14 are interconnected withtransmission server16 viainternal network18.Media library12,data server14,network18, andtransmission server16 make upcomputer system19. Television program information may be stored ondata server14 in a relational database format and may be stored ontransmission server16 in an object-oriented database format. A building process implemented in the C⁺⁺ programming language can be used to periodically (e.g., once a day) build a temporary data set of television program information (e.g., a seven-day to one-month data set) for storage ontransmission server16.Transmission server16 also receives information for the Internet television program guide service such as weather data, sports scores, etc., viadata input17.
• Television program information and related data may be transferred from[0053]transmission server16 toweb server20 viacommunications line22.Communications line22 may be part of an internal network or may be a standard dedicated communications line.Web server20 can be connected to theInternet24 via communications link26. Communications link26 is preferably a telephone line or other suitable Internet communications path.
• If[0054]transmission server16 andweb server20 are separate devices, as shown in FIG. 1,transmission server16 can be used as a common data processing facility for other applications which use the type of television program data stored ontransmission server16. If desired, the functions oftransmission server16 andweb server20 can be integrated in a signal machine.
• [0055]Web server20 uses standard protocols such as the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol) and hypertext transfer protocol to make the television program information available over theInternet24 to users atmultimedia systems28,30, and32 viacommunications links34,36, and38. Communications links34,36, and38 are Internet links formed from telephone lines, radio-frequency (RF) links, cable modem links, satellite dish links, combinations of links such as these, or any other suitable Internet connection paths.
• Multimedia system[0056]28 haspersonal computer40 and may have television42. Certain program guide features require thatpersonal computer40 be able to control television42 vialink41, which may be, e.g., an infrared communications link.Link41 allowspersonal computer40 to tune television42 using control signals. Television42 receives television signals from input44. The television signals received by input44 and the other television signal inputs shown in FIGS.1-3 may be provided by cable television, satellite television, broadcast television, a combination of such sources, or any other suitable source of television programming signals. Internet access for multimedia system28 is provided via Internet communications link34.
• [0057]Multimedia system30 has an integrated personal computer andtelevision46, such as the Gateway 2000 Destination® PC-TV hybrid available from Gateway 2000 Inc. of North Sioux City, S. Dak. Television signals are provided atinput48. Internet access is provided via Internet communications link36.
• Multimedia system[0058]32 has an Internet capable set-top box50. Set-top box50 may use the TV OnLine® set-top box application software of World Gate Corporation, which may be implemented on set-top boxes such as the CFT-2200® of General Instrument Corporation of Hatboro, Pa. and the 8600x® of Scientific Atlanta of Atlanta, Ga. Set-top box50 receives television signals viainput52. Internet access is provided via Internet communications link38. Video display signals containing television and Internet information are provided totelevision54 byline56.
• During operation of[0059]system10, certain data processing functions, such as user-initiated searches and sorts, are typically performed onweb server20. If desired, such functions can be performed on a suitable data processing component inmultimedia systems28,30, and32.
• Certain television guide functions require only that[0060]multimedia systems28,30, and32 contain web browsing capabilities. Other functions require television tuning and video recording capabilities. FIG. 2 shows a generalized multimedia system arrangement that is capable of supporting controlled television tuning and video recording, if desired. As shown in FIG. 2,multimedia system58 has aprocessing unit60, which preferably contains memory for storing instructions and a microprocessor for executing the instructions. Processingunit60 accesses the Internet viaInternet link62.Video unit64, which may be connected to processingunit60 bycommunications line66, containsrecording unit68,tuner70, and monitor72. Television signals are received atinput74.
• [0061]Tuner70 is used to select television programs from television signals oninput74 for viewing or recording.Tuner70 may be controlled under the direction of control signals provided by processingunit60 over communications link66. Television signals and Internet information can be viewed usingmonitor72. Recordingunit68 allows the user to make videocassette recordings of television programs. Recordingunit68 may also be controlled by control signals from processingunit60.
• The operation of[0062]processing unit60 is determined based on the execution of instructions stored in memory inprocessing unit60 and on control inputs received from the user viauser interface76. Suitable user interfaces include handheld infrared remote controls, keyboards, pointing devices, and voice recognition devices.
• Multimedia systems such as[0063]multimedia system58 of FIG. 2 may be used in place ofmultimedia systems28,30, and32. Alternatively, systems such assystems28,30, and32 may be modified to incorporate features like those shownmultimedia system58. For example, if it were desired to provide a multimedia system with circuitry to handle video recording, video recording units (such as recording unit68) could be provided in systems such asmultimedia systems28,30, and32. In addition, in systems such assystem58, certain components may be used more than once (e.g.,tuner70 may be contained within both a television component and a videocassette recorder component in system58).
• Regardless of the specific configuration of the multimedia systems used in[0064]system10, the user of such a multimedia system has the capability to access television program guide information onweb server20. Many of the features of the Internet program guide service are available using multimedia systems with the capabilities of a modern personal computer (desktop or laptop). If it is desired to use certain program guide features that rely upon controlling a tuner or recording unit, the multimedia system should also have the ability to tune to a desired television program from among the various television programs provided atinputs44,48,52, and74 and have the ability to record that program automatically, under the control of commands from processingunit60. Additional features may also be implemented onmultimedia system58.
• Another configuration that may be used for an Internet television program guide system is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, Internet television program guide system has[0065]media library80 anddata server82.Media library80 contains television program clips, interviews, and reviews. The television program information stored inmedia library80 is primarily video.Data server82 contains databases of television program information. For example,data server82 may have a database containing descriptions of videos inmedia library80.Data server82 may also have a databases containing information on program titles, pay-per-view events, and television program schedules.Data server82 may have a cable system operator database containing channel lineups, information on the time zone of the operator, weather data for the operator's region, data on the zip codes in the cable system operator's area, etc. Other databases may also be supported bydata server82. The television program information indata server82 is mainly in formats other than video.
• [0066]Media library80 anddata server82 are interconnected withtransmission server84 viainternal network83.Media library80,data server82, andinternal network83 make upcomputer system87. Television program information may be stored ondata server82 in a relational database format and may be stored ontransmission server84 in an object-oriented database format. A building process implemented in the C⁺⁺ programming language may be used to periodically (e.g., once a day) build a temporary data set of television program information (e.g., a seven-day to one-month data set) for storage ontransmission server84.Transmission server84 also receives information for the Internet television program guide service such as weather data, sports scores, etc., viadata input85.
• A[0067]web server86 is provided in eachcable system headend88.Cable system headend88 has additional components (not shown) for distributing cable television signals to customers in the servicearea surrounding headend88. Providingweb server86 in a location that is relatively close to users allows television program information to be provided to the users efficiently.
• Television program information (including video clips and associated television program data) is transmitted from[0068]transmission server84 to eachcable system headend88 viasatellite uplink90 andsatellite downlink92. Eachweb server86 uses the Internet TCP/IP protocol to make the television program information available to users atmultimedia systems94,96, and98 viarespective communications links100,102, and104.Communications links100,102, and104 are Internet links formed from telephone lines, radio-frequency (RF) links, cable modem links, satellite dish downlinks, combinations of links such as these, or any other suitable Internet connection paths. Although illustrated as direct links betweenmultimedia systems94,96, and98 andweb server86,communications links100,102, and104 may be Internet paths that pass through extensive portions of the Internet.
• [0069]Multimedia system94 haspersonal computer106 and may havetelevision108.Television108 receives television signals frominput110. Access toweb server86 is provided via Internet communications link100.
• [0070]Multimedia system96 has an integrated personal computer andtelevision112, such as the Gateway 2000 Destination PC-TV hybrid. Television signals are provided atinput114. Access toweb server86 is provided via Internet communications link102.
• [0071]Multimedia system98 has an Internet capable set-top box116, such as the TV OnLine® set-top box. Set-top box116 receives television signals viainput118. Access toweb server86 is provided via Internet communications link104. Video display signals containing television and Internet information are provided totelevision120 byline122.
• The system hardware shown in FIGS.[0072]1-3 for providing television program guide Internet services is illustrative and other suitable hardware arrangements may be used, if desired. Regardless of the particular hardware system that is used, however, the present invention preferably involves providing television program guide services and features to users over the Internet in the form of multiple web pages that use the standard hypertext transfer protocol (http). In the system of FIG. 1, web pages and associated program guide features (such as searching, etc.) are provided usingweb server20. In the system of FIG. 3, web pages and associated features are provided usingweb server86.
• Because television program guide services are provided using web pages, the program guide services may be accessed using standard web browsers operating on the appropriate processing unit in the user's multimedia system. For example, in[0073]multimedia system58 of FIG. 2, a web browser may be implemented usingprocessing unit60. Suitable web browsers include the Internet Explorer® web browser of Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. and the Netscape Navigator® web browser of Netscape Communications Corporation of Mountain View, Calif. Such web browsers support the viewing of various types of multimedia content, such as video stills (JPEG or GIF files) and video and audio clips (AVI, MOV, and MPG files). If desired, certain of these multimedia support functions may be provided as web browser plug-ins (i.e., special software modules designed to enhance the features of a web browser application). A suitable video player plug-in for MOV files is the Quicktime® application of Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. AVI and MPG (or MPEG—Motion Picture Expert Group) files may be played using the ActiveMovie® application of Microsoft Corporation.
• An illustrative[0074]welcome page124 for the television program guide service of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. (A site map is shown in FIG. 34.) Webbrowser function keys126 help the user atmultimedia system58 to navigate through web pages of material such aswelcome page124. Users may also navigate by clicking on an image or an element of highlighted text withcursor142, which may be controlled by a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball. Other arrangements for selecting links may be used if supported by theuser interface76 that is provided inmultimedia system58. Webbrowser function keys126 include back and forward keys that allow the user to navigate backward and forward along a browsing trail. Webbrowser function keys126 are not shown in the other FIGS., but are shown in FIG. 4 to illustrate the types of function keys that are available with a standard web browser.
• Welcome[0075]page124 may contain identifying logos128 (which may be, for example, United States trademarks). Identifyinglogos128 allow a user to quickly associate a service provider, such as the assignee of the present invention, Prevue Networks, Inc. of Tulsa, Okla., with the Internet television program guide service. If desired,welcome page124 can containsummary instructions130 that inform the user of some of the features available with the service. Other web pages (not shown) may contain links that point to welcomepage124.
• [0076]Advertisements132 and134 allow a service provider to generate revenues from parties who wish to advertise products using Internet television program guide system10 (FIG. 1) or78 (FIG. 3).Advertisements132 and134 may be video stills, may be animated, or may include full-motion video. Audio material can also be associated withadvertisements132 and134. For example, supplemental audio information can be provided when a user clicks onadvertisement132 or134. If desired,advertisements132 and134 may be linked to web sites provided by the advertising parties. Theadvertisements132 and134 that are displayed may periodically (e.g., once every few seconds) cycle through different advertisements for different advertisers.
• An important aspect of the Internet television program guide service provided by system[0077]10 (FIG. 1) and system78 (FIG. 3) relates to on-line television program listings and information on upcoming movies and special events. The user may be presented with a number of choices regarding the type of on-line information that is available. For example, the user may be presented with the opportunity to select between golocal option136, gonational option138, and gosatellite option140. Additional features of the service may be accessed after the user has selected one of these options.
• If the user desires to select go[0078]local option136, the user may be prompted to enter a zip code for the local area of interest inbox144. If service is available, the program guide system links the user to an appropriate local system operator's web site based on the zip code information. If desired, the user can select a local area by entering information such as a cable system operator's name, the name of a city, international country and city information, etc. Another way in which the user may select a local service area of interest is using a map-based graphical user interface. As shown in FIG. 5, the user is presented withUnited States map146. The user selects a state ofinterest using cursor142. If necessary, additional maps containing greater levels of detail are provided, each allowing the user to make further geographical selections. Ultimately, the user is presented with a local map (e.g., a map that allows the user to select from several available cable system operators). Inmap148 of FIG. 6, the user can select between three available cable system operator regions:region1,region2, andregion3.
• If no local service is available, the user may be provided with a web page such as no[0079]service page150 of FIG. 7, in which the user is informed that local service is not presently available in the area selected by the user. Noservice page150 may provide the user with an opportunity to submit the user's e-mail address, cable provider information, local zip code information, and comments. Information provided by the user can be used by the operator of the television program guide system to solicit participation from non-participating local cable operators.
• If no local service is available, the user may also be provided with pick again[0080]page152, as shown in FIG. 8. Pick againpage152 provides the user with another opportunity to select gonational option138 or gosatellite option140. In addition, pick againpage152 provides the user with select acity option154, which is associated with a less restrictive set of program information than go local option136 (FIG. 4). With select acity option154, the user may select a desired city using arrow key156 (or alternatively, could type the name of the city directly into box158). After entering the desired city, the city information is submitted to the system by clicking on submitbutton160. Because select acity option154 is less localized than golocal option136, choosing select acity option154 makes it more likely that there will be a set of program listings available for the user.
• If service is available for the user in either the city selected in[0081]city option154 or the localized geographic area selected in golocal option136, the user is presented withregistration page162, as shown in FIG. 9.Registration page162 may contain instructions prompting the user to enter an e-mail address and information concerning the user's computer equipment. As with many of the other web pages provided in connection with the Internet television program guide service of systems10 (FIG. 1) and78 (FIG. 3),registration page162 contains an identifying logo164 andadvertisements166 and168.
• Upon completing[0082]registration page162, the user is presented with localcable site page170 of FIG. 10, which is customized to reflect the local geographic area or city selected by the user. Localcable site page170 may contain a welcome message172 that is customized to reflect the name of the local cable system operator.
• A number of[0083]options174 may be presented as hypertext links to associated web pages. Animage175 is displayed that changes as the user placescursor142 on top of eachoption174. For example, theimage175 of FIG. 10 is presented when the user positions cursor142 overprogram guide option190. Different images are displayed ascursor142 passes over eachoption174. Theimages175 to be displayed are stored as bitmap images inprocessing unit60 of multimedia system58 (FIG. 2). This technique of presenting context-sensitive images to illustrate the current position of the cursor over hypertext link options is preferably used throughout the Internet television program guide service.
• Various web pages may be displayed depending on which[0084]option174 is selected by the user. For example, selectingcommunity events option176 presents the user with community events page178 (FIG. 11), which contains information on local upcoming community events. If desired, the listed community events may be specific to the type of service to which the user subscribes (e.g., cable or satellite).
• Selecting[0085]cable feedback option180 presents the user with cable feedback page182 (FIG. 12), which allows the user to submit an e-mail address and comments to the local cable system operator.
• Selecting[0086]cable operator option184 takes the user to cable operator page186 (FIG. 13), which contains information related to the local cable system. For example, by clicking onicon187, the user may be provided with a weekly report prepared by the cable system operator.
• If the user wishes to customize the program guide service, the user may click on customize option[0087]185 (FIG. 10). Selecting customizeoption185 presents the user with a customization web page containing guide features that the user can customize, such as channel line-ups and genre-specific display colors (e.g., pink for sports program listings and orange for movie program listings). The customization web page may also contain user-selectable options that control how the user receives reminder messages when a desired program is about to start on the user's television. The user can direct the system to provide a pop-up reminder on the television screen, to send the user an e-mail reminder, or to remind the user via a predetermined paging number, etc. Customizeoption185 may be provided in any suitable portion of the program guide service, such as on a program guide listings page (FIG. 16).
• Another[0088]option174 that is available on local cable site page170 (FIG. 10) islocal weather option186. Selectinglocal weather option186 takes the user to local weather page188 (FIG. 14). If desired, a map-based menu (such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) or other user input arrangement can be used to provide the user with the opportunity to select additional cities for which weather information is desired.
• [0089]Program guide option190 allows the user to access television program listings that can be organized by time, channel, and category and can be searched. Selectingprogram guide option190 takes the user to program guide menu page194 (FIG. 15).Movie guide option192 allows the user to access channel listings for premium and pay-per-view channels, interviews, and various promotional media. Selectingmovie guide option192 takes the user to movie guide menu page196 (FIG. 23).
• The user may reach program guide menu page[0090]194 (FIG. 15) from go national option138 (FIGS. 4 and 8) or go satellite option140 (FIGS. 4 and 8). If the user selected go local option136 (FIG. 4) and successfully completed registration page162 (FIG. 9), the user may reach program guide menu page194 (FIG. 15) by selectingprogram guide option190 on local cable site page170 (FIG. 10). The user may also reach program guide menu page194 (FIG. 15) via select acity option154. Each of these paths to programguide menu page194 requires that slightly different user selections be made.
• Go local option[0091]136 (FIG. 4) requires that a user specify a particular local region (or cable system operator) of interest to reach local cable site page170 (FIG. 10). To reach program guide menu page194 (FIG. 15) from localcable site page170, the user selectsprogram guide option190.
• Go national option[0092]138 (FIGS. 4 and 8) requires that a user select a desired time zone (e.g., eastern, central, mountain, or pacific). To reach programguide menu page194 from welcome page124 (FIG. 4) or pick again page152 (FIG. 8), the user selectsprogram guide option284.
• Go satellite option[0093]140 (FIGS. 4 and 8) requires that the user select a desiredsatellite provider286. To reach programguide menu page194 from welcome page124 (FIG. 4) or pick again page152 (FIG. 8), the user selectsprogram guide option288.
• Select a city option[0094]154 (FIG. 8) requires that the user enter information specifying a particular city. When the user submits the city information by clicking on submitbutton160, the user is taken to registration page162 (FIG. 9). The user reaches programguide menu page194 from local cable site page170 (FIG. 10) after completing the form onregistration page162.
• Regardless of which option is used to reach program guide menu page[0095]194 (FIG. 15), information is preferably retained by thesystem10 or78 that indicates which selections have been made by the user. Retaining this information allows subsequently displayed program listings and other information to be automatically customized to reflect the user's selections.
• As shown in FIG. 15, program[0096]guide menu page194 may be constructed from two smaller web pages:top web page198 and abottom web page200.Top web page198 contains graphics and text-basedoptions202 that are common to many different system operators.Bottom web page200 may contain system specific promotional materials, such as pay-per-view video promotion204. Dividing programguide menu page194 in this way allows system resources to be used more efficiently than would otherwise be possible, because the common material intop web page198 can be used for more than one local cable system.
• If desired,[0097]television channel options206 and208 may be provided that allow the user to easily access related television channel program services. When the user selectsoptions206 or208, processing unit60 (FIG. 2) sends control commands tovideo unit68 thatdirect tuner70 ofvideo unit64 to tune to a television channel on which the desired program service is being broadcast.
• For example, if the user wishes to tune[0098]video unit64 to the Prevue® channel, the user may click on program guidetelevision channel option206. When program guidetelevision channel option206 is selected, processingunit60 directsvideo unit64 to select the appropriate television signal fromtelevision signal input74 so that the Prevue® channel is displayed onmonitor72. The Prevue® channel is an example of a type of program guide service that displays a scrolling list of television program titles with a concurrent display of promotional videos and advertisements.
• If the user wishes to tune[0099]video unit64 to the Sneak Prevue® channel, the user may click on movie guidetelevision channel option208. When movie guidetelevision channel option208 is selected, processingunit60 directsvideo unit64 to select the appropriate television signal fromtelevision signal input74 so that the Sneak Prevue® channel is displayed onmonitor72. The Sneak Prevue® channel is an example of a type of movie guide service that displays promotional videos of upcoming pay-per-view events and premium channel offerings.
• [0100]Television channel options206 and208 allow user to jump directly from an Internet-based television program guide service to related program guides services provided on conventional television channels. Facilitating this type of direct link is beneficial for the user, because it allows the user to avoid the cumbersome steps of leaving the Internet-based service and manually tuningvideo unit64 to the appropriate channel while attempting to remember the correct channel number of the desired television service.
• [0101]Options202 allow the user to choose how to display various program listings for the user's preselected region of interest (national, satellite, or local).Typical options202 include bytime option210, bychannel option212, bycategory option214, andsearch option216.
• If by[0102]time option210 is selected, the user is presented with bytime page218, as shown in FIG. 16. Bytime page218 containsprogram listings220 that are organized in channel order from top to bottom and by broadcast time from left to right. In bytime page218, the programs inprogram listings220 may be listed beginning with programs that are currently being broadcast. For example, if the current time is between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM,program listings220 may begin with programs that start at 1:30 PM. Alternatively, the programs inprogram listings220 may be listed based on a predetermined time slot (e.g., morning, afternoon, or prime time). If desired, the closest time slot to the current time may be displayed.Program listings220 typically contain information for about two hours of programing.
• Cursors[0103]222 and224 are used to navigate to earlier or later time periods, respectively.Web browser cursors226 and228 allow the user to scroll through the program listings. The user may also navigate the program listings withtime navigation buttons230. For example, if the user would like to view program listings that begin in the morning, the user clicks on themorning navigation button230. If the user would like to view program listings for programs currently being broadcast, the user may click on thecurrent navigation button230. Program listings for different days in the month may be viewed by selecting the appropriate day fromcalendar buttons232.
• The user can chose between various available view options by selecting the appropriate time, channel, category, or search button from among[0104]view buttons234. Viewbuttons234 take the user to the same web pages that are presented when the correspondingoptions202 of FIG. 15 are selected. For example, bychannel option212 andchannel view button234 are both linked to by channel page242 (FIG. 17).
• Another component of by[0105]time page218 and various other web pages provided by the present system isprogram information box236. The contents ofprogram information box236 changes dynamically, depending on which program title inprogram listings220 is selected. For example, the user has clicked on the entry “Primal Fear” inprogram listings220 of FIG. 16. As a result, the contents ofprogram information box236 reflect this selection.Program information box236 typically contains the program title (e.g., Primal Fear), the running time of the program (e.g., 2:09), a brief description of the program (e.g., A hot shot . . . ), and a description of the program type or genre (e.g., drama movie). The program description may contain information on the actors in the program, the director, etc.Program information box236 typically provides a rating of the program, such as a star rating (e.g., three stars) or the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating for movies or the television rating for television programs. If the user desires to view additional information relating to the selected program, the user may click on closer look icon238 (or alternatively, on any portion of box236), which takes the user to program information page240 (FIG. 30).
• If desired, when programs are selected by a user that are currently being broadcast,[0106]direct tune button231 may be displayed. Whendirect tune button231 is clicked on by the user, processingunit60 directsvideo unit64 to select the appropriate television signal fromtelevision signal input74 to display the selected program onmonitor72.
• By[0107]channel page242 of FIG. 17 is presented when the user selects bychannel option212 from program guide menu page194 (FIG. 15) or when the user clicks on a channel view button, such aschannel view button234 of by time page218 (FIG. 16). Bychannel page242 containschannel list244.Channel list244 may be arranged in channel number order and may contain associatedicons246 for certain channels. A user can click on eachindividual channel248 inchannel list244 to obtain a list of program information based on the selected channel. A user can also click on a graphic or text link to a listed network's web site to be hyperlinked to that site.
• When a[0108]channel248 is selected, the user is presented with channelprogram list page250, as shown in FIG. 18. The selected channel in the example of FIG. 18 ischannel2. In channelprogram list page250,program listings252 for the selected channel may be arranged in time order, beginning with the current time. If programs inprogram listings252 extend into the next day, the programs may be separated bydate separation bar254.Title bar256 contains information identifying the currently selected channel.
• By[0109]category page258 of FIG. 19 is presented when the user selects bycategory option214 from program guide menu page194 (FIG. 15) or when the user clicks on a category view button, such ascategory view button234 of by time page218 (FIG. 16). Bycategory page258 containscategory list260, which may be presented in the form ofcategory icons262. A user can click anindividual category icon262 incategory list260 to obtain a list of program information based on the selected category.
• When a category is selected, the user is presented with category[0110]program list page264, as shown in FIG. 20. In categoryprogram list page264,program listings266 may be arranged in time and channel order, beginning with the current time and date.Program listings266 contain the channel information for each program adjacent to the program title. If a user wishes to view program information for a given channel, the user may click on one of the displayed channels. The user is then presented with a program list that is restricted to programs appearing on the selected channel.
• If desired, the program list that is displayed in category[0111]program list page264 may be limited to programs appearing in the next 24 hour period. The user may view information for later days by clicking on the appropriate day incalendar buttons270.
• [0112]Search page272 of FIG. 21 is presented when the user selectssearch option216 from program guide menu page194 (FIG. 15) or when the user clicks on a search view button, such assearch view button234 in by time page218 (FIG. 16).Search field options274 allow the user to select a search field, such as title, actor, category, description, rating. A search text string is entered insearch text box276.
• After search text has been entered in[0113]search text box276 and one ofsearch field options274 has been selected, the requested search is performed (e.g., by web server20 (FIG. 1) or web server86 (FIG. 3)) and the user is provided withsearch results page278 of FIG. 22.Search results page278 containsprogram listings280 that satisfy the search criteria specified using search page272 (FIG. 21). For example, theprogram listings280 in FIG. 22 resulted from a search for the text string “Gibson” in the actor search field, as shown by search criteria bar282.
• The user may reach movie guide menu page[0114]196 (FIG. 23) from go national option138 (FIGS. 4 and 8) or go satellite option140 (FIGS. 4 and 8). If the user selects go local option136 (FIG. 4) and successfully completes registration page162 (FIG. 9), the user may reach movie guide menu page196 (FIG. 23) by selectingmovie guide option192 on local cable site page170 (FIG. 10). Each of these paths to movieguide menu page196 requires that slightly different user selections be made.
• Go local option[0115]136 (FIG. 4) requires that a user specify a particular local region (or cable system operator) of interest to reach local cable site page170 (FIG. 10). To reach movie guide menu page196 (FIG. 23) from localcable site page170, the user selectsmovie guide option192.
• Go national option[0116]138 (FIGS. 4 and 8) requires that a user select a desired time zone (e.g., eastern, central, mountain, or pacific). To reach movieguide menu page196 from welcome page124 (FIG. 4) or pick again page152 (FIG. 8), the user selectsmovie guide option290.
• Go satellite option[0117]140 (FIGS. 4 and 8) requires that the user select a desiredsatellite provider286. To reach movieguide menu page196 from welcome page124 (FIG. 4) or pick again page152 (FIG. 8), the user selectsmovie guide option292.
• Regardless of which option is used to reach movie[0118]guide menu page196, information is preferably retained by thesystem10 or78 that indicates which selections have been made by the user. Retaining this information allows subsequently displayed program listings and other information to be automatically customized to reflect the user's selections.
• As shown in FIG. 23, movie[0119]guide menu page196 containshot picks option294,movie cruiser option296,main event option298, andinterview option300. When the user selects one of these options by clicking on the associated icon, the user is presented with a corresponding web page for that feature.
• If the user selects[0120]hot picks option294, the user is provided withhot picks page302, as shown in FIG. 24. Hot pickspage302 containsimages304,306,308, and310 of popular programs for which promotional materials are available.Images304 and308 typically contain program titles.Images306 and310 typically contain actor stills. The programs for whichimages304,306,308, and310 are displayed may be automatically selected in accordance with their upcoming frequency on the pay-per-view services. The upcoming frequency may be calculated based on the number of expected occurrences of a given program in a predetermined period of time (e.g., seven days). The predetermined period may be commenced starting with the current date and time, thereby allowing for a seamless crossing of the monthly barrier. The information used to determine which program images are displayed is preferably customized based on the selections (local, national, satellite, etc.) previously made by the user.
• When the user clicks on one of[0121]images304,306,308, or310, the user is taken to program information page240 (FIG. 30), which allows the user to obtain additional information, such as video clips and interview segments on the selected program. When a user clicks on pay-per-view link312 or pay-per-view link314, the user is taken to pay-per view page316 (FIG. 26), which provides the user with pay-per-view program listings for the selected program.
• When the user selects[0122]movie cruiser option296, the user is presented withmovie cruiser page318, as shown in FIG. 25.Movie cruiser page318 lists the pay-per-view and premium channels that are available to the user (based on previous selections). In particular,movie cruiser page318 contains pay-per-view channel options320 andpremium channel options322.
• If the user selects one of pay-per-[0123]view options320, the user is taken to pay-per-view page316, as shown in FIG. 26. Pay-per-view page316 containsprogram listings324 for pay-per-view events. Multiple pay-per-view programs may be simultaneously listed in a grid format or may be listed as shown in FIG. 26 for a selected pay-per-view channel (i.e., channel35). As with several other pages,page316 containsprogram information box325, which contains program information when a program fromprogram listings324 has been selected by the user. Clicking on box325 (or a closer look icon in box325) takes the user to program information page240 (FIG. 30).
• If the user selects one of[0124]premium channel options322 on page318 (FIG. 25), the user is taken topremium services page326, as shown in FIG. 27.Premium services page326 containsprogram listings328 for premium events. Multiple premium service programs may be simultaneously listed in a grid format or a single program may be listed as shown in FIG. 27 for a selected premium service (i.e., the Disney® channel) Program information box330 provides program information for a program that has been selected by the user. In the example of FIG. 27, the user has clicked on “Pete's Dragon.” Clicking on program information box330 (or a closer look icon in box330) takes the user to program information page240 (FIG. 30), where the user can view additional information on the selected program (i.e., information on the movie Pete's Dragon).
• When the user selects[0125]main event option298 from movie guide menu page196 (FIG. 23), the user is presented withmain event page332, as shown in FIG. 28.Main event page332 lists premium or pay-per-view sports events and other special events. By clicking on an event (e.g., event334), the user may be presented with an associated program information page (such aspage240 of FIG. 30), provided that additional information on the event is available. Alternatively, the user may be directly presented with pay-per-view order page336 (FIG. 31).
• When the user selects[0126]interview option300 from movie guide menu page196 (FIG. 23), the user is presented withinterview page338, as shown in FIG. 29.Interview page338 contains stillimages340 of various subjects. As with other pages in the Internet program guide service, the subjects presented oninterview page338 are customized to reflect the user's selected type of service (e.g., the user's selection of a particular cable system operator or the user's selection of national service or a particular satellite service). Accordingly,images340 relate to interviews for the movies and other programs currently available to the user. The determination of which interviewimages340 are to be made available oninterview page338 may be based on a calculation of the most frequently scheduled upcoming programs in a predetermined time period (e.g., in the upcoming week). If desired, interviews corresponding to programs not currently available to the user may also be provided. The user may select a given interview by clicking on one ofimages340. The user is then taken to program information page240 (FIG. 30).
• As shown in FIG. 30,[0127]program information page240 contains detailed information on a selected program (e.g., the movie Birdcage).Program information page240 preferably containsimage342, which may initially be presented as a still image of the program title (e.g., from a JPEG or GIF file). When a user clicks onimage342, an associated video clip is presented.Program information page240 also containstitle344,actor information346, andprogram description348. Additional information may includecontent information350 andgenre information352. If desired, information may be provided on the director, year of release, and other relevant items. Additional actor information may be supplied (e.g., in the form of biographical information and related video clips accessed by clicking on actors346).
• [0128]Interview icon354,commentary icon356, andpromotional clip icon358 represent available services. The user can view video clips of interviews on the selected program (i.e., the movie Birdcage) by clicking on the appropriate file-type option associated with a given service. For example, fileoptions360,362, and364 are associated with an interview service (represented by interview icon354). Clicking onfile option360 allows the user to view interview video clips using a protocol appropriate for an MOV file (e.g., using the QuickTime application). Clicking onfile option362 or364 allows the user to view interview video clip using a protocol appropriate for an AVI or MPG (MPEG) file (e.g., using the ActiveMovie application).Commentary icon356 andpromotional clip icon358 have associated file options (e.g., MOV, AVI, and MPG options) that allow the user to view commentary or promotional video clips for the selected program.
• [0129]Program information page240 contains information tied to the program selected by the user on previous pages. The user may reachprogram information page240 by various paths. For example, the user may select a program fromprogram listings220 in by time page218 (FIG. 16) by clicking on the desired program title. The user may also select a pay-per-view or premium program from pay-per-view page316 (FIG. 26) or premium services page326 (FIG. 27) by clicking on the appropriate listing. When the user reachesprogram information page240, program information is provided for the selected program. Icons and other indicators are used to identify which services are available for the selected program. For example, if no commentary video clips are available for a given program, then the file options belowcommentary icon356 may be omitted. Similarly, if no video still is available for a movie,image342 can be omitted.
• [0130]Program information page240 containsprogram listings366, which provide program title, channel, and time and date information for the selected program. In the example shown in FIG. 30, the movie Birdcage is appearing on channel35 (a pay-per-view channel) on three days in the next weekly period. When the user clicks on a pay-per-view entry inprogram listings366, the user is taken to order page336 (FIG. 31).
• As shown in FIG. 31,[0131]order page336 containsinstructions368 on how to order a pay-per-view event.Order page336 also contains telephone number query box370 and personalidentification number box372. The user may place an order for a pay-per-view event by clicking onplace order button374. Information entered by the user intoboxes370 and372 is used to verify the user's identity and account status. Once the user's information has been verified, the selected pay-per-view event may be delivered to the user's multimedia system.
• The way in which pay-per-view event orders are processed depends on the particular hardware used to deliver services to the user. Order and account verification information is generally electronically submitted to the headend cable system operator or a third party order fulfillment processor linked to the headend system. Equipment in the headend processes the order automatically and arranges for the delivery of the pay-per-view event to the user. Typically, the headend equipment directs equipment (such as a set-top box or similar integrated component) in the user's multimedia system to display the ordered event.[0132]
• In[0133]system78 of FIG. 3,web server86 atcable system headend88 may be used to receive and process pay-per-view orders submitted usingorder page336. After processing the order,web server86 can direct conventional pay-per-view equipment atheadend88 to authorize the display of the ordered pay-per-view event using set-top box116.
• Similar techniques for delivering pay-per-view events may be used with other hardware arrangements such as those shown in FIGS.[0134]1-3. If desired, afterweb server86 has processed the user's pay-per-view order,web server86 can communicate authorization information to processing unit60 (FIG. 2) in the user's multimedia system58 (FIG. 2). Processing unit60 (FIG. 2) can direct video unit64 (FIG. 2) to decode and display the pay-per view event from among the received television signals74 (FIG. 2) based on the authorization information.
• [0135]Order page336 can be provided with user-selectable options for recording programs and for reminding the user when selected programs are about to be broadcast. For example,order page336 may contain a clickable record button. Selecting the record option by clicking on the record button directs multimedia system58 (FIG. 2) to record the selected program (by controllingrecording unit68 ofvideo unit64 with processing unit60) when the selected program is being aired. Similarly,order page336 may contain a clickable reminder button. Selecting the reminder option by clicking on this button directsmultimedia system58 to remind the user of the upcoming selected program (e.g., 10 minutes before the scheduled broadcast time) by automatically tuning to the desired channel, by displaying a reminder message, or by issuing an audible reminder. Reminder messages may also be generated byweb server20 or86 and transmitted tomultimedia system58 by e-mail.
• If desired, these selectable recording and reminder features can be incorporated into other pages, such as[0136]program information page240, one of the pages containing television program listings, or a page presented to the user after clicking onplace order button374.
• When a user clicks on an advertisement (typically an image) in one of the web pages associated with the program guide service, the user may be taken directly to a more detailed advertisement page. Alternatively, the user may be taken to[0137]advertiser showcase page376, as shown in FIG. 32.Advertiser showcase page376 contains clickable images, such asimages378,380, and382, which are linked to more detailed advertising pages.Advertiser showcase page376 also may contain a advertiser logo image, such asimage390.Text bar392 contains clickable text fields that duplicate the selections available by clicking on images.
• The advertiser logo image in[0138]advertiser showcase page376 may be linked to the web site of the advertiser. For example,image390 may be linked to a web site for UPN, so that if the user clicks onimage390, the user will be taken to the UPN web site.
• If the user clicks on an image such as[0139]images378,380, or382 inadvertiser showcase page376, the user is presented withadvertisement page394, as shown in FIG. 33.Advertisement page394 contains detailed information related to the subject matter of the image that was selected from advertiser showcase page376 (FIG. 32). In the example of FIG. 33, additional information is provided on the program “The Sentinel,” because this program was selected inadvertising showcase page376 by clicking onimage382. If desired,advertisement page394 can contain appropriate links to further advertisement pages or to the advertiser's home page.
• FIG. 34 is a site map of the television program guide service. The service can be accessed from service[0140]provider home page396. Selecting the television program guide service fromhome page396 takes the user to welcomepage124. If the user selects the go local option and no service is available, noservice page150 and pick againpage152 are presented. If the user selects the go local option and service is available, the user is taken toregistration page162. If maps146 (FIG. 5) and148 (FIG. 6) are used to define the local area of interest, the maps may be provided inpath398 betweenwelcome page124 andregistration page162.
• Selecting an advertisement by clicking on its image may typically be done on any page containing an advertisement. In the example of FIG. 34, selecting an advertisement on[0141]registration page162 takes the user toadvertiser showcase page376. Selecting an image onadvertiser showcase page376 takes the user toadvertisement page394.
• Completing the registration form on[0142]registration page162 allows the user to proceed to localcable site page170. From localcable site page170, the user can viewcommunity events page178 by selecting the community events option. By selecting the cable feedback option, the cable operator option, or the local weather option, the user can accesscable feedback page182,cable operator page186, orlocal weather page188.
• If the user selects the go national option on[0143]welcome page124, the user is taken to programguide menu page194 or movieguide menu page196, depending on whether the user selected the program guide or movie guide option. Similarly, if the user selects the go satellite option onwelcome page124, the user is taken to programguide menu page194 or movieguide menu page196, depending on whether the user selected the program guide or movie guide option. The user can also reach programguide menu page194 or movieguide menu page196 from pick againpage152 or localcable site page170. If the user reaches programguide menu page194 from either pick againpage152 or localcable site page170, the local area of interest to the user is retained by the system, so that subsequently displayed program guide listings can be customized to the user's local area.
• When the user is at program[0144]guide menu page194, selecting the program guide channel option tunes the system directly to programguide television channel400. Similarly, selecting the movie guide channel option tunes the system to movieguide television channel402. Selecting the time option from programguide menu page194 takes the user to bytime page218. If a program is selected that is currently being broadcast and is therefore available for the user to view, a direct tune option may be displayed on bytime page218 or any page containing program listings. Selecting the direct tune option tunes the user's television unit directly to selectedtelevision channel404.
• Selecting the channel option from program[0145]guide menu page194 takes the user to bychannel page242. When the user selects a desired channel, channelprogram list page250 is displayed. Selecting the category option from programguide menu page194 takes the user to bycategory page258. When the user selects a desired category, categoryprogram list page264 is displayed.
• When the user at program[0146]guide menu page194 selects the search option,search page272 is presented.Search page272 allows the user to enter search terms and to initiate a search of a program database. After the search is performed,search results page278 is displayed.
• Selecting the movie guide option from[0147]welcome page124, pick againpage152, or localcable site page170 presents the user with movieguide menu page196. If the user selects the interview option, the user is presented withinterview page338. When the user selects an interview frominterview page338, the user is taken to programinformation page240 to view the interview. If the user selects the hot picks option from movieguide menu page196, the user is presented withhot picks page302. When the user selects a hot pick from the displayed images onhot picks page302, the user is taken to programinformation page240 to view a promotional video clip for the hot pick. If the user selects the main event option from movieguide menu page196, the user is presented withmain event page332. When the user selects a given event frommain events page332, the user is taken to programinformation page240 to view information on that event. Alternatively, the user may be taken to orderpage316 to place an order for the event.
• Selecting the movie cruiser option from movie[0148]guide menu page196 presents the user withmovie cruiser page318. The user can view pay-per-view page316 by selecting the pay-per-view option. The user can viewpremium services page326 by selecting the premium option. Programs may be selected by the user from either pay-per-view page316 orpremium services page326. In either case, the user is taken to programinformation page240 to view additional information on the selected program.
• [0149]Program information page240 allows the user to view multimedia material on a given program, interview, event, etc. The content ofprogram information page240 depends on the path taken to reachprogram information page240 and the options selected by the user.Program information page240 contains options that allow the user to select a program to view. When the user makes such a program selection, the user is presented withorder page336.
• The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.[0150]

Claims (69)

What is claimed is:

1. A method for providing web pages of information to a user of an Internet television program guide system, the method comprising:

providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link, wherein the web pages of program listings include program listings for scheduled pay-per-view programs;

providing a pay-per-view program information web page for a pay-per-view program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link; and

providing a selectable option for allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program over the Internet communications link.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected pay-per-view program before ordering the selected pay-per-view program.

3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

4. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one scheduled time listing for which the selected pay-per-view program is to be broadcast.

6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein each of the at least one scheduled time listing is a selectable hyperlink.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the selectable option is a hyperlink, the method further comprising:

providing an order web page from the web server in response to the user selecting the hyperlink; and

allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program with the order web page.

8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising providing instructions on how to order the selected pay-per-view program on the order web page.

9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the instructions include a customer service telephone number and procedures for obtaining a personal identification number.

10. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the order web page prompts the user to enter user-specific information used to verify the user's identity.

11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the user-specific information is a personal identification number.

12. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the user-specific information is a telephone number.

13. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a cable system operator for processing.

14. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a third party order fulfillment processor linked to a cable headend.

15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising:

automatically processing the order and verification data using equipment at the cable headend; and

arranging for delivery of the selected pay-per-view program.

16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising using equipment at the cable headend to direct the multimedia system to display the selected pay-per-view program.

17. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising:

processing the order and verification data entered on the order web page with the web server; and

transmitting authorization information from the web server to equipment located at the user's premises to allow display of the selected pay-per-view program.

18. An Internet television program guide system for providing web pages of information to a user, the system comprising:

means for providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link, wherein the web pages of program listings include program listings for scheduled pay-per-view programs;

means for providing a pay-per-view program information web page for a pay-per-view program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link; and

means for providing a selectable option for allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program over the Internet communications link.

19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected pay-per-view program before ordering the selected pay-per-view program.

20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

21. The system ofclaim 19, further comprising means for providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

22. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one scheduled time listing for which the selected pay-per-view program is to be broadcast.

23. The system ofclaim 22, wherein each of the at least one scheduled time listing is a selectable hyperlink.

24. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the selectable option is a hyperlink, further comprising:

means for providing an order web page in response to the user selecting the hyperlink; and

means for allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program with the order web page.

25. The system ofclaim 24, further comprising means for providing instructions on how to order the selected pay-per-view program on the order web page.

26. The system ofclaim 25, wherein the instructions include a customer service telephone number and procedures for obtaining a personal identification number.

27. The system ofclaim 24, wherein the order web page prompts the user to enter user-specific information used to verify the user's identity.

28. The system ofclaim 27, wherein the user-specific information is a personal identification number.

29. The system ofclaim 27, wherein the user-specific information is a telephone number.

30. The system ofclaim 27, further comprising means for electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a cable system operator for processing.

31. The system ofclaim 27, further comprising means for electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a third party order fulfillment processor linked to a cable headend.

32. The system ofclaim 31, further comprising:

means for automatically processing the order and verification data using equipment at the cable headend; and

means for arranging for delivery of the selected pay-per-view program.

33. The system ofclaim 32, further comprising means for using equipment at the cable headend to direct the multimedia system to display the selected pay-per-view program.

34. The system ofclaim 27, further comprising:

means for processing the order and verification data entered on the order web page with the web server; and

means for transmitting authorization information from the web server to equipment located at the user's premises to allow display of the selected pay-per-view program.

35. A machine-readable medium for use in providing web pages of information to a user of an Internet television program guide system, comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link, wherein the web pages of program listings include program listings for scheduled pay-per-view programs;

providing a pay-per-view program information web page for a pay-per-view program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link; and

providing a selectable option for allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program over the Internet communications link.

36. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 35, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected pay-per-view program before ordering the selected pay-per-view program.

37. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 36, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

38. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 36, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

39. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 35, wherein the pay-per-view program information web page includes at least one scheduled time listing for which the selected pay-per-view program is to be broadcast.

40. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 39, wherein each of the at least one scheduled time listing is a selectable hyperlink.

41. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 35, wherein the selectable option is a hyperlink, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

providing an order web page from the web server in response to the user selecting the hyperlink; and

allowing the user to order the selected pay-per-view program with the order web page.

42. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 41, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for providing instructions on how to order the selected pay-per-view program on the order web page.

43. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 42, wherein the instructions include a customer service telephone number and procedures for obtaining a personal identification number.

44. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 41, wherein the order web page prompts the user to enter user-specific information used to verify the user's identity.

45. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 44, wherein the user-specific information is a personal identification number.

46. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 44, wherein the user-specific information is a telephone number.

47. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 44, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a cable system operator for processing.

48. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 44, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for electronically submitting order and verification data entered on the order web page to a third party order fulfillment processor linked to a cable headend.

49. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 48, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

automatically processing the order and verification data using equipment at the cable headend; and

arranging for delivery of the selected pay-per-view program.

50. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 49, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for using equipment at the cable headend to direct the multimedia system to display the selected pay-per-view program.

51. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 44, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

processing the order and verification data entered on the order web page with the web server; and

transmitting authorization information from the web server to equipment located at the user's premises to allow display of the selected pay-per-view program.

52. A method for providing web pages of information to a user of an Internet television program guide system, the method comprising:

providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link;

providing a program information web page for a program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link, wherein the program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected program; and

providing the video clip to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link in response to the user selecting the at least one selectable option.

53. The method ofclaim 52, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

54. The method ofclaim 52, further comprising providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

55. The method ofclaim 52, wherein the video clip is a preview for the selected program.

56. The method ofclaim 52, wherein the video clip is an interview related to the selected program.

57. The method ofclaim 52, wherein the video clip is a promotion related to the selected program.

58. An Internet television program guide system for providing web pages of information to a user, the system comprising:

means for providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link;

means for providing a program information web page for a program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link, wherein the program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected program; and

means for providing the video clip to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link in response to the user selecting the at least one selectable option.

59. The system ofclaim 58, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

60. The system ofclaim 58, further comprising means for providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

61. The system ofclaim 58, wherein the video clip is a preview for the selected program.

62. The system ofclaim 58, wherein the video clip is an interview related to the selected program.

63. The system ofclaim 58, wherein the video clip is a promotion related to the selected program.

64. A machine-readable medium for use in providing web pages of information to a user of an Internet television program guide system, comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for:

providing web pages of program listings from a web server to a user multimedia system over an Internet communications link;

providing a program information web page for a program listing selected by the user to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link, wherein the program information web page includes at least one selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the selected program; and

providing the video clip to the multimedia system over the Internet communications link in response to the user selecting the at least one selectable option.

65. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 64, wherein the at least one selectable option is a selectable image.

66. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 64, further comprising machine program logic recorded thereon for providing the user with an opportunity to specify a file-type for the video clip.

67. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 64, wherein the video clip is a preview for the selected program.

68. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 64, wherein the video clip is an interview related to the selected program.

69. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 64, wherein the video clip is a promotion related to the selected program.

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