US20050204382A1 - Interactive television targeted message system - Google Patents

Abstract

An interactive television system is provided in which targeted messages may be sent to users. The interactive television system may use an interactive television program guide or other interactive applications to provide interactive television services to users. An e-mail or other messaging application may be used to receive the messages. The messaging application may be separate from the program guide or other interactive television application or may be part of the program guide or other interactive television application. Messages may be targeted based on the television channels to which the user subscribes or based on which settings the user has established in the program guide or other application or based on any other suitable criteria.

Description

• This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/167,184, filed Nov. 23, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to distributing and using electronic messages in an interactive television environment.
• Interactive television applications such as program guides are well known. Such guides, which are typically implemented on set-top boxes, allow users to view television program listings on their home televisions. Typical program guides allow users to view information for television programs and channels and audio programs and channels. For example, a program guide may provide information on regular television channels, premium television channels, pay-per-view television channels, and music channels. A variety of display formats are typically supported. For example, program listings may be organized by time, by channel, and by category (sports, children, comedy, movies, etc.).
• Other interactive television applications include e-mail readers, web browsers, video-on-demand applications, home banking applications, home shopping applications, etc.
• Program guides typically receive program schedule data from a central source. Various data distribution schemes may be used. In one suitable distribution scheme, a global set of program schedule data is transmitted nationwide to numerous cable systems. Each cable system typically has a different channel lineup.
• As a result, the global set of program schedule data that is provided by the central source includes data for all cable systems. The global program schedule data may be filtered so that only an appropriate subset of the data is delivered to each subscriber.
• The central program guide data source may distribute messages to all subscribers in a particular cable system. Cable operators may also communicate with their subscribers using messages. For example, a cable operator may send a message to a subscriber who has not paid their last bill.
• It has not been possible, however, to use existing systems to deliver messages to particular subscribers that are targeted based on criteria such as subscriber-defined program guide settings or the channels to which the subscriber has subscribed.
• It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide targeted messaging systems for television service subscribers in a cable television system, satellite television system, broadcast television system, or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with the present invention, an interactive television system is provided. Television programming is delivered to users with equipment such as television equipment based on set-top boxes or the like or computer equipment. The system provides targeted messages to the users at such user equipment.
• Interactive television applications such as program guides, interactive messaging applications (e.g., e-mail readers), web browsers, and other such applications may be implemented using the user equipment. Applications may be run locally (e.g., on a set-top box or personal computer) or may use a client-server architecture (e.g., an arrangement in which a set-top box or other platform acts as a client processor and generates requests for data from a server processor such as a server computer located at a cable system headend or a server computer located on the Internet).
• Program guides based on set-top box systems may be provided that display television, messages, menu options, and various program guide display screens on a monitor (e.g., a television) that is connected to the set-top box.
• Messages, which may be e-mail or other subscriber messages, may be targeted to a user based on which television programming and other services are available in the user's home. For example, an interactive television application provider or other service provider may send a message to all users (e.g., all program guide users) who have or who do not have a specific channel in their local lineup or who have or who have not subscribed to a particular channel or other service. Messages may also be sent to all users who have or who have not set a reminder for a specific program or other content, who have or who have not scheduled a specific program or other content for recording, or who have or who have not selected a specific program, channel, or other content as a favorite. If desired, messages may be sent to all users who have or who have not ordered specific products or services, (e.g., a specific pay-per-view (PPV) program, a specific package of pay-per-view programs, video-on-demand, a specific product, etc.). Messages may be targeted based on parental control settings. Any suitable combination of these criteria or other suitable criteria may be used.
• As an example, a message may be targeted to those users who have or who have not subscribed to or ordered a particular set of channels or any channel in a set of channels.
• The messages may be used by a program guide or other application to send programming-related messages such as last minute schedule changes to only those users who might be interested. Users who do not subscribe to the affected service need not be notified of such changes.
• If desired, messages may be distributed by a cable provider or programmer (to a program guide or independent of any program guide) to target messages to users who are interested in a particular program or who do not have access to certain programming and hence might be potential customers.
• Messages may be distributed to user television equipment and user computer equipment from a computer at a main facility such as a program guide data source facility. Messages may be distributed through a plurality of television distribution facilities (e.g., cable system headends or the like). Messages may also be distributed to set-top boxes from equipment at the television distribution facilities.
• Messages may be provided with targeting criteria. For example, messages may be tagged with a unique identifier (ID) or a list of unique IDs associated with the referenced program(s) or channel(s). As an example, to target a message only to Home Box Office (HBO) subscribers, the message may be prefaced with a code indicating that a channel source ID will follow, and that only users authorized for that source ID should receive that message.
• The message may be automatically accepted or discarded by the user's message receipt/display application. That application may be an e-mail application, may be part of a program guide, or may be part of any other suitable application.
• The application may be implemented using user equipment in the home such as a set-top box, or it may be client-server based, with only the client application in the home.
• 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative interactive television system in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of illustrative user television equipment in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of additional illustrative user television equipment in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of illustrative user computer equipment in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of illustrative user equipment in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing targeted messages to users in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how messages may have associated targeting criteria in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 8 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing targeted messages to users based on which reminders have been set in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing targeted messages to users based on which services the user subscribes to in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 10 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing targeted messages to users based on which favorites settings the user has established in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing targeted messages to users based on which parental control settings the user has established in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing targeted messages to users based on which content the user has selected for recording in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 13 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing targeted messages to users based on which products and services the user has ordered in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 14 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing targeted messages to users based on settings from a television service provider in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• An illustrativeinteractive television system10 is shown inFIG. 1. A user atuser equipment12 may receive television programming and other services fromtelevision distribution facility14 overcommunications path16.Television distribution facility14 may be a satellite television facility, a cable system headend, a broadcast facility, or any other suitable facility for distributing television programming to the user.Communications path16 may be a satellite link, a broadcast link, a cable link, a fiber-optic link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable link. There may be numerous television distribution facilities, but only one such facility is shown inFIG. 1 to avoid overcomplicating the drawings.
• Television programming may be provided overpath16 using any suitable approach. For example, television programming may be provided as analog television signals, as digital streams, or as a combination of analog signals and digital streams.
• An interactive television program guide may be implemented usinguser equipment12. For example, an interactive television program guide may be implemented onuser equipment12. If desired, the interactive television program guide may be implemented using a client-server or distributed architecture in whichuser equipment12 acts as the client processor and servers or other computing equipment such asserver18 act as one or more server processors.
• Program guide data for the program guide application (e.g., program listings, program descriptions, etc.) may be provided to the program guide for storage in a program guide database. Such a database may be maintained on a server such asserver18 or onuser equipment12 or any other suitable location. Program guide data and other data used by the program guide may be distributed using any suitable data distribution technique. For example, if the program guide application is implemented usinguser equipment12, program guide data may be distributed touser equipment12 in the television vertical blanking interval, on a sideband, using a separate data path from the televison signal or a separable data stream, etc.Computer19,server18, andserver28 preferably include a processor to handle information distribution tasks.
• User equipment12 preferably includes a processor to handle tasks associated with implementing a program guide application.User equipment12 may connect to the Internet or othersuitable communications network24 viapath16,television distribution facility14, andpath26.Path26 may be any suitable communications path, such as a cable link, a satellite link, a fiber-optic link, telephone link, wireless link, or any other such path or combination of such paths.
• User equipment12 may also connect tocommunications network24 overlink27, which may be any suitable communications path, such as a cable link, a satellite link, a fiber-optic link, or any other such path or combination of such paths.
• Regardless of howuser equipment12 connects tocommunications network24,user equipment12 may receive content from computers such asserver18,server28, andcomputer19. For example,user equipment12 may support a web browser that allows the user to view web pages or the like or an e-mail or other messaging application that allows the user to receive messages. If desired, the user may view web pages that are stored onserver18 using a web browser.
• Applications other than web browser applications and e-mail applications may also be used to obtain content and access services from computers such asserver18,server28, andcomputer19. Suitable applications include interactive program guide applications, home shopping applications, home banking applications, video-on-demand applications, etc. E-mail applications and web browser capabilities may be incorporated into such applications and program guide applications if desired. A common navigation shell may be used to provide access to the applications if desired.
• Servers such asservers18 and28 may be associated with Internet service providers, program guide providers, application providers, cable system operators, broadcast or satellite television operators, etc.Computer19 may be associated with an interactive television application provider.
• If desired, program schedule information may be provided touser equipment12 fromcomputer19 of programguide data source20 usingcommunications path30,communications network24, andcommunications path27.Communications path30 may be any suitable communications path, such as a wired link, a satellite link, a fiber-optic link, or any other such path or combination of such paths.
• Users may use various types of user equipment to receive television programming fromtelevision distribution facility14 and to receive messages and access services such as interactive television program guides and non-program-guide applications. For example, user equipment may be based on user television equipment such as a set-top box and a television. User equipment may also be based on a personal computer. If desired, user equipment arrangements may be based on personal computer televisions (PC/TVs) and WebTV boxes.
• Illustrativeuser television equipment32 is shown inFIG. 2. Each set-top box34 preferably contains a processor to handle tasks associated with implementing a program guide application on set-top box34. Set-top box34 is typically connected to atelevision38 or other display device. Set-top box34 may receive television programming and data at line orinput35. Set-top box34 may have analog and digital television tuning circuitry for handling analog and digital television signals. Television signals may be passed tovideocassette recorder36 or any other suitable recording device for recording. Set-top box34 may also control the operation ofvideocassette recorder36. For example, set-top box34 may issue infrared commands that are received byvideocassette recorder36 at the same inputs at which standard remote control commands are received.
• Videocassette recorder36 may be connected totelevision38. Television programming and graphic display screens generated by applications implemented using set-top box34 may be passed from set-top box34 totelevision38 throughvideocassette recorder36. If desired,videocassette recorder36 may be omitted.
• Set-top box34 has memory and processing circuitry. This allows set-top box34 to be used to implement applications that support an interactive television program guide, web browsing and Internet access, e-mail and other messaging services, and other services such as home shopping, home banking, and video-on-demand services, etc.
• Aremote control40 such as an infrared remote control may be used to control set-top box34,videocassette recorder36, andtelevision38.Remote control40 may havebuttons42 such as a power button, right, left, up, and down arrow keys, an OK or select key, a favorites or fav key, a lock or parental control key, a record key, etc.
• Illustrativeuser television equipment44 based on adigital video recorder46 is shown inFIG. 3.Digital video recorder46 may receive television programming and may access interactive services using line orinput48.Digital video recorder46 may have analog and digital tuning circuitry to receive and process television signals.Digital video recorder46 may be used to record television programs in any suitable format. For example, digital videos may be stored using the MPEG-2 format.
• Recorded videos or real-time videos frominput48 may be displayed ontelevision50 or any other suitable monitor. Aremote control52 such as an infrared remote control may be used to controldigital video recorder46 andtelevision50.Remote control52 may have buttons such as a power button, right, left, up, and down arrow keys, an OK or select key, a favorites or fav key, a lock or parental control key, a record key, etc.
• Digital video recorder46 has memory and processing circuitry that allowsdigital video recorder46 to be used to implement applications that support an interactive television program guide, web browsing and Internet access, e-mail and other messaging services, and other services such as home shopping, home banking, and video-on-demand services, etc. Television programming and display screens generated by interactive applications may be displayed ontelevision50.
• Illustrativeuser computer equipment54 is shown inFIG. 4.User computer equipment54 may be based on apersonal computer56 or any other suitable computing device. A personal computer with television capabilities will hereinafter be referred to aspersonal computer56. Eachpersonal computer56 preferably contains a processor to handle tasks associated with implementing a program guide application onpersonal computer56.Personal computer56 is typically connected to amonitor62 or other display device.Personal computer56 may receive television programing and information for interactive services using line orinput58.Personal computer56 may contain a tuner card or other suitable circuitry for handling analog and digital television signals.Personal computer56 may also contain memory and processing circuitry that allowspersonal computer56 to be used to implement applications that support an interactive television program guide, web browsing and Internet access, e-mail and other messaging services, and other services such as home shopping, home banking, and video-on-demand services, etc.
• Television signals and screens generated by interactive applications may be displayed onmonitor62.
• The user may interact withpersonal computer56 using any suitable user input interface, such askeyboard62, a pointing device such as a trackball, mouse, or touch pad, a voice recognition system, a handwriting recognition system, etc. If desired, the user may interact withpersonal computer56 using a wireless remote control such asremote control64.Remote control64 may be, for example, an infrared remote control.
• User equipment12 such asuser television equipment32 or44 ofFIGS. 2 and 3 anduser computer equipment54 ofFIG. 4 may communicate withcommunications network24 andtelevision distribution facility14 and other facilities using telephone modems, cable modems, digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, integrated digital services network (ISDN) modems, wireless communications circuitry, or any other suitable communications circuitry.
• A generalized schematic diagram ofuser equipment12 ofFIG. 1 is shown inFIG. 5.Control circuitry66 and memory andstorage70 may have communications and memory and processing circuitry for supporting functions such as receiving television programming and e-mail and other messages and accessing interactive services overline68.Line68 may connect to communications paths such aspaths16 and27 ofFIG. 1. Videos may be stored instorage70. Television programming and text, graphics, and video associated with interactive services may be presented to the user withdisplay72.Display72 may be a television, a computer monitor, or any other suitable display equipment.
• The user may interact withcontrol circuitry66 using any suitableuser input interface74, such as a remote control, a keyboard, a wireless keyboard, a display remote, a handheld computer, a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, or any other suitable input device.
• Program listings information may be provided to the user withuser equipment12. For example, an interactive television program guide that is implemented usinguser equipment12 may be used to display various screens of program listings organized by time, by television channel, by time and channel (e.g., in the form of a grid or the like), etc.
• Program guide data sources such as programguide data source20 may distribute television program listings to multiple television distribution facilities. Only one suchtelevision distribution facility14 is shown inFIG. 1 to avoid overcomplicating the drawings. Each television distribution facility may have a different channel lineup. Moreover, each user associated with a given television distribution facility may subscribe to different channels. Users may also set various settings in program guides or other applications.
• If desired, the information on which services the user subscribes to, the reminders that the user has set, information on the favorites settings of the user, information on the user's parental control settings, information on which content the user has set for recording, information on which products and services (e.g., pay-per-view programs) the user has ordered, and other such information may be stored inuser equipment12. In another suitable approach, the information may be stored on a remote computer such asserver18,server28, orcomputer19. Servers such asserver18 are associated with the television distribution facility from which the user receives television programming. If a program guide or other interactive television application is implemented using a client-server arrangement involvinguser equipment12 andserver18, the information may be stored atserver18 by a client-server application. Ifserver28 supports an on-line program guide, the information may be stored atserver28 by the on-line program guide. Any other suitable approach or a combination of such approaches may also be used.
• The interactive television application provider or television service provider such as a cable system operator attelevision distribution facility14 may send targeted messages to users atuser equipment12. The interactive television application provider may be a program guide provider at programguide data source12, or any other suitable service provider (e.g., an e-mail service provider, a shopping service provider). The targeted messages may be based on the services to which the user subscribes, may be based on which products and services the user orders, may be based on which settings the user has established in the program guide or other application, or may be based on any other suitable criteria.
• Some of the settings that the user may establish in an interactive program guide include settings related to parental controls (e.g., whether certain channels or programs have been locked), favorites or preferences (e.g., whether the user has informed the program guide of the user's preferences in certain channels, programs, categories of programming, etc.), recording (e.g., whether certain programs have been selected for automatic recording by the program guide), and reminders (e.g., whether the user has directed the program guide to remind the user when a particular television program is about to begin). These are merely illustrative examples. The user may establish any suitable settings using an interactive television program guide. Moreover, the user may establish settings using other interactive television applications such as e-mail applications, home banking applications, video-on-demand applications, etc.
• The filtering process that occurs when comparing the targeting criteria with each user's information may be performed atuser equipment12 or may be performed at any other suitable location within the message distribution path. For example, messages may be filtered at television distribution facilities such astelevision distribution facility14, etc.
• Any of these settings or other such information may be used as criteria for distributing targeted messages to users. Illustrative steps involved in distributing targeted messages to users are shown inFIG. 6. Atstep76, the program guide provider, television service provider, or any other service provider may be provided with an opportunity to create targeted messages. For example, a message creation tool implemented oncomputer19,server18, orserver28 may be used to create messages. Messages may promote services, may provide last-minute schedule changes, etc. Messages may be created automatically by the message creation tool and targeted toward various classes of users. If desired, messages may be created with input from personnel at the program guide provider or television service provider.
• Atstep78, the messages are distributed to users. For example, messages may be sent to users from a program guide provider at programguide data source20 viapath30,communications network24, andpath27, viapath30,communications network24,path26,television distribution facility14, andpath16, or viapath22,television distribution facility14, andpath16. Messages may be sent to users from a television service provider attelevision distribution facility14 viapath16 or viapath26,communications network24, andpath27.
• Atstep80, theuser equipment12 may be used to compare stored user information with criteria that are associated with the message. If the criteria are satisfied, the messages may be presented to the user atstep81. The message may be presented in the form of a message delivered to the user's e-mail in-box, as a pop-up overlay on top of the content being displayed onuser equipment12, or using any other suitable technique.
• In comparing the targeting criteria to the stored user information atstep80, boolean logic terms (e.g., NOT, AND, OR, etc.) may be used. For example, a message may be targeted to all users who subscribe to (HBO or TBS) but NOT (SHO or TMC). Ranges may also be used. For example, a message may be targeted to all users who have set reminders for programs scheduled to start after 7:00 PM. Multiple criteria may need to be satisfied. For example, messages may be targeted to all users who have HBO AND who have SHO set as a favorite.
• An example of a targeted message is shown inFIG. 7.Message82 may contain amessage body84, which may contain text, graphics, audio, or video.Message82 may also containmessage targeting criteria86.Message82 is distributed touser equipment12 where targetingcriteria86 are compared with data such as program guide data. Program guide data may includereminder list88.
• In the example ofFIG. 7,message82 has been provided with targeting criteria based on reminders. In particular, the criteria R(7:00, 13) specifies that the reminder is directed toward users who have a reminder set forchannel 13 at 7:00. If desired, the channel number may be a source identifier (ID) that uniquely specifies which the television service of interest. Such a source ID may be used in programguide data source20 to globally identify different sources of programming.
• Regardless of how the channel information is specified, the information may be compared with the information in the user'sreminder list88. This allows the program guide, e-mail reader, or other suitable application atuser equipment12 to determine whether the user has set a reminder for the designated time and channel. In the example ofFIG. 7, the targeted message may be presented to the user, because the user has set a reminder (reminder No. 1) for 7:00 onchannel 13.
• Illustrative steps involved in providing messages to users based on reminders settings are shown inFIG. 8. Atstep90, the user may be provided with an opportunity to set a reminder. Such reminders may include a reminder for a television program, a web reminder for a web cast, a web reminder for a chat session, a banking reminder, or any other suitable reminder. For example, a program listings grid may be displayed onuser equipment12 that contains program listings for various channels and times. The user may scroll through the program listings to locate a future program of interest using a highlight region or the like. When the user has highlighted a program of interest, the user may press an OK key on a remote control. This directs the program guide to provide the user with on-screen options that allow the user to set a reminder. Information on which reminders have been set by the user may be stored inuser equipment12,server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof.
• Atstep92, the program guide provider, television service provider, or any other provider may use a message creation tool to automatically or manually generate targeted messages to be delivered to the user. For example, a message may be created that promotes a new television program that is expected to be popular to users who enjoy program Z. The message may be targeted to users who have set reminders for program Z. As another example, a message may be created that includes information on a last-minute schedule change for program Z. The message may be targeted to users who have set reminders for program Z.
• Atstep94, the message may be distributed to users. For example, the message may be sent to users from a program guide provider at programguide data source20 viapath30,communications network24, andpath27, viapath30,communications network24,path26,television distribution facility14, andpath16, or viapath22,television distribution facility14, andpath16. Messages may be sent to users from a television service provider attelevision distribution facility14 viapath16 or viapath26,communications network24, andpath27.
• Atstep96, the program guide or other suitable interactive television application or the like may compare the targeting criteria frommessage82 with stored user information by the interactive television application or other application inuser equipment12,server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof. In particular, the targeted message criteria may be compared with information in the user'sreminder list88 or other such file or data structure stored by the interactive television program guide or any other suitable application. If the targeted message criteria are satisfied, the message may be displayed onuser equipment12 atstep98.
• Illustrative steps involved in providing messages to users based on particular services to which the user subscribes are shown inFIG. 9. Such services may include television channels, shopping web sites, etc. Atstep100, the user may be provided with an opportunity to subscribe to certain services. For example, a cable operator or other television service provider may provide on-screen options that allow the user to order television services (e.g., premium television channels or packages of premium television channels) through a program guide implemented onuser equipment12. Television services may also be ordered on-line or over the telephone. Information on which services have been subscribed to may be stored onuser equipment12,server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof.
• Atstep102, the program guide provider, television service provider, or any other provider may use a message creation tool to automatically or manually generate targeted messages to be delivered to the user. For example, a message promoting channel X may be created for all subscribers of channel Y who do not subscribe to channel X.
• Atstep104, the message may be distributed to users. For example, the message may be sent to users from a program guide provider at programguide data source20 viapath30,communications network24, andpath27, viapath30,communications network24,path26,television distribution facility14, andpath16, or viapath22,television distribution facility14, andpath16. Messages may be sent to users from a television service provider attelevision distribution facility14 viapath16 or viapath26,communications network24, andpath27.
• Atstep106, the program guide or other suitable interactive television application or the like may compare the targeting criteria from the message with stored user information by the interactive television application or other application inuser equipment12,server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof. In particular, the targeted message criteria may be compared with information that indicates which television channels the user subscribes to. This type of information may, if desired, be maintained by the program guide, by the television service provider, or any other suitable provider. If the targeted message criteria are satisfied, the message may be displayed onuser equipment12 atstep108.
• Illustrative steps involved in providing messages to users based on favorite channel settings, favorite program settings, favorite web sites, and other favorites settings are shown inFIG. 10. Atstep110, the user may be provided with an opportunity to set favorites. For example, the interactive television program guide may provide the user with on-screen lists of programs and channels. If the user highlights a desired channel or program and presses a remote control “favorites” key, the program guide will set that channel or program as a favorite. The user may also respond to on-screen prompts such as “set this program as a favorite?” or the like. If desired, preferences or favorites may be established for certain genres or categories of programming. Information on the user's favorites settings may be stored on user equipment12 (e.g., by the program guide),server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof.
• Atstep112, the program guide provider, television service provider, or any other provider may use a message creation tool to automatically or manually generate targeted messages to be delivered to the user. For example, a message promoting channel X may be created for all subscribers who have set channel Y as a favorite, but have not set channel X as a favorite.
• Atstep114, the message may be distributed to users. For example, the message may be sent to users from a program guide provider at programguide data source20 viapath30,communications network24, andpath27, viapath30,communications network24,path26,television distribution facility14, andpath16, or viapath22,television distribution facility14, andpath16. Messages may be sent to users from a television service provider attelevision distribution facility14 viapath16 or viapath26,communications network24, andpath27.
• Atstep116, the program guide or other suitable interactive television application or the like may compare the targeting criteria from the message with stored user information by the interactive television application or other application inuser equipment12,server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof. In particular, the targeted message criteria may be compared with information that indicates which favorites settings the user has made in the interactive television program guide or other application that supports favorites. This type of information may, if desired, be maintained by the program guide. If the targeted message criteria are satisfied, the message may be displayed onuser equipment12 atstep118.
• Illustrative steps involved in providing messages to users based on parental control settings are shown inFIG. 11. Atstep120, the user may be provided with an opportunity to set parental controls. For example, the interactive television program guide may provide the user with on-screen lists of programs and channels. If the user highlights a desired channel or program and presses a remote control “lock” key, the program guide will lock that channel or program. A subsequent viewer must provide the correct personal identification number (PIN) to unlock the locked programming. Programs may also be locked by responding to on-screen options. Such options may be provided, for example, by a program guide when the user requests additional information using a remote control “info” key. If desired, genres of programming may be locked or programming may be locked based on parental guidance ratings (e.g., TV-Y, TV-G, TV-MA, R, NC-17, etc.). As another example, shopping web sites, genres of web sites, or any other web site or other type of content may also be locked. Information on the user's parental control settings (e.g., which programs, channels, genres of programming, ratings, etc. have been locked) may be stored on user equipment12 (e.g., by the program guide),server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof.
• Atstep122, the program guide provider, television service provider, or any other provider may use a message creation tool to automatically or manually generate targeted messages to be delivered to the user. For example, a message promoting channel X or promoting a pay-per-view program may be created for all subscribers who have not blocked programming with a TV-MA or R rating.
• Atstep124, the message may be distributed to users. For example, the message may be sent to users from a program guide provider at programguide data source20 viapath30,communications network24, andpath27, viapath30,communications network24,path26,television distribution facility14, andpath16, or viapath22,television distribution facility14, andpath16. Messages may be sent to users from a television service provider attelevision distribution facility14 viapath16 or viapath26,communications network24, andpath27.
• Atstep126, the program guide or other suitable interactive television application or the like may compare the targeting criteria from the message with stored user information by the interactive television application or other application inuser equipment12,server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof. In particular, the targeted message criteria may be compared with information on the parental control settings that the user has established using an interactive program guide or other interactive television application. This type of information may, if desired, be maintained by the program guide. If the targeted message criteria are satisfied, the message may be displayed onuser equipment12 atstep128.
• Illustrative steps involved in providing messages to users based on which content the user has selected for recording are shown inFIG. 12. Content may include television programs, web casts, chat sessions, or any other suitable content. Atstep130, the user may be provided with an opportunity to set certain content to be recorded. For example, the interactive television program guide may provide the user with on-screen lists of programs and channels. If the user highlights a desired channel or program and presses a remote control “record” key, the program guide may set a timed recording for that program. At the designated time, the program guide may record the selected program using videocassette recorder36 (FIG. 2), digital video recorder46 (FIG. 3), storage in personal computer56 (FIG. 4), memory and storage70 (FIG. 5), or othersuitable user equipment12. If desired, programs may also be recorded using remote equipment such asserver18,server28, orcomputer19. Programs may also be recorded by responding to on-screen options. Such options may be provided, for example, by a program guide when the user requests additional information for a program using a remote control “info” key. Information on the user's recording settings (e.g., which programs have been set for recording) may be stored on user equipment12 (e.g., by the program guide),server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof.
• Atstep132, the program guide provider, television service provider, or any other provider may use a message creation tool to automatically or manually generate targeted messages to be delivered to the user. For example, a message promoting program X may be created for all subscribers who have set program Y to be recorded.
• Atstep134, the message may be distributed to users. For example, the message may be sent to users from a program guide provider at programguide data source20 viapath30,communications network24, andpath27, viapath30,communications network24,path26,television distribution facility14, andpath16, or viapath22,television distribution facility14, andpath16. Messages may be sent to users from a television service provider attelevision distribution facility14 viapath16 or viapath26,communications network24, andpath27.
• Atstep136, the program guide or other suitable interactive television application or the like may compare the targeting criteria from the message with stored user information by the interactive television application or other application inuser equipment12,server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof. In particular, the targeted message criteria may be compared with information on the recording settings that the user has established using an interactive program guide or other interactive television application. This type of information may, if desired, be maintained by the program guide. If the targeted message criteria are satisfied, the message may be displayed onuser equipment12 atstep138.
• Illustrative steps involved in providing messages to users based on which products and services the user has ordered are shown inFIG. 13. Products and services may include pay-per-view events, program packages (e.g., all football games on pay-per-view), merchandise (e.g., clothing), etc. Atstep140, the user may be provided with an opportunity to order products or services. For example, the interactive television program guide may provide the user with on-screen lists of programs and channels. If the user highlights a desired pay-per-view program and presses a remote control “OK” key, the program guide may provide on-screen options that allow the user to order the pay-per-view program. Information on which pay-per-view programs the user has ordered may be stored on user equipment12 (e.g., by the program guide),server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof. When the user desires to order any products and services, the system may direct the request via communications network24 (e.g., the Internet) or any other suitable communications path to an appropriate vendor.
• Atstep142, the program guide provider, television service provider, or any other provider may use a message creation tool to automatically or manually generate targeted messages to be delivered to the user. For example, a message promoting pay-per-view program X may be created for all subscribers who have ordered pay-per-view program Y.
• Atstep144, the message may be distributed to users. For example, the message may be sent to users from a program guide provider at programguide data source20 viapath30,communications network24, andpath27, viapath30,communications network24,path26,television distribution facility14, andpath16, or viapath22,television distribution facility14, andpath16. Messages may be sent to users from a television service provider attelevision distribution facility14 viapath16 or viapath26,communications network24, andpath27.
• Atstep146, the program guide or other suitable interactive television application or the like may compare the targeting criteria from the message with stored user information by the interactive television application or other application in user equipment12 (e.g., by the program guide),server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof. In particular, the targeted message criteria may be compared with information on which pay-per-view events the user has ordered using an interactive program guide or other interactive television application. This type of information may, if desired, be maintained by the program guide. If the targeted message criteria are satisfied, the message may be displayed onuser equipment12 atstep148.
• In another approach, messages may be used by a program guide or other application based on television service provider settings. The television service provider may enable the user equipment to receive some services, but not others. For example, the user equipment may be enabled to receive a certain lineup of television channels, which is different than the channel lineup of user equipment used by other users. The user equipment may be enabled to access certain interactive applications or have other features that are not available to all users. Messages may be targeted based on such television service provider settings, so that, for example, messages may be not displayed to users not having access to related features. For example, a message may inform the user of last minute schedule changes on a particular television channel, and may be targeted to only those users who have that channel in their channel lineups. Users who do not have access to the particular channel need not be notified of such changes.
• Illustrative steps involved in providing messages to users based on settings from a television service provider are shown inFIG. 14. Atstep150, the program guide provider, television service provider, or any other provider may use a message creation tool to automatically or manually generate targeted messages to be delivered to the user. For example, a message presenting a schedule change for channel X may be created for all subscribers who have access to channel X.
• Atstep152, the message may be distributed to users. For example, the message may be sent to users from a program guide provider at programguide data source20 viapath30,communications network24, andpath27, viapath30,communications network24,path26,television distribution facility14, andpath16, or viapath22,television distribution facility14, andpath16. Messages may be sent to users from a television service provider attelevision distribution facility14 viapath16 or viapath26,communications network24, andpath27.
• Atstep154, the program guide or other suitable interactive television application or the like may compare the targeting criteria from the message with stored user information by the interactive television application or other application inuser equipment12,server18,server28,computer19, any other suitable device, or a combination thereof. In particular, the targeted message criteria may be compared with stored user information from the television service provider. This type of information may, if desired, be maintained by the program guide. If the targeted message criteria are satisfied, the message may be displayed onuser equipment12 atstep156.
• Thus, systems and methods for distributing and using electronic messages in an interactive television environment are provided. The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (28)

1. A method for providing a targeted message to a user of an interactive television application, comprising:

using the interactive television application to order a product or service;

storing user information relating to the ordered product or service in user equipment;

creating a message having associated targeting criteria at a first location;

distributing the message along with the targeting criteria from the first location to the user equipment;

comparing the targeting criteria to the stored user information relating to the ordered product or service at the user equipment; and

presenting the message to the user when the targeting is criteria are satisfied.

2. The method defined inclaim 1 wherein the distributing the message comprises distributing the message through the Internet or a television distribution facility.

3. (canceled)

4. The method defined inclaim 1 wherein the distributing the message comprises distributing the message through the Internet and a television distribution facility.

5. The method defined inclaim 1 wherein the presenting the message comprises presenting the message using a set-top box.

6. The method defined inclaim 1 wherein the presenting the message comprises presenting the message using a digital video recorder.

7. The method defined inclaim 1 further comprising:

using the interactive television application to set a reminder based upon user input; and

comparing the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the reminder.

8. (canceled)

9. The method defined inclaim 1 further comprising:

using the interactive television application to set a favorite setting; and

comparing the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the favorite setting.

10. The method defined inclaim 1 further comprising:

using the interactive television application to set a parental control; and

comparing the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the parental control.

11. The method defined inclaim 1 further comprising:

using the interactive television application to select content for recording; and

comparing the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the content.

12-14. (canceled)

15. The method defined inclaim 1 further comprising providing the message from an interactive television application provider or a television service provider.

16. (canceled)

17. A system for providing a targeted message to a user of an interactive television application, comprising:

a first processor that creates a message having associated targeting criteria and that causes the message to be distributed along with the targeting criteria to the user;

user equipment that stores user information relating to a product or service that is ordered using the interactive television application, that compares the targeting criteria with stored user information relating to the ordered product or service and that causes the message to be presented to the user for which the targeting is criteria are satisfied.

18. The system defined inclaim 17 wherein the first processor is part of a television distribution facility.

19. The system defined inclaim 17 wherein the first processor also causes the message to be distributed through the Internet.

20. (canceled)

21. The system defined inclaim 17 wherein the user equipment comprises a set-top box.

22. The system defined inclaim 17 wherein the user equipment comprises a digital video recorder.

23. The system defined inclaim 17 wherein the user equipment also sets a reminder based upon user input and compares the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the reminder.

24. (canceled)

25. The system defined inclaim 17 wherein the user equipment also sets a favorites setting based upon user input and compares the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the favorites setting.

26. The system defined inclaim 17 wherein the user equipment also sets a parental control based upon user input and compares the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the parental control.

27. The system defined inclaim 17 wherein the user equipment also selects content for recording based upon user input and compares the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the content.

28-30. (canceled)

31. The system defined inclaim 17 wherein the first processor is part of an interactive television application provider or a television service provider.

32. (canceled)

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