US2006190966A1PendingUtilityA1

Systems and methods for providing a program as a gift using an interactive application

56
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Aug 26, 1998Filed: Apr 21, 2006Published: Aug 24, 2006
Est. expiryAug 26, 2018(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Pamela L. MckissickWilliam L. ThomasMichael D. EllisMark A. RegoubyJoel G. Hassell
G06Q 30/02H04N 21/4316H04N 21/4788H04N 7/17309H04N 21/4622H04N 21/84H04N 21/4786H04N 21/2543H04N 21/2665H04N 21/4758H04N 21/4751H04N 21/812H04N 21/6582H04N 21/4532H04N 21/42204H04N 21/2408H04N 21/252H04N 21/47815H04N 21/4753H04N 21/4756H04N 21/4782H04N 21/4755H04N 21/25866H04N 21/44204H04N 21/4781G06Q 30/0601H04N 7/147H04N 21/454H04N 7/17318H04N 21/47211H04N 21/44224H04H 20/02
56
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
0
References
0
Claims

Abstract

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

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A method for purchasing gifts using an interactive application, the method comprising: 
 allowing a user to select a program to purchase as a gift for a recipient using an interactive application;    allowing the user to provide information for purchasing the program as the gift using an interactive application; and    providing the program as the gift to the recipient.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising transmitting a message relating to the program purchased as the gift from the user to the recipient.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the selection of the program is from a listing of programs.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the allowing the user to select a program to purchase as a gift further comprises allowing the user to purchase multiple programs as a gift for a recipient.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the providing the program as the gift to the recipient comprises providing the recipient with access to multiple programs.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the providing the program as the gift to the recipient comprises allowing the recipient of the gift access to the program without charging the recipient for the program.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information provided for purchasing the program as the gift comprises the identity of the recipient.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information provided for purchasing the program as the gift comprises an e-mail address of the recipient.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the message transmitted to the recipient is an e-mail notifying the recipient that the gift has been purchased.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the recipient with the ability to watch the program.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the recipient with the ability to access the program.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information provided for purchasing the program as the gift comprises payment information.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein payment information is one of credit card information and debit account information.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user is at a first location, and the recipient is at a second location.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first location is remote from the second location.  
     
     
         16 . A system for purchasing gifts, comprising: 
 an interactive application implemented at least partially on control circuitry configured to:    allow a user to select a program to purchase as a gift for a recipient;    allow the user to provide information for purchasing the program as the gift; and    provide the program as the gift to the recipient.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the interactive application is further configured to transmit a message relating to the program purchased as the gift from the user to the recipient.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the selection of the program is from a listing of programs.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the allowing the user to select a program to purchase as a gift further comprises allowing the user to purchase multiple programs as a gift for a recipient.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the providing the program as the gift to the recipient comprises providing the recipient with access to multiple programs.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the providing the program as the gift to the recipient comprises allowing the recipient of the gift access to the program without charging the recipient for the program.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the information provided for purchasing the program as the gift comprises the identity of the recipient.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the information provided for purchasing the program as the gift comprises an e-mail address of the recipient.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the message transmitted to the recipient is an e-mail notifying the recipient that the gift has been purchased.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the interactive application is further configured to provide the recipient with the ability to watch the program.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the interactive application is further configured to provide the recipient with the ability to access the program.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the information provided for purchasing the program as the gift comprises payment information.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27  wherein payment information is one of credit card information and debit account information.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the user is at a first location, and the recipient is at a second location.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the first location is remote from the second location.

Join the waitlist — get patent alerts

Track US2006190966A1 — get alerts on status changes and closely related new filings.

We store only your email — no account needed. See our privacy policy.