Internet television program guide system

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 television program guide listings and related video stills and video clips. The user can perform database searches on the program guide listings (e.g., to search for a particular type of television program). If desired, the user can select an option that directs the multimedia system to tune directly to a television channel for a selected program or to a related television program guide or movie guide service on a television channel. The user can order pay-per-view events using the system.

1 - 80 . (canceled)  
     
     
         81 . A method for providing reminder messages of scheduled television events to a user of a multimedia system, the method comprising: 
 providing the user with an opportunity to set up at least one reminder message for at least one television program;    prior to the transmission time of the at least one television program, automatically generating a reminder message at a location other than the multimedia system where the user will receive the reminder; and    transmitting the reminder message to the multimedia system over a communications link to remind the user when the at least one television program is to be transmitted.    
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81  wherein automatically generating a reminder message comprises automatically generating a reminder message using a server.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 82  wherein the server is a web server.  
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 81  wherein transmitting the reminder message comprises at least one of transmitting the reminder message via e-mail and transmitting the reminder message to a pager number.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the communications link is at least one of an Internet communications link, a wireless communications link, and a telephone communications link.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein providing the user with an opportunity to set up at least one reminder message comprises providing the user with an opportunity to set up at least one reminder message using the multimedia system.  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 81  further comprising: 
 providing a plurality of television program listings;    providing the user with the opportunity to select at least one program listing; and    wherein providing the user with an opportunity to set up at least one reminder message comprises providing the user with an opportunity to set up at least one reminder message for the selected at least one program listing.    
     
     
         88 . A system for providing reminder messages of scheduled television events to a user of a multimedia system, the system comprising a first processing unit and a server, wherein: 
 the first processing unit configured to provide the user with an opportunity to set up at least one reminder message for at least one television program; and    the server is configured to: 
 prior to the transmission time of the at least one television program, to automatically generate a reminder message; and  
 transmit the reminder message to a multimedia system over a communications link to remind the user when the at least one television program is to be transmitted.  
   
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 88  wherein the multimedia system includes the first processing unit.  
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 88  wherein the multimedia system includes a second processing unit distinct from the first processing unit.  
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 88  wherein the server is a web server.  
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 88  wherein the server is configured to at least one of transmit the reminder message via e-mail and transmit the reminder message to a pager number.  
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 88 , wherein the communications link is at least one of an Internet communications link, a wireless communications link, and a telephone communications link.  
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 88  wherein the first processing unit is further configured to: 
 provide a plurality of television program listings;    provide the user with the opportunity to select at least one program listing; and    provide the user with an opportunity to set up at least one reminder message for the selected at least one program listing.