Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with remote product ordering

Abstract

An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette. The viewer utilizes the remote control apparatus to generate a first command for displaying information on the receiver describing the product or service, and a second command for placing an order for the product or service. The data processor receives the user control commands and in response to the first command causes the video display generator to display information describing the product or service and in response to the second command generates an order for the product or service.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for allowing a user to order television programs using an interactive interface, comprising:
 displaying information for a television program on a display;   displaying an indication that the television program is available to be purchased;   providing the television program for purchase in a plurality of formats;   enabling the user to select one of the plurality of formats; and   ordering the television program in the selected format in response to a user input.   
     
     
         3 . The method defined in  claim 2 , wherein displaying the information for the television program comprises displaying the information for the television program in a grid guide. 
     
     
         4 . The method defined in  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of formats is selected from the group consisting of VHS format, Beta format, and a transcript. 
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 2 , wherein a price is associated with each of the plurality of formats, the method further comprising displaying the price associated with the selected format. 
     
     
         6 . The method defined in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 enabling the user to scroll through the plurality of formats; and   automatically updating the displayed price to reflect a currently selected format.   
     
     
         7 . The method defined in  claim 2 , further comprising enabling the user to select a desired payment method from a plurality of payment methods for purchasing the television program. 
     
     
         8 . The method defined in  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of payment methods is selected from the group consisting of a credit card and adding the purchase price of the television program to a user's bill for program services. 
     
     
         9 . The method defined in  claim 2 , further comprising enabling the user to select a desired shipping method for shipping the television program. 
     
     
         10 . The method defined in  claim 9 , further comprising displaying different price information for each shipping method. 
     
     
         11 . The method defined in  claim 2 , further comprising displaying a screen that allows the user to enter address information that is used when ordering the product. 
     
     
         12 . The method defined in  claim 2 , further comprising extracting the user's address from a program services billing system. 
     
     
         13 . A system for allowing a user to order television programs using an interactive interface, the system comprising user equipment configured to:
 display information for a television program on a display;   display an indication that the television program is available to be purchased;   provide the television program for purchase in a plurality of formats;   enable the user to select one of the plurality of formats; and   order the television program in the selected format in response to a user input.   
     
     
         14 . The system defined in  claim 13 , wherein the user equipment is further configured to display the information for the television program in a grid guide. 
     
     
         15 . The system defined in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the plurality of formats is selected from the group consisting of VHS format, Beta format, and a transcript. 
     
     
         16 . The system defined in  claim 13 , wherein a price is associated with each of the plurality of formats and wherein the user equipment is further configured to display the price associated with the selected format. 
     
     
         17 . The system defined in  claim 16 , wherein the user equipment is further configured to:
 enable the user to scroll through the plurality of formats; and   automatically update the displayed price to reflect a currently selected format.   
     
     
         18 . The system defined in  claim 13 , wherein the user equipment is further configured to enable the user to select a desired payment method from a plurality of payment methods for purchasing the television program. 
     
     
         19 . The system defined in  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the plurality of payment methods is selected from the group consisting of a credit card and adding the purchase price of the television program to a user's bill for program services. 
     
     
         20 . The system defined in  claim 13 , wherein the user equipment is further configured to enable the user to select a desired shipping method for shipping the television program. 
     
     
         21 . The system defined in  claim 20 , wherein the user equipment is further configured to display different price information for each shipping method. 
     
     
         22 . The system defined in  claim 13 , wherein the user equipment is further configured to display a screen that allows the user to enter address information that is used when ordering the product. 
     
     
         23 . The system defined in  claim 13 , wherein the user equipment is further configured to extract the user's address from a program services billing system.