Interactive computer system for providing television schedule information

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.

1 - 47 . (canceled) 
   
   
       48 . A method for ordering a program, the steps comprising:
 delivering to a user multimedia system a web page from a web server over an Internet communications link, wherein the web page includes a selectable option associated with a program available for ordering, and wherein the program is accessible to the user over the Internet communications link; and   receiving a user selection of the selectable option over the Internet communications link.   
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the web page includes a further selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the program before ordering. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the further selectable option is a selectable image. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the program is associated with a predetermined broadcast time. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the selectable option includes a programmatic action that prompts the user to enter verification data, wherein the verification data includes user-specific information used to verify the viewer's identity. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the program is a pay-per-view program. 
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the program is a video on demand program. 
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the program is available via streaming or download. 
   
   
       56 . A system comprising:
 a program information module configured to provide a web page to a viewer interface over an Internet connection, wherein the web page includes a selectable option that is associated with a program available for ordering, and wherein the program is accessible to the user over the Internet communications link; and   an Internet connection for receiving a viewer selection of the selectable option.   
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the program information module is configured to generate an order web page for the program, wherein the program information module is responsive to the viewer selection. 
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the program information module is configured to generate a viewer validation page, wherein the viewer validation page includes an input field for receiving viewer validation information. 
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the program information module is configured to generate an order confirmation page, wherein the order confirmation page includes a further selectable option for confirming a purchase. 
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 56  wherein the program information module is coupled to a digital archive, wherein the digital archive stores a library of programs accessible to the viewer via the Internet communications link. 
   
   
       61 . A computer program product for providing a web page to a viewer over an Internet connection which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the steps comprising:
 providing a web page to a viewer interface over an Internet connection, wherein the web page includes a selectable option associated with a program available for ordering, and wherein the program is accessible to the user over the Internet communications link; and   receiving a viewer selection of the selectable option over the Internet communications link.