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 system for accessing products and services,
 the system comprising:   a user interactive device, wherein the user interactive device includes a processor having means to:
 receive a selection of an icon displayed in a program; and 
 access an internet source linked with the icon, the internet source providing a product or service related to the program. 
   
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48  wherein the internet source provides access to a product database for purchasing a product. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48  wherein product or service comprises information related to the program or a preview of related upcoming programs. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 48  further comprising a virtual agent for automatically searching the Internet and providing pointers to Internet sources based on preferences of the user. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51  wherein the virtual agent learns from previous user choices for customizing a program guide for a particular user. 
     
     
         53 . A method for accessing products and services, the method comprising:
 receiving at a user interactive device, a selection of an icon displayed in a program; and   accessing an internet source linked with the icon, the internet source providing a product or service related to the program.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the internet source provides access to a product database for purchasing a product. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the product or service comprises information related to the program or a preview of related upcoming programs. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53  further comprising a virtual agent for automatically searching the Internet and providing pointers to Internet sources based on preferences of the user. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the virtual agent learns from previous user choices for customizing a program guide for a particular user.