Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters

Abstract

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

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method for displaying information contextually related to media content, the method comprising:
 identifying a first media content;   based on the identification of the first media content, searching over the Internet to identify second media content that is contextually related specifically to the identified first media content; and   receiving a request to access the identified second media content that is contextually related specifically to the identified first media content.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein at least one of the first media content title and the first media content itself is contextually related to the identified second media content. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the identified second media content comprises a service, and wherein the receiving further comprises receiving a request to at least one of search for, link to, and initiate a subscription to more information from the service. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising receiving, in response to receiving the request, information over the Internet from the service. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the identified second media content comprises one or more of access to information related to actors and actresses in the identified first media content, access to information related to the theme of the identified first media content, and access to other broadcast times or sources of the identified first media content. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the identified second media content comprises one or more of product sales and advertisements related to the identified first media content. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising:
 receiving a user request to view additional information specifically related to the identified first media content; and   searching over the Internet in response to receiving the user request to view additional information.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising providing access to the requested media content in response to receiving the request. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the identified second media content comprises media content of different types. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the identified first media content is media content currently being displayed. 
     
     
         48 . A system for displaying information contextually related to media content, the system comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 identify a first media content; 
 search, based on the identification of the first media content, over the Internet to identify second media content that is contextually related specifically to the identified first media content; and 
 receive a request to access the identified second media content that is contextually related specifically to the identified first media content. 
   
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein at least one of the first media content title and the first media content itself is contextually related to the identified second media content. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the identified second media content comprises a service, and wherein the processor is further configured to receive a request to at least one of search for, link to, and initiate a subscription to more information from the service. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive, in response to receiving the request, information over the Internet from the service. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the identified second media content comprises one or more of access to information related to actors and actresses in the identified first media content, access to information related to the theme of the identified first media content, and access to other broadcast times or sources of the identified first media content. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the identified second media content comprises one or more of product sales and advertisements related to the identified first media content. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 receive a user request to view additional information specifically related to the identified first media content; and   search over the Internet in response to receiving the user request to view additional information.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide access to the requested media content in response to receiving the request. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the identified second media content comprises media content of different types. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the identified first media content is media content currently being displayed.