System and Method For Preprogrammed Purchasing of Television Offered Products

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an improved method and system for preprogrammed purchase of a product. A user is prompted to input order information for a product prior to the product becoming available. When the product is available, a trigger is received and the order information is transmitted in response to the trigger. The system can accomplish this function unattended while the user is asleep or otherwise occupied.

1 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A method for preprogrammed purchase of a product, comprising:
 prompting a user to input order information for a product prior to the product becoming available for purchase;   storing the received order information in a memory;   receiving a trigger instruction generated in response to determining that the product has become available for purchase; and   without further input from the user, transmitting the stored order information to a merchant, responsive to the received trigger instruction.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the prompting step comprises:
 displaying information about a plurality of products; and   displaying an order form for the product.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the information about a plurality of products and the order form are displayed in a media guidance application. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein displaying information about a plurality of products is based on a user profile. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising receiving information about one or more products along with the prompt for order information. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising storing the information about one or more products in the memory. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising receiving information about one or more products in the trigger instruction. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 displaying a list of the products, wherein the products in the list are offered by the merchant at a future time, and wherein the list includes the product; and   receiving, from the user, a selection of the product from the list, wherein the trigger is received at the future time in response to the product becoming available.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the list of products comprises a catalogue offered by the merchant. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein prior to the product becoming available for purchase comprises prior to the product becoming available for purchase at a particular price. 
     
     
         58 . A system for preprogramming a purchase of a product, comprising:
 a display processor for prompting a user to input order information for a product prior to the product becoming available for purchase;   a memory for storing the received order information;   a receiver for receiving a trigger instruction generated in response to determining that the product has become available for purchase; and   a transmitter for, without further input from the user, transmitting the stored order information to a merchant, responsive to the received trigger instruction.   
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the display processor is further configured to:
 display information about a plurality of products; and   display an order form for the product.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the display processor displays the information about a plurality of products and the order form in a media guidance application. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein displaying information about a plurality of products is based on a user profile. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the display processor displays information about one or more products along with the prompt for order information. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the memory stores the information about one or more products. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the receiver receives information about one or more products in the trigger instruction. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the display processor displays a list of the products, and wherein the products in the list are offered by the merchant at a future time, and the list includes the product. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the receiver receives, from the user, a selection of the product from the list, and wherein the trigger is received at the future time in response to the product becoming available. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein prior to the product becoming available for purchase comprises prior to the product becoming available for purchase at a particular price.