Method and apparatus for displaying information in response to motion picture programming

Abstract

Various apparatuses and techniques for displaying information in response to motion picture programming are herein described. A handheld remote control can comprise a storage device. The handheld remote control can be configured to receive user input to select an element in a scene of non-commercial programming, where the element can represent an item for purchase. The handheld remote control can also be configured to retrieve purchase information for the element from a set-top box. The set-top box can be configured to display the non-commercial programming on a television display. The handheld remote control can also be configured to store the purchase information in the storage device and store user information, including account information, in the storage device. The handheld remote control can be configured to electronically complete a purchase transaction for the item using the stored purchase information and the stored user information.

1 . A system comprising:
 a handheld remote control comprising a storage device, the handheld remote control configured to:
 receive user input to select an element in a scene of non-commercial programming, the element representing an item for purchase; 
 retrieve purchase information for the element from a set-top box configured to display the non-commercial programming on a television display; 
 store the purchase information in the storage device; 
 store user information including account information in the storage device; and 
 electronically complete a purchase transaction for the item using the stored purchase information and the stored user information. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, to electronically complete the purchase transaction for the item, the handheld remote control is configured to:
 prompt the user for authentication information; and   release the stored user information in response to receiving the user's password.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the handheld remote control comprises a plurality of buttons, and wherein receiving the user's password includes receiving the user's password via the plurality of buttons. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user information includes credit card account information. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising the set-top box configured to overlay an image of a pointer on the scene based on direction from the handheld control, wherein the handheld remote control is configured to direct the set top box to move the pointer, in response to the received user input, to point to and electronically select the element in the scene. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set top box is connected to a server via a network, the server configured to accomplish the purchase transaction. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld remote control comprises a plurality of buttons configured to receive user input. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , comprising the set-top box configured to overlay an image of a pointer on the scene based on direction from the handheld remote control, wherein the handheld remote control is configured to direct the set top box to move the pointer in response to received user input via the plurality of buttons to point to and electronically select the element in the scene. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld remote control is configured to accept insertion of the storage device from the user. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a handheld remote control, user input to select an element in a scene of non-commercial programming, the element representing an item for purchase;   retrieving, by the handheld remote control, purchase information for the element from a set-top box configured to display the non-commercial programming on a television display;   storing the purchase information in a storage device of the handheld remote control;   storing user information including account information in the storage device; and   completing, electronically by the handheld remote control, a purchase transaction for the item using the stored purchase information and the stored user information.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the completing the purchase transaction for the item includes:
 prompting, by the handheld remote control, the user for authentication information; and   releasing the stored user information in response to receiving the user's password.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein receiving the user's password includes receiving the user's password via a plurality of buttons of the handheld remote control. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the user information includes credit card account information. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein selecting the element includes directing, by the handheld remote control, the set top box to move a pointer, in response to received user input, to point to and electronically select the element in the scene. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising accomplishing the purchase transaction with a server connected via a network to the set top box. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising receiving, by the handheld remote control, user input via a plurality of buttons of the handheld remote control. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 overlaying, by the set-top box, an image of a pointer on the scene based on direction from the handheld remote control; and   directing, by the handheld remote control, the set top box to move the pointer in response to the received user input to point to and electronically select the element in the scene.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising receiving the insertion o le storage device into the handheld remote control. 
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions, which, when executed by a handheld remote control, causes the handheld remote control to perform operations comprising:
 selecting, in response to received user input, an element in a scene of non-commercial programming, the element representing an item for purchase;   retrieving purchase information for the element from a set-top box configured to display the non-commercial programming on a television display;   storing the purchase information in a storage device of the handheld remote control;   storing user information including account information in the storage device; and   completing a purchase transaction for the item using the stored purchase information and the stored user information.