Contextual commerce for viewers of video programming

Abstract

An apparatus and method for enabling a viewer to watch television in the usual manner, while providing the viewer with an opportunity to indicate interest in products contextually associated with, but not necessarily displayed, in the television programs viewed, are described. Viewer interest might be indicated, for example, by launching a widget from an icon located on the TV video receiver using a handheld remote controller in communication with a set-top box during the program. The program being viewed may then be identified, for example, by the selected channel, the name of the program, the episode, and the time of the selection, or a combination of these indicators. The selections are transmitted by the set-top box to a remote search server, which returns information to the viewer on a portion of the TV video receiver concerning available products contextually related to the program being viewed at the time the widget was launched by the viewer, as well as purchase information. A selected product may as well be purchased through the set-top box in communication with an e-commerce server. Use of a mobile telephone in combination with a TV set-top box for product purchasing is also described.

1 . A method for purchasing a product by a TV viewer comprising the steps of:
 generating TV program contextual data for at least one TV program;   generating product metadata for at least one product contextually associated with the at least one program;   linking the metadata for at least one product with the contextual data for the at least one TV program;   storing the linked metadata on a searchable electronic database;   displaying a TV program on a TV video receiver;   displaying at least one widget trigger overlay on the TV video receiver;   identifying TV program contextual data responsive to a widget launch by the viewer through a TV set-top box in connection with the internet during the TV program;   searching the electronic database for metadata relating to the at least one product linked to the TV program contextual data;   transmitting the metadata relating to the at least one linked product to the set-top box through the internet connection, whereby the at least one product is displayed on the TV video receiver; and   transmitting metadata for at least one product to the set-top box through the internet connection responsive to a viewer request through the set-top box for information concerning the at least one product, whereby product metadata is displayed on the TV video receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the launch of the widget trigger by the viewer comprises the steps of: transmitting information chosen from: the channel name, the program name, the episode name, the characters the cast, the crew, the athletes, the sports team the widget id, and the time the viewer widget trigger selection was made through the set-top box; and relating this information to TV program contextual data supplied by a TV network providing the TV program. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased through the set-top box; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer through the set-top box; receiving viewer account information through the set-top box; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer from the set-top box. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase through a mobile telephone; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased through a mobile telephone; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer through a mobile telephone; receiving viewer account information through a mobile telephone; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer through a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of recording the program, wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the widget launched by the viewer is achieved using information for the TV channel and the time of recordation, or the name of the program. 
     
     
         6 . A method for purchasing a product by a TV viewer comprising the steps of:
 generating TV program contextual data for at least one TV program;   generating product metadata for at least one product contextually associated with the at least one program;   linking the metadata for at least one product with the contextual data for the at least one TV program;   storing the linked metadata on a searchable electronic database;   displaying at least one portal on a TV video receiver;   displaying a TV program on the TV video receiver responsive to a widget launched from the portal by the viewer through a TV set-top box;   identifying TV program contextual data responsive to the widget launched from the portal by the viewer through the TV set-top box in communication with the internet;   searching the electronic database for metadata for at least one product linked to the TV program contextual data;   transmitting the metadata relating to the at least one linked product to the set-top box through the internet, whereby an icon for the at least one product is displayed on the TV video receiver; and   transmitting metadata regarding at least one product to the set-top box through the internet connection responsive to the activation of the icon by the viewer, whereby product metadata is displayed on the TV video receiver.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the widget launched by the viewer comprises the steps of: transmitting information chosen from: the channel name, the program name, the episode name, and the sports team, and the time the viewer widget trigger selection was made through the set-top box; and relating this information to TV program contextual data supplied by a TV network providing the TV program. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer from the set-top box to the Internet connection; receiving viewer account information through the set-top box; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer from the set-top box to the internet. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase from a mobile telephone; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased from a mobile telephone; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer from a mobile telephone; receiving viewer account information from a mobile telephone; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer from a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of recording the program, and wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the at least one widget launched by the viewer is achieved using information relating to the TV channel and time of recording, or the name of the program. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for purchasing a product by a TV viewer, comprising:
 a television set-top box;   network means for providing television programming to said set-top box;   an electronic database for storing product information contextually related to the television programming;   a product search server in communication with said set-top box and in communication with said electronic database for searching for products contextually related to the television programming after receiving television programming information from said set-top box; and   a TV video receiver in communication with said set-top box for providing a TV display of products and product information contextually related to a chosen TV program for purchase.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a remote controller for permitting a viewer/purchaser to communicate with said set-top box. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a remote e-commerce server, in communication with said set-top box and with said electronic database for managing an e-commerce transaction relating to a product selection by the viewer/server received thereby from said set-top box. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a contextual data management server for managing television program contextual data directed to said electronic database and for constructing linkages among the contextual data and products. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a fulfillment server for controlling the delivery of orders to a viewer/purchaser. 
     
     
         16 . A method for purchasing a product by a TV viewer comprising the steps of:
 storing metadata for at least one product linked with data contextually associated with at least one TV program on a searchable electronic database;   displaying a TV program on a TV video receiver;   displaying at least one widget trigger overlay on the TV video receiver;   identifying TV program contextual data responsive to a widget launched by the viewer through a TV set-top box in connection with the internet during the TV program;   searching the electronic database for metadata relating to the at least one product linked to the TV program contextual data;   transmitting the metadata relating to the at least one linked product to the set-top box through the internet connection, whereby the at least one product is displayed on the TV video receiver; and   transmitting metadata for at least one product to the set-top box through the internet connection responsive to a viewer request through the set-top box for information concerning the at least one product, whereby product metadata is displayed on the TV video receiver.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the launch of the widget trigger by the viewer comprises the steps of: transmitting information chosen from: the channel name, the program name, the episode name, the characters the cast, the crew, the athletes, the sports team the widget id, and the time the viewer widget trigger selection was made through the set-top box; and relating this information to TV program contextual data supplied by a TV network providing the TV program. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased through the set-top box; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer through the set-top box; receiving viewer account information through the set-top box; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer from the set-top box. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase through a mobile telephone; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased through a mobile telephone; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer through a mobile telephone; receiving viewer account information through a mobile telephone; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer through a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of recording the program, wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the widget launched by the viewer is achieved using information for the TV channel and the time of recordation, or the name of the program. 
     
     
         21 . A method for purchasing a product by a TV viewer comprising the steps of:
 storing metadata for at least one product linked with data contextually associated with at least one TV program on a searchable electronic database;   displaying at least one portal on a TV video receiver;   displaying a TV program on the TV video receiver responsive to a widget launched from the portal by the viewer through a TV set-top box;   identifying TV program contextual data responsive to the widget launched from the portal by the viewer through the TV set-top box in communication with the internet;   searching the electronic database for metadata for at least one product linked to the TV program contextual data;   transmitting the metadata relating to the at least one linked product to the set-top box through the internet, whereby an icon for the at least one product is displayed on the TV video receiver; and   transmitting metadata regarding at least one product to the set-top box through the internet connection responsive to the activation of the icon by the viewer, whereby product metadata is displayed on the TV video receiver.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the widget launched by the viewer comprises the steps of: transmitting information chosen from: the channel name, the program name, the episode name, and the sports team, and the time the viewer widget trigger selection was made through the set-top box; and relating this information to TV program contextual data supplied by a TV network providing the TV program. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving viewer account information through the set-top box; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer from the set-top box to the internet. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase from a mobile telephone; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased from a mobile telephone; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer from a mobile telephone; receiving viewer account information from a mobile telephone; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer from a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of recording the program, and wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the at least one widget launched by the viewer is achieved using information relating to the TV channel and time of recording, or the name of the program. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus for purchasing a product by a TV viewer, comprising:
 a television set-top box for providing television programming from a television network;   an electronic database for storing product metadata contextually related to the television programming;   a product search server in internet communication with said set-top box and in communication with said electronic database for searching for product metadata contextually related to the television programming responsive to television programming metadata from said set-top box; and   a TV video receiver in communication with said set-top box for providing a TV display of products for purchase and product metadata contextually related to a chosen TV program.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a remote controller for permitting a viewer/purchaser to communicate with said set-top box. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a remote e-commerce server, in communication with said set-top box and with said electronic database for managing an e-commerce transaction relating to a product selection by the viewer/server received thereby from said set-top box. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a contextual data management server for managing television program contextual data directed to said electronic database and for constructing linkages among the contextual data and products. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a fulfillment server for controlling the delivery of orders to a viewer/purchaser. 
     
     
         31 . A method for purchasing a product by a TV viewer comprising the steps of:
 storing metadata for at least one product linked with data contextually associated with at least one TV program on a searchable electronic database;   displaying at least one portal on a TV video receiver;   displaying a TV program on the TV video receiver responsive to a widget launched from the portal by the viewer through a TV set-top box;   identifying TV program contextual data responsive to the widget launched from the portal by the viewer through the TV set-top box in communication with the internet;   searching the electronic database for metadata for at least one product linked to the TV program contextual data;   transmitting the metadata relating to the at least one linked product to the set-top box through the internet, whereby an icon for the at least one product is displayed on the TV video receiver;   displaying at least one graphic overlay on the TV video receiver from the set-top box through the internet, providing mobile telephone texting instructions for purchasing at least one product contextually related to the at least one program; and   providing a mobile telephone link responsive to texting instructions received from a TV viewer, whereby the at least one product is purchased by the TV viewer.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the launch of the widget trigger by the viewer comprises the steps of: transmitting information chosen from: the channel name, the program name, the episode name, the characters the cast, the crew, the athletes, the sports team the widget id, and the time the viewer widget trigger selection was made through the set-top box; and relating this information to TV program contextual data supplied by a TV network providing the TV program. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase through the mobile telephone; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased through the mobile telephone; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer through the mobile telephone; receiving viewer account information through the mobile telephone; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer through the mobile telephone. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving viewer account information through the set-top box; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer from the set-top box to the internet. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the step of recording the program, wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the widget launched by the viewer is achieved using information for the TV channel and the time of recordation, or the name of the program. 
     
     
         36 . A method for purchasing a product by a TV viewer comprising the steps of:
 storing metadata for at least one product linked with data contextually associated with at least one TV program on a searchable electronic database;   displaying at least one widget trigger on a TV video receiver;   displaying the at least one TV program on a TV video receiver responsive to at least one viewer widget trigger selection through an internet connection with a set-top box;   identifying the TV program metadata from the at least one viewer widget trigger selection during the program;   searching the electronic database for metadata relating to the at least one product linked to the at least one TV program metadata;   transmitting the metadata relating to the at least one linked product to the set-top box through the internet connection, whereby the at least one product is displayed on the TV video receiver;   displaying at least one graphic overlay on the TV video receiver from the set-top box through the internet, providing mobile telephone texting instructions for purchasing at least one product contextually related to the at least one program; and   providing a mobile telephone link responsive to texting instructions received from a TV viewer, whereby the at least one product is purchased by the TV viewer.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the widget launched by the viewer comprises the steps of: transmitting information chosen from: the channel name, the program name, the episode name, and the sports team, and the time the viewer widget trigger selection was made through the set-top box; and relating this information to TV program contextual data supplied by a TV network providing the TV program. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase from the mobile telephone; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased from the mobile telephone; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer from the mobile telephone; receiving viewer account information from the mobile telephone; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer from the mobile telephone. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a viewer selection of at least one product for purchase from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving the quantity of the at least one product to be purchased from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving selected options for the at least one product from the viewer from the set-top box to the internet connection; receiving viewer account information through the set-top box; and receiving a checkout request from the viewer from the set-top box to the internet. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of recording the program, and wherein said step of identifying the TV program contextual data from the at least one widget launched by the viewer is achieved using information relating to the TV channel and time of recording, or the name of the program. 
     
     
         41 . An apparatus for purchasing a product by a TV viewer, comprising:
 a television set-top box for providing television programming from a television network;   an electronic database for storing product metadata contextually related to the television programming;   a product search server in internet communication with said set-top box and in communication with said electronic database for searching for product metadata contextually related to the television programming responsive to television programming contextual data from said set-top box;   a TV video receiver in communication with said set-top box for providing a TV display of products for purchase and product metadata contextually related to a chosen TV program, and for displaying at least one graphic overlay from the set-top box providing mobile telephone texting instructions for purchasing at least one product contextually related to the at least one program; and   a mobile telephone link responsive to texting instructions received from the TV viewer over a mobile telephone.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a remote controller for permitting a viewer/purchaser to communicate with said set-top box. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a remote e-commerce server, in communication with said set-top box and with said electronic database for managing an e-commerce transaction relating to a product selection by the viewer/server received thereby from said set-top box. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a contextual data management server for managing television program contextual data directed to said electronic database and for constructing linkages among the contextual data and products. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a fulfillment server for controlling the delivery of orders to a viewer/purchaser.