Systems and methods for providing a program as a gift using an interactive application

a technology of interactive applications and programs, applied in the field of television message systems, can solve the problems of difficult to locate the computer in the living room, the arrangement is awkward to view, and the user cannot easily view the traditional e-mail message system in a way that is convenient for users to use,
US20060190966A1Inactive Publication Date: 2006-08-24UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES
Publication Date
2006-08-24
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send messages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.
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Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 356,245, filed Jul. 16, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 099,301, filed Aug. 26, 1998.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to television message systems, and more particularly, to techniques for supporting the transmission of messages in a television environment that may include an interactive television program guide.

[0003] A popular aspect of the Internet and other networking environments relates to e-mail messages. A network or Internet user can send e-mail messages to other users of the network or the Internet. Messages are delivered to a server where they are held until downloaded by a client such as a personal computer. The recipient of a message can access it at any time from the server and read it at his convenience.

[0004] Telev...

Claims

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