Television chat system

Abstract

A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel.The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications.The television chat system may also allow users to send chat requests to ask other users to enter a chat group. The system also permits users to establish chat groups that television viewers are permitted to join. The television chat system may be based on an interactive television program guide or set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 918,753 filed on Aug. 12, 2004 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 356,270 filed on Jul. 16, 1999, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 099,301 filed Aug. 26, 1998. The contents of each which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to television chat systems, and more particularly, to techniques for supporting chat communications in a television environment that may include an interactive television program guide.[0003]A popular aspect of the Internet relates to on-line chat services. A user of such a service may join a chat group to discuss any of a variety of topics. The participants in a chat are linked to each other over the Internet. The participants in a chat may view the comments of other participants in real time as the other participants type in their comments ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]It is an object of the present invention to provide a television chat system that does not rely solely on the Internet to form chat connections and that permits users who are watching a television program or channel to engage in real-time chat communications with each other.

[0014]The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a server. For example, a cable system headend containing a server may transmit such communications over coaxial cables that also carry television signals or other such communications paths. The system therefore may eliminate the need for additional communications paths separate from the paths that carry television signal broadcast channels for the transmission of chat communications.

Problems solved by technology

However, there is generally no way in which a user of a traditional chat service may easily view a television program while participating in a chat about that program.

A user might locate a television in the same room as the user's personal computer, but such an arrangement would be awkward to view.

Moreover, many households locate their televisions in the living room, but are reluctant to locate their computers in the living room.

There is nothing in the WebTV system, however, that ensures that participants in this type of web-based chat are watching the same television programs as the user.

The system can only accommodate one chat group, so if more than a few viewers wish to chat, it may be difficult or impossible to follow a particular chat thread of interest.

Interactive program guides have not, however, been capable of providing chat related features.

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