WO2003047257A1 - Online television messenger - Google Patents

Online television messenger Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003047257A1
WO2003047257A1 PCT/IL2002/000938 IL0200938W WO03047257A1 WO 2003047257 A1 WO2003047257 A1 WO 2003047257A1 IL 0200938 W IL0200938 W IL 0200938W WO 03047257 A1 WO03047257 A1 WO 03047257A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
message
program
interactive television
recommendation
selection information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2002/000938
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2003047257A9 (en
Inventor
Hannah Clare O'toole
Yonathan Silver
Original Assignee
Nds Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0128290A external-priority patent/GB0128290D0/en
Application filed by Nds Limited filed Critical Nds Limited
Priority to AU2002353470A priority Critical patent/AU2002353470A1/en
Publication of WO2003047257A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003047257A1/en
Publication of WO2003047257A9 publication Critical patent/WO2003047257A9/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04HBROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/76Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet
    • H04H60/78Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by source locations or destination locations
    • H04H60/80Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by source locations or destination locations characterised by transmission among terminal devices
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/254Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server
    • H04N21/2543Billing, e.g. for subscription services
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/4147PVR [Personal Video Recorder]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/4227Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47End-user applications
    • H04N21/478Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4788Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76Television signal recording
    • H04N5/78Television signal recording using magnetic recording
    • H04N5/782Television signal recording using magnetic recording on tape
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00Television systems
    • H04N7/14Systems for two-way working
    • H04N7/15Conference systems
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00Television systems
    • H04N7/16Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to messaging systems for television systems, and in particular to those systems which enable messages to be passed between television devices.
  • CRID there may be more than one instance of the same desired content item (for example a broadcast of a television program may be repeated, the content item may be available from different content providers, through different networks, etc.).
  • a content item that a CRID refers to might be a grouping of other content items, for example a CRID for referring to an entire series of programs.
  • Content referencing is important for the separation of the reference to a content item - the CRID - and information that is related to its retrieval.
  • the separation provided by the CRID enables a one-to-many mapping between content references and the locations of the instance(s) of the content itself.
  • US Patent 5,414,773 describes apparatus and methods whereby individually addressed information is transmitted over a CATV network and the use of the telephone link for transmission of data in such a system is described.
  • the present invention in preferred embodiments thereof, seeks to overcome these disadvantages of the background art by providing a system and method for transmitting program information from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device, optionally and preferably in a message that also contains a recommendation concerning the program.
  • the recipient interactive television device is able to select and display a program according to program selection information for selecting program data that is contained in the message.
  • the term "television program" is defined hereinafter as any contiguous segment including a combination of one or more associated audio, video and/or data streams possessing a unique identifier associated with the segment.
  • a program may optionally have a plurality of associated streams provided that all associated streams may be uniquely identified as belonging to a single segment.
  • program data may be taken interchangeably to be one of the following two definitions: 1) actual audio, video and data streams, for example from a television program or 2) data that enables the identification of specific streams and parts of streams, thereby enabling the interactive television device to download the previously described actual streams. Irrespective of which definition is selected, the final user is able to view the associated television program, and thus both optionally fall within the scope of the present invention.
  • program selection information refers to information that enables the identification of specific streams and parts of streams for download.
  • program display data refers to actual audio, video and data streams.
  • the term "interactive television device” is defined as any device which enables a viewer to interact with a television set in ways other than controlling the channel, volume, screen brightness and contrast. This may include viewing and manipulation of Internet and data formats as well as traditional TV streams.
  • the interactive television device may optionally and preferably automatically select program display data for display according to the program selection information.
  • the user may optionally be required to request the program display data to be displayed by the interactive television device. In any case, preferably the user may manually override the selection of the program display data according to the program selection information.
  • the data included in the message may optionally include any one of a plurality of different types of program data, such as program selection information and/or program display data.
  • the data may optionally include, but is not limited to, any one or more of information concerning a specific location within these audio, video and data streams; a segment or segments of the streams between a specific start location and a specific ending location, as defined by the user; the CRID (content referencing identifier) of an entire event or any combination of the above whether being viewed live, from a PVR (personal video recorder) or otherwise.
  • the message also contains a recommendation concerning the program data from the user who controls the interactive television device that transmits the message.
  • the message may optionally contain any one or more of text, image(s), video data and audio data.
  • the user may optionally be required to make a payment before viewing the selected program display data.
  • the message itself may optionally be sent directly from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device.
  • the message is sent from a first interactive television device to a message center, which optionally and more preferably is located at a broadcaster which broadcasts the program data, typically as program display data and program selection information together, thereby enabling the interactive television device to download and display the television program.
  • the message center then transmits the message to the second interactive television device.
  • the message has an associated address, which enables the message center to determine which interactive television device or devices should receive the message.
  • the message may be broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
  • the message preferably comprises a MIME type for containing at least the program selection information. More preferably, the format of the message is structured according to an Internet mail standard.
  • Internet mail standard is meant any format for transmitting mail that is contained in the "Internet Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1; available from the Network Working Group), including but not limited to RFC 822, 934 and 1049.
  • the scope of the present invention is not limited to IRD (integrated receiver-decoder, also known as STB or set-top-box) devices, and may optionally be implemented with any appropriate computer, handheld or mobile device to send a message to or receive from an IRD for example.
  • the present invention includes any appropriate device having access to the relevant program data and a mechanism to send or receive such data electronically, any of which may be termed "a message transmission device".
  • a non-limiting example of such an implementation might optionally be a satellite broadcaster's website which has the functionality to enable an e-mail message with the required MIME type to be sent, for identifying a television program that was listed on the broadcaster's web schedule listing.
  • the e-mail message can optionally be received by an e-mail client on an IRD device and therefore trigger the recommendation functionality.
  • the interactive television device, or IRD is a preferred but non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a message transmission device.
  • the message itself may optionally contain different types of data and/or information.
  • the message preferably includes at least a portion of program data. More preferably, this portion of program data includes data related to the program selection information in the message. Most preferably, the message also includes any one or more of text data, one or more image(s), or audio data. The message may also optionally include program display data.
  • the message further comprises a recommendation for viewing the program display data that is selectable according to the program selection information.
  • each interactive television device preferably includes a message transmission module for transmitting a message containing program selection information from at least a first interactive television device to at least a second interactive television device.
  • Each interactive television device is then preferably able to select program display data, and hence to select a television program, according to the program selection information from the message. More preferably, each interactive television device features a program receiving module that is capable of selecting the program display data according to the program selection information in the message.
  • the program receiving module optionally and preferably automatically causes the program display data to be displayed according to the program selection information.
  • the program receiving module displays a screen with numerous available options, including but not limited to setting a reminder in the future, automatically showing the program in future, recording the program now or in future and so forth.
  • the option screen preferably does not include those options which are unavailable, such as immediate viewing of an unavailable program or recording where no PVR is present for example.
  • the program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) to the user, which includes the displayed option, and which also most preferably enables the option to be activated by being selected by a user.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the display of the program data according to the program selection information is capable of being manually overridden by the user, who can therefore preferably choose to prevent the program display data actually being displayed.
  • the interactive television device preferably also features a display for displaying at least the message, which optionally and more preferably also displays the program display data.
  • the message is displayed as an overlay to the program display data.
  • the interactive television devices are preferably connected with a network for supporting transmission of messages between the interactive television devices.
  • the network preferably includes a satellite communication system, such that the program receiving module receives the program data and the message through the satellite communication system.
  • satellite communication system is meant any data transmission through one or more satellites, optionally with any other components required for such transmission to occur.
  • the program data and the message are transmitted collectively in a communication stream through the satellite communication system, although optionally this may be achieved by any appropriate form of program data broadcasting medium including but not limited to satellite, cable, wireless, radio waves and broadband for example.
  • one or more of the program receiving module and the message transmission module separates the message from the communication stream.
  • Such a communication stream may optionally be a multiplex data stream.
  • the program receiving module, or alternatively the message transmission module therefore needs to separate the message from the multiplex data stream.
  • a payment module for determining whether payment is required for displaying the program display data according to the program selection information in the message.
  • an IRD integrated receiver decoder
  • the program receiving module and the message transmission module are preferably operated by the IRD.
  • a broadcaster for broadcasting the program data which preferably features a message center for passing the message from the first interactive television device to at least the second interactive television device.
  • the broadcast program data preferably includes both program selection information and program display data.
  • the message may optionally and preferably be broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
  • the present invention advantageously supports sending online television recommendations between viewers (users of the interactive television devices), preferably by using standard electronic mailing protocols such that viewers are able to notify one another of desirable programming, including but not limited to instant messaging, email, sending of single screenshots and adding comments to the content.
  • the present invention more preferably supports one or more of such features as inviting other viewers to a pay-per-view event, optionally at the initiator's expense but alternatively by payment of each recipient of the message, remotely activating video recording in the interactive television device of another user, and recording remote control activity in order to send a specific view of an event.
  • the present invention also includes determining whether a particular recipient has already ordered and/or paid for a pay-per-view event.
  • the above methods provided by the present invention may optionally be implemented according to a number of different models, including but not limited to seamless integration with Internet content, encryption, age limitation, access limitation and management and so forth.
  • IRD units are well known in the art, and are described for example in US Patent No. 5,414,773, hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
  • a viewer wishing to notify another viewer of an event may optionally and preferably choose a preprogrammed option in the IRD controller to send an instant recommendation to the selected target.
  • the IRD is preferably aware of the CRID (content referencing identifier) of the event in question, such that the event can be identified by any recipient interactive television device.
  • information about each event is stored in the internal memory of the IRD.
  • the IRD of the initiating interactive television device which is to send the message concerning the event, storing this information locally preferably enables the IRD to encapsulate the CRID in the body of a message, more preferably in accordance with the MIME specification.
  • This message is then preferably forwarded electronically to the target of choice using a coded addressed information generator for transmitting encrypted information to subscribers through a television transmission system (CATV system), an example of which can be found in US Patent No. 5,414,773 (previously incorporated by reference).
  • CATV system television transmission system
  • the message is then optionally and preferably used in conjunction with an intelligent electronic guide which controls and monitors the viewing choices of the user.
  • the message transmission device of the transmitting user which is optionally and preferably an interactive television device, is preferably able to transmit the recommendation to the recipient user in a number of different forms.
  • the transmitting device may optionally transmit a message containing program selection information about a particular portion of a television program, and/or about the entire program.
  • the program selection information optionally and preferably includes offset information, which describes the particular stream of the television program that is being referenced (assuming that multiple streams are present) and the start and/or stop times of the relevant portion within that stream.
  • personalized clips may be sent.
  • the present invention is optionally and preferably able to include additional information which optionally disables the display of certain integral sections of the television program, a non-limiting example of which is blocking the display of a portion of a game or movie.
  • the mechanism optionally limits the percentage of the total viewing content of the program which is actually sent to the receiving user, or alternatively enables altering and editing the message content.
  • the sender may thus, by way of example, optionally and preferably be prevented from selecting an entire football match, but alternatively may preferably only be permitted to select a portion of a predetermined period of time, such as a 30 second period in which a specific goal took place for example, and/or compile a collage of various replays from a match whose meta data may optionally then be placed in the message.
  • a predetermined period of time such as a 30 second period in which a specific goal took place for example
  • the transmitting viewer is able to create a personalized clip or segment of program display data that would then be displayed on the interactive television device of the receiving viewer.
  • a clip of program display data may optionally be sent in the form of an actual program, but alternatively and preferably is sent as program selection information, that enables the interactive television device of the receiving viewer to obtain the program display data. Therefore, the clip is sent as program data, encompassing one of these two alternatives.
  • such a personalized clip could optionally include different portions of a program, and/or different features within a program.
  • the transmitting viewer could optionally select one or more angles, and/or one or more images or "shots", and/or one or more "slow motion” segments, to be included in the clip.
  • a clip would be constructed according to remote-control commands sent by the transmitting viewer, which would be recorded and then replayed on the interactive television device of the receiving viewer
  • two or more viewers of interactive television devices could link the activities of their respective devices, by causing the remote control for one such device to control the display on both devices.
  • the user manipulating the remote control for a first interactive television device could cause that remote control to send one or more commands, preferably comprising program selection information, to another interactive television device or devices.
  • Each recipient interactive television device could then optionally display the program display data according to the program selection information.
  • one remote control could optionally control the display on a plurality of interactive television devices.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention in which one or more CRIDs are sent with the message, for example in the body of a standard e-mail message, rather than actual video data for example, is an important part of preferred embodiments of the present invention.
  • the CRID is therefore a form of program selection information. It will be understood that the invention may optionally include any appropriate information structure which can encapsulate the CRID, and various other pertinent information and optionally and preferably the metadata describing the contents of the information string, including but not limited to the MIME specification, XML and others. Encapsulation of such information in any of the predefined formats is referred to hereinafter as encoding, to be differentiated from encryption. Most preferably, the invention includes the capacity to include additional message information, optionally and preferably as part of the message containing one or more CRIDs but alternatively as an appended message. The additional message information may include, but is not limited to, text, voice and multimedia recorded by the sender.
  • the present invention is useful for subscriber environments in which one or both of the initiating viewer, who sends the message, and the receiving user, has purchased one or more services. More preferably, the present invention is able to detect if the event falls within the group of services purchased by the initiating viewer and/or the receiving viewer. In the event that additional payment is required, the present invention optionally and preferably permits the initiating viewer to make such payment, or alternatively optionally bills the recipient on delivery or fails to deliver if payment is refused by both parties.
  • the present invention is able to enforce the legal and policy rules of broadcasting by a broadcaster of the subscribed program data, including but not limited to age restriction, user identification and so forth.
  • the initiating user is optionally able to request control of the recipient's IRD optionally from his controller or any other appropriate input device including but not limited to the Internet, PDA or any other input device, thereby synchronizing both viewer's content selection and enabling them to remotely enjoy the same content.
  • the initiating user may be given control permission over the personal video recorder (hereinafter referred to as a PVR) of the recipient by mutual consent as part of their purchased group of services.
  • the initiator then optionally and preferably upon selecting a recommended event optionally and preferably may instruct the receiving user's PVR to record the event.
  • the present invention may also record automatically any recommendation sent by an approved remote user when the recipient is not available to confirm. This option is most preferably enabled in advance but by mutual consent.
  • a system for recommendation message transmission comprising: (a) a plurality of message transmission devices, including at least a first message transmission device and a second message transmission device; (b) a message transmission module being operated by at least said first and said second message transmission devices for transmitting a message from at least said first message transmission device to at least said second message transmission device, said message containing program data; (c) a program receiving module in communication with at least said one of said first and said second message transmission devices for receiving said program data,; and (d) a network for supporting transmission of said message between at least said first and said second message transmission devices.
  • At least one message transmission device comprises an interactive television device, said program receiving module being located at said interactive television device.
  • said program data comprises program selection information, wherein said program receiving module is capable of selecting said program display data according to said program selection information in said message.
  • said message includes a recommendation about a program, said program comprising an addressable event, and said program data comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying content of said program.
  • CRID Content Reference Identifier
  • said program display data is organized into events, and wherein said program selection information comprises a personalized clip, said personalized clip comprising program selection information from at least two separate segments of program display data from a particular event.
  • said interactive television device further comprises a display for displaying at least said message. More preferably, said display also displays said program display data. Most preferably, said message is displayed by said display as an overlay to said program display data.
  • said message further comprises text data. Also optionally, said message further comprises image data. Also optionally, said message further comprises audio data.
  • said program receiving module automatically causes said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message. Also preferably, said program receiving module provides an option for said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message. More preferably, said program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) and wherein said option is activated by being selected by a user. Most preferably, displaying said program data according to said program selection information in said message is capable of being manually overridden.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the system includes (e) a payment module for determining whether payment is required for displaying said program display data according to said program selection information in said message.
  • said network comprises a satellite communication system, and wherein said program receiving module receives said program data and said message through said satellite communication system. More preferably, said program data and said message are transmitted collectively in a communication stream through said satellite communication system, and wherein at least one of said program receiving module and said message transmission module separates said message from said communication stream.
  • said communication stream comprises a multiplex data stream, and said program receiving module separates said message from said multiplex data stream.
  • the system includes (f) an IRD (integrated receiver decoder) at said first and second interactive television devices, wherein said program receiving module and said message transmission module are operated by said IRD.
  • said IRD further comprises a message monitor software component for retrieving said message from a broadcast stream.
  • said IRD further comprises a message handler software for receiving said message.
  • said message handler software performs at least one of displaying, storing or deleting said message.
  • said message comprises a recommendation data, and wherein said IRD further comprises a recommendation handler for parsing said recommendation data.
  • said recommendation data comprises program selection information for selecting a program
  • said IRD further comprises a tuner for receiving said program, such that said recommendation handler causes said tuner to receive said program according to said program selection information.
  • said recommendation data comprises program selection information for selecting a program, the system further comprising a PVR (personal video recorder), such that said recommendation handler causes said PVR to record said program according to said program selection information.
  • said IRD further comprises a reminder handler, said reminder handler storing information to provide a reminder according to said recommendation data.
  • said IRD further comprises a sender permissions register for identifying at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action by said message transmission device transmitting said message.
  • said sender permissions register provides said identification according to an address of said message transmission device.
  • said sender permissions register provides a default identification of said at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action for an unknown message transmission device.
  • said IRD has an address, and wherein said message is transmitted according to said address.
  • the system further includes (g) a broadcaster for broadcasting said program data, said broadcaster comprising a message center for passing said message from at least said first interactive television device to at least said second interactive television device.
  • said broadcaster comprises a messaging mechanism server for receiving said message from said at least said first interactive television device and for identifying an address of said at least said second interactive television device for receiving said message.
  • said broadcaster further comprises a registration server and wherein said address is identified through said registration server.
  • said broadcaster further comprises a broadcast message generator, for constructing said message for transmission, said constructed message including address data from said registration server.
  • said broadcaster further comprises a message encryptor for encrypting said message.
  • said message is passed directly from said at least said first interactive television device to said at least said second interactive television device.
  • system further includes an instant messaging system for receiving a broadcast stream, said broadcast stream comprising at least one message and at least program display data, said instant messaging system notifying said at least said second interactive television device of said message.
  • said at least said second interactive television device receives a prompt indicating a transmission of said message, and wherein said at least said second interactive television device initiates a request to receive said message according to said prompt.
  • a method for transmitting program selection information from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device comprising: providing a plurality of program display data for different programs, wherein each program display data is selectable for display by the first and second interactive television devices; and transmitting a message from the first interactive television device to at least the second interactive television device, said message comprising program selection information for selecting program display data, wherein the second interactive television device is capable of selecting the program display data according to said program selection information in said message.
  • the method further comprises: automatically selecting said program display data according to said program selection information in said message by the second interactive television device; and displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device.
  • the method further comprises: providing an option to select said program display data according to said program selection information; and if said option is selected, displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device.
  • said displaying said program display data is capable of being manually overridden. More preferably, the method further comprises: determining whether payment is required for displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device; and if said payment is required, obtaining said payment before displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device. Most preferably, an option is displayed by the second interactive television device to make said payment upon receipt of said message.
  • said providing said plurality of program display data further comprises providing a message center, and wherein said transmitting said message further comprises: transmitting said message from the first interactive television device to said message center; and transmitting said message from said message center to the second interactive television device.
  • said message further comprises an address, and wherein said message center resolves said address to send said message to the second interactive television device.
  • said message further comprises an address for identifying the second interactive television device as a recipient of said message.
  • said message comprises a MIME type for containing at least said program selection information.
  • said message has a format, said format being structured according to an Internet mail standard.
  • said message is broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
  • said transmitting said message further comprises: viewing said program display data by the first interactive television device; selecting at least a portion of said program display data; and preparing said message for containing the program selection information related to at least a portion of said program display data.
  • each program comprises at least one addressable event
  • said program selection information comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying said addressable event.
  • said CRID comprises information for determining an offset for indicating a location of program display data to be displayed within said addressable event.
  • said content of said addressable event comprises a plurality of data streams, and wherein said offset also identifies a particular data stream.
  • said at least portion of said program display data comprises at least one of portions of a plurality of different events or a plurality of different portions of a single event, wherein said at least one of portions of a plurality of different events or a plurality of different portions of a single event is determined according to said CRID.
  • a television system comprising: a television network; and transmitting apparatus for transmitting viewing recommendations for viewing events to a multiplicity of subscriber units, at least one of said multiplicity of subscriber units including: a receiving unit for receiving said viewing recommendations from said television network; a message transmission module for allowing said receiving unit to display said viewing recommendation; and display apparatus for displaying said viewing recommendations.
  • said receiving unit further comprises: an IRD (integrated receiver decoder), wherein said display apparatus and said message transmission module are operated by said IRD. More preferably, said IRD further comprises a message monitor software component for retrieving said message from a broadcast stream.
  • IRD integrated receiver decoder
  • said IRD further comprises a message handler software for receiving said message.
  • said message handler software performs at least one of displaying, storing or deleting said message.
  • said IRD further comprises a recommendation handler for parsing said viewing recommendation.
  • said viewing recommendation comprises program selection information for selecting a program
  • said IRD further comprises a tuner for receiving said program, such that said recommendation handler causes said tuner to receive said program according to said program selection information.
  • said viewing recommendation comprises program selection information for selecting a program, the system further comprising a PVR (personal video recorder), such that said recommendation handler causes said PVR to record said program according to said program selection information.
  • said IRD further comprises a reminder handler, said reminder handler storing information to provide a reminder according to said viewing recommendation.
  • said IRD further comprises a sender permissions register for identifying at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action caused by said viewing recommendation from a transmitting subscriber unit.
  • said sender permissions register provides said identification according to an address of said transmitting subscriber unit.
  • said sender permissions register provides a default identification of said at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action for an unknown transmitting subscriber unit.
  • said IRD has an address, and wherein said message is transmitted according to said address.
  • a method for transmitting a viewing recommendation of a viewing event comprising: providing a sending interactive television device for preparing a viewing recommendation and a receiving interactive television device for receiving said viewing recommendation; preparing said viewing recommendation according to a conventional electronic mail protocol by said sending interactive television device; and transmitting said viewing recommendation to said receiving interactive television device.
  • said protocol comprises MIME.
  • said recommendation includes a unique identifier of said viewing event.
  • said recommendation includes at least one set of start and end times within said event to be displayed by said interactive television device when viewing said recommendation.
  • said recommendation further comprises an additional comment by said viewer. Also most preferably, said additional comment is stored as text, audio data, video data, image data or a combination thereof.
  • the method further includes: detecting that displaying said viewing event requires additional payment; and obtaining said additional payment.
  • said additional payment is effected through said receiving interactive television device. More preferably, said additional payment is effected through said transmitting interactive television device.
  • the method further includes: receiving said recommendation by said receiving interactive television device; and analyzing said recommendation by said receiving interactive television device according to at least one rule, wherein said recommendation is rejected if said recommendation is not acceptable according to said at least one rule.
  • said at least one rule is determined according to at least one characteristic of said transmitting interactive television device. Most preferably, said at least one characteristic is determined according to a characteristic of a subscriber of said transmitting interactive television device.
  • an interactive television recommendation device comprising: (a) a message transmission module for transmitting a message from said ITRD to a receiving device, said message containing program selection information.
  • said message includes a recommendation about a program, said program comprising an addressable event, and said program selection information comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying content of said program.
  • said receiving device is capable of displaying program display data according to said program selection information.
  • said program display data is organized into events, and wherein said program selection information comprises a personalized clip, said personalized clip comprising program selection information from at least two separate segments of program display data from a particular event.
  • said message further comprises text data.
  • said message further comprises image data.
  • said message further comprises audio data.
  • said receiving device further comprises a program receiving module, said program receiving module automatically causing said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
  • said receiving device further comprises a program receiving module, said program receiving module providing an option for said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
  • said program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) and wherein said option is activated by being selected by a user.
  • displaying said program data according to said program selection information in said message is capable of being manually overridden.
  • an interactive television device comprising: (a) a program receiving module for receiving a message comprising program selection information; and (b) a program selection unit for selecting a program in accordance with said program selection information in said message.
  • said program receiving module automatically causes said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
  • said program receiving module provides an option for said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
  • said program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) and wherein said option is activated by being selected by a user.
  • displaying said program data according to said program selection information in said message is capable of being manually overridden.
  • the device also includes (c) a program display device for displaying the program selected by the program selection unit. More preferably, the device also includes (d) a program recording unit for recording the program selected by the program selection unit. Most preferably, said program recording device automatically records the program according to said program selection information. Also most preferably, a user is capable of manually overriding automatic recording of the program.
  • a system for message transmission comprising: (a) a plurality of interactive television devices, including at least a first interactive television device and a second interactive television device; (b) a message transmission module being operated by at least said first and said second interactive television devices for transmitting a message from at least said first interactive television device to at least said second interactive television device, said message containing program selection information; (c) a program receiving module on at least said first and said second interactive television devices for receiving program display data, wherein said program receiving module is capable of selecting said program display data according to said program selection information in said message; and (d) a network for supporting transmission of said message between at least said first and said second interactive television devices.
  • said message further comprises a recommendation for viewing said program display data selectable according to said program selection information in said message.
  • a recommendation message for recommending a program the recommendation message being capable of being at least one of transmitted to or received by an interactive television device, the message comprising: program selection information for selecting program display data by the interactive television device.
  • said program selection information further comprises a CRID (Content
  • FIG. 1 is an exemplary system block diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exemplary system block diagram according to the present invention of messaging system components
  • FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of a coded addressed information generator
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary functioning of a system according to the method of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart of content options which may be sent in an exemplary system according to the method of the present invention
  • FIG. 6. is an exemplary system diagram of available recipient storage in memory according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart delineating implementation of various preferable rules which are to be followed before compilation and dispatch;
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B are exemplary system block diagrams of components pertinent to a system upon receiving a message;
  • FIG. 9 is an exemplary flow-chart of optional permissions granted to other users who wish to send recommendations.
  • the present invention in preferred embodiments thereof, comprises a system and method for transmitting program information from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device, optionally and preferably in a message that also contains a recommendation concerning the program.
  • the recipient interactive television device is able to select and display a program according to program selection information that is contained in the message.
  • the interactive television device may optionally and preferably automatically select program display data for being displayed according to the program selection information.
  • the user may optionally be required to request the program display data to be displayed by the interactive television device.
  • the user may manually override the selection of the program display data according to the program selection information.
  • the message also contains a recommendation concerning the selected program display data from the user who controls the interactive television device that transmits the message.
  • the message may optionally contain any one or more of text, image(s), video data and audio data.
  • the user may optionally be required to make a payment before viewing the selected program display data.
  • the message itself may optionally be sent directly from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device.
  • the message is sent from a first interactive television device to a message center, which optionally and more preferably is located at a broadcaster which broadcasts the program data.
  • the message center then transmits the message to the second interactive television device.
  • the message has an associated address, which enables the message center to determine which interactive television device or devices should receive the message.
  • the message may be broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
  • the message preferably comprises a MIME type for containing at least the program selection information. More preferably, the format of the message is structured according to an Internet mail standard.
  • the message itself may optionally contain different types of data and/or information.
  • the message preferably includes at least a portion of program data. More preferably, this portion of program data includes data related to the program selection information in the message. Most preferably, the message also includes any one or more of text data, one or more image(s), or audio data, and/or actual program display data.
  • the message further comprises a recommendation for viewing the program display data that is selectable according to the program selection information.
  • each interactive television device preferably includes a message transmission module for transmitting a message containing program data, such as program selection information, from at least a first interactive television device to at least a second interactive television device.
  • program data such as program selection information
  • Each interactive television device is then preferably able to select program display data, and hence to select a television program, according to the program selection information from the message. More preferably, each interactive television device features a program receiving module that is capable of selecting the program display data according to the program selection information in the message.
  • the program receiving module optionally and preferably automaticaUy causes the program display data to be displayed according to the program selection information.
  • the program receiving module displays some type of option which enables the user to determine whether the program display data is to be displayed.
  • the program receiving module displays a screen with numerous available options, including but not limited to setting a reminder in the future, automatically showing the program in future, recording the program now or in future and so forth.
  • the option screen preferably automatically does not display options for actions which are unavailable such as immediate viewing of an unavailable program or recording where no PVR is present for example.
  • the program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) to the user, which includes the displayed option, and which also most preferably enables the option to be activated by being selected by a user.
  • the display of the program display data according to the program selection information is capable of being manually overridden by the user, who can therefore preferably choose to prevent having the program display data from being displayed.
  • the interactive television device preferably also features a display for displaying at least the message, which optionally and more preferably also displays the program display data.
  • the message is displayed as an overlay to the program display data.
  • the interactive television devices are preferably connected with a network for supporting transmission of messages between the interactive television devices.
  • the network preferably includes a satellite communication system, such that the program receiving module receives the program display data and the message through the satellite communication system.
  • the program data and the message are transmitted collectively in a communication stream through the satellite communication system.
  • one or more of the program receiving module and the message transmission module separates the message from the communication stream.
  • Such a communication stream may optionally be a multiplex data stream.
  • the program receiving module, or alternatively the message transmission module would therefore need to separate the message from the multiplex data stream.
  • a payment module for determining whether payment is required for displaying the program display data according to the program selection information in the message.
  • an IRD integrated receiver decoder
  • a broadcaster for broadcasting the program data, which preferably features a message center for passing the message from the first interactive television device to at least the second interactive television device.
  • the message may optionally and preferably be broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
  • the present invention advantageously supports sending online television recommendations between viewers (users of the interactive television devices), preferably by using standard electronic mailing protocols such that viewers are able to notify one another of desirable programming, including but not limited to instant messaging, sending of single screenshots and adding comments to the content.
  • the present invention more preferably supports such features as inviting other viewers to a pay-per-view event at the initiator's or at a recipient's expense, remotely activating video recording in the interactive television device of another user, and recording remote control activity in order to send a specific view of an event.
  • the initiator is only charged by the billing system after the viewer has requested, via the recommendation, to view the material.
  • the sender is not charged if the receiver chooses not to watch a PPV event.
  • the sender is also optionally and preferably not charged if the receiver has already paid for the event.
  • the initiator is optionally informed that the initiator is not being charged due to either of these reasons without specifying which of the reasons apply.
  • the above methods provided by the present invention may optionally be implemented according to a number of different models, including but not limited to seamless integration with Internet content, encryption, age limitation, access limitation and management and so forth. These different methods and capabilities of the present invention are optionally and more preferably realized through the IRD of the interactive television device of the user.
  • a viewer wishing to notify another viewer of an event may optionally and preferably choose a preprogrammed option in the IRD controller to send an instant recommendation to the selected target.
  • the IRD is preferably aware of the CRID (content referencing identifier) of the event in question, such that the event can be identified by any recipient interactive television device.
  • program data may optionally include, or be in the form of, one or more events.
  • information about each event is stored in the internal memory of the IRD.
  • the IRD of the initiating interactive television device which is to send the message concerning the event, storing this information locally preferably enables the IRD to encapsulate the CRID in the body of a message, more preferably in accordance with the MIME specification.
  • This message is then preferably forwarded electronically to the target of choice using a coded addressed information generator for transmitting encrypted information to subscribers through a television transmission system.
  • the message is then optionally and preferably used in conjunction with an intelligent electronic guide which controls and monitors the viewing choices of the user.
  • the present invention is optionally and preferably able to include additional information which optionally limits the percentage of the total viewing content of the program which is actually sent to the receiving user or alternatively enables altering and editing the message content.
  • the sender may thus, by way of example, optionally and preferably be prevented from selecting an entire football match, but alternatively may preferably only be permitted to select a portion of a predetermined period of time, such as a 30 second period in which a specific goal took place for example, and/or compile a collage of various replays from a match whose meta data may optionally then be placed in the message.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention in which only one or more CRIDs are sent with the message, for example in the body of a standard e-mail message, rather than actual video data for example, is an important part of the present invention.
  • the invention may optionally include any appropriate information structure which can encapsulate the CRID, and various other pertinent information and optionally and preferably the metadata describing the contents of the information string, including but not limited to the MIME specification, XML and others.
  • the invention includes the capacity to include additional message information, optionally and preferably as part of the message containing one or more CRIDs but alternatively as an appended message.
  • the additional message information may include, but is not limited to, text, voice and multimedia recorded by the sender.
  • the present invention is useful for subscriber environments in which one or both of the initiating viewer, who sends the message, and the receiving user, has purchased one or more services. More preferably, the present invention is able to detect if the event falls within the group of services purchased by the initiating viewer and/or the receiving viewer. In the event that additional payment is required, the present invention optionally and preferably permits the initiating viewer to make such payment, or alternatively optionally bills the recipient on delivery or fails to deliver if payment is refused by both parties.
  • the initiating user may be given control permission over the personal video recorder (hereinafter referred to as a PVR) of the recipient by mutual consent as part of their purchased group of services.
  • the initiator then optionally and preferably upon selecting a recommended event optionally and preferably may instruct the receiving user's PVR to record the event.
  • the present invention may also record automatically any recommendation sent by an approved remote user when the recipient is not available to confirm. This option is most preferably enabled in advance but by mutual consent.
  • FIG. 1 showing a simplified block diagram illustration of a system 101 according to the present invention, including a digital television apparatus 122.
  • system 101 includes digital television apparatus 122 and an integrated receiver and decoder (IRD) 138 (which preferably includes a conventional IRD) in a single unit.
  • IRD integrated receiver and decoder
  • apparatus 122 receives programs from a headend 108 via a satellite 110 or by any other appropriate form of broadcast.
  • apparatus 122 may receive programs from a cable headend (not shown).
  • headend 108 in order to support the capacity for transmitting messages between apparatuses 122, headend 108 preferably includes a coded addressed information generator 100, which optionally and more preferably is capable of transmitting encrypted information to subscribers at apparatuses 122, and more specifically at IRD's 138. Coded addressed information generator 100 is discussed in more detail in Figure 3. .
  • transmission from a first IRD 138 to coded addressed information generator 100 centers around transmission from a first IRD 138 to coded addressed information generator 100 as a message center (see Figure 2 for a more detailed diagram of the components of coded addressed information generator 100), and from such a message center to the recipient IRD 138/apparatus 122, the present invention also encompasses direct transmission of the message from the first IRD 138/apparatus 122 to recipient IRD 138/apparatus 122 (not shown).
  • Transmission from IRD 138 to coded addressed information generator 100 may optionally be achieved via satellite 110, but more preferably uses a separate component at apparatus 122, which could optionally include telephone network 124 and PSTN 125, or LAN 126 working through network 127, optionally the internet.
  • the television programs are preferably received at an antenna 112 and provided, via a coaxial cable and a connector 114, or any other appropriate conventional mechanism and/or means, to apparatus 122.
  • the television programs are preferably received and decoded in an integrated receiver and decoder (IRD) 138 which preferably includes a conventional IRD.
  • IRD integrated receiver and decoder
  • the television programs received at IRD 138 are tuned to and decoded under control of a processor 144.
  • Decoded television programs are preferably provided, under control of processor 144, either directly to a television 118 or to a high capacity memory 162 preferably via a data bus 136.
  • television 118 may comprise any preferred type of display.
  • High capacity memory 162 may preferably include a conventional high capacity hard disk as used in conventional personal computers or a plurality of high capacity hard disks. It is appreciated that today a conventional computer typically includes a hard disk having a capacity of 40 - 80 Gigabyte, and hard disks with capacities of 100 Gigabyte are considered today as state-of-the-art. Higher capacity hard disks are also contemplated under the present invention.
  • a good quality movie of two hours requires a storage capacity of 1 Gigabyte.
  • a 40 Gigabyte hard disk may typically store thirty to forty full length movies or several typical television shows, each having a length of 30 - 45 minutes.
  • a 1000 Gigabyte hard disk may typically store one thousand full length movies, or about 3000 typical television shows.
  • the high capacity memory 162 may preferably be implemented by a hard disk having a capacity of at least 100 Gigabyte in order to provide good performance of apparatus 122.
  • the capacity of memory 162 is not meant to be limiting, and memory 162 may be also implemented by hard disks having capacities other than 100 Gigabyte.
  • External removable memory 148 may optionally include at least one of the following media: a magnetic tape; a CD-ROM (Compact-Disk Read-Only-Memory); a digital video disk (DVD); a write-many read-many compact disk or DVD; and a removable hard disk.
  • External removable memory 148 is preferably accessible via a removable memory reader and writer 146 which is operatively associated with the data bus 136. It is appreciated that the external removable memory 148 may be used to extend storage capacity of apparatus 122 so that a plurality of movies may be stored in both the memories 162 and 148.
  • the external removable memory 148 may include a recording media changer (not shown) having a plurality of removable memories (not shown) housed in a housing (not shown) and manipulated by a changer robot (not shown).
  • the high capacity memory 162 and the external removable memory 148 may additionally store video and audio information provided by at least one of the following sources: an external video source 120, such as a video camera, a conventional VCR, or an image storage device (not shown); a telephone network 124, which may include a cellular telephone network (not shown); and a local area network (LAN) 126.
  • an external video source 120 such as a video camera, a conventional VCR, or an image storage device (not shown)
  • a telephone network 124 which may include a cellular telephone network (not shown); and a local area network (LAN) 126.
  • LAN local area network
  • the video and audio information provided by telephone network 124 and LAN 126 may originate from external sources, such as the World Wide Web (WWW) (not shown), and may be routed to telephone network 124 and LAN 126 via networks, such as the Internet (not shown), and a wide area network (WAN) (not shown).
  • WWW World Wide Web
  • WAN wide area network
  • At least one of memory 162 and memory 148 may by divided into two parts: a broadcaster part which may include, for example, commercials which the broadcaster is interested in having a user view; and a user part in which information generated or selected by the user may be stored. It is appreciated that information may be transferred from the user part to the broadcaster part and vice versa.
  • apparatus 122 communicates with telephone network 124 via a modem 130 and with the LAN 126 via a LAN interface 128.
  • Video source 120 is typically operatively associated with processor 144 via the data bus 136.
  • the video source 120 may be associated with an image processor 156 which may be operatively associated with the data bus 136. It is appreciated that apparatus 122 may also communicate with the headend 108 via one of the telephone network 124 and the LAN 126. Alternatively, apparatus 122 may communicate with the headend 108 by employing a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 116 for transmitting uplink information via the connector and coaxial cable 114, the antenna 112 and the satellite 110. Apparatus 122 may utilize a separate component to facilitate this uplink which could optionally include telephone network 124 working via line and PSTN 125 or LAN 126 working through network 127, optionally the Internet.
  • RF radio frequency
  • the transmitter 116 may be driven by data provided by processor 144 via the data bus 136.
  • apparatus 122 may communicate with the headend 110 via a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) as is well known in the art.
  • VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal
  • Apparatus 122 also preferably includes a compressor/decompressor 134 which is operative to compress/decompress data provided to/retrieved from any one of the memories 162 and 148.
  • the compressor/decompressor 134 is preferably operatively associated with the data bus 136.
  • apparatus 122 may be operated by the user via a remote control 160, or an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse (not shown), which may communicate with apparatus 122 via an input/output (I/O) interface 152.
  • the I/O interface 152 is preferably comprised in apparatus 122 and is operatively associated with processor 144. It is appreciated that instructions and selections inputted by the user via the remote control 160 are executed by processor 144.
  • the remote control 160 includes function keys for operating special functions as described below.
  • Apparatus 122 also preferably includes an encryptor/decryptor 132 which is operative to encrypt/decrypt data provided to/retrieved from any one of the memories 162 and 148.
  • the encryptor/decryptor 132 is preferably operatively associated with the data bus 136 and is operative with keys or seeds provided by a smart card 150 via a smart card reader 164. It is appreciated that the keys or seeds provided by smart card 150 may be operative to provide conditional access to and parental control of data stored in the memories 162 and 148.
  • parental control is used throughout the specification and claims to include control by a person who has right to control what programs another person, or persons, may view and/or record/delete, and/or otherwise use. For example, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, parental control is typically used to control programs whose viewing by children requires consent of a parent.
  • Processor 144 preferably includes the following units: an agent module 140; a commercial manager 158; a user programming manager 142; an image processor 156; and a viewing analysis module 154. It is appreciated that at least some of the units comprised in apparatus 122, and especially the compressor/decompressor 134, may be embodied in a general purpose processor, and the general purpose processor may be operative to execute all functions performed by the units in apparatus 122 which are comprised in the general purpose processor. Preferably, apparatus 122 may be employed to digitally record television programs provided by the headend 110 in one of the memories 162 and 148.
  • apparatus 122 may be operative to record several programs simultaneously while viewing any program displayed at any channel, wherein the programs may be transmitted over different channels. It is appreciated that programs may be transmitted during off-peak hours for display later. It is appreciated that apparatus 122 may optionally operate as a home server for recording/deleting and displaying programs and information generated at various terminals at home and/or provided from networks, such as the Internet. Additionally, apparatus 122 may be also employed to transmit programs recorded in one of the memories 162 and 148 to other users, either via a subscriber management system (not shown), or directly to users addresses.
  • the programs transmitted to the other users may be transmitted via at least one of the following: the LAN 126; the telephone network 124; and the transmitter 116 or the VSAT. It is appreciated that transmission of programs to the other users and/or reception of programs from any of the other users may require conditional access which may preferably be provided by the smart card 150. It is appreciated that operations such as recording of programs, retrieval of programs stored in the memories 162 and 148, and deletion of programs stored in the memories 162 and 148 are preferably controlled by processor 144. Apparatus 122 also preferably enables a variety of additional features such as editing of programs stored in the memories 162 and 148 to include only portions which are of interest to the user.
  • apparatus 122 may also optionally and preferably include a message transmission module 104 for preparing messages for transmission, and/or for receiving transmitted messages and preparing a display of the information contained therein.
  • Message transmission module 104 is preferably included within an information encryptor/decryptor 102.
  • payment may be required for transmission of a message. More preferably, payment is only required for transmission of a message that contains particular content, and/or a reference to the content, such as program selection information for example, that enables the program display data to be obtained. Alternatively or additionally, payment may be required depending upon the group of services purchased by the transmitting user and/or the recipient user.
  • the user may be charged in order to send the recommendation, and most preferably the recommendation will be for PPV content which would require additional payment on the receiving end, and therefore create new revenue for the CATV operator.
  • Payment may optionally be made through system 101 for such message transmission and/or use of the content associated with the message.
  • payment for the message and/or associated content is performed in a conventional method, such as by operating a key on remote control 160 to accept the message and/or to display the content associated with the message.
  • the payment is preferably handled via smart card 150.
  • at least part of the material received at apparatus 122 may be compressed and encrypted. In such a case, the material is preferably decompressed at the compressor/decompressor 134 and decrypted at the encryptor/decryptor 132 under control of the smart card 150 as is well known in the art.
  • a message received at apparatus 122 is associated with a broadcaster set of parameters regarding payment.
  • the broadcaster set of parameters may optionally and preferably define information which may characterize the program data and/or tags which are associated with the program data and characterize features of the program data. Examples of such information include but are not limited to: (1) A type of the program such as a movie, a show, a commercial, and a program provided from the WWW; (2) supplementary information accompanying the program such as a review of the program as provided by a reviewer, detailed information regarding a product offered by the program, notes accompanying the program, tagged portions of the program, and a percentage of viewers who are currently watching the program; (3) parental control associated with at least a portion of the program which requires parental control; (4) expiration time of the program and/or a number of times the program is watched; (5) general information, such as a program title, a time when the program is broadcast, a length of the program, a determination whether the program is encoded and a compression format of the program; and (6) media items, such as WWW content, advertising pointers and pointers to WWW sites. It is appreciated
  • smart card 150 With regard to services, such as message transmission and/or receiving, that are provided as part of the group of subscribed services, optionally and preferably smart card 150 must be present for such services to be provided. More preferably, smart card 150 also enables the associated content with a message to be displayed, for example by retrieving scrambled or encrypted program data. It is appreciated that conditional access via smart card 150 to access and/or retrieve scrambled programs is preferably performed in one of methods which are well known in the art. It is further appreciated that programs which are transmitted in clear form do not require the presence of smart card 150, unless smart card 150 is required for a purpose other than decryption. Alternatively or additionally, the user may be also required to provide identification, such as by means of smart card 150, to allow access to a program that is broadcast in clear form.
  • the user preferably creates a message with the keys on remote 160.
  • the message may optionally and more preferably include program information about a particular program, or alternatively may include a portion of the program itself.
  • this set of programming information is stored in high-capacity memory 162.
  • MPEG unit 106 and message transmission module 104 are then optionally able to transform this associated information and/or the content itself into an optional MIME type or other type of coded message format, for example when the user presses the "send" key on remote 160 for a specific recommendation/segment.
  • this encoded message segment is then sent to encryptor/decryptor 102 where the message is encrypted, optionally in a format that only headend 108 can read.
  • Headend 108 is most preferably able to receive recommendation information via one of telephone network 124 and LAN 126.
  • apparatus 122 may communicate with headend 108 by employing a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 116 for transmitting uplink information via the connector and coaxial cable 114, antenna 112 and satellite 110 all of which are well-known in the art of television broadcasting.
  • RF radio frequency
  • the message when headend 108 receives the message, the message preferably is transformed into a specifically encrypted message such that only apparatus 122 having appropriate smart card 150 can decrypt the message and then forwards the message for general broadcasting via satellite 110.
  • the message may optionally and preferably be constructed for being accessed by a plurality of specific apparatuses 122 and/or IRD's 138, or alternatively may be suitable for broadcasting.
  • the recipient's apparatus 122 preferably receives the message in the same manner as regular broadcasting information is sent, i.e. via antenna 112 and cable and connector 114.
  • encryptor/decryptor 102 then decrypts the message using the decryption key on smart card 150 and more preferably passes the message to message transmission module 104.
  • Message transmission module 104 preferably uses MPEG unit 106 to project the message above the content already being streamed to television 118, or alternately activates recording onto memories 162 or 148 in accordance with the authorizations of the sender.
  • Recipient's responses to the menu/message projected by MPEG unit 106 are preferably received by I/O interface 152 and processed by processor 144 in accordance with the processes described in the following figures.
  • Figure 1 shows an exemplary, preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention. Not all components of the system may be required as shown in Figure 1 , as sub-combinations of these elements are also operative to provide and/or operate the system, device and method according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows the components and mechanisms required for messaging from system 101 in greater detail, which may also optionally be operative as an exemplary sub-combination of the elements of system 101 for the present invention.
  • interactive television apparatus 122 preferably includes message transmission module 104 within encryptor/decryptor 102, which may also optionally include encryption functionality.
  • Message transmission module 104 preferably prepares a message according to the MIME specification, as described in greater detail below. More preferably, the message concerns information about a particular program and/or actual program display data, which most preferably is obtained through a program receiving module 304.
  • Program receiving module 304 is optionally and preferably able to receive program data, and to cause interactive television device 122 to display that program display data.
  • the message is then optionally and preferably encrypted by encryptor/decryptor 102, for example to permit only a particular recipient to access the message.
  • the message is then optionally sent through any of satellite 110, telephone 124 or LAN 126 to a broadcaster 302.
  • Broadcaster 302 comprises headend 108.
  • Headend 108 preferably comprises a message center 300, which more preferably is able to determine an address for the message, and then to pass the message to the correct address. Such an address could optionally be for a second interactive television device 122 (not shown).
  • Such a format could be specified according to a MIME type.
  • the basic MIME type could optionally specify the broadcaster, version of the MIME type being used, and information related to the actual broadcast and/or program such as Service Information (SI) for example.
  • Service Information Service Information
  • Illustrative examples of such service information include but are not limited to, TID (Table ID), SID (Service ID), EID (Event ID), Event Start and Event duration. This information could optionally be used for single program recommendations.
  • the TID, SID, EID, Event Start and Event duration could all be encoded in hexadecimal strings. A non-limiting, illustrative example is shown below:
  • the MIME type could optionally be extended for program series recommendations by repeating the event specific information fields.
  • the event specific information is only available in the broadcast for, for example, the next 8 days so the identification of a series program after that time could be dependant on the allocation of event ids and event descriptors by the broadcaster.
  • the MIME could either use a repeating event id for the same series episode at the same time each week or a special descriptor could be used to identify the series. Both options are illustrated in the two examples below:
  • an event (such as a program for example) could optionally and preferably be identified according to its CRID.
  • This option has the advantage of being operable across multiple broadcaster platforms, since different CRIDs from each broadcaster may optionally be resolved according to the same or a similar mechanism.
  • FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of a coded addressed information generator.
  • a message may be sent through a plurality of mechanisms including, but not limited to e-mail and instant messaging. Regardless of the mechanism employed, the message preferably must be addressed to an individual who is a registered and identifiable user of a particular IRD, although alternatively, optionally broadcasting to a plurality of individuals may be permitted.
  • the message is preferably prepared and sent from sender IRD 138, as previously described.
  • the message is then preferably received at a messaging mechanism server 190.
  • Messaging mechanism server 190 may optionally be implemented as an instant messaging hub, or an e-mail server or any other appropriate mechanism.
  • messaging mechanism server 190 is preferably capable of identifying the address of the recipient of the message, for example by identifying the relevant IRD/smartcard of that recipient.
  • Messaging mechanism server 190 is preferably able to identify the relevant IRD/smartcard to which the user is registered through a registration server 192.
  • registration server 192 may each be composed of a plurality of separate components, or alternatively may optionally be combined into a single element (not shown).
  • the message data more preferably including the recommendation data and additional message data, and addressing data are passed to a broadcast message generator 194.
  • Broadcast message generator 194 preferably builds the correctly addressed message.
  • the correctly addressed message is then optionally passed to a message encryptor 196, which optionally and preferably holds a key register 198 suitable for encrypting the message for certain users.
  • Broadcast message generator 194 optionally and preferably encrypts the message suitably for the addressee. All of these components (apart from IRD 138) are preferably located at headend 108.
  • the message is then preferably passed with other information to the MUX (multiplex stream generator or multiplexer; not shown), which is also part of headend 108, for inclusion in the multiplex stream, for transmission to receiver IRD 138.
  • MUX multiplex stream generator or multiplexer; not shown
  • the message may optionally be transmitted directly, as described with regard to Figure 4 below. Both of these alternatives involve transmission through a transport service which connects the user who transmits the message to the recipient.
  • the message may also optionally be transmitted without resorting to such a transport service.
  • a specialized instant messaging system may optionally be used, which listens to the broadcast stream and is able to collect the addressed messages sent to each registered user from the broadcast stream.
  • the instant messaging system would preferably also include the coded addressed information generator described above.
  • a low bandwidth alternative mechanism may optionally be used instead.
  • a prompt could optionally be sent to the IRD/other message transmission device of the recipient, indicating that a message is waiting, preferably at a particular location.
  • the prompt could cause the message transmission device of the recipient to "dial in" or otherwise connect to a predefined location. More preferably, such a prompt would cause the message transmission device of the user to automatically retrieve the message, although optionally such automatic retrieval could be enabled or disabled by the user.
  • FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of exemplary functionality of a system according to the method of the present invention where all steps in the chart are typically necessary to form an embodiment of the current invention.
  • Stages 1 to 3 support the process of the current invention.
  • a MIME message type is created. This type is able to convey the message data with an included definition of its meta-data, and may be substituted by any appropriate meta-data enabled format for standard internet mail messaging, examples of which structures and objects include, but are not limited to MIME, XML, FTP, TCP/IP and any subset thereof and so forth.
  • IRD of the sender is equipped with the capacity to create and send messages. As delineated in Figures 1 and 2, this involves an optional dedicated processor and/or some type of message transmission module which is preferably able either by software or hardware to encrypt and broadcast the above message to the headend, more preferably in a format which only the headend may decrypt. Alternatively, IRD of the sender is capable of transmitting the message directly to another IRD or IRDs.
  • IRD of the sender is equipped with the capacity to receive, decrypt, decode and present a message, more preferably as sent directly to that specific user where the unique identifier of the user is combined with the encrypted data in a manner well-known in the art to re-create the original encrypted content in a manner which may be used and comprehended by the necessary processes.
  • the user of the transmitting IRD compiles a message or recommendation to send.
  • This message may optionally include text, program information, entire programming, edited content or multimedia for example.
  • the message may optionally include one or more CRIDs for containing information about an event, which may optionally be a program for example.
  • the message may optionally include the recommendation section built in the correct MIME type.
  • the IRD software preferably capmres the relevant program selection information, optionally including the CRID, TID or EID for example, for the program being recommended from the required program data.
  • This data may optionally include the additional editing described in Figure 5, which enables the automatic channel changing and other activities at the receiving end.
  • the user chooses, optionally from an approved list of recipients, the recipient or group of recipients of the current message.
  • This may optionally include, but is not limited to, any one of a plurality of address listings, including but not limited to an email address book built by the user, a list of instant messaging users having frequent correspondence, and so forth depending on the message mechanism being employed.
  • the message is preferably encoded.
  • the encoded message may also optionally be encrypted.
  • the encrypted, encoded message is preferably sent in stage 7. More preferably, the message is transmitted first to the message center of the broadcaster headend, although alternatively the message is transmitted directly.
  • Direct transmission between IRDs is optionally achieved through a selection of transport mechanisms and methods, for example through a subscriber telephone network, television network, other network or broadcast stream, which may optionally be used separately or in conjunction as non-limiting examples.
  • "Direct transmission" is defined within the context of the present invention as a logical concept, as the message is initiated from one message transmission device, such as an interactive television device for example, and received at the other specifically addressed message transmission device, regardless of the number of mechanisms used.
  • One optional mechanism is the use of an e-mail message with the relevant attachment sent to an e-mail address associated with the receiving television device.
  • the optional e-mail message could be sent via telephone or network connection and collected by the other message transmission device from an e-mail message server, for example through a telephone or network connection.
  • an instant messaging protocol may optionally be employed. This protocol again uses some type of network transport to send the recommendation.
  • the message data is passed through the instant messaging infrastructure to the relevant user who picks up the message and recommendation data through telephone and/or other types of network connections.
  • the message conveyed by the network then reaches IRD of the recipient in stage 8.
  • the IRD of the recipient optionally checks to determine whether the message is sent from an approved list of one or more users, more preferably according to an identifier for the IRD and/or interactive television device of that user.
  • the message is optionally and preferably decrypted, decoded and presented.
  • the behavior of the IRD of the recipient is optionally and preferably adjusted according to input from the message.
  • the message may optionally contain program information which may cause the IRD to become tuned to a particular program and/or to otherwise receive particular program data.
  • Figure 5 is a flowchart of content options which may be sent in an exemplary system according to the method of the present invention.
  • the menu option to send a recommendation (stage 1) is optionally and most preferably expanded to include at least three content sending options.
  • the first option (stage 2) is the default behavior of the preferred embodiment as outlined in Fig. 4 where a single CRID pointing to an entire event is encoded and sent in the message.
  • the preferred embodiments of the system optionally and preferably feature a second option (stage 3) in which only the current screenshot is delivered as content.
  • the IRD encodes the CRID and in addition an offset time duration, optionally in the form of a number of seconds which indicates the time lapse from the start of the event to the moment at which the appropriate screenshot is made visible.
  • any type of parameter may optionally be used in order to determine this offset, such that the appropriate screenshot is displayed according to the offset.
  • the offset also optionally and preferably includes information about which stream within a television program to which the offset pertains; for example, for a screenshot, the offset may optionally be related to the video stream.
  • the IRD of the recipient then optionally and preferably requests from its headend, or accesses from a storage medium as appropriate, the image belonging to the above mentioned CRID at the appropriate offset and displays it.
  • stage 4 Another illustrative, non-limiting example of a possible chain of events is depicted in Fig. 5, (stage 4), in which the user optionally and most preferably is able to compile at least one video clip containing a portion or portions of the event uniquely defined by the present CRID. This is most preferably achieved according to the processes outlined between stage 5 and stage 9.
  • the viewer marks the beginning of a portion of program data that is to be conveyed, as program display data and/or as program selection information, with the message.
  • the user may optionally use back/forward and play options (stage 5).
  • the user preferably begins recording (stage 6).
  • the IRD preferably internally notes the offset time from the beginning of the event.
  • the viewer preferably then detects the end of the portion to be conveyed, and/or the associated program information, more preferably with a recommendation, optionally by using the forward and play options (stage 7).
  • the user preferably instructs the IRD to cease recording and/or otherwise noting the associated content information (stage 8).
  • the IRD preferably internally notes the offset time from the beginning of the event as the end time. This set of initial and final offsets from the beginning of the event constitutes a portion to be sent.
  • the user may optionally send any number of additional portions (stage 9).
  • Yet another possible chain of programming content that may optionally and preferably be included in the embodiments of the present invention is an option to record not only a portion or series of portions of content, but other manipulations made to the output of IRD by the user in the time of viewing.
  • Each entry from the controller into IRD is preferably recorded such that for example a change in sound properties in the middle of the music and event are encoded and sent with the message (not shown).
  • Figure 6 is a system diagram of an exemplary system for available recipient storage in memory according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
  • the recipient In order to appear on the list of potential recipients in recipient list storage area 164, the recipient himself may optionally and preferably authorize the sender in advance.
  • the list of available recipients is stored in system memory 162 and a subscriber is able to send a single recommendation to a plurality of recipients whose details are stored in memory in a designated recipient list storage area 164.
  • the system optionally stores a list of recipients with an internal identification number 166, their name 168, their internal address in the CATV network 170 and optionally and preferably a public encryption key 172 ensuring that messages sent to a specific user are not readable by other users.
  • the potential recipients may be organized into a table of recipient groups 174 which are made available to the user in order to facilitate the sending of the same recommendation with minimal effort to multiple people.
  • the IRD looks in table 174 for all users 180 within the specific group ID 176 or name 178 and then preferably looks these up recipient list storage area 164 and sends the message to all these recipients.
  • the IRD device includes the ability to record programs, thereby enabling additional options upon receipt of a recommendation.
  • the user may optionally record the program instantly if they are watching an alternative program at the time of arrival, or optionally choose to record the program at a later time when the program is available for viewing again.
  • the recommendation handling software is optionally an integrated part of the PVR software and enables the request for the relevant recording activity to be fulfilled.
  • the message handling software preferably parses the received message in both the present user and absent user scenarios.
  • the same software which maintains the lists of recipients may also optionally provide additional options to the recipient, in the case where the IRD device includes the ability to record a program.
  • the recipient may optionally choose to record the recommended program instantly if the program is available at the time of receipt, but the recipient is watching something else.
  • the recipient may optionally choose to record the recommended program when the program is on for later viewing.
  • the recommendation handling software is integrated into the PVR software, enabling the PVR to request the relevant recording activity to be performed.
  • the message handling software handles receipt of the message and processing in both the present user and absent user scenarios.
  • the same software that maintains the lists of recipients is extended so that each listed identifier has associated privileges for messages received from them. These include, amongst others, the absent user recording trigger and so forth.
  • Figure 7 is a flowchart delineating the implementation of various preferable rules which are to be followed after choosing the recipient, adding additional content before conversion.
  • the first logical juncture met before sending of content is the question of payment, thus the processes in stage 1 preferably consider the event in question is Pay Per View (PPV).
  • PSV Pay Per View
  • the system then optionally and preferably checks if the total length of content sent is above a preferably pre-determined length and/or percentage of the total event in stage 2. If the selected portions are found to conform to the parameterized definition of a preview, then the system continues to check further parameters. Should the section be found long enough to constitute a viewing, the system must then check if the event is not already within the recipient's set or group of allowed services in stage 3. Once again, if the event has been pre-paid on the side of the recipient, the system can continue along the logical lines to dispatch.
  • PSV Pay Per View
  • the sender is now optionally and preferably asked if the sending user wishes to pay for the event in stage 4, thereby inviting the recipient at the sender's or the recipient's expense. In the event that the sender should agree then the system continues.
  • the system optionally and preferably informs the sender that the sender would only be charged if the recipient accepts the invitation and the event is not in the recipient's bouquet.
  • the request for payment may optionally take the form of an automated return message from the recipient's machine where this issue is resolved, optionally inviting the sender to affect payment after the first message is sent, but prior to the display of the message to the user. Should the sender refuse to pay for an event which clearly requires payment, the system may optionally continue to the next logical step, storing an additional parameter in stage 9 for conversion and inclusion in the electronic message which indicates that payment must be demanded from the recipient upon conditional conversion in stage 8.
  • the system then continues to check rules including, but not limited to age restrictions in stage 5, the recipient's age in stage 6 or any other appropriate set of possible limitations (such as parental guidance, language incompatibility and so forth) or special options in stage 7 (such as the ability to remotely record content on the recipient's PVR, authorizing payments and so forth).
  • age restrictions in stage 5 the recipient's age in stage 6 or any other appropriate set of possible limitations (such as parental guidance, language incompatibility and so forth) or special options in stage 7 (such as the ability to remotely record content on the recipient's PVR, authorizing payments and so forth).
  • the privacy of the recipient is preferably further protected by performing only limited, non-intrusive tests at the sender's IRD.
  • tests include, but are not limited to, area restrictions, as for example when a sporting event cannot be viewed in the vicinity of a stadium where the event is occurring, and so forth.
  • Tests regarding entitlement would optionally and preferably be carried out at the recipient's IRD in Stage 9. However, it should be noted that such tests could optionally be performed at either IRD, as appropriate.
  • the system optionally allows the receiver to choose to make the payment, allowing the receiver to accept the recommendation, but pay for it on his own.
  • the system may optionally inform the sender if the sender's invitation has been accepted or rejected. In the event that both sender and recipient refuse to pay, the sender may optionally be informed that the sender's recommendation has been declined.
  • the sender could optionally be informed that the sender would not be charged (in full).
  • the sender could optionally be given a list of possible reasons for this, e.g., the recipient has already subscribed or has declined the invitation or the PPV is no longer available; but to protect the recipient's privacy, the sender is optionally not informed of the specific reason.
  • Figure 8A is an exemplary logic diagram of exemplary components pertinent for receiving a message.
  • the recipient Upon receipt of a message, the recipient optionally and preferably is provided with a menu of options affecting the components of digital television apparatus 122.
  • the screen optionally identifies itself with a brief identifying message 202 from the sending user, which is a part of a total message 200, which includes all options set in Figure 7 of payment and eligibility and is stored in internal memory 162 after decryption, further optionally indicating information about sender 201, and more preferably the name 206 and CRID 208 of the recommended viewing event.
  • Message 200 may also optionally include the capability for the recipient to interact with the recommendation and agree or decline to pay.
  • Message 200 may also optionally inform the recipient that the sender has paid, or that the recommendation cannot be viewed. The recipient is then optionally and most preferably able to activate a number of options in a single click. Selected content 204 may also optionally be included, and/or viewing reminders 210.
  • Figure 8B is an exemplary system block diagram of the pertinent components within the IRD for receiving a message.
  • the message is optionally picked up by the message monitor software component 220 (for example when the message is included in the broadcast stream and read from the broadcast stream when addressed to the IRD) or directly by the relevant message handler software 222, an example of which is an email client program or instant messaging software.
  • the relevant message handler software 222 There may optionally be a plurality of message handling components on the IRD.
  • Messages received through message monitor software component 220 are preferably passed to the relevant message handler software 222, which then preferably handles the optional display and subsequent deletion or storage of the surrounding message and other attachments, if present.
  • a recommendation handler 224 is preferably also present, which is capable of parsing the recommendation data and handling this data appropriately.
  • Each of message handler software 222 preferably use recommendation handler 224 to process the received recommendations.
  • Recommendation handler 224 preferably uses a sender permissions register 236, optionally maintained by the IRD user to identify which actions are possible for recommendations from the sender.
  • information from the CRID may be used for one or more pre-defined actions, such as acceptance of the recommendation for example.
  • An unknown sender is optionally and more preferably allowed a default set of permissions also defined by the IRD user, most preferably including but not limited to the option to change channel or ignore for example.
  • Recommendation handler 224 then preferably uses the data in the recommendation to offer the relevant options to the user and/or in the absence of the user to trigger the default behavior, and/or to otherwise trigger default behaviors.
  • the recommendation data may optionally always require user verification.
  • Particular components within the IRD are preferably at least optionally controlled by recommendation handler 224 in order to perform one or more actions associated with the recommendation.
  • the action may optionally be performed automatically, or alternatively may require manual intervention, as previously described.
  • recommendation handler 224 preferably uses a tuner 226 to change channels.
  • a reminder handler 228 may optionally be part of an EPG and is preferably used to save a reminder.
  • EPG 230 is preferably used to display more details on the program and PVR 232 is preferably used to trigger later or instant recording. EPG 230 may also optionally be used to display a message to the user, and/or a link or links to recommendations.
  • conditional access system 234 may optionally be called to purchase the recommended content.
  • examples of options that may be invoked in response to the message include but are not limited to the ability to see the sender's comments 202 as stored in memory, the ability to see selected content 204, the ability to instantly record content 204 in an external recording device (not shown), the ability to either instantly request a reminder for the next full screening of the event by adding CRID 208 into a stored list or viewing reminders 210, or optionally to request from the electronic programming guide a list of all future screenings in order to request a reminder for one of them (not shown) and naturally.
  • the option to ignore the recommendation preferably leads to the erasure of the entire message 200 from internal memory 162.
  • one or more qualifying criteria are considered, including where necessary finalization of payment, authorization, parental supervision and so forth, in order to determine whether content 204 can be displayed.
  • Figure 9 is a flow-chart of optional permissions granted to other uses who wish to send recommendations in order to define permissions granted to other users who wish to send recommendations.
  • the list of approved senders may optionally be modified in a user screen, for example by expanding, contracting or modifying an existing subscriber from a list of those approved. Characteristics of the subscriber permissions are delineated by example.
  • the name of the sender is displayed in stage 1.
  • a formal unique address within the system is preferably defined in stage 2.
  • various permissions in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the current invention are preferably defined, including but not limited to permitting interruption of the recipient's viewing (stage 3), automatically generating reminder for recommended content when recipient is away (stage 4) and automatic recording of the recommendations (stage 5).
  • stage 6 Another permission that may optionally be defined is to automatically allow recording of such recommendations even if they require additional payment (stage 6).
  • the recipient may optionally provide permission to the transmitting user to initiate synchronization and so forth. After the user has selected these options, optionally and preferably these choices may be confirmed or canceled, after which the subscriber is preferably enabled to send recommendations.
  • stage 7 The ability to synchronize control via the system of more than one IRD (stage 7) is an optional embodiment of the present invention, wherein upon receiving permission from the recipient of such request, the transmitting user is preferably able to control operation of the IRD with regard to the program selection information and/or program display data contained in the transmitted message.
  • the sender or initiator of a recommendation may optionally be charged for sending a recommendation, but may also optionally be paid if the recipient accepts the recommendation and also chooses to purchase the associated television program.
  • payment for recommendations may optionally be handled through a specific payment mechanism, that for example may optionally differ from the payment mechanism for PPV (pay per view).
  • the price for specific material can optionally be provided to the IRD/EPG in advance for PPV, as a fixed price, for example based on such factors as the type of PPV and the time the PPV was ordered.
  • the program selection information and/or program display data may not be known in advance.
  • the price may therefore optionally be determined at a number of different points, such as at the sender's IRD, preferably based on a formula that may optionally be stored in the IRD or a smart card, which uses such factors as the price for the regular PPV, and percentage of material sent.
  • Certain parts of a PPV could optionally cost more than other parts.
  • There could also optionally be a different price if someone sends a recommendation with material missing e.g., a clip with the advertisements skipped).
  • the price for a recommendation could also optionally be determined at the headend, after the message has been sent, if it is sent via the headend. This could be attached to the intercepted message and the recipient would be required to pay.
  • the price for a recommendation could also optionally be determined at the recipient's IRD, based on factors relevant to the recipient. For example, the recipient may have membership in a club that entitles the recipient to reduced prices.
  • the sender may also optionally receive payment if the recipient chooses to purchase the program, for example as PPV.
  • the mechanism described above to charge the sender of a recommendation could optionally be used to pay the sender.
  • Non-limiting examples of payment could optionally include one or more of credit towards purchases, prizes, points, opportunity to participate in promotions or events, and so on.
  • Payment to the sender could optionally be based on various factors, for example the identity of the recommended material, and whether the recipient uses the recommendation to purchase the material.

Abstract

A system and a method for sending online television recommendations between viewers using standard electronic mailing protocols such that content viewers are able to notify one another of desirable programming, including but not limited to instant messaging, sending of single screenshots and adding comments to the content for example. The present invention supports such features as inviting other viewers to a pay-per-view event at the initiator's or recipient's expense, remotely activating video recording in another's machine, recording remote control activity in order to send a specific view of an event. The above method may optionally be optionally be implemented including seamless integration with Internet content, encryption, age limitation, access limitation and management and so forth.

Description

ONLINE TELEVISION MESSENGER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to messaging systems for television systems, and in particular to those systems which enable messages to be passed between television devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With the increased availability of a large amount of content now present in most digital content environments, subscribers often miss content which they may have enjoyed because they are unaware that it was available. This is often not a result of lack of information, but rather the result of information being lost because of its abundance. With content in general and pay-per-view in particular providers are losing potential revenue because of this phenomenon. The effectiveness of advertising and informing suffer from the law of diminishing returns, and most digital content providers have reached the saturation point where further advertising will not increase net viewership. A reliable method of recommendation which the client is unlikely to ignore is thus the only viable solution to the saturation issue.
Published PCT Application No. WO 00/01149, entitled "Advanced Television System", describes a digital television recording system. A program is stored in the memory of the decoding unit together with the broadcaster set of parameters and the agent set of parameters, forming an addressable "event" capable of being referenced by its unique CRID (Content Reference Identifier, an identifier for content that is independent of its location; see for example SP004, version 12, available from http://www.tv-anytime.org). The CRID identifies a specific content item, but does not specify the location of that content item. More detailed characteristics of the content, such as the price, the quality, the presence of commercials, etc., may not be known before the CRID is produced.
For any particular CRID, there may be more than one instance of the same desired content item (for example a broadcast of a television program may be repeated, the content item may be available from different content providers, through different networks, etc.).
A content item that a CRID refers to might be a grouping of other content items, for example a CRID for referring to an entire series of programs. Content referencing is important for the separation of the reference to a content item - the CRID - and information that is related to its retrieval. The separation provided by the CRID enables a one-to-many mapping between content references and the locations of the instance(s) of the content itself.
US Patent 5,414,773 describes apparatus and methods whereby individually addressed information is transmitted over a CATV network and the use of the telephone link for transmission of data in such a system is described.
Published PCT Application No. WO 99/01984, entitled "Intelligent Electronic Guide", describes apparatus and methods whereby user profiles with their associated enablements are stored in such a way as to control and monitor the user's viewing.
"Internet Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1 ; available from the Network Working Group), especially RFC 822, 934 and 1049, defines standards for Internet mail. The present application claims priority from:
UK Patent Application No. 0128290.4, filed 26 November 2001; and US Provisional Patent Application S/N 60/334,157 of Solman, filed 29 November 2001. The disclosures of all references mentioned above and throughout the present specification are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Few sources of recommendation could carry the weight of online recommendation from a trusted friend, known associate or fellow viewer. A system whereby these trusted parties are enabled, inter alia, to send immediate recommendations, activate recording on another's machine, synchronize remote controls, send sections of content with comments and so forth is thus an ideal solution. The background art does not teach or suggest transmission of messages between interactive television devices. The background art also does not teach or suggest that such messages may contain a recommendation for viewing a television program.
The present invention, in preferred embodiments thereof, seeks to overcome these disadvantages of the background art by providing a system and method for transmitting program information from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device, optionally and preferably in a message that also contains a recommendation concerning the program. Preferably, the recipient interactive television device is able to select and display a program according to program selection information for selecting program data that is contained in the message. The term "television program" is defined hereinafter as any contiguous segment including a combination of one or more associated audio, video and/or data streams possessing a unique identifier associated with the segment. A program may optionally have a plurality of associated streams provided that all associated streams may be uniquely identified as belonging to a single segment.
For the purposes of the present invention, the term "program data" may be taken interchangeably to be one of the following two definitions: 1) actual audio, video and data streams, for example from a television program or 2) data that enables the identification of specific streams and parts of streams, thereby enabling the interactive television device to download the previously described actual streams. Irrespective of which definition is selected, the final user is able to view the associated television program, and thus both optionally fall within the scope of the present invention. The term "program selection information" refers to information that enables the identification of specific streams and parts of streams for download. The term "program display data" refers to actual audio, video and data streams.
The term "interactive television device" is defined as any device which enables a viewer to interact with a television set in ways other than controlling the channel, volume, screen brightness and contrast. This may include viewing and manipulation of Internet and data formats as well as traditional TV streams. The interactive television device may optionally and preferably automatically select program display data for display according to the program selection information. Alternatively, the user may optionally be required to request the program display data to be displayed by the interactive television device. In any case, preferably the user may manually override the selection of the program display data according to the program selection information.
The data included in the message may optionally include any one of a plurality of different types of program data, such as program selection information and/or program display data. For example, the data may optionally include, but is not limited to, any one or more of information concerning a specific location within these audio, video and data streams; a segment or segments of the streams between a specific start location and a specific ending location, as defined by the user; the CRID (content referencing identifier) of an entire event or any combination of the above whether being viewed live, from a PVR (personal video recorder) or otherwise. Preferably, the message also contains a recommendation concerning the program data from the user who controls the interactive television device that transmits the message. The message may optionally contain any one or more of text, image(s), video data and audio data. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the user may optionally be required to make a payment before viewing the selected program display data.
The message itself may optionally be sent directly from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device. Alternatively and preferably, the message is sent from a first interactive television device to a message center, which optionally and more preferably is located at a broadcaster which broadcasts the program data, typically as program display data and program selection information together, thereby enabling the interactive television device to download and display the television program. The message center then transmits the message to the second interactive television device. Optionally and preferably, the message has an associated address, which enables the message center to determine which interactive television device or devices should receive the message. Optionally, the message may be broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
According to optional but preferred embodiments of the present invention, the message preferably comprises a MIME type for containing at least the program selection information. More preferably, the format of the message is structured according to an Internet mail standard. By "Internet mail standard" is meant any format for transmitting mail that is contained in the "Internet Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1; available from the Network Working Group), including but not limited to RFC 822, 934 and 1049.
The scope of the present invention is not limited to IRD (integrated receiver-decoder, also known as STB or set-top-box) devices, and may optionally be implemented with any appropriate computer, handheld or mobile device to send a message to or receive from an IRD for example. The present invention includes any appropriate device having access to the relevant program data and a mechanism to send or receive such data electronically, any of which may be termed "a message transmission device". A non-limiting example of such an implementation might optionally be a satellite broadcaster's website which has the functionality to enable an e-mail message with the required MIME type to be sent, for identifying a television program that was listed on the broadcaster's web schedule listing. The e-mail message can optionally be received by an e-mail client on an IRD device and therefore trigger the recommendation functionality. The interactive television device, or IRD, is a preferred but non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a message transmission device.
The message itself may optionally contain different types of data and/or information. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the message preferably includes at least a portion of program data. More preferably, this portion of program data includes data related to the program selection information in the message. Most preferably, the message also includes any one or more of text data, one or more image(s), or audio data. The message may also optionally include program display data.
Optionally and preferably, the message further comprises a recommendation for viewing the program display data that is selectable according to the program selection information.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for message transmission between a plurality of interactive television devices. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any particular architecture, such that for example, messages may optionally be sent through a third party component or alternatively directly between interactive television devices. According to preferred embodiments of the system according to the present invention, each interactive television device preferably includes a message transmission module for transmitting a message containing program selection information from at least a first interactive television device to at least a second interactive television device.
Each interactive television device is then preferably able to select program display data, and hence to select a television program, according to the program selection information from the message. More preferably, each interactive television device features a program receiving module that is capable of selecting the program display data according to the program selection information in the message.
The program receiving module optionally and preferably automatically causes the program display data to be displayed according to the program selection information. Alternatively, the program receiving module displays a screen with numerous available options, including but not limited to setting a reminder in the future, automatically showing the program in future, recording the program now or in future and so forth. The option screen preferably does not include those options which are unavailable, such as immediate viewing of an unavailable program or recording where no PVR is present for example. Optionally and more preferably, the program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) to the user, which includes the displayed option, and which also most preferably enables the option to be activated by being selected by a user.
Optionally and preferably, the display of the program data according to the program selection information is capable of being manually overridden by the user, who can therefore preferably choose to prevent the program display data actually being displayed.
The interactive television device preferably also features a display for displaying at least the message, which optionally and more preferably also displays the program display data. Optionally, the message is displayed as an overlay to the program display data. The interactive television devices are preferably connected with a network for supporting transmission of messages between the interactive television devices. The network preferably includes a satellite communication system, such that the program receiving module receives the program data and the message through the satellite communication system. By "satellite communication system" is meant any data transmission through one or more satellites, optionally with any other components required for such transmission to occur.
Preferably, the program data and the message are transmitted collectively in a communication stream through the satellite communication system, although optionally this may be achieved by any appropriate form of program data broadcasting medium including but not limited to satellite, cable, wireless, radio waves and broadband for example. Optionally, one or more of the program receiving module and the message transmission module separates the message from the communication stream. Such a communication stream may optionally be a multiplex data stream. The program receiving module, or alternatively the message transmission module, therefore needs to separate the message from the multiplex data stream.
According to other preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a payment module for determining whether payment is required for displaying the program display data according to the program selection information in the message.
According to still other preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an IRD (integrated receiver decoder) at the interactive television devices, such that the program receiving module and the message transmission module are preferably operated by the IRD. According to yet other preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a broadcaster for broadcasting the program data, which preferably features a message center for passing the message from the first interactive television device to at least the second interactive television device. The broadcast program data preferably includes both program selection information and program display data. The message may optionally and preferably be broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
The present invention advantageously supports sending online television recommendations between viewers (users of the interactive television devices), preferably by using standard electronic mailing protocols such that viewers are able to notify one another of desirable programming, including but not limited to instant messaging, email, sending of single screenshots and adding comments to the content. The present invention more preferably supports one or more of such features as inviting other viewers to a pay-per-view event, optionally at the initiator's expense but alternatively by payment of each recipient of the message, remotely activating video recording in the interactive television device of another user, and recording remote control activity in order to send a specific view of an event. Preferably, the present invention also includes determining whether a particular recipient has already ordered and/or paid for a pay-per-view event.
The above methods provided by the present invention may optionally be implemented according to a number of different models, including but not limited to seamless integration with Internet content, encryption, age limitation, access limitation and management and so forth.
These different methods and capabilities of the present invention are optionally and more preferably realized through the IRD of the interactive television device of the user. IRD units are well known in the art, and are described for example in US Patent No. 5,414,773, hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. For the present invention, a viewer wishing to notify another viewer of an event may optionally and preferably choose a preprogrammed option in the IRD controller to send an instant recommendation to the selected target. The IRD is preferably aware of the CRID (content referencing identifier) of the event in question, such that the event can be identified by any recipient interactive television device.
Preferably, information about each event is stored in the internal memory of the IRD. For the IRD of the initiating interactive television device, which is to send the message concerning the event, storing this information locally preferably enables the IRD to encapsulate the CRID in the body of a message, more preferably in accordance with the MIME specification. This message is then preferably forwarded electronically to the target of choice using a coded addressed information generator for transmitting encrypted information to subscribers through a television transmission system (CATV system), an example of which can be found in US Patent No. 5,414,773 (previously incorporated by reference). The message is then optionally and preferably used in conjunction with an intelligent electronic guide which controls and monitors the viewing choices of the user.
The message transmission device of the transmitting user, which is optionally and preferably an interactive television device, is preferably able to transmit the recommendation to the recipient user in a number of different forms. For example, the transmitting device may optionally transmit a message containing program selection information about a particular portion of a television program, and/or about the entire program. For the former embodiment, the program selection information optionally and preferably includes offset information, which describes the particular stream of the television program that is being referenced (assuming that multiple streams are present) and the start and/or stop times of the relevant portion within that stream. Alternatively or additionally, as described below, personalized clips may be sent.
The present invention is optionally and preferably able to include additional information which optionally disables the display of certain integral sections of the television program, a non-limiting example of which is blocking the display of a portion of a game or movie. According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the mechanism optionally limits the percentage of the total viewing content of the program which is actually sent to the receiving user, or alternatively enables altering and editing the message content. The sender may thus, by way of example, optionally and preferably be prevented from selecting an entire football match, but alternatively may preferably only be permitted to select a portion of a predetermined period of time, such as a 30 second period in which a specific goal took place for example, and/or compile a collage of various replays from a match whose meta data may optionally then be placed in the message.
Optionally and more preferably, the transmitting viewer (user) is able to create a personalized clip or segment of program display data that would then be displayed on the interactive television device of the receiving viewer. As described above, such a clip of program display data may optionally be sent in the form of an actual program, but alternatively and preferably is sent as program selection information, that enables the interactive television device of the receiving viewer to obtain the program display data. Therefore, the clip is sent as program data, encompassing one of these two alternatives.
In any case, such a personalized clip could optionally include different portions of a program, and/or different features within a program. For example, for a sporting event in which different angles of the same event may optionally be viewed, the transmitting viewer could optionally select one or more angles, and/or one or more images or "shots", and/or one or more "slow motion" segments, to be included in the clip. Most preferably, such a clip would be constructed according to remote-control commands sent by the transmitting viewer, which would be recorded and then replayed on the interactive television device of the receiving viewer
According to other preferred embodiments of the present invention, two or more viewers of interactive television devices could link the activities of their respective devices, by causing the remote control for one such device to control the display on both devices. For example, the user manipulating the remote control for a first interactive television device could cause that remote control to send one or more commands, preferably comprising program selection information, to another interactive television device or devices. Each recipient interactive television device could then optionally display the program display data according to the program selection information. Thus, one remote control could optionally control the display on a plurality of interactive television devices. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which one or more CRIDs are sent with the message, for example in the body of a standard e-mail message, rather than actual video data for example, is an important part of preferred embodiments of the present invention. The CRID is therefore a form of program selection information. It will be understood that the invention may optionally include any appropriate information structure which can encapsulate the CRID, and various other pertinent information and optionally and preferably the metadata describing the contents of the information string, including but not limited to the MIME specification, XML and others. Encapsulation of such information in any of the predefined formats is referred to hereinafter as encoding, to be differentiated from encryption. Most preferably, the invention includes the capacity to include additional message information, optionally and preferably as part of the message containing one or more CRIDs but alternatively as an appended message. The additional message information may include, but is not limited to, text, voice and multimedia recorded by the sender. In addition, optionally and preferably, the present invention is useful for subscriber environments in which one or both of the initiating viewer, who sends the message, and the receiving user, has purchased one or more services. More preferably, the present invention is able to detect if the event falls within the group of services purchased by the initiating viewer and/or the receiving viewer. In the event that additional payment is required, the present invention optionally and preferably permits the initiating viewer to make such payment, or alternatively optionally bills the recipient on delivery or fails to deliver if payment is refused by both parties.
In addition, optionally and preferably, the present invention is able to enforce the legal and policy rules of broadcasting by a broadcaster of the subscribed program data, including but not limited to age restriction, user identification and so forth.
According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the initiating user (viewer) is optionally able to request control of the recipient's IRD optionally from his controller or any other appropriate input device including but not limited to the Internet, PDA or any other input device, thereby synchronizing both viewer's content selection and enabling them to remotely enjoy the same content.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the initiating user may be given control permission over the personal video recorder (hereinafter referred to as a PVR) of the recipient by mutual consent as part of their purchased group of services. The initiator then optionally and preferably upon selecting a recommended event optionally and preferably may instruct the receiving user's PVR to record the event.
In addition, optionally and preferably, the present invention may also record automatically any recommendation sent by an approved remote user when the recipient is not available to confirm. This option is most preferably enabled in advance but by mutual consent.
It will be appreciated that the above functions and embodiments are in no way intended to be limiting and may optionally and preferably coexist simultaneously in any appropriate configuration, including or excluding any of the above and in any combination thereof. In addition the present invention could be implemented as software, hardware or any appropriate combination thereof. For any of these implementations, the functional stages performed by the method could be described as a plurality of logical processes implementable in any suitable programming language or any form of circuitry with such functionality.
According to the present invention, there is provided a system for recommendation message transmission, comprising: (a) a plurality of message transmission devices, including at least a first message transmission device and a second message transmission device; (b) a message transmission module being operated by at least said first and said second message transmission devices for transmitting a message from at least said first message transmission device to at least said second message transmission device, said message containing program data; (c) a program receiving module in communication with at least said one of said first and said second message transmission devices for receiving said program data,; and (d) a network for supporting transmission of said message between at least said first and said second message transmission devices.
Preferably, at least one message transmission device comprises an interactive television device, said program receiving module being located at said interactive television device. Also preferably, said program data comprises program selection information, wherein said program receiving module is capable of selecting said program display data according to said program selection information in said message.
Preferably, said message includes a recommendation about a program, said program comprising an addressable event, and said program data comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying content of said program.
Optionally and preferably, said program display data is organized into events, and wherein said program selection information comprises a personalized clip, said personalized clip comprising program selection information from at least two separate segments of program display data from a particular event. Preferably, said interactive television device further comprises a display for displaying at least said message. More preferably, said display also displays said program display data. Most preferably, said message is displayed by said display as an overlay to said program display data.
Optionally, said message further comprises text data. Also optionally, said message further comprises image data. Also optionally, said message further comprises audio data.
Preferably, said program receiving module automatically causes said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message. Also preferably, said program receiving module provides an option for said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message. More preferably, said program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) and wherein said option is activated by being selected by a user. Most preferably, displaying said program data according to said program selection information in said message is capable of being manually overridden.
Also most preferably, the system includes (e) a payment module for determining whether payment is required for displaying said program display data according to said program selection information in said message. Preferably, said network comprises a satellite communication system, and wherein said program receiving module receives said program data and said message through said satellite communication system. More preferably, said program data and said message are transmitted collectively in a communication stream through said satellite communication system, and wherein at least one of said program receiving module and said message transmission module separates said message from said communication stream. Most preferably, said communication stream comprises a multiplex data stream, and said program receiving module separates said message from said multiplex data stream.
According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the system includes (f) an IRD (integrated receiver decoder) at said first and second interactive television devices, wherein said program receiving module and said message transmission module are operated by said IRD. Preferably, said IRD further comprises a message monitor software component for retrieving said message from a broadcast stream. More preferably, said IRD further comprises a message handler software for receiving said message. Most preferably, said message handler software performs at least one of displaying, storing or deleting said message. Also most preferably, said message comprises a recommendation data, and wherein said IRD further comprises a recommendation handler for parsing said recommendation data. Most preferably, said recommendation data comprises program selection information for selecting a program, and wherein said IRD further comprises a tuner for receiving said program, such that said recommendation handler causes said tuner to receive said program according to said program selection information.
Preferably, said recommendation data comprises program selection information for selecting a program, the system further comprising a PVR (personal video recorder), such that said recommendation handler causes said PVR to record said program according to said program selection information. More preferably, said IRD further comprises a reminder handler, said reminder handler storing information to provide a reminder according to said recommendation data. Most preferably, said IRD further comprises a sender permissions register for identifying at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action by said message transmission device transmitting said message. Also most preferably, said sender permissions register provides said identification according to an address of said message transmission device. Also most preferably, said sender permissions register provides a default identification of said at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action for an unknown message transmission device. Preferably, said IRD has an address, and wherein said message is transmitted according to said address.
According to other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the system further includes (g) a broadcaster for broadcasting said program data, said broadcaster comprising a message center for passing said message from at least said first interactive television device to at least said second interactive television device. Preferably, said broadcaster comprises a messaging mechanism server for receiving said message from said at least said first interactive television device and for identifying an address of said at least said second interactive television device for receiving said message. More preferably, said broadcaster further comprises a registration server and wherein said address is identified through said registration server. Also more preferably, said broadcaster further comprises a broadcast message generator, for constructing said message for transmission, said constructed message including address data from said registration server.
Most preferably, said broadcaster further comprises a message encryptor for encrypting said message. Preferably, said message is passed directly from said at least said first interactive television device to said at least said second interactive television device.
Also preferably, the system further includes an instant messaging system for receiving a broadcast stream, said broadcast stream comprising at least one message and at least program display data, said instant messaging system notifying said at least said second interactive television device of said message.
Alternatively and preferably, said at least said second interactive television device receives a prompt indicating a transmission of said message, and wherein said at least said second interactive television device initiates a request to receive said message according to said prompt.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting program selection information from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device, comprising: providing a plurality of program display data for different programs, wherein each program display data is selectable for display by the first and second interactive television devices; and transmitting a message from the first interactive television device to at least the second interactive television device, said message comprising program selection information for selecting program display data, wherein the second interactive television device is capable of selecting the program display data according to said program selection information in said message.
Preferably, the method further comprises: automatically selecting said program display data according to said program selection information in said message by the second interactive television device; and displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device.
More preferably, the method further comprises: providing an option to select said program display data according to said program selection information; and if said option is selected, displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device.
Preferably, said displaying said program display data is capable of being manually overridden. More preferably, the method further comprises: determining whether payment is required for displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device; and if said payment is required, obtaining said payment before displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device. Most preferably, an option is displayed by the second interactive television device to make said payment upon receipt of said message.
Also most preferably, said providing said plurality of program display data further comprises providing a message center, and wherein said transmitting said message further comprises: transmitting said message from the first interactive television device to said message center; and transmitting said message from said message center to the second interactive television device.
Preferably, said message further comprises an address, and wherein said message center resolves said address to send said message to the second interactive television device. Also preferably, said message further comprises an address for identifying the second interactive television device as a recipient of said message.
More preferably, said message comprises a MIME type for containing at least said program selection information. Most preferably, said message has a format, said format being structured according to an Internet mail standard.
Preferably, said message is broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
More preferably, said transmitting said message further comprises: viewing said program display data by the first interactive television device; selecting at least a portion of said program display data; and preparing said message for containing the program selection information related to at least a portion of said program display data.
Most preferably, each program comprises at least one addressable event, and said program selection information comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying said addressable event. Also most preferably, said CRID comprises information for determining an offset for indicating a location of program display data to be displayed within said addressable event. Also most preferably, said content of said addressable event comprises a plurality of data streams, and wherein said offset also identifies a particular data stream.
Preferably, said at least portion of said program display data comprises at least one of portions of a plurality of different events or a plurality of different portions of a single event, wherein said at least one of portions of a plurality of different events or a plurality of different portions of a single event is determined according to said CRID.
More preferably, said plurality of portions forms a personalized clip. Also more preferably, said message further comprises recommendation data. According to still other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a television system comprising: a television network; and transmitting apparatus for transmitting viewing recommendations for viewing events to a multiplicity of subscriber units, at least one of said multiplicity of subscriber units including: a receiving unit for receiving said viewing recommendations from said television network; a message transmission module for allowing said receiving unit to display said viewing recommendation; and display apparatus for displaying said viewing recommendations.
Preferably, said receiving unit further comprises: an IRD (integrated receiver decoder), wherein said display apparatus and said message transmission module are operated by said IRD. More preferably, said IRD further comprises a message monitor software component for retrieving said message from a broadcast stream.
Also more preferably, said IRD further comprises a message handler software for receiving said message. Most preferably, said message handler software performs at least one of displaying, storing or deleting said message.
Preferably, said IRD further comprises a recommendation handler for parsing said viewing recommendation. More preferably, said viewing recommendation comprises program selection information for selecting a program, and wherein said IRD further comprises a tuner for receiving said program, such that said recommendation handler causes said tuner to receive said program according to said program selection information. Most preferably, said viewing recommendation comprises program selection information for selecting a program, the system further comprising a PVR (personal video recorder), such that said recommendation handler causes said PVR to record said program according to said program selection information. Preferably, said IRD further comprises a reminder handler, said reminder handler storing information to provide a reminder according to said viewing recommendation. More preferably, said IRD further comprises a sender permissions register for identifying at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action caused by said viewing recommendation from a transmitting subscriber unit. Most preferably, said sender permissions register provides said identification according to an address of said transmitting subscriber unit. Also most preferably, said sender permissions register provides a default identification of said at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action for an unknown transmitting subscriber unit.
Preferably, said IRD has an address, and wherein said message is transmitted according to said address.
According to yet other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting a viewing recommendation of a viewing event, comprising: providing a sending interactive television device for preparing a viewing recommendation and a receiving interactive television device for receiving said viewing recommendation; preparing said viewing recommendation according to a conventional electronic mail protocol by said sending interactive television device; and transmitting said viewing recommendation to said receiving interactive television device. Preferably, said protocol comprises MIME. More preferably, said recommendation includes a unique identifier of said viewing event. Most preferably, said recommendation includes at least one set of start and end times within said event to be displayed by said interactive television device when viewing said recommendation. Also most preferably, said recommendation further comprises an additional comment by said viewer. Also most preferably, said additional comment is stored as text, audio data, video data, image data or a combination thereof.
Preferably, the method further includes: detecting that displaying said viewing event requires additional payment; and obtaining said additional payment. Preferably, said additional payment is effected through said receiving interactive television device. More preferably, said additional payment is effected through said transmitting interactive television device.
Preferably, said viewing of said recommendation is canceled in the event of failure of said additional payment. Also preferably, the method further includes: receiving said recommendation by said receiving interactive television device; and analyzing said recommendation by said receiving interactive television device according to at least one rule, wherein said recommendation is rejected if said recommendation is not acceptable according to said at least one rule.
More preferably, said at least one rule is determined according to at least one characteristic of said transmitting interactive television device. Most preferably, said at least one characteristic is determined according to a characteristic of a subscriber of said transmitting interactive television device.
According to still other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an interactive television recommendation device (ITRD) comprising: (a) a message transmission module for transmitting a message from said ITRD to a receiving device, said message containing program selection information. Preferably, said message includes a recommendation about a program, said program comprising an addressable event, and said program selection information comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying content of said program. More preferably, said receiving device is capable of displaying program display data according to said program selection information. Most preferably, said program display data is organized into events, and wherein said program selection information comprises a personalized clip, said personalized clip comprising program selection information from at least two separate segments of program display data from a particular event.
Preferably, said message further comprises text data.
Also preferably, said message further comprises image data. Preferably, said message further comprises audio data. More preferably, said receiving device further comprises a program receiving module, said program receiving module automatically causing said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
Alternatively and more preferably, said receiving device further comprises a program receiving module, said program receiving module providing an option for said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message. Most preferably, said program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) and wherein said option is activated by being selected by a user.
Preferably, displaying said program data according to said program selection information in said message is capable of being manually overridden.
According to yet other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an interactive television device comprising: (a) a program receiving module for receiving a message comprising program selection information; and (b) a program selection unit for selecting a program in accordance with said program selection information in said message. Preferably, said program receiving module automatically causes said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message. More preferably, said program receiving module provides an option for said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message. Most preferably, said program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) and wherein said option is activated by being selected by a user.
Preferably, displaying said program data according to said program selection information in said message is capable of being manually overridden.
More preferably, the device also includes (c) a program display device for displaying the program selected by the program selection unit. More preferably, the device also includes (d) a program recording unit for recording the program selected by the program selection unit. Most preferably, said program recording device automatically records the program according to said program selection information. Also most preferably, a user is capable of manually overriding automatic recording of the program.
According to yet other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a system for message transmission, comprising: (a) a plurality of interactive television devices, including at least a first interactive television device and a second interactive television device; (b) a message transmission module being operated by at least said first and said second interactive television devices for transmitting a message from at least said first interactive television device to at least said second interactive television device, said message containing program selection information; (c) a program receiving module on at least said first and said second interactive television devices for receiving program display data, wherein said program receiving module is capable of selecting said program display data according to said program selection information in said message; and (d) a network for supporting transmission of said message between at least said first and said second interactive television devices. Preferably, said message further comprises a recommendation for viewing said program display data selectable according to said program selection information in said message.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a recommendation message for recommending a program, the recommendation message being capable of being at least one of transmitted to or received by an interactive television device, the message comprising: program selection information for selecting program display data by the interactive television device.
Preferably, said program selection information further comprises a CRID (Content
Reference Identifier) for identifying content of the program.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is an exemplary system block diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exemplary system block diagram according to the present invention of messaging system components; FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of a coded addressed information generator; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary functioning of a system according to the method of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart of content options which may be sent in an exemplary system according to the method of the present invention;
FIG. 6. is an exemplary system diagram of available recipient storage in memory according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart delineating implementation of various preferable rules which are to be followed before compilation and dispatch; FIGS. 8A and 8B are exemplary system block diagrams of components pertinent to a system upon receiving a message; and
FIG. 9 is an exemplary flow-chart of optional permissions granted to other users who wish to send recommendations.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention, in preferred embodiments thereof, comprises a system and method for transmitting program information from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device, optionally and preferably in a message that also contains a recommendation concerning the program. Preferably, the recipient interactive television device is able to select and display a program according to program selection information that is contained in the message.
The interactive television device may optionally and preferably automatically select program display data for being displayed according to the program selection information. Alternatively, the user may optionally be required to request the program display data to be displayed by the interactive television device. In any case, preferably the user may manually override the selection of the program display data according to the program selection information.
Preferably, the message also contains a recommendation concerning the selected program display data from the user who controls the interactive television device that transmits the message. The message may optionally contain any one or more of text, image(s), video data and audio data.
According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the user may optionally be required to make a payment before viewing the selected program display data. The message itself may optionally be sent directly from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device. Alternatively and preferably, the message is sent from a first interactive television device to a message center, which optionally and more preferably is located at a broadcaster which broadcasts the program data. The message center then transmits the message to the second interactive television device. Optionally and preferably, the message has an associated address, which enables the message center to determine which interactive television device or devices should receive the message. Optionally, the message may be broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
According to optional but preferred embodiments of the present invention, the message preferably comprises a MIME type for containing at least the program selection information. More preferably, the format of the message is structured according to an Internet mail standard.
The message itself may optionally contain different types of data and/or information. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the message preferably includes at least a portion of program data. More preferably, this portion of program data includes data related to the program selection information in the message. Most preferably, the message also includes any one or more of text data, one or more image(s), or audio data, and/or actual program display data.
Optionally and preferably, the message further comprises a recommendation for viewing the program display data that is selectable according to the program selection information.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for message transmission between a plurality of interactive television devices. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any particular architecture, such that for example, messages may optionally be sent through a third party component and/or alternatively directly between interactive television devices. According to preferred embodiments of the system according to the present invention, each interactive television device preferably includes a message transmission module for transmitting a message containing program data, such as program selection information, from at least a first interactive television device to at least a second interactive television device.
Each interactive television device is then preferably able to select program display data, and hence to select a television program, according to the program selection information from the message. More preferably, each interactive television device features a program receiving module that is capable of selecting the program display data according to the program selection information in the message.
The program receiving module optionally and preferably automaticaUy causes the program display data to be displayed according to the program selection information. Alternatively, the program receiving module displays some type of option which enables the user to determine whether the program display data is to be displayed. Alternatively, the program receiving module displays a screen with numerous available options, including but not limited to setting a reminder in the future, automatically showing the program in future, recording the program now or in future and so forth. The option screen preferably automatically does not display options for actions which are unavailable such as immediate viewing of an unavailable program or recording where no PVR is present for example. Optionally and more preferably, the program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) to the user, which includes the displayed option, and which also most preferably enables the option to be activated by being selected by a user. Optionally and preferably, the display of the program display data according to the program selection information is capable of being manually overridden by the user, who can therefore preferably choose to prevent having the program display data from being displayed.
The interactive television device preferably also features a display for displaying at least the message, which optionally and more preferably also displays the program display data. Optionally, the message is displayed as an overlay to the program display data.
The interactive television devices are preferably connected with a network for supporting transmission of messages between the interactive television devices. The network preferably includes a satellite communication system, such that the program receiving module receives the program display data and the message through the satellite communication system.
Preferably, the program data and the message are transmitted collectively in a communication stream through the satellite communication system. Optionally, one or more of the program receiving module and the message transmission module separates the message from the communication stream. Such a communication stream may optionally be a multiplex data stream. The program receiving module, or alternatively the message transmission module, would therefore need to separate the message from the multiplex data stream. Of course, other types of communication transmission mechanisms could optionally be used, additionally or alternatively, as previously described. According to other preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a payment module for determining whether payment is required for displaying the program display data according to the program selection information in the message. According to still other preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an IRD (integrated receiver decoder) at the interactive television devices, such that the program receiving module and the message transmission module are preferably operated by the IRD.
According to yet other preferred embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a broadcaster for broadcasting the program data, which preferably features a message center for passing the message from the first interactive television device to at least the second interactive television device. The message may optionally and preferably be broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
The present invention advantageously supports sending online television recommendations between viewers (users of the interactive television devices), preferably by using standard electronic mailing protocols such that viewers are able to notify one another of desirable programming, including but not limited to instant messaging, sending of single screenshots and adding comments to the content. The present invention more preferably supports such features as inviting other viewers to a pay-per-view event at the initiator's or at a recipient's expense, remotely activating video recording in the interactive television device of another user, and recording remote control activity in order to send a specific view of an event.
Preferably, even if the invitation is at the initiator's expense, the initiator is only charged by the billing system after the viewer has requested, via the recommendation, to view the material. Optionally and preferably the sender is not charged if the receiver chooses not to watch a PPV event. The sender is also optionally and preferably not charged if the receiver has already paid for the event. To protect the privacy of the recipient, the initiator is optionally informed that the initiator is not being charged due to either of these reasons without specifying which of the reasons apply. As a non-limiting example, both when a recipient of an invitation deletes the message without viewing the material and when the recipient has previously subscribed to view that material, the sender may optionally receive the same message, "The recipient either did not accept your invitation or has already subscribed to this pay-per-view" and so forth. The above methods provided by the present invention may optionally be implemented according to a number of different models, including but not limited to seamless integration with Internet content, encryption, age limitation, access limitation and management and so forth. These different methods and capabilities of the present invention are optionally and more preferably realized through the IRD of the interactive television device of the user. For the present invention, a viewer wishing to notify another viewer of an event may optionally and preferably choose a preprogrammed option in the IRD controller to send an instant recommendation to the selected target. The IRD is preferably aware of the CRID (content referencing identifier) of the event in question, such that the event can be identified by any recipient interactive television device. Hereinafter, the term "program data" may optionally include, or be in the form of, one or more events.
Preferably, information about each event is stored in the internal memory of the IRD. For the IRD of the initiating interactive television device, which is to send the message concerning the event, storing this information locally preferably enables the IRD to encapsulate the CRID in the body of a message, more preferably in accordance with the MIME specification. This message is then preferably forwarded electronically to the target of choice using a coded addressed information generator for transmitting encrypted information to subscribers through a television transmission system. The message is then optionally and preferably used in conjunction with an intelligent electronic guide which controls and monitors the viewing choices of the user.
The present invention is optionally and preferably able to include additional information which optionally limits the percentage of the total viewing content of the program which is actually sent to the receiving user or alternatively enables altering and editing the message content. The sender may thus, by way of example, optionally and preferably be prevented from selecting an entire football match, but alternatively may preferably only be permitted to select a portion of a predetermined period of time, such as a 30 second period in which a specific goal took place for example, and/or compile a collage of various replays from a match whose meta data may optionally then be placed in the message.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which only one or more CRIDs are sent with the message, for example in the body of a standard e-mail message, rather than actual video data for example, is an important part of the present invention. It will be understood that the invention may optionally include any appropriate information structure which can encapsulate the CRID, and various other pertinent information and optionally and preferably the metadata describing the contents of the information string, including but not limited to the MIME specification, XML and others. Most preferably the invention includes the capacity to include additional message information, optionally and preferably as part of the message containing one or more CRIDs but alternatively as an appended message. The additional message information may include, but is not limited to, text, voice and multimedia recorded by the sender.
In addition, optionally and preferably, the present invention is useful for subscriber environments in which one or both of the initiating viewer, who sends the message, and the receiving user, has purchased one or more services. More preferably, the present invention is able to detect if the event falls within the group of services purchased by the initiating viewer and/or the receiving viewer. In the event that additional payment is required, the present invention optionally and preferably permits the initiating viewer to make such payment, or alternatively optionally bills the recipient on delivery or fails to deliver if payment is refused by both parties.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the initiating user may be given control permission over the personal video recorder (hereinafter referred to as a PVR) of the recipient by mutual consent as part of their purchased group of services. The initiator then optionally and preferably upon selecting a recommended event optionally and preferably may instruct the receiving user's PVR to record the event.
In addition, optionally and preferably, the present invention may also record automatically any recommendation sent by an approved remote user when the recipient is not available to confirm. This option is most preferably enabled in advance but by mutual consent.
The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
Reference is now made to Figure 1, showing a simplified block diagram illustration of a system 101 according to the present invention, including a digital television apparatus 122. It should be noted that portions of system 101 are known in the art, and are described for example in US Patent No. 5,414,773 as a non-limiting example of at least some of the functionality of an exemplary interactive television device. The interactive television device of the present invention may optionally include digital television apparatus 122 and an integrated receiver and decoder (IRD) 138 (which preferably includes a conventional IRD) in a single unit.
Preferably, apparatus 122 receives programs from a headend 108 via a satellite 110 or by any other appropriate form of broadcast. Alternatively, apparatus 122 may receive programs from a cable headend (not shown). As described in greater detail below, in order to support the capacity for transmitting messages between apparatuses 122, headend 108 preferably includes a coded addressed information generator 100, which optionally and more preferably is capable of transmitting encrypted information to subscribers at apparatuses 122, and more specifically at IRD's 138. Coded addressed information generator 100 is discussed in more detail in Figure 3. .
It should be noted that although the present description centers around transmission from a first IRD 138 to coded addressed information generator 100 as a message center (see Figure 2 for a more detailed diagram of the components of coded addressed information generator 100), and from such a message center to the recipient IRD 138/apparatus 122, the present invention also encompasses direct transmission of the message from the first IRD 138/apparatus 122 to recipient IRD 138/apparatus 122 (not shown). Transmission from IRD 138 to coded addressed information generator 100 may optionally be achieved via satellite 110, but more preferably uses a separate component at apparatus 122, which could optionally include telephone network 124 and PSTN 125, or LAN 126 working through network 127, optionally the internet.
The television programs are preferably received at an antenna 112 and provided, via a coaxial cable and a connector 114, or any other appropriate conventional mechanism and/or means, to apparatus 122. At apparatus 122, the television programs are preferably received and decoded in an integrated receiver and decoder (IRD) 138 which preferably includes a conventional IRD.
Preferably, the television programs received at IRD 138 are tuned to and decoded under control of a processor 144. Decoded television programs are preferably provided, under control of processor 144, either directly to a television 118 or to a high capacity memory 162 preferably via a data bus 136. It is appreciated that television 118 may comprise any preferred type of display. High capacity memory 162 may preferably include a conventional high capacity hard disk as used in conventional personal computers or a plurality of high capacity hard disks. It is appreciated that today a conventional computer typically includes a hard disk having a capacity of 40 - 80 Gigabyte, and hard disks with capacities of 100 Gigabyte are considered today as state-of-the-art. Higher capacity hard disks are also contemplated under the present invention. Typically, a good quality movie of two hours requires a storage capacity of 1 Gigabyte. Thus, a 40 Gigabyte hard disk may typically store thirty to forty full length movies or several typical television shows, each having a length of 30 - 45 minutes. A 1000 Gigabyte hard disk may typically store one thousand full length movies, or about 3000 typical television shows.
It is thus appreciated that the high capacity memory 162 may preferably be implemented by a hard disk having a capacity of at least 100 Gigabyte in order to provide good performance of apparatus 122. However, the capacity of memory 162 is not meant to be limiting, and memory 162 may be also implemented by hard disks having capacities other than 100 Gigabyte.
Preferably, some television programs may be also stored in an external removable memory 148 under control of processor 144. External removable memory 148 may optionally include at least one of the following media: a magnetic tape; a CD-ROM (Compact-Disk Read-Only-Memory); a digital video disk (DVD); a write-many read-many compact disk or DVD; and a removable hard disk. External removable memory 148 is preferably accessible via a removable memory reader and writer 146 which is operatively associated with the data bus 136. It is appreciated that the external removable memory 148 may be used to extend storage capacity of apparatus 122 so that a plurality of movies may be stored in both the memories 162 and 148. Preferably, the external removable memory 148 may include a recording media changer (not shown) having a plurality of removable memories (not shown) housed in a housing (not shown) and manipulated by a changer robot (not shown).
Preferably, the high capacity memory 162 and the external removable memory 148 may additionally store video and audio information provided by at least one of the following sources: an external video source 120, such as a video camera, a conventional VCR, or an image storage device (not shown); a telephone network 124, which may include a cellular telephone network (not shown); and a local area network (LAN) 126. It is appreciated that the video and audio information provided by telephone network 124 and LAN 126 may originate from external sources, such as the World Wide Web (WWW) (not shown), and may be routed to telephone network 124 and LAN 126 via networks, such as the Internet (not shown), and a wide area network (WAN) (not shown). It is appreciated that at least one of memory 162 and memory 148 may by divided into two parts: a broadcaster part which may include, for example, commercials which the broadcaster is interested in having a user view; and a user part in which information generated or selected by the user may be stored. It is appreciated that information may be transferred from the user part to the broadcaster part and vice versa. Preferably, apparatus 122 communicates with telephone network 124 via a modem 130 and with the LAN 126 via a LAN interface 128. Video source 120 is typically operatively associated with processor 144 via the data bus 136.
Alternatively, the video source 120 may be associated with an image processor 156 which may be operatively associated with the data bus 136. It is appreciated that apparatus 122 may also communicate with the headend 108 via one of the telephone network 124 and the LAN 126. Alternatively, apparatus 122 may communicate with the headend 108 by employing a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 116 for transmitting uplink information via the connector and coaxial cable 114, the antenna 112 and the satellite 110. Apparatus 122 may utilize a separate component to facilitate this uplink which could optionally include telephone network 124 working via line and PSTN 125 or LAN 126 working through network 127, optionally the Internet.
Preferably, the transmitter 116 may be driven by data provided by processor 144 via the data bus 136. Alternatively, apparatus 122 may communicate with the headend 110 via a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) as is well known in the art. Apparatus 122 also preferably includes a compressor/decompressor 134 which is operative to compress/decompress data provided to/retrieved from any one of the memories 162 and 148. The compressor/decompressor 134 is preferably operatively associated with the data bus 136.
Preferably, apparatus 122 may be operated by the user via a remote control 160, or an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse (not shown), which may communicate with apparatus 122 via an input/output (I/O) interface 152. The I/O interface 152 is preferably comprised in apparatus 122 and is operatively associated with processor 144. It is appreciated that instructions and selections inputted by the user via the remote control 160 are executed by processor 144. Preferably, the remote control 160 includes function keys for operating special functions as described below. Apparatus 122 also preferably includes an encryptor/decryptor 132 which is operative to encrypt/decrypt data provided to/retrieved from any one of the memories 162 and 148. The encryptor/decryptor 132 is preferably operatively associated with the data bus 136 and is operative with keys or seeds provided by a smart card 150 via a smart card reader 164. It is appreciated that the keys or seeds provided by smart card 150 may be operative to provide conditional access to and parental control of data stored in the memories 162 and 148. The term "parental control" is used throughout the specification and claims to include control by a person who has right to control what programs another person, or persons, may view and/or record/delete, and/or otherwise use. For example, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, parental control is typically used to control programs whose viewing by children requires consent of a parent. Processor 144 preferably includes the following units: an agent module 140; a commercial manager 158; a user programming manager 142; an image processor 156; and a viewing analysis module 154. It is appreciated that at least some of the units comprised in apparatus 122, and especially the compressor/decompressor 134, may be embodied in a general purpose processor, and the general purpose processor may be operative to execute all functions performed by the units in apparatus 122 which are comprised in the general purpose processor. Preferably, apparatus 122 may be employed to digitally record television programs provided by the headend 110 in one of the memories 162 and 148. If IRD 138 includes a plurality of tuners (not shown), apparatus 122 may be operative to record several programs simultaneously while viewing any program displayed at any channel, wherein the programs may be transmitted over different channels. It is appreciated that programs may be transmitted during off-peak hours for display later. It is appreciated that apparatus 122 may optionally operate as a home server for recording/deleting and displaying programs and information generated at various terminals at home and/or provided from networks, such as the Internet. Additionally, apparatus 122 may be also employed to transmit programs recorded in one of the memories 162 and 148 to other users, either via a subscriber management system (not shown), or directly to users addresses. Preferably, the programs transmitted to the other users may be transmitted via at least one of the following: the LAN 126; the telephone network 124; and the transmitter 116 or the VSAT. It is appreciated that transmission of programs to the other users and/or reception of programs from any of the other users may require conditional access which may preferably be provided by the smart card 150. It is appreciated that operations such as recording of programs, retrieval of programs stored in the memories 162 and 148, and deletion of programs stored in the memories 162 and 148 are preferably controlled by processor 144. Apparatus 122 also preferably enables a variety of additional features such as editing of programs stored in the memories 162 and 148 to include only portions which are of interest to the user.
As described in greater detail with regard to Figure 2, apparatus 122 may also optionally and preferably include a message transmission module 104 for preparing messages for transmission, and/or for receiving transmitted messages and preparing a display of the information contained therein. Message transmission module 104 is preferably included within an information encryptor/decryptor 102.
According to optional but preferred embodiments of the present invention, payment may be required for transmission of a message. More preferably, payment is only required for transmission of a message that contains particular content, and/or a reference to the content, such as program selection information for example, that enables the program display data to be obtained. Alternatively or additionally, payment may be required depending upon the group of services purchased by the transmitting user and/or the recipient user. Optionally, the user may be charged in order to send the recommendation, and most preferably the recommendation will be for PPV content which would require additional payment on the receiving end, and therefore create new revenue for the CATV operator.
Payment may optionally be made through system 101 for such message transmission and/or use of the content associated with the message. Preferably, payment for the message and/or associated content is performed in a conventional method, such as by operating a key on remote control 160 to accept the message and/or to display the content associated with the message. The payment is preferably handled via smart card 150. It is appreciated that at least part of the material received at apparatus 122 may be compressed and encrypted. In such a case, the material is preferably decompressed at the compressor/decompressor 134 and decrypted at the encryptor/decryptor 132 under control of the smart card 150 as is well known in the art. Preferably, a message received at apparatus 122 is associated with a broadcaster set of parameters regarding payment.
The broadcaster set of parameters may optionally and preferably define information which may characterize the program data and/or tags which are associated with the program data and characterize features of the program data. Examples of such information include but are not limited to: (1) A type of the program such as a movie, a show, a commercial, and a program provided from the WWW; (2) supplementary information accompanying the program such as a review of the program as provided by a reviewer, detailed information regarding a product offered by the program, notes accompanying the program, tagged portions of the program, and a percentage of viewers who are currently watching the program; (3) parental control associated with at least a portion of the program which requires parental control; (4) expiration time of the program and/or a number of times the program is watched; (5) general information, such as a program title, a time when the program is broadcast, a length of the program, a determination whether the program is encoded and a compression format of the program; and (6) media items, such as WWW content, advertising pointers and pointers to WWW sites. It is appreciated that the broadcaster set of parameters mentioned above is not meant to be limiting, and may include additional parameters. It is further appreciated that not all of the above mentioned parameters must be associated with each program.
With regard to services, such as message transmission and/or receiving, that are provided as part of the group of subscribed services, optionally and preferably smart card 150 must be present for such services to be provided. More preferably, smart card 150 also enables the associated content with a message to be displayed, for example by retrieving scrambled or encrypted program data. It is appreciated that conditional access via smart card 150 to access and/or retrieve scrambled programs is preferably performed in one of methods which are well known in the art. It is further appreciated that programs which are transmitted in clear form do not require the presence of smart card 150, unless smart card 150 is required for a purpose other than decryption. Alternatively or additionally, the user may be also required to provide identification, such as by means of smart card 150, to allow access to a program that is broadcast in clear form.
In accordance with the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, the user preferably creates a message with the keys on remote 160. The message may optionally and more preferably include program information about a particular program, or alternatively may include a portion of the program itself. For the latter options, optionally this set of programming information is stored in high-capacity memory 162. Preferably MPEG unit 106 and message transmission module 104 are then optionally able to transform this associated information and/or the content itself into an optional MIME type or other type of coded message format, for example when the user presses the "send" key on remote 160 for a specific recommendation/segment.
Preferably this encoded message segment is then sent to encryptor/decryptor 102 where the message is encrypted, optionally in a format that only headend 108 can read. Headend 108 is most preferably able to receive recommendation information via one of telephone network 124 and LAN 126. Alternatively, apparatus 122 may communicate with headend 108 by employing a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 116 for transmitting uplink information via the connector and coaxial cable 114, antenna 112 and satellite 110 all of which are well-known in the art of television broadcasting. According to the most preferred embodiments of the current invention, when headend 108 receives the message, the message preferably is transformed into a specifically encrypted message such that only apparatus 122 having appropriate smart card 150 can decrypt the message and then forwards the message for general broadcasting via satellite 110. The message may optionally and preferably be constructed for being accessed by a plurality of specific apparatuses 122 and/or IRD's 138, or alternatively may be suitable for broadcasting.
The recipient's apparatus 122 preferably receives the message in the same manner as regular broadcasting information is sent, i.e. via antenna 112 and cable and connector 114. Preferably, encryptor/decryptor 102 then decrypts the message using the decryption key on smart card 150 and more preferably passes the message to message transmission module 104. Message transmission module 104 preferably uses MPEG unit 106 to project the message above the content already being streamed to television 118, or alternately activates recording onto memories 162 or 148 in accordance with the authorizations of the sender. Recipient's responses to the menu/message projected by MPEG unit 106 are preferably received by I/O interface 152 and processed by processor 144 in accordance with the processes described in the following figures.
It should be noted that the preceding description in Figure 1 shows an exemplary, preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention. Not all components of the system may be required as shown in Figure 1 , as sub-combinations of these elements are also operative to provide and/or operate the system, device and method according to the present invention.
Figure 2 shows the components and mechanisms required for messaging from system 101 in greater detail, which may also optionally be operative as an exemplary sub-combination of the elements of system 101 for the present invention. Of course, other sub-combinations are also possible and are encompassed by the present invention. As shown, interactive television apparatus 122 preferably includes message transmission module 104 within encryptor/decryptor 102, which may also optionally include encryption functionality. Message transmission module 104 preferably prepares a message according to the MIME specification, as described in greater detail below. More preferably, the message concerns information about a particular program and/or actual program display data, which most preferably is obtained through a program receiving module 304. Program receiving module 304 is optionally and preferably able to receive program data, and to cause interactive television device 122 to display that program display data.
The message is then optionally and preferably encrypted by encryptor/decryptor 102, for example to permit only a particular recipient to access the message. The message is then optionally sent through any of satellite 110, telephone 124 or LAN 126 to a broadcaster 302. Broadcaster 302 comprises headend 108. Headend 108 preferably comprises a message center 300, which more preferably is able to determine an address for the message, and then to pass the message to the correct address. Such an address could optionally be for a second interactive television device 122 (not shown).
With regard to the particular message format, optionally and preferably such a format could be specified according to a MIME type. The basic MIME type could optionally specify the broadcaster, version of the MIME type being used, and information related to the actual broadcast and/or program such as Service Information (SI) for example. Illustrative examples of such service information include but are not limited to, TID (Table ID), SID (Service ID), EID (Event ID), Event Start and Event duration. This information could optionally be used for single program recommendations. The TID, SID, EID, Event Start and Event duration could all be encoded in hexadecimal strings. A non-limiting, illustrative example is shown below:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type:text/tvrecommendation; charset=US- ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
BROADCASTER:XTVBY
VERSION: 1.0
TID:0x09
SID:0x09 EID:0x09
START:0x09
DURATION:0x09 The MIME type could optionally be extended for program series recommendations by repeating the event specific information fields. However, the event specific information is only available in the broadcast for, for example, the next 8 days so the identification of a series program after that time could be dependant on the allocation of event ids and event descriptors by the broadcaster. The MIME could either use a repeating event id for the same series episode at the same time each week or a special descriptor could be used to identify the series. Both options are illustrated in the two examples below:
Repeating EID: MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type:text/tvrecommendation; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
BROADCASTER:XTVBY
VERSION: 1.0 TID:0x09
SID:0x09
EID:0x09
START:0x09
DURATION:0x09 EID:0x09
START:Ox09
DURATION:0x09
EID:0x09
START:0x09 DURATION:0x09
Series descriptor: MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type:text/tvrecommendation; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
BROADCASTER:XTVBY
VERSION: 1.0
TID:0x09 SID:0x09 EID:0x09 START:0x09 DURATION:0x09 SERIES:FRIENDS7
As previously described, an event (such as a program for example) could optionally and preferably be identified according to its CRID. This option has the advantage of being operable across multiple broadcaster platforms, since different CRIDs from each broadcaster may optionally be resolved according to the same or a similar mechanism.
Figure 3 is an exemplary block diagram of a coded addressed information generator. A message may be sent through a plurality of mechanisms including, but not limited to e-mail and instant messaging. Regardless of the mechanism employed, the message preferably must be addressed to an individual who is a registered and identifiable user of a particular IRD, although alternatively, optionally broadcasting to a plurality of individuals may be permitted. The message is preferably prepared and sent from sender IRD 138, as previously described. The message is then preferably received at a messaging mechanism server 190. Messaging mechanism server 190 may optionally be implemented as an instant messaging hub, or an e-mail server or any other appropriate mechanism. However, at a minimum, messaging mechanism server 190 is preferably capable of identifying the address of the recipient of the message, for example by identifying the relevant IRD/smartcard of that recipient. Messaging mechanism server 190 is preferably able to identify the relevant IRD/smartcard to which the user is registered through a registration server 192. It should be noted that optionally messaging mechanism server 190 and/or registration server 192 may each be composed of a plurality of separate components, or alternatively may optionally be combined into a single element (not shown).
Once the IRD/smart card, or other address for the recipient, has been identified, the message data, more preferably including the recommendation data and additional message data, and addressing data are passed to a broadcast message generator 194. Broadcast message generator 194 preferably builds the correctly addressed message. The correctly addressed message is then optionally passed to a message encryptor 196, which optionally and preferably holds a key register 198 suitable for encrypting the message for certain users. Broadcast message generator 194 optionally and preferably encrypts the message suitably for the addressee. All of these components (apart from IRD 138) are preferably located at headend 108.
In any case, the message is then preferably passed with other information to the MUX (multiplex stream generator or multiplexer; not shown), which is also part of headend 108, for inclusion in the multiplex stream, for transmission to receiver IRD 138.
The previous description centered around transmission of the message through some type of central server mechanism, in this example shown as messaging mechanism server
190. Alternatively, the message may optionally be transmitted directly, as described with regard to Figure 4 below. Both of these alternatives involve transmission through a transport service which connects the user who transmits the message to the recipient.
However, the message may also optionally be transmitted without resorting to such a transport service. In this embodiment, a specialized instant messaging system may optionally be used, which listens to the broadcast stream and is able to collect the addressed messages sent to each registered user from the broadcast stream. The instant messaging system would preferably also include the coded addressed information generator described above.
Since this could be a bandwidth expensive method for a large number of users, a low bandwidth alternative mechanism may optionally be used instead. Rather than transporting actual messages and then waiting for the recipient to receive them from the broadcast stream, a prompt could optionally be sent to the IRD/other message transmission device of the recipient, indicating that a message is waiting, preferably at a particular location. Alternatively, the prompt could cause the message transmission device of the recipient to "dial in" or otherwise connect to a predefined location. More preferably, such a prompt would cause the message transmission device of the user to automatically retrieve the message, although optionally such automatic retrieval could be enabled or disabled by the user.
Attention is now drawn to Figure 4, which shows a flowchart of exemplary functionality of a system according to the method of the present invention where all steps in the chart are typically necessary to form an embodiment of the current invention. Stages 1 to 3 support the process of the current invention. In stage 1 a MIME message type is created. This type is able to convey the message data with an included definition of its meta-data, and may be substituted by any appropriate meta-data enabled format for standard internet mail messaging, examples of which structures and objects include, but are not limited to MIME, XML, FTP, TCP/IP and any subset thereof and so forth.
In stage 2, IRD of the sender is equipped with the capacity to create and send messages. As delineated in Figures 1 and 2, this involves an optional dedicated processor and/or some type of message transmission module which is preferably able either by software or hardware to encrypt and broadcast the above message to the headend, more preferably in a format which only the headend may decrypt. Alternatively, IRD of the sender is capable of transmitting the message directly to another IRD or IRDs.
In stage 3, IRD of the sender is equipped with the capacity to receive, decrypt, decode and present a message, more preferably as sent directly to that specific user where the unique identifier of the user is combined with the encrypted data in a manner well-known in the art to re-create the original encrypted content in a manner which may be used and comprehended by the necessary processes.
In stage 4, the user of the transmitting IRD compiles a message or recommendation to send. This message may optionally include text, program information, entire programming, edited content or multimedia for example. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the message may optionally include one or more CRIDs for containing information about an event, which may optionally be a program for example. The message may optionally include the recommendation section built in the correct MIME type. The IRD software preferably capmres the relevant program selection information, optionally including the CRID, TID or EID for example, for the program being recommended from the required program data. This data may optionally include the additional editing described in Figure 5, which enables the automatic channel changing and other activities at the receiving end. In stage 5 the user chooses, optionally from an approved list of recipients, the recipient or group of recipients of the current message. This may optionally include, but is not limited to, any one of a plurality of address listings, including but not limited to an email address book built by the user, a list of instant messaging users having frequent correspondence, and so forth depending on the message mechanism being employed. In stage 6, the message is preferably encoded. The encoded message may also optionally be encrypted. The encrypted, encoded message is preferably sent in stage 7. More preferably, the message is transmitted first to the message center of the broadcaster headend, although alternatively the message is transmitted directly. Direct transmission between IRDs is optionally achieved through a selection of transport mechanisms and methods, for example through a subscriber telephone network, television network, other network or broadcast stream, which may optionally be used separately or in conjunction as non-limiting examples. "Direct transmission" is defined within the context of the present invention as a logical concept, as the message is initiated from one message transmission device, such as an interactive television device for example, and received at the other specifically addressed message transmission device, regardless of the number of mechanisms used. One optional mechanism is the use of an e-mail message with the relevant attachment sent to an e-mail address associated with the receiving television device. The optional e-mail message could be sent via telephone or network connection and collected by the other message transmission device from an e-mail message server, for example through a telephone or network connection. Upon receipt of the message by the message transmission device, the message is then preferably acted upon. According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, an instant messaging protocol may optionally be employed. This protocol again uses some type of network transport to send the recommendation. The message data is passed through the instant messaging infrastructure to the relevant user who picks up the message and recommendation data through telephone and/or other types of network connections. The message conveyed by the network then reaches IRD of the recipient in stage 8. The IRD of the recipient optionally checks to determine whether the message is sent from an approved list of one or more users, more preferably according to an identifier for the IRD and/or interactive television device of that user. Next, in stage 9, the message is optionally and preferably decrypted, decoded and presented.
In stage 10, the behavior of the IRD of the recipient is optionally and preferably adjusted according to input from the message. For example, the message may optionally contain program information which may cause the IRD to become tuned to a particular program and/or to otherwise receive particular program data.
Figure 5 is a flowchart of content options which may be sent in an exemplary system according to the method of the present invention. Here the menu option to send a recommendation (stage 1) is optionally and most preferably expanded to include at least three content sending options. The first option (stage 2) is the default behavior of the preferred embodiment as outlined in Fig. 4 where a single CRID pointing to an entire event is encoded and sent in the message. The preferred embodiments of the system optionally and preferably feature a second option (stage 3) in which only the current screenshot is delivered as content. In this embodiment the IRD encodes the CRID and in addition an offset time duration, optionally in the form of a number of seconds which indicates the time lapse from the start of the event to the moment at which the appropriate screenshot is made visible. Alternatively, any type of parameter may optionally be used in order to determine this offset, such that the appropriate screenshot is displayed according to the offset. The offset also optionally and preferably includes information about which stream within a television program to which the offset pertains; for example, for a screenshot, the offset may optionally be related to the video stream. The IRD of the recipient then optionally and preferably requests from its headend, or accesses from a storage medium as appropriate, the image belonging to the above mentioned CRID at the appropriate offset and displays it.
Another illustrative, non-limiting example of a possible chain of events is depicted in Fig. 5, (stage 4), in which the user optionally and most preferably is able to compile at least one video clip containing a portion or portions of the event uniquely defined by the present CRID. This is most preferably achieved according to the processes outlined between stage 5 and stage 9.
First, the viewer marks the beginning of a portion of program data that is to be conveyed, as program display data and/or as program selection information, with the message. The user may optionally use back/forward and play options (stage 5). When the desired starting position has been located, the user preferably begins recording (stage 6). The IRD preferably internally notes the offset time from the beginning of the event. The viewer preferably then detects the end of the portion to be conveyed, and/or the associated program information, more preferably with a recommendation, optionally by using the forward and play options (stage 7). When the desired ending position has been located, the user preferably instructs the IRD to cease recording and/or otherwise noting the associated content information (stage 8). The IRD preferably internally notes the offset time from the beginning of the event as the end time. This set of initial and final offsets from the beginning of the event constitutes a portion to be sent. The user may optionally send any number of additional portions (stage 9). Yet another possible chain of programming content that may optionally and preferably be included in the embodiments of the present invention is an option to record not only a portion or series of portions of content, but other manipulations made to the output of IRD by the user in the time of viewing. Each entry from the controller into IRD is preferably recorded such that for example a change in sound properties in the middle of the music and event are encoded and sent with the message (not shown).
Figure 6 is a system diagram of an exemplary system for available recipient storage in memory according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. In order to appear on the list of potential recipients in recipient list storage area 164, the recipient himself may optionally and preferably authorize the sender in advance. According to a preferred embodiment of the current invention, the list of available recipients is stored in system memory 162 and a subscriber is able to send a single recommendation to a plurality of recipients whose details are stored in memory in a designated recipient list storage area 164.
Within recipient list storage area 164, the system optionally stores a list of recipients with an internal identification number 166, their name 168, their internal address in the CATV network 170 and optionally and preferably a public encryption key 172 ensuring that messages sent to a specific user are not readable by other users. Optionally and preferably the potential recipients may be organized into a table of recipient groups 174 which are made available to the user in order to facilitate the sending of the same recommendation with minimal effort to multiple people. Thus, if a user chooses to send to a group, the IRD looks in table 174 for all users 180 within the specific group ID 176 or name 178 and then preferably looks these up recipient list storage area 164 and sends the message to all these recipients.
It will be understood that screens and menus are made available to the user in order to facilitate the upkeep and modification of these optional lists as well as to assign permissions to others whom the user empowers to message them. In an optional alternative embodiment of the present, the IRD device includes the ability to record programs, thereby enabling additional options upon receipt of a recommendation. The user may optionally record the program instantly if they are watching an alternative program at the time of arrival, or optionally choose to record the program at a later time when the program is available for viewing again. The recommendation handling software is optionally an integrated part of the PVR software and enables the request for the relevant recording activity to be fulfilled. The message handling software preferably parses the received message in both the present user and absent user scenarios.
The same software which maintains the lists of recipients may also optionally provide additional options to the recipient, in the case where the IRD device includes the ability to record a program. The recipient may optionally choose to record the recommended program instantly if the program is available at the time of receipt, but the recipient is watching something else. The recipient may optionally choose to record the recommended program when the program is on for later viewing. The recommendation handling software is integrated into the PVR software, enabling the PVR to request the relevant recording activity to be performed. The message handling software handles receipt of the message and processing in both the present user and absent user scenarios. The same software that maintains the lists of recipients is extended so that each listed identifier has associated privileges for messages received from them. These include, amongst others, the absent user recording trigger and so forth.
Figure 7 is a flowchart delineating the implementation of various preferable rules which are to be followed after choosing the recipient, adding additional content before conversion. The first logical juncture met before sending of content is the question of payment, thus the processes in stage 1 preferably consider the event in question is Pay Per View (PPV). In the case that viewing does indeed require additional payment, the system then optionally and preferably checks if the total length of content sent is above a preferably pre-determined length and/or percentage of the total event in stage 2. If the selected portions are found to conform to the parameterized definition of a preview, then the system continues to check further parameters. Should the section be found long enough to constitute a viewing, the system must then check if the event is not already within the recipient's set or group of allowed services in stage 3. Once again, if the event has been pre-paid on the side of the recipient, the system can continue along the logical lines to dispatch.
If however the recipient is not entitled to the event, the sender is now optionally and preferably asked if the sending user wishes to pay for the event in stage 4, thereby inviting the recipient at the sender's or the recipient's expense. In the event that the sender should agree then the system continues. The system optionally and preferably informs the sender that the sender would only be charged if the recipient accepts the invitation and the event is not in the recipient's bouquet.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the request for payment may optionally take the form of an automated return message from the recipient's machine where this issue is resolved, optionally inviting the sender to affect payment after the first message is sent, but prior to the display of the message to the user. Should the sender refuse to pay for an event which clearly requires payment, the system may optionally continue to the next logical step, storing an additional parameter in stage 9 for conversion and inclusion in the electronic message which indicates that payment must be demanded from the recipient upon conditional conversion in stage 8. According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention the system then continues to check rules including, but not limited to age restrictions in stage 5, the recipient's age in stage 6 or any other appropriate set of possible limitations (such as parental guidance, language incompatibility and so forth) or special options in stage 7 (such as the ability to remotely record content on the recipient's PVR, authorizing payments and so forth).
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the privacy of the recipient is preferably further protected by performing only limited, non-intrusive tests at the sender's IRD. Examples of such tests include, but are not limited to, area restrictions, as for example when a sporting event cannot be viewed in the vicinity of a stadium where the event is occurring, and so forth. Tests regarding entitlement would optionally and preferably be carried out at the recipient's IRD in Stage 9. However, it should be noted that such tests could optionally be performed at either IRD, as appropriate.
In all events, the system optionally allows the receiver to choose to make the payment, allowing the receiver to accept the recommendation, but pay for it on his own. The system may optionally inform the sender if the sender's invitation has been accepted or rejected. In the event that both sender and recipient refuse to pay, the sender may optionally be informed that the sender's recommendation has been declined.
For further privacy protection, if the recipient did not "accept the invitation" the sender could optionally be informed that the sender would not be charged (in full). The sender could optionally be given a list of possible reasons for this, e.g., the recipient has already subscribed or has declined the invitation or the PPV is no longer available; but to protect the recipient's privacy, the sender is optionally not informed of the specific reason.
Figure 8A is an exemplary logic diagram of exemplary components pertinent for receiving a message. Upon receipt of a message, the recipient optionally and preferably is provided with a menu of options affecting the components of digital television apparatus 122. The screen optionally identifies itself with a brief identifying message 202 from the sending user, which is a part of a total message 200, which includes all options set in Figure 7 of payment and eligibility and is stored in internal memory 162 after decryption, further optionally indicating information about sender 201, and more preferably the name 206 and CRID 208 of the recommended viewing event. Message 200 may also optionally include the capability for the recipient to interact with the recommendation and agree or decline to pay. Message 200 may also optionally inform the recipient that the sender has paid, or that the recommendation cannot be viewed. The recipient is then optionally and most preferably able to activate a number of options in a single click. Selected content 204 may also optionally be included, and/or viewing reminders 210.
Figure 8B is an exemplary system block diagram of the pertinent components within the IRD for receiving a message. The message is optionally picked up by the message monitor software component 220 (for example when the message is included in the broadcast stream and read from the broadcast stream when addressed to the IRD) or directly by the relevant message handler software 222, an example of which is an email client program or instant messaging software. There may optionally be a plurality of message handling components on the IRD. Messages received through message monitor software component 220 are preferably passed to the relevant message handler software 222, which then preferably handles the optional display and subsequent deletion or storage of the surrounding message and other attachments, if present. A recommendation handler 224 is preferably also present, which is capable of parsing the recommendation data and handling this data appropriately. Each of message handler software 222 preferably use recommendation handler 224 to process the received recommendations. Recommendation handler 224 preferably uses a sender permissions register 236, optionally maintained by the IRD user to identify which actions are possible for recommendations from the sender. Optionally, information from the CRID may be used for one or more pre-defined actions, such as acceptance of the recommendation for example. An unknown sender is optionally and more preferably allowed a default set of permissions also defined by the IRD user, most preferably including but not limited to the option to change channel or ignore for example. Recommendation handler 224 then preferably uses the data in the recommendation to offer the relevant options to the user and/or in the absence of the user to trigger the default behavior, and/or to otherwise trigger default behaviors. Alternatively, the recommendation data may optionally always require user verification.
Particular components within the IRD are preferably at least optionally controlled by recommendation handler 224 in order to perform one or more actions associated with the recommendation. The action may optionally be performed automatically, or alternatively may require manual intervention, as previously described. For example, recommendation handler 224 preferably uses a tuner 226 to change channels. A reminder handler 228 may optionally be part of an EPG and is preferably used to save a reminder. EPG 230 is preferably used to display more details on the program and PVR 232 is preferably used to trigger later or instant recording. EPG 230 may also optionally be used to display a message to the user, and/or a link or links to recommendations. In addition, conditional access system 234 may optionally be called to purchase the recommended content. The above components may be used in conjunction, separately or in any appropriate combination depending on availability and need. Returning to Figure 8A, examples of options that may be invoked in response to the message include but are not limited to the ability to see the sender's comments 202 as stored in memory, the ability to see selected content 204, the ability to instantly record content 204 in an external recording device (not shown), the ability to either instantly request a reminder for the next full screening of the event by adding CRID 208 into a stored list or viewing reminders 210, or optionally to request from the electronic programming guide a list of all future screenings in order to request a reminder for one of them (not shown) and naturally. The option to ignore the recommendation preferably leads to the erasure of the entire message 200 from internal memory 162.
In event that the client chooses to see content 204, preferably one or more qualifying criteria are considered, including where necessary finalization of payment, authorization, parental supervision and so forth, in order to determine whether content 204 can be displayed.
Figure 9 is a flow-chart of optional permissions granted to other uses who wish to send recommendations in order to define permissions granted to other users who wish to send recommendations. The list of approved senders may optionally be modified in a user screen, for example by expanding, contracting or modifying an existing subscriber from a list of those approved. Characteristics of the subscriber permissions are delineated by example. Preferably initially the name of the sender is displayed in stage 1. Next, a formal unique address within the system is preferably defined in stage 2. After stage 2, various permissions in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the current invention are preferably defined, including but not limited to permitting interruption of the recipient's viewing (stage 3), automatically generating reminder for recommended content when recipient is away (stage 4) and automatic recording of the recommendations (stage 5). Another permission that may optionally be defined is to automatically allow recording of such recommendations even if they require additional payment (stage 6). In stage 7, the recipient may optionally provide permission to the transmitting user to initiate synchronization and so forth. After the user has selected these options, optionally and preferably these choices may be confirmed or canceled, after which the subscriber is preferably enabled to send recommendations.
The ability to synchronize control via the system of more than one IRD (stage 7) is an optional embodiment of the present invention, wherein upon receiving permission from the recipient of such request, the transmitting user is preferably able to control operation of the IRD with regard to the program selection information and/or program display data contained in the transmitted message.
According to other optional but preferred embodiments of the present invention, the sender or initiator of a recommendation may optionally be charged for sending a recommendation, but may also optionally be paid if the recipient accepts the recommendation and also chooses to purchase the associated television program. It should be noted that payment for recommendations may optionally be handled through a specific payment mechanism, that for example may optionally differ from the payment mechanism for PPV (pay per view). In particular, the price for specific material can optionally be provided to the IRD/EPG in advance for PPV, as a fixed price, for example based on such factors as the type of PPV and the time the PPV was ordered.
In contrast, for recommendations, the program selection information and/or program display data may not be known in advance. The price may therefore optionally be determined at a number of different points, such as at the sender's IRD, preferably based on a formula that may optionally be stored in the IRD or a smart card, which uses such factors as the price for the regular PPV, and percentage of material sent. Optionally, there may be no charge for a recommendation below a certain size and/or a sender may be able to send a certain number of recommendations without charge. Certain parts of a PPV could optionally cost more than other parts. There could also optionally be a different price if someone sends a recommendation with material missing (e.g., a clip with the advertisements skipped).
The price for a recommendation could also optionally be determined at the headend, after the message has been sent, if it is sent via the headend. This could be attached to the intercepted message and the recipient would be required to pay. The price for a recommendation could also optionally be determined at the recipient's IRD, based on factors relevant to the recipient. For example, the recipient may have membership in a club that entitles the recipient to reduced prices.
On the other hand, the sender may also optionally receive payment if the recipient chooses to purchase the program, for example as PPV. In an embodiment of the system, the mechanism described above to charge the sender of a recommendation could optionally be used to pay the sender. Non-limiting examples of payment could optionally include one or more of credit towards purchases, prizes, points, opportunity to participate in promotions or events, and so on. Payment to the sender could optionally be based on various factors, for example the identity of the recommended material, and whether the recipient uses the recommendation to purchase the material.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS
1. A system for recommendation message transmission, comprising:
(a) a plurality of message transmission devices, including at least a first message transmission device and a second message transmission device;
(b) a message transmission module being operated by at least said first and said second message transmission devices for transmitting a message from at least said first message transmission device to at least said second message transmission device, said message containing program data;
(c) a program receiving module in communication with at least said one of said first and said second message transmission devices for receiving said program data; and
(d) a network for supporting transmission of said message between at least said first and said second message transmission devices.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one message transmission device comprises an interactive television device, said program receiving module being located at said interactive television device.
3. The system of claims 1 or 2, wherein said program data comprises program selection information, wherein said program receiving module is capable of selecting said program display data according to said program selection information in said message.
4. The system of any of claims 1-3, wherein said message includes a recommendation about a program, said program comprising an addressable event, and said program data comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying content of said program.
5. The system of any of claims 1-4, wherein said program display data is organized into events, and wherein said program selection information comprises a personalized clip, said personalized clip comprising program selection information from at least two separate segments of program display data from a particular event.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein said interactive television device further comprises a display for displaying at least said message.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein said display also displays said program display data.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein said message is displayed by said display as an overlay to said program display data.
9. The system of any of claims 1-8, wherein said message further comprises text data.
10. The system of any of claims 1-9, wherein said message further comprises image data.
11. The system of any of claims 1-10, wherein said message further comprises audio data.
12. The system of any of claims 1-11, wherein said program receiving module automatically causes said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
13. The system of any of claims 1-12, wherein said program receiving module provides an option for said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein said program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) and wherein said option is activated by being selected by a user.
15. The system of any of claims 12-14, wherein displaying said program data according to said program selection information in said message is capable of being manually overridden.
16. The system of any of claims 12-15, further comprising:
(e) a payment module for determining whether payment is required for displaying said program display data according to said program selection information in said message.
17. The system of any of claims 1-16, wherein said network comprises a satellite communication system, and wherein said program receiving module receives said program data and said message through said satellite communication system.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein said program data and said message are transmitted collectively in a communication stream through said satellite communication system, and wherein at least one of said program receiving module and said message transmission module separates said message from said communication stream.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein said communication stream comprises a multiplex data stream, and said program receiving module separates said message from said multiplex data stream.
20. The system of any of claims 2- 19, further comprising:
(f) an IRD (integrated receiver decoder) at said first and second interactive television devices, wherein said program receiving module and said message transmission module are operated by said IRD.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein said IRD further comprises a message monitor software component for retrieving said message from a broadcast stream.
22. The system of claims 20 or 21, wherein said IRD further comprises a message handler software for receiving said message.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein said message handler software performs at least one of displaying, storing or deleting said message.
24. The system of any of claims 20-23, wherein said message comprises a recommendation data, and wherein said IRD further comprises a recommendation handler for parsing said recommendation data.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein said recommendation data comprises program selection information for selecting a program, and wherein said IRD further comprises a tuner for receiving said program, such that said recommendation handler causes said tuner to receive said program according to said program selection information.
26. The system of claims 24 or 25, wherein said recommendation data comprises program selection information for selecting a program, the system further comprising a PVR (personal video recorder), such that said recommendation handler causes said PVR to record said program according to said program selection information.
27. The system of any of claims 24-26, wherein said IRD further comprises a reminder handler, said reminder handler storing information to provide a reminder according to said recommendation data.
28. The system of any of claims 24-27, wherein said IRD further comprises a sender permissions register for identifying at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action by said message transmission device transmitting said message.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein said sender permissions register provides said identification according to an address of said message transmission device.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein said sender permissions register provides a default identification of said at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action for an unknown message transmission device.
31. The system of any of claims 20-30, wherein said IRD has an address, and wherein said message is transmitted according to said address.
32. The system of any of claims 2-31 , further comprising: (g) a broadcaster for broadcasting said program data, said broadcaster comprising a message center for passing said message from at least said first interactive television device to at least said second interactive television device.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein said broadcaster comprises a messaging mechanism server for receiving said message from said at least said first interactive television device and for identifying an address of said at least said second interactive television device for receiving said message.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein said broadcaster further comprises a registration server and wherein said address is identified through said registration server.
35. The system of claims 33 or 34, wherein said broadcaster further comprises a broadcast message generator, for constructing said message for transmission, said constructed message including address data from said registration server.
36. The system of any of claims 33-35, wherein said broadcaster further comprises a message encryptor for encrypting said message.
37. The system of any of claims 2-31, wherein said message is passed directly from said at least said first interactive television device to said , at least said second interactive television device.
38. The system of any of claims 2-31, further comprising an instant messaging system for receiving a broadcast stream, said broadcast stream comprising at least one message and at least program display data, said instant messaging system notifying said at least said second interactive television device of said message.
39. The system of any of claims 2-31, wherein said at least said second interactive television device receives a prompt indicating a transmission of said message, and wherein said at least said second interactive television device initiates a request to receive said message according to said prompt.
40. A method for transmitting program selection information from a first interactive television device to a second interactive television device, comprising: providing a plurality of program display data for different programs, wherein each program display data is selectable for display by the first and second interactive television devices; and transmitting a message from the first interactive television device to at least the second interactive television device, said message comprising program selection information for selecting program display data, wherein the second interactive television device is capable of selecting the program display data according to said program selection information in said message.
41. The method of claim 40, further comprising: automatically selecting said program display data according to said program selection information in said message by the second interactive television device; and displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device.
42. The method of claims 40 or 41 , further comprising: providing an option to select said program display data according to said program selection information; and if said option is selected, displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device.
43. The method of any of claims 40-42, wherein said displaying said program display data is capable of being manually overridden.
44. The method of any of claims 40-43, further comprising: determining whether payment is required for displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device; and if said payment is required, obtaining said payment before displaying said program display data by the second interactive television device.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein an option is displayed by the second interactive television device to make said payment upon receipt of said message.
46. The method of any of claims 40-45, wherein said providing said plurality of program display data further comprises providing a message center, and wherein said transmitting said message further comprises: transmitting said message from the first interactive television device to said message center; and transmitting said message from said message center to the second interactive television device.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein said message further comprises an address, and wherein said message center resolves said address to send said message to the second interactive television device.
48. The method of any of claims 40-47, wherein said message further comprises an address for identifying the second interactive television device as a recipient of said message.
49. The method of any of claims 40-48, wherein said message comprises a MIME type for containing at least said program selection information.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein said message has a format, said format being structured according to an Internet mail standard.
51. The method of any of claims 40-14, wherein said message is broadcast to a plurality of interactive television devices.
52. The method of any of claims 40-51, wherein said transmitting said message further comprises: viewing said program display data by the first interactive television device; selecting at least a portion of said program display data; and preparing said message for containing the program selection information related to at least portion of said program display data.
54. The method of claim 52, wherein each program comprises at least one addressable event, and said program selection information comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying said addressable event.
55. The method of claim 54, wherein said CRID comprises information for determining an offset for indicating a location of program display data to be displayed within said addressable event.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein said content of said addressable event comprises a plurality of data streams, and wherein said offset also identifies a particular data stream.
57. The method of claims 54-56, wherein said at least portion of said program display data comprises at least one of portions of a plurality of different events or a plurality of different portions of a single event, wherein said at least one of portions of a plurality of different events or a plurality of different portions of a single event is determined according to said CRID.
58. The method of 57, wherein said plurality of portions forms a personalized clip.
59. The method of any of claims 40-58, wherein said message further comprises recommendation data.
60. A television system comprising: a television network; and transmitting apparatus for transmitting viewing recommendations for viewing events to a multiplicity of subscriber units, at least one of said multiplicity of subscriber units including: a receiving unit for receiving said viewing recommendations from said television network; a message transmission module for allowing said receiving unit to display said viewing recommendation; and display apparatus for displaying said viewing recommendations.
61. The system of claim 60, wherein said receiving unit further comprises: an IRD (integrated receiver decoder), wherein said display apparatus and said message transmission module are operated by said IRD.
62. The system of claim 61, wherein said IRD further comprises a message monitor software component for retrieving said message from a broadcast stream.
63. The system of claims 61 or 62, wherein said IRD further comprises a message handler software for receiving said message.
64. The system of claim 63, wherein said message handler software performs at least one of displaying, storing or deleting said message.
65. The system of any of claims 60-64, wherein said IRD further comprises a recommendation handler for parsing said viewing recommendation.
66. The system of claim 65, wherein said viewing recommendation comprises program selection information for selecting a program, and wherein said IRD further comprises a tuner for receiving said program, such that said recommendation handler causes said tuner to receive said program according to said program selection information.
67. The system of claims 65 or 66, wherein said viewing recommendation comprises program selection information for selecting a program, the system further comprising a PVR (personal video recorder), such that said recommendation handler causes said PVR to record said program according to said program selection information.
68. The system of any of claims 65-67, wherein said IRD further comprises a reminder handler, said reminder handler storing information to provide a reminder according to said viewing recommendation.
69. The system of any of claims 65-68, wherein said IRD further comprises a sender permissions register for identifying at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action caused by said viewing recommendation from a transmitting subscriber unit.
70. The system of claim 69, wherein said sender permissions register provides said identification according to an address of said transmitting subscriber unit.
71. The system of claim 70, wherein said sender permissions register provides a default identification of said at least one permitted or at least one non-permitted action for an unknown transmitting subscriber unit.
72. The system of any of claims 61-71, wherein said IRD has an address, and wherein said message is transmitted according to said address.
73. A method for transmitting a viewing recommendation of a viewing event, comprising: providing a sending interactive television device for preparing a viewing recommendation and a receiving interactive television device for receiving said viewing recommendation; preparing said viewing recommendation according to a conventional electronic mail protocol by said sending interactive television device; and transmitting said viewing recommendation to said receiving interactive television device.
74. The method of claim 73, wherein said protocol comprises MIME.
75. The method of claim 74, wherein said recommendation includes a unique identifier of said viewing event.
76. The method of claim 75 wherein said recommendation includes at least one set of start and end times within said event to be displayed by said interactive television device when viewing said recommendation.
77. The method of claim 75, wherein said recommendation further comprises an additional comment by said viewer.
78. The method of claim 77 wherein said additional comment is stored as text, audio data, video data, image data or a combination thereof.
79. The method of claim 75, further comprising: detecting that displaying said viewing event requires additional payment; and obtaining said additional payment.
80. The method of claim 79, wherein said additional payment is effected through said receiving interactive television device.
81. The method of claim 79, wherein said additional payment is effected through said transmitting interactive television device.
82. The method of claim 79, where said viewing of said recommendation is canceled in the event of failure of said additional payment.
83. The method of claim 73 , further comprising: receiving said recommendation by said receiving interactive television device; and analyzing said recommendation by said receiving interactive television device according to at least one rule, wherein said recommendation is rejected if said recommendation is not acceptable according to said at least one rule.
84. The method of claim 83, wherein said at least one rule is determined according to at least one characteristic of said transmitting interactive television device.
85. The method of claim 84, wherein said at least one characteristic is determined according to a characteristic of a subscriber of said transmitting interactive television device.
86. An interactive television recommendation device (ITRD) comprising: (a) a message transmission module for transmitting a message from said ITRD to a receiving device, said message containing program selection information.
87. The device of claim 86, wherein said message includes a recommendation about a program, said program comprising an addressable event, and said program selection information comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying content of said program.
88. The device of claims 86 or 87, wherein said receiving device is capable of displaying program display data according to said program selection information.
89. The device of claim 88, wherein said program display data is organized into events, and wherein said program selection information comprises a personalized clip, said personalized clip comprising program selection information from at least two separate segments of program display data from a particular event.
90. The device of any of claims 86-89, wherein said message further comprises text data.
91. The device of any of claims 86-90, wherein said message further comprises image data.
92. The device of any of claims 86-91, wherein said message further comprises audio data.
93. The device of any of claims 86-92, wherein said receiving device further comprises a program receiving module, said program receiving module automatically causing said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
94. The device of any of claims 86-92, wherein said receiving device further comprises a program receiving module, said program receiving module providing an option for said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
95. The device of claim 94, wherein said program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) and wherein said option is activated by being selected by a user.
96. The device of any of claims 93-95, wherein displaying said program data according to said program selection information in said message is capable of being manually overridden.
97. An interactive television device comprising:
(a) a program receiving module for receiving a message comprising program selection information; and
(b) a program selection unit for selecting a program in accordance with said program selection information in said message.
98. The device of claim 97, wherein said program receiving module automatically causes said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
99. The device of claim 97, wherein said program receiving module provides an option for said program display data to be displayed according to said program selection information in said message.
100. The device of claim 99, wherein said program receiving module provides a GUI (graphical user interface) and wherein said option is activated by being selected by a user.
101. The device of any of claims 98-100, wherein displaying said program data according to said program selection information in said message is capable of being manually overridden.
102. The device according to claim 97 and also comprising:
(c) a program display device for displaying the program selected by the program selection unit.
103. The device according to any of claims 97-102 and also comprising:
(d) a program recording unit for recording the program selected by the program selection unit.
104. The device of claim 103, wherein said program recording device automatically records the program according to said program selection information.
105. The device of claim 104, wherein a user is capable of manually overriding automatic recording of the program.
106. A system for message transmission, comprising:
(a) a plurality of interactive television devices, including at least a first interactive television device and a second interactive television device;
(b) a message transmission module being operated by at least said first and said second interactive television devices for transmitting a message from at least said first interactive television device to at least said second interactive television device, said message containing program selection information;
(c) a program receiving module on at least said first and said second interactive television devices for receiving program display data, wherein said program receiving module is capable of selecting said program display data according to said program selection information in said message; and
(d) a network for supporting transmission of said message between at least said first and said second interactive television devices.
107. The system of claim 106, wherein said message further comprises a recommendation for viewing said program display data selectable according to said program selection information in said message.
108. A recommendation message for recommending a program, the recommendation message being capable of being at least one of transmitted to or received by an interactive television device, the message comprising: program selection information for selecting program display data by the interactive television device.
109. The message of claim 108, wherein said program selection information further comprises a CRID (Content Reference Identifier) for identifying content of the program.
1 10. A method for transmitting a viewing recommendation of a viewing event, comprising: providing a sending interactive television device for preparing a viewing recommendation and a receiving interactive television device for receiving said viewing recommendation, wherein said sending interactive television device is associated with a sending subscriber and said receiving interactive television device is associated with a receiving subscriber; preparing said viewing recommendation by said sending interactive television device; transmitting said viewing recommendation to said receiving interactive television device; and charging at least one of said sending or receiving subscribers for said viewing recommendation. ,
111. The method of claim 110, wherein said charging for said viewing recommendation is determined at least partially according to whether said receiving subscriber is entitled to receive said viewing event.
1 12. The method of claim 11 1 , wherein said viewing event requires payment to receive, and wherein payment for said viewing recommendation is performed through a different mechanism than payment for said viewing event.
113. The method of claims 110 or 111 , wherein said charging for said viewing recommendation is determined at least partially according to the viewing event.
114. The method of any of claims 110-113, said charging for said viewing recommendation is determined at least partially according to an amount of program data transmitted with the viewing event.
115. The method of any of claims 110-114, wherein said sending subscriber is entitled to payment if said receiving subscriber purchases the viewing event.
PCT/IL2002/000938 2001-11-26 2002-11-24 Online television messenger WO2003047257A1 (en)

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GB0128290A GB0128290D0 (en) 2001-11-26 2001-11-26 Inter-viewer recommendations with direct channel linking
GB0128290.4 2001-11-26
US33415701P 2001-11-29 2001-11-29
US60/334,157 2001-11-29

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