TELEVISION MESSAGE SYSTEM
A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.
1 . A method for allowing a user of a messaging system to provide a broadcast program evaluation to a designated recipient, the method comprising:
receiving, from the user, an evaluation of the broadcast program while video of the broadcast program is displayed;
receiving, from the user, an input designating a recipient of the evaluation;
automatically adding an identity of the broadcast program to the evaluation; and
sending the evaluation to the designated recipient via the messaging system, wherein the identity of the broadcast program is automatically included with the evaluation, and wherein the designated recipient is given access to the evaluation.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the evaluation includes a textual commentary.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the textual commentary is selected from a list of standard messages.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the list of standard messages is predetermined by an interactive television program guide.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the list of standard messages is determined by the user.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving a user input designating a recipient of the evaluation further comprises receiving a user selection of the recipient from an address book.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the address book groups recipients based on their interests in television programs.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the evaluation includes graphics.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the evaluation includes audio.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the evaluation includes video.
11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the evaluation on the message system until the recipient accesses the evaluation.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast program is a television program.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast program is a currently broadcast program that the user is currently viewing.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the messaging system includes a program guide application.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the evaluation comprises a qualitative rating that reflects how much the user likes the broadcast program.
16 . A messaging system for allowing a user to provide a broadcast program evaluation to a designated recipient, the messaging system being configured to:
receive, from the user, an evaluation of the broadcast program while video of the broadcast program is displayed;
receive, from the user, an input designating a recipient of the evaluation;
automatically add an identity of the broadcast program to the evaluation; and
send the evaluation to the designated recipient via the messaging system, wherein the identity of the broadcast program is automatically included with the evaluation, and wherein the designated recipient is given access to the evaluation.
17 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the evaluation includes a textual commentary.
18 . The messaging system of claim 17 , wherein the textual commentary is selected from a list of standard messages.
19 . The messaging system of claim 18 , wherein the list of standard messages is predetermined by an interactive television program guide.
20 . The messaging system of claim 18 , wherein the list of standard messages is determined by the user.
21 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the user input designating a recipient of the evaluation further comprises a user selection of the recipient from an address book.
22 . The messaging system of claim 21 , wherein the address book groups recipients based on their interests in television programs.
23 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the evaluation includes graphics.
24 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the evaluation includes audio.
25 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the evaluation includes video.
26 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the messaging system is further configured to store the evaluation on the message system until the recipient accesses the evaluation.
27 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the broadcast program is a television program.
28 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the broadcast program is a currently broadcast program that the user is currently viewing.
29 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the messaging system includes a program guide application.
30 . The messaging system of claim 16 , wherein the evaluation comprises a qualitative rating that reflects how much the user likes the broadcast program.