INTERACTIVE COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TELEVISION SCHEDULE INFORMATION
The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
1 - 47 . (canceled)
48 . A system for accessing products and services,
the system comprising:
a user interactive device, wherein the user interactive device includes a processor having means to:
receive a selection of an icon displayed in a program; and
access an internet source linked with the icon, the internet source providing a product or service related to the program.
49 . The system of claim 48 wherein the internet source provides access to a product database for purchasing a product.
50 . The system of claim 48 wherein product or service comprises information related to the program or a preview of related upcoming programs.
51 . The system of claim 48 further comprising a virtual agent for automatically searching the Internet and providing pointers to Internet sources based on preferences of the user.
52 . The system of claim 51 wherein the virtual agent learns from previous user choices for customizing a program guide for a particular user.
53 . A method for accessing products and services, the method comprising:
receiving at a user interactive device, a selection of an icon displayed in a program; and
accessing an internet source linked with the icon, the internet source providing a product or service related to the program.
54 . The method of claim 53 wherein the internet source provides access to a product database for purchasing a product.
55 . The method of claim 53 wherein the product or service comprises information related to the program or a preview of related upcoming programs.
56 . The method of claim 53 further comprising a virtual agent for automatically searching the Internet and providing pointers to Internet sources based on preferences of the user.
57 . The method of claim 56 wherein the virtual agent learns from previous user choices for customizing a program guide for a particular user.