SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LINKING TELEVISION VIEWERS WITH ADVERTISERS AND BROADCASTERS
The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule 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 information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
1 - 37 . (canceled)
38 . A method for ordering a program, the method comprising:
delivering to a user multimedia system a web page from a web server over an Internet communications link, wherein the web page includes a selectable option for ordering the program;
transmitting the program to a user over the Internet communications link in response to the selectable option being selected by the user; and
receiving a user selection of the selectable option over the Internet communications link.
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the web page includes a further selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the program before ordering.
40 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the selectable option indicates a cost associated with ordering the program.
41 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the program is associated with a predetermined broadcast time.
42 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the selectable option includes a programmatic action that prompts the user to enter verification data, wherein the verification data includes user-specific information used to verify the user's identity.
43 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the web page includes a second selectable option associated with the program, and wherein a user selection of the second selectable option causes a function to be invoked on the program.
44 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the program is a video on demand program.
45 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the program is available via streaming or download.
46 . The method of claim 38 , further comprising transmitting a purchase receipt to the user multimedia system.
47 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the web page includes a second selectable option for searching for information contextually related to the program.
48 . A system comprising:
a processor configured to:
transmit a web page to an interface over an Internet connection, wherein the web page includes a selectable option for ordering a program;
transmit a program to a user over the Internet connection in response to the selectable option being selected by the user; and
receive a selection of the selectable option over the Internet connection.
49 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the web page includes a further selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the program before ordering.
50 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the selectable option indicates a cost associated with ordering the program.
51 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the program is associated with a predetermined broadcast time.
52 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the selectable option includes a programmatic action that prompts the user to enter verification data, wherein the verification data includes user-specific information used to verify the user's identity.
53 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the web page includes a second selectable option associated with the program, and wherein a user selection of the second selectable option causes a function to be invoked on the program.
54 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the program is a video on demand program.
55 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the program is available via streaming or download.
56 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the processor is further configured to transmit a purchase receipt to the interface
57 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the web page includes a second selectable option for searching for information contextually related to the program.