Methods and apparatus for controlling interactive television information and commerce services

The apparatus of 22 wherein said broadcast receiving device comprises a set-top box.

A system for conducting e-commerce over a transaction-enabled broadcast network, said system comprising:

• a broadcast receiving device operatively coupled to said network and configurable to enable a viewer to interact with an interactive broadcast;
• and
• a local network operator operatively coupled to said network, said local network operator comprising a controller, said controller being operatively configurable to tabulate commerce transactions occurring over said network.

A system for conducting e-commerce over a transaction-enabled broadcast network, said system comprising:

• a broadcast receiving device operatively coupled to said network and configurable to enable a viewer to interact with a broadcast comprising interactive content;
• and
• a local network operator operatively coupled to said network, said local network operator comprising a controller, said controller operatively configurable to selectively modify, enable or disable said interactive content.

A system for conducting e-commerce over a transaction-enabled broadcast network, said system comprising:

• a broadcast receiving device operatively coupled to said network and configurable to enable a viewer to interact with an interactive broadcast;
• and
• a local network operator operatively coupled to said network, said local network operator comprising a controller, said controller operatively configurable to add interactive content to non-interactive broadcast content.

A system for conducting e-commerce over a transaction-enabled broadcast network, said system comprising:

• a broadcast receiving device operatively coupled to said network and configurable to enable a viewer to interact with an interactive broadcast;
• and
• a local network operator operatively coupled to said network, said local network operator comprising a controller, said controller operatively configurable to tabulate data based on commerce activities conducted by a viewer on said network.

A method of conducting e-commerce over a transaction-enabled broadcast network, said method comprising:

• creating an advertisement comprising non-interactive content, said advertisement being broadcast over said network;
• and
• creating interactive content, said additional content being selectively integrated with said non-interactive content according to a predetermined schedule.

A method of conducting e-commerce over a transaction-enabled broadcast network, said method comprising:

• creating broadcast content comprising conventional content and interactive advertising content for broadcast over said network;
• and
• selectively broadcasting said interactive content by way of a controller according to a pre-specified agreement.