Systems and methods for collecting television viewing data and television interactivity

A system for collecting viewing data, comprising:

• a remote computer, comprising:
• a memory device;
• and
• a processor coupled with the memory device, the processor configured to
• receive a pre-determined number of channel selections from a remote control device, the remote control device accumulates the pre-determined number of channel selections as a user changes channels on a viewing device;
• tabulate the pre-determined number of channel selections to determine the viewing data;
• and
• a data collection storage device, coupled to the remote computer, for storing the viewing data.

A method of interacting with a viewing device, comprising:

• selecting a channel on the viewing device using a remote control device;
• recording the channel selected in a memory device of the remote control device along with time and date the channel was selected;
• selecting an interaction button on the remote control device initiating an interaction session between the remote control device and a remote computer;
• earmarking a last channel as channel broadcasting on the viewing device when the interaction button is selected;
• storing last channel data in the memory device of the remote control device, the last channel data including the last channel, time of the selection of the last channel and day of the selection of the last channel;
• and
• transferring the last channel data from the remote control device to the remote computer, the remote computer utilizing the last channel data to retrieve an address of a storage location in a library database where interactive session information is stored.

A method for participating in an auction using a viewing device, comprising:

• selecting a channel using a remote control device to view an auction program;
• recording the channel selected in a memory device of the remote control device along with time and date the channel was selected;
• selecting an auction button on the remote control device indicating an interest in participating in the auction;
• sending the channel selected and the date and time the channel was selected to a remote computer;
• retrieving auction information from a library database, coupled to the remote computer, using the channel selected and the date and time the channel was selected to identify the auction;
• and
• displaying the auction on the viewing device for participation by the user.

A method for rating a television broadcast using a viewing device, comprising:

• prompting a user to enter number of individuals watching the viewing device;
• recording the number in a memory device of the remote control device;
• selecting a channel on the viewing device using the remote control device;
• recording the channel selected in the memory device located in the remote control device;
• along with time and date the channel was selected;
• establishing a communication link between the remote control device and a remote computer and transmitting channel data to the remote computer, the channel data including the channel selected and the number of individuals watching the television broadcast;
• selecting a ratings button on the remote control device indicating an interest in rating the television broadcast;
• entering a rating of the television broadcast using the remote control device and storing the rating in the memory device of the remote control device;
• transferring the rating to the remote computer;
• and
• tabulating ratings received from a plurality of users.