Automatic linking to program-specific computer chat rooms
AssigneeGateway 2000, Inc.
InventorJeffrey Schindler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The automatic linking to program-specific computer chat rooms is disclosed. A computer detects the channel selected on a corresponding tuner. By referencing the channel and the time and date in which the computer is operating against an electronic program guide, the computer is able to determine the specific program currently on the channel. A unique identification code for the program is sent to a central server. The server links the computer to a computer chat room specific to the program for the unique identification code. This enables computer users viewing the same program to automatically enter the same chat room and chat to one another.
Claims17
A computerized chat system comprising:
- a central chat server maintaining a plurality of program-specific chat rooms;
- at least one tuner, each tuner capable of switching among a plurality of channels, each channel receptive to a plurality of programs;
- at least one computer, each computer having a program guide including an identification code for each program of each channel of a corresponding tuner,
- wherein each computer detects the channel switched to on the corresponding tuner and sends the code of the program currently on the channel to the Server, the server linking the computer to the chat room for the program corresponding to the code, automatically without any user intervention.
A computer for a computerized chat system comprising:
- a memory storing a program guide including an identification code for each of a plurality of programs of each of a plurality of channels of a corresponding tuner,
- means for detecting a channel to which the corresponding tuner is switched;
- means for obtaining the identification code;
- and,
- means for sending the identification code of the program currently on the channel switched to on the corresponding tuner to a chat server, automatically without any user intervention.
A computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon for a suitably equipped computer, the program comprising:
- means for detecting a channel switched to on a corresponding tuner;
- and,
- means for sending an identification code of a program currently on the channel switched to on the corresponding tuner to a server,
- wherein the server links the computer to chat room for the program corresponding to the identification code, automatically without any user intervention.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.