US 6,584,613 B1 · Simplified TV viewer response system and method using special codes and subscriber custom calling codes

Abstract

A simplified TV viewer response system coupled to a telephone system enables a viewer/subscriber to respond to television displays by dialing a special code less than six digits. The code is routed to an enhanced services server. The server captures the dial string including the caller ID, checks the caller ID against a subscriber/viewer profile and maps the caller ID to the cable company providing service to the viewer/subscriber. The server delivers the response to the cable television company which processes the response according to the selected items or choices in the TV screen. Several special dialing codes of limited digits expedite viewer/subscriber selections. Each code includes a special character to route the dialing string to the server. The system provides sound recognition of viewer/subscriber selections.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A simplified Television (TV) viewer response system comprising:

a TV provider delivering TV program content in channels to a TV display for a viewer/subscriber;
a telephone system coupled to the TV provider and to the viewer/subscriber through a terminal;
means for generating special dialing strings to identify the TV provider, channel, selections and choices made by a viewer/subscriber to information included in the TV program content and shown in the TV display;
and
an enhanced services server means included in the telephone system responsive to the special dialing codes for algorithmically generating the identity of the TV provider;
a channel number viewed by the viewer/subscriber and combining with the viewer/s subscriber identity and selection as a viewer/subscriber response to the information in the TV display, the server interacting with a spot server at the TV provider to process the selection made by the viewer/subscriber to the information in the TV display.

3 more elements

In a simplified Television (TV) viewer response system including a TV provider generating information containing items for selection on a channel delivered to a viewer/subscriber on a TV display;

a telephone system including an enhanced services server and a terminal for viewer/subscriber response to items or choices displayed on the TV display, a method for selection of items or choices in the TV display, comprising the steps of:
creating and using video editing techniques for displaying information for selections of items or choices by viewer/subscriber;
dialing a string of pulses including a special access code as a selection of an item or choice in the information by the viewer/subscriber;
routing the response to an enhanced services server in the telephone system based upon the access code;
algorithmically generating in the enhanced server the identity of the TV provider channel number from a viewer/subscriber profile stored in a database in the telephone system based upon the access code;
interacting between the enhanced server and a spot server at the TV provider to process the selection made by the viewer/subscriber to the information in the TV display;
checking the viewer/subscriber selected items or choices by the enhanced services server against available items or choices in the information generated by the TV provider;
sending an acknowledgement to the viewer/subscriber by the enhanced services server if the selected items or choices match the available items or choices;
and
sending the selected items or choices to the TV provider by the enhanced services server for appropriate response to the viewer/subscriber.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Simplified TV viewer response system and method using special codes and subscriber custom calling codes

Life of this patent

Simplified TV viewer response system and method using special codes and subscriber custom calling codes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21