Interactive television targeted message system

Abstract

An interactive television system is provided in which targeted messages may be sent to users. The interactive television system may use an interactive television program guide or other interactive applications to provide interactive television services to users. An e-mail or other messaging application may be used to receive the messages. The messaging application may be separate from the program guide or other interactive television application or may be part of the program guide or other interactive television application. Messages may be targeted based on the television channels to which the user subscribes or based on which settings the user has established in the program guide or other application or based on any other suitable criteria.

1 . A method for providing a targeted message to a user of an interactive television application, comprising: 
 using the interactive television application to order a product or service;    storing user information relating to the ordered product or service in user equipment;    creating a message having associated targeting criteria at a first location;    distributing the message along with the targeting criteria from the first location to the user equipment;    comparing the targeting criteria to the stored user information relating to the ordered product or service at the user equipment; and    presenting the message to the user when the targeting is criteria are satisfied.    
     
     
         2 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the distributing the message comprises distributing the message through the Internet or a television distribution facility.  
     
     
         3 . (canceled)  
     
     
         4 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the distributing the message comprises distributing the message through the Internet and a television distribution facility.  
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the presenting the message comprises presenting the message using a set-top box.  
     
     
         6 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the presenting the message comprises presenting the message using a digital video recorder.  
     
     
         7 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 using the interactive television application to set a reminder based upon user input; and    comparing the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the reminder.    
     
     
         8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 using the interactive television application to set a favorite setting; and    comparing the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the favorite setting.    
     
     
         10 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 using the interactive television application to set a parental control; and    comparing the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the parental control.    
     
     
         11 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 using the interactive television application to select content for recording; and    comparing the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the content.    
     
     
         12 - 14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising providing the message from an interactive television application provider or a television service provider.  
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . A system for providing a targeted message to a user of an interactive television application, comprising: 
 a first processor that creates a message having associated targeting criteria and that causes the message to be distributed along with the targeting criteria to the user;    user equipment that stores user information relating to a product or service that is ordered using the interactive television application, that compares the targeting criteria with stored user information relating to the ordered product or service and that causes the message to be presented to the user for which the targeting is criteria are satisfied.    
     
     
         18 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the first processor is part of a television distribution facility.  
     
     
         19 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the first processor also causes the message to be distributed through the Internet.  
     
     
         20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the user equipment comprises a set-top box.  
     
     
         22 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the user equipment comprises a digital video recorder.  
     
     
         23 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the user equipment also sets a reminder based upon user input and compares the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the reminder.  
     
     
         24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the user equipment also sets a favorites setting based upon user input and compares the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the favorites setting.  
     
     
         26 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the user equipment also sets a parental control based upon user input and compares the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the parental control.  
     
     
         27 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the user equipment also selects content for recording based upon user input and compares the targeting criteria to stored user information relating to the content.  
     
     
         28 - 30 . (canceled)  
     
     
         31 . The system defined in  claim 17  wherein the first processor is part of an interactive television application provider or a television service provider.  
     
     
         32 . (canceled)