Internet television program guide system

Abstract

An Internet television program guide system is provided that allows a user at a multimedia system to access information related to television programs over an Internet communications link. The user can view television program guide listings and related video stills and video clips. The user can perform database searches on the program guide listings (e.g., to search for a particular type of television program). If desired, the user can select an option that directs the multimedia system to tune directly to a television channel for a selected program or to a related television program guide or movie guide service on a television channel. The user can order pay-per-view events using the system.

1 - 80 . (canceled) 
   
   
       81 . An apparatus that provides broadcast television programs to a subscriber, comprising:
 a set top terminal, comprising:
 a receiver module to receive program data including the broadcast television programs, 
 an address for a scheduling web site and 
 a local authorization code, wherein the authorization code allows at least one of the broadcast television programs to be decrypted for viewing; and 
 an ethernet LAN connector to receive electronic program guide data from the scheduling web site and send a program selection to the scheduling web site; 
   the scheduling web site that receives the program selection and sends an authorization request to an order and authorization system, wherein the scheduling web site recognizes the subscriber and customizes the electronic program guide data for the subscriber;   the order and authorization system that receives the authorization request, including the program selection, from the scheduling web site and generates an authorization signal, the authorization signal providing the local authorization code; and   a billing system that receives the authorization signal and generates a billing record.   
   
   
       82 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein the order and authorization system and a broadcaster are colocated with the billing system. 
   
   
       83 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , comprising a network controller that receives the authorization signal from the order and authorization system and generates the local authorization code. 
   
   
       84 . The apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein the network controller comprises a network management CPU linked to the order and authorization system. 
   
   
       85 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein the order and authorization system is capable of receiving the authorization request by either an upstream data transmission over a cable distribution network or by a telephone line. 
   
   
       86 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein the receiver module comprises a means to communicate with the Internet. 
   
   
       87 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein the scheduling web site is an Internet web site. 
   
   
       88 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , comprising a set top terminal having the receiver module and the transmitter, and wherein the electronic program guide is customized according to subscriber specific data stored in the set top terminal. 
   
   
       89 . A set top terminal, comprising:
 a receiver module to receive program data from a broadcast cable television delivery network, wherein the program data includes a plurality of broadcast television programs, an address of a scheduling web site, and at least one authorization code to authorize access to at least one of the plurality of broadcast television programs; and   an ethernet LAN connector to receive electronic program guide data from the scheduling web site and send an order to the scheduling web site for the at least one of the plurality of broadcast television programs.   
   
   
       90 . A method, comprising:
 receiving program data from a broadcast cable television delivery network at a receiver module of a set top terminal, the program data including a plurality of broadcast television programs, an address of a scheduling web site, and at least one authorization code to authorize access to at least one of the plurality of broadcast television programs;   receiving electronic program guide data from the scheduling web site at an ethernet LAN connector of the set top terminal; and   sending an order to the scheduling web site from the ethernet LAN connector of the set top terminal for the at least one of the plurality of broadcast television programs.