Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
   
   
       38 . A method for displaying interactive program data, the method comprising:
 at a first instance of the current time, displaying a plurality of listings for programs currently in-progress on a display device, wherein each of the displayed listings comprises a time indicator having a leading edge aligned with a first position corresponding to the first instance of the current time; and   as time passes from the first instance of the current time to a second instance of the current time later than the first instance, and while the programs associated with the displayed listings are still currently in-progress, using the display device to graphically depict the passage of time and visually indicate the second instance of the current time by moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators towards alignment with a third position that corresponds to the second instance of the current time.   
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators comprises displaying a shadow proceeding across the displayed listings. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising changing the background color of a portion of each of the displayed listings adjacent to the leading edge of each of the time indicator. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein displaying a plurality of program listings further comprises displaying at least one listing for a future program. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein graphically depicting the passage of time further comprises changing the size of each of the time indicators. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein each of the displayed listings includes a cell having an end segment corresponding to the end of program currently in-progress associated with the displayed listing, and wherein graphically depicting the passage of time further comprises moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators toward said end segment. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the leading edges of all of the time indicators are aligned with each other. 
   
   
       45 . A system for displaying interactive program data, the system comprising a display controller and a processor, the processor configured to:
 direct the display controller to display a plurality of listings for programs in-progress at a first instance of the current time, wherein each of the displayed listings comprises a time indicator having a leading edge aligned with a first position corresponding to the first instance of the current time; and   as time passes from the first instance of the current time to a second instance of the current time later than the first instance, and while programs associated with the displayed listings are still in-progress, direct the display controller to graphically depict the passage of time and visually indicate the second instance of the current time by moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators towards alignment with a third position that corresponds to the second instance of the current time.   
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 45  wherein moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators comprises displaying a shadow proceeding across the displayed listings. 
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 45  wherein the processor is further configured to direct the display controller to change the background color of a portion of each of the displayed listings adjacent to the leading edge of the time indicator. 
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 45  wherein the processor is further configured to direct the display controller to display at least one listing for a future program. 
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein graphically depicting the passage of time further comprises changing the size of each of the time indicators. 
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein each of the displayed listings includes a cell having an end segment corresponding to the end of a program currently in-progress associated with the displayed listing, and wherein graphically depicting the passage of time further comprises moving the leading edge of each of the time indicators toward said end segment. 
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the leading edges of all of the time indicators are aligned with each other.