Multimedia system based e-commerce

Abstract

E-commerce techniques, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology, provide an improved buying experience integrated with the television viewing experience. A multimedia system for implementing the e-commerce techniques includes a two way communication system such as a set top box, display device and remote controller. The set top box and display device are used to present enhanced content including one or more offerings to users. The users can use the remote control to complete a purchase transaction for one or more of the offerings.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 .    at least one computer readable storage storing instructions executable by a processor; and   at least one processor configured for accessing the storage and executing the instructions which when executed by the processor configure the at least one processor for:   receiving enhanced content from a service provider, wherein the enhanced content includes multimedia content, an offering, and control information associated with a signal for selecting the offering;   outputting on a display device the multimedia content and the offering;   receiving the signal from user activation of a control device indicating selection of the offering;   sending an indication of the selection of the offering to the service provider;   receiving additional information concerning the offering from the service provider in response to sending the indication of the selection of the offering;   outputting on a display the additional information concerning the offering;   receiving at least one additional signal from user activation of a control device indicating selection or input of one or more parameters or attributes concerning the additional information about the offering; and   sending an indication of selection or input of one or more parameters or attributes to the service provider.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device is implemented by a set top box. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device is implemented by a display device configured to receive information from the Internet. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device is implemented by an apparatus configured to control a display device. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor configure the processor for receiving from the service provider the additional information concerning the offering as additional enhanced content. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor configure the processor for outputting the enhanced content on a display device. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor configure the processor for communicating the enhanced content to the display device using a consumer electronic control (CEC) protocol on a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI). 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor configure the processor for receiving the activation encoded using the consumer electronic control (CEC) protocol. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor configure the processor for receiving the activation through the display device. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor configure the processor for receiving the additional information concerning the offering from the service provider as additional enhanced content, and outputting the additional enhanced content on a display device. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the instructions when executed by the processor configure the processor for communicating the additional enhanced content to the display device using the consumer electronic control (CEC) protocol on the high definition multimedia interface (HDMI). 
     
     
         32 . At least one server, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one computer storage storing instructions which when executed by the at least one processor configure the at least one processor for:   sending enhanced content including an offering to a user system;   receiving a signal from the user system associated with selection of the offering;   sending additional information concerning the offering to the user system in response to receiving the indication of the selection of the offering for presentation of the additional information by the user system;   receiving one or more additional signals associated with selection or input of one or more parameters or attributes concerning the additional information about the offering; and   receiving an indication of selection or input of one or more parameters or attributes.   
     
     
         33 . The at least one server of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor configure the at least one processor for receiving the signals from a set top box of the user system. 
     
     
         34 . The at least one server of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor configure the at least one processor for receiving the signals from a display device of the user system. 
     
     
         35 . The at least one server of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor configure the at least one processor for receiving the signals from a server of the user system. 
     
     
         36 . The at least one server of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one server is associated with a cable multimedia signal provider. 
     
     
         37 . The at least one server of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one server is associated with a satellite multimedia signal provider. 
     
     
         38 . The at least one server of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions when executed by the at least one processor configure the at least one processor for encoding the enhanced content and additional enhanced content using a CEC protocol such that the enhanced content and additional enhanced content is transferrable in the user system across an HDMI.