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 ordering a program, the method comprising:
 delivering to a user multimedia system a web page from a web server over an Internet communications link, wherein the web page includes a selectable option for ordering the program;   transmitting the program to a user over the Internet communications link in response to the selectable option being selected by the user; and   receiving a user selection of the selectable option over the Internet communications link.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the web page includes a further selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the program before ordering. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the selectable option indicates a cost associated with ordering the program. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the program is associated with a predetermined broadcast time. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the selectable option includes a programmatic action that prompts the user to enter verification data, wherein the verification data includes user-specific information used to verify the user's identity. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the web page includes a second selectable option associated with the program, and wherein a user selection of the second selectable option causes a function to be invoked on the program. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the program is a video on demand program. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the program is available via streaming or download. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising transmitting a purchase receipt to the user multimedia system. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the web page includes a second selectable option for searching for information contextually related to the program. 
     
     
         48 . A system comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 transmit a web page to an interface over an Internet connection, wherein the web page includes a selectable option for ordering a program; 
 transmit a program to a user over the Internet connection in response to the selectable option being selected by the user; and 
 receive a selection of the selectable option over the Internet connection. 
   
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the web page includes a further selectable option for allowing the user to view a video clip related to the program before ordering. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the selectable option indicates a cost associated with ordering the program. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the program is associated with a predetermined broadcast time. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the selectable option includes a programmatic action that prompts the user to enter verification data, wherein the verification data includes user-specific information used to verify the user's identity. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the web page includes a second selectable option associated with the program, and wherein a user selection of the second selectable option causes a function to be invoked on the program. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the program is a video on demand program. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the program is available via streaming or download. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the processor is further configured to transmit a purchase receipt to the interface 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the web page includes a second selectable option for searching for information contextually related to the program.