Systems and methods for providing a program as a gift using an interactive application

Abstract

A television message system is provided that allows users at user television equipment devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send messages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.

1 . A method for purchasing gifts using an interactive application, the method comprising:
 allowing a user to select a program to purchase as a gift for a recipient using an interactive application;   allowing the user to provide information for purchasing the program as the gift using an interactive application; and   providing the program as the gift to the receipt.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising transmitting a message relating to the program purchased as the gift from the user to the recipient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the selection of the program is from a listing of programs. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the allowing the user to select a program to purchase as a gift further comprises allowing the user to purchase multiple programs as a gift for a recipient. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the providing the program as the gift to the recipient comprises providing the recipient with access to multiple programs. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the providing the program as the gift to the recipient comprises allowing the recipient of the gift access to the program without charging the recipient for the program. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information provided for purchasing the program as the gift comprises the identity of the recipient. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information provided for purchasing the program as the gift comprises an e-mail address of the recipient. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the message transmitted to the recipient is an e-mail notifying the recipient that the gift has been purchased. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the recipient with the ability to watch the program. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the recipient with the ability to access the program. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information provided for purchasing the program as the gift comprises payment information. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein payment information is one of credit card information and debit account information. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user is at a first location, and the recipient is at a second location. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first location is remote from the second location. 
     
     
         16 . A system for purchasing gifts, comprising:
 an interactive application implemented at least partially on control circuitry configured to:
 allow a user to select a program to purchase as a gift for a recipient; 
 allow the user to provide information for purchasing the program as the gift; and 
 provide the program as the gift to the recipient. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the interactive application is further configured to transmit a message relating to the program purchased as the gift from the user to the recipient. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the selection of the program is from a listing of programs. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the allowing the user to select a program to purchase as a gift further comprises allowing the user to purchase multiple programs as a gift for a recipient. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the providing the program as the gift to the recipient comprises providing the recipient with access to multiple programs. 
     
     
         21 - 30 . (canceled)