[19]
`United States Patent
`5,828,839
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent: Oct. 27, 1998
`Moncrcil’f
`
`
`
`USODSSZSS39A
`
`[54] COMPUTER NETWORK CHAT ROOM
`BASED ON CHANNEL BROADCAST IN
`REAL TIME
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Craig T. Moncrcifi, San Diego, Calif.
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Interactive Broadcaster Services
`Corp., La Jolla, Calif.
`
`[21] App]. No: 749,091
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`N0v.14,1996
`
`G06F 15:16
`Int. C1.6
`[51]
`395nms4, 395,200.47
`[52] U.S. c1.
`395;200.34,200.57,
`[58] Field of Search
`3932006, 200.47, 200.54, 345,830; 3701260
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`$1993 Thompson
`5,236,199
`fif'IQQIS Gal'finkle
`5,530,469
`7/1996 Slcingold
`5,53?,l43
`5,561,708 10r'l996 Remillal'd .....
`5,694,163 1211997 Harrison
`
`273E439
`.
`348:1
`
`343r’l3
`
`379.396
`348MB
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Oikarinen et al, “Internet Relay Chat Protocol,“ Network
`Working Group, RFC 1459, May 1993 pp. 1—69.
`for Tours
`Matt Kramer, "iChat 10’s Web Found Ideal
`Thinking,” PC Week, v13, n37, Sep. 16, 1996 p. 93(1).
`
`“AOL Web Browser Previews Online,” Newsbytes News
`Network, May 10, 1995.
`
`Brian Wilson, "Two Approaches to Internet Broadcasting,”
`Windows Sources, v4, n10 Oct. 96 p. (152).
`
`Primary Examiner—Mehmet B. Geckil
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—John L. Rogitz
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A computer network chat room system includes plural chat
`rooms, with the conversation in each chat room being related
`to the program being broadcast real-time over a respective
`TV or radio channel in a user-defined time zone. Computer
`users access the chat rooms via the Internet by inputting their
`desired television or radio channel, along with a request to
`enter a chat room. A chat window is presented to the users
`of the system, along with a Web page window relating to the
`program currently being broadcast over the respective
`channel, and two advertising windows that also relate to the
`current program that is the discussion topic of the respective
`chat room. Additionally, a merchandising window can be
`presented for effecting transactions of merchandise that
`relates to the current program. A time zone-dependent chan-
`nel guide is also advantageously provided to the computer
`115613.
`
`17 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`MAIN MENU SCREEN
`
`ENIHAHIIE [suntan 1
`
`NEW USER
`tatswtss
`
`TEXT]
`
`CHM NflW
`
`(ENTER)
`
`,2 t
`
`
`
`123
`
`130'33
`
`135
`
`133
`
`134
`
`NTFX—1 010 I P8991 of 13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 27, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of?
`
`5,828,839
`
`TI]
`
`
`
`
`TE
`
`2!]
`
`‘3
`
`22
`
`INTERNET
`
`M
`
`35
`
`T2
`I—'—-
`
`
`
`EflHPUTEB
`
`CHAT
`
`
`
`BBBWSEH
`
`USER
`
`CUMPUTER
`
`BROWSER
`
`an
`
`
`USER
`
`comm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`24
`
`Fig.1
`
`23
`
`
`PRESENT
`
`MAIN MENU
`
`
`(RC. 4)
`
`
`Fig 2
`
` 52
`
`ACTIVATE SYSTEM
`
`
`RECEIVE USER
`NAME. PASSWORD
`
`56
`
`
` PRESENT
`
`
`WEECEIME SCREEN (ETC. 5)
`
`
`(MAIN MENU)
`TIME TUNE SCREEN (ETC. 5)
`
`
`
`AREA/CARRIER SCREEN (TIC. T)
`
` TD ["13
`
`
`[RM] APPRUPRIATE
`CHANNEE GUIDE
`
`
`NTFX—101OIPage 2 01'13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 2?, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 'r'
`
`5,828,839
`
`9!]
`
`Fig. 3
`
`CHM RUSH
`
`SElECIIflN INPlII
`
`93
`
`RECEIVE
`
`
`
`"ENTER CHM"
`
`
` RECEIVE CHANNEL
`
`
`
`INPUT
`
`IUD
`
`PRESENT
`
`
`
`CHM SCREEN
`
`
`(FIG. 8)
`
`
` I26
` WHEN COMMANDER,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PRESENI HElP SCREEN,
`CHANNEE GUIDE (RS. 9)
`SEIUP SCREEN (H5. H1)
`REMUIE CHAT
`
`MflRE CHM (HS. 11)
`
`MU
`
`HECEIRI] DATA RE
`
`
`
`USER CHANNEUCHNT
`
`RflUM USAGE, USER
`CUMMENIS. HERCHANRISE
`
`
`
`
`
`PURCHASED. AI].
`
`
`NTFX—101OIPage 3 01'13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 27, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`5,828,839
`
`fig. 4
`
`3|]
`
`42
`
`44
`
`- 34
`35
`
`45
`
`MEMBERS
`ENIHANBE
`
`NEw USER
`liliESI PASS
`
`[3chqu
`TEXT]
`
`1
`
` as
`USER [IUMMENIS
`
`92
`
`94
`
`123
`
`12
`
`‘3”
`132
`
`135
`
`138
`
`134
`
`122
`
`
`
`WEB PAGE/MERCHANDISE
`wmnuw
`
`'
`
`..
`
`mi
`
`IJSEB NAME (1) : xxx
`usmummmn
`
`BHAIWlNflflW
`
`nu
`
`NTFX—1 010 I Page 4 of 13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 27, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`5,828,839
`
`WElEflMESBREEN
`
`Fig. 5
`
`62
`
`WELCOME AND POLICY
`
`[ pnucv mu]
`
` VERIFY PASSWflHfl
`
`
`
`EUHIINUE
`
`55
`
`EB
`
`TIME lflNE scam:
`
`Fig. 6
`
`SELECTEHUADEASTAHEA
`
`(BUCK IJN YfllJH HUME AREA)
`
`NTFX—101OIPage 5 01'13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 27, 1993
`
`Sheets of 7
`
`5,828,839
`
`AHEA/EARHIEHSEHEEN
`
`IE
`
`,7
`
`Fig. 7
`
`"PACIFIC TIME lflNE SEEEETEIJ"
`
`-
`
`HELP [:1
`
`SElEBI AREA
`
`BE
`
`78
`
`a2
`
`84
`
`SIAHDAHDBHHADCASI
`BABlE"A"
`CABlE"fl"
`
`BE
`”m
`
`CHANNEL GUIDE
`
`42
`
`/ 1
`
`fig 9
`
`HOME 3331: SAN DIEGO. CA
`
`BARRIER: CABlE "A"
`
`BHANNEl
`
`HAM
`
`3-KAAB
`
`CHAT HUBM!S! AVMEABEE
`
`NUNE
`
`GEHEHM MlfllENEE—lflCM (1H)
`flVEH-dfl-HEGIDNM (5)
`
`HEAD
`‘
`
`DIE HERB FAN-NAIIDNM (2)
`(BUCK 0N CHM HBflM Ifl ENTER)
`
`NTFX—101OIPage 6 01'13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 27, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
`
`5,828,839
`
`PHUBHAMEUIDE {
`
`145
`
`Fig. 9A
`
`HUME BEST: SAN DIEGO. CA
`
`CARRIER: EABlE "A"
`
`E ANNEl
`
`HAM-7AM.
`
`7A.M.-
`
`MAM
`
`3-KMB
`
`WDUDWUHKINE
`
`MUHE WUDDWUHKINB
`
`CAHIOUNS
`
`BASEBAll
`
`
`154
`
`EHANNEl GUIDE
`
`MAIN MENU
`
`MB
`
`NTFX—101OIPage 7 01'13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 27, 1993
`
`Sheet 7 of 7
`
`5,828,839
`
`MflflEEHhTSEHEEN
`
`,/'5"
`
`Fig.1 1
`
`BHAHMJIEH BIU'S
`
`UIHEH HIN [INKS
`
`BHUHH Tfl MAIN
`
`° WEB MASIEH (Emu)
`' lflCAl PRODUCER
`' PHESIDENI CHAT-W
`
`NTFX—101OIPage 8 01'13
`
`

`

`5,828,839
`
`1
`COMPUTER NETWORK CHAT ROOM
`BASED ON CHANNEL BROADCAST IN
`REAL TIME
`
`FIEID OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention relates generally to wide area
`'lhe present
`computer networks, and more particularly to so—called “chat
`rooms“ that are accessed via the Internet.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`10
`
`2
`system and a program means on the program storage device.
`As intended by the present invention, the program device is
`realized in a critical machine component
`that causes the
`digital processing system to perform method steps to estab-
`lish communication between at least one user computer and
`at least one chat room in a computer network based on the
`broadcast time of a broadcast program to which the chat
`room relates. The method steps include receiving from the
`user computer a desired program channel, a desired time
`zone, and a request to enter a chat room. In response to the
`receiving steps, communication is established between the
`user computer and the computer network chat room.
`In a preferred embodiment, the method steps particularly
`include establishing communication between a plurality of
`user computers and a plurality of chat rooms, with at least
`some of the chat rooms being associated with respective
`channels in a respective time zone. Also, the method steps
`can include receiving from the user a request to change time
`zones, and in response establishing communication between
`the user computer and a computer network chat room.
`Moreover, in the preferred embodiment the method steps
`also include presenting a broadcast program listing to the
`user computer. Data representing the number of user com—
`puters logged in to a chat room is stored in a viewer file for
`each broadcast program, and accounting data is provided
`when the viewer file is transferred.
`
`Accounting data is also generated by additional means.
`More specifically, advertisements, merchandising pages,
`and Web pages, all of which are related to the broadcast
`program, can be presented to the user computer, and
`accounting data generated based thereon. Furthermore,
`hyperlinks to additional program-related Web pages can be
`provided.
`The computer program product is also disclosed in com-
`bination with the digital processing apparatus, and in further
`combination with the computer network.
`In another aspect, a system is disclosed for keying at least
`one computer network site to a respective channel over
`which programs are broadcast. The system broadly includes
`logic means for providing user computers access to the
`computer network site when the user computers input data
`at
`least representative of:
`the channel, and a request
`to
`communicate with the computer network site.
`In another aspect, a computer-implemented method is
`disclosed for cost accounting in a computer system that
`simultaneously displays, to user computers, at least one chat
`window, at least one Web page window, and at least one
`advertising window. The method includes generating an
`accounting representative of advertising presented in the
`advertising window and the period for which it was pre-
`sented. Additionally,
`the method includes generating an
`accounting of user access to the Web page.
`The details of the present invention, both as to its structure
`and operation, can best be understood in reference to the
`accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals
`refer to like parts, and in which:
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the chat system of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the method steps to activate the
`chat system;
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the method steps to execute the
`chat system;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the main menu screen,
`with pull-down portions shown in phantom;
`
`NTFX—1 010 I Page 9 of 13
`
`15
`
`35
`
`Use of and applications for Internet networks, including
`the so-called “World Wide Web" (“Web”), increases daily.
`The Web is a network of computer information storage sites,
`and each site can include one or more information displays,
`colloquially referred to as “pages”. Essentially, a Web site
`presents advertising or other information regarding a par-
`ticular organization. A person with a computer and a soft-
`ware system referred to as a "browser” can connect the
`computer to the Internet (and, hence, to the Web), usually via
`a telephone line, and with the aid of the browser, access the
`various Web pages.
`Another popular feature of the Internet are so-called “chat
`rooms”. Essentially, a chat room is a computer site that can
`be accessed (i.c., "logged onto”) simultaneously by many s
`users, with each user being able to input
`text material
`intended to be conversational in nature. The conversational
`input from, e.g., a first user is relayed to the computers of the
`other users who also happen to be logged onto the chat room,
`such that the text from the first user is presented to the other
`users. Then,
`the other users can respond if they like by
`inputting text material of their own, and their text material
`is likewise relayed to the other “occupants” of the chat room,
`including the first user. In this way, computer users around
`the globe can undertake dialogues with each other in real
`titne. Further, once a dialog has been established between
`two particular users, the users can arrange to "meet" in (i.e.,
`transfer to) a private chat room that can be accessed only by
`the two users, so that
`the two users can continue their
`conversation in private.
`rooms typically are
`Not surprisingly, particular chat
`focussed on particular subject matters, so that the general
`topic of conversation can be known by users prior
`to
`entering a chat room. For example, the topic of discussion in
`one chat room might be olf-road vehicles, whereas the topic
`of discussion in another chat room might be “singles over
`thirty”. Still another topic of discussion might be a popular
`television show.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`invention, however, chat
`As recognized by the present
`rooms offer no other real time topic-related features apart
`from the conversations between users. As further recognized
`by the present invention, users‘ enjoyment of chat rooms,
`particularly cheat rooms focussed on television, radio, or
`other broadcast programs, can be enhanced with real time
`enhancement features.
`
`is an object of the present invention to
`it
`Accordingly,
`provide a system and method for real time enhancement of
`a computer network chat room. Another object of the present
`invention is to provide a system and method for enhancing
`a chat room that is focussed on a broadcast program. Still
`another object of the present invention is to provide a system
`and method for enhancing a chat room that is easy to use and
`cost-effective.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`A computer program product includes a computer pro-
`gram storage device that is readable by a digital processing
`
`

`

`5,828,839
`
`3
`FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the welcome screen;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the time zone screen;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the areafcarrier screen;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the chat screen, with
`pull-down portions shown in phantom;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram ofthe channel guide screen;
`FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of the program guide
`screen;
`
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the setup screen; and
`FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the more chat screen.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring initially to FIG. 1, a system is shown, generally
`designated 10, which includes a server computer 12, which
`is part of a computer network. In the preferred embodiment,
`the server computer 12 is part of the computer network 14
`referred to as the Internet, and it can access a portion of the
`Internet known as the World Wide Web (“Web“). As is well
`known, the Web includes a plurality of Web sites 16 (only
`one site 16 shown in FIG. 1). Additionally, plural user
`computers 18 communicate with the network 14 using
`respective software-implemented browsers 20 in accordance
`with well-known principles. As intended by the present
`invention, the browsers 220 can advantageously be commer-
`cial browsers, such as are made by Netscape and Microsoft
`Corp. Further, each user computer 18 is associated with a
`respective output device such as a video monitor 22.
`Moreover, one or more advertising sites 24, each typically
`implemented by a respective server computer, communicate
`with the network 14- by well-known means.
`As discussed further below,
`the server computer 12
`includes a chat module 26 for facilitating communication
`between user computers 18 via the network 14, in real time
`with broadcast programs that establish the subjects of dis-
`cussion between the user computers 18. Thus, each chat
`room that is implemented by the chat module 26 relates to
`a program being broadcast, real-time, over a respective
`channel. As intended herein, a “broadcast" program means
`any television or radio program that
`is delivered on a
`wide-area basis to plural public recipients by standard
`wireless broadcast (i.e., from land-based radiofrequency (rf)
`transmitters), or by cable, or by satellite transmission, or by
`internet
`transmission, or by multicast or
`intercast.
`Preferably, the broadcast programs are television programs
`delivered by cable andj'or standard wireless broadcast.
`FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the structure of the chat module
`
`26 of the present invention as embodied in computer pro-
`gram software. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
`the Figures illustrate the structures of logic elements, such as
`computer program code elements or electronic logic circuits,
`that function according to this invention. Manifestly,
`the
`invention is practiced in its essential embodiment by a
`machine component that renders the logic elements in a
`form that instructs a digital processing apparatus (that is, a
`computer) to perform a sequence of function steps corre-
`sponding to those shown in the Figures.
`These instructions may reside on a program storage
`device including a data storage medium to establish a
`computer program product, such as a programmed computer
`diskette. Alternatively, such media can also be found in
`semiconductor devices, on magnetic tape, on optical disks,
`on a DASD array, on a conventional hard disk drive, on
`electronic read-only memory or on electronic random access
`memory. or other appropriate data storage device associated
`
`10
`
`15
`
`”
`
`35
`
`40
`
`4s
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`with the server computer 12. In an illustrative embodiment
`of the invention, the logic means are computer-executable
`instructions that are written in Hypertext Mark-up Language
`(HTML) with Java text and, where appropriate, Illustra
`database code.
`
`FIG. 2 shows the logic in activating the chat rooms of the
`present
`invention. Starting at block 28, a main menu is
`presented to a user computer 18 by displaying the main
`menu on the monitor 22, when the associated browser 20
`accesses the chat module 26 via the network 14. Although
`for clarity of disclosure the discussion below focusses on a
`single user computer 18, it is to be understood that the logic
`of the present invention applies to plural user computers 18.
`A preferred main menu screen 30 is shown in FIG. 4.
`Initially, selector buttons 32 on the main menu screen 30 are
`dimmed, whereas user name and password entry bars 34-, 36
`on a television-like television window 38 are highlighted.
`Additionally, the television window 38 can include one or
`more logos 4'0 and one or more moving or stationary
`anthropomorphic television-like icons 42. Furthermore, the
`television window 38 can include a horizontal scrolling
`window 44 for displaying text information which scrolls
`from right to left, as well as a vertical scrolling window 46
`for displaying text
`information which scrolls upwardly
`[looking down on FIG. 4). A members entrance button 48
`and new userz‘guest pass button 50 are also displayed on the
`television window 38.
`
`With the above disclosure in mind, in cross-reference to
`FIGS. 2 and 4 a user of a user computer 18 can enter a
`desired chat user name and password in the user name and
`password entry bars 34-, 36 respectively. This input
`is
`received at block 52 in FIG. 2. Or, the user can manipulate
`a data entry device commonly referred to as a “mouse” that
`is associated with the user’s computer 18 to "click on" {i.e.,
`to select) one of the members entrance button 48 or new
`usen’guest pass button 50.
`In either case, the logic of the chat module 26 moves to
`decision diamond 54 to determine whether the user is a new
`user. More specifically, if a user name has been entered, the
`chat module 26 accesses a user database within the server
`computer 12 to determine whether the user name (and
`associated password) has been previously recorded therein.
`If not, or if the user had clicked on the new user button 50,
`he logic proceeds to block 56, to present a series of screens
`.0 be shortly disclosed. On the other hand, if the entered user
`name (and password) appears in the user database, the logic
`noves to block 58 to activate the system by highlighting the
`selector buttons 32. Also, if the user had clicked on the
`nembers entrance 48 without inputting a user name and
`aassword, the chat module 26 prompts the user to enter his
`or her user name and password, prior to permitting the user
`.0 select one of the selector buttons 32. From block 58, the
`logic proceeds to FIG. 3.
`As shown in FIG. 2, at block 56, the chat module 26
`aresents to the new user a welcome screen 60 (FIG. 5). In
`cross-reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the welcome screen 60
`oresents alpha-numeric data regarding chat room policies,
`and accepti’decline buttons 62, 64 on which the user can
`click to signify acceptance or declination, respectively, of
`the policy. If the user selects the accept button 62, the user
`is prompted to type in his password in a verification box 66.
`Then, the user can cause a new screen to be presented by
`clicking on a continue button 68. On the other hand, if the
`user clicks on the declination button 64, the user is returned
`to the main menu 30 and denied access to any chat rooms.
`If desired, a help button 70 can be presented on the welcome
`
`
`
`NTFX—1010f Page 10 of 13
`
`

`

`5,828,839
`
`5
`screen 60 and on the various other screens discussed below
`to enable the user to access system instructions in accor—
`dance with well-known principles.
`Upon selection of the continue button 68 of the welcome
`screen 60, a time zone screen 72 (FIG. 6) is presented to the
`user. As shown in FIG. 6, the time zone screen 72 presents
`a map 74 of a region, e.g., of the United States, divided into
`time zones. The user clicks on the appropriate time zone to
`select his or her home time zone.
`
`As the skilled artisan will appreciate, the chat module 26
`receives the home time zone entry and in response presents
`an areafcarrier screen 76 (FIG. 7). With the arear‘carrier
`screen 76, the user selects a sub-area within his home time
`zone, and a program provider, also referred to herein as a
`carrier. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the home time zone
`selected in FIG. 6 was the Pacific time zone, and accordingly
`a select area box 78 is presented which lists various sub—
`areas within the Pacific time zone, e.g., Los Angeles, San
`Francisco, San Diego, and so on. The user moves a select
`arrow 80 to the appropriate sub-area and clicks on the
`sub-area to select it.
`Next, the user moves a select arrow 82 in a select carrier
`box 84 to select a carrier within the home sub-area. For
`example,
`if the user receives television programs via a
`standard broadcast, the user would select “standard broad-
`cast”. In contrast, if the user receives television programs
`from a "Cable A” service, he would select “Cable A” as
`shown, and so on. After selecting his home sub-area and
`carrier, the user clicks on a confirmation box 86 to confirm
`the entries.
`
`Referring back to FIG. 2, after receiving the user’s home
`sub-area and carrier, the chat module 26 moves to block 88
`to correlate a channel guide (discussed further below) with
`the user’s user name. As intended by the present invention,
`to undertake this correlation the chat module 26 enters a
`channel guide database within the server computer 12, using
`the selected home sub-area and carrier provided above as the
`entering argument. In other words, each channel guide in the
`channel guide database is associated with a particular carrier
`in a particular sub-area. The channels listed in each channel
`guide establish the bases for the respective chat rooms that
`are tnade available to the user as discussed more fully below.
`From block 88, the chat module 26 proceeds to block 58 and
`thence to FIG. 3. Thus, each chat room is keyed to a
`respective channel.
`In cross—reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the chat module 26
`receives a desired channel and chat room input from the user
`at block 90 in FIG. 3. Specifically, once the user name and
`password have been accepted by the chat module 26, the
`user places his cursor over a channel select button 92 and
`accordingly can scroll through the channels that are avail-
`able from his carrier, as determined by the channel guide
`loaded at block 88 in FIG. 2, to select one of the channels
`as the basis for a chat room conversation.
`
`As also indicated in FIG. 4, upon selection of a channel,
`a pull-down rootn select button 94 (shown in phantom in
`FIG. 4) appears next
`to the channel select button 92. In
`accordance with the present
`invention,
`the room select
`button 94 presents the chat rooms that have been established
`for the selected channel, e.g., “over 40”, “die hard fans”, etc.
`The user scrolls through the available chat rooms for the
`selected channel and selects one by clicking on the room
`select button 94.
`To enter a chat room, the user then clicks on an “enter
`chat” button 96. This input is received by the chat module 26
`at block 98 in FIG. 3. Then, at block 100 the chat module 26
`presents a chat screen 102 (FIG. 8) to the user.
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`The preferred chat screen 102 will be described in refer-
`ence to FIG. 8, after which the description of the logic
`shown in FIG. 3 will be completed. Now referring to FIG.
`8, The chat screen 102 includes a Web pagefmerchandise
`window 104. A broadcaster button 106 can be selected to
`
`cause the Web page of the network that is broadcasting the
`program on the selected channel to be displayed in the
`window 104. Likewise, a program button 108 can be
`selected to cause the Web page of the producer of the
`program that is being broadcast on the selected channel to be
`displayed in the window 104. In an alternative embodiment,
`when the broadcast program is also being broadcast on the
`network 14,
`the program itself can be displayed in the
`window 104.
`
`Alternatively, the user can click on a merchandise button
`110 to cause merchandising text andi’or video to be displayed
`in the window 104. The merchandising so marketed is
`related to the program which is currently being broadcast on
`the selected channel. When the merchandising button 110 is
`selected, pull-down merchandising category buttons 112
`(shown in phantom) are also displayed in the window 104,
`to enable the user to select a desired category. For example,
`as shown the categories can include gifts, apparel, other, and
`a merchandise index. The user can purchase program—related
`merchandise by selecting the merchandise from the window
`104 in accordance with well-known Web purchasing prin-
`ciples.
`If desired, a game select button 114 can be provided to
`enable the user to cause a desired game to be presented in the
`window 104, for playing the game real—time with another
`user in the selected chat room while the television program
`is being broadcast. Also, a first advertising window 116 can
`display an advertisement from an advertiser of the program
`being broadcast on the selected channel. Similarly, a second
`advertising window 118 can display an advertisement from
`an advertiser of the program being broadcast on the selected
`channel. Accounting data is kept that represents the time
`period during which each advertisement was displayed, as
`well as the number of users who were present in the chat
`room during display. The advertising can be scheduled and
`loaded into the advertising windows 116, 118 remotely from
`the advertising site 24 (FIG. 1}.
`In addition, the chat screen 102 displays a common chat
`window 120 below the web page window 104. As shown,
`the common chat window 120 presents to all occupants of
`the particular chat room text that is input by the occupants
`of the chat room, along with the inputting occupants” user
`names. An input window 122 is provided for each user
`which displays the text of the user’s chat, prior to the user
`transmitting it for display to other users on the chat window
`120.
`In addition to the features of the chat screen 102 disclosed
`
`above, other features can be invoked by selecting an other
`button 124. Upon selection of the other button 124, a list of
`other features can be presented to the user, and one or more
`of the features can be selected by clicking on the feature in
`the list. Set forth below is an example of such a list, with an
`explanation of each feature.
`“Chat basics"—a help feature;
`“Retum;’exit”—Main menu (FIG. 4) presented;
`“Instant Ratings”—displays in graphical form the number
`of chat room occupants, per channel-based chat room;
`“Another chat world”—transports the user to another chat
`world, e.g.,
`the chat world operated by a television
`network. To facilitate such transport while avoiding
`duplication of a user name in the other chat world, a
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`tag, such as a color, or suffix character string, or, more
`preferably, a prefix character string that is representa—
`tive of the chat module 26 is added to the user’s user
`name. In other words, a tag that is unique to the chat
`world of the chat module 26 is associated with the
`user’s user name;
`“Links"—when selected, displays hyperlinks to Web
`pages that are related to either the broadcaster’s Web
`page or program producer’s Web page or to the pro-
`gram itself. Selection of one of the hyperlinks causes
`the associated Web page to be displayed in the Web
`page window 104;
`“Chat evean”—lists chat events, including pay-per-chat
`events, that will be available at some future time. By
`selecting one of the chat events, the user can pay for the
`event and obtain a special password for the event; and
`“Theater chat”—when selected,
`the user audibly hears
`and speaks to other occupants in the chat room who
`have also selected this option, provided that the users’
`computers 18 are equipped with appropriate sound
`systems.
`Recall that the user can return to the main menu 30 (FIG.
`4) when desired. Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, at block
`126 in FIG. 3 the chat module 26 presents upon command
`a help screen (not shown), a channel guide (FIG. 9), a setup c
`screen (FIG. 10), and a more chat screen (FIG. 11) when the
`user respectively clicks on a help button 128, a channel
`guide button 130, a defaultfsetup button 132, and a more
`chat button 134. The screens that are invoked by selecting
`these buttons will be addressed shortly.
`In addition, the user can click on a chat TV shops button
`136 to enter the merchandising presentation of the Web page
`window 104 of the chat screen 102 shown in FIG. 8. Also,
`the user can access chat rooms ("remote chat rooms") for
`channels that are remote from the user’s home area by
`clicking on a remote chat button 138. Selecting the remote
`chat feature invokes the time zone screen 72 shown in FIG.
`6 and the area carrieri'screen 76 shown in FIG. 7 to facilitate
`selection of the remote chat room in the same manner as the
`home sub-area and channel are selected, as described above.
`The chat module 26 provides a bookmark to the user to
`indicate the selected remote chat area, and the logic proceeds
`as before in enabling the user to enter the remote chat rooms,
`with the understanding that the remote chat rooms are keyed
`to the broadcast channels in the respective remote areas.
`At block 140, accounting data is generated. More
`specifically, at block 140 the number of user computers
`logged in to a chat room is stored in a viewer file for each
`broadcast program, and accounting data generated based
`thereon. Chat comments from the viewers can also be stored
`for later resale to ratings companies.
`Additionally, accounting data is generated for each adver—
`tisement displayed on the advertising windows 116, 118 of
`the chat screen 102 (FIG. 8) and the length of time each
`advertisement was displayed. Moreover, accounting data
`can be generated for each Web page that is displayed in the
`Web page window 104- ofthe chat screen 102. This data can
`account
`for the number of users who accessed further
`information from each displayed Web page, e.g.,
`from
`hyperlinks. Still further, accounting data is generated based
`on the merchandise information pages that are displayed in
`the Web page window 104, and based on the merchandise
`that is purchased using the merchandising pages.
`As mentioned above, the chat module 26 presents various
`additional screens to the user upon the user selecting one of
`the selector buttons 32 on the main menu screen 30 (FIG. 4-).
`For example. a channel guide 142 (FIG. 9) is presented when
`
`8
`the user clicks on the channel guide selector button 130 on
`the main menu screen 30 (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 9, the
`channel guide 142 presents the user’s home broadcast area
`and home carrier, under which is presented a two-column
`table. In the first column, the channels with call signs that are
`available from the home carrier are listed, while in the
`second column, the chat rooms that are currently available
`for each channel are listed. Each listed chat room indicates
`the nature of the chat room, whether the chat room contains
`only local viewers, or regionali’nationali’international view-
`ers (who have entered the chat room by means of the remote
`chat feature disclosed above). The number of occupants of
`each chat room is also listed.
`Thus, for example, if a user selected channel 3, the user
`could learn from the channel guide 142 that two chat rooms
`currently exist which are dedicated to conversations about
`the program being aired real-time over channel 3. In one
`chat room, the occupants include ten (10) general audience
`members, all from the user’s home (local) area, who want to
`discuss the program being aired real-time over channel 3. On
`the other hand, five (5) over-40 occupants from the user’s
`region occupy another channel 3 chat room. As also shown
`in FIG. 9, the user can enter a chat room directly from the
`channel guide 142 by clicking on the desired chat room.
`Further, selector buttons 144 are provided which, as shown,
`enable the user to return to the main menu 30, or to select
`the channel guide of another broadcast, or to access a
`program guide.
`FIG. 9A shows a program guide 146 of the present
`invention. As shown in FIG. 9A, the program guide 146
`presents the user’s home broadcast area and home carrier,
`under which is presented a multi-column table. In the first
`column, the channels with call signs that are available from
`the home carrier are listed, while in the remaining columns,
`the programs available on each channel are listed by broad-
`cast
`time. Selector buttons 148 are provided which, as
`shown, enable the user to return to the main menu 30, or to
`return to the channel guide 142.
`When in the main menu 30 (FIG. 4), the user can select
`the defaulti'setup button 132 to invoke the setup screen 150
`shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the user can indicate
`his system software by selecting a software from a list 152.
`Also, the user enters his desired user name and password in
`data entry bars 154. The user car return to the main menu 30
`by selecting a main menu select button 156. Alternatively,
`the user can continue to the welcome screen 60 (FIG. 5) to
`proceed as discussed above by selecting a continue button
`158.
`FIG. 11 shows a more chat sc