Systems and methods for advertising television networks, channels, and programs

The present invention allows control of the presentation of advertisements that are associated with television networks, channels, and programs, and enables a single broadcasting of each advertisement associated with a network to be made to numerous television systems in parallel. The presentation of advertisements that are associated with television networks, channels, and programs is controlled in the present invention by determining at television viewer equipment whether the television networks, channels, or programs with which the advertisements are associated are unavailable to the television viewer or are undesirable to the television viewer. Once this determination has been made, the television viewer equipment then presents the advertisements, or selects and presents suitable alternative advertisements. A single broadcasting of each network advertisement to all television systems is enabled in the present invention by broadcasting each advertisement with a network identifier to all television systems. At the television systems, the network identifier and channel map or program guide information located in television viewer equipment are then used by an interactive program guide or other application running in the television viewer equipment to determine whether a local affiliate for that network is available and not designated as undesirable by the television viewer. If the local affiliate is available and not designated as undesirable, the advertisement is then presented to the television viewer, otherwise a suitable alternative advertisement is then identified and presented to the television viewer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to television advertising, and, more particularly, to techniques for advertising television networks, channels, and programs.

The practice of advertising television networks, channels, and programs has become widespread. For example, an advertisement for a network or channel may promote the network or channel generally or a particular line-up of television programs on that network or channel. Similarly, an advertisement for a television program may promote the program generally or a particular episode or particular episodes of that program.

Advertisements for television networks, channels, and programs have been delivered to television viewers in a variety of ways. For example, advertisements have been delivered by using standard television commercial time slots in television programs to present the advertisements to television viewers. The advertisements delivered in such standard television commercial time slots for television networks and channels have been delivered on both the same and different networks and channels from those being advertised. Similarly, the advertisements for television programs delivered in standard television commercial time slots have been delivered during both the same and different television programs from those being advertised.

As another example, barker television screens have also been used to present advertisements to television viewers over channels that are otherwise unused by television systems. The advertisements delivered on such barker television screens have been presented in a variety of formats including full motion video (including audio), still images, graphics, and text.

As yet another example, passive program guides that provide television program information to television viewers on dedicated television channels have been used to present advertisements. More recently, interactive television program guides have been developed that are similarly capable of delivering advertising for various types of programming. The advertisements delivered by such passive and interactive program guides have been presented in a variety of formats including full motion video (including audio), still images, graphics, and text.

A problem with television advertising is that in certain circumstances the advertisement for a network, channel, or program may be wasted if the network, channel, or program is unavailable to or undesired by a television viewer. For example, an advertisement presented to a viewer of a news channel for a comedy channel may be wasted if the comedy channel is unavailable to the viewer. As another example, an advertisement for an adult television channel may be wasted when presented to a television viewer who has opted to block out the programming available on the adult television channel in the viewer's home.

As yet another example, an advertisement for a program on a network may be wasted if the local affiliate for that network has chosen not to present the advertised program. As still another example, where a channel on a television system is split by the system operator between a first programming provider during one portion of the day and a second programming provider during another portion of the day, an advertisement for a program provided by the first programming provider may be wasted if the program is to be aired during the second programming provider's portion of the day. As a further example, where a channel produced by a programming provider is affiliated with a first network during one portion of the day and a second network during another portion of the day, an advertisement for a program on the first network may be wasted if the program is to be aired during the second network's portion of the day.

Rather than wasting an advertising opportunity by presenting an advertisement for a network, channel, or program that is unavailable to or undesired by a television viewer, it may be preferred to present an advertisement for a network, channel, or program that is available to or desired by a television viewer, or some other advertisement.

A problem associated with providing television advertising in program guides is that in order to present an advertisement for a network or a program to be aired on a network, a separate copy of the advertisement for each of the affiliates of the network must be broadcast to the television systems in which the advertisement is to be aired. This repetitive broadcasting must be performed so that each television system receives a copy of the advertisement that is associated with the affiliate of the advertised network carried by the television system. Because the size of typical advertisements that contain graphics may be on the order of several kilobytes, however, broadcasting a separate copy of the advertisement for each affiliate of large networks may be inefficient. For example, for a program guide advertisement having a size of six kilobytes that is to be advertised in association with a network having three hundred affiliates, the broadcasting of that advertisement alone would require the broadcasting of one thousand, eight hundred kilobytes of data.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for advertising television networks, channels, and programs that prevent advertisements from being displayed for networks, channels, and programs that are unavailable to television viewers.

It is also an object of the invention to provide systems and methods for advertising television networks, channels, and programs that prevent advertisements from being displayed for networks, channels, and programs that are undesired by television viewers.

It is a further object of the invention to provide systems and methods for advertising television networks, channels, and programs that prevent advertisements of network programs from being displayed when those programs are not aired by the local affiliates of the corresponding networks.

It is a yet further object of the invention to provide systems and methods for advertising television networks, channels, and programs that prevent advertisements of programs from being displayed when those programs are to be aired during a portion of the day when the program provider or network associated with the program is not available to television viewers.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide systems and methods for advertising television networks, channels, and programs that do not require the repetitive broadcasting, for each affiliate of a network, of advertisements for that network, or a program to be aired on that network, to those television systems carrying the advertisements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the invention by providing systems and methods that control the presentation of advertisements to television viewers based upon the networks, channels, and programs which are available to the viewers and based upon whether those networks, channels, and programs are indicated by the viewers to be undesirable. Additionally, in preferred embodiments of these systems and methods, only a single broadcast of each advertisement that is associated with a network (or a program on a network) and a network identifier is performed for all television systems. Once received, the network identifier is used to determine whether the advertisement is to be presented to the viewers of each television system.

The systems and methods of the present invention preferably control the presentation of advertisements by determining at television viewer equipment whether the advertisements are associated with television networks, channels, or programs that may be unavailable to the television viewer or that may be undesirable to the television viewer. Once this determination has been made, the television viewer equipment then preferably presents the advertisements, or selects and presents suitable alternative advertisements. Advertisements may be presented using any suitable technique such as by presenting full motion video (including audio), still images, graphics, and text, during standard television commercial time slots, on barker screens, in passive or interactive program guide advertisements, or using any other suitable advertising method.

The television viewer equipment of the systems and methods of the present invention is preferably a television set-top box coupled to a television, although videocassette recorders (VCRs), advanced television receivers, personal computer televisions (PC/TVS), and any other suitable equipment that has sufficient hardware to perform the same processing and display functions provided by a television set-top box and television may also be used.

The television viewer equipment preferably receives transmissions of data such as advertisements and advertisement control information, program guide information, and channel map information from a main facility, a television distribution facility, or network nodes within a television system. At the television viewer equipment, this data may be used by an interactive television program guide or other suitable application, possibly with additional data stored in the television viewer equipment (such as channel block-out information), to determine whether an advertisement is to be presented to the television viewer.

For example, the program guide or other application may determine that an advertisement that was intended to be presented on the channel “CNN” for a program to be aired on the channel “WTBS” is not to be presented if “WTBS” is not available in the television system, even though “CNN” is available. In this example, it may be determined that the advertisement is associated with “WTBS” from advertisement control information that accompanies the advertisement, or by searching for the program being advertised in program guide information stored in the television viewer equipment and retrieving the corresponding channel information. The determination that “WTBS” is unavailable to the viewer may be made by consulting channel map information stored in the television viewer equipment or by referring to channel information in program guide information stored in the television viewer equipment. Finally, once the determination of whether the advertisement is to be presented has been made, the advertisement can be presented to the television viewer or a suitable alternative advertisement can be identified and presented.

In order to avoid redundantly broadcasting an advertisement that is associated with a network (or a program to be aired on a network) to each television system carrying the advertisement for each affiliate of that network, the advertisement and a network identifier are preferably broadcast only once to all television viewer equipment in the television systems. The advertisement and the network identifier are received at the television viewer equipment. Using the network identifier and channel map or program guide information located in the television viewer equipment, an interactive program guide or other application running in the television viewer equipment determines whether a local affiliate for that network is available and has not been designated as undesirable by a television viewer. If the local affiliate is available and has not been designated as undesirable, the advertisement is presented to the television viewer. If a local affiliate for that network is not available or the only local affiliate available for that network has been designated as undesirable by the television viewer, a suitable alternative advertisement is identified and presented to the television viewer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An illustrative system100for controlling the presentation of advertisements associated with television networks, channels, and programs in accordance with the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. System100preferably includes a main facility102and a plurality of communications links108and television systems103. Only one such communications link108and television system103are shown inFIG. 1to avoid over complicating the drawing. Each television system103includes at least one television distribution facility104, communications path110, and piece of television viewer equipment106. Generally speaking, main facility102provides central data storage and control for some of the program guide functions associated with system100. System100typically has a very large geographical area. Each communications link108transmits data between main facility102and one or preferably more television distribution facilities104. Television distribution facilities104may provide local data storage and control for typically more localized geographical areas within system100. Each communications path110transmits data between a television distribution facility104and one or more pieces of television viewer equipment106. And each piece of television viewer equipment106controls the presentation of advertisements (e.g., on a viewer's television).

Main facility102provides central storage and control of program guide data, advertising data, and channel map data in system100. In order to do so, main facility102preferably contains, among other things, an advertisement order entry computer111, a program guide database112, an advertising database114, and a channel map database116. Advertisement order entry computer111preferably enables and controls the placing of orders for the presentation of advertisements in system100. When an order is placed via computer111, computer111may accept advertisement control information identifying which advertisement is to be presented, the network, channel, or program with which the advertisement is associated, the date, time, and channel on which the advertisement is to be presented, etc. Once this information has been entered, computer111may package and store the advertisement and the advertisement control information in advertising database114for later transmission. Computer111may also package and store a substitute advertisement (that may be a generic advertisement having no correlation to the primary advertisement and that may be presented instead of the primary advertisement) with the advertisement and the advertisement control information. Computer111may be implemented using a personal computer, a mainframe computer, a network of computers, or any other suitable computer capable of receiving and processing data, and communicating with advertising database114.

Program guide database112preferably includes television program guide information such as program times, channels, titles, descriptions, pricing information for individual pay programs and subscription channels, time windows for ordering pay programs and channels, telephone numbers for placing orders for pay programs and channels, etc. Advertising database114preferably includes advertisements in forms such as text, graphics, video, and audio data, advertisement control information such as presentation date, time (including time ranges and correction data), and length information, presentation channel and network information, and information such as the names, categories, ratings, descriptions, and series for the networks, channels, and programs being advertised. Channel map database116preferably includes channel map information relating the channels, networks, and sources of programming that can be received in system100and may also indicate what channels are available to viewers. For example, the channel map information may indicate that channel number “2” is related to the Central Broadcasting System (“CBS”) network and is provided by affiliate “WCBS” in New York City. The channel map information may further include day and time information indicating the days and times at which channels change source or network associations. Although databases112,114, and116are each illustrated inFIG. 1as unique databases in main facility102, any or all of databases112,114, and116could be consolidated together in, or omitted from, main facility102or located at separate main facilities102.

Information from databases112,114, and116may be transmitted to each television distribution facility104by way of communications link108. Link108may be a satellite link, a telephone network link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave link, a combination of such links, or any other suitable communications link. The information transmitted by way of communications link108may be transmitted using any suitable transmission technique.

Each television distribution facility104is a facility, such as a cable system headend, a broadcast distribution facility, or a satellite television distribution facility, for distributing television signals and data to television viewer equipment106. As illustrated, each television distribution facility104may include, among other things, an advertisement order entry computer117, a program guide database118, an advertising database120, and a channel map database122. Advertisement order entry computer117may be substantially the same as advertisement order entry computer111in main facility102. Each of databases118,120, and122may be substantially the same as databases112,114, and116in main facility102, may provide local mirrors of the data in those databases and may be omitted from television distribution facility104or located in separate television distribution facilities104.

If desired, some or all of the program guide information, advertisements and advertisement control information (including that received from advertising order entry computers111and117), and channel map information in databases112,114,116,118,120, and122may be provided using data sources at facilities other than main facility102and television distribution facility104. For example, program guide information for all or a portion of system100may be maintained by a program guide information provider that is separate from main facility102and television distribution facility104. Similarly, advertisements and advertisement control information may be generated by an advertising facility that is separate from main facility102and television distribution facility104. Also, the channel map information in databases112,114,116,118,120, and122may be generated and maintained locally at television distribution facility104.

Program guide information, advertisements, advertisement control information, and channel map information is distributed from television distribution facility104to television viewer equipment106by way of communications paths110. Communications paths110may be satellite links, telephone network links, cable or fiber optic links, microwave or other free-space links, combinations of such links, or any other suitable communications paths. Any suitable technique or combination of techniques may be used to transmit program guide information, advertisements, advertisement control information, and channel map information over communications paths110including analog transmission, digital transmission, and mixed analog and digital transmissions.

Preferably, communications paths110have sufficient bandwidth to allow television distribution facility104to distribute television programming such as standard broadcast television, pay programming, advertising and promotional videos, and other video information to television viewer equipment106. Multiple television and audio channels (analog, digital, or both analog and digital) may be provided by communications paths110. Program guide information, advertisements, advertisement control information, and channel map information may be transmitted through communications paths110using out-of-band channels, using in-band digital channels, using the vertical blanking interval, or using any other suitable technique. If desired, program guide information, advertisements, advertisement control information, and channel map information may be distributed by one or more distribution facilities that are similar to, but separate from, main facility102and television distribution facility104using communications paths that are the same or separate from communications paths110.

The information stored and transmitted by databases112,114,116,118,120, and122preferably ultimately reaches television viewer equipment106where the information is processed and displayed (e.g., by an interactive program guide application or by another suitable application) as necessary. As shown, each piece of television viewer equipment106may include a set-top box124, a videocassette recorder126, and a television128. Television viewer equipment106may additionally or alternatively include advanced television receivers, personal computer televisions (PC/TVS), and any other suitable equipment that has sufficient hardware to perform the same processing and display functions provided by a set-top box and television. Preferably, the information from databases112,114,116,118,120, and122is processed and transformed into a displayable signal by suitable hardware and software incorporated into set-top box124, although this hardware could alternatively be incorporated into videocassette recorder126or television128.

The distribution of data from databases112,114,116,118,120, and122may be accomplished using one-way transmission from some or all of the databases to television viewer equipment106. For example, data may be distributed to television viewer equipment106continually or periodically from some or all of databases112,114,116,118,120, and122. The distribution of data may also be accomplished using two-way transmissions. With this approach, television viewer equipment106requests the needed data from the databases, and, in response, the corresponding database transmits back the requested data.

As shown inFIG. 2, the capabilities of databases112,114,116,118,120, and122may be provided using databases204,206, and208located at network nodes202which may be located throughout system100. Databases such as databases204,206, and208may be used instead of some or all of databases112,114,116,118,120, and122and may be used in conjunction with some or all of databases112,114,116,118,120, and122. By providing databases at network nodes202rather than or in addition to databases provided at main facility102and television distribution facility104, it may be possible to focus the data maintained for a particular area serviced by each network node202and it may be possible to more rapidly deliver responses to data requests from television viewer equipment106in two-way transmission systems.

A process300for enabling and controlling the placing of orders for advertisements that may be implemented on advertising order entry computers111(FIG. 1) and 117(FIG. 1) is illustrated inFIG. 3. At step302, process300begins by waiting for and receiving advertisement control information from a user. As mentioned above in connection with the discussion of advertisement order entry computer111ofFIG. 1, this information may include an indicator of the advertisement to be presented, the network, channel, or program with which the advertisement is associated, the date, time, and channel on which the advertisement is to be presented, etc. Personnel at main facility102or television distribution facility104may enter the advertisement control information directly into computers111or117, or the information may be received by computers111or117by way of any suitable intermediate computer system. During normal operation, advertisements are retrieved from one of advertising databases114,120, or206at step304based on the advertisement control information. The advertisements and advertisement control information are then packaged in preparation for transmission to television viewer equipment106at step306. A substitute advertisement (that may or may not be correlated to the primary advertisement) may also be retrieved from one of databases114,120, or206at step304and packaged for transmission along with the primary advertisement and advertisement control information at step306, if desired. For an advertisement associated with television networks, this packaging in step306may include setting a network identification number in the advertisement control information so that television systems103receiving the advertisement may determine if an affiliate associated with the network is carried by each television system103. Finally, the advertisement and advertisement control information (and substitute advertisement, if desired) are placed in an advertising database114,120, or206for later transmission to television viewer equipment106at step308. Once step308has been performed, process300loops back to step302to wait for and receive more advertisement control information.

FIG. 4shows a process400for controlling the transmission of data to television distribution facilities104, network nodes202, and television viewer equipment106, from databases112,114,116,118,120,122,204,206, and208. Process400may be implemented by any of advertisement order entry computers111or117, by databases112,114,116,118,120,122,204,206, or208(either by individually performing a portion of process400or by performing the entire process as a supervisor to the remaining co-located databases), by a transmitting end of communications link108, by a transmitting end of communications paths110, or by any other suitable equipment capable of controlling the transmission of data from databases112,114,116,118,120,122,204,206, and208.

At step402, process400begins by determining whether program guide information is ready to be transmitted from any of databases112,118, or204. If it is determined at step402that television program guide information is ready to be transmitted, process400then retrieves and transmits the appropriate television program guide information at step404. Once the information has been transmitted at step404or if it is determined at step402that no television program guide information is ready to be transmitted, process400determines whether channel map information is ready to be transmitted from any of databases116,122, or208. If it is determined at step406that channel map information is ready to be transmitted, process400retrieves and transmits the appropriate channel map information at step408. Once the information has been transmitted at step408or if it is determined at step406that no channel map information is ready to be transmitted, process400determines at step410whether advertising information is ready to be transmitted from any of databases114,120, or206. Advertising information may include an advertisement and advertisement control information (and a substitute advertisement, if desired). If it is determined at step410that advertising information is ready to be transmitted, process400then retrieves and transmits the appropriate advertising information at step412. Once the information has been transmitted at step412or if it is determined at step410that no advertising information is ready to be transmitted, process400loops back to and repeats step402. If desired, the steps ofFIG. 4may be performed concurrently or in a different order.

FIG. 5shows a process500for controlling the reception of data transmitted from databases112,114,116,118,120,122,204,206, and208to television distribution facilities104, network nodes202, or television viewer equipment106. Process500is preferably implemented by a processor in television viewer equipment106, but may also be implemented by a processor in advertisement order entry computer117, in databases118,120,122,204,206, or208(either by individually performing a portion of process500or by performing the entire process as a supervisor to the remaining co-located databases), in a receiving end of communications link108, in a receiving end of communications paths110, or in any other suitable equipment capable of controlling the reception of data from databases112,114,116,118,120,122,204,206, and208at television distribution facilities104, network nodes202, and television viewer equipment106.

At step502, process500begins by determining whether program guide information is waiting to be received from any of databases112,118, or204. If it is determined at step502that program guide information is ready to be received, process500then receives and stores in memory the program guide information at step504. When the program guide information is received at a television distribution facility104or a network node202, instead of being stored in memory, the information may be stored in program guide database118or204, respectively. Once the information has been stored at step504or if it is determined at step502that no program guide information is waiting to be received, process500determines at step506whether channel map information is waiting to be received from any of databases116,122, or208. If it is determined at step506that channel map information is waiting to be received, process500then receives and stores in memory the channel map information at step508. When the channel map information is received at a television distribution facility104or a network node202, instead of being stored in memory, the information may be stored in channel map database122or208, respectively.

Once the channel map information has been received at step508or if it is determined at step506that no channel map information is waiting to be received, process500determines at step510whether advertising information is waiting to be received from any of databases114,120, or206. Advertising information may include an advertisement and advertisement control information (and a substitute advertisement, if desired). If it is determined at step510that advertising information is ready to be received, process500then receives and processes the advertising information at step512. The receiving and processing of advertising information is further illustrated inFIGS. 6-9and discussed below. As is discussed in connection withFIGS. 6-9, the manner in which the advertising information is processed, displayed (if at all), and stored (if at all), may be a function of the program guide information and channel map information that has been received (if at all) by process500at the time the advertising information is received. When the advertising information is received at a television distribution facility104or a network node202, instead of being processed, the information may be stored in advertising database120or206, respectively. Once the information has been processed or stored at step512or if it is determined at step510that no advertising information is waiting to be received, process500then loops back to and repeats step502. If desired, the steps ofFIG. 5may be performed concurrently or in a different order.

FIG. 6illustrates in more detail the receiving and processing of advertising information as performed in step512ofFIG. 5. As shown, advertising information is received at step602as an advertisement and advertisement control information (and a substitute advertisement, if desired). Then at step604it is determined using the advertisement control information whether the received advertisement is associated with a television network. If it is determined at step604that the advertisement is associated with a television network, it is then determined at step606whether the network is viewable by the audience for the advertisement. The audience for the advertisement may be viewers of a single piece of television viewer equipment106, viewers of all television viewer equipment106connected to a television distribution facility104, etc. An example of how step606may be performed is discussed below in connection with the illustration ofFIG. 7. If it is determined at step606that the network is viewable by the audience, the advertisement is displayed or stored at step608, and then step512is completed.

If it is determined in step604that the received advertisement is not associated with a television network or in step606that the network is not viewable by the audience, it is then determined at step612using the advertisement control information whether the received advertisement is associated with a television channel. If it is determined at step612that the advertisement is associated with a television channel, it is determined at step614whether the channel is viewable by the audience for the advertisement. An example of how step614may be performed is discussed below in connection with the illustration ofFIG. 8. If it is determined at step614that the channel is viewable by the audience, the advertisement is displayed or stored at step608, and step512is completed.

If it is determined in step612that the received advertisement is not associated with a television channel or in step614that the channel is not viewable by the audience, it is then determined at step616using the advertisement control information whether the received advertisement is associated with a television program. If it is determined at step616that the advertisement is associated with a television program, it is then determined at step618whether the program is viewable by the audience for the advertisement. An example of how step618may be performed is discussed below in connection with the illustration ofFIG. 9. If it is determined at step618that the program is viewable by the audience, the advertisement is displayed or stored at step608, and step512is completed. Otherwise, if it is determined at step618that the program is not viewable by the audience, a substitute advertisement is selected and displayed at step610, and then step512is completed. The selection of a substitute advertisement may be made by selecting an advertisement transmitted with the primary advertisement, by selecting an advertisement designated by the advertisement control information, by selecting a default advertisement, or by any other suitable technique for selecting a substitute advertisement.

Finally, if at step616it is determined that the advertisement is not associated with a television program, then at step620it is once again determined if the advertisement is associated with a television network or channel. If it is determined at step620that the advertisement is associated with a television network or channel, then a substitute advertisement is selected and displayed at step610, and step512is completed. Otherwise, if it is determined at step620that the advertisement is not associated with a television network or channel, then the advertisement is displayed or stored at step608, and step512is completed.

Although a particular order of steps is illustrated inFIG. 6, it should be apparent that the tasks performed in those steps could be performed in different orders or concurrently, with appropriate modification to the steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

An example of a process by which it may be determined at step606ofFIG. 6whether a network is viewable by an audience is illustrated inFIG. 7. As shown, at step702, this process begins by determining if the network is listed in a channel map stored in television viewer equipment106performing the process of step606. Two examples of channels maps that may be used in performing this step are shown inFIGS. 11 and 12and discussed below. In the event that channel map information is not available to the process of step606, step702, and steps704and706which follow from step702, need not be performed. If it is determined at step702that the network is listed in the channel map, at step704it is determined whether the network is available for viewing at the time or time range associated with the advertisement. The determination of step704may be a “yes” for every network listed in the channel map (e.g., for channel maps like that shown inFIG. 11) or for only those networks listed in the channel map that are indicated as being available for viewing (e.g., for channel maps like that shown inFIG. 12), and may be “no” for all other networks. If it is determined in step704that the network is not available for viewing, step606is completed and returns an indication that the network is not viewable.

Otherwise, if it is determined in step704that the network is available for viewing, it is determined at step706whether the network has been blocked out. A network may be blocked out by a parent wishing to screen his or her children from adult programming or by an automatic feature of a censorship system such as the “V” chip. A network may be blocked out because the network or channel for the network has been blocked or because a program on at the time or time range of the advertisement has been blocked. For blocking of networks and channels, the determination of whether a network has been blocked out may be “no” for every network listed in the channel map (e.g., for channel maps like that shown inFIG. 11) or for only those networks listed in the channel map that are indicated as not being blocked out (e.g., for channel maps like that shown inFIG. 12), and may be “yes” for all other networks. For blocked programs, the determination of whether a program is blocked may be made from a blocked program list or flags in program guide information. If it is determined in step706that the network is blocked out, step606is completed and returns an indication that the network is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined in step706that the network is not blocked out, step606is completed and returns an indication that the network is viewable.

If it is determined at step702that the network is not listed in the channel map, it is then determined at step708whether the network is listed in program guide information in the device performing the process of step606. If program guide information is not available to the process of step606, step708, and steps710and712which follow step708, may be skipped and step606may then complete and return a default indication either that the network is viewable or not viewable, as desired. The determination of whether the network is listed in the program guide information may be made by searching the program guide information and returning a “yes” indication if the network is found in the program guide information and a “no” indication if the network is not found in the program guide information. If it is determined at step708that the network is not listed in the program guide information, step606is completed and returns an indication that the network is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined at step708that the network is listed in the program guide information, it is determined at step710whether the network is available for viewing at the time or time range associated with the advertisement. This determination may be made by checking flags associated with the network in the program guide information. If it is determined at step710that the network is not available for viewing, step606is completed and returns an indication that the network is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined at step710that the network is available for viewing, it is determined at step712whether the network has been blocked out. This determination may be made by checking flags associated with the network in the program guide information, channel map, or a blocked-program list. If it is determined at step712that the network is blocked out, step606is completed and returns an indication that the network is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined at step712that the network is not blocked out, step606is completed and returns an indication that the network is viewable.

An example of a process by which it may be determined at step614ofFIG. 6whether a channel is viewable by an audience is illustrated inFIG. 8. As shown, at step802, this process begins by determining if the channel is listed in channel map information stored in television viewer equipment106performing the process of step614. Two examples of channels maps that may be used in performing this step are shown inFIGS. 10 and 12and are discussed below. In the event that channel map information is not available to the process of step614, step802, and steps804and806which follow from step802, need not be performed. If it is determined at step802that the channel is listed in the channel map information, it is then determined at step804whether the channel is available for viewing at the time or time range associated with the advertisement. The determination of step804may be “yes” for every channel listed in the channel map information or for only those channels listed in the channel map information that are indicated as being available for viewing (e.g., for channel maps like that shown inFIGS. 10 and 12), and may be “no” for all other channels. If it is determined in step804that the channel is not available for viewing, step614is completed and returns an indication that the channel is not viewable.

Otherwise, if it is determined in step804that the channel is available for viewing, it is then determined at step806whether the channel has been blocked out. A channel may be blocked out by a parent wishing to screen his or her children from adult programming or by an automatic feature of a censorship system such as the “V” chip. A channel may be blocked out because the channel or the channel's network has been blocked or because a program on at the time or time range of the advertisement has been blocked. For blocking of networks and channels, the determination of whether a channel has been blocked out may be “no” for every channel listed in the channel map or for only those channels listed in the channel map that are indicated as not being blocked out (e.g., for channel maps like that shown inFIGS. 10 and 12), and may be “yes” for all other channels. For blocked programs, the determination of whether a program is blocked may be made from a blocked program list or flags in program guide information. If it is determined in step806that the channel is blocked out, step614is completed and returns an indication that the channel is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined in step806that the channel is not blocked out, step614is completed and returns an indication that the channel is viewable.

If it is determined at step802that the channel is not listed in the channel map, it is then determined at step808whether the channel is listed in program guide information in television viewer equipment106performing the process of step614. If program guide information is not available to the process of step614, step808, and steps810and812which follow step808, may be skipped and step614may then complete and return a default indication either that the channel is viewable or not viewable, as desired. The determination of whether the channel is listed in program guide information may be made be searching the program guide information and returning a “yes” indication if the channel is found in the program guide information and a “no” indication if the channel is not found in the program guide information. If it is determined at step808that the channel is not listed in the program guide information, step614is completed and returns an indication that the channel is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined at step808that the channel is listed in the program guide information, it is determined at step810whether the channel is available for viewing at the time or time range associated with the advertisement. This determination may be made by checking flags associated with the channel in the program guide information. If it is determined at step810that the channel is not available for viewing, step614is completed and returns an indication that the channel is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined at step810that the channel is available for viewing, it is determined at step812whether the channel has been blocked out. This determination may be made by checking flags associated with the channel in the program guide information, channel map, or a blocked program list. If it is determined at step812that the channel is blocked out, step614is completed and returns an indication that the channel is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined at step812that the channel is not blocked out, step614is completed and returns an indication that the channel is viewable.

An example of a process by which step618ofFIG. 6may determine whether a program is viewable by an audience is illustrated inFIG. 9. As shown, the process begins by determining at step902whether data for the program should be present in program guide information stored in television viewer equipment106performing the process of step618. In the event that program guide information is not available to the process of step618, the process may skip steps902,904,906, and908, after which step616may then be completed and return a default indication that the program is either viewable or not viewable, as desired. The determination of whether information for a program should be in the program guide information may be made by checking to see if the program is going to air at a date and time for which other information is available, if the program is on a network or channel for which there is program guide information, or by any other suitable technique.

If it is determined in step902that information for the program should not be in the program guide information, step618is completed and returns an indication that the program is viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined in step902that information for the program should be in the program guide information, it is then determined at step904whether information for this program actually is in the program guide information. This determination may be made by searching through the program guide information to determine if information corresponding to the program is present. If it is determined at step904that information for the program is not present, step618completes and returns an indication that the program in not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined at step904that information for the program is present, it is then determined at step906whether this program is on an available channel at the time or time range associated with the advertisement. This determination may be made by first determining from the program guide information the channel on which the program is to air, and then by checking flags associated with that channel in the program guide information. If it is determined at step906that the program is not on an available channel, step618is completed and returns an indication that the program is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined at step906that the program is on an available channel, it is determined at step908whether the channel has been blocked out. A program may be blocked out because the channel or channel's network on which it is to be aired has been blocked or because the program has been blocked. This determination may be made by checking flags associated with the channel in the program guide information, the channel map, or a blocked-program list. If it is determined at step908that the channel has been blocked out, step618is completed and returns an indication that the program is not viewable. Otherwise, if it is determined at step908that the channel has not been blocked out, step618is completed and returns an indication that the program is viewable.

FIGS. 10-12illustrate examples of channel maps that may be used with the present invention. As shown inFIG. 10, channel map1000includes six columns of information. In the channel number column1002, a channel number is listed for each source of programming listed in column1004. These channel numbers are used by a viewer as a familiar mechanism to select a particular source of programming. For example, when a viewer selects channel “2,” television viewer equipment106presents to the viewer the programming provided by source ID (identification) number “1000,” which may be programming on a particular broadcast frequency, digital channel, etc.

In the source ID column1004, a source identification number is listed for each source of programming that may be received using television viewer equipment106. The number assigned to each source of programming listed in source ID column1004may be any number, is preferably unique for each source of programming, and preferably enables the device using channel map1000to receive the programming provided by the source corresponding to that number.

In the available column1006, a boolean flag is listed for each source of programming. Each flag may indicate whether a particular viewer is capable of receiving the programming from the corresponding source. This capability of the viewer may be based upon whether the viewer has paid for the programming (if desired; however, it is preferred to display advertisements regardless of whether programs have been paid for by the viewer), whether the programming is offered in the viewer's area, whether the programming is blacked out in the viewer's area (e.g., as is frequently done with sporting events), etc.

In the blocked out column1008, a boolean flag is listed for each source of programming. Each flag may indicate whether a particular viewer has indicated that a source of programming is undesirable, and therefore should not be viewable, or an automatic censoring system such as the “V” chip has designated the source of programming as to be censored. Even though a source of programming may be blocked out, advertisements for that programming are preferably presented to induce the viewers to view the programming. However, the advertisements may be blocked also, if desired.

In the start time column1010and the end time column1012are start and end times for the time periods during which each channel number is associated with a particular source identification number. For example, channel number 6 is associated with source identification number1050from 12 a.m. (0000) through 12 p.m. (1200) and with source identification number1075from 12 p.m. (1200) through 12 a.m. (2400).

As shown inFIG. 11, channel map1100includes four columns of data, a source ID column1102, a network ID column1104, a start time column1106, and an end time column1108. Source ID column1102lists a source identification number for each source of programming that may be received using television viewer equipment106. These source identification numbers may be substantially the same as those listed in column1004of channel map1000ofFIG. 10. In network ID column1104, network identification numbers are listed for each source of programming. Each network identification number may be any number and is preferably unique for each network. Since not all sources of programming are associated with a network, some or all of these network identification numbers may correspond to “no network” (e.g., as shown, the network number “2000” appears for each of sources “1015” and “1018” to indicate that they are not associated with a network). Also, two or more of the sources of programming may be associated with the same network (e.g., as shown, network number “2001” appears for each of sources “1000” and “1075”). In start time column1106and end time column1108, start and end times are listed for the association of each network listed in column1104and the corresponding source in column1102.

As shown inFIG. 12, a channel map1200may also be used which is a combination of channel maps1000and1100. Channel map1200incorporates a channel number column1202, a source ID column1204, a network ID column1206, an available column1208, a block-out column1210, a start time column1212, and an end time column1214. Each of columns1202,1204,1206,1208, and1210, and the data each contain, may be substantially the same as that in columns1002,1004,1104,1006, and1008, respectively, of maps1000and1100. Columns1212and1214represent the start and end times during which each channel is associated with a source of programming and the network indicated is affiliated with that source of programming.

Although, the channel maps ofFIGS. 10-12are shown with particular columns of data, other types of data could be used in the channel maps, and the channel maps could be split up or consolidated, as necessary, in accordance with the present invention.

As mentioned above, the displaying of advertisements for television networks, channels, and programs in the present invention may be accomplished by presenting full motion video, still images, graphics, text, and audio during standard commercial television time slots, on barker television screens, in passive and interactive television program guides, using any other suitable techniques, or using a combination of these or other suitable techniques, if desired.FIGS. 13,14, and15illustrate examples of the steps that may be taken in presenting advertisements in a few of these approaches in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13shows an example1300of steps that may be performed in system100ofFIG. 1in presenting an advertisement for a television channel in a standard commercial television time slot in accordance with the present invention. Starting at step1302, an order for a standard-television-commercial-time-slot advertisement that is associated with a television channel is received at an advertisement order entry computer111in a main facility102. A primary commercial, a substitute commercial, and advertisement control information are then retrieved from the advertising database114in main facility102, packaged for transmission, and stored back in advertising database114in main facility102at step1304. During the packaging of step1304, the primary and substitute commercials may be converted from their native format to another format, such as MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group) format. Just prior to the time for the presentation of the commercial, at step1306, the packaged primary commercial, substitute commercial, and advertisement control information are transmitted from advertising database114in main facility102to television viewer equipment106. The transmission of step1306is performed using digital channels in communications link108and communications paths110. At step1308, the primary commercial, the substitute commercial, and the advertisement control information are then received at television viewer equipment106. Television viewer equipment106then determines at step1310that the primary commercial is associated with a television channel, and, from channel map information stored in television viewer equipment106, that that television channel is available, but has been blocked out. Finally, at step1312, the substitute commercial is selected and presented by the interactive program guide.

FIG. 14shows an example1400of steps that may be performed in system100ofFIG. 1in presenting an advertisement for a pay-per-view program in the form of a barker television screen in accordance with the present invention. Starting at step1402, an order for a barker channel promotion containing only text and graphics for a pay-pay-view program is received at an advertisement order entry computer111in a main facility102. A primary promotion, a substitute promotion, and advertisement control information are then retrieved from the advertising database114in main facility102, packaged for transmission, and stored back in advertising database114in main facility102at step1404. Just prior to the time for the presentation of the promotion, at step1406, the packaged primary promotion, substitute promotion, and advertisement control information are transmitted from advertising database114in main facility102to television viewer equipment106. At step1408, the primary promotion, the substitute promotion, and the advertisement control information are then received at television viewer equipment106. Television viewer equipment106then determines at step1410that the primary promotion is associated with a pay-per-view program, and, from program guide information stored in television viewer equipment106, that that program is available and has not been blocked out. Finally, at step1412, the primary promotion is presented.

FIG. 15shows an example1500of steps that may be performed in system100ofFIG. 1in presenting an advertisement for a television network in an interactive television program guide in accordance with the present invention. Starting at step1502, an order for an interactive program guide advertisement for a television network is received at an advertisement order entry computer111in a main facility102. A primary advertisement, a substitute advertisement, and advertisement control information are then retrieved from the advertising database114in main facility102, packaged for transmission, and stored back in advertising database114in main facility102at step1504. Just prior to the time for the presentation of the advertisement, at step1506, the packaged primary advertisement, substitute advertisement, and advertisement control information are transmitted from advertising database114in main facility102to television viewer equipment106. At step1508, the primary advertisement, the substitute advertisement, and the advertisement control information are then received at television viewer equipment106. An interactive program guide application in television viewer equipment106then determines at step1510that the primary advertisement is associated with a television network, and, from program guide information stored in television viewer equipment106, that that network is unavailable. Finally, at step1512, the substitute advertisement is presented by the interactive program guide.

An example of a “grid” interactive program guide display screen1600incorporating an advertisement1604is illustrated inFIG. 16. As shown, screen1600may have a title1602, an advertisement1604, and a program grid1606. Title1602may be any text or logo indicating a source of the guide information. Advertisement1604may include text, graphics, and any other visual presentation, and any or all of the text, graphics, or other visual presentation may be still or moving. Additionally, advertisement1604may also include an audio portion that may or may not be synchronized to the visual portion of the displayed presentation. Although advertisement1604is shown as using a narrow strip of screen1600, advertisement1604could use any portion of screen1600or could use the entire visible area of screen1600during a portion of the time the interactive program guide controlling screen1600is active. Program grid1606may be of the channel-time-grid format illustrated, or may be of any other format. In the channel-time-grid format shown, one axis of the grid displayed lists channel numbers (in this instance, the vertical axis), the other axis of the grid displayed lists times (in this instance, the horizontal axis), and the cells within the grid show program information. A user of screen1600may view program information by scrolling through grid1606by pressing up and down cursor keys on a remote control that controls set-top box124on which the program guide is implemented.

An example of a “navigator” interactive program guide display screen1700incorporating advertisements is illustrated inFIG. 17. As shown, screen1700may have a title1702, one or more advertisements1708and1710, and a navigator menu1704. Title1702may be any text or logo indicating the source of the guide information or the name of the navigator feature of the interactive program guide display. Advertisements1708and1710may include text, graphics, and any other visual presentation, and any or all of the text, graphics, or other visual presentation may be still or moving. Additionally, advertisement1708and1710may also include audio portions that may or may not be synchronized to the visual portions of the displayed presentations. Although advertisements1708and1710are shown as using two particular areas of screen1700, advertisements1708and1710could use any portions of screen1700or could use the entire visible area of screen1700during a portion of the time the interactive program guide controlling screen1700is active. Navigator menu1704may permit navigation through interactive program guide data by allowing a user to select one of the options listed in menu1704using cursor1706and then view the data based on the selected option. For example, the user could select “TIME” and then view all program guide data for programs on at a subsequently designated time. As another example, the user could select “TITLE” and then view all program guide data for programs corresponding to a subsequently designated title. As yet another example, the user could select “CHANNEL” and then view all program guide data for programs being and to be aired on a subsequently designated channel.

An example of such a interactive program guide display screen is illustrated inFIG. 18. As shown, a “programs by channel” screen1800may have a title1802, one or more advertisements1814and1816, and a program listing1804. Title1802may be any text or logo indicating a source of the guide information or the name of the programs-by-channel feature of the interactive program guide display. Advertisements1814and1816may include text, graphics, and any other visual presentation, and any or all of the text, graphics, or other visual presentation may be still or moving. Additionally, advertisements1814and1816may also include audio portions that may or may not be synchronized to the visual portions of the displayed presentations. Although advertisements1814and1816are shown as using particular areas of screen1800, advertisements1814and1816could use any portions of screen1800or could use the entire visible area of screen1800during a portion of the time the interactive program guide controlling screen1800is active. Program listing1804may present a list of programs on a designated channel over a given time period as shown. The designated channel may be indicated in channel name display1806, the given time period may be indicated by time displays1808, and the programs may be indicated by program names1810. In preferred embodiments of screen1800further information on any selected program may be available by selecting the program using cursor1812.

FIG. 19illustrates an example1900of steps that may be taken by system100ofFIG. 1in transmitting, receiving, processing, and displaying an advertisement associated with a television network in accordance with the present invention. Starting at step1902, an advertisement and advertisement control information that are associated with a television network are retrieved in package form from advertising database114in main facility102. The package advertisement and information are then transmitted to all television viewer equipment106by way of communications link108, television distribution facilities104, and communications paths110at step1904. Next, at step1906, the advertisement and advertisement control information package is received at each piece of television viewer equipment106. By running a process such as that shown inFIG. 7and described above, each piece of television viewer equipment106then determines at step1908whether an affiliate of the network associated with the received advertisement is available on television viewer equipment106and has not been designated as being undesirable. If it is determined at step1908that an affiliate of the network associated with the advertisement is available and has not been blocked out, then the advertisement is displayed at step1910. Otherwise, step1910selects and displays a substitute advertisement.