System and method for providing enhanced entertainment data on a set top box

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for distributing media content to a plurality of display devices. For instance, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for distributing media content to a display device is disclosed. The method comprises configuring a middleware device to provide media content to the display device and to a set of display devices. In response to the middleware device receiving a request for media content from the display device, the method determines whether the there is sufficient bandwidth to provide a requested media content to the display device. In one embodiment, if the method determines that there is insufficient bandwidth to provide the requested media content to the display device, the method provides the requested media content to the display device based on a set of preconfigured user preferences.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Websites such as “The Internet Movie Database” (IMDB) enables users to retrieve information online relating to shows, cast members, production crew personnel, video games, and most recently, fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. The IMDB website consists of one of the largest accumulations of data about films, television programs, direct-to-video products, and video games, reaching back to each medium's respective beginning. In many cases, the information goes beyond simple title and crew credit, but also includes data on uncredited personnel, production and distribution companies, plot summaries, memorable quotes, awards, reviews, box office performance, filming locations, technical specs, promotional content, trivia, and links to official and other websites. Furthermore, the IMDB tracks titles in production, including major announced projects still in development.

The database also houses filmographies for cast and crew members identified in listed titles. Filmographies include biographical details, awards listings, external links, and information about other professional work not covered by title entries in the database such as theatrical and commercial advertising appearances.

However, currently, this type of information is not readily available to a user while viewing a television program and/or while channel surfing an electronic programming guide on a set top box. Accordingly, certain of the disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for providing enhanced entertainment data about a television program and/or actor to a user via a set top box.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing enhanced entertainment data about a television program and/or a cast member of a television program to a user via a middleware device. For example, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for providing enhanced entertainment data includes receiving, at a set top box, a request for additional information about a selected television program. The method displays additional information that includes a cast list of the selected television program. In one embodiment, the cast members on the cast list are individually selectable; and responsive to receiving a user selection of a cast member on the cast list, the method displays additional information relating to the cast member.

In another embodiment, a set top box is disclosed for providing enhanced entertainment data about a television program and/or actor. The set top box comprises a communication interface for receiving media content from a content provider; an input/output interface for distributing the media content to a display device; a memory component for storing computer executable instructions; a processing unit for executing the computer executable instructions to receive a request for additional information about a selected television program; display the additional information, wherein the additional information includes a cast list of the selected television program, and wherein cast members on the cast list are individually selectable; and to display the additional information relating to a cast member in response to receiving a user selection of the cast member on the cast list.

Still, in another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is disclosed having an executable program stored thereon, wherein the program instructs a microprocessor to perform the following steps: receiving a request for additional information about a selected television program; displaying the additional information, wherein the additional information includes a cast list of the selected television program, wherein cast members on the cast list are individually selectable; and displaying the additional information relating to a cast member in response to receiving a user selection of the cast member on the cast list.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed embodiments and advantages thereof are best understood by referring toFIGS. 1-6of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. Other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be or will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Further, the illustrated figures are only exemplary and not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environment, architecture, design, or process in which different embodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 1depicts an embodiment of a network environment100in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. In the depicted embodiment, a content provider110transmits media content102to a middleware device200via communication network120. Content provider110may be, but is not limited to, a cable, satellite, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)/Internet television provider, and/or an Internet service provider. In some embodiments, content provider110may include one or more cable head ends for distributing media content to subscribers. In addition, content provider110may include and/or communicate with one or more data processing systems, such as, but not limited to, a video on demand database system112that stores media content, a program information database system114that contains programming data such as, but not limited to, an electronic programming guide, and a billing database system116that stores subscriber information for charging consumers for the services provided by content provider110.

In some embodiments, communication network120may include, but is not limited to, one or more coaxial cable networks, fiber-optic networks, and/or satellite networks. In addition, in certain embodiments, communication network120may also include twisted pair networks and/or one or more IP networks, such as, but not limited to, the Internet, for providing IPTV/Internet cable television-type services and/or other related services.

Media content102may include audio and video content, such as, but not limited to, a television program. In some embodiments, media content102may include additional information, such as, but not limited to, an electronic programming guide and/or other information associated with the transmitted audio and video content. In addition, in some embodiments, media content102may include any type of data, such as, but not limited to, data files for updating an electronic programming guide and/or other functions/components of middleware device200.

Middleware device200may be any type of device capable of distributing media content102to one or more display devices. For instance, in some embodiments, middleware device200may be, but is not limited to, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a personal computer, and/or a router. In certain embodiments, middleware device200may include one or more components for decoding media content102. For example, as will be further described, in some embodiments, middleware device200may include one or more cable tuners for decoding media content102and for providing the decoded media content to one or more display devices, such as, but not limited to, display device130, display device132, and display device134. Display device130, display device132, and display device134may be any type of electronic device capable of displaying media content102to a user.

In accordance with certain embodiments, middleware device200may include an enhanced entertainment data module230for retrieving and displaying enhanced entertainment data about a television program/show and/or a cast member of a television program in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. As referenced herein, the terms television program and show are used interchangeably to mean any media content that is intended to be viewed by a user. As will be further described, in one embodiment, middleware device200may retrieve enhanced entertainment data from one or more remote sources via communication network120. For example, middleware device200may communicate with a cast information database system122via communication network120to retrieve cast member information relating to a selected television program. In addition, in some embodiments, middleware device200may retrieve and display additional information for a particular cast member. For instance, in some embodiments, a movie trailer starring the selected cast member may be retrieved from a movie trailers database system124. Further, in some embodiments, middleware device200may retrieve, display, and enable a viewer to purchase merchandise (e.g., clothing, perfume, movies, etc.) associated with a selected program and/or cast member.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, middleware device200may transmit a request for enhanced entertainment data to content provider110. In these embodiments, content provider110may retrieve the requested enhanced entertainment data from one or more, local or remote, data processing systems, such as, but not limited to, cast information database system122, movie trailers database system124, and/or a merchandising database system126. Content provider110then transmits the requested enhanced entertainment data to middleware device200.

Additionally, in some embodiments, content provider110may transmit enhanced entertainment data to middleware device200in conjunction with transmitting media content102to middleware device200without middleware device200having to request the enhanced entertainment data. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, content provider110may transmit the enhanced entertainment data at periodic intervals. For example, content provider110may transmit the enhanced entertainment data at 2 AM daily and/or when transmitting updates for an electronic programming guide. Still, in other embodiments, content provider110may transmit enhanced entertainment data to middleware device200during low peak traffic times, including, but not limited to, when middleware device200is currently not displaying a media program. In these embodiments, middleware device200may store the enhanced entertainment data locally on a data storage unit. In response to receiving a user request for enhanced entertainment data relating to a particular television program and/or cast member, middleware device200retrieves the enhanced entertainment data from the local data storage unit and presents the enhanced entertainment data to the user. In certain embodiments, middleware device200automatically deletes locally stored enhanced entertainment data for a television program after its scheduled aired time.

FIG. 2illustrates an embodiment of middleware device200in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. In the depicted embodiment, middleware device200comprises, among other components, a processing unit200, a power unit202, a memory component204, a data storage unit206, and a set of communication interfaces216. In one embodiment, power unit202converts the input power from an AC adaptor to run various components of middleware device200. In addition, in some embodiments, power unit202may include an internal power source, such as, but not limited to, a battery component.

Processing unit200may comprise of one or more microprocessors for executing computer usable program code/instructions for displaying enhanced entertainment data for a selected television program. For example, in one embodiment, processing unit200executes computer executable instructions220stored in memory component204for retrieving enhanced entertainment data with regard to a particular television program from one or more remote sources and/or from local data storage unit206. Data storage unit206may be any type of non-volatile memory, such as, but not limited to, one or more hard disk drives. In some embodiments, data storage unit206may be an external hard drive and/or flash memory, such as, but not limited to, an SD (Secure Digital) card, or USB flash drive. In addition, in some embodiments, data storage unit206may store recorded media content222in addition to enhanced entertainment data224.

In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, middleware device200includes a set of communication interfaces216for receiving media content102from content provider110. In some embodiments, communication interfaces216may include, but is not limited to, a coaxial cable connection, an Ethernet port, and/or a telephone line interface for connecting middleware device200to communication network120. In addition, communication interfaces216may be utilize to receive, retrieve, and/or request enhanced entertainment data for one or more television programs.

In addition, middleware device200may include a set of input/output interfaces212for connecting middleware device200to one or more display devices. For example, in one embodiment, input/output interfaces212may include, but is not limited to, one or more coaxial cable connections, audio/video components connections, digital visual interfaces (DVI), S-video connections, composite video connections, and/or high-definition multimedia interfaces (HDMI). Additionally, in some embodiments, input/output interfaces212may include other data communication interfaces, such as, but not limited to, a 1394 interface and/or a universal serial bus (USB) interface. Middleware device200may include other components, such as, but not limited to, one or more cable tuners214for receiving and extracting the contents of media content102and one or more encoders/decoders (EnDecs)218for encoding/decoding data packets into one or more formats. In certain embodiments, middleware device200may include a digital video recorder (DVR) module226for managing the recording of one or more media content files and for playback of stored media content files222.

As stated above, in accordance with one embodiment, middleware device200includes enhanced entertainment data module230for retrieving and displaying enhanced entertainment data about a television program and/or a cast member of a television program. In one embodiment, enhanced entertainment data module230may include one or more sub-modules, such as, but not limited to, user interface module232, get info module234, electronic programming guide module236, and data mining module238. The sub-modules may include executable instructions and/or specific hardware components for performing one or more tasks. For instance, in one embodiment, enhanced entertainment data module230may include executable instructions for receiving a user-request for enhanced entertainment data for a television program while the user is viewing the television program. Enhanced entertainment data module230may pass the title of television program or any other identifier to get info module234to retrieve the enhanced entertainment data for the particular television program. In certain embodiments, get info module234may attempt to retrieve the enhanced entertainment data from local data storage unit206if available. In other embodiments, get info module234may generate a request for enhanced entertainment data for the particular television program and transmit the request to one or more remote sources, such as, but not limited to, content provider110and/or program information database system114.

In response to receiving and/or retrieving the enhanced entertainment data for the television program, enhanced entertainment data module230passes the enhanced entertainment data to user interface module232for generating a user interface that includes the enhanced entertainment information about the selected television program. In one embodiment, the generated user interface is displayed on top of the displayed television program. In these embodiments, the user interface may be semi-transparent to enable to a user to continue to view the displayed television program while viewing the enhanced entertainment information about the selected television program. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the generated user interface may be displayed in a particular area of a display that does not interfere with viewing of the displayed television program. Further, in some embodiments, the generated user interface may include one or more selectable options for presenting additional information. For example, in one embodiment, the generated user interface may include an option for retrieving a cast list containing the cast members associated with the displayed television program. In certain embodiments, the generated user interface may include one or more cast list options, such as, but not limited to, a partial cast list option (e.g., the main characters) and/or for a full cast list option (e.g., all characters, director information, crew members, etc.). Alternatively, in some embodiments, a user may configure a set of user preferences that specifies whether to retrieve/display a partial cast list or a full cast list.

In addition, in some embodiments, the displayed cast list includes individually selectable cast members for retrieving/displaying additional information about a selected cast member. In some embodiments, only cast members that have additional information relating to them are selectable. In other embodiments, all cast members are individually selectable. In these embodiments, if additional information relating to a selected cast member is not available, then enhanced entertainment data module230will indicate that no additional information is available for the selected cast member. In response to receiving a request for additional information relating to a selected cast member, enhanced entertainment data module230passes an identifier, such as, but not limited to, an actor's name and/or a number associated with the selected cast member, to get info module234for retrieving the additional information relating to the selected cast member. Again, get info module234may retrieve the additional information locally if available or may request the additional information from one or more remote sources. The retrieved information is passed to user interface module232for generating a user interface for displaying the additional information relating to the selected cast member:

In one embodiment, the user interface for displaying the additional information relating to the selected cast member may include biographical information about the selected cast member. In addition, the user interface may include a selectable list of films/programs in which the selected cast member is associated with. In some embodiments, the user interface may include an option for presenting additional information about a particular film/program in the selectable list of films. The additional information may be in the form of textual information and/or graphical information, such as, but not limited to, still images and/or video images. In addition, in some embodiments, the user interface may include an option to request viewing of a particular film/program in the selectable list of films (i.e., a video on demand option) and/or an option to purchase a hard copy of a particular film/program in the selectable list of films. For example, in one embodiment, if a user selects the option to purchase a hard copy of a film/program, enhanced entertainment data module230passes the request onto content provider110and/or a third party provider for fulfilling the request. Content provider110may automatically ship the hard copy of the requested film/program to a user's service/billing address and add the costs of the hard copy of the requested film/program to a user's monthly service bill. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the purchase cost may be automatically billed to a stored credit card associated with the user. If the user selects the video on demand option, middleware device200transmits the request to one or more remotes sources, such as, but not limited to, content provider110. In response to receiving the requested show, middleware device200presents the requested show to the display device.

In addition, in some embodiments, the user interface may include upcoming and/or current theatrical releases in which the selected cast member is associated with. In certain embodiments, the user interface may include an option for retrieving additional information about a theatrical release. For example, in some embodiments, enhanced entertainment data module230may retrieve and present a movie trailer associated with a selected theatrical release. Additionally, in certain embodiments, a user may view show times and purchase tickets for a theatrical release at one or more local theaters. A user's location may be determined automatically based on a user's service address and/or a user-specified preference setting. Further, in some embodiments, the user interface may include an option for the user to view additional information and/or purchase merchandise associated with a selected show and/or cast member.

In some embodiments, the user interface may include an option for adding a selected cast member to a favorites list. For example, in one embodiment, if enhanced entertainment data module230receives a request to add a selected cast member to a favorites list, enhanced entertainment data module230passes the selected cast member identifier to electronic programming guide module236. Electronic programming guide module236includes executable instructions for monitoring and searching an electronic programming guide of scheduled programs for television programs in which the selected cast member is associated with. In some embodiments, electronic programming guide module236may generate/update a favorite's electronic programming guide to include television programs in which the selected cast member is associated with. In other embodiments, electronic programming guide module236may highlight, or indicate in some other manner, television programs in which the selected cast member is associated with in a general electronic programming guide. In some embodiments, enhanced entertainment data module230may present an option for enabling the user to schedule recording of a future scheduled program in which the selected cast member is associated with.

In addition, in some embodiments, electronic programming guide module236may include computer executable instructions for enabling a user to request enhanced entertainment data for a television program while the user is viewing the electronic programming guide. For example, in one embodiment, the electronic programming guide may include, among other things, an option for a user to request enhanced entertainment data for a highlighted/selected channel on the electronic programming guide. The option may be displayed as part of the electronic programming guide and/or may appear in response to receiving a user-request (e.g., the option may be part of a menu that appears in response to the user pushing a menu button on a remote control device associated with middleware device200).

In some embodiments, enhanced entertainment data module230may include data mining module238for monitoring, identifying, and logging information associated with a user's watching habits and a user's interaction with enhanced entertainment data module230. For example, data mining module238may include computer executable instructions for identifying the types of programs/shows a user watches, the time of day that a user watches these programs, whether the programs are being viewed as a recording or as a live scheduled program, identifying cast members and the types of cast members that a user retrieves additional information on (e.g., directors, main characters, etc.), and the types of purchases made using enhanced entertainment data module230. This information may be sent to content provider110and/or other parties to determine viewing habits and/or may be used to target specific services and/or products to the user.

FIGS. 3A-3Cillustrates an embodiment of a series of user interfaces for enabling a user to retrieve enhanced entertainment data about a television program and/or an actor in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Beginning withFIG. 3A, a display screen300is depicted. In one embodiment, display screen300displays a television program of a particular channel in a viewing area302. Alternatively, in some embodiments, display screen300may display an electronic programming guide in viewing area302. In one embodiment, in response to receiving a user request for additional information about a currently displayed television program and/or a television program displayed on the electronic programming guide, a user interface window304is presented that provides additional information about the requested television program. In one embodiment, the additional information includes a cast list containing individually selectable cast members. In certain embodiments, user interface window304may be scrollable using a remote control device for enabling a user to view all of the additional information. Alternatively, in other embodiments, user interface window304may include an option307for enabling a user to view a list of cast members associated with a particular show/television program.

For instance,FIG. 3Bdepicts an embodiment of a user interface306that displays a list of cast members308associated with a show/television program in response to receiving a user-selection of option307. The cast members on the list of cast members308are individually selectable for enabling a user to retrieve additional information about a particular cast member. For example, in the depicted embodiment, cast member310is selected and additional information relating to cast member310maybe requested.

FIG. 3Cdepicts an embodiment of a user interface320that displays biographical information about the selected cast member. In addition, in certain embodiments, user interface308may include a list of shows322that are associated with the selected cast member. The list of shows322may include television programs, movies, commercials, live performances, music videos, and any other entertainment platform that a cast member may be associated with. In one embodiment, one or more shows in the list of shows322are individually selectable by a user. For instance, in one embodiment, in response to receiving a selection of a show from the list of shows322, a menu324may appear that presents a get additional information option326, a video on demand option328, and a purchase hard copy option330. A user may request additional information pertaining to a show by selecting get additional information option326, and/or request viewing of the show by selecting video on demand option328, and/or order a hard copy, e.g., a DVD, of the show by selecting purchase hard copy option330.

In addition, in some embodiments, user interface320may include information about upcoming releases associated with the selected cast member, e.g., a new movie coming to theaters and/or a movie being release on DVD. As will be further described inFIG. 4A, in certain embodiments, a user may select an upcoming release, such as, but not limited to, movie release334to retrieve additional information about the movie release (e.g., a description and/or viewer ratings) and/or a movie trailer associated with the release.

Additionally, in some embodiments, user interface320may include merchandise information340that presents one or more merchandise items, such as merchandise item342and344related to a cast member and/or a currently selected show. For example, while viewing a television program, a user may like an item seen on the show (e.g., a piece of clothing or furniture item) and request enhanced entertainment data associated with the show to gather additional information about the item and/or to see if the item is available for purchase. Merchandise information340may include other merchandise items, such as, but not limited to, perfumes, clothing, shoes, furniture, and/or jewelry associated with a selected cast member. In certain embodiments, in response to receiving a user-selection of a merchandise item, middleware device200may retrieve information about the selected merchandise item (e.g., a commercial, images, available sizes, etc.) from a local data storage unit and/or from one or more remote sources. In some embodiments, enhanced entertainment data module230includes executable instructions for enabling a user to purchase a selected merchandise item. In other embodiments, enhanced entertainment data module230may merely provide information about a particular item.

In some embodiments, user interface320may include an add to favorites option350for adding the selected cast member to a favorites list. In one embodiment, enhanced entertainment data module230utilizes the favorites list to monitor and search for television programs, product, movies, and/or any other related items that may be of interest to the user. In certain embodiments, enhanced entertainment data module230may dynamically generate an electronic programming guide containing shows related to cast members on a user's favorites list.

With reference now toFIGS. 4A-4C, an embodiment of a series of user interfaces for enabling a user to view and purchase items associated with a particular cast member and/or show is presented in accordance with certain of the disclosed embodiments.FIG. 4Adepicts an embodiment in which middleware device200receives a user-selection of movie release334in user interface320. In one embodiment, user interface320presents a selection menu360for enabling a user to request one or more actions associated with movie release334. For example, in one embodiment, selection menu360may include, but is not limited to, a play movie trailer option362and a see movie show-times option364. As stated above, in response to receiving a user-selection of play movie trailer option362, middleware device200may retrieve a movie trailer for the selected movie from a local data storage unit and/or from one or more remote sources. In one embodiment, in response to receiving a user-selection of see movie show-times option364, enhanced entertainment data module230automatically determines the location of the user (e.g., based on service address and/or based on a preset user configuration location setting) and determines the closest theater showing movie release334. In other embodiments, middleware device200may display a list of theaters (not depicted) located near the user's location for enabling the user to select a particular theater. In response to a determination and/or a selection of a theater location, enhanced entertainment data module230retrieves and displays show-times associated with the selected show.

For example,FIG. 4Bdepicts an embodiment in which middleware device200may display a movie trailer associated with movie release334and show-times for movie release334at a particular theater location in a split screen interface370. In addition, in certain embodiments, enhanced entertainment data module230may enable a user to select a particular show-time, e.g., show-time372, and purchase tickets for the selected show-time using purchase option374. In one embodiment, enhanced entertainment data module230transmits the purchase request to one or more remote sources, e.g., a third party provider, such as, but not limited to, www.Fandango.com™, for facilitating the purchase request. In certain embodiments, a user may provide a credit card number and/or may utilize a stored credit card for purchasing the tickets. In one embodiment, the user receives the tickets at the theater location by presenting the credit card used to purchase the tickets.

With reference toFIG. 4C, a user interface380is depicted that presents additional information about a selected merchandise such as merchandise item342. In one embodiment, user interface380displays an advertisement for merchandise item342(e.g., a commercial and/or an image) in display area382. In addition, in some embodiments, user interface380may display other information associated with merchandise item342, such as, but not limited to, a price and/or one or more locations at which merchandise item342may be locally purchased. In certain embodiments, user interface380may include a purchase merchandise option384for enabling a user to purchase merchandise item342and have the item automatically delivered to the user's service address and/or any other address designated by the user. The cost of the item may be billed to the user separately, as part of the user's monthly service charges, and/or to a credit card associated with the user.

FIG. 5illustrates an embodiment of a user interface500for enabling a user to retrieve enhanced entertainment data about a television program in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. In the depicted embodiment, user interface500includes an electronic programming guide502, an information display area504, and a preview window506. In one embodiment, electronic programming guide502highlights one or more shows that enhanced entertainment data module230identifies as matching one or more cast members identified by the user as being a favorite. For instance, in the depicted embodiment, “program C” and “program J” are identified as matching one or more favorite cast members identified by the user. In accordance with one embodiment, user interface500may include a display cast member options510for enabling a user to retrieve additional information about a particular show including, but not limited to, a list of the cast members associated with the particular show. As described above, in certain embodiments, the list of cast members may include individually selectable cast members for retrieving additional enhanced entertainment data about the selected cast member.

FIG. 6illustrates an embodiment of a process600for providing enhanced entertainment data in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. In the depicted embodiment, process600begins by receiving a request for additional information about a selected television program at step602. The process retrieves the additional information from one or more local and/or remote source(s) at step604. The process displays the retrieved information at step606. In one embodiment, the additional information includes an option for displaying a cast list associated with the selected television program. In response to receiving a user-selection to display the cast list associated with the selected television program at step608, the process retrieves the cast list at step610. The process displays the cast list at step612. In accordance with certain of the disclosed embodiments, the cast list includes individually selected cast members. If the process receives a user-selection of a cast member on the cast list at step614, the process retrieves additional information relating to the cast member at step616, and displays the additional information relating to the cast member at step618.

In one embodiment, process600may enable a user to add the selected cast member a favorites list at step632. In some embodiments, in response to adding the selected cast member a favorites list, the process searches a programming schedule for shows associated with the selected cast member at step634. In one embodiment, the process tags/highlights any show identified as associated with the selected cast member in the electronic programming guide. In some embodiments, if the process identifies a show associated with the selected cast member on a channel that the user does not subscribe to, the process may present an option for the user to upgrade his service to include the missing channel at step638, and/or to request the show as a video on demand option.

Alternatively and/or in addition to, in some embodiments, process600may enable a user to view and purchase merchandise associated with a selected cast member and/or show as described above. If the process receives a request to purchase a selected item at step620, the process transmits the purchase request to the appropriate source(s) for facilitating the purchase request, with process600terminating thereafter.

The above disclosure describes several embodiments including a system and method for providing enhanced entertainment data about a television program and/or cast member to a user via a middleware device. For example, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for providing enhanced entertainment data is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a set top box, a request for additional information about a selected television program. The method displays additional information that includes a cast list of the selected television program. In one embodiment, the cast members on the cast list are individually selectable; and responsive to receiving a user selection of a cast member on the cast list, the method displays additional information relating to the cast member. In some embodiments, the method enables the user to purchase items related to the cast member and/or show using the specially configured set top box.

The above disclosure merely describes certain embodiments of the claimed invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, the disclosed embodiments are described above with reference to flowchart illustrations, sequence diagrams, and/or block diagrams. Each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions, hardware components, and/or any combination thereof. In addition, the flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the claimed invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which may include one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures and/or may be omitted. In addition, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

Additionally, computer program instructions for executing the disclosed embodiments may also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the data processing system to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the data processing system provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, as referenced herein, a module is defined as hardware, software, and/or a combination thereof for performing a particular function. Software is defined as computer executable instructions including, but not limited to, object code, assembly code, and machine code. Hardware may include, but is not limited to, one or more processors/microprocessors, electronic circuitry, and other physical components. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification and/or the claims, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.