Patent ID: 8683501

Claim:
A system to enable a TV viewer to interact with content broadcast onto a television set by a service provider over a subscriber television network allowing the TV viewer to use a remote control to interact with the content, the remote control comprising electronic switches, wherein the remote control transmits signals to a set-top box, said system comprising: a) at least one multiple cable television system network comprising hardware and software components, b) a back-end hardware and software component that resides with the service provider and which interacts with the at least one multiple cable television system network; said back-end software component further comprising: i) an event management component; ii) a subscriber management component; iii) an order management component; iv) a product management component; v) an inventory management component; vi) a maintenance component; vii) a security and identity component; viii) a monitoring component; and ix) a reporting component and, c) said system further comprising a central data base, wherein the at least one multiple cable television system network functions at the service provider; and wherein each of the at least one multiple cable television system network further comprises: at least one front-end hardware and software component that handles TV user interaction with the subscriber television network, and wherein each of the at least one multiple cable television system network further comprises: i) a component that permits the TV viewer to purchase products; ii) a component that permits the TV viewer to download software or data; iii) a component that permits the TV viewer to vote or be polled; iv) a component that permits the TV viewer to request information; v) a component that permits the TV viewer to initiate a call to action control, wherein said call to action is a request for a return communication with detailed information regarding an event or product; and vi) a component that permits authentication of TV viewers.