MXPA02000750A - Interactive television systems with data collection. - Google Patents

Abstract

A system is provided based on user equipment such as a set-top box or computer on which an interactive television application may be implemented. Information may be collected on the television viewing activities of a user and the user's interactions with the interactive television application. The interactive television application may be an interactive television program guide. The collected information may be transmitted to a data collection facility using e-mail protocols, using the communications capabilities of a web browser, using a stand-alone FTP application, or using the communications capabilities of an operating system installed on the user equipment.

Description

INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROVISIONS WITH DATA COLLECTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to television arrangements, and more particularly to interactive television arrangements such as interactive television program guide provisions, in which data on user activities are collected. The interactive television programming guides are usually implemented in boxes that are placed on the television set (set-top boxes), connected to the television sets. Such programming guides can be used to present the users with interactive advertisement screens of television programs. The programming guides can also be used to control which television channels tune the box that is placed on the television set, when a user is watching television. For example, a programming guide can tune to different television channels, in response to commands to change channels, coming from the user's remote control. Users can also select programs, from the programming guide, to record or to view. Additional information about a program can be obtained by selecting the highlighted region with the P146 - "tlr ^ Tf -'- r r-» & * »* • * - **** • * ... advertisement displayed for that program. Reminders can be established for programs. The user's interactions with the programming guide and with the television programs that the user sees are indicative of the user's interests. These activities can be monitored. The information that is collected about the interests of the viewer can be used for marketing purposes. For example, the information that is gathered about the interests of the viewer can be used to direct advertisements to the user of the programming guide, as described in the United States patent application Knudson et al, Serial No. 09 / 034,939, presented on March 4, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The monitoring of television viewing activity is described, for example, in the US patent application Thomas et al, Serial No. 09 / 139,798, filed on August 25, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. . It is an object of the present invention to provide provisions for gathering information about the customs of watching television and other user activities.

Pl 6 U? L¡¡téJ -lb! * ¡? - * * < ** > - * - < SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A provision is provided that gathers information about the activities of watching television that a user develops, and of their interactions with a guide of 5 interactive television programming or another interactive television application. The activities of the user can be monitored by an interactive television programming guide or by another application. The software of Monitoring can maintain, for example, information about which channels the user watches, the length of time each channel is watched, and information about which family members are in the room while watching television. You can also collect information about 15 of the user's interactions with the interactive television programming guide or with another interactive television application. For example, information can be gathered about which interactive buttons the user selects, which screens the user sees, etc. 20 The information that is collected about the user can be transmitted to a data collection facility, to be analyzed. The analysis may reveal that certain television programs are more popular than others, that certain screens of the 25 programming are more popular than others, etc. The analysis Pl 62 , - Item? It may also reveal a user's particular interests, and may reveal trends in the data. Correlations can be observed between certain viewer interactions with the programming guide, and between certain activities of the viewer. The user can participate in a monitoring scheme that requires the user to present information periodically to a data collection facility, to be analyzed. If desired, the user information can be collected and transmitted to the data collection facility automatically and without the intervention of the user. The user data can be transmitted to the data collection facility using email, using the communication capabilities of the user's search application (for example, the capabilities of such search engines in terms of the use of forms), using the capabilities of communication associated with the operating system of the user's equipment, using a separate application for FTP, etc. Other features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Pl 62 YAJ > AÍAÁ¿Í, Í. ti BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagram of an interactive television arrangement, with data collection capabilities, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a diagram of a television set illustrating the user, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram of an additional illustrative television equipment of the user, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4 is a diagram of an illustrative remote control, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5 is a diagram of computer equipment illustrative of the user, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 6 is a generalized diagram of the illustrative equipment of the user, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 7 shows an illustrative menu screen, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 8 shows an illustrative screen of the programming guide, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 9 is a flowchart of the illustrative steps involved in gathering user information, and in automatically communicating such information to a data collection facility, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 10 is a flowchart of the illustrative steps involved in the collection of user information and in the communication of such information to a data collection facility, when the user authorizes it, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 11 shows an illustrative e-mail message that can be presented to the user to enable to authorize the transmission of a report about the user, to a data collection facility, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 12 is a flow chart of the illustrative steps involved in providing the e-mail message of Figure 11, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 13 shows an illustrative screen of the programming guide, which contains an interactive indication that allows a user to decide whether or not to present a report on the user, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 14 shows an illustrative screen of configurations of the programming guide, which can be% provided in accordance with the present invention. Figure 15 shows an illustrative screen of. personalization configuration parameters, which may be provided in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES An illustrative interactive television arrangement in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 1. Programming can be provided 10 television and digital music, from the programming sources 12, to the television distribution facilities such as the television distribution facility 14, using the communication channel 16. The programming sources 12 can be any source 15 suitable for television and musical programming, such as television and music production studios, etc. The television distribution facility 14 can be a terminal of a cable system, a satellite television distribution facility, a 20 installation of television broadcasting, or any other suitable installation to distribute television and musical programming to users. There are usually numerous television distribution facilities 14 in layout 10, but in Figure 1 only one is shown, 25 in order to avoid complicating the drawing too much.

P1462 ^ ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? suitable combinations of such routes. The television distribution installation 14 may be connected to various equipment 18 of the users. Such equipment 18 of the users can be located, for example, in the homes of users. The user's equipment 18 may include the user's television equipment 20 or the computer equipment 22 of the user. The user equipment can receive television and music programming and other information, from the television distribution facility 14, through communication channels such as communication channels 26, 27 and 28. The user's equipment can also transmit signals to the user. television distribution facility 14, on tracks 26, 27 and 28. Routes 26, 27 and 28 can be wires or other wired connections, free space connections (eg, for broadcast or other wireless signals), satellite links, etc. The program announcement source 30 may be used to provide the user with information about the schedule of the television programs, such as the scheduled broadcast times, titles, channels, information about ratings (eg rating P1462 ; lM ^^ of parents and critical rating), detailed descriptions of titles, information on genres or categories (eg, sports, news, movies, etc.), information on actors and actresses, 5 broadcast schedules, etc. . The program announcement source 30 can provide the television distribution facility 14 with information on the program plan, via communication channel 32, for distribution to the associated team 10 of the user, via lanes 26, 27 and 28. The communication path 32 can be any suitable communication path, such as a satellite communication link or other wireless link, a fiber optic communication link or another wire link, a combination of such 15 tracks, etc. User equipment, such as the user's television equipment and personal computers, may use the information about the program plan to display advertisements for programs for the user. 20 information about digital music. An interactive television programming guide application or other suitable application may be used to display such information on the user's screen. An online programming guide can be 25 provided by a server, such as server 36, Pl 62 (/% &»* * 10 connected to the communication network 34. The server 36 can receive the information about the program plan from the source 30 of program announcements, through the communication channel 38, the communication network 34, and the communication channel 5 40. Routes 38 and 40 can be satellite links, fiber optic links, wired links, etc. The communication network 34 can be any suitable communication network, such as the Internet, the public switched telephone network, a packet-based network, etc. The user equipment 18 can access the online programming guide via communication path 42, which can be any suitable communication path such as a wired link, a cable link, a fiber optic link, a satellite link, a combination of such routes, or any other suitable way. The user equipment 18 can also access the online programming guide via communication path 26, television distribution facility 14, and communication path 44. For example, computer 18 of the user may use a cable modem or similar device for communicating with the television distribution facility 14. The television distribution facility 14 can communicate with the communication network 34 by any suitable way 44, such as a wired link 5, a cable link, a fiber optic link, P1462 a satellite link, a combination of such routes, etc. The user's equipment, such as the user's television equipment 20 and the user's computer 22, can access the online programming guide, using similar arrangements. The television set 20 of the user can access the online programming guide, using the communication path 46 or using the track 27, the television distribution facility 14, and the track 44. The computer equipment 22 of the user can access the online programming guide, using the communication path 48 or using the track 28, the television distribution facility 14, and the route 44. The tracks 46 and 48 can be any suitable way, such as wired links, cable links, fiber optic links, satellite links, a combination of such routes, etc. Interactive television applications, other than the programming guide applications, may use service providers, such as the service provider 50. For example, a home shopping service may be supported by a service provider such as the service provider. 50 service provider that has sales representatives, order fulfillment facilities, account maintenance facilities, and other equipment to support functions P1462 ? S interactive shopping from home. An application for purchases from home, which is implemented using the user's equipment, can be used to access the service provider in order to provide those functions to the user. The user equipment can access the service provider 50, through the television distribution facility 14 and the communication path 52, or through the communication network 34 and the communication path 54. The communication routes such as the tracks 52 and 54 can be 10 any suitable route, such as wired links, cable links, fiber optic links, satellite links, a combination of such routes, etc. Another example of an interactive application for television is an application for banking operations 15 from home. A home banking service can be supported using personnel located in facilities such as the service provider 50. An interactive application for home banking, which is implemented using the equipment of the 20 user, can access the banking service from home, through the television distribution facility 14 and the communication path 52, or through the communication network 34 and the communication path 54. If desired, an interactive application for 25 television, such as an application for video on demand, Pl 62 it can be supported using server 56. Videos can be stored on server 56 and provided to the user's equipment when users request it. If desired, applications such as the interactive television program guide application, an application for home purchases, an application for home banking, an application for video on demand, and other applications (for example, related applications) with email and conversation or other communication functions, etc.) can be provided as separate applications accessed through an application for "shell" (program) navigation (ie, a menu application with options for menu that correspond to the applications). The functions of such applications can be combined. For example, the functions of video on demand, purchases from home and communication can be incorporated into the programming guide. In addition, the application of interactive television programming guide, the application for banking from home, and the application for purchases from home, the application for video on demand, the application for communication, and the application for a program "shell" of navigation, are only a few illustrative examples of the types of applications P1462 Interactive for television that can be supported by the provision 10. Other suitable applications that can be supported include news services, Internet services, interactive betting services (for example, to bet on horse races and similar events) , communication services (for example, email, conversation, etc.), and any other suitable interactive application. These applications can be implemented locally on the user's computer. The applications can also be implemented using a client-server architecture in which the user equipment serves as the client processor, and a server such as the server 56, located in the television distribution facility 14 or in another suitable location, acts as server processor. If desired, other architectures of the distributed type may be used. Regardless of the specific provision used to implement the interactive television functions related to programming guides, purchases from home, home banking, video on demand, Internet, communications, etc., the software that supports these functions can be called application. As the user interacts with the application, and as the user watches television in the P1462 user's equipment, information about the user's activities can be collected. For example, information related to the television channels that the user tunes in, and the times in which the user watches each television channel can be collected. Because the programs that are being broadcast at any given moment can be determined from the data of the program plan, the collection of information about the television channels that the user tunes in, and the times in which these channels are tuned, allows the user's habits to be monitored in terms of watching television. Information can also be collected about which selectable options on the screen, of the interactive television application, selects the user when interacting with interactive applications for television. This can reveal, for example, information about the advertisements to which the user responds, information about the favorite genres of the user in the matter of television programming, or information about other interests of the user (for example, sports, news, etc.). . The information that is collected with respect to the user's activities can be communicated back to an appropriate collection facility.

P1462 T? L?. &.Jba ~. ij-at -data, for processing. For example, the information can be collected on the user's equipment 18 and communicated back to the computer equipment located at the data collection facility 13, via the communication channel 26, the television distribution facility 14, and the communication channel 15, or via the communication channel 42, the communication network 34 (for example, Internet), and the communication channel 17. The communication channels 15 and 17 can be fiber optic links, links for cable or other wired links, wireless links, or any other appropriate means of communication. If desired, the data collection facility may be located in the television distribution facility 14. For example, data may be collected using a server such as server 56. User data may also be collected in a server connected to the Internet or to another communication network. For example, information about user activities can be collected using a server such as server 36. These examples are merely illustrative. The user information can be collected using any suitable installation. In addition, user information can be collected regardless of the type of architecture P1 .62 _A-a, .Í.Í¿ used to provide the user with television programming and interactive television services. For example, if a client-server arrangement is used to provide the user with programming guide services, the information that has been collected about the user, on the server, can be supplied to the data collection facility using a means of communication between the server and the data collection facility. Such a route could include, for example, a network of 10 communication such as the communication network 34. Figure 2 shows an illustrative television equipment 20 of the user, which is based on a box arrangement that is placed on the television set. The input / output 58 can be connected to 15 communication channels, such as tracks 27 and 46. Television programming and other information can be received using the input / output 58. Commands and orders and other information from the user, can also be transmitted by the input / output 58. The box 60 that is placed on the television set can be any suitable analog or digital box. The box 60 may contain an analog tuner, to tune to a desired analog television channel. The box 60 may also contain a circuit 25 digital decoder to receive digital television and P1462 music channels. If desired, the analog and digital channels can be handled together. The box 60 also contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor, or the like) that is used to run software applications. The box 60 may contain memory, such as random access memory, to be used when applications are executed. A non-volatile memory can also be used (for example, to initiate a boot routine and other instructions). Hard disk storage can be used as a data backup and to support larger databases than can be supported using random access memory methods. The box 60 may have an infrared circuit (IR) or another type of communication circuit, to communicate with a remote control. The Box 60 can also have specialized buttons and a front panel display. The front panel display can be used, for example, to display the channel in which the box is currently tuned. Box 60 may also have a communication circuit, such as a cable modem for cable communications, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem for ISDN type communications, a line modem P1462 í í tÚ.Á ± i izá. digital subscriber (DSL) for communications of the DSL type, a telephone modem for communications over telephone lines, a circuit for paging communications (for example, radio-frequency wireless transmissions using paging frequencies), cell phone communication (for example, for data communications by digital cell phone), and other communication equipment that uses other methods. Such communications may include the Internet or other appropriate networks or communication channels. A cassette (VCR) 62 video recorder or other suitable recording device may be connected to the box 60. This allows videos to be recorded from box 60. For example, if box 60 is tuned to a given television channel, the video signal of that television channel can be passed to VCR 62 for recording on a cassette. Of video. If desired, the functions of the VCR, such as start, stop, record, etc., can be controlled by the box 60. For example, the box 60 can control the VCR 62, using infrared commands directed to the inputs for control remote control of the VCR 62. The output of the VCR 62 can be P1462 This is provided to the television 64, for display to the user.If the VCR 62 is not being used, the video signals coming from the box 60 may be supplied directly to the television 64. If desired, any suitable monitor may be used to display the video.Another illustrative arrangement of the user's television equipment 20 is shown in Figure 3. In the example of Figure 3, the television set 20 The user includes a digital video recorder 66 (eg, a personal video recorder (PVR)) and a television 68. The input / output 70 may be connected to communication channels such as tracks 27 and 46. Television programming and other information can be received using the input / output 70. The commands and orders and other information from the user can be transmitted by the input / output 70. The digital video recorder 66 can be similar to a standard box that goes placed on the television set, except that instead of the videocassettes a hard disk or other suitable storage medium can be used for the storage of videos. The hard disk may be internal to the digital video recorder 66. The digital video recorder 66 may contain an analog tuner, to tune a digital video channel.

P1462 desired analog television. The digital video recorder 66 may also contain a digital decoding circuit, to receive television channels and digital musicals. If desired, digital video recorder 66 may contain circuits to handle both analog and digital channels. The VCR 66 also contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor, or the like) that is used to run software applications. The VCR 66 may contain a memory, such as a random access memory, to be used when running applications. A non-volatile memory can also be used to store a boot routine or other instructions. The hard disk and other storage devices of the digital video recorder 66 can be used to support databases (for example, databases of the programming guide or databases of interactive applications for television). The digital video recorder 66 may have an IR communication circuit or other suitable communication circuit, to communicate with a remote control. The digital video recorder 66 can also have specialized buttons and a front panel display. The front panel display can be used, for example, to display the channel in which you are currently P1462 & .VS tuned to the digital video recorder. The digital video recorder 66 can also have communication circuits such as a cable modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) type modem, a telephone modem, etc., for communications with other equipment . Such communications may include the Internet or any other appropriate network or means of communication. If desired, the digital video recorder 66 of Figure 3 or the box 60 of Figure 2 may be a satellite receiver or other equipment having wireless communication circuits for receiving satellite signals. The television programming can be recorded on the hard disk of the digital video recorder 66. The digital video recorder 66 can record a new video, while on the television 68 a previously recorded video is being played. This allows users to press a pause button while they are watching television normally. When the pause button is pressed, the current television program is stored on the hard disk of the digital video recorder 66. When the user presses "play", the recorded video can be played. This provision allows the user to pause and resume the activity of watching television, continuously.

P1462 The box arrangement that is placed on the television set of Figure 2, and the box arrangement that is placed on the digital television and video recorder apparatus of Figure 3, are merely illustrative. If desired, other provisions may be used. For example, the user's television equipment may be based on a WebTV box, a television with a personal computer (PC / TV), or any other suitable arrangement of television equipment. If desired, the functions of components such as box 60, digital video recorder 66, a WebTV box, or PC / TV, or the like, can be integrated into a television, personal computer, or other suitable device. In Figure 4 an illustrative remote control 72 is shown for using the television set 20 of the user. The remote control 72 may have keys 74 such as up and down keys, a key on / off, number keys, a bookmark key (for example, to set favorites in a program guide application or other interactive television application), an "info" key (to request that additional information about a selected item be displayed), etc. The arrow keys 76 can be used to place a cursor on the screen, or a highlight region, on the options of interest. The highlighted options can be P1462 selected using the OK key 78. The Menu key 80 can be used to instruct an interactive television application (for example, a program guide application, an application for "shell" navigation, or any other suitable application) to that displays a menu of available options. The Help key 82 can be used to invoke help functions such as on-screen help, context sensitive, etc. In Figure 5 an illustrative computer 22 of the user is shown. In the arrangement of Figure 5, the personal computer 84 can be controlled by the user, using the keyboard 86 or another suitable device for data entry by the user, such as a trackball, mouse (mouse), touch pad, touch screen, voice recognition system, etc. The television programming and the content of the interactive application for television can be displayed on the monitor 88. The television programming and other information can be received from the tracks 28 and 49 (Figure 1), using the input / output 90. The user can also send commands and other information to remote services, by the input / output line 90. The personal computer 84 may contain a P1462 TV tuner card, to decode analog and digital television channels. The television tuner card may contain an analog tuner for tuning a given analog channel, and a digital decoding circuit for filtering and outputting a desired digital television or music channel, from a digital data stream encapsulated in packets. The user's computer equipment arrangement, of Figure 5, is merely illustrative. If desired, any suitable arrangement of computer equipment may be used. In addition, the user's television equipment and computer equipment provisions described above are merely illustrative. In Figure 6 a more generalized embodiment of the illustrative user's equipment is shown. As shown in Figure 6, the control circuit 92 is connected to the input / output 94. The input / output 94 can be connected to communication paths such as tracks 26, 27, 28, 42, 46 and 48 of Figure 1. Television and music programming can be received through the input / output 94 (for example, from the programming sources 12 and the television distribution facility 14). The information about the program plan (program) referred to a guide of P1462 interactive television programming, can also be received through the input / output 94. The input / output 94 can also be used to receive information related to other interactive applications for television. The user can use the control circuit 92 to send commands, orders, and other suitable information, using the input / output 94. Information about the user that is collected locally, such as information about the user's habits in terms of watch television, and information about user interactions with interactive applications for television, such as an interactive television programming guide application, can be sent to a data collection facility, through the 94 input / output. appropriate can be used to transmit the information that is collected about the user. For example, the information can be transmitted using a return path by cable in a cable system, using fiber optic links, using a dial-up modem connection (for example, by a telephone link, a DSL or ISDN link, etc.). .), using a wireless link (for example, using a cellular or paging frequency), using combinations of such channels, etc. The information that is collected on a server (by P1462 ~ ii * example, a server used to support a programming guide of the client-server type) can be transferred from the server to the data collection installation, using ways such as these or other suitable ways. The control circuit 94 may be based on any suitable processor, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, etc. A memory or other suitable storage devices may be provided as part of the control circuit 94. A tuning circuit such as an analog tuner, MPEG-2 type decoder or other digital tuning circuit may also be included as part of the 92 circuit. , or any other suitable tuning circuit, or combinations of such circuits. The tuning circuit can be used to tune the user's equipment to a specific television or music channel. The state of the tuning circuit can be monitored by an interactive television application, such as an interactive television programming guide, or it can be monitored by an application for monitoring, or by monitoring functions incorporated in any other suitable application. Monitoring can also include gathering information about the time of day, about whether the user's computer is on or P1462 A. »»: "a. ita-Étí JL off, about the state of various actions of pressing buttons, or the status of any other function or hardware of the user's equipment. The information that is monitored can be stored in the storage device located in the control circuit 92 (for example, in a hard disk or in a random access memory, etc.). The television programming and the options and information on the screen can be displayed on the screen 100. The screen 100 can be a monitor, a television, or any other suitable equipment for displaying visual images. The speakers 102 can be provided as part of a television, or they can be independent units. The digital music and the audio component of the videos displayed on the screen 100 can be reproduced by the speakers 102. A user can control the control circuit, using the interface 96 for data entry by the user. The interface for entering data by the user can be any interface for that purpose, such as a mouse, a trackball, a numeric keypad, a keyboard, a touch screen, a touch pad, or any other suitable interface for data entry by the user. A microphone 98 and the camcorder 104 can be P1462 iMiiA .¿ &fj¡aj? .., «, .ÁA,: A .. A ... Ja, .- AA.AÍ--. iB-tAti .. used to supply audio and video information to the control circuit 92. A user of the equipment 18 (for example, a user of a television equipment or a user of a computer equipment, or a user of any other suitable equipment) may invoke an interactive television menu, by pressing the "menu" button 80 (Figure 4). In Figure 7 there is shown a navigation menu or "shell" 106 for interactive television. The remote control 72 (Figure 4) can be used to place the highlighting region 108 on options 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120. If the user selects option 110, a program announcement screen may be displayed. Option 112 can be used to invoke an application for purchases from home. Option 114 can be selected to display options related to video on demand services. If the user selects option 116, an opportunity to access functions for banking from home can be presented. When Internet 118 is selected, a web browser or similar can be started. Option 120 can be used to access a configuration screen that allows the user to adjust various configurations. If desired, the user can use such a menu option to access a configuration screen of the programming guide, with P1462 ..- JK which the user can adjust the settings of the programming guide. In Figure 8 an illustrative screen 122 of the programming guide is shown, which can be displayed to the user. Screen 122 of the programming guide may be displayed, for example, when the user selects program announcement option 108, of Figure 7, or when the user selects a suitable option from within a television programming guide application. Interactive The screen 122 of the programming guide may contain a grid or list of program announcements 124. The program announcements 124 may include program titles, channels that broadcast the programs, scheduled broadcast schedules for the programs, and any other information. adequate on the program schedule. If desired, advertisements may be displayed. A highlighting region such as highlighting region 126 can be used to select a desired program announcement. If the user presses an OK key when an announcement of a current program is highlighted, the programming guide can tune to the channel on which it is displayed. issue that program. If the user presses an OK key when an advertisement for a future program is highlighted, the programming guide can give the user an opportunity to P1462 Í ?? You can set a reminder for that program Other functions that the programming guide can provide include the ability to set favorite channels and set other preferences and settings, for example, the user can select channel in particular for the programming guide to tune in automatically when the user's equipment is turned on.The user can also select favorite programs, favorite channels, etc. The programming guide can 10 provide the user with the ability to establish configurations for parental control, the ability to search for programming of interest, and the ability to see descriptions of programs, advertisements, text, graphics, video, etc. The use of any of these 15 functions by the user, can be monitored. Furthermore, these are merely illustrative examples of programming guide functions that may be provided by an interactive television programming guide application. If desired, it can be provided 20 any other suitable function of the programming guide. The programming guide can be invoked from an option such as option 110 of Figure 7, by pressing on a remote control a specialized button for the guide, selecting any other button or option on the screen 25 suitable, etc.

P1462 "f? &7 The user's response to any interactive content present in the interactive programming guide can be monitored, for example, the user's response to the interactive advertisements 5 that are presented by the programming guide can be monitored. Figure 9 shows the illustrative steps involved in user monitoring, In step 128, the programming guide or other application can 10 monitor the user's interactions with the programming guide or with another interactive television application, and can monitor other user activities (for example, what television programs the user is watching, etc.). The programming guide 15 television or other interactive television application, or an application for monitoring, or the like, can be used to gather information about user activities. The information about the television programs that the user is watching can 20 to be gathered by comparing the information about the channels and the schedules in which the user is watching television, with the information about the programs planned to be broadcast at those times in those channels. This comparison can be done locally 25 (for example, on the user's equipment 18), before or during P1462 iA á ', Mks.a & gi., i. F. * ,? AJJJ. j --faA.iiit.jj monitoring, or it can be done remotely (for example, in a data collection facility, after monitoring, or on a server or another computer during monitoring). These are merely illustrative examples. If desired, any suitable monitoring technique can be used. The information that is gathered about the user's habits in terms of watching television, and about the user's interactions with the interactive programming guide or with another interactive television application, can be compiled using the interactive television programming guide or other Interactive application for television, or it can be compiled using an application for monitoring, or any other suitable application. In step 130, the programming guide or other application can automatically transmit the information collected about the user, to the data collection facility (e.g., a data collection facility such as the data collection facility 13 of the Figure 1) . User data can be transmitted using an email protocol such as the standard Post Office Protocol (POP), or the Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP). The programming guide or the interactive application for television, or another application P1462, or similar app, can access email communication functions, such as those implemented through an existing email application, or another application, or similar application that was installed on the user's computer 18 . Consequently, with an e-mail transport provision, there is no need to develop a patented communication protocol to transmit the collected data about the user to the data collection facility. If desired, the information collected about the user can be communicated to the data collection facility, using communication functions that are part of an existing web browser implemented on the user's computer 18. For example, the information gathered can be sent to the data collection facility, using the capabilities of a web browser to work with forms. If desired, such capabilities can be accessed directly, through the application for data communication (for example, the programming guide) without displaying forms on the user's equipment screen. As an alternative, the programming guide can automatically generate clicks or a flow of clicks or other entries for the forms of the search engine, in order to emulate the commands that would be provided by the user if P1462 # 554 will need to use such capabilities. Another way in which the information about the user can be transmitted to the data collection facility is using the existing communication capabilities of the operating system installed in the user's computer 18. If a web browser or an independent file transfer protocol (FTP) is incorporated in the user's equipment, the information about the user can be transmitted to the data collection facility, using techniques of the FTP type. In step 132, after the data collection facility has received the information about the user, the data collection facility can analyze information about the user and other users. This analysis can be used to determine the fees charged for interactive advertising in the interactive television programming guide, to determine what types of advertising should be displayed, to determine if certain types of interactions with the interactive television programming guide are correlated with certain interests of the user with respect to television programming, or for other commercial or economic purposes. If desired, the user can be notified before P1462 that information about the user be transmitted to the data collection facility. This is shown in Figure 10. In step 134, the user's interactions with the interactive television programming guide and other activities (eg, television watching activities) can be monitored. In step 136, the user may be given an opportunity to authorize the presentation of a report containing information on the user's interactions with the interactive television programming guide, and other user activities. If the user does not authorize the presentation of the report, the report would not be presented for processing. However, if in step 136 the user authorizes the presentation of the report, in step 138 the report can be supplied to the data collection facility, using e-mail protocols, search protocols, FTP protocols, etc. In step 140, the data collection facility can analyze the information that has been gathered about the user. Figure 11 shows a way in which the user can be given an opportunity to authorize the dissemination of information gathered about the user. On screen 142 of Figure 11, the user has been sent P1462 IttA-ÁÁAz t. üc »--.-. a message 144 by email with an attachment 146. Attachment 146 can be generated automatically and can be a report containing information about the user's interactions with the programming guide, and other activities, which have been monitored. The e-mail message can be generated by the programming guide or by another application used to monitor the user (for example, an application that is installed in the box that is placed on the user's television set). The address to respond to the email message can be automatically set as the address of the data collection facility. Accordingly, when the user responds to the email message that appears on the user's computer screen, the response can be automatically routed to the data collection facility. The user does not need to memorize the correct email address of the data collection facility. The ability to place the correct address in the sector intended for the address to respond can be supported by standard applications for email. If desired, the e-mail message 114 may contain text 148 which requests a user to respond. Figure 12 shows the steps P1462 Figures 11 and 12, in which the user is given an opportunity to authorize the transfer of the report to the data collection facility, can be used, for example, in situations in which the user has agreed with a rec. of data that your family group can be monitored (for example, in exchange for a fee). If desired, the programming guide may provide the user with a screen 15 8 containing a warning 160 of the type shown in Figure 13. If the user responds by selecting the option Yes 162, the programming guide may present the information to the installation of data collection. If the user responds by selecting option No 164, the programming guide will not present the report. If desired, the user can be given an opportunity to adjust data communication settings, using programming screen fonfiguration screens, or similar elements. For example, if the user selects the configure 120 option of Figure 7, the programming guide can display a screen such as a configuration screen 166 of the programming guide, which is shown in Figure 14. The screen 166 it can include option 168 of audio configurations, and option 170 of configuration: video ones, which P1462 example, the user can press an arrow key "to the right" of the remote control to select an option to activate (On), and can press an arrow key "to left" of the remote control, to select an option to deactivate (Off) ). The user can use the up and down arrow keys of the remote control, or any other suitable user interface, to select from various options. A highlight region can be used to indicate the user's current position in the options on screen 178 and in other screens of the programming guide. The user can toggle option 180 in order to activate or deactivate the report collection function. For example, if the user wishes to have information about the user's activities in terms of watching television, and some other information about the user's activities that have been communicated to a data collection facility, the user can activate option 180. If the user does not wish to have information about the user's activities in terms of watching television, and about other user activities that have been collected or communicated to the data collection facility, the user can deactivate option 180. If the user function "reports" is activated, the user can be given an opportunity to adjust the frequency with the P1462 which reports are transmitted to the data collection facility, using option 182. The user can, for example, select between the available transmission frequencies: continuously, once an hour, once a day, once a week, etc. The user may wish to be notified before the reports are sent. If the user wishes to receive notifications, the user can use option 184 to activate the notification capabilities of the programming guide. If the user does not wish to receive warnings, option 184 can be used to deactivate the warning function. When the user has finished making the selections available on screen 178, the user can select the "Done" option 186 (for example, by navigating a highlight region to the "Done" option 186 and pressing an OK or similar key of the remote control) . Although user interactions are described primarily in the context of interactive television programming guides, user interactions with any suitable interactive television application can be monitored. For example, user interactions can be monitored with an application for video on demand, etc. In addition, you can P1462 any application (e.g., a programming guide, an interactive television application, or an independent application for monitoring) may be used to provide the monitoring functions of the present invention. The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention, and various modifications may be introduced by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

P1462

Claims (194)

1. CLAIMS Having described and determined the nature and scope of the present invention and the manner in which it is to be put into practice, it is declared that what is claimed as an invention and exclusive property is: 1. A method for collecting information about the activities of watching a user's television, on the user's equipment, and to provide that information to a data collection facility, the method being characterized by understanding: gathering information about the user's television viewing activities, monitoring what television channels the user tunes to the user's equipment; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected about the user's television viewing activities, using email protocols. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising using an application for electronic mail, in order to transmit the information collected. 3. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising using the protocol P1462 post office to transmit the information collected. 4. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising using the Simple Mail Transport Protocol to transmit the information. 5. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises gathering information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television programming guide. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising: gathering information on the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television programming guide; and transmitting information about the user's television viewing habits that were compiled with the interactive television programming guide to the data collection facility. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising gathering information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television application. P1462 8. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising: collecting information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television application; and transmitting information about the user's television viewing habits that were collected with the interactive television application to the data collection facility. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising gathering information about the user's interactions with an interactive television programming guide. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising using an interactive television programming guide to gather information about the user's interactions with the interactive television programming guide. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising: gathering information about the user's interactions with an interactive television programming guide; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected on the interactions of the P1462 J ÁÁ¡¡Ááki.ií & > ? Ai **,. * > t & ® & * ~ '** ti -A * t.-A. , «. , "." _. "_ .., c ^. ^^ and ^^^^ a uj ^^ Mttf íAÁJbákiAAi user with interactive television programming guide. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising gathering information about the user's interactions with an interactive television application. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising using an interactive television application, to gather information about the user's interactions with the interactive television application. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising: gathering information about the user's interactions with an interactive television application; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected about the user's interactions with the interactive television application. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising gathering information about the times in which the user tunes to the television channels. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the user's equipment includes a box that is placed on the television set, P1462 the method further comprising allowing the user to use an interactive television programming guide to tune the box that is placed on the television set in a given television channel. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the user equipment includes a digital video recorder, the method further comprising allowing the user to use the interactive television programming guide to tune the digital video recorder to a given television channel. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the user's equipment includes a personal computer, further comprising the method allowing the user to use an interactive television programming guide to tune the personal computer to a given television channel. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising using an interactive television programming guide to display program advertisements on the user's equipment. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising displaying on the user's equipment an interactive menu that includes options that allow the user to invoke at least one interactive television programming guide and an application for P1462 , - ** ** video on demand. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the action of gathering information about the user's television viewing habits comprises gathering information about the user's television viewing habits, monitoring the schedule and monitoring the channels tuned by the user. with an interactive television programming guide. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the action of gathering information about the user's television viewing habits comprises storing information about the user's television viewing habits, in a storage device located in the user's equipment. 23. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that an interactive television programming guide is implemented in the user's equipment, the user's equipment is connected to a television distribution facility through a communication channel, and are provided program announcement data from a program announcement source, further comprising the method: receiving in the television distribution facility the program announcement data, coming from the program announcement source; Y P1462 Í¿.Í. 'íl. -ÍÍÉ MíÍÍá¡k.l. . ítÉáñt í I '. ..; -. .. ,,: t. .j. .A-Aj ^ -AA. .JMjJ. , J A-efa, provide the data of the program announcements, coming from the installation of television distribution, to the interactive television programming guide located in the user's equipment, by way of communication. 24. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the action of transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the information collected using paging frequencies. 25. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the action of transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the information collected using communications of the digital subscriber line type. 26. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the action of transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the information collected using cable communications. 27. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the action of transmitting the information collected comprises transmitting the information collected using communications over telephone lines. 28. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the action of transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information to P1462 a server. 29. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the action of transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the information collected to the data collection facility, by wireless means. 30. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising warning the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. 31. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising: notifying the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility; and give the user an opportunity to choose whether or not to send the collected information to the data collection facility. 32. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising transmitting the information collected in an attachment to an email message. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising transmitting the information collected in the body of a mail message P1462 electronic. 34. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising: using a programming guide to generate an email message with which to provide the information collected to the data collection facility, in the form of a report; and automatically set the e-mail address of the data collection facility in the e-mail message, as the address to reply. 35. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising sending a message by e-mail to an internal mailbox associated with the user's equipment, before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. 36. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising giving the user an opportunity to authorize the presentation of the collected information, before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. 37. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising analyzing the information collected in the data collection facility. 38. The method defined in claim 1, P1462 characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility. 39. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a terminal of a cable system. 40. The method defined in claim 1, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility, and because the user equipment is in communication with the television distribution facility, further comprising the method transmit the collected information to the data collection facility, through the television distribution facility. 41. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising transmitting the collected information to the collection facility of. data, online. 42. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising allowing the user to authorize the transmission of the information collected, using an option to configure. 43. The method defined in claim 1, P1462 characterized by further comprising allowing the user to select a desired frequency to transmit the collected information. 44. The method defined in claim 1, characterized by further comprising providing the user with an option to configure that allows the user to choose whether or not to notify the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. 45. A provision that includes a user's equipment, in which information about the user's television viewing activities, on the user's equipment, is provided to a data collection facility, the arrangement being characterized by comprising: control circuit; a screen; and an interface for data entry by the user; so that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are configured to: collect information about the user's television viewing activities, monitoring which television channels the user tunes to the control circuit; and transmit the information collected about P1462 the activities of watching the user's television, to the installation of data collection, using email protocols. 46. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to use an application for electronic mail, in order to transmit the information collected. 47. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are also configured to use the post office protocol, to transmit the collected information. 48. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to use the Simple Mail Transport Protocol, to transmit the information. 49. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to collect information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television programming guide. 50. The provision defined in the claim P1462 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are also configured to: collect information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television programming guide; and transmitting information about the user's television viewing habits to the data collection facility, which was compiled with the interactive television programming guide. 51. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to collect information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television application. 52. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to: gather information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television application; and transmit information about the habits of seeing to the data collection facility P1462 user's television, which was compiled with the interactive application for television. 53. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to gather information about the user's interactions with an interactive television programming guide. 54. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to use an interactive television programming guide to gather information about the user's interactions with the interactive television programming guide. . 55. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to: gather information about the user's interactions with an interactive television programming guide; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected about the user's interactions with the interactive television programming guide. P1462 56. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to gather information about the user's interactions with an interactive television application. 57. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to use an interactive television application, to gather information about the user's interactions with the interactive television application. 58. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to: gather information about the user's interactions with an interactive television application; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected about the user's interactions with the interactive television application. 59. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the P1462 screen and the user interface are also configured to collect information about the schedules in which the user tunes to the television channels. 60. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the user equipment includes a box that is placed on the television set, and because the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television programming guide to tune the box that is placed on the television set in a given television channel. 61. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the user equipment includes a digital video recorder, and because the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to use the interactive television programming guide to tune the digital video recorder to a television channel dice. 62. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the user's equipment includes a personal computer, and because the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television programming guide for tune the personal computer on a given television channel. P1462 iA £ ¿1íkáí £ - * - > **? ** - -iBM? ftlr *? ^ Hmtran 63. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to use an interactive television programming guide to display program advertisements on the user's equipment. 64. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to display on the user's equipment an interactive menu that includes options that allow the user to invoke at least one guide of interactive television programming and an application for video on demand. 65. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to gather information about the user's television viewing habits, monitoring the schedule and monitoring the channels tuned by the user. user with an interactive television programming guide. 66. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to store information about the user's television viewing habits in a storage device. P1462 located on the user's equipment. 67. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that an interactive television programming guide is implemented in the user's equipment, the user's equipment is connected to a television distribution facility through a communication channel, and are provided program announcement data from a program announcement source, and the television distribution facility is configured to receive the program announcement data, from the program announcement source; and to provide the program announcement data to the interactive television programming guide located on the user's equipment, by way of communication. 68. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected using paging frequencies. 69. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected using communications of the digital subscriber line type. P1462 ^ £? ^^ ^^ ¿^ ** ¡^ "&? Ítk ~ * i. 70. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected using cable communications. 71. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected using telephone line communications. 72. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to a server. 73. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to the data collection facility, by wireless means. 74. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to warn the user before transmitting the P1462 information collected to the data collection facility. 75. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to: warn the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility; and give the user an opportunity to choose whether or not to send the collected information to the data collection facility. 76. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected in an attachment to an email message. 77. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected in the body of an email message. 78. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are configured P1462 also to: use a programming guide to generate an email message with which to provide the information collected to the data collection facility, in the form of a report; and automatically set the e-mail address of the data collection facility in the e-mail message, as the address to reply. 79. The provision defined in the claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to send a message by e-mail to an internal box associated with the user's equipment, before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. . 80. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to give the user an opportunity to authorize the presentation of the information collected, before transmitting the information collected to the user. installation of data collection. 81. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized by further comprising a means for P1462 analyze the information collected, in the data collection facility. 82. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility. 83. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a terminal of a cable system. 84. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility, because the user's equipment is in communication with the television distribution facility, and because the circuit is control, the screen and the user interface are also configured to transmit the information collected to the data collection facility, through the television distribution facility. 85. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to the data collection facility, via the Internet. P1462 .. ¿ímmJtiae L? 86. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to authorize the transmission of the information collected, using an option to configure. 87. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to select a desired frequency to transmit the collected information. 88. The arrangement defined in claim 45, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to provide the user with an option to configure that allows the user to choose whether or not to notify the user before transmitting the information collected to the data collection facility. 89. A method to gather information about the interactions of a user, on the user's equipment, with an interactive television application implemented on the user's equipment, and to provide that information to a data collection facility, the method being characterized by understanding: gathering information about interactions P1462 Má.-i l? .i t * i .iAá *. fej & i-ilj .A A-jjt-A.ÁAA A ^ ..-. ",. , -, ^, .k ~ * M ^ í ^^ j ^. -jk * * £ tj? * k »to the user with the interactive television application; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected about the user's interactions with the interactive television application, using email protocols. 90. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising using an application for electronic mail, in order to transmit the information collected. 91. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising using the post office protocol to transmit the collected information. 92. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising using the Simple Mail Transport Protocol to transmit the information. 93. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising collecting the information, using an interactive television programming guide. 94. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising gathering information about the user's television viewing habits, using P1462 Ialt-t-, i Í? ~ I * ?! Í .. ^. A guide to interactive television programming; and collect information about user interactions with the interactive television application, using the interactive television programming guide. 95. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising: collecting information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television programming guide; and transmitting information about the user's television viewing habits to the data collection facility. 96. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising gathering information about the user's television viewing habits, using the interactive television application. 97. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising using an interactive television programming guide to gather information about the user's television viewing habits. 98. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising gathering information about the times in which the user tunes to the television channels. P1462 99. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the user equipment includes a box that is placed on the television set, the method further comprising allowing the user to use an interactive television programming guide to tune the box that is placed on the apparatus of television in a given television channel. 100. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the user equipment includes a digital video recorder, the method further comprising allowing the user to use the interactive television programming guide to tune the digital video recorder to a given television channel. 101. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the user equipment includes a personal computer, further comprising the method allowing the user to use an interactive television programming guide to tune the personal computer to a given television channel. 102. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising using an interactive television programming guide to display program advertisements on the user's equipment. 103. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising displaying on the equipment P1462 of the user an interactive menu that includes options that allow the user to invoke at least an interactive television programming guide and an application for video on demand. 104. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising gathering information about the user's television viewing habits, monitoring the schedule and monitoring the channels tuned by the user with an interactive television programming guide. 105. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the action of collecting information comprises storing the information in a storage device located in the user's equipment. 106. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that an interactive television programming guide is implemented in the user's equipment, the user's equipment is connected to a television distribution facility through a communication channel, and are provided program announcement data from a program announcement source, further comprising the method: receiving in the television distribution facility the program announcement data, coming from the program announcement source; Y P1462 provide the data of the program announcements, coming from the television distribution installation, to the interactive television programming guide located in the user's equipment, through the communication channel. 107. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the action of transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the information collected using paging frequencies. 108. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the action of transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the information collected using communications of the digital subscriber line type. 109. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the action of transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the information collected using cable communications. 110. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the action of transmitting the information collected comprises transmitting the information collected using communications over telephone lines. 111. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the action of transmitting the collected information comprises transmitting the collected information to P1462 A server . 112. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility, by wireless means. 113. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising notifying the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. 114. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising: notifying the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility; and give the user an opportunity to choose whether or not to send the collected information to the data collection facility. 115. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising transmitting the information collected in an attachment to an email message. 116. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising transmitting the information collected in the body of an email message. P1462 117. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising: using a programming guide to generate an email message with which to provide the information collected to the data collection facility, in the form of a report; and automatically set the e-mail address of the data collection facility in the e-mail message, as the address to reply. 118. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising sending a message by e-mail to an internal mailbox associated with the user's equipment, before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. 119. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising giving the user an opportunity to authorize the presentation of the collected information, before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. 120. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising analyzing the information collected, in the data collection facility. 121. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the collection facility of P1462 i iiAjtAt-aJU. data is in communication with a television distribution facility. 122. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a terminal of a cable system. 123. The method defined in claim 89, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility, and in that the user equipment is in communication with the television distribution facility, further comprising the method transmit the collected information to the data collection facility, through the television distribution facility. 124. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility, over the Internet. 125. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising allowing the user to authorize the transmission of the collected information, using an option to configure. 126. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising allowing the user P1462 lAsJ.?.á.A.i..*Ut'i-t. Select a desired frequency to transmit the information collected. 127. The method defined in claim 89, characterized by further comprising providing the user with an option to configure that allows the user to choose whether or not to notify the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. 128. A provision that includes a user's equipment in which an interactive television application is implemented, provision in which information about the user's interactions with the interactive television application on the user's equipment is provided to a user. data collection facility, the arrangement being characterized by comprising: a control circuit; a screen; and an interface for data entry by the user; so that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are configured to: gather information about the user's interactions with the interactive television application; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected about theP1462 user interactions with the interactive application for television, using email protocols. 129. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to use an application for electronic mail, in order to transmit the collected information. 130. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to use the post office protocol to transmit the collected information. 131. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to use the Simple Mail Transport Protocol, to transmit the information. 132. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to collect the information, using an interactive television programming guide. 133. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the P1462 l (4? ¡t?. *. Í * Mhitkl, screen and user interface are also configured to collect information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television programming guide, and to gather information about of the user's interactions with the interactive television application, using the interactive television programming guide 134. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to: collect information about the user's television viewing habits, using an interactive television programming guide, and transmitting information about the user's television viewing habits to the data collection facility 135. The disposition defined in claim 128 , characterized because the control circuit, the screen and the interface for u They are also configured to collect information about the user's television viewing activities, using the interactive television application. 136. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the P1462 'Í? IátÁ? . ,. _ *. ** & * £ -. «M aaa i- i I? The screen and the user interface are also configured to collect information about the user's television viewing activities. 137. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to collect information about the times in which the user tunes to the television channels. 138. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the user equipment includes a box that is placed on the television set, and because the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television programming guide to tune the box that is placed on the television set in a given television channel. 139. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the user equipment includes a digital video recorder, and in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to use the interactive television programming guide for tune the digital video recorder to a given television channel. 140. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the user's equipment includes a P1462 Ad J -, - ÍJ A-.J¿--, .... j. afca ... personal computer, and because the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to use an interactive television programming guide to tune the personal computer to a given television channel. 141. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to use an interactive television programming guide to display advertisements of programs on the user's equipment. 142. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to display an interactive menu on the user's equipment that includes options that allow the user to invoke at least one guide of interactive television programming and an application for video on demand. 143. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to collect information about the user's television viewing habits, monitoring the schedule and monitoring the channels tuned by the user. user with an interactive television programming guide. P1462 144. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to store the information in a storage device located in the user's equipment. 145. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that an interactive television programming guide is implemented in the user's equipment, the user's equipment is connected to a television distribution facility through a communication channel, and are provided program announcement data from a program announcement source, and because the television distribution facility is configured to receive the program announcement data from the program announcement source; and to provide the program announcement data to the interactive television programming guide located on the user's equipment, by way of communication. 146. The provision defined in the claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected using paging frequencies. 147. The provision defined in the claim P1462 ? .k? ? JAA. A-JA ^ -LJ- A, .--; 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected using communications of the digital subscriber line type. 148. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected using cable communications. 149. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected using telephone line communications. 150. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to a server. 151. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information to the data collection facility, by wireless means. P1462 152. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to alert the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility. 153. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to: warn the user before transmitting the collected information to the data collection facility; and give the user an opportunity to choose whether or not to send the collected information to the data collection facility. 154. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected in an attachment to an email message. 155. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected in the P1462 body of an email message. 156. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to: use a programming guide to generate an email message with which to provide the information collected to the installation of data collection, in the form of a report; and automatically set the e-mail address of the data collection facility in the e-mail message, as the address to reply. 157. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to send a message by e-mail to an internal box associated with the user's equipment, before transmitting the information. compiled to the data collection facility. 158. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to give the user an opportunity to authorize the presentation of the information collected, before P1462 transmit the information collected to the data collection facility. 159. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized by further comprising a means for analyzing the information collected, in the data collection facility. 160. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility. 161. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a terminal of a cable system. 162. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the data collection facility is in communication with a television distribution facility, because the user's equipment is in communication with the television distribution facility, and because the circuit is control, the screen and the user interface are also configured to transmit the information collected to the data collection facility, through the television distribution facility. 163. The provision defined in the claim P1462 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to transmit the information collected to the data collection facility, over the Internet. 164. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to authorize the transmission of the information collected, using an option to configure. 165. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to allow the user to select a desired frequency to transmit the collected information. 166. The arrangement defined in claim 128, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to provide the user with an option to configure that allows the user to choose whether or not to notify the user before transmitting the information collected to the data collection facility. 167. A method for gathering information about a user's television viewing activities, on the user's television equipment, and for providing that P1462 information to a data collection facility, the method being characterized by comprising: gathering information about the user's television viewing activities, monitoring which television channels the user tunes to the user's equipment; give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit the information collected about the activities of watching the user's television, to the installation of data collection, using the communication capabilities of a web browser, when the user has submitted the authorization. 168. The method defined in claim 167, characterized by also understanding to use the capabilities of the search engine in terms of forms, to transmit the information collected. 169. The method defined in claim 167, characterized by further comprising transmitting the collected information, using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). 170. The method defined in claim 167, characterized in that it further comprises using an interactive television programming guide to access the web browser's communication capabilities. P1462 171. The method defined in claim 167, characterized in that it further comprises using an interactive television programming guide to generate data revenue, so that the web browser emulates user commands. 172. A system that includes a user's equipment, in which information about a user's television viewing activities, on the user's equipment, is provided to a data collection facility, the arrangement being characterized by comprising: a control circuit; a screen; and an interface for entry of data by the user, so that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are configured to: gather information about the user's television viewing activities, monitoring which television channels he tunes to user with the control circuit; give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit the information gathered about the user's television viewing activities, to the data collection facility, using the P1462 communication capabilities of a web browser, when the user has submitted the authorization. 173. The system defined in claim 172, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to use the capabilities of the search engine in terms of forms, to transmit the information collected. 174. The system defined in claim 172, characterized in that the control circuit, the display and the user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information, using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). 175. The system defined in claim 172, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to use an interactive television programming guide to access the web browser's communication capabilities. 176. The system defined in claim 172, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to use an interactive television programming guide to generate data revenue, so that the web browser emulates user commands . 177. A method to gather information about P1462 ttitií? .Á, íkt-tS¡d7t,. ,, * *, ».., ... JA .J..J.-.- ,. .. "...-... A ^ AA ^ A- ^ k * L ^? T, ~! L ^ *, *. t ~ * ikM. ? ^? *? na: ¡i .í Lk of the interactions of a user, on the user's computer, with an interactive television application implemented on the user's equipment, and to provide that information to a data collection facility, the method being characterized by comprising: gathering information about the user's interactions with the interactive television application implemented on the user's equipment; give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit the information collected to the data collection facility, using the communication capabilities of a web browser, when the user has submitted the authorization. 178. The method defined in claim 177, characterized by further comprising using the capabilities of the search engine in terms of forms, to transmit the information collected. 179. The method defined in claim 177, characterized by further comprising transmitting the collected information, using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). 180. The method defined in claim 177, characterized by further comprising using a guide of P1462 s,, * s n interactive television programming to access the web browser's communication capabilities. 181. The method defined in claim 177, characterized in that it further comprises using an interactive television programming guide to generate data revenue., so that the web browser emulates user commands. 182. The system that includes a user's equipment, in which information is collected about the interactions of a user with an interactive television programming guide implemented on the user's equipment, and that information is provided to a data collection facility , the arrangement being characterized by comprising: a control circuit; a screen; and an interface for data entry by the user; so that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are configured to: gather information about the user's interactions with the interactive television application implemented on the user's equipment; and give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the installation P1462 Aj-h .tt, - .. J .. tt-ájtafa- ,. »,. * < «* -» ... "i ,, -» AJ, .., J-JJ ".» J .. », JAAJÍ ,, JJ» A. ^ Í.J > .. > J.-J-A > - * JÍi fN of data collection; and transmit the information collected to the data collection facility, using the communication capabilities of a web browser, when the user has submitted the authorization. 183. The system defined in claim 182, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to use the capabilities of the search engine in terms of forms, to transmit the information collected. 184. The system defined in claim 182, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to transmit the collected information, using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). 185. The system defined in claim 182, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to use an interactive television programming guide to access the web browser's communication capabilities. 186. The system defined in claim 182, characterized in that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are further configured to use a television programming guide. P1462 Interactive to generate data income, so that the web browser emulates user commands. 187. A method for gathering information about a user's television viewing activities, on the user's television equipment, and for supplying that information to a data collection facility, the method being characterized by understanding: gathering information about the activities of watching the user's television, monitoring which television channels the user tunes to the user's equipment; and give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit the collected information about the activities of watching the user's television, to the installation of data collection, using a separate application for FTP, when the user has submitted the authorization. 188. A provision that includes a user's equipment, in which information about a user's television viewing activities, on the user's equipment, is provided to a data collection facility, the arrangement being characterized by comprising: P1462 a control circuit; a screen; and an interface for data entry by the user; so that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are configured to: collect information about the user's television viewing activities, monitoring which television channels the user tunes to the control circuit; and give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected about the user's television viewing activities, using a separate FTP application, when the user has submitted the authorization. 189. A method to gather information about the interactions of a user, on the user's equipment, with an interactive television application implemented on the user's equipment, and to provide that information to a data collection facility, the method being characterized by understanding: gathering information about interactions P1462 Í?.? JL b? I £ t ~ ±. 1 ??? Ati *. -. , j ,. of the user with the interactive application for television implemented on the user's equipment; give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit the collected information to the data collection facility, using a separate application for FTP, when the user has submitted the authorization. 190. A system that includes a user's computer, in which information is collected about a user's interactions with an interactive television programming guide implemented on the user's equipment, and that information is provided to a data collection facility , the arrangement being characterized by comprising: a control circuit; a screen; and an interface for data entry by the user; so that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are configured to: gather information about the user's interactions with the interactive television application implemented on the user's equipment; P1462 give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected, using a separate FTP application, when the user has submitted the authorization. 191. A method for gathering information about a user's television viewing activities, on the user's television equipment, and for supplying that information to a data collection facility, the method being characterized by understanding: gathering information about the activities of watching the user's television, monitoring which television channels the user tunes to the user's equipment; and give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit the information collected about the activities of watching the user's television, to the installation of data collection, using the communication capabilities of an operating system installed on the user's computer., when the user has submitted the authorization. P1462 192. A system including a user's equipment, in which information about a user's television viewing activities, on the user's equipment, is provided to a data collection facility, the arrangement being characterized as comprising : a control circuit; a screen; and an interface for data entry by the user; so that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are configured to: collect information about the user's television viewing activities, monitoring which television channels the user tunes to the control circuit; and give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmitting to the data collection facility the information collected about the user's television viewing activities, using the communication capabilities of an operating system installed on the user's equipment, when the user has submitted the authorization. P1462 193. A method for gathering information about the interactions of a user, on the user's equipment, with an interactive television application implemented on the user's equipment, and for providing that information to a data collection facility, the method being characterized by understand: gather information about the user's interactions with the interactive television application implemented on the user's computer; give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected, using the communication capabilities of an operating system installed on the user's computer, when the user has submitted the authorization. 194. A system that includes a user's computer, in which information is collected about a user's interactions with an interactive television programming guide implemented on the user's equipment, and that information is provided to a data collection facility , the arrangement being characterized by comprising: a control circuit; P1462 a screen; and an interface for data entry by the user; so that the control circuit, the screen and the user interface are configured to: gather information about the user's interactions with the interactive television application implemented on the user's equipment; give the user the opportunity to authorize the submission of the information collected to the data collection facility; and transmit to the data collection facility the information collected, using the communication capabilities of an operating system installed on the user's computer, when the user has submitted the authorization. P1462