Patent · US Active

Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing instant messaging in conjunction with an audiovisual, video, or audio program

US8407751B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
1References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 2008
Grant dateMar 26, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 11, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/8352
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing instant messaging in conjunction with an audiovisual, video, or audio program are provided. The methods include providing an audiovisual, video, or audio program to a user. Viewer/listener input is received requesting activation of a program-based instant messaging function. A viewer/listener identifier corresponding to the viewer/listener is associated with a program identifier that uniquely identifies the audiovisual, video, or audio program being provided to the user to thereby generate a program viewer/listener record. The program viewer/listener record is transmitted to an electronic database. A list of other users who are viewing or listening to the program in addition to the viewer/listener is acquired from the electronic database. The list of other users is transmitted to the viewer/listener.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.