Systems and methods for communications between client devices of a broadcast system

摘要

Systems and methods may provide for communication between a plurality of client devices of a broadcast system. The communication may be, for example, a recommendation of a program that is communicated from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers via their client devices. The communication also may be a comment regarding a program, for example, recently viewed at the client device of the one subscriber. In general, the communication may be a message from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers. Further, the communication may be configured to perform a function on one or more other client devices. Such a function may include, but is not limited to, setting a timer to record a program, ordering or purchasing a program or service, cancelling an ordered/purchased program or service, setting or altering user preferences, controlling access to channels, etc.

主权项

1. A method for communicating between multiple client devices of a television broadcast system, the method comprising:
receiving a communication from a first client device, wherein the first client device is configured to receive video signals from a television broadcast system; evaluating a user profile associated with a second client device to determine if the second client device will accept the communication, the user profile including user defined settings to accept or not accept each of:
a message from the first client device, wherein when the message is received, the message is displayable on a display device associated with the second client device, and wherein the displayed message provides a tutorial for setting a program recording timer, anda functional instruction from the first client device, the functional instruction executable by the second client device to cause the second client device to record program content; determining that the second client device will accept the communication; and transmitting the communication to the second client device; wherein the communication is configured to cause the second client device to take at least one of the following actions:
cause the message to display on the display device associated with the second client device; orexecute the functional instruction to cause the second client device to record program content.