HSN acquires new patents

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued two patents to St. Petersburg-based HSN Inc.

The first, known as HSN Shop by Remote, allows customers shopping from home to use their television remotes to order products. The system is currently available in more than 30 million homes, a release said.

The other patented technology provides HSN viewers with a unique method for viewing video presentations.

"Consumer appetite for online video viewing and shopping options is rapidly expanding, creating tremendous opportunities for e-commerce providers to monetize these channels," explained John McDevitt, vice president of Advanced Services for HSN. "Our second patent helps protect our video and e-commerce technology and reaffirms our leadership position in transactional innovation."

HSN Inc.'s television networks broadcast to 95 million households across the United States.