Method for interactive video content programming

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for interacting with video by displaying one or more interface links associated with video content being displayed, pausing the video content when an interface link is interacted with, allowing the user to view ancillary content the interface link is linked to over a network, and un-pausing the video content after the user elects to continue viewing the video content. In one or more embodiments, the ancillary content may permit e-commerce, display additional video or other images, and/or include links to additional ancillary content. The present invention also includes a method for creating an interactive video.

1 . A method for displaying and using an interactive video, the method comprising:
 streaming the video from a remote location over an Internet protocol-based network and displaying the video on a computer screen for a user, the video having at least one interface link associated therewith adapted to be displayed on the computer screen, the interface link being linked by a universal resource locator (URL) to provide access to ancillary content;   interacting, during the streaming of the video, with the interface link by moving a cursor over the interface link to both:
 (a) interrupt the video at a point in time so as to prevent displaying of the video on the computer screen; and 
 (b) access the ancillary content over the network to a remote site of the URL where the ancillary content is stored; 
   displaying the ancillary content on the computer screen; and   continuing the display of the video on the computer screen from the point in time when the video was interrupted after the interacting with the interface link.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interrupting of the video includes pausing the video. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes interacting with the interface link that is embedded in the video. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes overlaying the interface link on the video on the computer screen. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes interacting with the interface link originating from a feed separate from a feed of the video. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes hiding the interface link from view on the computer screen when the interface link is not being interacted with by the user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displaying of the video includes displaying the interface link as at least a partially transparent graphic. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes interacting with primary ancillary content having a link to secondary ancillary content. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displaying of the video includes displaying the interface link having an appearance of moving across the computer screen as the video is being played. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes conducting a commercial transaction with the user. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes accessing the ancillary content having a link to a website adapted to transact the commercial transaction. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes accessing the ancillary content including information relating to the video. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes accessing the ancillary content including video. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interacting with the interface link includes conducting a commercial transaction using the ancillary content. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displaying of the video includes displaying the video having a plurality of interface links associated therewith. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network supports two-way communication. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Internet protocol-based network includes an intranet-based network. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote location includes an endpoint server. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the endpoint server includes at least one video server, at least one web server, and at least one content database. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network includes a wireless network.