Indicating availability of interactive content

Abstract

A method includes receiving, at a computing device from a server, video content and an address indicating a location of interactive content. The method also includes generating a display of an on-screen image indicating availability of the interactive content, the on-screen image at least partially overlaying a display of the video content. The method further includes discontinuing the display of the on-screen image responsive to a command from the server.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving, at a computing device from a server, video content and an address indicating a location of interactive content;   generating a display of an on-screen image indicating availability of the interactive content, the on-screen image at least partially overlaying a display of the video content; and   discontinuing the display of the on-screen image responsive to a command from the server.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the on-screen image includes an on-screen button. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 2 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving data indicating a type of the on-screen button. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 2 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving data indicating a characteristic of the on-screen button. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 2 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving data indicating a location at which the on-screen button is to at least partially overlay the video content. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 2 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving data indicating text of the on-screen button. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive content is related to the video content. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 7 , wherein the interactive content comprises a commercial related in subject matter to the video content. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving a second address associated with second interactive content. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the command comprises the second address. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving a selection of a second on-screen image indicating availability of the second interactive content; and   sending a request for the second interactive content in response to the selection.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving the second interactive content; and   generating a display of the second interactive content.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the address comprises a logical address that maps to a network address. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the address includes an application identifier of an interactive application associated with the interactive content. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the command comprises a remove message. 
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving data indicating a timeout period, and wherein the computing device is configured to discontinue the display of the on-screen image at the end of the timeout period when the remove message is not received. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at a computing device from a server, video content and an address indicating a location of interactive content;   generating a display of an on-screen image indicating availability of the interactive content, the on-screen image at least partially overlaying a display of the video content; and   discontinuing the display of the on-screen image responsive to a command from the server.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the video content comprises a television program and wherein the interactive content is related to the television program. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 receiving, from a server, video content and an address indicating a location of interactive content; 
 generating a display of an on-screen image indicating availability of the interactive content, the on-screen image at least partially overlaying a display of the video content; and 
 discontinuing the display of the on-screen image responsive to a command from the server. 
   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the interactive content is related to the video content.