Importance

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Abstract

Described is a system and method whereby special layers, hotspots or image maps can be programmed in to media displayed through common Internet enabled media players so that users or viewers of the media can interact in a minimally obtrusive fashion with the media being shown to perform a host of tasks or actions. Such tasks or duties can take the form of but are not limited to initiating a purchase transaction, requesting more information to be sent via electronic mail and so on. In addition, special, Internet enabled (or static, non Internet/hyper linked pages) feature pages can be programmed to appear at preset time codes at any point within a media program. The purpose of such pages can be diverse including but not limited to the role of advertising or offering products for sale relating or not relating to the media program, promoting related or unrelated media programs or acting as a bridging point connecting together a series of media programs, much like an index of a book points to the chapters of the book. Such multimedia programs can be displayed on devices including but not limited to computer screens, personal organizers with wireless Internet connections or even a television screen. Users viewing media can interact with the program in viewing environments including but not limited to: Internet type connections, telecommunication (telephone, ISDN, ADSL), VSAT satellite, and other wire and wireless transmission including as well as video conferencing. The goal of the interaction is to provide a useful and minimally interruptive form of advertising, enacting the sale of a product or service or communicating information in a synchronized manner that may or may not relate to the media being played. The interaction can take the form but is not limited to sending a follow up email containing a special offer or information, or the interaction can even prompt the person(s) to initiate a purchase process for a good or service being promoted in conjunction with the media program. In other embodiments, viewers may interact with a given program by means of a plurality of options that include but are not limited to selecting an icon or banner or pressing a button on a remote control. The resulting action sequence will then be initiated, be it a request for information, a purchase activity and so on.

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First Claim