System and method for interactive advertising via network generated overlays

摘要

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is used to enable interactive functions via network generated overlays. This invention enables network operators to launch interactive functionality without requiring changes to existing equipment that exists in the field on the client end.

主权项

1. A system for use with a data provider operable to provide video content to a user, to receive a content demand for requested content from the user, to retrieve a portion of video content data corresponding to the content demand, to arrange the portion of video content data to include an advertisement, and to provide the arranged portion of the video content data, said system comprising:
a controller operable to instruct the data provider to:
add a request portion of data into the video content data, wherein the request portion of data corresponds to a graphic overlay having instructions to prompt the user to perform a defined sequence of keystrokes on an input device following the presentation of the advertisement in order to be presented with additional video advertising content related to the advertisement;determine whether the user performed the defined sequence of keystrokes on the input device corresponding to the instructions in the graphic overlay within a response time;provide the additional video advertising content and pause the providing of the arranged portion of the video content data in response to determining that the user performed the defined sequence of keystrokes on the input device corresponding to the instructions in the graphic overlay within the response time; andcontinue the providing of the arranged portion of the video content data after the additional video advertising content has been provided.