SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING SUPPLEMENTAL AUDIO AND VISUAL INFORMATION FOR VIDEO PROGRAMS

摘要

An apparatus and method for providing supplemental information related to video programs is disclosed. Through a telephone or electronic network interface (110), a customer (101) can request specific supplemental information related to one or more characters within the broadcast television program (130). The supplemental information is synchronized to the audio component of the television program so that there is no conflict, and is communicated to the customer (101) via the network interface (110). Through a computer network (1150), a customer (101) can request and receive specific supplemental audio/video information related to a video program. Alternatively, the supplemental audio/video information can be retrieved from a CD-ROM, or similar storage device (1164). The video program can be, for example, a live broadcast television program or a time-shifted tape recording of a television program. The supplemental information is synchronized to the video program by using a time code which is integrated with the video program. This enables the supplemental information to be viewed and/or listened to in harmony with the Events or action of the video program.