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 unpausing 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.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an open business platform that provides an end-to-end solution for managing, distributing, and/or retailing digital media assets from various content suppliers. In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides an integrated system that permits media content suppliers to deposit their media assets with the system where they are prepared by a content management system for distribution to consumers via a secure distribution system. The media content suppliers may then track and control the use of their media assets through a subscriber management system for managing consumer accounts, a licensing server for issuing licenses restricting the use of media content, and a royalty reporter for determining and reporting royalties to the various content suppliers.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an open business platform that provides an end-to-end solution for managing, distributing, and/or retailing digital media assets from various content suppliers. In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides an integrated system that permits media content suppliers to deposit their media assets with the system where they are prepared by a content management system for distribution to consumers via a secure distribution system. The media content suppliers may then track and-control the use of their media assets through a subscriber management system for managing consumer accounts, a licensing server for issuing licenses restricting the use of media content, and a royalty reporter for determining and reporting royalties to the various content suppliers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an open business platform that provides an end-to-end solution for managing, distributing, and/or retailing digital media assets from various content suppliers. In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides an integrated system that permits media content suppliers to deposit their media assets with the system where they are prepared by a content management system for distribution to consumers via a secure distribution system. The media content suppliers may then track and-control the use of their media assets through a subscriber management system for managing consumer accounts, a licensing server for issuing licenses restricting the use of media content, and a royalty reporter for determining and reporting royalties to the various content suppliers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for distributing and managing media assets arranged as a collection of media content. In one preferred embodiment, the collection of media content is distributed to a storage location where it is accessible for viewing over a communications network by consumers for a selected interval of time. In another preferred embodiment, media content is downloaded to a client content database and made accessible for a selected interval of time by client software at the consumer's location.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and methods for creating and maintaining subscriber accounts to access digital media content. In one preferred embodiment, accounts and sub-accounts are created with access restrictions being selectively imposed among the accounts and sub-accounts. When the accounts are used to gain access to digital media content (e.g., video on demand), such restrictions may take the form of spending limits, viewing content, and viewing times. In another preferred embodiment, the spending of each account is tracked and a debit posted upon the first occurrence of either the account attaining a selected spending limit, or a selected interval of time elapsing. In another embodiment, account holders are grouped based on a shared characteristic. Targeted marketing is then presented to the group based on the shared characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for the preparing, programming, and publishing media assets for storage on a memory medium as a collection of media content. In a preferred embodiment, media assets are combined with metadata to form media content data structures suitable for subsequent distribution and storage at one or more memory storage locations where it may be accessible for viewing over a network by consumers during a selected interval of time. Additional data structures containing different media content are prepared and readied for offering to the consumers after the selected interval of time has elapsed. The media content may be formed and distributed based on viewing preferences or habits of the consumers and the availability of selected media assets during the selected interval of time.

Abstract: Menu structures having a balanced, predominantly circular appearance for a graphic user interface (GUI) for a delivery system of multiple categories of digital information content. The menu has two concentric rings having icons arranged along the rings identifying menu choices. The outer menu ring presents choices of categories of digital contents available from the content delivery system, while the inner menu ring presents choices of sub-categories of contents associated with a category. The icons are individually selectable. The categories and subcategories displayed are dynamically determined based on the content available to the user. The GUI system allows a user to select a category and sub-category of digital contents by selecting an icon from the outer and inner menu ring, respectively. In response to each selection, the GUI generates animated effects on the graphic display to highlight the selected item.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for offering media content to consumers for a selected interval of time. In one or more embodiments, the present invention uses a content management system for preparing the media content for distribution, a subscriber management system for managing consumer accounts, a content distribution system for distributing the media content to the consumers, and a licensing server for issuing licenses restricting the use of media content.

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.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are utilized in a system for distributing digital contents from a central server to a plurality of endpoint servers for further distribution to end users for automatically managing the digital assets of the endpoint servers. Each endpoint server is connected to a plurality of users over a communications network and operable to deliver digital information content to users on demand. Using a master content stored at the central server, the digital content of each endpoint is periodically and automatically refreshed based on an aggregate profile that reflects the preferences of the end-user population served by the endpoint server. The aggregate profile is generated from information received from the end users, including information submitted by the users or automatically generated feedback information relating to the users' on-line activities.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are utilized in a system for distributing digital contents from a central server to a plurality of endpoint servers for further distribution to end users for automatically managing the digital assets of the endpoint servers. Each endpoint server is connected to a plurality of users over a communications network and operable to deliver digital information content to users on demand. Using a master content stored at the central server, the digital content of each endpoint is periodically and automatically refreshed based on an aggregate profile that reflects the preferences of the end-user population served by the endpoint server. The aggregate profile is generated from information received from the end users, including information submitted by the users or automatically generated feedback information relating to the users' on-line activities.