Interactive information access system
The present invention provides a system and method for interactively vending products and services related to a video program. The invention provides for a video program to be displayed on a user display platform, the video program comprising vendible objects for which information is available in an object information database. An object selection device, which may comprise a user display platform, is used for selecting an object related to the video program. A processor correlates this user-selected object with the vendible object from the database, which may then be available for purchase. A communication network may link the processor with the object information database. Interactive menus delivered to the user display platform present information related to the selected vendible object.
1 . A set of application program interfaces embodied on a computer readable medium for execution on a computer in conjunction with an application program that correlates a user-selected object related to a video program with a vendible object in an object information database, comprising:
(a) a first interface that receives an input from a user for determining a user-selected object related to a video program, the user-selected object selected with a user display;
(b) a second interface that receives an input for establishing a session with an object information database comprising vendible object information; and
(c) a third interface that receives an input for correlating the user-selected object related to a video program with the vendible object information in an object information database.
2 . The set of application program interfaces of claim 1 further comprising a fourth interface that receives an input for vending the vendible object in an object information database.
3 . The set of application program interfaces of claim 1 wherein the vendible object in an object information database is related to the video program.
4 . The set of application program interfaces of claim 1 further comprising a fifth interface that receives an input for manipulating the video program on the user display.
5 . The set of application program interfaces of claim 1 further comprising a sixth interface that receives an input for a user-selection device for selecting a user selected object using the user display.
6 . The set of application program interfaces of claim 1 further comprising a seventh interface that receives an input related to an interactive menu on the user display.
7 . The set of application program interfaces of claim 1 further comprising an eighth interface that receives an input related to access to a user account based on a user identity.
8 . A system for vending objects related to a video program comprising:
(a) an object information database comprising information for a vendible object related to a video program;
(b) a user-to-processor interface for selecting, on a user display device,
i) a user-selected object related to the video program, and
ii) for presenting vending options for the vendible object; and
(c) a processor configured to correlate the user-selected object related to the video program with the vendible object in the object information database.
9 . The system of claim 8 further comprising a communication network interface linking the processor and the object information database.
10 . The system of claim 8 wherein the object information database further comprises a processor for processing purchase orders of vendible objects.
11 . The system of claim 8 wherein the user-to-processor interface further comprises a device for manipulating the video program.
12 . The system of claim 8 wherein the user-to-processor interface further comprises an interactive menu displayed on the user display device.
13 . The system of claim 12 wherein the interactive menu further comprises options for vending the vendible object in the object information database.
14 . The system of claim 8 further comprising a user object selection device used in conjunction with the user display device.
15 . A computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed by a computer perform a computerized method for interactively vending objects with a user display device comprising:
(a) establishing a global session between a user display device and at least one application to correlate a user-selected object related to a video program displayed on the display device with a vendible object related to the video program, wherein the vendible object is in an object information database;
(b) accessing the user-selected object information wherein the user-selected object is selected using the user display device;
(c) correlating the user-selected object with the vendible object; and
(d) vending the vendible object related to the video program.
16 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises a communication network linking the at least one application with the object information database.
17 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises establishing the global session by establishing a user session with a user-identity manager.
18 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises an interactive menu displayed on the user display device with information related to the user-selected object.
19 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises a device for manipulating the video program on the user display device.
20 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises a user object selection device used in conjunction with the user display device.