Interactive video system

Abstract

This application discloses a system and method for the delivery of television programming comprising of: a video source connected to a subscriber network to transport a primary video signal; a message source connected to said subscriber network to transport a supplemental video signal; wherein the primary and supplemental video signals are combined to display the primary and supplemental video signals concurrently. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the subscriber receives discounts relative to the amount of supplemental video signal that is viewed by the subscriber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for providing video content for display comprising:
 a primary video source providing primary video content;   a message source providing secondary message content, said message source separate from said primary video source;   a source receiver, said source receiver having:
 a primary video source input for receiving said primary video content; 
 a message source input for receiving said secondary message content; 
 a combiner for integrating the secondary message content with the primary video content; and 
 a video output for providing a combined signal comprising said integrated primary video content and secondary message content signal for transmission to a user receiver having a display which displays said primary video content and secondary message content received in the form of said combined signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said secondary message content comprises a supplemental video signal. 
     
     
         3 . The system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said secondary message content comprises one or more email messages. 
     
     
         4 . The system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said source receiver further comprises a scaler configured to scale said primary video content to be smaller than an available screen size and wherein said combiner integrates said secondary message content into a remaining portion of said screen size. 
     
     
         5 . The system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said combiner causes said secondary message content to overlay a portion of said primary video content. 
     
     
         6 . The system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said video output connects to a subscriber network. 
     
     
         7 . The system in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising an input for receiving information from a user regarding an amount of secondary messaging content viewed by said user as presented by said user receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said primary video source and message source each comprise data streams. 
     
     
         9 . The system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said message source comprises an email system. 
     
     
         10 . A method of causing a user receiver to simultaneously display on an associated electronic video display both primary video content and secondary message content, comprising the steps of:
 receiving said primary video content at a source receiver;   receiving said secondary message content at said source receiver;   combining said secondary message content with the primary video content; and   outputting a combined signal comprising said primary video content integrated with said secondary message content for transmission to said user receiver.   
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising scaling, at said source receiver, a size of said primary video content to be smaller than a display screen size. 
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said secondary message content comprises a supplemental video signal. 
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said secondary message content comprises one or more email messages. 
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said combining causes said secondary message content to overlay a portion of said primary video content when displayed at said electronic video display. 
     
     
         15 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  comprising outputting said combined signal to a subscriber network to which said user receiver is connected. 
     
     
         16 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising receiving information from a user regarding an amount of secondary messaging content viewed by said user as presented by said user receiver. 
     
     
         17 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said primary video content and secondary message content each comprise data streams.