Method of retieving information associated with an object present in a media stream

A method of providing a video signal (40) from a provider to a user, said method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a first component of the video signal (40) having a media stream (14) therein;
• transmitting a second component of the video signal (40) having a layer (20) with user-selectable regions (18) corresponding to objects (12) present in the media stream (14) and linked to information (10) associated with the object (12);
• receiving the video signal (40) with a player;
• disposing the layer (20) adjacent the media stream (14) without interfering with playback of the media stream (14);
• playing the media stream (14) in the player;
• positioning the user-selectable regions (18) within the layer (20) to the objects (12) present in the media stream (14) during playback;
• and
• enabling the user-selectable region (18) to allow the user to select the user-selectable regions (18) and access the information (10) associated with the object (12).

A device for storing information (10) associated with an object (12) present in a media stream (14), said device comprising:

• a media stream (14) with an object (12) therein;
• information (10) associated with said object (12);
• a layer (20) for disposition adjacent said media stream (14) during playback and having a user-selectable region (18) corresponding to said object (12) in said media stream (14);
• and
• a link (34) between said user-selectable region (18) and said information (10) associated with said object (12) for accessing said information (10) associated with said object (12) in response to said user-selectable region (18) being selected.