System and method for displaying uniform network resource locators embedded in time-based medium

A system for distributing a video signal having an encoded uniform network resource locator, comprising:

• an encoding system operable to generate a video signal including video and encoded information, the encoded information defining a uniform network resource locator embedded in the video to be displayed and active during a period of time during playback of the video;
• and
• a decoding system operable to receive the video signal, the decoding system further operable;
• to decode the encoded information from the video signal,
• to display the video to a user including the embedded uniform network resource locator as displayed and active within the video during the defined period of time, and
• to allow the user to select and activate the embedded uniform network resource locator from within the video during the defined period of time;
• and
• the decoding system operable to follow the embedded uniform network resource locator to retrieve a resource addressed by the embedded uniform network resource locator if the embedded uniform network resource locator is activated.

A method for displaying a uniform network resource locator embedded in a time-based medium during playback of the time-based medium, comprising:

• embedding a uniform network resource locator in a time-based medium, the embedded uniform network resource locator defined to be displayed and active during a period of time during playback of the time-based medium;
• generating an output for playback of the time-based medium, where the output includes the embedded uniform network resource locator as displayed and active during the defined period of time;
• displaying the output to a user:
• allowing the user to select and activate the embedded uniform network resource locator from within the displayed output during the defined period of time;
• and
• following the embedded uniform network resource locator to retrieve a resource addressed by the embedded uniform network resource locator in response to activation by the user.

A movie file stored in a storage medium and having an embedded uniform network resource locator, the movie file comprising:

• a plurality of tracks each defining a sequence of samples for playback by a playback application;
• and
• a uniform network resource locator track associated with one of the plurality of tracks, the uniform network resource locator track defining a uniform network resource locator in association with one or more samples of the associated track;
• such that the uniform network resource locator is active during playback of the movie file concurrent with the associated samples.