Abstract:
A method of creating interactive points to provide for an interactive educational content based on at least one of live and prerecorded digital multimedia content that includes recording an original source multimedia content to a server and receiving a separate source multimedia content by at least one third-party. An interactive point is created within the original source multimedia content and the interactive point includes a reference to a uniform resource locator stored in the server and is linked to the separate source multimedia content. When the interactive point is selected, the original source multimedia content is altered to include the separate source multimedia content which is transmitted to the user device. An indication is received from the user device corresponding to the user interaction and a response is determined based upon the received indication.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/365,422, which was filed on Jul. 19, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to the art of the creation of multimedia content. More particularly, the invention is directed to a method for the creation of interactive multimedia content that includes the creation of interactive points in the interactive, multimedia content that enable control of the flow of the receipt of information. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    The ability to create, store, and display digital interactive multimedia content is extremely useful in communicating information to others. For example, in the educational environment, learning is increasingly taking place on computers and on computer-related devices, such as handheld digital units. In order to enhance the learning experience for a user, information is often presented as multimedia content, which involves the display of graphics, pictures, text, sounds, and other multimedia and static digital information. Often, in order to provide the best possible educational materials, such multimedia content combines information from multiple sources into a single informational display. In addition, the multimedia content is often interactive, that is, information is displayed as desired by the user who is learning the information, or is displayed on an incremental basis, which may increase the enhancement of the learning, experience. 
         [0006]    It is known in the prior art that the ability to create, store, and display digital interactive multimedia content has been limited. More particularly, prior art systems permitting the storage and display of digital interactive multimedia content typically only support interaction with one original source of digital interactive multimedia content. This interaction with one source of content applies to systems that are client-based, in which the content is stored on the user&#39;s computer, or server-based, in which the content is stored on a server, and the server may be Internet-based or local to the user. 
         [0007]    For example, in the prior art, in an interactive video presentation or a slide show presentation, digital links to certain information or content may be inserted into the presentation. However, in the prior art, when a user views the presentation, those links must be activated manually, which may be difficult and/or undesirable for the user. Such activation may include difficult and/or undesirable manual starting, stopping, and/or pausing of the presentation by the user while interacting with the multimedia content. In addition, if a user desires to set the playback of certain content to begin at a different portion of the original interactive multimedia content than was originally designed, the prior art content is not able to perform such an adjustment. 
         [0008]    This lack of control over digital interactive multimedia content may undesirably decrease the effectiveness of the interactive multimedia content in an educational environment. In addition, even in an entertainment environment, such a lack of control over digital interactive multimedia content may undesirably decrease the effectiveness of the interactive multimedia content. 
         [0009]    As a result, there is a need in the art for a method for the creation of interactive multimedia content that includes the creation of interactive points in the multimedia content that enable control of the flow of the receipt of information. The method for creating interactive points of the present invention satisfies this need, as will be described in detail below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for the creation of interactive multimedia content that allows multiple sources and users to create and contribute to an educational experience. 
         [0011]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for the creation of interactive multimedia content that includes the creation of interactive points that allow for various user interactions when the point is reached during the educational presentation. 
         [0012]    Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide the creation of interactive points within a timeline of the interactive multimedia content that enables a user to interact with the interactive multimedia content. 
         [0013]    These objective and others are obtained by the method for creating interactive points to provide an interactive educational content based on at least one of live and prerecorded digital multimedia content. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method includes recording an original source interactive multimedia content to a server and receiving a separate source interactive multimedia content created by at least one third-party. At least one interactive point is created within the original source interactive multimedia content that includes a reference to a uniform resource locator stored in the server that links the interactive point to the separate source interactive multimedia content. The original source interactive multimedia content is altered to include the separate source interactive multimedia content when the interactive point is selected. The altered original source interactive multimedia content is transmitted to a user device for user interaction when the at least one selected interactive point is selected. An indication is received from the user device corresponding to the user interaction and a response is determined from the received indication where the response corresponds to at least one of continuing user interaction, assessing the received indication and switching to a new source interactive multimedia content. 
         [0014]    These objectives and others are also obtained by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon for providing an interactive multimedia content for a user to create or interact with interactive points corresponding to the interactive multimedia content. The program instructs a microprocessor to perform storing of the interactive multimedia content in an in multimedia content server database in which the interactive multimedia content comprises at least one of original source interactive multimedia content and a separate source interactive multimedia content created by a third-party. The at least one interactive point is stored in the multimedia content server database in association with the least one of the original source interactive multimedia content and the separate source interactive multimedia content in which the at least one of the interactive points is reached by a play head over a timeline. A response is determined based upon a predetermined frame number corresponding to the play head whether to at least one of alter the original source interactive multimedia content, to provide the user with a choice of switching to the separate source interactive multimedia content and to continue interacting with interactive multimedia content and the determined response is transmitted to a user device for interaction. 
         [0015]    These objective and others are also obtained by a computer system for providing a creation and a mix of educational interactive multimedia content. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the computer system includes multimedia content based on different types of multimedia materials with automatic assessment. The computer system includes a server application with a database and an interactive point database storing an interactive multimedia content and an interactive point corresponding to at least one of original interactive multimedia content, separate source interactive multimedia content and a uniform resource locator. When the interactive point is reached, the computer system plays back the altered original interactive multimedia content by overlapping the original interactive multimedia content with a new source interactive multimedia content that opens in a separate window and at least one of opening on top of a browser, inside of a presentational window of the browser, and paused for the user to make a selection. The selection appears alone or with at least one of a button and selected object highlighted, and installed on top or inside of the original interactive multimedia content on a user device in a form of the button, image or selection with at least one of a key with text, picture, animation and any other visual art found in the presentational window of the browser. The at least one of the key and the visual art object is selected to send a request to the server application to request for the new source interactive multimedia content and display the new source interactive multimedia content on the user device for interaction with the new source interactive multimedia content in conjunction with a selection of the interactive point from the user device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrative of the best mode in which Applicants have contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings, and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary system architecture for allowing a user to manipulate interactive multimedia content, according to an exemplary embodiment of the method for creating interactive points of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary display showing interactive point multimedia overlays that may be installed over any viewable or hidden part of the interactive multimedia content, according to the exemplary embodiment of the method for creating interactive points of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary display similar to  FIG. 2 , showing an exemplary interactive point represented by uniform resource locator (“URL”) content or a URL address, which may appear over any part of the interactive multimedia content, according to the exemplary embodiment of the method for creating interactive points of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary display similar to  FIG. 2 , showing an exemplary interactive point represented by computer-generated buttons, according to the exemplary embodiment of the method for creating interactive points of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary display similar to  FIG. 2 , with the additional display of an editing suite, showing certain aspects of the creation of an exemplary interactive point for the multimedia content, according to the exemplary embodiment of the method for creating interactive points of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary display similar to  FIG. 5 , showing additional aspects of the creation of an exemplary interactive point for the multimedia content, according to the exemplary embodiment of the method for creating interactive points of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The method for creating interactive points of the present invention includes systems and methods for interaction, such as switching and mixing of original source interactive multimedia content with separate source interactive multimedia content via interactive points, which enables the creation of enhanced interactive multimedia educational content, or enhanced interactive multimedia entertainment content. It is to be understood that interactive multimedia content includes at least one of original source interactive multimedia, new source multimedia content and new source interactive multimedia content. It is also to be understood that the present invention applies to applications that are client-based, in which the multimedia content is stored on a user&#39;s device, aria to applications that are server-based, in which the multimedia content is stored on a server, and the server may be Internet-based or local to the user which includes a land area network (“LAN”). In addition, the interactive points may be designed and hosted online and/or offline. 
         [0025]    In the method for creating interactive points of the present invention, the interactive multimedia content includes at least one of original source interactive multimedia content and separate source interactive content. Interactive multimedia content also includes one or more interactive points, which alters the flow and interaction of the educational process of the interactive multimedia content as the content was originally designed. By way of example, in the method for creating interactive points of the present invention, an electronic timeline for the display of the original interactive multimedia content is created, in one exemplary interactive point, once that timeline reaches a predetermined point, or frame, there is an automatic switch from the original interactive multimedia content into separate source interactive multimedia content. The separate source interactive multimedia content may reside on a separate location on a computer network, or on the computer of the end user or at a third-party location. 
         [0026]    In another exemplary interactive point, once the timeline for the display of the original interactive multimedia content timeline reaches a predetermined point, or frame, computer-generated buttons that enable control over presentation are displayed on the user&#39;s computer or electronic device. The buttons may be displayed with or without text that explain options that are available to the user. For example, the buttons may enable the user to stop or alter the playing or playback of the original interactive multimedia content. 
         [0027]    In yet another exemplary interactive point, once the timeline for the display of the original interactive multimedia content timeline teaches a predetermined point, or frame, an overlay that includes a URL address or URL content is displayed over any viewable part of the interactive multimedia content. The URL address preferably is electronically connected or linked to a certain frame of the original interactive multimedia content timeline, or to certain stand-alone multimedia content, in order to provide additional information to the user during the delivery of certain educational material. By providing a URL address or a link to additional materials, the interactive points may be used to link separate source interactive multimedia content for education or entertainment in which selecting specific interactive points will lead the user to a different source of information or to an assessment, thereby enhancing the communication of educational information and the educational experience. 
         [0028]    In another exemplary interactive point, once the timeline for the display of the original interactive multimedia content timeline reaches a predetermined timeline range for the original interactive multimedia content, separate source interactive multimedia content and new source interactive content, the interactive multimedia content that is associated with the timeline range is displayed. 
         [0029]    In another exemplary interactive point, once the timeline for the display of a first interactive multimedia content timeline reaches a predetermined timeline range for the first interactive multimedia content, separate source interactive multimedia content and new source interactive content, the interactive multimedia content that is associated with the first timeline range is displayed. 
         [0030]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the method for creating interactive points of the present invention is indicated generally at  10 ,  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary system architecture for allowing a user to manipulate interactive multimedia content, according to method for creating interactive points  10 . The system architecture preferably includes a server  105 , which in turn includes an Internet or web interface  101 , an authentication server  102 , an application server  104 , storage means  106  for storing interactive points in a format such as Extensible Markup Language (“XML”), storage means  107  for storing an interactive assessment history, storage  108  for multimedia content files, and a user database  103 . 
         [0031]    Other usual features, such as a network interface, firewalls, routers, switches, load balancers, failover systems, site management tools, and so forth, preferably are included in the system architecture, as known to those skilled in the art, and are not shown so as to more clearly illustrate the principal features of the system. 
         [0032]    Examples of an appropriate server  105  for implementation of method for creating interactive points  10  include servers that host certain web sites. Of course any server that hosts a web site may be suitable for use as server  105 , and may be modified to work according the description provided herein. It is understood that the term “web site” represents any arrangement and/or technique of providing content, and is not partial to applications and/or infrastructures that support content which is created or/and delivered by using the Internet or the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”) or the User Datagram Protocol (“UDP”). 
         [0033]    Server  105  is typically implemented, whether as a stand-alone component or as an arrangement of numerous software and/or hardware components, by electronic connection to a network  100 . Communication between server  105  and network  100  generally is facilitated by web interface  101 . It is to be understood that functions described as being presented on the server side can also be implemented on the client side, depending on the specific implementation of method of creating interactive points  10  and specific circumstances. 
         [0034]    On the user side, client and user devices  113  interact with a browser  114  to connect to server  105  over network  100 . Preferably, network  100  is the Internet. However, network  100  may be any network known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to a local area network (“LAN”), metropolitan area network (“MAN”), wide area network (“WAN”), mobile network, wired network, wireless network, private network, or virtual private network. In addition, while only a single client and user device  113  and browser  114  are shown, it is understood that large numbers of clients and user devices  113  may be supported and may interact with server  105  at any time. Moreover, client and user devices  113  include all types or kinds of user devices known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, desktop computers, laptop computers, I-Pods, mobile devices, smart phones, computer readable media and game consoles. 
         [0035]    Preferably, browser  114  includes an editing suite  115  and multimedia player  116 , which are operatively connected to one another. The interconnection of editing suite  115  and multimedia player  116  may be provided by a flash player or a HyperText Markup Language (“HTML”) player. Alternatively, playback may be facilitated over a Sharable Content Object Reference Model (“SCORM”) compliant player, which may be incorporated into a Content Management System (“CMS”) or a Learning Management System (“LMS”). Examples of such systems include Moodle, Blackboard, Sakai, Sakai, or other suitable player adapted for interactive multimedia, content file formats used in server  105 . 
         [0036]    Optionally, rather than connecting directly to server  105  over network  100 , client and user devices  113  may connect to the server over the network using a third-party server  118 . By way of example, third-party server  118  may include a URL list  109 , storage means  110  for multimedia files, a third-party user database  111 , and an authentication server  112 . 
         [0037]    Once connected to server  105 , a user preferably accesses original source interactive multimedia content recorded on the server by browsing a list of recorded sessions that are located inside a multimedia content file storage area  117  on user device  113  and/or inside user database  103  on the server. Alternatively, the user may conduct searches of user database  103  and/or multimedia content file storage  108  on server  105  using keywords, may review separate source interactive multimedia content created by other users or a third-party, may review other separate source interactive multimedia content created by the system administrator in a content library, or may view additional separate source interactive multimedia content associated with specific libraries of interactive multimedia content, such as certain communities or units. 
         [0038]    Client and user devices  113  may also receive separate source interactive multimedia content based on tagged interactive multimedia content, URL&#39;s, specific assessments, and ether application files. For a given topic or set of original source interactive multimedia content, server  105  generates this additional interactive multimedia content. For example, a group of possible answers associated with original source interactive multimedia content may be offered to the user by server  105 . Based on the answer chosen by the user, server  105  delivers additional interactive multimedia content associated with that answer to the user. Such interactivity is achieved by client and user devices  113  making a request to user database  103  which, working together with interactive assessment history storage  107  and multimedia content file storage  108  as an in search engine, enables such specific responses to be provided to the user or group of users. 
         [0039]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , method for creating interactive points  10  of the present invention includes interactive point multimedia overlays that may be installed over any viewable or hidden part of the original source interactive multimedia content. More particularly, a display of user device  113  ( FIG. 1 ) includes specific interactive multimedia content. Overlaid upon this content are interactive point multimedia overlays  119 . It is to be understood that interactive point multimedia overlays  119  are not limited to those shown in  FIG. 2 , and may include a picture, animation, video, web-site, file, document, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. Preferably, interactive point multimedia overlays  119  include three types or stages: inactive  120 ; selected  121 ; and activated  122 . More particularly, inactive overlays  120  are displayed, and have not been selected or activated. Selected overlays  121  have been selected, potentially for activation, but have not yet been activated. Activated overlays  122  have been activated for viewing or interaction. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , method for creating interactive points  10  of the present invention includes an exemplary interactive point represented by a URL box  123  or a URL address  124 , which truly appear over any part of the interactive multimedia content that is display to the user via user device  113  ( FIG. 1 ). When an overlay  119  ( FIG. 2 ) is selected or activated, as configured based on specific requirements, URL box  123  and/or URL address  124  may be displayed for selected overlays  121  and/or activated overlays  122 . Because the choice of selection  123  or activation  124  of overlays is already made through the use of application server  104  ( FIG. 1 ), that action is predetermined on behalf of user devices  113 . In this manner, a URL is displayed on top or inside of any given interactive multimedia content frame automatically, without the need for the user to click on any part of the interactive multimedia content. It is to be understood that URL box  123  is not limited to the choices shown in  FIG. 3 , and that the URL box may be displayed over any viewable or hidden part of the interactive multimedia content, including, but not limited to, pictures, animations, videos, web sites, file, documents, and the like. 
         [0041]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , method for creating interactive points  10  of the present invention includes an exemplary interactive point represented by computer-generated buttons  125 . Buttons  125  may be with or without text  126 . As described above, in the method for creation interactive points  10 , an electronic timeline for the display of the original source interactive multimedia content is created. Once that timeline reaches a predetermined point, or frame, buttons  125  are displayed on user device  113  ( FIG. 1 ). Preferably, display of the predetermined frame is determined by a play head of an interactive multimedia content player, which may overlay and appear over any viewable part of the interactive multimedia content that is displayed on user device  113 . It is to be understood that button  123  and text  126  are not limited to the specific choices shown in  FIG. 4 , and may also be displayed over any viewable or hidden part of the interactive multimedia content including, but not limited to, pictures, animations, videos, web sites, text chat, games, files, documents, and the like. 
         [0042]    All of the above-described interactive points may optionally include user-generated customization of the visual presentation of the interactive points, such as customization of the colors and/or shapes of the display of the interactive points. In addition, all of the above-described interactive points may optionally include user-generated types or complexities of interconnectivity between the interactive points. For example, method for creating interactive points  10  of the present invention includes the capability to enable the user to manipulate or customize the amount of time that a certain interactive point is displayed, and/or the specific choices that are displayed for certain interactive points. If desired by the user, during interaction with any interactive point, the amount of time that user device  113  may observe a specific interactive point before the user decides to proceed with a certain choice of action may be unlimited. 
         [0043]    By way of further example, the interactive point may include an interactive assessment in which a user clicks or selects an answer to a question that is presented in the multimedia content as shown in  FIG. 2 . If the user chooses an answer that is wrong, the original source interactive multimedia content automatically moves or jumps to a predetermined frame or portion of the interactive multimedia content that corresponds to that specific wrong answer and the particular subject matter related to the question. An interactive point is displayed for the user, directing the user to interactive multimedia content that contains an explanation as to why the selected answer is wrong, and also provides the user with a choice among a variety of different forms of separate source interactive multimedia content through which the user can learn by the user was wrong and receive an explanation of the correct answer to the given question or problem as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0044]    Alternative if the user chooses a correct answer, the interactive multimedia content automatically moves or jumps to a predetermined frame or portion of the interactive multimedia content that contains a display of congratulations for the user with an immediate confirmation that the choice made by the user is correct. In addition, based on the confirmation of the correct answer, the interactive multimedia content optionally provides the user with a choice to proceed further with the given educational material, or to exit that specific interactive multimedia content sequence. 
         [0045]    With reference now to  FIG. 5 , a user interface  140  including an editing suite and mixer  127  of the method for creating interactive points  10  of the present invention is shown. Editing suite and mixer  127  are used to create the interactive points shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . A primary interactive point is represented by icon  128 , and corresponding sub-interactive points  129  correspond to the interactive points shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , that is, multimedia overlays, computer generated buttons with or without text, URL&#39;s, files on demand, assessments, and the like. An electronic timeline  139  for the original source interactive multimedia content is also displayed. With user interface  140 , a user is able to select a specific interactive point, for further creation or editing. 
         [0046]    With additional reference now to  FIG. 6 , when a user selects an interactive point, the user then enters a programming interactive point creation table  130 . Creation table  130  includes command cells and functions that program selected command cells. These command cells and functions include the creation and, programming of computer-generated buttons, reflected by icon Bt  131 ; the creation and programming of multimedia overlays, reflected by icon OL  132 ; the creation and programming of any text, or optionally no text, for computer-generated buttons and multimedia overlays, reflected by icon Text  133 ; for creation and programming of an interactive point that links to a URL automatically or on demand, reflected by icon Open URL  134 ; and for creation of an interactive point that links to a frame or point of electronic timeline  139  ( FIG. 5 ) of the interactive multimedia content created inside of server  105 , reflected by icon Timeline  135 . 
         [0047]    Additional command cells and functions include a pause session command cell, reflected icon “PS”  136 ; an interactive point mark and interactive point name command cell, reflected by icon “Name”  137 ; and a sub-interactive point mark and sub-interactive point name command cell, reflected by an icon “IP”  138 . 
         [0048]    When an interactive point is created by a user in creation table  130  or by an administrator of server  105  ( FIG. 1 ), original source interactive multimedia content timeline  139  ( FIG. 5 ) preferably includes certain default values to enhance the user&#39;s learning experience. By way of example, these default values include pausing of the playback of the original source interactive multimedia content, the duration of time associated with a particular point along, timeline  139 , and any attributes for a computer-generated button. These and other values can be changed by the user when the user selects the desired or appropriate cell, and edits or manipulates the corresponding settings for that cell, as known to those skilled in the art. The cells in command table  130 , as well as the icons displayed in the command table and the separate source interactive multimedia content thereof, are able to be edited by a user in order to change the values or directions for the interactive multimedia content. 
         [0049]    In this manner, method for creating interactive points  10  of the present invention enables a user to make, edit and mix different types of digital multimedia and electronic information, which results in interactive multimedia content formed from original source interactive multimedia content and separate source interactive multimedia content with interactive assessment or a digital interactive book of educational or entertainment value. 
         [0050]    The method for creating interactive points  10  of the present invention provides steps and system for the creation, mixing, recording, editing, storing and delivery of interactive educational content. A graphical interface enables the creation, recording, editing and mixing of any type of multimedia content that is created inside of the application, with any separate source interactive multimedia content residing on the user&#39;s computer or on the World Wide Web or elsewhere. The graphical interface also enables the creation of interactive points, which provide a connection between one part of the original source interactive multimedia content to any other part of the separate source interactive multimedia content, or to a new source of interactive multimedia content. Interactive points may be imbedded into any part of an electronic timeline of the multimedia content, or installed on top of any viewable part of the interactive multimedia content that is displayed for the user. The interactive points may be represented by any visual object. Interaction of the user with the interactive points enables navigation of the flow of delivery of the interactive multimedia content to any part of the overall multimedia interactive content or to an interactive assessment. 
         [0051]    It is to be understood that the method for creating interactive points of the present invention may be altered or rearranged, or certain steps or components omitted or added, without affecting the overall concept or operation of the invention. It is also to be understood that a user or a third-party may upload the original interactive multimedia content without affecting the concept or operation of the invention. It is to be further understood that the names for different icons and buttons may be different names, icons or representations without affecting the concept or operation of the invention. It is to be understood that the interactive multimedia content may be stored on the server, on the third-party server, and on the user device or any combination thereof without affecting the concept or operation of the invention. 
         [0052]    Accordingly, the method for creating interactive points provides an effective channel to educate users and allow users to interact with the interactive multimedia content and which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with the prior art and solves problems and obtains new results in the art. 
         [0053]    In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended, to be broadly construed. Moreover, the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment. It shall be understood that this illustration is by way of example and not by way of limitation, as the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. Potential modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this disclosure, and it is understood that the invention includes all such modifications and alterations and equivalents thereof. 
         [0054]    Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the method for creating interactive points is arranged and used, the characteristics of the arrangement, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful elements, arrangements, parts and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.