Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Dashan Yue

William Michael Mozell

David Seymour

Preetinderpal Singh Mangat

Jeremy Bruce Kersey

Michelle Tze Hiang Chua

Enrico William Guld

Shannon Yen Yun Lee

Henry Stuart Denison Watson

William Ben Hanke

Helen Lam

Remus Gabriel Radu

Darrin Adam Brown

Michael Mahar

Matthew Nigel Carter

Jesse William Wesson

Michael James Perzel

Cameron David James McRae

Kirk Christopher Gibbons

Eric C Bridgwater

Tyler Bielman

David T Ferguson

Matthew Davy Walsh

Raymond Alexander Chi-Yue Lum

Embodiments described herein enable user interaction with a video segment. A hit-zone file, which includes hit-zone data, is produced and stored for a video segment, wherein the hit-zone data corresponds to spatial regions that define hit-zones for hidden objects included in the video segment. The hit-zone file is provided to a computing system so that when the computing system displays the video segment the hit-zone file adds hit-zones for the hidden objects included in the video segment. The hit-zone file is produced separate from the video segment. Each of the hit-zones is defined by a different portion of the hit-zone data and corresponds to a different one of the hidden objects included in the video segment. The spatial regions that define the hit-zones for hidden objects are not visible to a user of the computing system that views the video segment with the hit-zones added.

Enabling user interactions with video segments

Various enhanced interactive TV experiences are supported by a real-time TV service that can interact over a network with applications running on interactive TV platforms. The real-time television service enables data, video, and communication user interface (UI) elements to be supported alongside the linear TV content in three discrete navigational states, each with a specific role aligning to user intent. In the case of one particular UI element&#x2014;a focused companion panel&#x2014;a live stream of personalized data is supported that enhances the user's comprehension and awareness of live events. The real-time TV service can further enable users to opt in to certain customizable events and be served notifications on the TV screen on which their attention is directed, and follow the notification into an application that lands them on a specific piece of content that satisfies specific conditions.

Enhanced interactive television experiences

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Vancouver, Canada

Dashan Yue