System and methods for facile, instant, and minimally disruptive playback of media files

• US 10,674,210 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Issued: 06/02/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matthew Berman, Ravi Gadhia
• Original Assignee: Matthew Berman, Ravi Gadhia
• Inventors: Berman, Matthew, Gadhia, Ravi
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengesha, Mulugeta
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hicks, Charles N
• Application Number:
  US15/544,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20180014066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,596 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments

Abstract

Provided herein are novel systems and methods of digital content delivery designed to be easy, instant, and minimally disruptive for the user. The novel systems and methods of the invention can provide the device user with an instant and ephemeral snippet of entertaining media, in a metered presentation controlled by the user. The system is minimally disruptive in that the user can summon a video clip or other media content with a simple input, whereupon a clip is instantly played for the user. Upon reaching the end of the media presentation, the media player window self-closes and returns the user'"'"'s device to the exact state it was in prior. In this way, a user can enjoy a short, entertaining pause without substantially interrupting their previous activity on the device.

Claims

1. A method of playing a media file on a user'"'"'s device, comprising the following steps,

a user, wherein the user is using an on-top application, inputs a playback initiation command;

wherein the playback initiation command is input by the user to request playback of a media file by a quiescent media player application which plays media clips overlaid on top of other open windows in response to a playback initiation command;

wherein the playback initiation command is selected from the group consisting of selecting a sidebar button, selecting a floating button, making a mousepad or touchscreen gesture, and making a keystroke combination input on a keyboard;

in response to the initiation command, a quiescent media player application is activated such that a media player window is displayed as the top window on the device'"'"'s display screen;

a media file is retrieved from a media file source and is played in the media player window, wherein the media file selected by a content manager function according to the user'"'"'s preferences; and

upon the completion or termination of the clip, the media player window closes and the the application which was on top at the time of playback initiation is again the application that is on top.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

the media file comprises a video file.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein

the media file comprises an image file and the playing of the media file comprises a brief display of the image.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein

the media file is a file comprising a social media post.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein

the audio track of the media file is given priority over audio outputs from other open applications, such that the audio from such other open applications is reduced in volume or fully muted during the playing of the media file.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein

the playback initiation command comprises the user'"'"'s selection of a displayed button, wherein the displayed button comprises a sidebar button or a floating button.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein

the playback initiation command comprises a mousepad or touchscreen gesture.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein

the playback initiation command comprises a keystroke combination input on a keyboard.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein

the media player application is a web browser.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein

the media file source comprises a library remote from the device and the media file is streamed from a remote server during playback.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein

the clip media file source comprises a memory storage location residing on the device.