Method and apparatus for browsing using alternative linkbases

• US 20040031058A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Convergent Media Solutions LLC (Strategic Intellectual Solutions, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Teleshuttle Tech2 LLC
• Inventors: Reisman, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,987,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/112
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/15 Synchronised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/426 Receiver side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/93 which locates resources of other pieces of information, e.g. URL [Uniform Resource Locator]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2358 for generating different versions, e.g. for different recipient devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2387 Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25 Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25825 involving client display capabilities, e.g. screen resolution of a mobile phone optimising the visualisation of content during browsing in the Internet G06F16/9577; processing of terminal status or physical abilities in wireless networks H04W8/22; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 : Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• 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 21/4358 : for generating different versions, e.g. for different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440263 : by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for displaying on a connected PDA
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 : Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47208 : for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 : involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 : involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 : Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/85 : Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8543 : using a description language, e.g. Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group [MHEG], eXtensible Markup Language [XML] information retrieval of semistructured data, the underlying structure being taken into account, e.g. mark-up language structure data G06F16/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8583 : by creating hot-spots
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.

Claims

1. A method for receiving hyperlinks for interactive television, comprising:

submitting to a linkbase provider a request for one or more hyperlinks, said request including interactive television state information corresponding to a particular device; and

receiving from said provider a response to said request, the provider'"'"'s formulation of said response comprising consulting a linkbase correlating state information with hyperlinks,

wherein requests relating to any of multiple programs are submitted, said requests differing only with regard to said state information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the linkbase is used to present resources on a device other than said device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said request is dispatched via a computer network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said network is the internet.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said linkbase is an array.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said linkbase is a database.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said linkbase is a process.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive television state information corresponding to a particular device includes an indication of channel.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactive television state information corresponding to a particular device includes an indication of broadcast time.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the correlated state information includes indications of channels.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the correlated state information includes indications of broadcast times.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said multiple programs are distributed by multiple independent programming networks.

13. A method for providing hyperlinks for interactive television, comprising:

receiving hyperlink data associated with a television program; and

employing said hyperlink data in the creation of a linkbase, said linkbase correlating interactive television state information with hyperlinks.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said linkbase is stored for future use.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the method is employed by a television service operator to offer a common portal service that supports multiple programs offered by that operator.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said linkbase is an array.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said linkbase is a database.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said linkbase operates as a process.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein interactive television state information corresponding to a particular device includes an indication of channel.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein interactive television state information corresponding to a particular device includes an indication of broadcast time.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the correlated state information includes indications of channels.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the correlated state information includes indications of broadcast times.

23. A method for providing hyperlinks for interactive television, comprising:

having access to a linkbase, said linkbase correlating interactive television state information with hyperlinks;

receiving a request for one or more hyperlinks, said request including interactive television state information corresponding to a particular device; and

employing said linkbase to respond to said request, wherein requests relating to any of multiple programs are submitted, said requests differing only with regard to said state information.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the linkbase is used to present resources on a device other than said device.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the method is employed by a television service operator to offer a common portal service that supports multiple programs offered by the operator.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said linkbase is an array.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein said linkbase is a database.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein said linkbase operates as a process.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein interactive television state information corresponding to a particular device includes an indication of channel.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein interactive television state information corresponding to a particular device includes an indication of broadcast time.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the correlated state information includes indications of channels.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the correlated state information includes indications of broadcast times.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein said request is dispatched via a computer network.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said network is the internet.

35. A method of browsing, comprising:

accessing a resource;

accessing third-party links for which said resource is a starting resource; and

restricting access to said third-party links to only those users who are entitled to access third-party links to said resource.

36. A method for providing a session, comprising:

receiving linkbases of links from one or more third-parties, wherein each link leads to an ending resource that enables selling of products or services related to content of a media program, each of said links having said program as a starting resource; and

automatically selecting of one of said linkbases in accordance with a provided media program indication,

wherein said third-parties are not providers of said program.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said program is an advertisement.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein an identity corresponding to said program is obtained from an independent video system.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein an identity corresponding to said program is inferred based on context information.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said context information includes personal profile information about a viewer providing said indication.

41. A method of context-aware computing, comprising:

determining time-of-day;

consulting a predefined schedule of external events;

consulting information on a user'"'"'s behavior; and

employing said time-of-day, said schedule, and said information in inferring a relevant context.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said information includes preferences defined by said user.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein said information includes observed behavior patterns corresponding to said user.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein feedback relating to accuracy of previous inferences of context is employed in said inferring.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein said schedule is not user-specific.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein said context is employed in providing television-related enhancement content.

46. The method of 41, wherein said schedule is a television program guide.

47. The method of 41, wherein said user'"'"'s behavior relates to use of a television program guide.

49. A method of commerce employable by an independent advertising producer or distributor, comprising:

creating an advertisement for a product or a service;

permitting an independent seller to offer third-party links that enable viewers of said advertisement to purchase said product or said service from said seller; and

securing compensation from said independent seller for using said advertisement as a starting resource for said links.

50. A method of providing a session, comprising:

maintaining links relating to multiple television programs viewable at a particular time;

guessing a television program being viewed at said time to be a particular one of said multiple programs; and

providing one or more links related to the guessed particular television program, wherein the guessed particular television program acts as a starting resource for the provided links,

wherein there is no consultation of any coding included in said television program being viewed that is specific to use of the program as a starting resource.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein guessing employs basic program identifier and time-code data.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein guessing employs time schedule knowledge.

53. The method of claim 50, wherein guessing involves sensing of at least one of an identity of said television program being viewed and an identity of a currently active channel.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein sensing is based on a soundtrack of said television program being viewed.

55. The method of claim 50, wherein guessing comprises:

sensing a soundtrack of said television program being viewed;

converting said soundtrack to an encoded signature representing selected aspects of said soundtrack; and

searching a database of signatures associated with programs to find a matching signature.

56. The method of claim 50, wherein guessing involves inference from viewer profile information.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said profile information includes one or more of preferences by channel, preferences by genre, preferences by program, preferences by time of day, preferences by individual household member, observed behavior, and external viewer data.

58. The method of claim 50, wherein guessing takes into account user correction of erroneous automated identification.

59. The method of claim 50, wherein resources linked to by the maintained links are enhancement resources, and the maintained links relate to both non-advertisement programs and to advertisement programs distributed in association with those non-advertisement programs.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the enhancement resources include both content provided without charge to induce viewer participation and enhancements related to said advertisement programs, and wherein revenue is obtained in connection with viewing of said enhancements related to said advertisement programs.

61. The method of claim 50, wherein the program being viewed is an advertising program provided in association with a non-advertising program, and wherein links relating to the associated non-advertising program are provided.

62. A method of operating a portal providing enhancements to continuous media resources, comprising:

receiving one or more linkbases from one or more providers, wherein said each of said linkbases provides one or more links to one or more ending resources;

supplying one or more of said linkbases for employment by a user in conjunction with a continuous media resource, wherein said media resource is a starting resource for links provided by the supplied one or more linkbases; and

charging carriage fees to one or more of said providers.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein supplying is in accordance with a choice indicated by said user.

68. The method of claim 62, further comprising charging advertising fees for advertisements placed in conjunction with at least one ending resource linked to by one or more of said linkbases.

69. The method of claim 62, further comprising charging advertising fees for placement of advertisements in conjunction with at least one resource controlled by the portal.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the advertisements are ending resources for one or more links embedded in the at least one resource controlled by the portal.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein the placement of advertisements is determined by characteristics of said continuous media resource.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein the placement of advertisements is determined by characteristics of said continuous media resource.

73. The method of claim 62, wherein one or more of said carriage fees is a negative carriage fee that serves as a payment to one or more of said providers.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the payment is a license fee.

76. The method of claim 62, wherein one or more of said providers operate independently of a provider of said program.

64. A method of operating a portal providing enhancements to continuous media resources, comprising:

receiving one or more linkbases from one or more providers, wherein said each of said linkbases provides one or more links to one or more ending resources;

supplying one or more of said linkbases for employment by a user in conjunction with a continuous media resource, wherein said media resource is a starting resource for links provided by the supplied one or more linkbases; and

charging said user for said supplying.

65. A method of operating a portal providing enhancements to continuous media resources, comprising:

receiving one or more linkbases from one or more providers, wherein said each of said linkbases provides one or more links to one or more ending resources;

supplying one or more of said linkbases for employment by a user in conjunction with a continuous media resource, wherein said media resource is a starting resource for links provided by the supplied one or more linkbases; and

charging advertising fees for carriage of advertising linkbases related to starting resources.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the advertising fees are for carriage of advertising linkbases related to continuous media resources that are advertising resources.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the advertising fees are for carriage of advertising linkbases related to continuous media resources that are non-advertising resources.

75. The method of claim 65, wherein any registered user of said portal can act as one of said providers.

77. A method of providing advertising relating to continuous media starting resources, comprising:

determining the current content of a starting resource being presented;

selecting an advertisement relating to said current content; and

presenting said advertisement such that synchronicity is realized between said starting resource and said advertisement.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the selected advertisement is related thematically to said resource.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the selected advertisement is an ending resource chosen by a user for viewing.

80. The method of claim 77, wherein the selected advertisement is integrated with or presented adjacent to an ending resource chosen by a user for viewing.

81. The method of claim 77, wherein the selected advertisement is integrated with or presented adjacent to control screens viewable by a user.

82. A method of controlling use of third party links, comprising:

monitoring the use of a system presenting a resource to a user;

discovering a third-party link employing said resource as a starting resource that is presented to the user in conjunction with said resource; and

dispatching, to a specified reporting service, an indication relating to the presenting of the discovered link.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein said presenting is in compliance with specified digital rights, the digital rights requiring that a trusted browsing system be employed in said presenting.

84. The method of claim 82, wherein a trusted browsing system is employed in said presenting.

85. The method of claim 82, wherein a fee is charged if said third-party link is presented to a user.

86. The method of claim 82, wherein a fee is charged if said third-party link is triggered at a user system.

87. The method of claim 82, wherein said third-party link is sourced independently of the presented resource.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein an ending resource of said third-party link is sourced independently of the presented resource.

89. A method for generating television ratings, comprising:

providing a service that offers links to resources related to viewed television programs;

collecting, in the course of said providing, television program viewing data corresponding to a group of viewers; and

employing said program viewing data in generating television ratings.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the collecting is done from a user device set other than a device set on which a television program is presented.

91. The method of claim 89, further comprising selling said television ratings to one or more third parties.

92. A method for generating television ratings, comprising:

collecting program viewing data corresponding to a first group of viewers, wherein said data is collected as a byproduct of routine viewing by said first group;

collecting program viewing data corresponding to a second group of viewers, wherein said second group has fewer members than the first group, and wherein the members of said second group are pre-selected as a statistically representative sample of a desired population; and

combining said program viewing data corresponding to said first group of viewers and said program viewing data corresponding to said second group of viewers using statistical methods.

93. A method of browsing provision, comprising:

presenting a starting resource on a first device set;

enabling selection of at least one of a plurality of alternative linkbases, wherein said linkbases are provided by multiple parties; and

presenting, on a second device set, an ending resource specified by a selected linkbase.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein said first device set is a television.

95. The method of claim 93, wherein said starting resource is a continuous media resource.

96. The method of claim 93 wherein said starting resource is a television program.

97. A method of resource provision, comprising:

receiving a request for an ending resource, wherein said request results from traversal of a link relating to a starting resource;

determining an alternative ending resource, wherein said alternate ending resource is selected based on user-specific criteria from a plurality of alternative ending resources corresponding to the starting resource; and

providing said alternative ending resource in response to said request.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein said link is provided by a linkbase indicated by the starting resource.

99. The method of claim 97, wherein said link is provided by a linkbase determined independently of a provider of the starting resource.

100. The method of claim 97, wherein the user-specific criteria comprise a user selection of a linkbase.

101. The method of claim 97, wherein the alternative ending resource is provided via a proxy service.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein a linkbase indicated by the starting resource is used to determine the requested ending resource.

103. A method of operating a portal service, comprising:

providing a portal that associates ending resources with continuous media starting resources;

providing services for communications among a community of users of said portal; and

enabling the communications services to be linked as ending resources to said continuous media starting resources.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein said communications services involve a subset of said community of users.

105. The method of claim 104, wherein said subset is limited, by one or more links, to users inferred to be currently viewing said one of said starting resources.

106. The method of claim 103, wherein said communications services involve particular topics corresponding to one of said starting resources.

107. The method of claim 103, wherein said portal serves multiple television channels as distributors of starting resources.

108. The method of claim 103, wherein said portal enables selection from a set of more than one enhancement for a given starting resource.

109. The method of claim 103, wherein said portal enables selection from a set of more than one enhancement channel.

110. The method of claim 103, wherein said portal enables selection of more than one source of enhancements.

111. The method of claim 103, wherein said portal supports presentation of enhancements on more than one device set.

112. A method of browsing provision, comprising:

presenting a continuous media resource to a user;

determining one or more parameters relating to presentation of said resource; and

dispatching an internet protocol request to a server, wherein said request includes at least one of said parameters.

113. The method of claim 112, wherein said request employs hypertext transfer protocol.

114. The method of claim 112, wherein said request employs simple object access protocol.

115. The method of claim 112, further comprising:

receiving a resource in response to said dispatching, wherein said resource is chosen without reference to said parameters.

116. The method of claim 112, further comprising:

receiving a resource in response to said dispatching, wherein said resource is chosen with reference to one or more of said parameters.

117. The method of claim 112, wherein said parameters include at least one of time zone, media distribution service identifier, television channel identifier, program identifier, base program identifier, time-position, image region identifier, demographic data, user data, and ending resource identifier.

118. The method of claim 112, wherein said dispatching is performed by a remote portal.

119. The method of claim 112, wherein said dispatching is performed by said user'"'"'s personal computer.

120. The method of claim 112, wherein said media resource is a television program.

121. A method of providing resources, comprising:

receiving an internet protocol request, wherein said request includes one or more parameters relating to presentation of a continuous media resource to a user;

choosing a resource; and

dispatching the chosen resource.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein said request employs hypertext transfer protocol.

123. The method of claim 121, wherein said request employs simple object access protocol.

124. The method of claim 121, wherein choosing is without reference to said parameters.

125. The method of claim 121, wherein choosing is with reference to one or more of said parameters.

126. The method of claim 121, wherein the dispatched resource is dynamically composed with reference to one or more of said parameters.

127. The method of claim 121, wherein said parameters include at least one of time zone, media distribution service identifier, television channel identifier, program identifier, base program identifier, time-position, image region identifier, demographic data, user data, and ending resource identifier.

128. The method of claim 121, wherein said media resource is a television program.

129. The method of claim 121, wherein said receiving, said choosing, and said dispatching are performed by a personal computer associated with said user.

130. The method of claim 121, wherein said receiving, said choosing, and said dispatching are performed by a server remote from said user.

131. The method of claim 125, further comprising paying a parameter use fee.

132. A method of browsing provision, comprising:

providing a browsing session to a user, wherein a dynamic context is associated with said session;

determining one or more parameters relating to said dynamic context; and

dispatching an internet protocol request to a server, wherein said request includes at least one of said parameters.

133. The method of claim 132, wherein said request employs hypertext transfer protocol.

134. The method of claim 132, wherein said request employs simple object access protocol.

135. The method of claim 132, further comprising:

receiving a resource in response to said dispatching, wherein said resource is chosen without reference to said parameters.

136. The method of claim 132, further comprising:

receiving a resource in response to said dispatching, wherein said resource is chosen with reference to one or more of said parameters.

137. The method of claim 132, wherein said dispatching is performed by a remote portal.

138. The method of claim 132, wherein said dispatching is performed by said user'"'"'s personal computer.

139. A method of providing resources, comprising:

receiving an internet protocol request, wherein said request includes one or more parameters relating to a dynamic context associated with a browsing session provided to a user;

choosing a resource with reference to one or more of said parameters; and

dispatching the chosen resource.

140. The method of claim 139, wherein said request employs hypertext transfer protocol.

141. The method of claim 139, wherein said request employs simple object access protocol.

142. The method of claim 139, wherein choosing is performed without reference to said parameters in cases of requests for which said parameters are absent.

143. The method of claim 139, further comprising paying a parameter use fee.

144. The method of claim 139, wherein said receiving, said choosing, and said dispatching are performed by a personal computer associated with said user.

145. The method of claim 139, wherein said receiving, said choosing, and said dispatching are performed by a server remote from said user.

146. The method of claim 139, wherein said dynamic context is with regard to context of a system that is independent from a system identified as dispatching said internet protocol request.

147. A method of browsing provision, comprising:

determining one or more parameters relating to presentation of a continuous media resource to a user;

performing a negotiation to determine which of said parameters are allowed to be sent to a server, wherein said negotiation takes into account policies set by said user and policies set by said server; and

dispatching to said server an internet protocol request including one or more of said parameters, wherein said internet protocol request is in accordance with said negotiation.

148. A method of providing associations among resources, comprising:

determining a relationship between a starting resource and an ending resource, wherein the starting resource is a continuous media resource;

providing a specification of said relationship, wherein said specification is in a format suitable for use in linking said starting resource and said ending resource; and

charging a fee for the providing of said specification.

149. The method of 148, wherein the fee is paid by a party associated with the starting resource.

150. The method of 148, wherein the fee is paid by a party associated with the ending resource.

151. The method of 148, wherein the fee is paid by a viewer of said starting resource.

152. The method of 148, wherein the fee is paid by a viewer of said ending resource.

153. A method for providing enhancements to continuous media resources, comprising:

maintaining links to enhancement resources for each of a plurality of continuous media resources distributed by a plurality of independent programming networks;

receiving a web service request for an enhancement resource corresponding to a particular continuous media resource; and

dispatching a response to said request, wherein said response includes indication of one or more links to enhancement resources corresponding to said particular continuous media resource.

154. The method of claim 153, wherein one or more of the maintained links relate to enhancement resources synchronized to corresponding continuous media resources.

155. The method of claim 153, wherein links to alternative enhancement resources are maintained for one or more of said plurality of continuous media resources.

156. The method of claim 155, wherein at least one of said alternative enhancement resources is provided by a source independent of a producer of a corresponding continuous media resource.

157. The method of claim 153, wherein any web user can cause submission of said web service request.

158. The method of claim 153, wherein only identified and authenticated web users can cause submission of said web service request.

159. The method of claim 153, wherein any web user paying a specified fee can cause submission of said web service request.

160. A method of searching, comprising:

enabling a user to enter a query; and

returning a list of resources in response to the query,

wherein the list is determined with reference to an identity of a currently presented resource.

161. The method of claim 160, wherein the list is determined with reference to said identity of said currently presented resource based on a predefined correspondence of resource identities.

162. The method of claim 160, wherein determination of said list employs said identity of said currently presented resource as a search term that is logically anded with the user-entered query.

163. The method of claim 160, wherein said currently presented resource need not be explicitly referenced by the user.

164. The method of claim 160, wherein said currently presented resource is a continuous media resource that is viewed on a system that is independent of a system used to enter said query.