METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MEDIA CONTENT OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK

• US 20080120344A1
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Original Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Inventors: Ireland, Alexander Blair, Hadjitarkhani, Abie, Behrens, John Robert, Narimatsu, Nancy Kiyoko, Armstrong, Brooke Allysoun, Muller, Stephen John
• Granted Patent: US 9,319,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/104.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/156 Query results presentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/75 Media network packet handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/756 adapting media to device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A method and system to identify an ability of a computer system to playback media content locally. The system progresses through media content playback applications by querying the computer system over a computer network. The system progresses through the applications to assess an ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally. Finally, the system provides the computer system with a version of the media content appropriate for the ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally. The version of the media content is a media file.

Claims

1. A method of identifying an ability of a computer system to playback media content locally, the method comprising:

progressing through a plurality of media content playback applications by querying the computer system over a computer network, the progressing to assess an ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally; and

providing the computer system with a version of the media content appropriate for the ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally, the version of the media content comprising a media file.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing is transparent to a user associated with the computer system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the progressing and the providing is automatic and without initiation from the computer system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing further comprises generating a script for the media content, the media content being compatible with the ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing further comprises selecting the appropriate version of the media content from a plurality of available versions of the media content.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content includes rich media content and comprises a video clip.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the video clip is formatted in a Windows Media Format.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content comprises an advertisement.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content is provided to the computer system as a highly compressed digital file.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing comprises providing the media content to the computer system over a wireless computer network.

11. A system for identifying an ability of a computer system to playback media content locally, the system comprising

a processor;

control logic in communication with the processor, the control logic to progress through a plurality of media content playback applications by querying the computer system over a computer network, the control logic to assess an ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally; and

a communications interface in communication with the control logic, the control logic to provide the computer system, via the communications interface and over the computer network, with a version of the media content appropriate for the ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally, the version of the media content comprising a media file.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the control logic is to provide, transparent to a user associated with the computer system, the version of the media content.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the control logic is to progress and to provide, automatically and without initiation by the computer system, the version of the media content.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the control logic is to generate a script for the media content compatible with the ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the control logic is to select the appropriate version of the media content from a plurality of available versions of the media content.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the media content includes rich media content and comprises a video clip.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the video clip is formatted in a Windows Media Format.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the media content comprises an advertisement.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the media content is provided to the computer system as a highly compressed digital file.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the control logic is to provide the media content to the computer system over a wireless computer network.

21. A computer program product, comprising a computer useable medium storing control logic that, when executed by a first computer system, causes the first computer system to:

progress through a plurality of media content playback applications by querying a second computer system over a computer network, the control logic to assess an ability of the second computer system to playback the media content locally; and

provide the second computer system over the computer network with a version of the media content appropriate for the ability of the second computer system to playback the media content locally, the version of the media content comprising a media file.

22. A system of identifying an ability of a computer system to playback media content locally, the system comprising

a processor;

a first means in communication with the processor, the first means for progressing through a plurality of media content playback applications by querying the computer system over a computer network, the control logic to assess an ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally; and

a communications interface in communication with the first means, the first means for providing the computer system, via the communications interface and over the computer network, with a version of the media content appropriate for the ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally, the version of the media content comprising a media file.