METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MEDIA CONTENT OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK

• US 20080183584A1
• Filed: 03/28/2008
• Published: 07/31/2008
• 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 8,060,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• 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

The disclosure provides for methods and systems for providing media content over a network. The method includes sending a query from a server over the network to a client regarding an ability of the client to playback the media content locally. The sending is automatic and initiated by the server. The method is further includes receiving, at the server, a response from the client regarding the ability of the client to playback the media content locally. The receiving is responsive to the sending. A version of the media content is sent from the server to the client based on the ability of the client to playback the media content locally.

Claims

1. A method for providing media content over a network, the method comprising:

sending a query from a server over the network to a client regarding an ability of the client to playback the media content locally, the sending of the query being automatic and being initiated by the server;

receiving at the server a response from the client regarding the ability of the client to playback the media content locally, the receiving being responsive to the sending the query; and

sending from the server to the client a version of the media content based on the ability of the client to playback the media content locally.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending of the query is transparent to a user at the client.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending of the query is without sending executable code that persists on the client.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending of the query from the server to the client includes sending a query regarding an ability of the client to playback the version of the media content.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the version of the media content comprises rich media content, and wherein the rich media content comprises a video clip.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the version of the media content comprises rich media content, and wherein the rich media content comprises an advertisement.

7. The method of claim 1, further including comparing, at the server, the ability of the client to playback the media content locally against a predefined schedule including a plurality of media file formats available for the media content, and wherein the predefined schedule comprises a preference ranking of the plurality of media file formats available for the media content.

8. The method of claim 1, further including selecting, at the server, the version of the media content appropriate for the ability of the client to playback the media content locally, wherein the version of the media content comprises a media file with a media file format that is selected from a plurality of media file formats available for the media content.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the media file format is selected from a group of media file formats including a video quality media file format, an audio quality media file format, and a speed of download media file format.

10. A system for providing media content over a network, the system comprising:

a processor;

control logic in communication with the processor, the control logic to send a query over the network to the client in regard to an ability of the client to playback the media content locally, the control logic to automatically send the query and to automatically initiate the send of the query, the control logic to receive a response from the client in regard to the ability of the client to playback the media content locally, the control logic to receive the response responsive to the query; and

a communications interface in communication with the control logic, the control logic to send to the client, via the communications interface and over the network, a version of the media content based on the ability of the client to playback the media content locally.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the control logic is to send the query transparently to a user at the client.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the control logic is to send the query without executable code that persists on the client.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the query is in regard to an ability of the client to playback the version of the media content.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the version of the media content comprises rich media content, and wherein the rich media content comprises a video clip.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the version of the media content comprises rich media content, and wherein the rich media content comprises an advertisement.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the control logic is to compare the ability of the client to playback the media content locally against a predefined schedule including a plurality of media file formats that are available for the media content, and wherein the predefined schedule comprises a preference ranking of the plurality of media file formats available for the media content.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the control logic is to select the version of the media content appropriate for the ability of the client to playback the media content locally, wherein the version of the media content comprises a media file with a media file format that is selected from a plurality of media file formats available for the media content.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the media file format is selected from a group of media file formats including a video quality media file format, an audio quality media file format, and a speed of download media file format.

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

send a query to a second computer system in regard to an ability of the second computer system to playback media content locally, the first computer system to send the query automatically and to initiate the send automatically;

receive a response from the second computer system in regard to the ability of the second computer system to playback the media content locally, the first computer system to receive the response in response to the query; and

send to the second computer system a version of the media content based on the ability of the second computer system to playback the media content locally.

20. A system for providing media content over a network, the system comprising:

a processor;

a first means in communication with the processor, the first means for sending a query over the network to the client in regard to an ability of the client to playback the media content locally by automatically sending the query and by automatically initiating the send of the query, the first means for receiving a response from the client in regard to the ability of the client to playback the media content locally, the first means for receiving the response responsive to the query; and

a communications interface in communication with the first means, the first means for sending to the client, via the communications interface and over the network, a version of the media content based on the ability of the client to playback the media content locally.