Navigable screensaver and method for implementing same

• US 20080229258A1
• Filed: 03/14/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Watson, Scott
• Application Number:
  US11/724,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20080229258A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/867
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing

Abstract

There is provided a method for use by a computer for implementing a navigable screensaver. In one embodiment, the navigable screensaver is activated. A user command entered through a user interface of the computer is detected. The navigable screensaver is then maintained to allow a user to navigate the navigable screensaver. The user command is executed by requesting content from a server through a network. Thereafter, the content is received for display in the navigable screensaver. The content is then displayed in the navigable screensaver. Content specified by the user is automatically requested and received by the navigable screensaver. Then, a web browser displaying a web page associated with the content selected by the user in the navigable screensaver is initiated.

Claims

1. A method for use by a computer for implementing a navigable screensaver, said method comprising:

activating said navigable screensaver when said computer is inactive for a period of time;

detecting a user command entered through a user interface of said computer;

maintaining said navigable screensaver after said detecting said user command to allow said user to navigate said navigable screensaver;

executing said user command by requesting content stored in a server;

receiving said content for display in said navigable screensaver;

displaying said content in said navigable screensaver.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving said content from said server automatically using a feed reader.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said content is one of a video, a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed, Extensible Markup Language (XML) data, or an image.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said server is a web sever.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said content includes video highlights of a sporting event.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising initiating a web browser when said content is selected by said user, wherein said web browser is configured to display a web page associated with said content.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said navigable screensaver is configured to display said content without having access to said server.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said content comprises an advertisement.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said navigable screensaver is configured to display animated textures.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said content is displayed in an animated three-dimensional object.

11. A navigable screensaver for use in a computer, said navigable screensaver being configured to accept a user command entered by a user, said navigable screensaver comprising:

a cache manager module for regulating requests for content stored in a server;

a receiver for receiving said content;

a local cache for storing said content to optimize performance of said navigable screensaver;

a content processing module for rendering said content for display in said navigable screensaver;

wherein said navigable screensaver is maintained during entry of said user command to allow navigation of said navigable screensaver.

12. The navigable screensaver of claim 11 further comprising a feed reader configured to automatically receive said content from said server.

13. The navigable screensaver of claim 11 wherein said content is one of a video, a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed, Extensible Markup Language (XML) data, or an image.

14. The navigable screensaver of claim 11 wherein said server is a web server.

15. The navigable screensaver of claim 11 wherein said content includes video highlights of a sporting event.

16. The navigable screensaver of claim 11 wherein said navigable screensaver is configured to initiate a web browser when said content is selected by said user, wherein said web browser is configured to display a web page associated with said content.

17. The navigable screensaver of claim 11 wherein said navigable screensaver is configured to display said content without having access to said server.

18. The navigable screensaver of claim 11 wherein said content comprises an advertisement.

19. The navigable screensaver of claim 11 wherein said navigable screensaver is configured to display animated textures.

20. The navigable screensaver of claim 11 wherein said content is displayed in an animated three-dimensional object.