Desktop Extension for Readily-Sharable and Accessible Media Playlist and Media

• US 20130060646A1
• Filed: 08/30/2012
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rakuten USA, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Media Forum, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zito, Anthony, Hoff, Brandon, Lemon, Scott C.
• Granted Patent: US 11,741,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.73
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

A system and method for distributing and providing access to media and for extending such access to a desktop environment is described. A media player in a webpage or in a desktop environment may reference a centralized location to access a playlist of media files. The playlist itself may reference remotely-located media files that may be streamed to the media player. The media player may be distributed in multiple environments, and updates to the playlist may be automatically distributed to all instances where the playlist is referenced due to the centralized reference in the media player. The embodiments of the media player may also be used in advertising as a mechanism for increasing user contact with an advertising entity and as a mechanism for distributing announcements and information by the advertiser.

Claims

1-29. -29. (canceled)

30. A method of advertising comprising:

providing a first instance of a media-based advertisement on a web page accessible through a global computer network, wherein the first instance of the media-based advertisement is controlled by an advertiser;

enabling a potential customer to copy the first instance of the media-based advertisement and to insert a substantial copy of the first instance of the media-based advertisement as a second instance of the media-based advertisement in a desktop environment of the potential customer;

enabling and permitting additional copying and insertion of additional instances of the media-based advertisement from either of the first instance of the media-based advertisement and the second instance of the media-based advertisement; and

enabling the advertiser to update the first instance, the second instance, and any additional instances of the media-based advertisement.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first instance of the media-based advertisement comprises a banner advertisement, and wherein enabling a potential customer to copy the first instance of the media-based advertisement and to insert a substantial copy of the first instance of the media-based advertisement as a second instance of the media-based advertisement comprises:

receiving a selection from the potential customer indicating the potential customer'"'"'s desire to obtain a copy of the first instance of the media-based advertisement; and

providing the potential customer with means for copying the first instance of the media-based advertisement and for inserting the second instance of the media-based advertisement in the potential customer'"'"'s desktop environment.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the means for copying the first instance of the media-based advertisement and inserting the second instance of the media-based advertisement comprises a standalone executable program file.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the means for copying the first instance of the media-based advertisement and inserting the second instance of the media-based advertisement comprises a widget file configured to run on a third-party runtime.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the desktop widget is one of a Flash®

-based widget and a JavaScript®

-based widget.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the first instance of the media-based advertisement comprises a banner advertisement, and wherein enabling a potential customer to copy the first instance of the media-based advertisement and to insert a substantial copy of the first instance of the media-based advertisement as a second instance of the media-based advertisement comprises:

receiving a selection from the potential customer indicating the potential customer'"'"'s desire to obtain a copy of the first instance of the media-based advertisement; and

providing the potential customer with means for copying the first instance of the media-based advertisement and for inserting the second instance of the media-based advertisement in the potential customer'"'"'s desktop environment.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the means for copying the first instance of the media-based advertisement and inserting the second instance of the media-based advertisement comprises a standalone executable program file.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the means for copying the first instance of the media-based advertisement and inserting the second instance of the media-based advertisement comprises a widget file configured to run on a third-party runtime.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the desktop widget is one of a Flash®

-based widget and a JavaScript®

-based widget.

35. A method of advertising comprising:

providing a first instance of a media-based advertisement on a web page accessible through a global computer network, wherein the first instance of the media-based advertisement is controlled by an advertiser;

enabling a potential customer to copy the first instance of the media-based advertisement and to insert a substantial copy of the first instance of the media-based advertisement as a second instance of the media-based advertisement in a desktop environment of the potential customer;

enabling and permitting additional copying and insertion of additional instances of the media-based advertisement from either of the first instance of the media-based advertisement and the second instance of the media-based advertisement; and

enabling the advertiser to update the first instance, the second instance, and any additional instances of the media-based advertisement.