Method and system for providing auxiliary content located on local storage during download/access of primary content over a network
First Claim
1. A system for providing auxiliary content to a client during download of primary content from a server, comprising:
- a server network comprising a download management server, a customer database that stores user information, and a primary content database that stores primary content;
a client console connectable for establishing a communications link through a bi-directional communications network to the download management server; and
at the client console, local storage for storing a user identifier and auxiliary content, wherein the auxiliary content is stored in the local storage prior to download of the primary content from the download management server;
wherein the user identifier is uploaded from the client console to the download management server to transact with the primary content database, the user identifier being used to enable request of primary content in the primary content database, and specific portions of the auxiliary content stored in the local storage device are loaded from the local storage device to enable playing by the client console during download of requested primary content, the specific portions of the auxiliary content being selected for play at the client console during download based in part on analysis of the user information that is downloaded to the client console in response to the uploading of the user identifier to the download management server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and computer-based method for providing auxiliary content located on local storage to a client connected to a primary content provider over a network, particularly during transfer of primary content via a server dedicated to download operations. Control over the auxiliary content, primary content and/or the download management server is exercised by a distributor. The system includes the download management server, a customer database and a primary content database on the server side, and a client console including a local storage device containing the auxiliary content on the client side. The auxiliary content provided can be varied based on one or more user preferences, one or more distributor preferences, or a combination of both user and distributor preference information. With respect to user preferences, either previously acquired information is used or the user is prompted to chose from a selection of specific content items and categories of content; default content is provided if no user preferences are available/selected. With respect to distributor preferences, the download management server sends the user auxiliary content assignment data before sending the requested primary content; according to the data, the client computer executes the appropriate auxiliary content stored in the local storage. The auxiliary content is stored in the local storage prior to download of the primary content from the download management server, though the user can acquire the local storage and/or auxiliary content by a variety of means (e.g., the auxiliary content can be provided on a CD-ROM, sent to a client hard drive over the network, etc.).
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for providing auxiliary content to a client during download of primary content from a server, comprising:
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a server network comprising a download management server, a customer database that stores user information, and a primary content database that stores primary content; a client console connectable for establishing a communications link through a bi-directional communications network to the download management server; and at the client console, local storage for storing a user identifier and auxiliary content, wherein the auxiliary content is stored in the local storage prior to download of the primary content from the download management server; wherein the user identifier is uploaded from the client console to the download management server to transact with the primary content database, the user identifier being used to enable request of primary content in the primary content database, and specific portions of the auxiliary content stored in the local storage device are loaded from the local storage device to enable playing by the client console during download of requested primary content, the specific portions of the auxiliary content being selected for play at the client console during download based in part on analysis of the user information that is downloaded to the client console in response to the uploading of the user identifier to the download management server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for providing auxiliary content from a local storage device during download of primary content from a server network over a bi-directional communications network, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a communications link between a client console and a download management server that is part of the server network through the bi-directional communications network, the client console having the local storage device installed therein; transmitting user identifier data contained on said local storage device and a request for primary content to the download management server, in order to retrieve said primary content from the download management server; accessing and loading the auxiliary content stored on the local storage device for playing of the auxiliary content during download of the primary content to the client console; selecting the auxiliary content to be accessed by the client console based on user information obtained by examining the transmitted user identifier, the user information comprising preferences provided by either the client or a distributor of the primary content. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for providing auxiliary content during download of primary content from a server, comprising:
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a server network comprising a download management server, a customer database that stores customer information, and a primary content database that stores primary content; and local storage that stores auxiliary content, wherein the auxiliary content is stored in the local storage prior to download of the primary content from the download management server; wherein a customer identifier is uploaded to the download management server to transact with the primary content database, the customer identifier being examined to enable access to requested primary content in the primary content database, and specific portions of the auxiliary content stored in the local storage device are loaded from the local storage device to enable playing during download of the requested primary content, the specific portions of the auxiliary content are selected in part by examination of user information that is obtained from the customer database in response to examination of the customer identifier that was uploaded.
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Specification