Using multiple media players to insert data items into a media stream of a streaming media
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- controlling playback of tagged media content using a first media player embedded in a web page provided to a client computer by a web server computer, wherein the web server computer directs a media station to begin sending the tagged media content to the first media player for playback on a client computer coupled to the server computer via a communications network, and wherein the first media player is capable of detecting a tag in the tagged media content;
in response to detecting the tag, the web server computer muting the volume of the first media player and transferring playback control to a second media player embedded in the web page provided to the client computer, wherein transferring playback control to the second media player includes the web server computer causing the second media player to connect to a media server computer configured to deliver untagged media content;
controlling playback of untagged media content using the second media player in response to transferring the playback control to the second media player;
in response to completion of playback of the untagged media content, the web server computer disabling the broadcast of perceptible content by the second media player and transferring the playback control from the second media player to the first media player; and
the web server computer operating at least one of the first media player and the second media player in a transparent mode in which the at least one of the first media player and the second media player is not visible to a user of the client computer when controlling media content.
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Abstract
Playback of a tagged audio stream at a user'"'"'s computer can be controlled using a first media player. When the first media player detects a tag in the tagged audio stream, it mutes the volume of the first media player, and transfers playback control to a second media player operating at the same computer. The second media player controls playback of untagged media content, and in response to detecting completion of the untagged media content, returns playback control to the first media player. In this way, multiple media players in a client device can control the playback of audio content and the insertion of spots into that content.
31 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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controlling playback of tagged media content using a first media player embedded in a web page provided to a client computer by a web server computer, wherein the web server computer directs a media station to begin sending the tagged media content to the first media player for playback on a client computer coupled to the server computer via a communications network, and wherein the first media player is capable of detecting a tag in the tagged media content; in response to detecting the tag, the web server computer muting the volume of the first media player and transferring playback control to a second media player embedded in the web page provided to the client computer, wherein transferring playback control to the second media player includes the web server computer causing the second media player to connect to a media server computer configured to deliver untagged media content; controlling playback of untagged media content using the second media player in response to transferring the playback control to the second media player; in response to completion of playback of the untagged media content, the web server computer disabling the broadcast of perceptible content by the second media player and transferring the playback control from the second media player to the first media player; and the web server computer operating at least one of the first media player and the second media player in a transparent mode in which the at least one of the first media player and the second media player is not visible to a user of the client computer when controlling media content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus configured to implement a web server, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor; memory operably associated with the processor; a program of instructions to be stored in the memory and executed by the processor, the program of instructions including; at least one instruction to embed a first media player and a second media player in a web page provided to a client computer; at least one instruction to control the playback of tagged media content using the first media player, wherein the control of the playback includes directing a computing device implementing a streaming media station to begin sending the tagged media content to the first media player for playback; at least one instruction to receive, from the first media player, an indication that a tag in the tagged media content has been detected by the first media player; at least one instruction to mute the volume of the first media player and to transfer playback control to the second media player, wherein transferring playback control to the second media player includes the web server causing the second media player to connect to a media server computer configured to deliver untagged media content; at least one instruction to control playback of untagged media content using the second media player after the playback control is transferred thereto; at least one instruction to transfer the playback control from the second media player to the first media player in response to completion of playback of the untagged media content; and at least one instruction for causing the web server to operate the first media player and the second media player in a transparent mode, in which the first media player and the second media player are not visible to a user of the client computer even when performing a function selected from the group of functions consisting of;
actively controlling media content, playing media content, and switching control between the first media player and the second media player. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program of instructions to be stored in a memory and executed by a processor, the program of instructions comprising:
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at least one instruction to embed a first media player and a second media player in a web page provided to a client computer; at least one instruction to control the playback of tagged media content using the first media player, wherein the control of the playback includes directing a computing device implementing a streaming media station to begin sending the tagged media content to the first media player for playback; at least one instruction to receive, from the first media player, an indication that a tag in the tagged media content has been detected by the first media player; at least one instruction to mute the volume of the first media player and to transfer playback control to the second media player, wherein transferring playback control to the second media player includes the web server causing the second media player to connect to a media server computer configured to deliver untagged media content; at least one instruction to control playback of untagged media content using the second media player after the playback control is transferred thereto; at least one instruction to transfer the playback control from the second media player to the first media player in response to completion of playback of the untagged media content; and at least one instruction to cause the web server to operate the first media player and the second media player in a transparent mode, in which the first media player and the second media player are not visible to a user of the client computer even when performing a function selected from the group of functions consisting of;
actively controlling media content, playing media content, and switching control between the first media player and the second media player. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification