Patent ID: 6338094
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
In a computer network that comprises a service center, a plurality of user interface devices, and a plurality of servers, all logically interconnected to one another, wherein the plurality of servers provide content for download and display at the plurality of user interface devices, a method of displaying video data at a user interface device, wherein the video data is selected by the service center as potentially of interest to a user of the user interface device, without having to be specifically requested by the user interface device, and wherein the video data may include one or more advertisements, the method comprising the user interface device:receiving video data that includes specific video data which is capable of being identified by one or more video data resource identifiers; receiving a link that comprises (i) a content resource identifier that identifies content available at one or more of the plurality of servers, (ii) a service center template file address that identifies a service center template file for receiving one or more initial video data resource identifiers including video data resource identifiers that identify generic topics and for returning one or more subsequent video data resource identifiers including video data resource identifiers that identify specific video data, and (iii) a video data resource identifier; displaying a representation of the link on the user interface device; a user of the user interface device selecting the link; displaying the specific video data based on the video data resource identifier received with the link, wherein at least a portion of the specific video data has been received and stored at the user interface device prior to being displayed; and receiving content identified by the content resource identifier either directly from one or more of the plurality of servers or indirectly through the service center.