Method and apparatus for organizing and playing data

The present invention provides a general solution to presenting media interface and navigation tools for content provided from a plurality of sources. The invention maintains a user at a single site regardless of the source of the media content. This permits a consistent interface to be presented to the user. Because the user remains at the same site, differences in tiered membership may be tracked so that the user is only presented with content that the user is permitted to view. The invention uses a metadata language to characterize content so that viewer type, membership level, and other information can be maintained and used for an enjoyable viewing experience.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of organizing and playing data.

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that are subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.

2. Background Art

The personal computer has become a resource for entertainment as well as traditional data processing functionality. In many cases, the personal computer has replaced home stereo systems as a source of audio entertainment. Many users have replaced hard copies of books and magazines with e-copies of reading materials for review via a computer. Another popular use for personal computers is the presentation of medial information and entertainment.

Often, the providing of media entertainment, such as audio or video entertainment, occurs via a network, such as the internet. Certain web sites are known for the availability of video clips of movies and television programs, or audio program files, that a computer user can view, listen to, and possibly purchase. In some cases, television or radio networks provide web sites devoted to their own shows or to a single show. Many times a web site is designed to provide an “enhanced” experience in real time during the broadcast of a television program. Such enhanced features may include comprehensive statistics in the case of sporting events, commercial tie-in and purchase opportunities in the case of entertainment programs, play-along quizzes, or even competition during game shows.

In some cases, additional media content is made available to internet users between broadcasts of programs to promote interest, loyalty, and viewing opportunities, when a program is not otherwise airing. There are a number of disadvantages with many of the current systems for obtaining such content via the internet as will be described below.

A number of web sites purport to provide a central location where a variety of media can be obtained and experienced by a user on a personal computer via a network. A disadvantage with many of these sites is a failure to provide a consistent interface for content from different sources. Another disadvantage is the failure to provide to the user only content that is actually playable by the user. Often the user is prompted to mistakenly buy player capability that the user doesn't want or need.

Certain web sites purport to provide a portal or central location for accessing media data and content from a variety of sources, including from different networks and internet media sources. A problem for a user on such a site is the inconsistency of the presented interface for different content. In a typical situation, a user may elect to view a content clip from a program from one of the broadcast networks. When the clip is selected, the user may actually be transferred to the network's own web site for viewing of the clip.

When the user is transferred, the entire interface for viewing clips is often changed to the interface supported by the source site. This diminishes the viewing experience for the user and requires the user to pay extra attention to where navigation and activation controls are located in order to effectively use the site for viewing of content.

Another problem occurs when a user is part of a tiered membership or subscription service on a portal site. Lower tiers of membership may have restrictions on which content is available. When the portal switches the user to the content source site, the user may be presented with all possible content, even though the user is able to view only a subset of the listed content. This diminishes the user's experience because the user is made aware of a limited experience.

Finally, the user may be referred to data that is not playable on the user's currently installed content player. The user may be presented with a list of available content that does not indicate which player is used or required to play the content. When a user selects a clip or content that requires a player that the user does not currently have, the user may be directed to a site where a new player can be obtained. Often these sites are confusing. A free player is often available but the user is urged to purchase a “professional” or “full featured” version of a player not really needed for the clip which the user wants to play. Often the user mistakenly purchases the “for purchase” player instead of simply accepting the free player.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a general solution to presenting media interface and navigation tools for content provided from a plurality of sources. The invention maintains a user at a single site regardless of the source of the media content. This permits a consistent interface to be presented to the user. Because the user remains at the same site, differences in tiered membership may be tracked so that the user is only presented with content that the user is permitted to play. The invention uses a metadata language to characterize content so that player type, membership level, and other information can be maintained and used for an enjoyable experience. Metadata attributes associated with media files can be mapped to locations in an interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method and apparatus for presenting and playing content on a network is described. In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

The present invention provides a consistent interface and user navigation system for media clips from all sources. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the interface is generated at a site on a network in which the media content is provided. In the following description, an example of organizing and playing viewable content, such as video content, is described. It is understood that the invention has equal application to audio media content as well.FIG. 1illustrates one embodiment of the interface of the present invention. The invention contemplates a drill down approach to certain aspects of navigation withFIG. 1illustrating the top or home level of navigation. The display includes two display areas101and102. Area101is referred to as an “editorial” area and can include show titles and logos, navigation tools, and other information Region102is an area reserved for promotions and can include still or Flash type promotions or advertisements.

An area103includes links to a number of categories or “channels” that the user can select to be presented with viewing choices falling within a particular genre or type.FIG. 1illustrates a number of channels by way of example, including “Featured Today”104, News105, Sports106, Entertainment107, and Coming Soon108. By selecting one of these categories, the user is able to access another interface that provides choices related to the genre. Featured Today104is a channel that is suitable for breaking news or even for sponsored clips that may relate to a current film or to a broadcast event of the same or impending day. The selections may represent pre-recorded media or live broadcast media. In certain embodiments, below region103, the home level can include information related to the current user's subscriptions. One example of a title for this region is “My Subscriptions”. This region displays the subscriptions the user is currently signed up for and may, in certain embodiments, include promotional information. For example, one promotional advertisement may state, “For only $8.99 you could upgrade to Platinum Premium!”

The provision of choices of selected shows, news, and sports is indicated in region117. The show title, logo, or brand is indicated in regions111and112. Below each logo bar is an information region115and116, respectively, that provides program information to the user. This information includes the episode title and a brief description of the episode. It also includes a thumbnail image of the available show or clip in region113and114.

A region109is also provided to the user that lists available content. The content may be sorted in a number of ways. In the example ofFIG. 1, the content is listed as Most Popular, which may be based on any of a number of time periods, including by the day, the week, or even the hour. Also in the example ofFIG. 1, the most popular clip listed may include a thumbnail110to provide additional information to the user of the available clip. The Most Popular listing may be with respect to all content, by channel, by category, or by any other suitable or desired population of media clips. It should be appreciated that in different embodiments of the present invention, the pixel size of the display can vary between different images. For instance, in the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the promotion in area102has a pixel size of 300×250 dots per inch (dpi) while the thumbnail110has a size of 88×66 dpi.

FIG. 2illustrates the interface of the invention after the user has selected a channel. In the example shown, the user has selected the Entertainment107channel. This selection presents a slightly changed interface to the user with a channel indicator201displayed at the top of the editorial section101. In addition, region117now only presents show selections which correspond to the user's selection.

FIG. 3illustrates the display of an embodiment of the invention when a user has selected a particular show. When a show is selected, the Editorial area101is divided into two areas301A and301B. Area301A displays a title, logo, or other indicator of the show selected and a text description of the show. Area301B displays a thumbnail302of the episodes that are available for the show that is selected for viewing, along with text having a short written description of the selected episode. In one embodiment of the invention, a number of other clips available for viewing are displayed below area301B and use a similar geography to display data, including a thumbnail image and text description. The channel selections104-108remain visible and available in region103, as does the Most Popular list in region208.

FIG. 4illustrates the display in an embodiment when the user selects an episode of a show. When this is selected the editorial section301B displays a plurality of chapter or clip selections of the selected episode such as selections401,402, and403. The user can select one of the chapter selections for viewing in region102of this embodiment of the invention.

A desired feature of one embodiment of the present invention is that a user is only presented with data that the user can actually view at the subscription level of which the user is a member. This distinguishes the invention from prior art schemes where the user may be presented with data that is not viewable based on the subscription level or even based on the player or connection speed of the user. One of the embodiments of the invention that makes this possible is that the data resides in a database on the web site of the invention. Unlike prior art schemes that link to external data sources, the present invention maintains data locally.

The present invention is able to customize content presentation because of the data structure of the database used for the local data storage. In one embodiment, data is stored using an XML template unique to the present invention. This allows metadata to be included which facilitates the sorting and presentation of data to the user, making a consistent interface and experience possible. In one embodiment, XML data is stored locally but some or all content is stored remotely and linked to a local site.

The template below is an example of one embodiment of an XML datastore template used in the present invention. The template is for a “FEEDITEM” which is associated with a clip for viewing. XML documents may have multiple FEEDITEMS. It should be noted that items are not required to have all elements listed.

The XML elements described here are by way of example only. Additional or fewer elements may be included without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

CMSFEED is the container for XML content feeds to the present invention and contains a number of other XML elements.

CONTACT XML SpecsThe CONTACT element contains the name of the contact at the content publisher who is responsible for the content feed. (example: “Joe Smith”)EMAIL: Email address of the person who is publishing this show. (example: “joesmith@yahoo-inc.com”).TELEPHONE: Telephone number of the person who is publishing this show. (example: “800-555-1212”).

FEEDITEM XML Specs

The FEEDITEM element holds the data for either a category or a clip.TYPE: This is the type of node being described. For the allowed values, “category” is a container for clips. Depending on the time of media being played in the invention, this could be equivalent to an episode of a TV show, or it could be used to represent another type of clips container.MEDIA: The type of media being described. This is only used for clips. “Video” refers to a video file. Audio” refers to an audio-only file.ID: Pathname of the show. (example: “/episode1” or “/episode3/clip1”). Maximum length for this field is 50 characters. Valid values for this field:In one embodiment the ID only consists of letters and numbers [i.e., A-Z|a-z|0-9] and no symbols [i.e., no #, @, etc.] are allowed in the ID.SORT ORDER: Valid values for this field include any number from 100 to 10000. In one embodiment of a list of clips or categories, the item with the highest number is displayed first, then the item with the second highest number is displayed next, and so on. The difference in SORTORDER between each item is in multiples of 10 in this embodiment. It is understood that the sorting can be in reverse order as well and any suitable difference between items may be employed.

TITLE XML Specs

This element is for the title of the piece of media. Referring briefly toFIG. 2, the title data is displayed in location201when it is category information and at location320inFIG. 3when it is a show or clip title. In one embodiment, the maximum length of this field depends on the TYPE of FEEDITEM being described:For a “category” piece of media, the title length can be, e.g., up to 25 characters.For a “clip” piece of media, the title length can be, e.g., up to 50 characters.

DESCRIPTION XML Specs

This element is a description of the clip. It is displayed in the metadata pane and on the web site, such as at location301A inFIG. 3. The length of this field depends on the TYPE of FEEDITEM being described.For a “category” piece of media, the length can be, e.g., up to 75 characters.For a “clip” piece of media, this field can be, e.g., up to 260 characters.

DURATION XML Specs

This is the length of the clip. format: hh:mm:ss.

VALIDTIME XML Specs

This is the date and time that the content will start being displayed on the invention site and will become available to subscribers. In some embodiments, this field is not required. Format: mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PMTZ: time zone of publish start and end times. Valid values: “CST”|“CDT”|“EST”|“EDT”|“MST”|“MDT”|“PST”|“PDT”

EXPIRATIONTIME XML SpecsThis is the date and time that the content will be automatically removed from the invention site, and will no longer be available to subscribers. This field is not required in all embodiments. Format: mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM.TZ: time zone of publish start and end times. Valid values:“CST”|“CDT”|“EST”|“EDT”|“MST”|“MDT”|“PST”|“PDT”

BLACKOUT XML SpecsThis makes it possible to “black out” a piece of content from users whose account information indicates they are in a specific DMA (Designated Market Area). This could, for example, be used for sporting events which cannot be rebroadcast in specific areas. Valid values for this field depend on the REGION setting: For DMA, an example of a valid value is “SAN FRANCISCO-OAK-SAN JOSE,” for ZIP (Zip code), an example of a valid value is “94089.” This element is optional.REGION: Sets system for selecting geographic areas to blackout. Valid values: “DMA”|“ZIP”.

STREAM XML SpecsThe invention can have multiple STREAM elements. However, for each FEEDITEM, the streams represented by these elements must have the same content. The only difference is the speed and media type. In one embodiment, a default value is such that each FEEDITEM clip has 6 streams (56 k windows media, 100 k windows media, 300 k windows media, 56 k real, 100 k real, 300 k real).FORMAT: Stream format. Validvalues=“wm”|“asf”|“wmv”|“wma”|“rnv”|“rm”|“rna”|“ra”“wm” or “asf”=windows media file“wmv”=windows media video file“wma”=windows media audio-only file“rnv” or “rm”=real networks video file“rna” or “ra”=real networks audio-only fileBITRATE: Stream Speed. Valid values=“56”|“100”|“300”

AIRTIME XML SpecsThis element is the date and time that the clip was originally broadcast (if it was in fact broadcast). Format: mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PMTZ: time zone of publish start and end times. Valid values:“CST”|“CDT”|“EST”|“EDT”|“MST”|“MDT”|“PST”|“PDT”

IMAGE XML SpecsThis element is an image for a FEEDITEM. The size for this image is, for example, 120×90, and is in a format such as GIF, JPEG, or any other suitable format in one embodiment. The IMAGE can be displayed in regions206,207,302,401,402, or403, for example.USE: This describes how the content should be used. Each piece of media may, for example, have a “largethumb” and “smallthumb” associated with it—these images should be images from the piece of media. Valid values: “SMALLTHUMB”|“LARGETHUMB”SMALLTHUMB: The size for this image may be, e.g., 88×66, and it may be in JPEG, GIF, or any other suitable format.LARGETHUMB: The size for this image may be 120×90, and it may be in JPEG, GIF, or any other suitable format.
Content Provider Accounts

A content provider that desires to interact with the site of the present invention has an assigned Content Management System (CMS) account with provider names and passwords. The providers can FTP (file transfer protocol) media files, images and XML feed documents using the template described above. The transferred media files, with the associated metadata according to the XML template, are then provided to a page generation tool and assembled into a window and accompanying channel modules. This process can be automated so that content can be published (assuming its availability date is current) almost instantly.FIGS. 5 to 8illustrate an interface used in an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

The database is accessible by content providers and partners via password, allowing remote editing and updating of the content. For example, a clip can easily be removed from the site by changing the expiration time entry to a date that has already passed. Data content may also inherit metadata attributes from its category and from its associated show. For example, an external site link may be inherited by a clip (such as to an official site for a show). In addition, copyright information may be inherited at a show or category level as well. Clips are associated with a show and shows are associated with a category.

FIG. 5illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing an interface on a media player. As previously discussed, in at least one embodiment of the invention, the interface is generated at a site on a network. A media playing window501is provided at an upper-left location of the player geography. The viewing window501includes a control bar509just below the viewing window with player controls, such as play, pause, top, progress bar, volume, etc. XML metadata associated with content can be mapped to areas of the player geography. Region502is an informational area reserved for a logo of the content provider. This could be a network, a show, a series, etc. Region503is another informational area reserved for a show logo graphic. Region504is reserved for a thumbnail of an available or selected clip. Regions505and506display the clip title metadata and airdate metadata, respectively. The metadata description text of the clip is displayed in region507. Region508is reserved for additional available clips and displays thumbnails in regions510,511, and512, for example, along with associated title and/or description metadata. In certain embodiments, the thumbnails displayed in regions510,511, and512have a display ratio of 4:3. Additional text and hyperlinks can also be displayed in area508. For example advertising information allowing the user to link to additional material that is being offered. One example of advertising information may be, “you are enjoying a free preview of yahoo! platinum . . . sign up now!” It should be appreciated that in different embodiments of the invention, the pixel size of the media player and the regions included in the media player can vary. For instance, in the example illustrated inFIG. 5, the media player has a pixel size of 794×543 dpi, the masthead region has a pixel height of 35 dpi, the viewing window of media playing window501has a pixel size of 400×300 dpi, the control bar509has a pixel size of 400×43 dpi, the region508has a pixel size of 543×156, the thumbnails510,511, and512have a pixel size of 88×66 dpi. The pixel sizes of this embodiment were designed for Windows Internet Explorer version 5+. Other Platforms may require adjustments in the pixel sizes.

FIG. 6illustrates the interface of the player after a user has signed in. The bottom portion of the display geography is now changed to add channel selections602-607to region601. In certain embodiments of the invention, the region601has a pixel size of 94×156 dpi. In addition, Region620includes content modules that now displays a number of thumbnails of available clips such as thumbnails621-624. In certain embodiments of the invention, the region620has a pixel size of 697×156 dpi and the thumbnails621-624have a pixel size of 88×66 dpi. This region can be scrolled horizontally in one embodiment to permit the display of additional thumbnails of available clips. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, by clicking the “Brand: Show Label” media player jumps to the show corresponding to the content module clicked. Clicking the bookmark icon adds the corresponding show to “My Shows” and displays a confirmation dialog. Clicking the thumbnail or “Clip label” jumps the media player to the corresponding show and the media player begins to play the specified clip.

FIG. 7illustrates the interface of the player when one of the channels in region601is selected. In this example, Entertainment Channel604has been selected. This causes a pull-down menu701to be displayed in the region adjacent to region601and displays available content for the selected channel. In certain embodiments of the invention, the region701has a pixel size of 169×156 dpi. The example illustrates one of the advantages of the present invention. One of the selections, namely the NCAA Tournament 2003, includes a following star symbol702. This indicates premium content and the user knows that this content is not available unless the user has a premium account. This is possible because of the local storage of content by the invention and the use of the XML metadata to store access levels which are required for certain content. In another embodiment, only available permitted content at the user level is shown, with premium or other unavailable content filtered out. This makes the viewing experience more desirable using the present invention. In one embodiment, the indication is not marked. When a user attempts to play content for which the user does not have access, the user may be redirected to a presentation that offers the ability to subscribe to the service.

The player may be a third-party player which is “skinned” to provide the desired consistent interface. In other embodiments, the player is a purpose built player.

FIG. 8illustrates the interface when a show has been selected in region701. The title of the show is displayed in region801and thumbnails of available episodes are shown in regions802-804. In one embodiment, region801is scrollable so that all available episodes can be accessed via that region. In addition, in certain embodiments, the thumbnails802-804have a pixel size of 88×66 dpi.

The present invention includes additional information in a local database in addition to the metadata provided by a content provider. This information can also be XML metadata or it can be associated attributes of the database in any suitable form. This data includes subscription information such as active/inactive, and level of subscription (e.g., regular, premium, package, etc.).

FIG. 9is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention in one embodiment. At step901, a user makes a selection and the system then goes through a number of decision blocks902-904to determine the appropriate display update to provide. At step902, it is determined if the user has selected a channel. If so, the display is updated at stop905and provides a display such as shown inFIGS. 2 and 7.

At step903, it is determined if the user has selected a show. If so, the display is updated at step906and provides a display on the site such as shown inFIG. 3or on the player such as shown inFIG. 8. At step904, it is determined if the user has selected an episode. If so, the site display is updated such as shown inFIG. 4and the player is updated such as is shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10illustrates some of the operation of an embodiment of the invention when a channel is selected. At step1001, the user has selected a channel. At step1002, the system updates the display by placing the name of the selected channel in region201for the site. For the player, the display provides a pull down menu701. At step1003, a “Most Popular” display region208is provided at the site. For the player, the database is examined so that premium shows in the list can be identified by a marker, such as “star”702.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is possible to create playlists related to user preferences. These lists can be either automatically generated based on content provider relationships, or editorially.

Content Invocation

FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate the operation of content invocation in one embodiment of the invention. At step1201ofFIG. 12, the user invokes a content uniform resource locator (URL) by clicking on a clip link from the browser, activating a bookmarked URL, redirecting from a ‘short’ URL, clicking within a Player/Viewer popoup or by a variety of other means. Once the content URL is invoked, at a logic gate (step1202), it is determined whether the user's computer is configured to be able to accept cookies. An exemplary cookie may include a Yahoo media cookie. If it is determined that the user's computer is unable to accept cookies, the browser redirects to a standard error message, which may request that the user configure his computer to accept cookies.

If it is determined that the user's computer is able to accept cookies, at a logic gate (step1203) it is determined whether the operating software (OS) and browser platforms on the user's computer are acceptable. For example, an acceptable OS platform could be Windows and an acceptable browser platform could be Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher. If it is determined that the platforms are not acceptable, the browser page redirects to a platform error message, which may inform the user that the platforms running on his computer are not compatible with the web site's platform(s). Otherwise, if it is determined that the platforms are acceptable, at a logic gate (step1204) it is determined whether the user chooses to view sample marketing content. If it is determined that the user chooses to view sample marketing content, the process will proceed to step1205where the player will be invoked to operate at State A, which may be defined to play sample marketing content only.

However, if it is determined that the user does not choose to view sample marketing content, at a logic gate (step1206) it is determined whether the user has signed into the web site. If it is determined that the user has not signed in, the browser page redirects to a sign-in error message, which may tell the user that he must sign into the web site to view the content. However, if it is determined that the user has signed in, at a logic gate (step1207) it is determined whether the web page identification (I.D.) is still fresh. If it is determined that the I.D. is not fresh, the browser page redirects to an expiration error message, which may advise the user that the session has expired and request the user to sign in again.

Otherwise, if the I.D. is determined to be fresh, at a logic gate (step1301,FIG. 13), it is determined whether there is an existing clip that corresponds to the requested clip I.D. number. If it is determined that the clip I.D. does not have a corresponding existing clip, the browser redirects to a clip error message, which may advise the user that there is no existing clip that matches his requested clip I.D. number. Otherwise, if it is determined that the requested clip I.D. has a clip available, at a logic gate (step1302) it is determined whether the user, according to his subscription level, has the ability to access this particular clip.

If it is determined that the user does not have access to the clip, at a logic gate (step1303), it is determined whether the clip's show has a valid I.D. number. If it is determined that the show I.D. number is not valid, the browser redirects to a show error message, which may advise the user that there is no existing show that corresponds to his requested show I.D. number. However, if it is determined that the show I.D. number is valid, at a logic gate (step1304), it is determined whether the clip's episode has a valid I.D. number.

If it is determined that the episode I.D. number is not valid, the browser redirects to an episode error message, which may advise the user that there is no existing episode that corresponds to his requested episode I.D. number. Otherwise, if it is determined that the episode I.D. number is valid, at a logic gate (step1306) it is determined whether the user, according to his subscription level, has access to view special promotional content. If it is determined that the user does not have access to view special promotional content, the browser redirects to a content error message, which may notify the user that the clip is not available because of the user's current subscription level and advise the user that the clip will be available to him if he subscribes to a higher subscription level. If it is determined that the user is able to view the special promotional content, the process will proceed to step1309where the player will be invoked to operate at State D. State D may be defined to be a particular content mode. In certain embodiments, for example, State D may be for a show without an available Clip or Promo. In this state the player displays the selected show and the remainder of the player shows special promos.

At the previously discussed logic gate located at step1302, if it is determined that the user does have access to the clip, at a logic gate (step1305), it is determined whether the user, according to his subscription level, has access to view special promotional content. If it is determined that the user does not have access to view special promotional content, the process will proceed to step1308where the player will be invoked to operate at State C. Otherwise, if it is determined that the user does have access to view special promotional content, the process will proceed to step1307where the player will be invoked to operate at State B. States B and C may be defined to be specific content modes.

After successful content invocation, the embodiment may undergo a logic sequence to confirm media playback capability. One possible logic process is depicted inFIG. 14. Once content has been invoked (step1401), at a logic gate (step1402), it is determined whether the user's computer has the necessary clip media player code. This decision is made by determining if the user's computer has specific software installed, e.g., Real or WinMP. If it is determined that the necessary software has not been installed onto the user's computer, the browser redirects to a software error message, which may advise the user that he will need to install specific software onto his computer in order to view the content. In certain embodiments, software error message may include browser window links to a media helper popup, and corresponding help pages. Otherwise, if it is determined that the necessary software has been installed onto the user's computer, the process proceeds to step1403where the audio/video content will be played normally.

Web Page Site Map

An embodiment of the present invention can be represented by a web page hierarchy site map.FIG. 15depicts one possible site map hierarchy for a content invocation structure.

FIG. 15illustrates the path of web pages that a user navigates through in order to invoke audio/video clip content. Page1501represents the web site home page, which allows the user to make a number of various choices. Exemplary choices may include Featured content, shows and nav links. The pages on level1502illustrate the different options that the user can choose from. Some of the choices presented in this embodiment are type of genre (page1503), which includes a list of shows for a channel, “coming soon” listings (page1504), which includes a list of upcoming shows/Episodes, “my shows” channel (page1505), which includes a list of shows (shortcuts), an account summary (page1506), which includes preferences, an account summary and in some embodiments, links to information/edit pages for alternative services, and a demonstration of web site features tour (page1507) which includes a demo of features and services. Page1508, which is also located on level1502, is triggered if the user has not signed in properly or does not have an existing account. If page1508is triggered, the browser redirects to a sign-in error message, which will advise the user that he will need to either attempt to sign in again or subscribe to the web site in order to view the content. If there was a sign in error, page1508displays a login module. After a successful sign in, the user is redirected as appropriate based on tracked src info. The default location would be the Home page. If there is an src page id, the browser is redirected to the src page id.

If the user selects a type of genre in page1503, the web site will transfer the user to a lower level on the site map (page1509). At page1509, the user is presented with a listing of available shows to choose from. The displayed promo/editorial information should not conflict with the show on the particular page. Once the user selects a show to watch, the web site will transfer the user to a lower level on the site map (page1510), which lists the available episodes for that particular show. After a user selects an episode from the listing on page1510, the process will proceed to step1511where the player will be invoked to operate. It should also be appreciated that content can be invoked from different web pages as opposed to having to access numerous web pages before actually invoking content. In this particular embodiment those web pages which can invoke content are designated with an asterisk. It should also be appreciated that in various embodiments there can be other webpages that list prevalent information. For example one web page might list help topics that the user can access or legal information such as privacy information. These informative web pages can preferably be accessed from any of the above listed web pages.

Embodiment of a Computer Execution Environment

An embodiment of the invention can be implemented as computer software in the form of computer readable code executed in a desktop general purpose computing environment such as environment1100illustrated inFIG. 11, or in the form of bytecode class files running in such an environment. A keyboard1110and mouse1111are coupled to a bi-directional system bus1118. The keyboard and mouse are for introducing user input to a computer1101and communicating that user input to processor1113.

Computer1101may also include a communication interface1120coupled to bus1118. Communication interface1120provides a two-way data communication coupling via a network link1121to a local network1122. For example, if communication interface1120is a modem, communication interface1120provides a data communication connection to the corresponding type of telephone line, which comprises part of network link1121. If communication interface1120is a local area network (LAN) card, communication interface1120provides a data communication connection via network link1121to a compatible LAN. Wireless links are also possible. In any such implementation, communication interface1120sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals, which carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

Network link1121typically provides data communication through one or ore networks to other data devices. For example, network link1121may provide a connection through local network1122to local server computer1123or to data equipment operated by ISP1124. ISP1124, in turn, provides data communication services through the worldwide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet”1125. Local network1122and Internet1125both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals, which carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link1121and through communication interface1120, which carry the digital data to and from computer1100, are exemplary forms of carrier waves transporting the information.

Processor1113may reside wholly on client computer1101or wholly on server1026or processor1113may have its computational power distributed between computer1001and server1126. In the case where processor1113resides wholly on server1126, the results of the computations performed by processor1113are transmitted to computer1101via Internet1125, Internet Service Provider (ISP)1124, local network1122and communication interface1120. In this way, computer1101is able to display the results of the computation to a user in the form of output. Other suitable input devices may be used in addition to, or in place of, the mouse1111and keyboard1110. I/O (input/output) unit1119coupled to bi-directional system bus1118represents such I/O elements as a printer, A/V (audio/video) I/O, etc.

Computer1101includes a video memory1114, main memory1115and mass storage1112, all coupled to bi-directional system bus1118along with keyboard1110, mouse1111and processor1113.

As with processor1113, in various computing environments, main memory1115and mass storage1112, can reside wholly on server1126or computer1101, or they may be distributed between the two. Examples of systems where processor1113, main memory1115, and mass storage1112are distributed between computer1101and server1126include the thin-client computing architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc., the palm pilot computing device, Internet ready cellular phones, and other Internet computing devices.

The mass storage1112may include both fixed and removable media, such as magnetic, optical or magnetic optical storage systems or any other available mass storage technology. Bus1118may contain, for example, 32 address lines for addressing video memory1114or main memory1115. The system bus1118also includes, for example, a 32-bit data bus for transferring data between and among the components, such as processor1113, main memory1115, video memory1114, and mass storage1112. Alternatively, multiplex data/address lines may be used instead of separate data and address lines.

In one embodiment of the invention, the processor1113is a microprocessor manufactured by Motorola, such as the 680×0 processor or a microprocessor manufactured by Intel, such as the 80×86 or Pentium processor, or a SPARC microprocessor from Sun Microsystems, Inc. However, any other suitable microprocessor or microcomputer may be utilized. Main memory1115is comprised of dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Video memory1114is a dual-ported video random access memory. One port of the video memory1114is coupled to video amplifier1116. The video amplifier1116is used to drive the cathode ray tube (CRT) raster monitor1117. Video amplifier1116is well known in the art and may be implemented by any suitable apparatus. This circuitry converts pixel data stored in video memory1114to a raster signal suitable for use by monitor1117. Monitor1117is a type of monitor suitable for displaying graphic images.

Computer1101can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link1121and communication interface1120. In the Internet example, remote server computer1126might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet1125, ISP1124, local network1122and communication interface1120. The received code may be executed by processor1113as it is received, and/or stored in mass storage1112, or other non-volatile storage for later execution. In this manner, computer1100may obtain application code in the form of a carrier wave. Alternatively, remote server computer1126may execute applications using processor1113, and utilize mass storage1112, and/or video memory1115. The results of the execution at server1126are then transmitted through Internet1125, ISP1124, local network1122, and communication interface1120. In this example, computer1101performs only input and output functions.

Application code may be embodied in any form of computer program product. A computer program product comprises a medium configured to store or transport computer readable code, or in which computer readable code may be embedded. Some examples of computer program products are CD-ROM disks, ROM cards, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, computer hard drives, servers on a network, and carrier waves. The computer systems described above are for purposes of example only. An embodiment of the invention may be implemented in any type of computer system or programming or processing environment.

Thus an environment for display of content has been described.