Streaming media search system

Details Streaming media search system Streaming media search system

2000-05-02

2004-04-13

Robinson, Greta (Department: 2177)

Data processing: database and file management or data structures

Database design

Data structure types

C707S793000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06721741

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of streaming media content search and playback over a network. In particular, the invention relates to a computer system that enables a continuous streaming media playback from a distribution of sites available over a network such as the Internet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computers currently can access streaming media on the Internet. Streaming media available on the Internet include, for example, music, video clips such as movie trailers, home movies, and animation.
Users locate streaming media on the Internet by manually selecting links. Typically, users browse the media sites that contain numerous sub-links. Users sometimes select through a chain of links to locate a desired media on a media link. Once located, the desired media link may or may not contain the desired media.
Some services provide media search engine capabilities. Users may enter a search request for selected media creations by an artist. The media search engine then displays links to categories and/or sub-links of media that are determined to match one or more criteria in the search request set forth by the user. The determination of which links should be displayed in response to the search request is dependent on the algorithm used in by the search engine. Typically, links displayed to users of current search engines are not subject to a determination of the quality or availability of the media associated with the media links. Further, the search results are outputted to the user as a display of links for the user's selection.
Many Internet streaming media outlets provide a limited number of source nodes. The sites can be unreliable when the number of users accessing the site become congested.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the invention includes a method for playing back media from network. The method comprises receiving a search criteria from a network enabled device. The method further includes accessing a database comprising a plurality of network addresses, where the database associating each address with one or more classes of information. Each address accesses a media network resource. The method further includes selecting at least one address in the database using the search criteria, signaling the selected address to the network enabled device, and controlling the network enabled device so as to automatically access and play back the media resource of the selected address.
Another embodiment includes a method for playing back media from a network. The method includes receiving a request for media playback from a network enabled device. Further, accessing a database comprising a plurality of network addresses, where each address accessing a media network resource. The method also includes identifying at least two addresses from the database, signaling each identified address to the network enabled device, and controlling the network enabled device to access and automatically play back the media network resources of each of the signaled addresses.
In another embodiment, a computer system is provided for playing back media from a network. The computer system comprises a network enabled device comprising a media playback component. A database is included that comprises a plurality of addresses, where each address locates a media network resource on the network. The database includes one or more classes of information associated with each address in the plurality of addresses. The system also includes a network server module that is coupleable to the network enabled device and to the database. The network server module is able to receive a search request from the terminal that specifies one or more criterias. The network server module selects an address from the database that is associated with a class of information that matches the search criteria. The network server module signals the address to the network enabled device to cause the device to access the media network resource, and to signal media playback component to load the media network resource after the device accesses the media network resource.
In another embodiment, a computer system is provided for playing back media from a network. The computer system includes a network enabled platform comprising a media playback component. A database includes a plurality of addresses, where each address locates a media network resource on the network. Each address accesses a media network resource. The embodiment further includes a network server module coupleable to the network enabled device and to the database. The network server receives a request for media playback from the network enabled device, selects multiple addresses from the database, and signal the multiple addresses to the network enabled device. The network server module control a media playback component on the network enabled device to use the addresses to automatically access and play back the media network resource associated with the addresses.
In another embodiment, a network enabled device is configured to playback media from a network. The network enabled device is coupleable over the network to a database that includes a plurality of addresses. Each address locates a media network resource on the network. The network enabled device includes a user-interface to prompt for a search request. The network interface signals the request to a network server module that is communicatable with the database, and receives one or more addresses in the database that match the search request. The network enabled device includes a media playback component that is configured to be programmatically controlled by the network server module to automatically load the media network resources located by the addresses that match the search request.
In another embodiment, a network enabled device is configured to playback media from a network. The network enabled device is coupleable over the network to a database comprising a plurality of addresses. Each address locates a media network resource on the network. The network enabled device comprises a user-interface including a plurality of user-interactive features, including a first user-interactive feature that prompts to receive a search request for media playback. A network interface signals the request to a network server module upon the first user-interactive feature receiving the search request for media playback. The network interface is communicatable with the database to receive one or more addresses in the database that match the search request. A network playback component is configured to be programmatically controllable by the network server module to automatically load the media network resource associated with each address signaled to the network enabled device upon accessing the media network resource. A playback of the media playback component being controllable by one or more control user-interactive features.
An embodiment includes a system that provides media from a network to a terminal having a media playback component. The system includes a first network site and a second network site, where each network site locates one or more media network resources. Each media network resource is locatable on the network by a corresponding address that accesses the media network resource. A network server module is coupleable to the terminal through the network. The network server module identifies a first media network resource from the first network site and a second media network resource from the second network site. The network server module signals the corresponding address of the first media network resource to the terminal with control signals to cause the playback component to automatically load the first media network resource. The network server module automatically signals the corresponding address of the second media network resource to the terminal with control signals to cause the playback component to automatically load the second media network resource.
Another embodiment provides a media playback system for the

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