Method and system for enabling presenation of auxiliary content

Abstract

A system and method are proposed in which valuable interactive or non-interactive primary content, made up of streaming audio, video, or binary executable program data such as a game program, or a combination of such data for which value is expected to be paid, is maintained in a contents database and accessed from a server station over a network, wherein the primary content is downloaded into a client-side networked game console or computer. Auxiliary content, such as advertisements which are targeted or customized to a particular customer based the identifying information, are triggered for playback in the client game console or computer. Controls are provided with the game console for enabling the customer to decide whether or not to view the auxiliary content, and information concerning which types of auxiliary content, along with times and durations during which auxiliary content was viewed, are recorded and uploaded to the server.

1 . A system for providing access to primary media content in digital form, comprising: 
 a server network comprising a server;    a client computer connectable to said server; and    a storage media of said client computer, said storage media having a plurality of auxiliary media content items and a plurality of trigger data items logically associated, respectively, with each of said auxiliary media content items;    wherein access is made through the client computer to specified content in a primary content database, and in response to the access, information is downloaded into said client computer to trigger execution of specified auxiliary media content items based on comparison of said information with said trigger data items.    
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said specified content comprises a portion of an overall set of primary contents stored at said server.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said specified content comprises a portion of an overall set of primary contents stored in said server, and an authentication code authenticates access to the server which is responsible for providing access to said specified content.  
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said client computer further comprises a local fixed storage device disposed internally or externally of said client computer, wherein said specified content is downloaded onto said fixed storage device.  
     
     
         5 . A method for delivery of primary media content in digital form, comprising the steps of: 
 establishing a communications link between a networked console and a server, said networked console having a local storage media and having a detachable storage media detachably installed therein;    transmitting a request for primary media content to said server, in order to retrieve said primary media content;    downloading into said local storage media of said networked console from said server said primary media content; and    presenting selected auxiliary media content stored on said detachable storage media at the networked console, the presenting of the selected auxiliary media content being based on information obtained from the server.    
     
     
         6 . A method for delivery of primary media content in digital form as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 selectively overriding playback of said auxiliary media content, for enabling viewing of solely the primary media content downloaded from said server.    
     
     
         7 . A method for delivery of primary media content in digital form as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 storing a record of the auxiliary media content viewed using said networked console; and    uploading said record to said server.    
     
     
         8 . A method for delivery of primary media content in digital form as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 receiving an authentication code from said server, wherein said authentication code serves to limit access to specified content only from among said primary media content.    
     
     
         9 . A method for delivery of primary media content in digital form as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said presenting of said selected auxiliary media content further comprises comparing said information obtained from said server with trigger data logically associated with one or more auxiliary media content items making up the auxiliary media content.  
     
     
         10 . A method for delivery of primary media content in digital form as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said downloading into said local storage media of said networked console from said server said primary media content comprises storing said primary media content on a local fixed storage device disposed internally or externally of said networked console.  
     
     
         11 . A method for accessing primary media content from a content provider, comprising: 
 establishing a communications link between a computer and a server, said computer having a local storage media:    communicating a request for specified primary media content to said server, in order to retrieve said primary media content;    downloading into said local storage media of said computer from said server said specified primary media content; and    presenting selected auxiliary media content stored on said local storage media at a display associated with the computer, the selected auxiliary media content being identified in response to the request for the specified primary media content, and wherein the selected auxiliary media content is capable of being presented interactively with the presentation of the specified primary media content.    
     
     
         12 . A method for accessing primary media content from a content provider as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said presenting of the selected auxiliary media content includes presenting the selected auxiliary media content alongside the specified primary media content.  
     
     
         13 . A method for accessing primary media content from a content provider as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the selected auxiliary media content is presented in one of a window, an inset, a banner, or a frame.  
     
     
         14 . A method for accessing primary media content from a content provider as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the specified primary media content is in the form of an interactive program and execution in the interactive program can trigger presentation of different ones of the selected auxiliary media content.