System and method for media search and playback

Abstract

A playback system is provided to locate and playback streaming media from network resources. The playback system includes a search module that signals a query to a network site, and receives in return a search result. The search result identifies one or more links that are selectable to open media files. A media player couples to the search module to automatically play back streaming media contained in media files located by the search result.

1 . A media playback system comprising:
 a search module that signals a user-query to a first network site to receive a search result, and in response to receiving the search result, identifies a first link contained in the search result that is selectable to open media files; and   a media player coupled to the search module to automatically play back streaming media contained in a first media file of the first link contained in the search result.   
   
   
       2 . The media play back system of  claim 1 , wherein the search module includes a parser to parse the search result for the first link. 
   
   
       3 . The media playback system of  claim 1 , wherein the search module searches a media directory comprising a plurality of addresses, each address locating a network site for accessing a media file, the search module retrieving from the media directory at least a first address for the first network site based on the user-query. 
   
   
       4 . The media playback system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user-interface to receive the user-query, and to signal the user-query to the search module. 
   
   
       5 . The media playback system of  claim 1 , wherein the search module includes a web browser component, and the search module accesses a first web site in response to the user-query. 
   
   
       6 . The media playback system of  claim 1 , wherein the search module signals the user-query to the first network site to identify the first link contained in the search result for opening media files containing audio digital recordings. 
   
   
       7 . The media playback system of  claim 1 , wherein the search module signals the user-query to the first network site to identify the first link contained in the search result for opening media files containing video and/or audio digital recordings. 
   
   
       8 . The media playback system of  claim 1 , wherein the search module signals the user-query to a search engine of the first network site in the form of a uniform resource locator.