System and method for adding targeted content in a web page

Abstract

A network ( 20 ) includes a first processor ( 22 ) for maintaining a Web page ( 34 ) having an embedded first code module ( 36 ) and accessible through a Web address ( 38 ). A second processor ( 24 ) supports a Web browser ( 52 ) for receiving transmission of the Web page ( 34 ) and executing the first code module ( 36 ). When executed, the first code module ( 36 ) issues a first command ( 93 ) to retrieve a second code module ( 90 ) from a server system ( 26 ). The server system ( 26 ) includes a database ( 68 ) having a service response ( 162, 176, 186 ) associated with the Web address ( 38 ). A processor ( 62 ) assembles the second code module ( 90 ) having the service response ( 162, 176, 186 ). When the second code module is retrieved, the first code module ( 36 ) issues a second command ( 106 ) to initiate execution of the second code module ( 90 ) to provide added function to the Web page ( 34 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A media appliance metaphor residing in non-transitory memory for adding a media function to a Web page downloaded at a processor platform, said metaphor executable by said processor platform and comprising a software device of a graphic representation representing a real world counterpart for display in connection with said Web page. 
     
     
         2 . The media appliance metaphor of  claim 1 , wherein said metaphor is formed by a server system as a service response in response to information provided by said processor platform to said server system. 
     
     
         3 . The media appliance metaphor of  claim 1 , wherein said metaphor is automatically provided from said server system when said Web page is downloaded at said processor platform. 
     
     
         4 . The media appliance metaphor of  claim 1 , wherein said metaphor is customized by said server system in accordance with information content of said Web page. 
     
     
         5 . The media appliance metaphor of  claim 1 , wherein: said graphic representation comprises a radio image; and said metaphor further comprises streaming audio complimenting an information content of said Web page. 
     
     
         6 . The media appliance metaphor of  claim 1 , further comprising a user control software device for allowing a user to control at least one of a volume and an audio content of said streaming audio. 
     
     
         7 . The media appliance metaphor of  claim 1 , further comprising a user control software device for allowing a user to activate a portable mode of said metaphor, said portable mode enabling detachment of said media appliance metaphor from said Web page. 
     
     
         8 . The media appliance metaphor of  claim 1 , further comprising a user control software device for allowing a user to control a content of said media appliance metaphor. 
     
     
         9 . The media appliance metaphor of  claim 1 , wherein said metaphor further comprises video complimenting an information content of said Web page. 
     
     
         10 . A method of adding targeted content to a web page, the web page being configured to be downloaded from a first processor platform and automatically execute at a second processor platform, wherein the improvement comprises:
 Transmitting from the first processor platform to the second processor platform a first code module configured to automatically execute with the downloaded web page and send at least one command to the first processor platform in response to execution of the first code module;   Receiving the at least one command at the first processor platform and causing retrieval of a second code module having the targeted content associated therewith, the targeted content being configured to execute when the second code module is executed; and;   Transmitting the second code module via a network connection to the second processor platform.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the targeted content is predicated on information obtained from the at least one command received from the first code module, characterizing the software, hardware, and visitor information of the second processor platform. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second processor platform is a mobile digital device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the targeted content further comprises a conditional service response. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the targeted content further comprises a customized service response. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the targeted content further comprises a denial of service. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the targeted content further comprises a denial of service that when executed results in the absence of a service response. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the targeted content comprises a metaphor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of customizing the metaphor to include a parameter set relevant to the web page, the customized metaphor describing a conditional service presented upon execution of the second code module. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of executing the second code module at the second processor platform.