WO2001020471A1 - Data communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer program product is provided which includes in combination a media player control (12) and a web browser control (14) stored on a digital storage medium. The product further includes a display controller which defines a browsing zone and a media player zone on a display screen of a computer. The media player control (12) controls the display of media player data in the media player zone and the browser control (14) controls the display of browser data in the browsing zone. Media player data is selectively retrieved from a remote content provider and/or from a storage device in the computer. The invention extends further to a web browser product and to a client computer product including the computer program product. The product includes a ticker control (20) for displaying ticks independently of the browsing zone.

Description

DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

This application claims priority from South African application ZA 99/5912, filed 14 September 1999, and US application

US 09/ filed 13 September 2000, the disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a data communication system and to a web browser product. It also relates to method of controlling the display of data on a display screen of a computer and to client computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Browsers for surfing the Internet are commonly available in the market place. Typically such browsers, e.g. Microsoft's Internet Explorer, operate independently to retrieve data from a selected web site. Likewise, media players are commonly available to communicate multimedia data to a user. The aforementioned software packages however operate independently and share no cross-functionality. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a computer program product, which includes in combination a media player control and a web browser control stored on a digital storage medium.

Thus, the media player and the browser control do not form two independent software packages but in combination define the web browser. The browser typically includes a system control or browser management system for controlling or managing operation of the media player control and the browser control selectively to display text and/or images and/or video on a screen or monitor, typically forming part of a personal computer (PC). Typically, the media player is a conventional media player control such as a Microsoft Media Player MSDXM.OCX. Likewise the browser control may be a conventional browser control such as Microsoft Internet Explorer

The computer program product may include a display controller which defines a browsing zone and a media player zone on a display screen of the computer. The media player control typically controls the display of media player data in the media player zone and the browser control typically controls the display of browser data in the browsing zone. The data may be information, text, video or the like.

The computer program product may include a media player data retrieval module which selectively retrieves media player data from a remote content provider. In addition or instead, the media player data retrieval module may retrieve media player data from a storage device in the computer. The browser may thus include an Internet communication interface for interfacing the browser to a content provider e.g. an Internet Service Provider (ISP) e.g. MWEB, AOL or the like. For example, the communication interface may be a conventional web interface forming part of the web browser control. In addition or instead, the browser may include a satellite communication interface for receiving audio/visual data from a satellite feed. Typically, the audio/visual data is fed to the media player control for communication to the user. Accordingly, the browser may include a communications manager for managing the sourcing of data from the internal source or storage device (e.g. a hard drive or the like) or an external source (e.g. the content provider) .

The product may include a content manager which manages the content displayed in the media player and/or browsing zones. The content manager may access a registry which at least partially defines sources from which media player data is to be retrieved. Preferably, the product includes default advertorial data which is referenced in the registry and is selectively displayed in the media player zone. The registry is typically selectively updated with entries from a remote content provider. The data, which may include audio/visual data, may be broadcast to the browser from the content provider, e.g. via a hardwired connection such as an Internet connection or via a wireless link such as a satellite link or the like. In addition or instead, the content manager may source data from the on-board storage device. In certain embodiments of the invention, the user is unable to disable the data received or delivered in the media player zone by the media player control i.e. the data is pushed to the user. However in other embodiments of the invention, the communication interface may be operable upon user request to source selected data for displaying in the media player zone.

The content manager may include a play list, which identifies audio/visual data or information to be fed to the media player control e.g. when a user signs on. In certain embodiments, the play list may not be modified by the user. However, in other embodiments, the play list may be varied, amplified or the like by a user. Further, the play list may be sourced and updated remotely by the content provider. In a less sophisticated embodiment of the invention, the play list identifies data stored on the user's PC. The data identified by the play list may be audio/visual data e.g. advertisements, data stored in cache, statistical data, or the like.

In certain embodiments, the product includes a position sensor which senses activation of a position indicator, e.g. a conventional mouse, when positioned in the media player zone. In response to activation of the position sensor, the media player data retrieval module may retrieve images, including video images, from a URL associated with the data displayed in the media player zone.

The media player zone may be selectively useable as a second browsing zone.

In more sophisticated forms of the invention, the product includes a ticker control, the display controller defining a ticker zone on the display screen which displays ticker data in the ticker zone under control of the ticker control. Typically, the product includes a ticker data retrieval module which selectively retrieves ticker data for display in the ticker zone, the ticker data being selectively retrieved from a remote content provider. In addition or instead, the ticker data retrieval module may selectively retrieve ticker data from a storage device in the computer.

The position sensor may sense activation of the position indicator when positioned on ticker data in the ticker zone. The ticker data retrieval module may then retrieve data from a URL associated with the ticker data displayed in the ticker zone.

In certain embodiments, the display controller defines the ticker zone as a bar extending across a bottom region of the display screen. The display controller may define the media player zone in a bottom right-hand corner of the display screen.

The product may include a plurality of different display skins wherein at least one of the skins resembles the appearance of a monitor, the display controller selectively retrieving the skin and positioning it in the media player zone.

The product may identify the format of the data to be displayed in the media player zone and route the data to an appropriate display controller which then displays the data in the media player zone.

Accordingly, the browser may include display controllers or interfaces for controlling the display of a plurality of different audio, visual and/or audio/visual formats in the media player zone. For example, the display controllers may be operable to display a Windows Media File (e.g. files with extensions such as ASF, ASX, WM or the like), Windows Media Audio Files (e.g. files with an extension such WMA), Windows Media Audio/Video Files (e.g. files with an extension WMV, WVX, or the like), video files with an extension such as AVI, audio files with an extension such as WAV, MPEG, PMPG, M 1 V, MP2, MPV2, MPA, or the like, MP3 sound files (with extensions such as MP3, M3U, or the like), MIDI files (e.g. files with extensions such as MID, MIDI, RMI, or the like) INDEO video files (e.g. with extensions such as IVF or the like) AIFF sound formats, AIFC, AIFF, AU format (with extensions such as AU, SMD, or the like ), or Quick time files (e.g. with extensions such as .MOF, QT, or the like) .

Accordingly, the system control may include identification means, defined by a software routine or the like, for identifying the nature or format of the data to be displayed in the media player zone, and dependent upon the format, route the data to the appropriate display controller. Thus the media player zone may be multi-functional displaying various formats. The PC may thus include a sound card, video card, associated codecs or the like.

The product may include a satellite communication interface for receiving audio/visual data from a satellite feed, the satellite communication interface communicating the audio/visual data to the media player control.

Still further in accordance with the invention, there is provided a method of controlling the display of data on a display screen of a computer, the method including defining on the display screen a screen layout which includes a browsing zone and a media player zone; retrieving data from a browser control and displaying the data in the browsing zone at least upon demand by the user; and retrieving data from a media player control and displaying the data in the media player zone.

The method may include retrieving the data for display in the media player zone from a remote content provider. In addition or instead, the method may include retrieving the data for display in the media player zone from a storage device in the computer.

The method may include sensing activation of a position indicator when positioned in the media player zone, and retrieving data from a URL associated with the data displayed in the media player zone. Typically, the content displayed in the media player and browsing zones is managed by a content manager, the content manager accessing a registry which at least partially defines sources from which media player data is to be retrieved. The default advertorial data may be referenced in the registry and selectively displayed in the media player zone. The registry is typically selectively updated with entries from a remote content provider.

The method may include defining on the display screen a ticker zone and retrieving ticker data and displaying the ticker data in the ticker zone. The ticker data may be retrieved from a storage device in the computer. The method may include sensing activation of a position indicator when positioned on ticker data in the ticker zone, and retrieving data from a URL associated with the data displayed in the ticker zone.

The ticker zone is typically displayed as a bar extending across a bottom region of the display screen. The method may include retrieving at least one skin resembling the appearance of a monitor and positioning it in the media player zone. The media player zone is typically defined in a bottom right-hand corner of the display screen.

The method may include identifying the format of the data to be displayed in the media player zone and routing the data to an appropriate display controller which then displays the data in the media player zone.

The audio/visual data may be received from a satellite feed and processed for display in the media player zone.

Still further in accordance with the invention, there is provided a web browser product, which defines a browsing zone and a ticker zone on a computer screen and includes a ticker control which controls the display of ticker data in zone ticker zone, the ticker data being displayed independently of web pages displayed in the browsing zone.

Although conventional web pages may include a ticker arrangement, unlike conventional browsers, the browser in accordance with the invention may thus include a ticker facility included within the browser and not as a separate unit, e.g. as part of a web page.

The ticker data may include at least one URL and the browser product may connect to the URL upon activation of a position indicator associated with or identified by the ticker data. In addition or instead, the ticker data may be retrieved from a storage device in the computer. The ticker zone may extend across a bottom region of the display screen.

The invention extends to a method of controlling the display of data on a display screen of a computer, the method including defining a browsing zone and a ticker zone on the display screen and displaying ticker data in the ticker zone independently of web pages displayed in the browsing zone.

Content or data may be retrieved from a URL upon activation of a position indicator associated with the ticker data. In addition or instead, the ticker data is retrieved from a storage device in the computer. The ticker zone preferably extends across a bottom region of the display screen.

Still further in accordance with the invention, there is provided a client computer which includes a display controller for controlling the display of data on a display screen of the computer, the controller defining on the display screen a screen layout which includes a browsing zone and a media player zone; a browser control operable to retrieve data and display the data in the browsing zone at least upon demand by the user; and media player control operable to retrieve data and display the data in the media player zone.

The browser control and media player control are typically integrated into a single browser.

Still further in accordance with the invention, there is provided a data communication system which includes a content provider providing content data in use, the data including audio/visual data which is suitable for playing by a media player; and a plurality of remote users connectable to the content provider, each remote user including a web browser which includes a media player control for displaying the audio/visual data, and a browser control for displaying web pages.

The system may include a system control for controlling the media player control and the browser control selectively to display data on a monitor.

The system control preferably includes a skins manager for managing the provision of skins on the screen. The browser may thus include a plurality of user selectable skins thereby enabling a user to customise the "look and feel" of the browser. The skins manager may define a navigation bar zone and/or a channel/portal/topics bar zone and/or the media player zone and/or the browsing zone. In a preferred embodiment, the navigation bar zone extends horizontally across an upper region of the screen, the channel bar zone extends downwards in a right region of the monitor or screen, and the media player zone is positioned in a lower right-hand corner of the screen. Accordingly, in use the browser may communicate to the user information, including video images, via the media player zone and the browsing zone. Typically, the browsing zone is substantially rectangular in outline and the skin arrangement forms a border about a top and a right-hand side of the browsing zone. It is to be appreciated however that the browsing zone may be of any shape e.g. circular, square or any customised shape.

The browser may include means to enable selective use of the browser in both an off-line and on-line mode of operation.

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a web browser in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a data communication system, also in accordance with the invention, which includes the web browser of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a schematic overview of system architecture of the web browser;

Figure 4A shows a schematic functional block diagram of the web browser; Figure 4B shows a further schematic block diagram of the browser of Figure 4A arranged in a different fashion;

Figure 5 shows one of the screen displays generated by the web browser at sign on; Figure 6 shows a further screen layout used upon signing on to an

Internet Service Provider;

Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a screen display of the web browser provided on a monitor of a computer running the browser; Figure 8 shows a skins layout of the web browser defining browsing, media player, and ticker zones;

Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of part of the skins layout of Figure 8;

Figures 1 0A to 1 0C show schematic representations of skins of the mail screen displays of the browser;

Figure 1 1 shows a schematic flow chart of a client loading process of the web browser;

Figure 1 2 shows a schematic flow chart of a POP logon process of the web browser; Figure 1 3 shows a schematic flow chart of a content downloading process of the web browser;

Figure 1 4 shows a schematic block diagram of the ticker work process;

Figure 1 5 shows a schematic block diagram of the media and advertisement work process;

Figure 1 6 shows a schematic representation of the Ticker Work Flow and the Media Work Framework;

Figures 1 7 and 1 8 show screen layouts of the chat function; and Figures 1 9 and 20 show screen layouts of the mail function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 1 0 generally indicates a web browser in accordance with the invention. The web browser 1 0, unlike conventional web browsers, includes a media player control 1 2, a browser control 14, a skins control 1 6, and a system control 1 8 also known as a system or environment manager. Further, unlike conventional web browsers, the browser 1 0 includes a ticker control 20 for controlling the display of ticks on a display screen of a monitor of a personal computer (PC) . The browser 1 0 thus, in addition to normal browser functions, allows the display of audio/visual material or media player data using, inter alia, conventional media player formats in a media player display zone 22 (see Figure 8) and ticker data or ticks in a ticker bar or zone 23.

The information and/or audio/visual material for display in the media player display zone 22, under control of the media player control 1 2, may be sourced via a hard-wired Internet link 24 (see Figure 2) or, in addition or alternatively, by a satellite link 26. Accordingly, the browser 1 0 is typically loaded on a PC 28 provided remotely at a client 30. The client 30 optionally includes an interface 32 for receiving data communicated by TCP/IP protocol to allow the browser 1 0 to browse the Internet and/or display visual material or data in the media display zone 22. In more sophisticated embodiments, the client 30 includes a conventional decoder (such as an M-Net decoder available in Africa) 34 for receiving MPEG2 transmissions via a satellite dish 36 for display on a television set 38. As described in more detail below, the data or information displayed by the media player control 30 in the media player display zone 22 may be sourced from the PC 28, e.g. from its hard disk, or from a content provider 40 via the hardwired link 24 or the satellite link 26. Typically, advertisements, a television feed, or the like are displayed by the web browser 10 in its media player display zone 22.

The screen of the PC 28 defines a desktop 42 (see Figure 1 ) which is customised by the system control 1 8 using the skins control 1 6. Each user of the browser 1 0 may thus select or define a set of skins thus personalising the "look and feel" of the browser 1 0.

As shown in Figure 3, the web browser 1 0 may include a plurality of client interfaces 44 which are controlled by a common system control or TurboView master 1 8. For example, each client interface 44 may be a member of a family which has customised the web browser 10 to suit his/her personal preferences. Each client interface 44 includes a user interface skin 46 which is defined and controlled by the skins control 1 6, a browser user interface 48 which is controlled by the browser control 1 4, a mail user interface 50, a search user interface 52, browser logic 54, mail logic 56, and search logic 58 which are managed by the browser control 1 4 (see Figure 1 ) . The client interfaces 44 enable the user to browse, mail, search and perform conventional Internet functions.

It also permits the user to have several browsing windows, a mail window, and search windows which may all be open concurrently. The system control 1 8 or TurboView master, controls or manages the operation of the entire web browser 1 0 which includes the management and operation of the media player control 1 2 and the browser control 1 4 (see Figures 1 and 3) . The client interface 44 provides a plurality of forms for display on the screen of the PC 28.

Referring in particular to Figures 4A and 4B of the drawings, the browser 1 0 further includes a plurality of managers. In particular, the browser 1 0 includes the system control 1 8 or environment manager, a communications manager 70, a content manager 72, and a skins manager or skins control 1 6. The managers compartmentalise the various different tasks or functions performed by the web browser 1 0 in a modular fashion.

The communications manager 70, under control of the content manager 72, sources data from various sources as generally indicated by reference numeral 76 in Figure 4A. Included in the various sources is a conventional POP3 data source 78, portal sign-on data 80, advertising material 82, ticker data or ticks 84, skins 86, pre-cached content 88, programme upgrades or updates 90, Friends Online 92

(Friends Online is a system which informs a user when a friend of the user is online and can therefore chat), statistical data 94, or the like. All interactions between the browser 1 0 and the content provider or web host 40 (see Figure 2) are handled by the communications manager 70. However, timing of communications with the backend is handled by the system control or environment manager 1 8.

At pre-determined times during a users Online session, the environment manager 1 8 requests the content manager 72 to supply certain content. The content manager 72 then requests the communications manager 70 to retrieve the specified information or data, which, once received, is handled and sent to the appropriate content handler, e.g. the media player control 1 2 and/or the browser control 14. For uploads, an originating request comes from the environment manager 1 8 which requests the content manager 72 to upload, for example, statistical data 94. However, the communications manager 70 handles the actual uploading of the statistical data. The advertising material 82, the skins 86, the ticks 84 and the pre-cashed content 88 (such as pre- cashed web pages), and programme or product upgrades or updates 90 make use of a "play list page" defined in a registry. The play list page defines the first content to be retrieved and then determines what further content will be pulled down to the user's browser 1 0. The "play list page" thus defines the order in which content is retrieved. Standard browser registry keys enable the communications manager 70 to determine which server needs to be called for each interaction type.

The data or information such as the advertising material 82, the ticks 84, the skins 86, the pre-cashed content 88, the updates 90 or the like may either be stored or provided on the users PC or may be sourced from the content provider 40 via a TCP/IP link. The TurboView master or environment manager 1 8 includes a list of all public COM objects. The COM objects exposed by the TurboView master or environment manager 1 8 include CAd, CChannel, CChannels, CComms, CConnection, CContent, CContentltem, CEnvironment, CKeyword, CMailAccount, CMaster, CPropertyBag, CRegion, CSkin, CSkinManager, CSound, CStatElement, CSstat, CStatValue, CTick and CUserProfile. More details on these objects are provided in Appendix A. The TurboView master or environment manager 1 8 includes play lists (see Appendices B and F) which define the content to be downloaded, e.g. upon sign-on by the user (see Figures 5 and 6), to the media player display zone 22 or a browsing zone 96 (see Figure 8) . The Ticker work and the Media and Advertisement work processes are shown in Figures 1 4 and 1 5.

Referring in particular to Figure 1 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 1 00 generally indicates a flow chart of a client loading process. The client loading process 1 00 is initiated when a new browser window is requested e.g. when the client application is started or when a new client is created. As shown at block 1 02, the client load sequence is first initiated whereafter the new client instance is registered with the master as shown at block 1 04. Once the aforementioned is completed, it is determined whether or not this is first client to register as shown at decision block 1 06 and, if so, the logon process is initiated as shown at block 108. As shown at decision block 1 10 if the logon process is unsuccessful, a load failure 1 1 2 is provided. If, however, the logon process is successful a splash screen and playing of a welcome sound is initiated at block 1 1 4. Thereafter, if there is new mail (see decision block 1 1 6) a new mail sound is played as shown at block 1 1 8 whereafter the user profile skin regions are retrieved and displayed as shown at block 1 20. If there is no new mail, then the procedure is routed directly from decision block 1 1 6 to block 1 20. Likewise, if this is not the first client to register (see block 1 06) then the procedure goes directly to block 1 20 where the user profile skin regions are retrieved and displayed. Once the user profile skin regions are obtained (see block 1 20), then the skins are analysed to ascertain whether or not they are corrupt as shown a decision block 1 22. If so, default skins are obtained (see block 1 24), which are then analysed as shown at decision block 1 28, to ascertain whether or not the default skins are corrupt. If so, a load failure is indicated as shown at block 1 30. If the default skins are not corrupt or if the user profile skin regions are not corrupt, the skin regions are created on forms and the images are loaded into memory as shown at block 1 32. Thereafter, the channels are loaded (see block 1 34), the advertisements and the play lists are loaded (see block 1 36) and the ticker play list is loaded (see block 1 38) . A successful loading procedure has then been completed as shown at block 1 40.

The ticker play list defines the data to be displayed in the ticker display zone 23 which is independent of the browsing zone 96. Although the ticker control 20 which controls the provision of data or information in the ticker display zone 23 may appear to display information in a similar way to the ticker arrangement in a conventional web site, the browser 1 0 differs from any conventional web browsers in that the conventional browsers do not include a ticker arrangement in the browser itself but as part of a web page displayed by the browser. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, ticks that are displayed in the ticker display zone 23 include hyperlinks or the like. Accordingly, the content manager 72 may be responsive to activation of a position pointing device such as a mouse and the ticks may then be in the form of URLs which may be accessed by the browser 1 0. Referring in particular to Figure 1 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 1 50 generally indicates the POP logon process. During the POP logon process 1 50 user profile authentication parameters are passed to the POP data source 78 (see Figure 4A) for validation. At the same time, after a successful logon, the POP account is checked for any new mail. As shown at block 1 52, the logon sequence is initiated communicating or passing user profile and connection data to the POP data source or server 78. Thereafter, as shown at decision block 1 54, the type of connection is ascertained and, if the connection is a TCP/IP protocol connection, direct connection to the POP server is effected as shown at block 1 56. If the connection is not a LAN connection but a dial up arrangement, the dial up networking connection is initiated as shown at block 1 58. Once a dial up connection to the network has been established as shown at decision block 1 60, the browser 1 0 is then connected to the POP server as shown at block 1 56. If, however, the connection via the dial-up network fails, the failure is indicated as shown at block 1 62. Once the connection to the POP server has been effected, the status of the connection is analysed as shown at decision block 1 64 and, if the connection is terminated, failure indication is provided as shown at block 1 66. If, however, the connection to the POP server is sustained, the web browser 1 0 is used to logon to the POP server providing it with a user profile, account name and password as shown at block 1 68 (see also Figure 6) . Thereafter, if the logon was successful as shown at decision block 1 70, an e-mail list from the POP server is obtained as shown at block 1 72. If, however, the logon was unsuccessful a failure warning is indicated as shown at block 1 74. After the e-mail list has been retrieved from the POP server, the browser 1 0 ascertains whether or not the last item in the list has been read (see decision block 1 76) and, if so, a success with new mail indicator is provided as shown at block 1 78. If not, a success with no new mail is provided as shown at block 1 80.

Referring in particular to Figure 1 3 of the drawings, reference numeral 200 generally indicates a content downloading process. The content downloading process 200 is initiated as shown at block 202 whereafter content download settings are retrieved from a registry (described in more detail in Appendix E) as shown at block 204.

Thereafter, as shown at decision block 206, it is determined whether or not the content download has been enabled, and, if so, a timer is started with content download interval settings as shown at block 208. If, the content download is not enabled, the process is exited as shown at block 21 0. As shown at block 21 2, once the content download timer fires an alarm event, the process 200 determines whether or not any downloads have been started as shown at decision block 21 4. If, no downloads have been started, then the play list downloading (see Appendix B) is initiated as shown at block 21 6, and a collection of play lists from the registry is retrieved as shown at block 21 8. Thereafter, the first item in the play list or collection is retrieved as shown at block 220 and downloading of the item and adding further items to the current download collection is then started as shown at block 222. If there are more items in the collection, as shown at decision block 224, then the next item is retrieved as shown at block 226. If, however, there are no more items in the play list or collection, then the process is exited and a wait cycle is entered which waits for the timer to fire as shown at block

228. If downloads have been started as shown at block 21 4, then it is determined whether or not the current download is completed as shown at decision block 230. If the current download has not been completed, then the process is exited and the process 200 awaits the timer to fire as shown at block 232. If, however, the download process has been completed then the downloaded files are copied from a temporary directory as shown at block 234 and the current play list is opened (see block 236), whereafter, the first item from the play list is retrieved as shown at block 238. If the file exists locally (see decision block 240), i.e. it does not need to be retrieved from a content provider

40, then the play list is analysed to ascertain whether or not the play list file is newer or more current than the local file as shown at decision block 242. If the play list file is not newer than the local file then the file is copied to the temporary directory as shown at block 244, whereafter, it is ascertained whether or not there are any more items on the play list as shown at decision block 246. If there are more items on the play list then the next item from the play list is retrieved at shown at block 248.

If there are no more items on the play list then the process is exited and the process 200 awaits the timer to fire as shown at 250. If the file does not exist locally, the item is then downloaded and added into the current download collection as shown at block 252.

The skins layout of the browser 1 0 (see Figure 8) defines browser skins 300 (see Figure 9), mail region skins 302 (see Figures 1 0A to 1 0C), search region skins, a skin definition file, a SKN file format, and a TurboView skin unpacker (see Appendix C) . The skins define the appearance or "look and feel" of the user interface of the web browser 1 0. The user interface (see Figures 7 and 8) defines a number of regions having unique names. The region height and width are set and its top and left properties are relative to the other regions in the skin. For each region there may be multiple image states, such as normal, mouse over, mouse down and disabled. The skins also include sound files with multiple language support facilities. The skins are re-distributed using the SKN file format and are installed on the user's PC 28 by using the TurboView skin unpacker.

The skin definition file (see Appendix C) defines how to add skin settings into the registry (see Appendix E) . The file is divided into a number of sections and settings, each section being defined by square brackets. Blank lines and lines beginning with an apostrophe (') are ignored by the skin unpacker. A skin setting entry is composed of two parts separated by a comma (,), the two parts being a name part and a data part. The data part may be divided into multiple settings separated by a semi-colon (;) . Appendix C also includes data on the SKN file format as well as the skin unpacker.

Details of the file system are shown in Appendix D and details of the registry settings are provided in Appendix E, as mentioned above. The registry settings comprise an HKEY LOCAL MACHINE section and an HKEY CURRENTJJSER section. The HKEY_

CURRENT USER section is divided into a software section which, in turn, is divided into a TurboView sub-section and environment sub-section.

The web browser 1 0 includes an Online help facility. The help file assists a user in operation of the web browser 1 0 and includes information on the web or browser control, the media player, the mail client function, the search client function, information on customising the look and feel of the browser 1 0, the chat client function, information on navigation using the browser 1 0, information on the user profiles, and statistics. The web browser 1 0 includes built-in Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser control component, navigation buttons, key word search, navigation bar with history, and menu bar (including save, send, copy, paste, html viewer or the like buttons) .

The mail client function includes SMTP-send mail, POP3 - receive mail, IMAP4 - receive by choice, an address book, multiple accounts, postcards online, voicemaii, unified messaging or the like. The search client function provides a one stop shop, a local search facility, an international search facility, a history of searches conducted, an advanced search facility for FTP, news, www, and a people search. The skins control 1 6 may create or paste skins which are downloadable from the content provider, customised by the user, and also include corporate branding. The chat facility launches a IRC client which communicates with a IRC host. The chat function may be synchronised with a media player for live chat shows. The topics bar provides an easy navigation tool which is scrollable, multi-tiered, and includes a button linked to a URL or perform executable operations. The topic bar points to URLs to provide portal content, corporate content, revenue stream or the like.

The media player may be conventional Microsoft media player MSDXM.OCX or the like capable of displaying MP3, ASF, ASP,

ASX, NSC, WAV files or the like. The media player control 1 2 includes display controllers or interfaces for controlling the display of a plurality of different audio, visual and/or audio visual formats in the media player display zone 22. The display controllers are operable to display a Windows media file (e.g. files with extensions such as ASF, ASX, WM or the like), Windows media audio files (e.g. files with an extension such as WMA), Windows media audio/video files (e.g. files with an extension such as WNV, WVX, or the like), video files with an extension such as

AVI, audio files with an extension such as WAV, MPEG, PMPG, MIV, MP2, MPV2, PA, or the like, MP3 sound files (with extensions such as MP3, NU3, or the like), midi-files (e.g. files with the extension such as MDI, MIDI, RMI, or the like), indeo video files (e.g. with extensions such as IVF or the like), AIFF sound formats, AIFC, AIFF, au format (with extensions such as AU, SMD, or the like), or quick time files (e.g. with extensions such as MOF, QT, or the like) . Thus, animated GIF files Micromedia Flash visuals or the like may be displayed in the media player display zone 22. The media player display zone, upon request from a user, may function as a second browsing zone.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the chat client and the media player can communicate with each other and be launched as a standalone application. In certain circumstances the browser 1 0 has the ability to accept plugins from third party developers.

When information or data is displayed in the media player display zone 22, links to various web sites or other locations may be activated by clicking or activating a position indicator such as a mouse on an appropriate link.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the user may select the information displayed in the media player display zone 22 which may then be sourced from a content provided. In another embodiments of the invention, the content displayed in the media player display zone 22 is not variable by the user. Brief description of the appendices.

APPENDIX A provides details on the classes including the various COM objects exposed through the TurboView master;

APPENDIX B provides details on the play lists which define the content to be displayed in the media player and browsing zones;

APPENDIX C provides details on the skin definition file which defines how skin settings are added to the registry;

APPENDIX D provides details on the setup of the browser;

APPENDIX E provides details on the registry settings;

APPENDIX F provides a description of the ticker and media player work flow; and

APPENDIX G provides details on the chat and the mail settings.

APPENDIX "A"

Cad

Interlace (Description

Key {Key Property ame [Name Property

[Time |Tιme Property [FileDate CFile Date Propert^y

EilePath [File Path Property

IncepπonDate (Inception Date Property

ExpiryDate [Expiry Date Propem

URL lU L Property^'

URLType |URL Type Property

MediaType Media Type Enum of type MediaTypeEnum

MediaTypeEnum Enum of all the Media Type's, including - MediaPlayer. WebBrow ser

ChentArea jChentArea Enum of type ClientAreaEnum

'C entAreaEnum Enum of all the Client Area's, including - Browser. Mail. Search. All

CChannel

CChannels

Interface Description

MChannelCatRgn |

MChannelSubCatR-m

MChannelRsn

ChannelCatesorvResion 1

ChannelSubCategoryRegion

ChannelRegion 1

ChannelDump

CompleteChannels

AllChannelRoots

(AllKeyvvords CComms

CComms is the component responsible for all communications to the Central Web Host.

CContent

CContent gathers all necessary content to maintain a high performance rate of standard portal sites by pre- cach g pertinent content. CContent also has the responsibility of caching all advertisements and media content.

Completed Indicates whether content was completely downloaded

Ads Returns a collection ot Ad objects

Ticks Returns a collection of Ticks objects

GetContents Used to obtain latest Content, dependant on the LoadContentTypeEnum

When a person logs on . this Function is called to see if the individual has a MwebID , if not , his account information is drawn from the registry and sent to

PortalSignon the server as arguments for a file request. The server w ill generate an MID and return a file with the MID m it as well as a URL for first time users to be directed to The MID is read and written to the registry and the file deleted

[This procedure uploads the stats from the stats file to the appropiate server.The

UploadFiles ats are sent as query stnngs with the users MID

ContentltemManager Reads the content entries out of the registry

CContentltem

CEnvironment

CEnvironment is responsible for co-ordinating all the system events within the master.

CKevvvord

Interface Description

Kev Rev Property

KeyWord Key \\ ord Propertλ

URL URL Property

Refresh Refresh the

ord obiect

Update Update the CKev ord object

CMailAccount

Inter ace Description

Key Key Property

MailAccountName MailAccountName Property

EmailName EmailName Property

POP3 Server POP3 Server Property

SMTPServer SMTPServer Property

Account Account Property

Password Password Property

DeleteServerMail DeleteServerMail Property'

GetMail GetMail Property

Pπmarv Primary' Property

UserProfileKev UserProfileKev Property

UserProfile Get CUserProfile object

ServerMessagelDs Get collection of ServerMessagelDs

ServerMessagelDsClear Delete ServerMessagelDs

ServerMessagelDsWπte Set ServerMessagelDs

Refresh Refresh the CMailAccount obiect

Update Update the CMailAccount object

Delete Delete the MailAccount

CMaster

CMAster is the application interface to the TurboView Master ActiveX EXE and it's exposed components

Interface [Description

SendMessage ISends all internal messages

SendSmgleMessas ϊeiSends smsle internal message

Channels Exposes the Channels class

Comms Exposes the Comms class

Content Exposes the C ontent class

Environment Exposes the Em ironment class

SkmManaser Exposes the SkmManager class

Stats Exposes the Stats class

Exposes the available messages including. TM NONE. TM ADS STOP. iTM ADS START. TM APP STATE CHANGE.

MessageEnum (TM NEW BROWSER WINDOW. TM NEW MESSAGE. TM _NEW_SKΓN. fTM VIEW MAIL. TM VIEW SETTINGS. TM SHUTDOWN.^" TM TICKS START. TM YOU GOT MAIL CPropertyBag

CRegion

CSkin

CSkin is responsible for all the skins related activities. Supplying, downloading and verifying skins falls within the area of this component.

CSkinManager

CSound

Interface [Description

ParentPath [ParentPath property

CStat

CStats manages the collection and transmission of User Interface usage statistics to the Central Web Host. The function of CStat is to:

Uniquely must identify the user

Maintain a list of all elements which can trigger a stat input

Manage the stat information captured\

Store and transmit the collected stat information

Instatiates the start time for the session and end time

CTick

CUserProfile

APPENDIX "B"

Playlists

Play sts define which content needs to be downloaded During the content downloading process new playlists are retrieved from the Web Host and items which don't exist locally or newer than the local versions are downloaded The playlist is also used by the client to determine which content to display in the case of Advertisements and Ticker content The Upgrade playlist is used to keep the client in step with the latest released versions of TurboView When the playlists are retrieved from the Web Host the users M-Web ID is passed to the host, so that personalised playlists may be created

The items in a playlist are comma separated Blank lines and lines begginning with // are ignored

• Ticker Playlist

• Ads Playlist

• Pre-Cached Web Playlist

• Upgrade Playlist

Ticker Playlist

The Ticker playlist defines which ticks appear in the ticker on the browser form To retrieve the Ticker playlist an ASP page is requested passed a unique identifier for the user and a specific Ticker playlist will be generated This model allows for a subscription type ticker service

Ticker Playlist Definition

{Ticker File Location}, {Action Type}

(Ticker File Location The URL wnere the ticker file can be located

[Action Type Ticker (Currently the only option)

Ticker File Definition

{Key}, {Top}, {Bottom}, {Flash}, {Primary Color}, {Secondary Color}, {URL}, {Bold}, {Size}

\ds Playlist

The Ads playlist defines which advertisements appear in the media player on the browser form To retrieve the Ads playlist an ASP page is requested passing a unique identifier for the user and a specific Ads playlist will be generated This model allows for a individualised advertisement campaigns

Ads Playlist Definition

{Key}, {Source}, {Media Type}, {Client Area}, {File Date}, {Time}, {Url},{Url Type}, {Inception Date}, {Expiry Date}

Pre-Cached Web Playlist

The Pre-Cached Web playlist defines which web content is downloaded to be stored in the local machine internet cache To retrieve the playlist an ASP page is requested passed a unique identifier for the user and a specific playlist will be returned

Pre-Cached Web Playlist Definition

{Source}, {Target}, {File Date}, {Expiry Date},{StιckyDays}

Source The source URL

Target The URL that is used to identify the file in Internet Cache

File Date The file datetime stamp

Expiry Date The expiry date of the file in the cache

Sticky Days [the number of days that the item will remain in the cache without expiring

Upgrade Playlist

The Upgrade playlist defines which files are downloaded so that TurboView application may be upgraded

Upgrade Playlist Definition

{Product Version}, {Local File Name}, {Source}, {File DateTime}

Product Version TurboView version

Local File Name The name to be used for the downloaded file Source The URL where the file may be obtained

File DateTime The file dattime stamp of the source file

APPENDIX "C"

Definiton File Entries

Name, {Skin Name}

Icon, {Skin Icon}

[General]

FormBackColor,{R Value}, {G Value}, {B Value}

TιckerBackColor,{R Value}, {G Value},{B Value}

[Browser] 'Splash

Splash,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} SplashAlpha,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Caption Bar

CaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} CaptionMiddle, {Image}, {Width}, {Height} CaptιonRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} CaptιonMιn,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} CaptιonMax,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} CaptιonClose,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} 'Caption Bar-PopUp BPCaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} BPCaptιonMιddle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} BPCaptιonRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} 'Caption Bar-Small

BSCaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} BSCaptιonMιddle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} BSCaptιonRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

'Menu Bar

ButtonSpace, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

MenuFιle,{lmage}, {Width}, {Height}

MenuEdιt,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MenuFavounte, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

MenuHelp,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MenuSpace, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

MenuTools, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

MenuVιew,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Tool Bar

ToolsChat,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} ToolsMaιl,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} ToolsSearch, {Image}, {Width}, {Height} ToolsMyFιles,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} ToolsPrιnt,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} ToolsMyMWeb,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} ToolsHelp,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Logo Area

Logo,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} LogoSpacer {Image}, {Width}, {Height} SLogo,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

AnιmatιonSpace,{lrnage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

Anιmatιon,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght},{Frames}

'Nav

NavBack,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} NavStop,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} NavForward, {Image}, {Width}, {Height} NavRefresh,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} NavHome,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} NavGo,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} NavChannels, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

'Channel Bar

ChannelUp,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} ChannelCategory,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} ChannelSubCategory,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} Channel,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} ChannelSpacer,{lmage}, {Width}, {Height} ChannelDown {lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

'Media Player

MedιaPlayer,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght},{Left Adj},{Top Adj},{Wιdth Adj},{Heιght Adj}

'Ticker

Tιcker,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght},{Left Adj},{Top Adj},{Wιdth Adj},{Heιght Adj}

TιckerSpace,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Status Bar

StatusProgressBar,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} StatusLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} StatusConnect,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} StatusDιsConnect,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} StatusSpace, {Image}, {Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Property Pages

'Property Pages - List View

'Caption Bar - Property List

PLCaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

PLCaptιonMιddle,{image},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

PLCaptιonRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

PLCaptιonMιn {lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

PLCaptιonMax,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

PLCaptιonClose,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Formlmage - Property List PLFormlmage, {Image}, {Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Buttons - Property List

PLButtonApply,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

PLButtonCancel,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

PLButtonOk,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

PLButtonDownloadSkins {lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

PLButtonSyslnfo,{lmage}, {Width}, {Height}

PLButtonCredιts,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} PLButtonClose,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

'Property Pages - Tab View 'Caption Bar - Property Tab PTCaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} PTCaptιonMιddle,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} PTCaptιonRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} PTCaptιonMιn,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} PTCaptιonMax,{lmage}, {Width}, {Height} PTCaptιonClose,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

'Formlmage - Property List PTFormlmage, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

'Buttons - Property List PTButtonApply,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} PTButtonCancei,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} PTButtonOk,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

'Property Pages - Mail To

'Caption Bar - Property Mail To

MTCaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MTCaptιonMιddle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MTCaptιonRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MTCaptιonMιn,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MTCaptιonMax,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MTCaptιonClose,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Formlmage - Property Mail To MTFormlmage, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

'Buttons - Property Mail To MTButtonAdd,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιghfj MTButtonCancel,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} MTButtonCopyTo,{image},{Wιdth}, {Height} MTButtonHiddenCopyTo, {Image}, {Width}, {Height} MTButtonMaιlTo,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MTButtonOk,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} MTButtonPropertιes,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

'About Box

'Aboutlmage, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

'Search Page 'Caption Bar

SPCaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

SPCaptionClose, {Image}, {Wioth}, {Height}

SPCaptιonMax,{lmage}, {Width}, {Height}

SPCaptιonMιddle,{lmage}, {Width}, {Height}

SPCaptιonMιn,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

SPCaptιoπRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

'Logo

SPLogo, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

'Buttons

SPButtonGeneral {image} fWidth) {Heignt; SPButtonAdvanced, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

SPButtonPeople, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

SPButtonCancel,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

SPButtonSearch, {Image}, fWιdth},{Heιght}

SPButtonlntematιonal,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}, {Cells}

SPButtonNatιonal,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght},{Cells}

SPButtonChoose,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}, {Cells}

'Form Images

SPFormGeneral, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

SPFormAdvanced,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

SPFormPeople, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

'Bottom

SPBottom,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Caption - Mail Client

MCCaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCCaptιonMιddle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCCaptιonRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCCaptιonMιn,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCCaptιonMax,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCCaptιonClose,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MSCaptιonMιddle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Caption - Message View

MVCaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVCaptιonMιddle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVCaptιonRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVCaptιonMιn,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVCaptιonMax,{lmage}, {Width}, {Height}

MVCaptιonClose,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Caption - Message New

MNCaptιonLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MNCaptιonMιddle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MNCaptιonRιght,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MNCaptιonMιn,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MNCaptιonMax,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MNCaptionClose, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

'menu - Mail Client

MCButtonSpace,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCMeπuFιle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCMenuEdιt,{image},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCMenuVιew,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCMenuMessage,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCMenuTools, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

MCMenuHelp,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCMenuSpace,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

'menu - Message View MVButtonSpace, {Image}, {Width}, {Height} MVMenuFιle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιghf} MVMenuEdιt,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} MVMenuVιew,{lmage},{Wιdth} {Height} MVMenulnsert,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MVMenuMessage, {Image}, {Width}, {Height} MVMenuHelp,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MVMenuSpace, {Image}, {Width}, {Height}

'menu - Message New MNButtonSpace, {Image}, {Wιdth},{Heιght} MNMenuFιle,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MNMenuEdιt,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MNMenuVιew,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MNMenulnsert,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MNMenuMessage, {Image}, {Width}, {Height} MNMenuHelp,{image}.{Wιdth},{Heιght} MNMenuSpace, {Image}, {Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Tool - Mail Client

MCToolsWπteMaιl,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCToolsPrιnt,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCToolsDelete,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCToolsSendRec,{image},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCToolsSettιngs,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCToolsAddress,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCToolsExιt,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Tool - Message View

MVToolsReply,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVToolsReplyAII,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVToolsForward,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVToolsPπnt,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVToolsDelete,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVToolsNext,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVToolsPrev,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVToolsSpace,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Tool - Message New MNTooisSend,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MNToolsDraft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MNToolsAttachment,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MNToolsSpace, {Image}, fWιdth},{Heιghf}

'Logo - Mail Client

MCAnimation, {Image}, {Wιdth},{Heιght}, {Frames}

MCLogo,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCSLogo,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCLogoSpacer,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MCAnιmatιonSpace,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MVLogo,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MVLogoSpacer,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height}

MNLogo,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

MNLogoSpacer {image},{Wιdth},{Heιght} 'Nav - Mail Client MCNavSpace,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

'Status - Mail Client

MCStatusProgressBar,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} MCStatusLeft,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght} MCStatusConnect,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} MCStatusDιsConnect,{lmage},{Wιdth}, {Height} MCStatusSpace,{lmage},{Wιdth},{Heιght}

[Sounds\Afπkaans] Welcome, {Sound} NewMail, {Sound} MailSent,{Sound} GoodBye, {Sound}

[Sounds\Eng sh] Welcome, {Sound} NewMail, {Sound} MaιlSent,{Sound} GoodBye, {Sound}

SKN File Format

The SKN file is a standard CAB file containing the image files, sound files and the skin definition file for a particuler skin.

How to create a SKN file:

1. Copy the skin definition file and all it's referenced image and sound files into a directory

2. From the command line execute the following statement cabarc.exe n "{Skin Key}. skn" "*.*" where {Skin Key} is the unique identifier for the skin

SKN File Association

To associate a skn file with the TurboView Skin UnPacker application the following entries need to be added into the registry. The skinunpacker exe file will need to be somewhere in the system path, it is installed by default to the system32 directory

TurboView Skin UnPacker

skinunpacker.exe The TurboView Skin UnPacker is the component used to install TurboView Skins. The TurboView setup program associates the extension .skn with the Skin UnPacker executable, so that when a user opens a skin file the unpacker is automatically started

The Skin UnPacking Process

During unpacking process the following steps are followed:

3 A temporary directory is created using "_tmp_" appended to the front of the skin file name as the directory name.

4. The contents of .skn are uncabbed into the temporary directory

5. The .def file is located.

6. A registry key is created under the skins key by taking the file name without the .skn part.

7. The file is parsed line by line ignoring blank lines and lines beginning with an apostrophe. If an entry is encountered that is bracketed with square brackets, an new key under the skin key is created. All other lines are assumed to be registry entry lines and should conform to the {Item Name}, {Item Data} standard. See SKN file format.

8. A new directory is created in the Skins section of the file system using the same name as the registry key created in step 4.

9. The contents of the temporary directory are copied to the new directory.

10. The temporary directory is deleted.

Note: If the AppDirectory setting has not been set the application will raise an error.

APPENDIX "D"

File Svstem

This section details the setup of the TurboView file system

TurboView

This section details the files in the TurboView Application root folder

Content

This folder contents TurboView content folders and files

Ads Folder

This folder contains the ads files

File / Directory Description

Ads.txt Contains the playlist for the adds

Temp Ads Temp Folder

Additional advert files are included in this folder which correspond to the Ads.txt playlist. Ads Temp Folder

This section details the setup of the TurboView file system

File / Directory Description

Cache Folder

This folder contains the cache files P>

Cache Temp Folder

This section details the setup of the TurboView file system

File / Directory [Description

Ticker Folder

This folder contains the Ticker files P>

Ticker Temp Folder

P>

(File / Directory Description

Upgrade Folder

This folder contains the upgrade files P

File / Directory Description

Temp Upgrade Temp Folder

Upgrade Temp Folder

This section details the setup of the TurboView file system

File / Directory Description Help Folder

This folder contains the TurboView Help Fιle(s)

Profiles Folder

This folder contains the user profiles

File / Directory Description

(User Profile Name) User Profile Folders

(User Profile Name)

This section details the setup of the TurboView file system

Download Files

Contains file downloads

Mail Folder

This folder contains the Mail Client sub folders

Deleted Items Folder

This folder contains all the Deleted Items messages

File (Description

Draft Messages Folder

This folder contains all the Draft Messages messages File Description

Inbox Folder

This folder contains all the Inbox messages.

File (Description

Outbox Folder

This folder contains all the Outbox messages.

File [Description

Sent Items Folder

This folder contains all the Sent Item mail messages.

File (Description

Skins Folder

This folder contains all the skin related files.

(Skin Key)

Contains all the skin region files that make up the Browser and Mail Client skin.

APPENDIX "E"

Registry Settings

The registry settings are contained in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_CURRENT_USER sections

HKEYJLOCA JVIACHINE

The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE settings are for system settings and remain constant for all users

Channels

Content Download Items

General

Keywords

Skins

TCP/IP Connections

HKEY_CURRENT_USER

The HKEY_CURRENT_USER settings are the settings that

• Environment

• User Profiles

HKEY_LOCAL_MACfflXE

The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry settings

SOFTWARE

The HKEY_L0CAL_MACH1NE\S0FTWARE registry settings

HKEY_CURRENT_USER YTurboView

The HKEY_CURRENT_USER \TurboVιew registry settings

Channels

These are all the categories, sub-categoπes and channels that will appear in the TurboView client Topic bar

For each set of category, sub-categoπes and channels the entire tree structure wil be created with unique keys to identify the different entities Channel Category

Key Name - Unique Channel Category Key

Description The description of the category. This does not appear in the user interface.

I Immaaπgpe T Thhpe i immaaπgpe t tro> h bpe r diii.sςnpllaavyperid f fnorr t thhpe r caattpeπgnorrvy

Name The name to be be written on the button.

1 - Category

Type 2 - Sub-Category

3 - Channel

URL [The URL to navigate to when the button is clicked.

Channel Sub Category

Key Name - Unique Channel Category Key

• Description - The description of the category This does not appear in the user interface.

• Image - The image to be displayed for the category.

• Name - The name to be be written on the button.

• Type - 1 -Category, 2-Sub-Category, 3-Channel.

• URL - The URL to navigate to when the button is clicked.

Channel

Key Name - Unique Channel Category Key

• Description - The description of the category. This does not appear in the user interface.

• Image - The image to be displayed for the category.

• Name - The name to be be written on the button.

• Type - 1 -Category, 2-Sub-Category, 3-Channei.

• URL - The URL to navigate to when the button is clicked.

Content Download Items

These are all the items that need to be downloaded or uploaded.

Content Item Keys

These are all the items that need to be downloaded or uploaded.

General Settings

These are all the General settings common to all users

Defaults

These are all the default content download settings common to all users

Language

Specifies the different language wave files played

Language Names

These sub keys specify the different languages used

Keyword

The address bar keyword URL links

Skins

All the settings for the TurboView skins are stored under specified sub-keys

Setting Description

Mweb Stores the name of the skin

Mweb\ Browser Stores all browser regions and associated gif files Mweb\ General (Stores all browser regions and associated gif files

Mweb\ Mail (Stores all mail client regions and associated gif files

Mweb\ Sounds\ English 'Stores the wave files used for English sign-on

Mweb\ Sounds\ Afrikaans 'Stores the wave files used for Afrikaans sign-on

Skins

All the settings for the TurboView skins are stored under specified sub-keys-

Browser Regions

All the browser gif regions are stored according to their string value

General Regions

Mail Regions

All the mail client gif regions are stored according to their string value

Skin Sounds

Specifies the wave files played for each language

Skin Sounds

Specifies the wave files played for each language

TCP/IP Connections

TCP/IP Connections define how clients already connected to the internet can communicate with the backend servers

TCP/IP Connections

TCP/IP Connections define how clients already connected to the internet can communicate with the backend servers

The following strings in a sub-key are used

HKEY CURRENT MACHINE

The HKEY_CURRENT_MACH1NE registry settings.

SOFTWARE

The HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE registry settings.

HKEY CURRENT USER \TurboView

The HKEY_CURRENT_USER \TurboView registry settings.

Environment

Environment contains settings about the application environment:

User Profiles

Contains all user settings ane prefrences for the browser and mail client.

User Profiles

Contains all user settings ane prefrences for the browser and mail client.

User Profile General Settings

Stores browser startup settings

Settings (Description frmBrowser_WιndowState [Stores the browser window startup settings

User Mail Accounts

Stores user mail account settings in string values under a sub-key

User Mail Accounts

Stores user mail account settings in string values under a sub-key

Server Message Ids

Identifies messages on server according to an ID.

Settings (Description eg. MessageDI Message ID Number

Recent Searches

Stores user recent Search List.

Recent URLs

Stores user recent URL list

URL1 j recent URL

User Profile Settings

Stores user mail account settings in string values under a sub-key Browser

Home Page [Specifies the user's browser home page

Mail

User Profile Settings

Stores browser settings in string values under a sub-key

Browser

User Profile Settings

Stores user mail account settings in string values under a sub-key

Mail

APPENDIX "F'

Data Type: struct ADS

{

C String szName;

C String szGif;

CTime szDatε; int nTime;

CString URL;

} adveπisement structure

Class : CMedia

Member variable: protected: int nCy int nCx

BOOL m_bLButtonDown

CString m_szCurPath

CString m_szCurSkin public:

CGifAni m_gif CMediaPlayer2 m_ctlMedia ADS ads [20] int m_nCountOfAds int m_nCurrentAds BOOL m_bStart CStrinε szID UTNT m_nTimerID BOOL m_bFirstStartTimer BOOL m_bMediaError

CTime ra_timeExpire CTime m timeCur

Member fimct ori:

Construction:

CMediaQ Deconstruction:

-CMediaO

Messa^ge Function:

OnCreate(LPCFJΞATESTRUCT lpCreateStruct) Main framework calls t is member function, CMedia object receive this call before Media Window becomes visible, perform any needed initialization, it create CGifAni object and

CMediaPlayer2 object,it calls

Set i imer for set Timer. OnBufferingMediaplayer(BOOL Start)

OnErrorMediaDlayerQ

CPoint point) OnNcLButtonUp(UINT nHitTest, CPoint point) OnNcMouseMove(UINT nHitTest, CPoint point) OnNcPaintO OnOpenStateChangeMediaplayer(long OldState, long

NewState)

OnPlayStateChangeMediaplayer(long OldState, long NewState)

OnReadyStateChangeMediaplayer(long ReadyState) OnSize(UINT nType, int ex, int cy) OnTimer(UINT nIDEvent)

Common Function:

PreCreateWindow(CREATESTRUCT& cs) PreTranslateMessage(MSG* pMsg)

Data Type: struct TICKER {

CString szText, variable about new ≤^*s text CString URL; variable about domain name

Class: CTicker Member variable: protected: int f2 int fl

TICKER ticker[20] Ticker arrav TICKER ticker2[20] Ticker array TICKER ticker_new[20] Ticker array int m_nCountOfTicker message counter CRect m_tikRect[20] Ticker window strcut array CRect m_tikRect2[20] Ticker window strcut array static BOOL m bON variable about judge if

Ticker w indow

e been opened or closed

BOOL m bMouseln \ ariabie about judge if mouse is in Ticker

Window

BOOL m_bNoTimer variable about there no timer be set

CFont m_font variable about font of message that display in

Ticker window

BOOL m_bTackMouse int m_nTotal Width int m_nTotalWidth2 CString m_szTotal BOOL m bHasNewTicker - ariable about judge if there are some new news

That have been aπr ed int m nlndex \ an able about news^'s index public: int m aCount int m_nCount2

BOOL m_bEndl

BOOL m_bEnd2

BOOL m_bTimerOn van able about judge if timci

Member function:

Construction:

CTickerfJ Deconstruction:

-CTickerfJ

Message Function:

OnCreate(LPCREATESTRUCT lpCreateStruct) Mam framew rk calls this member function, CTicker object receive this call before Ticker Window becomes visible, perform any n'eeded initialization, it calls GetNews() for get Get news, it calls SetTimer for set Timer. OnEraseBkgnd(CDC* pDC)

Overridden OnEraseBkgnd, custom background. OnLButtonDown(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)

Message of mouse's left button dow n, mission is that set Cursor

OnLButtonUp(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)

Message of mouse^'s left button up, mission is that browse site via

Content of the second member of TICKER STRUCT OnMouseMove(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)

Message of mouse move OnNewsArrived(WPARAM wParam,LPARAM IParam)

Message of news arrived, custom message function. mission is when

News arrived, query register and get news.set m_bHas N ewTickei -TRU E

OnPaintO

Overridden OnPaintO, mission is that paint the background of Ticker

Window and output the news's text in Ticker Window.

OnRButtonUp(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)

Message of mouse's right button up, popup menu OnTicker^"Add()

Add message to register and Ticker

OnTickerDelO

Delete message from register

OnTickerEditfJ ~

Edit content of Ticker in register OnTickerOffQ

Close the Ticker window OnTickerOn()

Open the Ticker wiπdo v OnTimer(UTNT nIDEvent) Deal with time^'s message

Common Function:

GetNews()

Get up to the minurc ten news from register, save gamed message to

Ticker arra PreCreateWiήdow(CREATESTRUCT& cs)

Call AfxRegisterWndClass function, legi≤ter message^'s class

(See Figure 16 of the drawings).

APPENDIX "G"

Starting Chat

TurboView Chat is a great way to hang out on the Internet under a cool disguise. You can have an ongoing conversation with other people in a text-based or comic-strip format. Be warned, TurboView Chat is addictive! If you find a suitable Chat Room, which has some like-minded participants who are very sociable and fun to talk to, you may find it hard to find time to do anything else.

Hot Tip: Most other online Chat programs display Chat sessions in text-based view.

Ruies- 1 Commands I Halp

Chat Channels: Columnists Chat Schedule Experts Chat Schedule ar Lilian Tuesday 12-1 erLawyer Tuesday 1-2

_. erOoc Tuesday 8-9 pm Doc Tuesday 8: 30-9:30 erVβt Wednesday 7-8

erShrink Thursday 8-9 pm

Additional:

What is a Chat (IRC) server?

Chat Channels

Chat Zone Commands

Contact vour ISP

Chat Channels

There are a variety of Chat channels to select from that have different topics for discussion These are

• M-Cafe

• SuperSportZone

• TeenZone

• FhrtZone

• GameZone

• Geselshoekie

• Experts

• M Cafe Columnists

1 Click the Chat button on the Standard Toolbar The M-Cafe screen will appear

2 Select a Chat Channel bv clicking one of the links

Chat Zone Commands

Note All IRC commands start with a "/"

The forward slash is the default command character Commands on IRC are not case sensiti e and can be abbreviated to their first letters A-nything that does not begin with "/" is assumed to be a message to someone and will be sent to your current channel, or to a person you are chatting with in a pnvate chat

To find the syntax required for a particular command, type the command by itself

/help shows general help

/list lists ail current channels

/join to join a channel

/quit exits your ERC session, (same as BYΕ and EXIT)

/nick chang^e vour nickname 'w hois displays information about someone

/topic changes the topic of the channel

⁷msg sends a private message

/ignore ignores output from specific people

Mail Settings

These are standard options which do not necessarily need customising Click on the checkbox to make a tick to select the option required

Additional:

General

Auto Signature

General

• Go to my Inbox Folder when the programme starts (this checkbox is activated by default) This opens your Inbox Folder when TurboView Mail starts

• Send and Receive λlessages on start up (this checkbox is activated by default) will automatically send and receive messages when you open TurboView Mail

• Check for new Mail every (...) minute(s) instructs TurboView Mail to check for new messages after a specified number of minutes and also to send out any messages that are in the Outbox folder at the same time. If you clear this checkbox, you can click on the Send and Receive button on the toolbar to check for new messages and send out others

Note. This is only useful if you are on a LAN

• Play a sound when new messages arrive (this checkbox is activated by default) This will play a sound when you receive any new messages If you clear this checkbox, you can still see whether you have any new messages by looking at the Message Status Bar

• Save deleted items in the Deleted Items Folder cms checkbox is activated by default) automatically send anv deletec items cirectiv to the TurboView Mail Deleted Items Folder where \ ou can access it again

• Mark Previewed Message as Read after ( ...) second(s) (this checkbox is activated by default) This will automatically indicate that a message has been read after a ceπain period

• Save a copy of sent messages in the Sent Items Folder (this checkbox is activated bv default) This will place a copy of the message vou have sent in the Turboλ tew Mail Sent Items folder If vou clear this checkbox vou will need to make a copv ot tne message before ou send it out

• Include the original message text in reply (this checkbox is activated bv default) When checked this will include the original message in the message that \ ou are replvins to

• Indent original message with (....) will place this mark in front of the original text message when you send a replv

• Default Mail Format will be set to Rjch Text bv default and w ill then displav the mail in that format

Auto Signature

This allows vou to create a text signature at will oε sent out at tne enc or v our outgoing messages or to Reϋhes ana Forwards

Si βt re; £ Attach tfeis agnatufβ to Outgoing Messages f~ Atach ttiis fsgnature o-fteptes and Fer aftfe

^Qϋ Cancel f ^sgpl^

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A computer program product, which includes in combination a media player control and a web browser control stored on a digital storage medium.

2. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 1 , which includes a display controller which defines a browsing zone and a media player zone on a display screen of a computer, the media player control controlling the display of media player data in the media player zone and the browser control controlling the display of browser data in the browsing zone.

3. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 2, which includes a media player data retrieval module which selectively retrieves media player data from a remote content provider.

4. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 3, in which media player data retrieval module retrieves media player data from a storage device in the computer.

5. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 4, which includes a content manager which manages the content displayed in the media player and browsing zones, the content manager accessing a registry which at least partially defines sources from which media player data is to be retrieved.

6. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 5, which includes default advertorial data which is referenced in the registry and is selectively displayed in the media player zone.

7. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the registry is selectively updated with entries from a remote content provider.

8. A computer program product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 5 to 7 inclusive, which includes a position sensor which senses activation of a position indicator when positioned in the media player zone, the media player data retrieval module retrieving images from a URL associated with the data displayed in the media player zone.

9. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 8, in which the media player zone is selectively useable as a second browsing zone.

10. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 9, which includes a ticker control, the display controller defining a ticker zone on the display screen which displays ticker data in the ticker zone under control of the ticker control.

1 1 . A computer program product as claimed in Claim 1 0, which includes a ticker data retrieval module which selectively retrieves ticker data for display in the ticker zone, the ticker data being selectively retrieved from a remote content provider.

1 2. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 1 1 , in which the ticker data retrieval module selectively retrieves ticker data from a storage device in the computer.

1 3. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 1 2, in which the position sensor senses activation of the position indicator when positioned on ticker data in the ticker zone, the ticker data retrieval module retrieving data from a URL associated with the ticker data displayed in the ticker zone.

1 4. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 1 3, in which the display controller defines the ticker zone as a bar extending across a bottom region of the display screen.

1 5. A computer program product as claimed in and one of the preceding claims 2 to 1 4 inclusive, in which the display controller defines the media player zone in a bottom right-hand corner of the display screen.

1 6. A computer program product as claimed in Claim 1 5, which includes a plurality of different display skins wherein at least one of the skins resembles the appearance of a monitor, the display controller selectively retrieving the skin and positioning it in the media player zone.

1 7. A computer program product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 2 to 1 6 inclusive, which identifies the format of the data to be displayed in the media player zone and routes the data to an appropriate display controller which then displays the data in the media player zone.

1 8. A computer program product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a satellite communication interface for receiving audio/visual data from a satellite feed, the satellite communication interface communicating the audio/visual data to the media player control .

1 9. A method of controlling the display of data on a display screen of a computer, the method including defining on the display screen a screen layout which includes a browsing zone and a media player zone; retrieving data from a browser control and displaying the data in the browsing zone at least upon demand by the user; and retrieving data from a media player control and displaying the data in the media player zone.

20. A method as claimed in Claim 1 9, which includes retrieving the data for display in the media player zone from a remote content provider.

21 . A method as claimed in Claim 20, which includes retrieving the data for display in the media player zone from a storage device in the computer.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21 , which includes sensing activation of a position indicator when positioned in the media player zone, and retrieving data from a URL associated with the data displayed in the media player zone.

23. A method as claimed in Claim 22, in which the content displayed in the media player and browsing zones is managed by a content manager, the content manager accessing a registry which at least partially defines sources from which media player data is to be retrieved.

24. A method as claimed in Claim 23, in which default advertorial data is referenced in the registry and selectively displayed in the media player zone.

25. A method as claimed in Claim 23 or Claim 24, in which the registry is selectively updated with entries from a remote content provider.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 25, which includes defining on the display screen a ticker zone and retrieving ticker data and displaying the ticker data in the ticker zone.

27. A method as claimed in Claim 26, in which the ticker data is retrieved from a storage device in the computer.

28. A method as claimed in Claim 26 or Claim 27, which includes sensing activation of a position indicator when positioned on ticker data in the ticker zone, and retrieving data from a URL associated with the data displayed in the ticker zone.

29. A method as claimed in Claim 28, in which the ticker zone is displayed as a bar extending across a bottom region of the display screen.

30. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 9 to 29 inclusive, which includes retrieving at least one skin resembling the appearance of a monitor and positioning it in the media player zone.

31 . A method as claimed in Claim 30, in which the media player zone is defined in a bottom right-hand corner of the display screen.

32. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 9 to 31 inclusive, which includes identifying the format of the data to be displayed in the media player zone and routing the data to an appropriate display controller which then displays the data in the media player zone.

33. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 9 to 32 inclusive, in which audio/visual data from a satellite feed is received and and processed for display in the media player zone.

34. A web browser product, which defines a browsing zone and a ticker zone on a computer screen and includes a ticker control which controls the display of ticker data in zone ticker zone, the ticker data being displayed independently of web pages displayed in the browsing zone.

35. A web browser product as claimed in Claim 34, in which the ticker data includes at least one URL and the browser product connects to the URL upon activation of a position indicator associated with the ticker data.

36. A web browser as claimed in Claim 34 or Claim 35, in which the ticker data is retrieved from a storage device in the computer.

37. A web browser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 34 to 36, in which the ticker zone extends across a bottom region of the display screen.

38. A method of controlling the display of data on a display screen of a computer, the method including defining a browsing zone and a ticker zone on the display screen and displaying ticker data in the ticker zone independently of web pages displayed in the browsing zone.

39. A method as claimed in Claim 38, in which content is retrieved from a URL upon activation of a position indicator associated with the ticker data.

40. A method as claimed in Claim 38 or Claim 39, in which the ticker data is retrieved from a storage device in the computer.

41 . A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 38 to 40, in which the ticker zone extends across a bottom region of the display screen.

42. A client computer which includes a display controller for controlling the display of data on a display screen of the computer, the controller defining on the display screen a screen layout which includes a browsing zone and a media player zone; a browser control operable to retrieve data and display the data in the browsing zone at least upon demand by the user; and media player control operable to retrieve data and display the data in the media player zone.

43. A client computer as claimed in Claim 42, in which the browser control and media player control are integrated into a single web browser.

44. A data communication system which includes a content provider providing content data in use, the data including audio/visual data which is suitable for playing by a media player; and a plurality of remote users connectable to the content provider, each remote user including a web browser which includes a media player control for displaying the audio/visual data, and a browser control for displaying web pages.

45. A system as claimed in Claim 44, which includes a system control for controlling the media player control and the browser control selectively to display data on a monitor.

46. A new computer program product, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

47. A new method of controlling the display of data on a display screen of a computer, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

48. A new data communication system, substantially as herein described and illustrated.