Appliance metaphor for adding media function to a web page

Abstract

A media appliance metaphor ( 111 ) for adding a media function to a Web page ( 34 ) downloaded at a processor platform ( 24 ) includes a software device of a graphic representation representing a real world counterpart for display in connection with the Web page ( 34 ). The metaphor ( 111 ) is formed by a server system ( 26 ) as a service response ( 162, 176, 186 ) in response to information provided by the processor platform ( 24 ) to the server system ( 26 ).

1 . A media appliance metaphor for adding a media function to a Web page downloaded at a processor platform, said metaphor comprising a software device of a graphic representation representing a real world counterpart for display in connection with said Web page. 
     
     
         2 . A media appliance metaphor as claimed in  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 . A media appliance metaphor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said metaphor is automatically provided from said server system when said Web page is downloaded at a processor platform. 
     
     
         4 . A media appliance metaphor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said media appliance metaphor is customized by said server system in accordance with information content of said Web page. 
     
     
         5 . A media appliance metaphor as claimed in  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 . A media appliance metaphor as claimed in  claim 5  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 . A media appliance metaphor as claimed in  claim 1  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 . A media appliance metaphor as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a user control software device for allowing a user to control a content of said media appliance metaphor. 
     
     
         9 . A media appliance metaphor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said metaphor further comprises video complimenting an information content of said Web page.