Method for playing audiovisual content from a website on a client terminal

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for playing, on a client terminal (1), audiovisual content from a website, characterized in that it comprises the implementation, by data processing means (11) of the client terminal (1), of: (a) displaying, by a browser of the client terminal (1), a first current page of the website, the current page comprising a first iframe object incorporating a thumbnail of audiovisual content, the first iframe object having a first stacking level higher than a stacking level of the first current page; (b) loading, by the browser, a second iframe object having, as its source, a second current page of the website and a second stacking level between the first stacking level and the stacking level of the first current page so as to be displayed on top of the first current page; (c) playing the audiovisual content in the thumbnail.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Method for playing audiovisual content on a website on a client terminal

[0003] GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of web pages. More specifically, it concerns a method for playing audiovisual content on a web page on a client terminal, and in particular for a videoconference between the client terminal and a remote terminal associated with said website.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] We know of many video conferencing solutions that allow the user of an electronic terminal (computer, smartphone, etc.) to see and talk with an interlocutor through that terminal.

[0007] Traditionally, these video conferencing solutions use a dedicated application, but there are web versions that allow video conferencing to be implemented directly in a browser, avoiding any download and installation (for example, Google Meet or Zoom).

[0008] However, this is a dedicated web page, so the user cannot do anything else simultaneously, unless, for example, they open another browser page, but if they do so, they lose the display of their interlocutor.

[0009] More recently, video conferencing solutions have therefore been proposed that are directly integrated into an existing web page, in the form of a small window.

[0010] This is particularly useful for e-commerce sites: you can request a video conference with a salesperson to discuss a product, in a much more user-friendly and efficient way than the chatbots you usually find.

[0011] The problem with these integrated solutions is that every time a new web page loads (for example, when a link is clicked), the video conference drops and reloads along with the web page. However, for a good user experience, it's essential that users can navigate the site—especially to compare products, view photos, read reviews, etc.—while remaining in the video conference.

[0012] It is therefore desirable to have a solution that allows for continuous video conferencing (without interruption) while browsing the website despite page changes.

[0013] It should be noted that solutions have already been proposed for streaming video on a web page: in particular, it is possible to code the entire site so that when a link is clicked that changes the URL, it partially loads the page to exclude the video stream. The same technique could be used for video conferencing, but it does not prevent interruptions in all cases and, more importantly, it is very resource-intensive because it requires rewriting the entire code for each page of the site.

[0014] The present invention improves the situation.

[0015] PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention therefore relates, in a first aspect, to a method for reading audiovisual content on a client terminal from a website, characterized in that it comprises the implementation by data processing means of said client terminal:

[0017] (a) Display by a browser of said client terminal of a first current page of said website, said current page including a first iframe object integrating a thumbnail of audiovisual content, said first iframe object having a first stacking level higher than a stacking level of said first current page; (b) Loading by said browser of a second iframe object having as its source a second current page of said website and a second stacking level between the first stacking level and said stacking level of said first current page so as to display itself on top of said first current page;

[0018] (c) Reading of said audiovisual content in said thumbnail.

[0019] According to advantageous and non-limiting characteristics:

[0020] The process includes a step (d) of changing the second current page in said second iframe object without changing the first current page.

[0021] The second current page is the same as the first current page.

[0022] The second iframe object occupies the entire display space of said browser.

[0023] A scroll bar for the first current page is hidden in step (b).

[0024] Step (b) includes displaying in a navigation bar of said browser a URL of said second current page, without executing it. Each stacking level is defined by a z-index value.

[0025] The said website is hosted by a first server, step (a) comprising obtaining a code, in particular HTML, of said first current page from the first server.

[0026] The said audiovisual content is a videoconference between the client terminal and a remote terminal associated with the website, the said thumbnail being a videoconference thumbnail and step (c) comprising the implementation of the said videoconference in the said thumbnail.

[0027] The website in question is an e-commerce site, and the remote terminal is that of a seller on said e-commerce site.

[0028] The videoconference is implemented via a second server, the first iframe object having its source on the second server. According to a second aspect, the invention provides a client terminal, characterized in that it comprises data processing means configured to:

[0029] - Display by a browser of said client terminal a first current page of a website, said current page including a first iframe object integrating a thumbnail of audiovisual content, said first iframe object having a first stacking level higher than a stacking level of said first current page;

[0030] - To load by said browser a second iframe object whose source is a second current page of said website and a second stacking level between the first stacking level and said stacking level of said first current page so as to display on top of said first current page;

[0031] - Read the said audiovisual content in the said thumbnail.

[0032] According to a third aspect, the invention proposes a system comprising at least the client terminal 1 according to the second aspect and the first server 3 connected via the internet network 20, said first server 3 comprising data processing means 31 configured to provide said client terminal with a code of at least the first current page and the second current page.

[0033] According to a fourth and fifth aspect, the invention provides a computer program product comprising code instructions for executing a process according to the first aspect for playing audiovisual content from a website on a client terminal; and a computer-readable storage means on which is stored a computer program product comprising code instructions for executing a process according to the first aspect for playing audiovisual content from a website on a client terminal. PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0034] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment. This description will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0035] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a diagram of a system for implementing the process according to the invention;

[0036] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of the process according to the invention;

[0037] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the arrangement of elements of internet pages in an embodiment of the process according to the invention.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Architecture

[0040] The present invention relates to a method for playing audiovisual content from a website on a client terminal 1, implemented in an environment as shown in Figure 1. This audiovisual content can be any video, pre-recorded or live, but preferably it is bidirectional audiovisual content, i.e., a videoconference. The method is therefore a method for implementing a videoconference between the client terminal 1 and a remote terminal 2 associated with said website.

[0041] As will be seen, the said reading of audiovisual content is in a page of said website, so that it is in practice implemented in an internet browser of said client terminal 1, and does not require any dedicated application other than said browser (which may be any browser capable of displaying web pages). Preferably, a website is considered as the set of pages of the same domain or subdomain.

[0042] The website in question is preferably an e-commerce site, and the potential remote terminal 2 could be that of a seller on the site. In other words, the video conference is then, in practice, between a user of client terminal 1 browsing the e-commerce site (potential buyer) and a seller on that site (merchant). Alternatively, the site could be any website where a user might need help, and in particular a support site (for example, a brand's website offering customer service, a service provider's website, etc.). It will suffice that the remote terminal 2 be associated with said site, i.e., operated by an individual in charge of said website.

[0043] The client terminal 1 and the optional remote terminal 2 are connected via the internet network 20. They can be any electronic terminal capable of implementing a browser and videoconferencing, in particular a PC, a smartphone, a tablet, etc. The client terminal 1 and the remote terminal 2 include data processing means 11, 21 such as a processor of any kind, data storage means 12, 22, i.e. memory, and an interface 13, 23 including display means (screen), a camera, a microphone, etc.

[0044] Preferably, said website is hosted by a first server 3, which may, where appropriate, be confused with the remote terminal 2. The first server 3 also includes data processing means 31 such as a processor and data storage means 32, the latter storing said website, i.e. the code (typically in HTML) of its pages, and providing it to said client terminal 1.

[0045] The system may further include a second server 4, for providing audiovisual content and, where applicable, videoconferencing. More specifically, the second server 4 may be a CDN, or, in the case of videoconferencing, the client terminal 1 and the remote terminal 2 may, in a known manner, be connected via said second server 4 for the implementation of said videoconference. The second server 4 also includes data processing means 41 such as a processor and data storage means 42, and it too may be confused with one or the other of the other equipment 1, 2, 3.

[0046] Process

[0047] With reference to Figure 2, the present process, implemented by the processing means 11 of said client terminal 1, advantageously begins with a step (a) of displaying by the browser of said client terminal 1 a first current page of said website.

[0048] This step (a) advantageously includes obtaining the code (HTML) of said first current page, in particular from the first server 3.

[0049] Generally, the user either enters the address (URL) of the first page directly into their browser or clicks on a link to that first page, for example, from a search engine. This first page is called the current page because it is the "current" page, but as we will explain later, the user can navigate the internet and change pages.

[0050] The said first page is usually a home page of said website (called index), but it could be any page of the website, if for example the user directly enters the corresponding URL.

[0051] The first page includes a first iframe object, noted IF1, integrating a thumbnail of audiovisual content, and where applicable, videoconference.

[0052] An iframe object, short for "inline frame," is a standardized HTML element that allows a developer to embed content from other websites into their own website. Iframes are particularly useful for embedding videos, maps, and other similar content within a web page. The content is displayed in a frame whose properties can be configured using attributes, notably the iframe's "source," which is the URL of the content. It's important to note that the source domain must allow embedding within an iframe, and we will assume that this is the case for the domain of this website. In this instance, the first iframe object, IF1, embeds the aforementioned audiovisual content thumbnail, or "widget," meaning a module in which the content can be viewed. In the case of a video conference, this can be implemented within the widget. Such widgets, especially video conferencing widgets, are familiar to those skilled in the art.

[0053] The source of said first iframe object IF1 is advantageously on said second server 4. In other words, the first iframe object has as an attribute a URL pointing to the second server 4 (whose domain is assumed to accept iframe integration), so that the display of the first current page includes obtaining the data of the audiovisual content widget from the second server 4, so as to display this widget in the first current page, and where appropriate display for the moment a waiting image, for example the first image of said audiovisual content if it is a simple video, or a button for launching the video conference.

[0054] Furthermore, the said first iframe object has a first stacking level higher than a stacking level of the said first current page.

[0055] The stacking level, usually called "z-order" in CSS, determines the order of the different layers that the elements displayed by the browser will form, especially if they overlap.

[0056] Generally, the stacking level of an element is defined by a parameter called the z-index in CSS.

[0057] Thus, an element will cover another element if its z-index value is greater than that of the latter.

[0058] Therefore, the audiovisual content thumbnail appears on top of the current first page, but this has little impact since normally there is little or no overlap between the first page and the thumbnail (the latter is neatly inserted into the first page, i.e. the other content is arranged around it).

[0059] This choice may therefore seem innocuous and unnecessary, but will prove to be very clever in an original step (b) of loading by said browser of a second iframe object, noted IF2, having as its source a second current page of said website.

[0060] Preferably, step (b) is launched if the playback of the audiovisual content is started by the user, for example by clicking on the widget, but alternatively it can be in the wake of step (a).

[0061] Note that in the preferred case of loading the IF2 iframe when the content is read, it is possible that the second IF2 iframe object is directly created in step (b), but it is also possible that it is created in advance with the first current page (i.e. from step (a)), but left empty (without source), so that its content is only loaded in step (b).

[0062] In all cases, step (b) can be implemented by means of a script, for example in javascript, associated with said first current page (and potentially with each page of the website presenting said video conferencing widget).

[0063] This second IF2 iframe, the object of step (b), is specific in that it presents a second stacking level between the first stacking level and said stacking level of said first current page so as to display on top of said first current page.

[0064] To rephrase, denoting Z1 as the z-index of the first iframe IF1 (the video conferencing widget), ZP as the z-index of the rest of the first current page, and Z2 as the z-index of the second iframe IF2 (the second current page), we have ZP <Z2<Z1.

[0065] For example, we can initially take ZP=1 and an arbitrarily high value for Z1 (for example 100), then we just need to choose Z2 in the interval.

[0066] We therefore understand, as ZP <Z2 que la deuxième page courante vient recouvrir la première page courante. Et en l’espèce il y a chevauchement, car le deuxième objet iframe est préférentiellement configuré de sorte à occuper tout l’espace d’affichage dudit navigateur. Pour ce faire, on peut mettre comme attribut de la deuxième iframe les dimensions de la fenêtre ouverte.Alternativement, la deuxième iframe IF2 pourrait être légèrement plus petite avec des contours au lieu de l’agrandir à 100%.

[0067] We then find ourselves in the situation represented by figure 3: the entire first current page is hidden by the second current page, with the exception of the first iframe (the audiovisual content widget) which has an even higher z-index.

[0068] At the end of step (b), the user "sees" the widget embedded in the second page, but this is merely an illusion: the first iframe is indeed part of the current page, but the page itself is not visible. To facilitate understanding of the invention, the term "current page" refers to the page normally displayed in step (a), and the term "second current page" refers to the page displayed in the second iframe IF2. However, this could be any page of the website, and preferably, the second current page is the same as the current page, so that the user always sees the current page, but the page displayed in the second iframe IF2 instead of the original page. In this way, the second iframe IF2 "duplicates" the existing display.

[0069] For a perfect illusion, one (or more) possible scrollbars of the first current page are hidden in step (b) to avoid the appearance of a double scrollbar.

[0070] Note that the second current page can still be a different page from the first current page, for example in an e-commerce context: the salesperson who will be joining the video conference on their remote terminal 2 may want to direct the customer (the user of client terminal 1) to a specific page. In all cases, the second current page can vary, see below. It is also possible to change the URL displayed in the browser's address bar to that of the second current page (instead of the URL of the first current page) to further enhance the illusion, but without executing it (so as not to change the first current page). Generally speaking, step (b) can involve displaying the URL of said second current page in the browser's address bar, without executing it.

[0071] Furthermore, there may very well be another audiovisual content widget on the second current page, but this one is itself hidden by the widget in the first iframe.

[0072] Therefore, preferably, all pages of the website present the video conferencing widget always integrated in the same place.

[0073] The user then has the impression of browsing the second current page (and they can do so freely – including on any domain other than this website's that agrees to be embedded in an iframe), but in fact, the "real" first page is still displayed underneath. Note that the second current page is part of the same domain as the first current page, so the iframe integration poses no problem. For the same reason, any cookies that might have been set for the first current page and the website in general are recognized by the second current page, including session cookies: if the user has, for example, logged in or added items to their cart, this persists in the second iframe (IF2) and throughout their subsequent browsing, which is very convenient.

[0074] Then, in step (c), the audiovisual content is played in the thumbnail, retrieving the stream specifically from the second server 4. Preferably, a videoconference is implemented in the thumbnail, potentially via the second server 4. A person skilled in the art can use any known technique for the practical implementation of this step (c), including videoconferencing. It should be noted that the remote terminal 2 can use a dedicated application for videoconferencing, for the convenience of its user (i.e., a salesperson), and in particular the dual-display capability, which will be described below.

[0075] The invention allows, in step (d) and during step (c), the second current page in said second iframe object IF2 to be changed without changing the first current page, and therefore without reloading the first iframe object IF1, and consequently without any interruption of the video / videoconference or any chat via the widget. Step (d) can be implemented as many times as desired.

[0076] More specifically, the nature of an iframe means that, as explained, the second current page is perfectly navigable; that is, the user can click, submit forms, and use all the site's functionalities without hindrance. This will, if necessary, change the second current page (i.e., the page displayed in the second iframe, IF2, will then be a different page of the website), but the first current page below, which is the underlying "real" active page, remains unchanged, hence the absence of interruption to the video / video conference.

[0077] Indeed, the first current page is in the background and inaccessible to the user so that it will never be reloaded and the operation of the widget will never be interrupted unless the browser window in which the first current page was initially displayed is closed.

[0078] Again, as explained, step (d) may include modifying the URL displayed in the browser bar to reflect the change of the current page, still without executing it.

[0079] The experience is therefore particularly pleasant for the user, especially if cookies persist (user login, shopping cart, etc.). Furthermore, it is clear that virtually no website modifications are required; a script can simply be added to implement step (b) as explained.

[0080] It is noted that it is even possible that in the case of a videoconference the interlocutor (i.e. the seller) guides the user in their navigation of the site, by proposing certain actions (clicking on links, etc.), or even doing them for them, this is what is called co-navigation: according to a preferred embodiment, the display of client terminal 1 is shared, i.e. a copy of the display of client terminal 1 is displayed by the remote terminal, (it is understood that the seller sees, due to the invention, the second current page - and thus knows where the user is in the website), and upon acceptance by the user of client terminal 1, they can take control of the latter remotely, i.e. the input means of interface 23 of the remote terminal become capable of manipulating client terminal 1.The seller can, for example, move the mouse pointer of client terminal 1 with their own mouse; and if necessary, change the second current page (step (d)), which has the effect of updating the copy of the display shown by remote terminal 2 without interrupting the video conference.

[0081] When content playback finishes (either the video ends or one of the participants ends the video conference), the second iframe (IF2) can remain open, allowing users to continue browsing. This enables users to complete their purchases and pay for their cart, for example. It also allows users to resume content playback / video conferencing directly within the same widget, if desired.

[0082] Alternatively, we can expect the second iframe IF2 to be closed, for example by refreshing the first current page, i.e. by re-implementing step (a). We can even expect, to complete the illusion for the user, that the second current page (which may have changed several times as the user navigates within the second iframe IF2, i.e., following one or more implementations of step (d)) will be displayed as the new first current page.

[0083] The process can then be restarted if necessary (new occurrence of step (b)) if the user triggers a new reading, etc.

[0084] Terminal and server

[0085] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to the client terminal 1 for the implementation of the process according to the first aspect.

[0086] It includes data processing means 11, data storage means 12 and is connected where appropriate to the first server 3, the second server and / or the remote terminal 2 via the internet network 20.

[0087] The data processing means 11 are configured to: - Display by a browser of said client terminal 1 a first current page of said website, said current page including a first iframe object integrating a thumbnail of audiovisual content, said first iframe object having a first stacking level higher than a stacking level of said first current page;

[0088] - To load by said browser a second iframe object whose source is a second current page of said website and a second stacking level between the first stacking level and said stacking level of said first current page so as to display on top of said first current page;

[0089] - Read the said audiovisual content in the said thumbnail.

[0090] According to a third aspect, the invention proposes a system comprising at least the client terminal 1 and the first server 3 connected (via the internet network 20), said first server 3 being configured to provide said client terminal with code (HTML) of at least the first current page and the second current page (if it is different from the first current page), and where appropriate a script for the implementation of the loading of said second iframe object.

[0091] In the case of a videoconference, said system may further include a remote terminal 2 (which may be confused with the first server 3) so that the videoconference is between the client terminal 1 and the remote terminal 2.

[0092] computer program product

[0093] According to a fourth and a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a computer program product comprising code instructions for the execution (on the data processing means 11 of the client terminal 1) of a method according to the first aspect for reading audiovisual content on a website on the client terminal 1, as well as computer-readable storage means (for example, the data storage means 12 of the client terminal 1) on which this computer program product is located.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Method for reading audiovisual content on a client terminal (1) from a website, characterized in that it includes the implementation by data processing means (11) of said client terminal (1): (a) Display by a browser of said client terminal (1) of a first current page of said website, said current page including a first iframe object integrating a thumbnail of audiovisual content, said first iframe object having a first stacking level higher than a stacking level of said first current page; (b) Loading by said browser of a second iframe object having as its source a second current page of said website and a second stacking level between the first stacking level and said stacking level of said first current page so as to display on top of said first current page; (c) Reading of said audiovisual content in said thumbnail.

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising a step (d) of changing the second current page in said second iframe object without changing the first current page.

3. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein said second running page is the same as the first running page.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second iframe object occupies the entire display space of said browser.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein step (b) comprises hiding a scroll bar of the first current page and / or displaying in a navigation bar of said browser a URL of said second current page, without executing it.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each stacking level is defined by a z-index value.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said website is hosted by a first server (3), step (a) comprising obtaining code, in particular HTML, of said first current page from the first server (3).

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said audiovisual content is a videoconference between the client terminal (1) and a remote terminal (2) associated with the website, said thumbnail being a videoconference thumbnail and step (c) comprising the implementation of said videoconference in said thumbnail.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein said website is an e-commerce site, and the remote terminal (2) is that of a seller of said e-commerce site.

10. A method according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein said videoconference is implemented via a second server (4), the first iframe object having the second server (4) as its source.

11. Client terminal (1), characterized in that it comprises data processing means (11) configured to: - Display by a browser of said client terminal (1) a first current page of a website, said current page including a first iframe object integrating a thumbnail of audiovisual content, said first iframe object having a first stacking level higher than a stacking level of said first current page; - To load by said browser a second iframe object whose source is a second current page of said website and a second stacking level between the first stacking level and said stacking level of said first current page so as to display on top of said first current page; - Read the said audiovisual content in the said thumbnail.

12. Product computer program comprising code instructions for the execution of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for the playback on a client terminal (1) of audiovisual content in a website, when said program is executed on a computer.

13. Computer-readable storage means on which is recorded a computer program product comprising code instructions for the execution of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for the reading on a client terminal (1) of audiovisual content in a website.

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