Video Email Playback via HTML Hot Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Email marketers face challenges in creating attention-grabbing video content that can be displayed without requiring a video player installation, navigating corporate firewalls and spam filters, and measuring engagement effectively, while needing to quickly attract traffic and increase subscriptions or sales.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves creating a video email that displays without a player by using a custom HTML file with a CVI format video file, which is hosted on a server and linked via a hot link, allowing instant playback and integration with graphic content and text, along with automatic bandwidth detection for seamless streaming, and optional linking to a landing or launch page.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a video player is installed or executed on the computerized device to display video in email, then the video can be played, but the email may be blocked or targeted as a virus or spam by firewall and anti-virus systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo playback capabilityVSAvoidspam filtering and firewall blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by implementing video playback through a web browser rather than a standalone video player application. The video is embedded in the email using HTML markup language with a web player interface, allowing the video to be played within the email client's browser environment. This intermediary layer (the web browser) enables video playback while avoiding the detection and blocking mechanisms that target traditional video player applications as potential viruses or spam.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of a standalone video player application with a software-based web player implemented through HTML markup language. Instead of using a separate executable program to play videos, the system uses web technologies (HTML, JavaScript) to create a video player interface that runs within the email client's browser, substituting the traditional application-based approach with a web-based solution that bypasses security filters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a video player is installed or executed on the computerized device to display video in email, then the video can be played, but it requires installation or execution of additional software

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo playback capabilityVSAvoidplayer installation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the video player functionality available to all email clients that have a web browser capability. Instead of requiring specific video player software installation, the solution uses HTML markup language and web technologies that are universally supported by modern email clients and web browsers. This allows the same video playback mechanism to work across different platforms and email clients without requiring users to install additional software, making the solution universally applicable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a video is displayed in email with traditional methods, then video content can be delivered, but there is delay to begin the display of the video

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo deliveryVSAvoidvideo playback delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing the video player interface and HTML markup language structure in advance within the email body. The video player is pre-configured with the video source URL and playback parameters before the email is sent. When the email is opened, the browser-based player is already ready to immediately begin playback without requiring additional setup or configuration steps, thus reducing the delay to begin video display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If video content is created to engage viewers and attract traffic, then viewer engagement increases, but the email must navigate through spam filters and firewalls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewer engagement and traffic attractionVSAvoidspam filtering and firewall blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10270722B2Methods and systems to display a video in an email

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 VIDIENSE TECH

AI summary

Methods and systems for displaying videos in an html compliant email on a computerized device. The method may display a first video without a need to execute a video player on the computerized device. The method may comprise embedding a hot link in the html code of the email to call a first video file and sequently displaying video frames of the first video file when the email is opened or otherwise viewed. The method may also comprise providing a landing page with a second video file and opening the landing page when a user clicks on a link in the email or when the first video file stops playing. The video email allows video to be displayed in emails without flagging the emails as a virus or spam. The video emails get through most firewalls.