WO2017152223A1

WO2017152223A1 - System and method for providing seamless transition between selectably presentable media streams

Info

Publication number: WO2017152223A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/050198
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robb SNELL
Original assignee: Guvera Ip Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-07
Filing date: 2017-03-07
Publication date: 2017-09-14

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to dynamic electronic content playback, and more particularly to methods and systems for seamlessly transitioning between electronic content pieces of different types based on consumer interaction and selection.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SEAMLESS TRANSITION BETWEEN

SELECTABLY PRESENTABLE MEDIA STREAMS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to dynamic electronic content playback, and more particularly to methods and systems for seamlessly transitioning between electronic content pieces of different types based on consumer interaction and selection.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The evolving manner in which consumers are accessing media poses an increasing challenge for the advertising industry as it competes for consumer's attention and time.

Advertisers raise spending to put more ads in more places, but that onslaught is turning all marketing messages into mere noise. More and more companies are searching for different ways to spend their marketing dollars by seeking to align where they present their advertising message to media relevant to their market.

[0003] Another problem with conventional advertising in relation to digital content is the manner in which advertising is presented to the consumer. The inclusion of advertising in relation to digital media is the major manner in which digital content providers fund the provision of the content. Brand clients that pay for advertising however, want to make sure that the advertising reaches the consumer requesting the digital content. Therefore, the advertising is provided in association with the content in such a way that a consumer sees the advertising in a disruptive manner. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "disruptive" is defined as any method of delivery which a customer doesn't choose to receive or that is undesirable to the customer. The advertising is either played before the content is accessible or is embedded into the content or interspersed between portions of the content. All of these ways of providing the advertising disrupt the consumer trying to view or use the content.

[0004] A schematic illustration of two types of disruptive advertising is given in Figure 1.

[0005] According to the first type illustrated in Figure 1A, the advertising appears before the content is delivered requiring a consumer to sit through the advertising before the content is available. There is typically no mechanism to view the content other than by viewing the entirety of the advertising first. [0006] According to the second type illustrated in Figure IB, the advertising is interleaved with the content delivery such that the content is interrupted by an advertisement during content delivery.

[0007] Both methods of provision are clearly disruptive in nature. For reasons which are clear when viewing Figure 1 A and IB, these types of interleaving are known as "linear" organisation.

[0008] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing seamless transition between selectably presentable media streams, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0010] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a system for providing seamless transition between selectably presentable media streams, the system including: a) A computer device having a processor with on-board memory, a display a display screen upon which interfaces can be generated and displayed, at least one input apparatus, and at least one output apparatus,

b) An on-device software application stored in the on-board memory of the computer device and executable on the computer device to generate and display a first content delivery interface allowing a user to consume electronic content of a first kind via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device wherein the first content delivery interface also includes display of at least one teaser piece of electronic content of a second kind thereon with an audio component thereof muted, the at least one teaser piece of electronic content having at least one related full piece of content and upon the selection of the at least one teaser piece of electronic content by the user using at least one input apparatus of the computer device, the on-device software application retrieves the at least one related full piece of content and generates and displays a second content delivery interface allowing a user to consume the at least one related full piece of content via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device with a seamless transition between the electronic content of the first kind and the at least one related full piece of content controlled by the on-device software application, the seamless transition generating and displaying the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface whilst simultaneously fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind, whilst electronically marking an exit location at which the user exited in the electronic content of the first kind and automatically upon conclusion of the delivery of the electronic content of the second kind, the on-device software application resumes delivery of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location on the first content delivery interface fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location.

[0011] In another form, the present invention resides broadly in a method for providing seamless transition between selectably presentable media streams, the method including the steps of:

Providing an on-device software application stored in an on-board memory of a computer device and executable by a processor on the computer device generating and displaying a first content delivery interface allowing a user to consume electronic content of a first kind via at least one output apparatus of the computer device wherein the first content delivery interface also includes display of at least one teaser piece of electronic content of a second kind thereon with an audio component thereof muted, the at least one teaser piece of electronic content having at least one related full piece of content selecting by a user, the at least one teaser piece of electronic content using at least one input apparatus of the computer device, retrieving by the on-device software application, the at least one related full piece of content generating and displaying a second content delivery interface allowing a user to consume the at least one related full piece of content via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device with a seamless transition between the electronic content of the first kind and the at least one related full piece of content controlled by the on-device software application, the seamless transition generating and displaying the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface whilst simultaneously fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind, whilst electronically marking an exit location at which the user exited in the electronic content of the first kind and automatically upon conclusion of the delivery of the electronic content of the second kind, the on-device software application resuming delivery of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location on the first content delivery interface, fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location.

[0012] The computer device may also have access to at least one communication pathway to allow the content to be delivered to the computer device from a remote computer device or server via the at least one communication pathway.

[0013] The software application may allow communication with a software program operating on a system administer server computer or computer network. Preferably, the software program operating on a system administer server computer or computer network may be more advanced and be responsible for the bulk of the processing with the application operating on the smartphones, tablet computers and another mobile device typically smaller and with less processing power, optimised to send and receive instructions and requests and leaves the operations requiring larger processing power to the software program operating on a system administer server computer or computer network.

[0014] Preferably, access to the system will be via a personal computing device. The personal computing device can be any type however, will typically be a smart phone, computer tablet or other portable device.

[0015] The personal computing device preferred for use in the present invention includes a processor with on-board memory, a display, at least one input apparatus, at least one output apparatus (such as audio output, directly via speakers or similar or indirectly via a port or similar allowing the connection of speakers, visual output or similar), and access to at least one communication pathway. Normally, the display will preferably be a touchscreen as many personal computing devices currently available have this feature. The advantages of the touchscreen include allowing a larger display and also allowing the display to function as a part of or as, the input apparatus.

[0016] Preferably, the software application is provided to operate on a personal computing device with appropriate connections through the personal computing device to the administrator computer server computer or network in order to gain additional information to that present on the personal computing device, if required. The additional information may be obtained from the server computer or network and/or by push notification from the server computer or network to the personal computing device and/or upon request from the personal computing device.

[0017] The consumer will normally download the software application to their personal computing device. The download of the software application will normally include appropriate instructions to be stored in the memory of the personal computing device in order to create and maintain links and associations with the server computer or network in order to communicate with one or more databases stored thereon, preferably one or more content databases.

[0018] The at least one input apparatus therefore will typically be formed or displayed on the display of the personal computing device as required. The at least one input apparatus may include a virtual keyboard including letters of the alphabet, numbers and/or symbols as well as one or more action icons or portions, typically a representation of one or more content pieces, to allow a user to implement action on the personal computing device.

[0019] Typically, a portion of the interface displayed on the display of the personal computing device will be provided as visual feedback reflecting the input provided by the user of the personal computing device.

[0020] The method and system of the preferred embodiment includes a customer choosing at least one content piece for delivery to a consumer via the computer device. The content pieces will normally be stored on a server computer or network and delivered, substantially in real-time to from the server computer or network to the computer device of the consumer according to the selections made by the consumer via interaction with the software application on the generated and displayed interface(s).

[0021] There will typically be at least one content database storing the content pieces and, the content pieces may be stored in one or more play lists. The at least one content database storing the content pieces will normally reside on the server computer or network or be accessible through the server computer or network.

[0022] The method of the present invention is preferably achieved by computer hardware operating software containing instructions in association with one or more communications pathways between a variety of pieces of computer hardware operating software compliant with the system, in order to achieve the method.

[0023] The hardware included in the system of the present invention includes a personal computing device for each consumer. The respective personal computing devices will preferably be the primary points of access to the system of the present invention by the consumers of the system and normally interaction with any software operating on or accessible by, the server computer or network will occur using the personal computing devices.

[0024] The hardware included in the system of the present invention preferably includes, a computer server and one or more personal computing devices, each with access to a

communication network. As mentioned above, the personal computing devices will typically be a smart phone, tablet or other computer.

[0025] The computer server or network will normally include a processor with memory operating instructions and one or more databases storing electronic content pieces in electronic form, normally as an electronic file. The databases will typically include at least one content database, and at least one consumer database.

[0026] The system preferably has at least one content database containing pieces of content with each piece of content having one or more content profile identifiers.

[0027] The pieces of content should be considered to be anything of intrinsic or implied value that a user can "consume" specifically including but not limited to, music, audio, video, books or ebooks, games, applications (or "apps"), software "add-ons", still images, snippets, services, redeemable vouchers, branded material, t-shirts, caps, tickets to events, information services or portions of the aforementioned.

[0028] For the purposes of the present description, the term "consume" includes

downloading the content whether for immediate or delayed consumption, printing, or saving the content.

[0029] Basically, the content can have any form provided that the content is electronic or digital in order that the content can be transmissible between the system and the at least one consumer and between the at least one content provider and the system. Normally, each piece of content will be stored in an electronic file and it is this electronic file which will typically be capable of transmission, dissemination or copying or the like onto a physical medium.

[0030] The content will typically be provided from any source. For example, an

entertainment studio, TV network, Internet social networking systems or record labels may choose to provide content to the system. Alternatively, smaller organisations or individuals may choose to provide content directly to the system such as home movies, demo music tracks or the like. [0031] The content may be provided directly to the system or indirectly. Normally, the content provider will have to be or have a legal relationship with the content owner and systems will normally be provided to monitor the content in this regard to minimise the risk that content can be provided without the permission of the owner. Content provision shall include but not be limited to one time purchases, rentals, term subscriptions, use subscriptions, and rights limited ownership (e.g. DRM limited music and video).

[0032] Each piece of content will also have one or more content profile identifiers which will typically be referred to as "tags". Each piece of content will also typically have

identification or ownership information. Preferably, the ownership information identifies who owns the content in order to recompense the owner and the tags will identify the type of content.

[0033] Each piece of content will typically be tagged according to its "type". Each piece of content will preferably be tagged according to its Genre, Mood, Style and Theme. For example, the Genre tags will normally be those used in a particular industry such as music genre including pop, classical, rock, rhythm and blues, house/techno, folk and the like. Each of these broad genre categories may include at one or more sub-genre. There are also typically genre associated with video games, television, film, literature and the like. Therefore, each piece of content will typically be tagged according to its broad type and then further tagged according to genre.

Normally, the genre tagging will also fit with the accepted genres in industry.

[0034] Mood tagging will preferably represent the relatively long-lasting, effective or emotional state that the content offers for example fun, cheerful, humorous, gentle, scary, thought provoking, reflective and the like.

[0035] Style tagging will preferably identify the pieces of content for composition or format. Genres have been used to identify "style", but the system of the present invention will typically tag the content with more complexity. For example, a song may be a rock genre song but maybe further classified using style tagging as modern rock or contemporary rock and may indicate the basic style of the entertainment content.

[0036] Theme tagging will typically identify the broad idea, message or lesson conveyed in the piece of content. For example the piece of content may be comforting, relaxing, suggestive or the like.

[0037] Importantly, tagging systems have been used conventionally but the tagging systems vary depending upon the provider of the content and the various entertainment types. The system of the present invention will typically provide a standard for content tagging. [0038] Content tagging may also be adjusted or performed through the monitoring of

Internet searches or the like for example, through reviews, comments, links and categorisation.

The present system therefore accounts for the fact that consumers will typically search the

Internet for particular content and may use these searches and/or results to improve the accuracy of the content tagging. In this manner, the content tagging may be reactive. Typically, any content tagging will occur in real time as will adjustments to content tagging, as the popularity of particular content and/or preferences of a consumer will typically vary over time.

[0039] The content tag updates may be periodic or preferably ongoing in real time.

[0040] Preferably, each piece of content will be initially tagged upon uploading or the first provision of that piece of content to the system. There will typically be an analysis process upon uploading in order to check to see whether a particular piece of content which has been submitted is not already present on the system.

[0041] The tags for the piece of content may be changed or vary over time in response to feedback from consumers who have been provided with that piece of content. There may therefore be a feedback mechanism in place to question or follow-up with consumers who have been provided with a piece of content to request whether the piece of content was tagged in the correct way and/or that the tag is up-to-date. The tag updating process may be an automated process.

[0042] Each piece of content may have more than one tag but preferably, the number of tags will typically be limited to no more than between 5 to 10 tags. Tags may also be provided in different levels of importance with the number of tags in each level varying with the level of importance. For example, there may only be 5-10 top-level importance tags attached to a piece of content but that same piece of content may have 10-1000 less relevant or important tags.

[0043] The system of the present invention will also preferably include at least one consumer database including a plurality of consumer profiles each with data relating to each of a plurality of consumers. The consumers will typically be individuals although corporate consumers may be allowed. The consumers will typically be registered as consumers and members of the system of the present invention either through the system of the present invention or alternatively, may be registered through a third-party system. If registered through a third-party system, a consumer can use the profile data from the third-party system and/or their unique login information from the third-party system in the system of the present invention. For example, the system of the present invention may utilise an existing set of data from a third-party system such as a social media system of which Facebook and Twitter are probably the most common which are conventionally available.

[0044] The system of the present invention will normally be implemented through instructions which when followed, generate one or more interfaces on a personal computing device. The instructions will normally be stored in the memory of the consumer's personal computing device and will then be followed in order to generate and update an interface in real time according to the consumer's interaction with the interface.

[0045] Many of personal computing devices (PCD) have touchscreens for display allowing the consumer to directly interact with the touch screen in order to interact with the interface. However, a normal non-touchscreen display can be used with a movable pointer or selection tool in order to allow a consumer to interact with the interface. One or more "buttons" are provided on the interface to allow the user to interact with the PCD and through the PCD, to interact with the system.

[0046] The generated interface will typically be updated substantially in real time according to the rules or instructions in conjunction with the at least one content database and the at least one consumer database. The generated interface will also typically be updated substantially in real time according to interactions by the consumer(s) with the system.

[0047] The method and system of the present invention will include a software application to generate and display a first content delivery interface allowing a user to consume electronic content of a first kind via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device wherein the first content delivery interface also includes display of at least one teaser piece of electronic content of a second kind thereon with an audio component thereof muted, the at least one teaser piece of electronic content having at least one related full piece of content.

[0048] The first content delivery interface is typically a music delivery interface or on an interface designed to deliver primarily music content. According to the normal embodiment, the consumer will primarily use the software application of the present invention to listen to music and selectively access video content of interest and then returned to listening to music. Normally, the music content will be played via the computer device which will allow the consumer to hear the music through at least one output device such as a speaker provided on or in association with the computer device or headphones for example.

[0049] In normal operation, the music content will be selected or requested by the consumer.

Particular rules may surround the delivery of the music content to the consumer but the present invention is primarily concerned with the transition process between listening to music content and accessing video content and then returning to the music content in a seamless manner.

[0050] The first content delivery interface typically includes identification of the music content including the title of the music content, the artist and/or other information such as the album on which the track was released. The first content delivery interface will also include ancillary information in relation to the playback of the music content such as the particular position through the playback of the content that the user has reached and this will normally be provided in real time in the form of a moving bar or similar which is generated and displayed on the interface.

[0051] There will typically also be action buttons associated with the identification portion identifying the music content and/or the ancillary information which will allow a user to increase the size of the identification portion as desired and then decrease the size. In normal computer parlance, these would be termed a "maximise" or "expand" and "minimise" button. When expanded, the identification portion may include further information about the content being provided for example an image of the album cover may be presented to the user on the interface.

[0052] The identification portion will normally be provided as a ribbon or bar. Normally, the ribbon or bar will be located on a lower or side edge of the interface.

[0053] Generally, the identification portion identifying the music content and the ancillary information will preferably be provided as a small portion on the first content delivery interface such that the one or more teaser content pieces can be more easily seen by being larger in size and/or more prominently displayed on the first content delivery interface.

[0054] The first content delivery interface also includes one or more, preferably multiple teaser pieces of electronic content. Generally, the one or more teaser pieces of content are of a different kind to the electronic content of the first kind which will preferably be music although the kinds of content may vary. Preferably, a number of video teaser pieces of content are provided on the first content delivery interface, typically more prominently than the

identification portion identifying the particular music content being played.

[0055] The video teaser pieces of content can be provided on the first content delivery interface in any format. For example, the video teaser pieces of content can be provided as a still image selected from any one of the images in the piece of video content or the visual component of the video teaser pieces may be provided with the audio muted so as not to interrupt or obscure the delivery of the music content. Therefore, the video can be played in the video teaser pieces of content (with the audio portion muted).

[0056] Preferably, a number of video teaser pieces of content are provided on the first content delivery interface in a variety of locations about the interface. The locations of the individual video teaser pieces may be transient or dynamic and the particular video teaser pieces may also be dynamic. The video teaser pieces of content provided on the first content delivery interface will preferably be provided in different sizes in order to enhance interest on the part of the consumer. In particular, the size of each video teaser piece of content may be determined according to the popularity of the video teaser piece of content such that more popular video teaser pieces of content are provided in a larger size then less popular teaser pieces of content. This popularity may occur will be adjusted in real time according to selections made by other the consumers within the system in order to adjust the video teaser pieces of content provided dynamically to a single consumer.

[0057] As mentioned above, the teaser piece of content can be any portion or snippet of a full content piece or alternatively, the full content piece may be played as the video teaser piece of content.

[0058] The teaser pieces of content are preferably displayed on an interface as a displayed tile having an area or zone which also functions as a selection zone allowing the consumer to select a teaser piece of content. This is particularly useful where the computing device includes a touchscreen display which also functions as an input device and allows the consumer to select a teaser piece of content simply by tapping the tile or zone in which the teaser piece of content appears on the displayed interface.

[0059] In use, the first content delivery interface is typically generated dynamically including a selection of teaser pieces of content which may be related to the piece of music content being delivered to the consumer and/or on the basis of one or more consumer

demographics or identifying characteristics to avoid stagnation of the teaser pieces of content and instead, increase or at least maintain consumer interest in the teaser pieces of content through the presentation of the teaser pieces of content will dynamically upon the first content delivery interface.

[0060] Upon the selection of the at least one teaser piece of electronic content by the user using at least one input apparatus of the computer device, the on-device software application retrieves the at least one related full piece of content and generates and displays a second content delivery interface allowing a user to consume the at least one related full piece of content via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device with a seamless transition between the electronic content of the first kind and the at least one related full piece of content controlled by the on-device software application.

[0061] The consumer may use any method of selection. The selection of at least one teaser piece of electronic content indicates they desire on the part of the consumer to take delivery of the full content piece. The consumer may not consume the entirety of the full content piece and indeed, if the consumer stops, pauses or dismisses the full content piece prior to its completion, then the seamless transition process will perform a transition back to the content piece of the first kind.

[0062] The seamless transition process will preferably begin at the point at which a selection is made by the user. Positive action on behalf of the user is required to make a selection via the generated and displayed interface, typically using at least one input apparatus of the computer device. The software application then follows instructions to retrieve or request the full content piece and generates and displays the second content delivery interface to move the full content piece to primacy.

[0063] Typically, the second content delivery interface is generated and displayed to replace the first content delivery interface on the display. The second content delivery interface may be displayed over the top of the first content delivery interface, in front of it or as a replacement interface. Preferably, the second content delivery interface is generated and displayed in "fullscreen" mode. The second content delivery interface may include one or more smaller tiles showing related, but not necessarily selected piece of content of the second kind that a consumer may find interesting based on or related to the selection made by the consumer.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the selected video content piece autoplays upon selection by the consumer. The selected video content piece may begin immediately from the moment of selection with the seamless transition process ensuring that the audio from the selected video content piece begins upon transition from the audio from the content piece of the first kind to which the consumer was listening to.

[0065] The video content piece preferably includes an audio component and a visual component. The video component of the selected video content piece will typically start substantially immediately and the audio component will be transitioned in according to the seamless transition process. [0066] The selected video content piece may appear on a smaller display portion of the generated and displayed interface (non-full-screen tile) with an action button provided in relation to the selected video content piece allowing a user to move to full-screen if desired. Further, action buttons may be provided allowing the user to pause playback or stop playback (leading to appropriate seamless transition to other content pieces) and a timer showing the location and duration of playback is also typically provided, normally as a timer/media control bar.

[0067] As mentioned above, if the consumer interacts with the second content delivery interface to dismiss the second content delivery interface, or if playback is paused or stopped or when the video content completes, the software application will then engage the seamless transition process to transition the consumer back to the first content delivery interface (unless another teaser content piece is selected prior to dismissing the second content delivery interface, pausing or stopping playback or the video content completes).

[0068] The seamless transition process generates and displays the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface whilst simultaneously fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind, whilst electronically marking an exit location at which the user exited in the electronic content of the first kind and automatically upon conclusion of the delivery of the electronic content of the second kind, the on-device software application resumes delivery of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location on the first content delivery interface fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location.

[0069] As will be clear from the explanation above, the seamless transition process operates in in forward and reverse, that is to transition a consumer from the first content delivery interface to the second content delivery interface and from the second content delivery interface back to the first content delivery interface (or from the second content delivery interface to a third or further content delivery interface).

[0070] The seamless transition process generates and displays the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface. Typically, the second content delivery interface is presented to a user and the first content delivery interface is replaced by the 2^nd content delivery interface. The first content delivery interface may be maintained open computer device but minimised or moved. [0071] As mentioned above, preferably the delivery or playback of content on the second content delivery interface will start substantially immediately upon the user selecting the at least one teaser piece of content.

[0072] A number of types of transition are possible and any may be used. It is preferred that the video starts substantially immediately with a transition. The present invention is particularly directed to seamless transition of the audio from the first content piece that the consumer is listening to the audio component of a video content piece that the consumer has selected. A particularly effective transition effect to be used in the present invention in relation to audio is crossfading which can be used for both audio and/or video if desired (the interfaces may be crossfaded for example).

[0073] Content pieces will often begin and end with a short period of silence.

Leading/trailing silence may be removed by selecting and deleting as a part of the transition process. The end of the first track will normally be the point at which the first track finally stops (has faded to silence). The start of the second track will normally be the point at which the second track starts to fade in. For rhythmic music it will often sound best if the second track is carefully positioned so that the beats in the second content piece line up with the beats in the first track. If the tempi of the tracks are different it may be difficult to make all of the beats line up. Using linear fades can cause the volume level to drop midway through the fade. For rhythmic music with closely matched tempo, this will often be undesirable and may be minimised or prevented by using fade shapes that bow up higher than a linear fade. For crossfading music where there is a substantial difference in tempo, a smoother sounding crossfade may be achieved by allowing the volume to drop by the use of fade shapes that dip lower than a linear fade.

[0074] In the simplest form of the present invention, a seamless transition of audio will have the audio component from the first content piece fade out as the audio component from the second content piece fades in.

[0075] Typically, the seamless transition is relatively short in time period. Without wishing to be limited by theory, the seamless transition increases user experience even if the seamless transition is only approximately 0.5 seconds of transition cross fade.

[0076] It is also preferred that the software application "marks" the first content piece at the playback position reached when the consumer selects the teaser piece of content. The software application will typically pause or stops playback of the first content piece after the transition has been completed. There may be an automatic adjustment of the location reached in the first content piece as a result of the transition. For example, given that there is a period of transition after the consumer selects the teaser piece of content, the software application may commence the seamless transition fade in of the first content piece once the second content piece has been paused, stopped, dismissed or reaches its conclusion from slightly earlier in the playback position to the marked playback position in order to ensure continuity of delivery of the first content piece once the consumer is returned to the first content piece. Therefore, the fade in of the first content piece upon the consumer's return to the first content piece may begin to fade in from the marked position or alternatively, the fading may start prior to the marked exit location so that full audio delivery is achieved at the marked exit location.

[0077] The present invention provides for a user to be consuming one piece of content, switch seamlessly to a second piece of content and then return to the first piece of content or to a third or subsequent piece of content. As mentioned above, the seamless transition can be used between any piece of content to any other piece of content triggered by the selection of a content piece by the consumer. The basis of the present invention is that the overlap or seamless transition between pieces of content, even if short and even if extremely short, improves the user experience by minimising the impact of stops, starts and even momentary periods of "nothing" in content delivery.

[0078] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0079] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0080] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0081] Figure 1A is a schematic representation of a first manner of presenting content and disruptive advertising to a consumer occurring on a linear basis. [0082] Figure 1A is a schematic representation of a second manner of presenting content and disruptive advertising to a consumer occurring on a linear basis.

[0083] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the operation of the method of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment.

[0084] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a generated and displayed music interface with accompanying secondary video content according to a preferred embodiment.

[0085] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a generated and displayed video interface following selection by a consumer and after the transition according to a preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0086] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for providing seamless transition between selectably presentable media streams is provided.

[0087] The preferred system includes a computer device having a processor with on-board memory, a display a display screen upon which interfaces can be generated and displayed, at least one input apparatus, and at least one output apparatus.

[0088] The preferred system also includes an on-device software application stored in the on-board memory of the computer device and executable on the computer device to generate and display a first content delivery interface allowing a user to consume electronic content of a first kind via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device wherein the first content delivery interface also includes display of at least one teaser piece of electronic content of a second kind thereon with an audio component thereof muted, the at least one teaser piece of electronic content having at least one related full piece of content and upon the selection of the at least one teaser piece of electronic content by the user using at least one input apparatus of the computer device, the on-device software application retrieves the at least one related full piece of content and generates and displays a second content delivery interface allowing a user to consume the at least one related full piece of content via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device with a seamless transition between the electronic content of the first kind and the at least one related full piece of content controlled by the on-device software application, the seamless transition generating and displaying the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface whilst simultaneously fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind, whilst electronically marking an exit location at which the user exited in the electronic content of the first kind and automatically upon conclusion of the delivery of the electronic content of the second kind, the on-device software application resumes delivery of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location on the first content delivery interface fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location.

[0089] A schematic illustrated in the flow of content delivery to the consumer is illustrated in Figure 5. The time passes from left to right and a first transition period ("A") is shown between music content that the consumer is listening to (first content piece) and a piece of video content (second content piece) that piques the interest of the consumer sufficiently for the consumer to select that piece of video content and a second transition period ("B") is shown between video content and the original piece of music content to which the consumer is transitioned when the video content is stopped, paused, dismissed or comes to its conclusion.

[0090] The computer device may also have access to at least one communication pathway to allow the content to be delivered to the computer device from a remote computer device or server via the at least one communication pathway.

[0091] The software application may allow communication with a software program operating on a system administer server computer or computer network. Preferably, the software program operating on a system administer server computer or computer network may be more advanced and be responsible for the bulk of the processing with the application operating on the smartphones, tablet computers and another mobile device typically smaller and with less processing power, optimised to send and receive instructions and requests and leaves the operations requiring larger processing power to the software program operating on a system administer server computer or computer network.

[0092] Preferably, access to the system will be via a personal computing device. The personal computing device can be any type, however, will typically be a smart phone, computer tablet or other portable device.

[0093] The personal computing device preferred for use in the present invention includes a processor with on-board memory, a display, at least one input apparatus, at least one output apparatus (such as audio output, directly via speakers or similar or indirectly via a port or similar allowing the connection of speakers, visual output or similar), and access to at least one communication pathway. Normally, the display will preferably be a touchscreen as many personal computing devices currently available have this feature. The advantages of the touchscreen include allowing a larger display and also allowing the display to function as a part of or as, the input apparatus.

[0094] Preferably, the software application is provided to operate on a personal computing device with appropriate connections through the personal computing device to the administrator computer server computer or network in order to gain additional information to that present on the personal computing device, if required. The additional information may be obtained from the server computer or network and/or by push notification from the server computer or network to the personal computing device and/or upon request from the personal computing device.

[0095] The consumer will normally download the software application to their personal computing device. The download of the software application will normally include appropriate instructions to be stored in the memory of the personal computing device in order to create and maintain links and associations with the server computer or network in order to communicate with one or more databases stored thereon, preferably one or more content databases.

[0096] The at least one input apparatus therefore will typically be formed or displayed on the display of the personal computing device as required. The at least one input apparatus may include a virtual keyboard including letters of the alphabet, numbers and/or symbols as well as one or more action icons or portions, typically a representation of one or more content pieces, to allow a user to implement action on the personal computing device.

[0097] Typically, a portion of the interface displayed on the display of the personal computing device will be provided as visual feedback reflecting the input provided by the user of the personal computing device.

[0098] The method and system of the preferred embodiment includes a customer choosing at least one content piece for delivery to a consumer via the computer device. The content pieces will normally be stored on a server computer or network and delivered, substantially in real-time to from the server computer or network to the computer device of the consumer according to the selections made by the consumer via interaction with the software application on the generated and displayed interface(s).

[0099] There will typically be at least one content database storing the content pieces and, the content pieces may be stored in one or more play lists. The at least one content database storing the content pieces will normally reside on the server computer or network or be accessible through the server computer or network. [0100] The method of the present invention is preferably achieved by computer hardware operating software containing instructions in association with one or more communications pathways between a variety of pieces of computer hardware operating software compliant with the system, in order to achieve the method.

[0101] The hardware included in the system of the present invention includes a personal computing device for each consumer. The respective personal computing devices will preferably be the primary points of access to the system of the present invention by the consumers of the system and normally interaction with any software operating on or accessible by, the server computer or network will occur using the personal computing devices.

[0102] The hardware included in the system of the present invention can include a computer server and one or more personal computing devices, each with access to a communication network. As mentioned above, the personal computing devices will typically be a smart phone, tablet or other computer.

[0103] The computer server or network will normally include a processor with memory operating instructions and one or more databases storing electronic content pieces in electronic form, normally as an electronic file. The databases will typically include at least one content database, and at least one consumer database.

[0104] The system preferably has at least one content database containing pieces of content with each piece of content having one or more content profile identifiers.

[0105] The pieces of content should be considered to be anything of intrinsic or implied value that a user can "consume" specifically including but not limited to, music, audio, video, books or ebooks, games, applications (or "apps"), software "add-ons", still images, snippets, services, redeemable vouchers, branded material, t-shirts, caps, tickets to events, information services or portions of the aforementioned.

[0106] For the purposes of the present description, the term "consume" includes

[0107] Basically, the content can have any form provided that the content is electronic or digital in order that the content can be transmissible between the system and the at least one consumer and between the at least one content provider and the system. Normally, each piece of content will be stored in an electronic file and it is this electronic file which will typically be capable of transmission, dissemination or copying or the like onto a physical medium.

[0108] The content will typically be provided from any source. For example, an

entertainment studio, TV network, Internet social networking systems or record labels may choose to provide content to the system. Alternatively, smaller organisations or individuals may choose to provide content directly to the system such as home movies, demo music tracks or the like.

[0109] The content may be provided directly to the system or indirectly. Normally, the content provider will have to be or have a legal relationship with the content owner and systems will normally be provided to monitor the content in this regard to minimise the risk that content can be provided without the permission of the owner. Content provision shall include but not be limited to one time purchases, rentals, term subscriptions, use subscriptions, and rights limited ownership (e.g. DRM limited music and video).

[0110] Each piece of content will also have one or more content profile identifiers which will typically be referred to as "tags". Each piece of content will also typically have

[0111] Each piece of content will typically be tagged according to its "type". Each piece of content will preferably be tagged according to its Genre, Mood, Style and Theme. For example, the Genre tags will normally be those used in a particular industry such as music genre including pop, classical, rock, rhythm and blues, house/techno, folk and the like. Each of these broad genre categories may include at one or more sub-genre. There are also typically genre associated with video games, television, film, literature and the like. Therefore, each piece of content will typically be tagged according to its broad type and then further tagged according to genre.

Normally, the genre tagging will also fit with the accepted genres in industry.

[0112] Mood tagging will preferably represent the relatively long-lasting, effective or emotional state that the content offers for example fun, cheerful, humorous, gentle, scary, thought provoking, reflective and the like.

[0113] Style tagging will preferably identify the pieces of content for composition or format. Genres have been used to identify "style", but the system of the present invention will typically tag the content with more complexity. For example, a song may be a rock genre song but maybe further classified using style tagging as modern rock or contemporary rock and may indicate the basic style of the entertainment content.

[0114] Theme tagging will typically identify the broad idea, message or lesson conveyed in the piece of content. For example the piece of content may be comforting, relaxing, suggestive or the like.

[0115] Importantly, tagging systems have been used conventionally but the tagging systems vary depending upon the provider of the content and the various entertainment types. The system of the present invention will typically provide a standard for content tagging.

[0116] Content tagging may also be adjusted or performed through the monitoring of Internet searches or the like for example, through reviews, comments, links and categorisation. The present system therefore accounts for the fact that consumers will typically search the Internet for particular content and may use these searches and/or results to improve the accuracy of the content tagging. In this manner, the content tagging may be reactive. Typically, any content tagging will occur in real time as will adjustments to content tagging, as the popularity of particular content and/or preferences of a consumer will typically vary over time.

[0117] The content tag updates may be periodic or preferably ongoing in real time.

[0118] Preferably, each piece of content will be initially tagged upon uploading or the first provision of that piece of content to the system. There will typically be an analysis process upon uploading in order to check to see whether a particular piece of content which has been submitted is not already present on the system.

[0119] The tags for the piece of content may be changed or vary over time in response to feedback from consumers who have been provided with that piece of content. There may therefore be a feedback mechanism in place to question or follow-up with consumers who have been provided with a piece of content to request whether the piece of content was tagged in the correct way and/or that the tag is up-to-date. The tag updating process may be an automated process.

[0120] Each piece of content may have more than one tag but preferably, the number of tags will typically be limited to no more than between 5 to 10 tags. Tags may also be provided in different levels of importance with the number of tags in each level varying with the level of importance. For example, there may only be 5-10 top-level importance tags attached to a piece of content but that same piece of content may have 10-1000 less relevant or important tags. [0121] The system of the present invention will also preferably include at least one consumer database including a plurality of consumer profiles each with data relating to each of a plurality of consumers. The consumers will typically be individuals although corporate consumers may be allowed. The consumers will typically be registered as consumers and members of the system of the present invention either through the system of the present invention or alternatively, may be registered through a third-party system. If registered through a third-party system, a consumer can use the profile data from the third-party system and/or their unique login information from the third-party system in the system of the present invention. For example, the system of the present invention may utilise an existing set of data from a third-party system such as a social media system of which Facebook and Twitter are probably the most common which are conventionally available.

[0122] The system of the present invention will normally be implemented through instructions which when followed, generate one or more interfaces on a personal computing device. The instructions will normally be stored in the memory of the consumer's personal computing device and will then be followed in order to generate and update an interface in real time according to the consumer's interaction with the interface.

[0123] Many of personal computing devices (PCD) have touchscreens for display allowing the consumer to directly interact with the touch screen in order to interact with the interface. However, a normal non-touchscreen display can be used with a movable pointer or selection tool in order to allow a consumer to interact with the interface. One or more "buttons" are provided on the interface to allow the user to interact with the PCD and through the PCD, to interact with the system.

[0124] The generated interface will typically be updated substantially in real time according to the rules or instructions in conjunction with the at least one content database and the at least one consumer database. The generated interface will also typically be updated substantially in real time according to interactions by the consumer(s) with the system.

[0125] The method and system of the present invention will include a software application to generate and display a first content delivery interface 10 allowing a user to consume music content via the speaker or headphones associated with the computer device. As illustrated in Figure 3 in particular, the first content delivery interface 10 also includes display of at least one teaser piece of electronic video content 12 thereon with an audio component thereof muted, the at least one teaser piece of electronic content having at least one related full piece of content. [0126] The first content delivery interface 10 of the preferred embodiment is a music delivery interface. According to the illustrated embodiment, the consumer will primarily use the software application of the present invention to listen to music and selectively access video content of interest and then return to listening to music. Normally, the music content will be played via the computer device which will allow the consumer to hear the music through at least one output device such as a speaker provided on or in association with the computer device or headphones for example.

[0127] In normal operation, the music content will be selected or requested by the consumer. Particular rules may surround the delivery of the music content to the consumer but the present invention is primarily concerned with the transition process between listening to music content and accessing video content and then returning to the music content in a seamless manner.

[0128] The first content delivery interface typically includes identification of the music content including the title of the music content, the artist and/or other information such as the album on which the track was released. The identification portion will normally be provided as a ribbon or bar 13 and normally, the ribbon or bar 13 is located on a lower edge of the interface as shown in Figure 3.

[0129] The first content delivery interface will also include ancillary information in relation to the playback of the music content such as the particular position through the playback of the content that the user has reached and this will normally be provided in real time in the form of a moving bar or similar which is generated and displayed on the interface.

[0130] There will typically also be action buttons associated with the identification portion identifying the music content and/or the ancillary information which will allow a user to increase the size of the identification portion as desired and then decrease the size. In normal computer parlance, these would be termed a "maximise" or "expand" and "minimise" button 14. When expanded, the identification portion 13 may include further information about the content being provided for example an image of the album cover may be presented to the user on the interface.

[0131] Generally, the identification portion 13 identifying the music content and the ancillary information will preferably be provided as a small portion on the first content delivery interface such that the one or more teaser content pieces 12 can be more easily seen by being larger in size and/or more prominently displayed on the first content delivery interface 10.

[0132] In the preferred embodiment, the one or more teaser pieces of content 12 are video teaser pieces of content are provided on the first content delivery interface 10, typically more prominently than the identification portion 13 identifying the particular music content being played.

[0133] The video teaser pieces of content 12 can be provided on the first content delivery interface 10 in any format. For example, the video teaser pieces of content can be provided as a still image selected from any one of the images in the piece of video content or the visual component of the video teaser pieces may be provided with the audio muted so as not to interrupt or obscure the delivery of the music content. Therefore, the video can be played in the video teaser pieces of content (with the audio portion muted).

[0134] Preferably, a number of video teaser pieces of content 12 are provided on the first content delivery interface 10 in a variety of locations about the interface. The locations of the individual video teaser pieces may be transient or dynamic and the particular video teaser pieces may also be dynamic. The video teaser pieces of content provided on the first content delivery interface will preferably be provided in different sizes in order to enhance interest on the part of the consumer. In particular, the size of each video teaser piece of content may be determined according to the popularity of the video teaser piece of content such that more popular video teaser pieces of content are provided in a larger size then less popular teaser pieces of content. This popularity may occur will be adjusted in real time according to selections made by other the consumers within the system in order to adjust the video teaser pieces of content provided dynamically to a single consumer.

[0135] As mentioned above, the teaser piece of content can be any portion or snippet of a full content piece or alternatively, the full content piece may be played as the video teaser piece of content.

[0136] The teaser pieces of content are preferably displayed on an interface as a display tile having an area or zone which also functions as a selection zone allowing the consumer to select a teaser piece of content. This is particularly useful where the computing device includes a touchscreen display which also functions as an input device and allows the consumer to select a teaser piece of content simply by tapping the tile or zone in which the teaser piece of content appears on the displayed interface.

[0137] In use, the first content delivery interface 10 is typically generated dynamically including a selection of teaser pieces of content which may be related to the piece of music content being delivered to the consumer and/or on the basis of one or more consumer

[0138] Upon the selection of the at least one teaser piece of electronic content by the user using at least one input apparatus of the computer device, the on-device software application retrieves the at least one related full piece of content and generates and displays a second content delivery interface allowing a user to consume the at least one related full piece of content via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device with a seamless transition between the electronic content of the first kind and the at least one related full piece of content controlled by the on-device software application. If the music content is playing, the seamless transition process is implemented by the software application.

[0139] The consumer may use any method of selection. The selection of at least one teaser piece of electronic content indicates they desire on the part of the consumer to take delivery of the full content piece. The consumer may not consume the entirety of the full content piece and indeed, if the consumer stops, pauses or dismisses the full content piece prior to its completion, then the seamless transition process will perform a transition back to the content piece of the first kind.

[0140] The seamless transition process will preferably begin at the point at which a selection is made by the user. Positive action on behalf of the user is required to make a selection via the generated and displayed interface, typically using at least one input apparatus of the computer device. The software application then follows instructions to retrieve or request the full content piece and generates and displays the second content delivery interface to move the full content piece to primacy.

[0141] Typically, the second content delivery interface 11, an example of which is illustrated in Figure 4 is generated and displayed to replace the first content delivery interface 10 on the display of the computer device. The second content delivery interface 11 may be displayed over the top of the first content delivery interface 10, in front of it or as a replacement interface. The second content delivery interface may include one or more smaller tiles 15 showing related, but not necessarily selected pieces of video content that a consumer may find interesting, based on or related to the selection made by the consumer.

[0142] According to a preferred embodiment, the selected video content piece 16 autoplays upon selection by the consumer and the generation and display of the second content delivery interface 11. The selected video content piece 16 may begin immediately from the moment of selection with the seamless transition process ensuring that the audio from the selected video content piece begins upon transition from the audio from the content piece of the first kind to which the consumer was listening to.

[0143] Each video content piece preferably includes an audio component and a visual component. The video component of the selected video content piece 16 will typically start substantially immediately and the audio component will be transitioned in according to the seamless transition process.

[0144] As illustrated in Figure 4, the selected video content piece 16 may appear on a smaller display portion of the generated and displayed interface (non-full- screen tile) with an action button 17 provided in relation to the selected video content piece 16 allowing a user to move to full-screen if desired. Further, action buttons may be provided allowing the user to pause playback 18 or stop playback (leading to appropriate seamless transition to other content pieces) and a timer showing the location and duration of playback is also typically provided, normally as a timer/media control bar 19 as shown in Figure 4. A dismiss or minimise button 20 is also shown.

[0145] As mentioned above, if the consumer interacts with the second content delivery interface to dismiss the second content delivery interface, or if playback is paused or stopped or when the video content completes, the software application will then engage the seamless transition process to transition the consumer back to the first content delivery interface (unless another teaser content piece is selected prior to dismissing the second content delivery interface, pausing or stopping playback or the video content completes).

[0146] The seamless transition process generates and displays the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface whilst simultaneously fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind, whilst electronically marking an exit location at which the user exited in the electronic content of the first kind and automatically upon conclusion of the delivery of the electronic content of the second kind, the on-device software application resumes delivery of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location on the first content delivery interface fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location. [0147] As will be clear from the explanation above, the seamless transition process operates in in forward and reverse, that is to transition a consumer from the first content delivery interface to the second content delivery interface and from the second content delivery interface back to the first content delivery interface (or from the second content delivery interface to a third or further content delivery interface).

[0148] The seamless transition process generates and displays the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface. Typically, the second content delivery interface is presented to a user and the first content delivery interface is replaced by the second content delivery interface. The first content delivery interface may be maintained open computer device but minimised or moved.

[0149] As mentioned above, preferably the delivery or playback of content on the second content delivery interface will start substantially immediately upon the user selecting the at least one teaser piece of content.

[0150] A number of types of transition are possible and any may be used. It is preferred that the video starts substantially immediately with a transition. The present invention is particularly directed to seamless transition of the audio from the first content piece that the consumer is listening to the audio component of a video content piece that the consumer has selected. A particularly effective transition effect to be used in the present invention in relation to audio is crossfading which can be used for both audio and/or video if desired (the interfaces may be crossfaded for example).

[0151] Content pieces will often begin and end with a short period of silence.

Leading/trailing silence may be removed by selecting and deleting as a part of the transition process. The end of the first track will normally be the point at which the first track finally stops (has faded to silence). The start of the second track will normally be the point at which the second track starts to fade in. For rhythmic music it will often sound best if the second track is carefully positioned so that the beats in the second content piece line up with the beats in the first track. If the tempi of the tracks are different it may be difficult to make all of the beats line up. Using linear fades can cause the volume level to drop midway through the fade. For rhythmic music with closely matched tempo, this will often be undesirable and may be minimised or prevented by using fade shapes that bow up higher than a linear fade. For crossfading music where there is a substantial difference in tempo, a smoother sounding crossfade may be achieved by allowing the volume to drop by the use of fade shapes that dip lower than a linear fade. [0152] In the simplest form of the present invention, a seamless transition of audio will have the audio component from the first content piece fade out as the audio component from the second content piece fades in.

[0153] Typically, the seamless transition is relatively short in time period. Without wishing to be limited by theory, the seamless transition increases user experience even if the seamless transition is only approximately 0.5 seconds of transition cross fade.

[0154] It is also preferred that the software application "marks" the first content piece at the playback position reached when the consumer selects the teaser piece of content. The software application will typically pause or stops playback of the first content piece after the transition has been completed. There may be an automatic adjustment of the location reached in the first content piece as a result of the transition. For example, given that there is a period of transition after the consumer selects the teaser piece of content, the software application may commence the seamless transition fade in of the first content piece once the second content piece has been paused, stopped, dismissed or reaches its conclusion from slightly earlier in the playback position to the marked playback position in order to ensure continuity of delivery of the first content piece once the consumer is returned to the first content piece. Therefore, the fade in of the first content piece upon the consumer's return to the first content piece may begin to fade in from the marked position or alternatively, the fading may start prior to the marked exit location so that full audio delivery is achieved at the marked exit location.

[0155] The present invention provides for a user to be consuming one piece of content, switch seamlessly to a second piece of content and then return to the first piece of content or to a third or subsequent piece of content. As mentioned above, the seamless transition can be used between any piece of content to any other piece of content triggered by the selection of a content piece by the consumer. The basis of the present invention is that the overlap or seamless transition between pieces of content, even if short and even if extremely short, improves the user experience by minimising the impact of stops, starts and even momentary periods of "nothing" in content delivery.

[0156] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0157] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0158] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A system for providing seamless transition between selectably presentable media streams, the system including:

a. A computer device having a processor with on-board memory, a display a display screen upon which interfaces can be generated and displayed, at least one input apparatus, and at least one output apparatus,

b. An on-device software application stored in the on-board memory of the computer device and executable on the computer device to generate and display a first content delivery interface allowing a user to consume electronic content of a first kind via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device wherein the first content delivery interface also includes display of at least one teaser piece of electronic content of a second kind thereon with an audio component thereof muted, the at least one teaser piece of electronic content having at least one related full piece of content and upon the selection of the at least one teaser piece of electronic content by the user using at least one input apparatus of the computer device, the on-device software application retrieves the at least one related full piece of content and generates and displays a second content delivery interface allowing a user to consume the at least one related full piece of content via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device with a seamless transition between the electronic content of the first kind and the at least one related full piece of content controlled by the on-device software application, the seamless transition generating and displaying the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface whilst simultaneously fading out an audio component of the electronic content of the first kind and fading in an audio component of the electronic content of the second kind, whilst electronically marking an exit location at which the user exited in the electronic content of the first kind and automatically upon conclusion of the delivery of the electronic content of the second kind, the on-device software application resumes delivery of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location on the first content delivery interface fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location.

2. A method for providing seamless transition between selectably presentable media streams, the method including the steps of:

a. Providing an on-device software application stored in an on-board memory of a

computer device and executable by a processor on the computer device b. generating and displaying a first content delivery interface allowing a user to consume electronic content of a first kind via at least one output apparatus of the computer device wherein the first content delivery interface also includes display of at least one teaser piece of electronic content of a second kind thereon with an audio component thereof muted, the at least one teaser piece of electronic content having at least one related full piece of content

c. selecting by a user, the at least one teaser piece of electronic content using at least one input apparatus of the computer device,

d. retrieving by the on-device software application, the at least one related full piece of content

e. generating and displaying a second content delivery interface allowing a user to

consume the at least one related full piece of content via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device with a seamless transition between the electronic content of the first kind and the at least one related full piece of content controlled by the on-device software application, the seamless transition generating and displaying the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface whilst simultaneously fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind, whilst electronically marking an exit location at which the user exited in the electronic content of the first kind and automatically upon conclusion of the delivery of the electronic content of the second kind, the on-device software application resuming delivery of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location on the first content delivery interface, fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location.

3. A system or method according to claim 1 wherein the computer device has access to at least one communication pathway to allow the content to be delivered to the computer device from a remote computer device or server via the at least one communication pathway.

4. A system or method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the on-device software

application allows communication with a software program operating on a system administer server computer or computer network to undertake the seamless transition and push information to the on-device software application to cause the display of the seamless transition on the computer device.

5. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the content pieces are stored in an electronic database on a server computer or network and delivered, substantially in real-time to/from the server computer or network to the computer device of the consumer according to the selections made by the consumer via interaction with the software application on the generated and displayed interface(s).

6. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a personal computing device for each or multiple consumers within the system each personal computing device used as a primary point of access to the system with interaction with any software operating on or accessible by, the server computer or network will occur using the personal computing devices.

7. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including at least one content database stored electronically containing pieces of content with each piece of content having one or more content profile identifiers.

8. A method or system as claimed in claim 7 wherein each piece of content is stored in an electronic file.

9. A method or system as claimed in claim 8 wherein each piece of content has one or more content profile identifiers associated with the electronic file.

10. A method or system as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein each piece of content has associated identification or ownership information identifying who owns the piece of content.

11. A method or system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the content profile identifiers are updated in real time.

12. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the generated interface is updated substantially in real time according to interactions by the at least one consumer with the system.

13. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first content delivery interface includes a display of one or more teaser pieces of electronic content distinctly from the electronic content of the first kind so as not to interrupt or obscure consumption by the consumer of the electronic content of the first kind.

14. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one teaser piece of electronic content of a second kind are displayed on the first content delivery interface as a displayed tile having an area or zone which also functions as a selection zone allowing the consumer to select the at least one teaser piece of electronic content.

15. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first content delivery interface is generated dynamically including a selection of multiple teaser pieces of content which are related to the piece of electronic content being delivered to the consumer and/or on the basis of one or more consumer demographics or identifying characteristics to avoid stagnation of the teaser pieces of content and instead, increase or at least maintain consumer interest in the teaser pieces of content through the presentation of the teaser pieces of content will dynamically upon the first content delivery interface.

16. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein upon the

selection of the at least one teaser piece of electronic content by the user using at least one input apparatus of the computer device, the on-device software application retrieves the at least one related full piece of content and generates and displays a second content delivery interface allowing a user to consume the at least one related full piece of content via the at least one output apparatus of the computer device with a seamless transition between the electronic content of the first kind and the at least one related full piece of content controlled by the on-device software application.

17. A method or system as claimed in claim 16 wherein if the consumer stops, pauses or

dismisses the at least one related full content piece prior to its completion, then the seamless transition process performs a transition back to the electronic content piece of the first kind.

18. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the seamless transition process begins at a point in the electronic content at which a selection is made by the consumer using at least one input apparatus of the computer device.

19. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second

content delivery interface is generated and displayed to replace the first content delivery interface on the display.

20. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least one related full piece of content autoplays upon selection by the consumer.

21. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the content piece is a video content piece with an audio component and a visual component and the video component of the content piece starts substantially immediately and the audio component is transitioned in according to the seamless transition process.

22. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the seamless transition process generates and displays the second content delivery interface in preference to the first content delivery interface whilst simultaneously fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind, whilst electronically marking an exit location at which the consumer exited in the electronic content of the first kind and automatically upon conclusion of delivery of the electronic content of the second kind, the on-device software application resumes delivery of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location on the first content delivery interface fading out the audio component of the electronic content of the second kind and fading in the audio component of the electronic content of the first kind from the exit location.

23. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the seamless transition process operates to transition a consumer from the first content delivery interface to the second content delivery interface and from the second content delivery interface back to the first content delivery interface or from the second content delivery interface to a third or further content delivery interface.

24. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second content delivery interface is presented to a user and the first content delivery interface is replaced by the second content delivery interface.

25. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a crossfading transition effect is used for audio and/or video.

26. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein leading/trailing silence are removed from the electronic content pieces during the seamless transition process by selecting and deleting by the software application.

27. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the seamless transition of audio will have an audio component from the first content piece fade out as an audio component from the second content piece fades in.

28. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the seamless transition is approximately 0.5 seconds of transition cross fade.

29. A method or system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the software application pauses or stops playback of the first content piece after the transition to the at least one related full piece of content has been completed with an automatic adjustment of location reached in the first content piece as a result of the transition so that the software application can commence the seamless transition fade in of the first content piece once the second content piece has been paused, stopped, dismissed or reaches its conclusion from slightly earlier in the playback position to the exit position in order to ensure continuity of delivery of the first content piece once the consumer is returned to the first content piece.