Method for data transmission& x9;

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the transmission of data between computer systems over a network, such as, for example, between the server of an Internet provider and a computer system of a user of services of the Internet provider over the Internet. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for determining the quality of such data transmissions.

Background of the invention

In the transmission of data over a network, such as the Internet, for example, a significant quantity of the transmission quality is the rate at which data is transmitted from the transmitting computer system to the receiving computer system. Data transmission speeds or rates are influenced inter alia by the minimum bandwidth of the transmission path between the two participating computer systems and by the two computer systems themselves, in particular by the receiving computer system.

In view of the increasing amounts of data transmitted to Internet users' computer systems over the Internet, this size is becoming increasingly important. Particularly from the point of view of an Internet user, it is desirable that no delays occur for the Internet user during data transmissions from the Internet. In order to prevent such undesirable effects for the user, it is currently customary to limit the graphical representations, in particular advertisements, which are to be displayed on webpages in the area of ​​the Internet with regard to the data required for this purpose. For example, advertisements in the form of banners are currently restricted to data volumes of up to 20 KB. This again has the disadvantage that, if one remains in this example, advertisers are not able to use high-quality, high-resolution, animated graphical representations, video sequences and high-quality music to be transmitted via the Internet.

One possibility of optimizing data transmissions over a network, taking into account the technical characteristics of an available transmission path, consists in transmitting information corresponding to a computer system to which data are to be transmitted before a data transmission to the computer system sending the data. The disadvantage is that, if such information is not transmitted, data transmissions can not be optimized accordingly. Furthermore, it is usually necessary for this information to be input into the computer system provided for reception by a user of the computer system provided for reception and transmitted to the sending computer system under the control of the user.

In the area of ​​the Internet, it is also known to adapt data transmissions by checking, by means of the IP address of a computer system intended for reception, the technical characteristics with respect to data transmissions on the part of the computer system in order to enable identification of "fast users". Generally, IP addresses provided by internet providers are used "fast users" (eg Internet users with DSL modem), but their subscription and use is subject to a charge.

Furthermore, this approach, which is also characterized as IP targeting, has the disadvantage that an IP address can often not be used to infer the corresponding technical characteristics of the computer system intended for reception. IP addresses are not necessarily assigned to a specific Internet user, but an IP address can be assigned to different users in succession. For example, if many Internet users access the Internet through a DSL modem, the limited number of available IP addresses makes it common for these Internet users to assign IP addresses that are actually intended for Internet users with slow modems. In this case, an Internet user with a fast modem can not be recognized as such.

A further disadvantage is that an IP address often can not be used to infer the data transmission characteristics of an available transmission link. For example, an IP address does not allow any information as to which bandwidth is available for data transmissions on the part of the network and is utilized as a computer system intended for reception. In the case of the above-mentioned example of advertising banners, this can mean, for example, that an Internet user identified by his IP address as a "fast user" receives a large advertising banner, ie, a banner based on a large amount of data The available bandwidth is not sufficient; As a result, the advertising banner is built up on a monitor of this internet user in a delayed manner.

In the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US6243761B1"><text>US 6,243,761 B1</text></patcit> A system is proposed in which, according to the measurement of the transmission speed, it is decided which files are to be transmitted.

In the <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US20010010059A1"><text>US 2001/0010059 A1</text></patcit> A test file is transferred to measure the transmission speed. Afterwards, it is decided which file should be transferred.

According to <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US2002011658A1"><text>US 2002/011658 A1</text></patcit> The bandwidth that is available for data transmissions over the Internet between a server and a computer system of an Internet user to which the data is to be transmitted is determined.

Here, in a first step, a first data quantity is transmitted to the computer system and the time duration required to transmit this data quantity completely from the server to the computer system is measured. The bandwidth is then determined from the required time duration for the transmission of the data quantity. If the bandwidth thus determined is sufficient, for example, to display a high-resolution graphical representation in a manner acceptable to the Internet user, that is, fast enough, on the computer system, a first software application is selected and executed which is suitable for this representation .

If the bandwidth thus determined is not sufficient, then, in a second step, a second data quantity is transmitted from the server to the computer system over the Internet, and the bandwidth is determined again. If the bandwidth determined in the second step is sufficient, for example, to render a graphical representation with a lower resolution on the computer system, a second software application suitable for this purpose is selected and executed on the computer system.

If the bandwidth determined in the second step is not sufficient, then in a third step, the bandwidth can be determined again using a third data quantity in order to carry out either a third software application suitable for this purpose or a further bandwidth measurement.

If a software application has been selected on the computer system as a function of the last determined bandwidth, the data to be reproduced with the selected software application are transferred from the server to the computer system.

This approach has several disadvantages. A key aspect of this approach is to determine the bandwidth provided by the network. In order to achieve this, further factors which can influence the time duration for the transmission of the data quantities used for the bandwidth determination are taken into account so that the time period used during the bandwidth determination essentially corresponds to the actual transmission time over the Internet on the basis of the bandwidth available there.

This may result in the fact that a software application is selected and executed on the computer system due to a last determined bandwidth, and data are transmitted to the computer system which are suitable for the last determined bandwidth but which are unsuitable for other reasons Internet users do not provide satisfactory duration in the rendering of the transmitted data. This may be the case, for example, if, on the one hand, a high bandwidth is available for data transmission, but on the other hand the computer system can not process received data quickly enough; This can be caused in particular by a method used for the buffering of received data ( "caching") used with the computer system.

Furthermore, it is necessary in this procedure, on the one hand, to determine the bandwidth and, on the other hand, to transmit the data selected according to the bandwidth.

According to <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US20010044835A1"><text>US 2001/0044835 A1</text></patcit> The bandwidth is determined in a data transmission that is available for data transmission between a server and a computer system of an Internet user. Depending on the particular bandwidth, the data to be transmitted to the computer system of the Internet user or corresponding data sets are selected. To determine the bandwidth, a predetermined amount of data is transferred from the server to the computer system and the transmission time required is measured. The predetermined data quantity used in this case comprises data exclusively required for bandwidth measurement; Data to be transmitted are not transmitted.

Comparable to the latter method, FIG <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="WO3007171A1"><text>W03 / 007171 A1</text></patcit> Determines the bandwidth available for data transfers between a server and a computer system of an Internet user. In particular, it is provided to transmit test data from the server to the computer system via a signal path whose bandwidth is to be determined. Thereafter, in a step separated from the bandwidth measurement for the Internet user, contents are provided which are selected according to the determined bandwidth.

In the last-mentioned known approaches, there is a disadvantage in that changes to the available bandwidth can no longer be taken into account after the bandwidth determination. This may lead, for example, to the transmission of selected data, which is selected according to a certain bandwidth, but which, when transmitted, has a bandwidth which differs from the specific bandwidth in such a way that the originally suitable data becomes unsuitable data.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned approaches, there is a disadvantage in that they are performed only in dependence on characteristics, ie in particular the bandwidth, of a transmission path between a server and a computer system of an Internet user. Other factors that can affect the quality of such data transmissions remain unaffected.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide solutions for optimizing data transmissions over a network, in particular over the Internet, with regard to the available data transmission quality. In particular, the present invention is to make it possible, in the case of data transmissions via a network, to carry it out in such a way that they are carried out in accordance with an actual data transmission quality.

Brief Description of the Invention

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a method in which when a first data is transmitted to a receiver via a network, the transmission of the first data is interrupted and replaced by a transmission of second data for the receiver when, during transmission of the first data, Data transmission limit value is violated, the already transmitted first data being used for the reproduction of the second data.

The first and second data for the receiver are to be understood as useful data, that is, data intended for actual use / use by the receiver. The receiver can be both a computer system to which the first and, if appropriate, the second data are transmitted, a user of a computer system receiving the data, as well as a computer system receiving the data, and a user thereof in combination.

The first and second data are, in particular, one or more files or a data packet for actual use on the part of the recipient, ie, useful data. Particularly preferably, it is a graphic file such as, for example, an advertising banner.

To illustrate the meaning of the first and second data for the receiver, reference is made to known methods which, as explained above, transmit, for example, a predetermined data quantity or test data over a network for determining a bandwidth available during a data transmission. The data used in these known methods are not intended in the actual sense for a receiver but serve a different purpose, for example, the determination of a bandwidth; These data do not comprise data desired or required (eg software applications to be executed on the computer system, information to be reproduced, graphics, text, etc.) required or required for the operation of a receiving computer system, and data which can be used by a user of a receiving computer system.

In contrast, the first and second data for the receiver comprise data that can be used by a receiving computer system and / or its user. Apart from data of the first and second data, which are required, for example, for transmission over the network or for processing the first and second data from a receiving computer system, the first and second data for the receiver can be understood as data which is "exclusively" data Which can actually be used by a receiving computer system and / or its user; Accordingly, the first and second data for the receiver can be understood as data consisting, for example, of a software application or text and / or image information to be executed on a receiving computer system, which are made available to a user on a monitor of a receiving computer system.

In the following, a data transmission limit value is to be understood as meaning a quantity which characterizes the quality of a transmission of data over the network. For example, the data transmission limit value may be a threshold whose violation indicates that the quality of the data transmission over the network is insufficient for transmitting the first data. Instead of a threshold value, the data transmission limit value can also specify a range whose violation indicates a data transmission quality which is insufficient with respect to the first data.

If the data transmission limit value indicates a threshold value, an infringement of the data transmission limit value is understood to mean both a thresholding and an exceeding of the threshold value. If the data transfer boundary value indicates a range, there is a violation of the data transmission limit value when the transmission of the first data is performed with a quality that is within the range or out of range.

The method according to the invention has several advantages. Data transmissions over a network are performed not only as a function of the transmission path used for data transmission. Rather, the present invention allows data transfers over a network to be performed taking into account the overall data transmission quality. Furthermore, in the method according to the invention, it is no longer necessary to use data provided, in particular, in the form of test data, in order to determine a data transmission quality. Rather, in the method according to the invention, the data, namely the first data, which are used for the receiver-side use / usage, are also used for determining the data transmission quality.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the determination of a data transmission quality is not time-separated from the transmission of data provided for a receiver. Rather, in the method according to the invention, the determination of a data transmission quality and the transmission of data provided for a receiver coincide in time. With the method according to the invention, it is possible during the transmission of data provided for a receiver to obtain a "snapshot" of the current data transmission quality.

In a preferred embodiment, the transfer of the first data is continued if the data transmission limit value is not violated. This has the advantage that the period of time required to transmit the first data completely is not delayed by a previously performed transmission of data for determining a data transmission quality.

In order to adapt data transmissions in a more graduated manner to the existing data transmission quality, it is provided to specify at least two data transmission limit values. The statements made above with regard to the data transmission limit value apply accordingly to these at least two data transmission limit values. In this case, provision is made for at least two second data to be specified. When the first data is transmitted, it is then checked which of the at least two data transmission limit values ​​is violated. Depending on which of the at least two data transmission limit values ​​is violated, the second data, which are suitable in view of the violated data transmission limit value, are selected from the at least two second data.

This approach makes it possible to determine the existing data transmission quality more precisely by means of a check of the data transmission quality, namely, the initial transmission of the first data. If, for example, a high number of low-spaced data transmission limit values ​​are selected, the data transmission quality can be determined as precisely as desired. If, for example, only first or second data are to be transmitted completely, it is sufficient in principle to define only a data transmission limit value. If statements about the existing data transmission quality are to be used, or if more precise statements about the existing data transmission quality are desired, it is also advantageous to specify more than one data transmission limit value when using only first and second data.

For example, it is possible to specify a first and a second data transmission limit value and to assign these first second data and second second data, respectively. If, during the transmission of the first data, it is determined that the first data transmission limit value is violated, the first second data are transmitted after the transmission of the first data has been terminated. If the second data transmission limit value is violated, the second second data are transmitted after the transmission of the first data has been aborted.

In one embodiment, an infringement of the data transmission limit value can be present if a data quantity which is smaller than a predefined data quantity is transmitted during the transmission of the first data within a predetermined time period.

In another embodiment, a violation of the data transmission limit value may be present if a time duration required to transmit a predetermined amount of data comprised by the first data is exceeded.

The violation of the data transmission limit value may, for example, indicate that the available data transmission quality is not sufficient to transmit the first data in the desired form, ie the data transmission quality is not sufficient to transmit the first data fast enough.

Since, in the event of a violation of the data transmission limit value, not the first data as a whole, but merely a predefined data volume is used, it is also not necessary to transmit the first data completely in order to determine the data transmission quality. Rather, the determination of the data transmission quality can be carried out very quickly, for example so that, if a transmission of the first data is aborted, a receiver for the first data can not perceive this.

In these cases, the first data as a whole preferably comprises a larger quantity than the second data.

As an alternative to the first of the two last-mentioned embodiments, it is provided that there is a violation of the data transmission limit value if, during the transmission of the first data, a data quantity which is greater than a predefined data quantity is transmitted within a predetermined time period.

Alternatively, it is provided that a violation of a data transmission limit value indicates that during the transmission of a first predetermined data quantity comprised by the first data, a predetermined time duration has been exceeded.

In these cases, in the second alternative, the first data as a whole comprises a smaller amount of data than the second data.

Preferably, the first data indicates a first banner and the second data indicates a second banner. Furthermore, it is possible for the predetermined data quantities of the first banner and the second data to indicate a second banner in combination with the predetermined data volume.

In the following, a banner is understood to mean graphical information which is displayed in the reproduction of a current web page on a monitor of a computer system used to access the current web page. Banners are integrated into HTML documents used for web pages and can be displayed in different sizes and in different ways.

Standardized banner sizes include so-called fullsize banners with a size of 468 * 60 pixels and so-called halfsize banners with a size of 234 * 60 pixels, has now been abandoned. In the meantime, however, some further sizes have been exhibited as particularly suitable and are preferably used, for example the so-called big-size banner with a size of 728 * 90 pixels.

An distinction is made between animated and static banners. Animated banners can be based on data in GIF format and / or by means of the trade name Flash^® Known software program and / or using the graphic format known under the trade name Shockwave®. As a matter of fact, banners are often referred to as flash banners, which is why they are not only generated using the Flash® software program, but they are also referred to as banners.

In the event that the first data comprises a larger amount of data than the second data, the first banner may be larger than the second banner. The same applies to the case where the first data comprises a smaller data quantity than the second data. In this case, it is preferred that the second banner serves as a substitute for the first banner, or vice versa, in the event of insufficient data transmission quality from the viewpoint of the receiver.

Data which characterizes the violated data transmission limit value is preferably stored. For this purpose, for example, a so-called cookie which is stored on a receiving computer system or comparable means (ie, data and methods) can be used. The storage of the data indicating the violated data transmission limit value can alternatively or additionally be carried out on a computer system from which the first data are transmitted.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, for the transmission of the first data and, if necessary, for transferring the second data data from a so-called server via the network, to a so-called client.

In particular, it is provided that an ad server is used as the server. An ad server is to be understood as a computer system which controls advertising measures which are to be conveyed using web pages. An adserver, for example, controls which webpages the banner should appear, the frequency with which advertising measures are carried out, etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the last-mentioned embodiments, the method according to the invention is executed under the control of the server. In this case, it is further preferred that a so-called servlet is used for carrying out the method according to the invention.

In a further preferred embodiment of the last-mentioned embodiment, the method according to the invention is carried out under the control of the client, wherein a web browser and / or a plug-in can be used here.

In particular, it is preferred that, in carrying out the method according to the invention, the first data and, if appropriate, the second data are transmitted via a network which comprises the Internet.

If the method according to the invention is executed under control of the server, the first data and, if appropriate, the second data can be transmitted from the server to the client. In this way, it is also possible, in addition to, for example, the bandwidth available on the transmission path between the server and the client to take into account variables which are caused by technical features and / or operating states of the server and which can influence the data transmission quality.

The use of the client for carrying out the method according to the invention has the advantage that, in addition to, for example, the bandwidth provided by the transmission path between the server and the client, variables which are caused by technical characteristics and / or operating conditions of the client and which influence the data transmission quality are taken into account can. It is, for example, possible that the bandwidth provided by the transmission link between the server and the client is sufficient to transmit the first data in the desired manner. If, however, the client is not able to process received parts or data amounts of the first data fast enough, for example, the received data can not be displayed fast enough, this leads to a violation of the data transmission limit value despite sufficient data transmission quality. Since, in this case, the data transmission quality is affected by the client itself, this could only be realized, if at all, by the server; This would lead to delays in data transmissions between the server and the client.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a computer program product comprising program code parts for executing one, several or all of the above-described embodiments of the method according to the invention.

Preferably, the computer program product according to the invention comprises program code parts which can be executed as JavaScript®, as Jscript® or in a compatible form.

Brief Description of the Figures

In the following description of preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures, in which:<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>FIGS. 1 to 4</dt><dd>Schematic representations of preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention.</dd></dl>

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, preferred embodiments are described using the example of a scenario in which banners are to be transferred from a server to a computer system.

Usually, a banner is transferred from a server to a computer system, under the control of data, for example, in the form of an HTML file, which is embedded in data of a web page accessed by the computer system. Alternatively, it is possible for a banner to be transferred from the server to the computer system in response to an input from the user of the computer system. Such events are hereinafter referred to as triggering events.

In order to avoid the above-mentioned problems, in the conventional approach, banners are used which must not exceed a predetermined quantity or data quantity in order to avoid the undesired undesirable effects for the user when transmitting banners and their representation by means of the computer system Delays. Therefore, in response to a triggering event which initiates a promotion, regardless of which computer system is triggering this event, the same banner is always transmitted.

In the embodiments described in the following, the triggering events are used, which also lead to the transmission of banners in the case of a conventional procedure, for example a "webpage" -controlled or user-controlled request from banners. Therefore, no modifications of the usual procedure and associated procedures are required to practice the present invention except for its use.

However, in the present invention, the same banners are not transmitted to an inquiring computer system in response to a triggering event that is to lead to the execution of a commercial measure. Rather, the present invention makes it possible to transmit different banners between the server and the computer system, depending on the current data transmission quality.

This has several advantages.

In order to check which banner is actually to be transmitted to the computer system, a determination is made of the data transmission quality which is available when transmitting banner data.

Further, delays occurring in the above-described use of test data and the like can be avoided by the present invention. If the transmission of the data for the first banner does not result in a violation of the limit value, the transmission of the data for the first banner is continued. Accordingly, in this case, the transmission of the first banner takes place without delay.

If, during the transmission of data from the first banner, a violation of the limit value occurs, delays with respect to the second banner can be avoided by rapidly terminating the data transmission for the first banner, that is, by selecting the time duration as small as possible during the data transmission quality Is determined.

Further optimization is possible when one or more of the embodiments described in the following are used depending on which data transmission quality is to be expected between the server and the computer system.

If, for example, it is assumed that a high data transmission quality is present, an embodiment can be used which, in the first step, effects a transmission of a large banner, which is then also normally transmitted completely without a time delay. The transfer of a small banner is initiated only in the event that the assumed data transmission quality is not available. The same applies to the case where a low data transmission quality is to be assumed.

These approaches may also be combined when, for example, initially a high data transmission quality is to be assumed, but in the case of data transmissions between the server and the computer system it is determined that the existing data transmission quality is insufficient, ie frequently, frequently or regularly leads to the termination of data transmission for first banners . In order to avoid the resulting delays in data transmissions for second banners, then an embodiment of the software applications can be used, which in the first step in each case requests a small banner and only transmits large banners if the data transmission quality is sufficient for this. The same applies to the case which is initially assumed to be a low data transmission quality.

In order to be able to use these possibilities, it is advantageous if the different embodiments of the software applications required for this purpose are present on the computer system in order to be able to be executed as a function of the available data transmission quality.

To illustrate the embodiments described here, reference is made to an application of the present invention in the area of ​​the Internet and the following assumptions are made:<ul><li>As a client, a computer-system of a user communicating via the Internet is used, on which a web browser and plug-in for so-called Flash® banners (see below) are executed.</li><li>The plug-in requires a SWF® software application programmed in Flash® MX from a server (see below) which is compatible with version 5 of Flash® and includes software code for implementing the method according to the invention.</li><li>By means of an ad server of an Internet service provider, advertising measures intended for the user are controlled, which should be displayed in the form of banners on a monitor of the computer system.</li><li>Data for banners are transferred to the computer system from an image server of the Internet service provider or another Internet service provider.</li></ul>

Because of their ability to determine the data transfer quality between the image server and the computer system, the software application can also be referred to as a "speed sniffer".

The software application will be transmitted to the computer system by transmitting data from a server to the computer system, for example in the form of an HTML JavaScript file, during the execution of the web browser on the computer system causing the software application to be requested and sent to the computer system Gets transferred. This is done, for example, by a request from the computer system plug-in to the image server which, in response, transmits the software application to the computer system.

In the embodiments described herein, the software application includes the following software code:<pre listing-type="program-listing">&lt;SCRIPT LANGUAGE = "JavaScript1.1"&gt; Var clickurl = "http://web.de" If (showFlashStatus ()) { document.writeln ( '&lt;Embedsrc = "Http://www.web.de/sniffer.swf? Data_1 = http: //www.web.de/dsl200x300.swf &amp; bytes = BySec &amp; Data_2 = http: //www.web.de/isdn200x300.swf "quality = QL Type = "application / x-shockwave-flash" Width = "W" Height = "H"&gt; &lt;/ EMBED&gt; '); FlashOk = true; } Function ClickThru () {window.open (clickurl);} &lt;/ SCRIPT&gt;</pre>

For software code variables, the following is true:<dl id="dl0002"><dt>data_1:</dt><dd>Refers to a first flashfile that is used to display a first banner on the monitor of the computer system.</dd><dt>data_2:</dt><dd>Refers to a second flashfile that is used to display a second banner on the monitor of the computer system.</dd><dt>BySec:</dt><dd>Defines a limit value in bytes per second, where the transmission of the first flash file is interrupted and the second flash file is transmitted.</dd></dl>

In general, the process according to the invention proceeds as follows:

If the user of the computer system is to carry out a commercial measure in the form of a banner which can be displayed on the monitor of the computer system, this is not achieved by transferring a standard predetermined banner from the image server to the computer system, in contrast to the conventional approach. Rather, the implementation of the advertising measure by the software application is controlled in such a way that banners are used in dependence on the data transmission quality which is available to the computer system during the transmission of banners reproducing data from the image server.

The software application determines the data transfer quality between the image server and the computer system in bytes per second using the above software code, which is also referred to as an action script. Depending on the data transmission quality, it is then determined which banners (flashfiles) are transmitted to the computer system so that the corresponding banner can be reproduced in the desired manner there.

The software application is executed in response to an event which is to initiate the transfer of a banner, which in a first step causes the first banner data_1 to be transmitted from the image server to the computer system.

If, during this transmission, it is determined that a data quantity which is smaller (larger) than the limit value BySec is broken within a predetermined time period, for example one, two or more seconds, from the image server to the computer system Software application transfers the first banner and causes the second banner to be transmitted. The second banner is then completely transferred to the computer system and can be played back on its monitor.

If it is determined within the predetermined time period that the amount of data transferred from the image server to the computer system is larger (smaller) than the data volume specified by the limit value BySec, the transmission of the first banner is not interrupted, but is performed completely; Then the first banner can be displayed on the monitor of the computer system.

Alternatively, to determine the data transfer quality, it is possible to define a predetermined amount of data and to detect the time required to transmit this amount of data during the transmission of the data for the first banner.

If, during the transmission of data for the first banner, it is determined that the predetermined amount of data is transmitted within a period of time from the image server to the computer system which is larger (smaller) than a time period predetermined by a temporal limit value, the software application breaks the transmission Of the first banner and causes the second banner to be transmitted. The second banner is then completely transferred to the computer system and can be played back on its monitor.

If, during the transmission of data for the first banner for the transmission of the predetermined data quantity, a time duration is required which is less than the predetermined time duration, the transmission of the first banner is not interrupted, but is carried out completely; Then the first banner can be displayed on the monitor of the computer system.

This is one of Flash^® Provided functionality that allows to interrupt the loading-designated transmission of data for banners. This functionality is called "Unload Movie" and allows to cancel a request (a so-called request) to load a banner during the processing ( "on the flight").

In tests, computer systems capable of communicating over the Internet by means of a DSL modem are used to determine amounts of data which are transmitted within a predetermined time period of two seconds. A mean value of 195455 bytes was determined within two seconds, with the worst determined value being about 110000 bytes within two seconds.

With reference to <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> The embodiment is described in which, in the first step, the transfer of data for a large banner is initiated and, if necessary, data are transmitted for a small banner.

If an event initiates the execution of a commercialization by means of a banner to be displayed on the computer system (step 1), the software application is executed (step 2). The software application then requests from the image server data of a large banner provided for the advertising to be carried out (step 3).

During the transmission of data for the large banner, it is checked whether the data transmitted within a predetermined period of time after the start of the transmission is at least a predetermined data quantity, ie a data quantity per time is transmitted above the limit value BySec (step 4).

If so, the transfer of the data for the large banner is continued (step 5). Otherwise, the transfer of the data for the large banner is interrupted (step 6) and the data server of a small banner provided for the advertising to be carried out is requested (step 7) to transfer it to the computer system (step 8).

In the case of the <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> The steps 1 to 3 correspond to steps 1 to 3 of the embodiment of FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref>. However, in the embodiment of FIG<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> With reference to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> Explained step 4 with regard to at least two limit values ​​BySec1, ..., BySecn. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least two small banners of different sizes are used in addition to the large banner requested in step 3.

For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the largest limit value BySec1 corresponds to the limit value of the embodiment of FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> And the further limit values ​​BySec2,..., BySecn have different values ​​which are becoming smaller and smaller. Furthermore, it is assumed below that the at least two small banners are each assigned to one of the limit values ​​BySec1, ..., BySecn, the largest small banner corresponding to the small banner of the embodiment of FIG<figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> And all other small banners have different, smaller and smaller sizes.

In step 4, a check is made as to whether and, if so, which of the limit values ​​BySec1, ..., BySecn are violated in the initial transmission of the data for the large banner.

If none of the limit values ​​are violated, the transfer of the data for the large banner is continued (step 5). Otherwise, the transmission of the data for the large banner is interrupted (step 6).

In the illustrated embodiment, the limit value BySec1, ..., BySecn is checked starting with the largest limit value BySec1 down to the smallest limit value BySecn. Depending on the smallest violated limit value BySec1,..., BySecn, data of a size-related banner of the size to be carried out for the advertisement measure is requested (step 7) to transfer it to the computer system (step 8).

The embodiment of FIG <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG</figref> Enables not only a more accurate determination of the data transmission quality, but also a selection of banners to be transmitted completely optimized with regard to the available data transmission quality.

Under Bezugn to imitate<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref> The embodiment is described in which the transmission of data for a small banner is initiated in the first step and, if necessary, data are transmitted for a large banner.

If an event initiates the execution of a commercialization by means of a banner to be displayed on the computer system (step 1), the software application is executed (step 2). The software application then requests from the image server data of a small banner provided for the advertisement to be carried out (step 3).

When transmitting data for the small banner, it is checked whether the data transmitted within a predetermined period of time after the start of the transmission is at most a predetermined data quantity, that is, a data quantity is transmitted per time below the limit value BySec (step 4).

If this is the case, the transfer of the data for the small banner is continued (step 5). Otherwise, the transfer of the data for the small banner is interrupted (step 6) and the data server of a large banner provided for the advertising to be carried out is requested (step 7) to transfer it to the computer system (step 8).

In the case of the <figref idrefs="f0004">FIG</figref> The steps 1 to 3 correspond to steps 1 to 3 of the embodiment of FIG <figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref>. However, in the embodiment of FIG<figref idrefs="f0004">FIG</figref> With reference to FIG <figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref> Explained step 4 with regard to at least two limit values ​​BySec1, ..., BySecn. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least two large banners of different sizes are used in addition to the small banner requested in step 3.

For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the smallest limit value BySec1 corresponds to the limit value of the embodiment of FIG <figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref> , And the further limit values ​​BySec2,..., BySecn have different, ever-increasing values. Furthermore, it is assumed below that the at least two large banners are each assigned to one of the limit values ​​BySec1,..., BySecn, the smallest large banner corresponding to the large banner of the embodiment of FIG<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG</figref> And all other large banners have different, ever larger sizes.

In step 4, it is checked whether and, if so, which of the limit values ​​BySec1, ..., BySecn are violated in the initial transmission of the data for the small banner.

If none of the limit values ​​are violated, the transfer of the data for the small banner is continued (step 5). Otherwise, the transfer of the data for the small banner is interrupted (step 6).

In the embodiment shown, the limit value BySec1, ..., BySecn is checked in ascending order, starting with the smallest limit value BySec1 up to the maximum limit value BySecn. Depending on the largest violated limit value BySec1,..., BySecn, the image server is requested to transmit data of a size corresponding to the advertising measure to be executed (step 7) to the computer system (step 8).

The embodiment of FIG <figref idrefs="f0004">FIG</figref> Enables not only a more accurate determination of the data transmission quality, but also a selection of banners to be transmitted completely optimized with regard to the available data transmission quality.

In all embodiments, after a transmission of data for a first banner has been aborted, it is possible to discard the data transmitted up to then and to transmit data which is necessary for the second banner as a whole. Alternatively, it is possible not to discard the data already transmitted until abort, but to use it for the reproduction of the second banner. In this case, the second banner must be designed in such a way that it can be constructed or reproduced from the data for the second banner in combination with data for the first banner; In particular, a first data set of the data can be used for the first banner to be transmitted first upon transmission of the data for the first banner.

When determining which and how many data of the data are to be used for the first banner in the second banner, an expected data transmission quality can be used to ensure that after a transmission of data for the first banner has been terminated, The second banner. This is particularly advantageous if the embodiment is used in which the data quantity transmitted during a predetermined time period is determined for determining the data transmission quality. However, it is more advantageous in this case to use the embodiment in which the time duration for a transmission of a predetermined data quantity is determined for determining the data transmission quality. This ensures that in the transmission of data for the first banner, regardless of an abort, a predefined amount of data is always transmitted which can then be used for the second banner; It is thus avoided that, due to a termination of the transmission of data for the first banner, data not required for the second banner is not transmitted.

In order to be able to resort to a data transmission quality determined at an earlier point in time, it is possible to store corresponding data. This can be done, for example, by means of a cookie to be stored on the computer system. This can be accessed to suit subsequent data transfers to and from the computer system. This has the advantage that, in the case of data transmissions, in which the present invention is not used, an optimization can be carried out with regard to the data transmission quality. Further, data indicative of a determined data transfer quality can be used to close a data transfer quality to be expected and to select a corresponding embodiment of the software application as described above.

In the embodiments described above, it is provided to use the method according to the invention with every advertising measure to be carried out. On the one hand, this is necessary in order to adapt data transmissions to the existing data transmission quality and on the other hand has the advantage of determining the data transmission quality that is available at the same time in the case of data transmissions. Deviating from this, it is possible to carry out the method according to the invention at times and / or at specific time intervals and otherwise to make adaptations of data transmissions to the data transmission quality on the basis of data indicating a previously determined data transmission quality. Such data can, for example, be stored in the form of a cookie which makes it possible to determine whether, and if so, a data transmission quality has been determined and determine whether, when and how often the method according to the invention is to be applied.

The storage of data which specifies a previously determined data transmission quality also makes it possible to statistically evaluate a plurality of data transmission rates determined using the method according to the invention in order, for example, to make more accurate statements about an expected data transmission quality.