System and method for synchronizing output of media in public spaces
First Claim
1. A system for synchronizing delivery of a plurality of media elements to users in a public space, the system comprising:
- a replenishment interface module configured to receive media elements;
a logic controller module;
a play list module configured to provide information pertaining to available media elements to be output in the public space;
an output interface module controlling a plurality of transmitters proximate to the public space and configured to output different media elements via different ones of the plurality of transmitters in accordance with instructions from the logic controller;
a storage module configured to store local content specific to the public space and also metadata associated with, but distinct from, a specific programming media element;
wherein the logic controller module is configured to select which received media elements to output, including a programming media element and a metadata media element associated with but distinct from the programming media element;
direct the programming media element to be transmitted via a first one of the transmitters of the output interface module directly to a programming output device in the public space during a first output period;
direct the metadata related to the programming media element to be transmitted via a second one of the transmitters of the output interface module directly to a metadata receiving device in the public space during a second output period; and
control a variable temporal relationship between the first output period and the second output period.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method and apparatus for synchronizing output of media in a public space. Different types of media elements, related to one another, are output at related times to different devices within a public space. The timing may be adjusted over a wide range, or a narrow range, to handle a wide range of needs. General programming media elements are selected for output in a public space based upon a source indicating available media elements, and upon transient variables especially pertinent to the public space, which are provided independently of user inputs. Metadata media related to but distinct from an output programming media element may be independently selected for output to different devices, via different signal paths and protocols.
107 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A system for synchronizing delivery of a plurality of media elements to users in a public space, the system comprising:
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a replenishment interface module configured to receive media elements;
a logic controller module;
a play list module configured to provide information pertaining to available media elements to be output in the public space;
an output interface module controlling a plurality of transmitters proximate to the public space and configured to output different media elements via different ones of the plurality of transmitters in accordance with instructions from the logic controller;
a storage module configured to store local content specific to the public space and also metadata associated with, but distinct from, a specific programming media element;
wherein the logic controller module is configured to select which received media elements to output, including a programming media element and a metadata media element associated with but distinct from the programming media element;
direct the programming media element to be transmitted via a first one of the transmitters of the output interface module directly to a programming output device in the public space during a first output period;
direct the metadata related to the programming media element to be transmitted via a second one of the transmitters of the output interface module directly to a metadata receiving device in the public space during a second output period; and
control a variable temporal relationship between the first output period and the second output period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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8. The system of
claim 8 wherein the second transmitter transmits wirelessly.
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24. A method of synchronizing delivery in a public space of programming media elements and related metadata, the method comprising:
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receiving a programming media element;
conveying the programming media element substantially throughout a programming conveyance time period to a first output device in the public space via a first signal path;
obtaining metadata related to and distinct from the programming media element;
providing the metadata to a second device in the public space via a different second signal path during a data provisioning time period variably and controllably related to the programming conveyance time period. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of synchronizing delivery in a public space of programming media elements and related metadata, the method comprising:
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receiving a programming media element;
conveying the programming media element substantially throughout a programming media element conveyance time period to a first output device in the public space via a first signal path;
obtaining local content related to the public space;
providing media elements including the local content to a second device in the public space during a data provisioning time period related to the media conveyance time period. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of synchronizing delivery in a public space of media elements and related data, the method comprising:
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receiving a programming media element;
conveying the programming media element substantially throughout a programming conveyance time period to a first output device in the public space via a first signal path;
obtaining a metadata media element related to the programming media element;
obtaining local content related to the public space;
providing the metadata and local content in the public space during a data provisioning time period related to the programming conveyance time period. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification