BUFFERING CONTENT ON A HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20100077441A1
• Filed: 10/02/2009
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FanVision Entertainment, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kangaroo Media Incorporated (Game Day Entertainment LLC)
• Inventors: Fortier, Stephane, Charette, Alain, Arseneau, Jean, Lemire, Gerald, Lazure, Guillaume, Lambert, Felix, Thomas, Genevieve, Tardif, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,042,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/133
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1415 with means for detecting differences between the image stored in the host and the images displayed on the displays
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/125 wherein one of the images is motion video
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/18 Use of a frame buffer in a display terminal, inclusive of the display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/04 Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/006 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a display terminal using a CRT G09G1/167; using a flat panel G09G3/2096; circuits for interfacing with colour displays G09G5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/393 Arrangements for updating the contents of the bit-mapped memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21805 enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34

Abstract

A handheld device receives a wireless RF transmission that includes multiple video streams and buffers all video streams or selected video streams based on an identification of video streams to buffer. The device might also buffer all or selected audio streams or other real-time data content that is received in the wireless RF transmission. The wireless RF transmission may include a set of video streams (and/or audio streams, and/or other real-timed data) for the handheld device to buffer. A head end that sends the RF transmission may determine which streams to buffer based on operator input, user preferences, and other factors. Alternatively, the handheld device may automatically determine which streams to buffer based on information such as user preferences and information in the RF transmission. Alternatively, a user may select which streams to buffer.

Claims

1. A method of presenting content on a wireless mobile computing device, comprising:

receiving, at the wireless mobile computing device during a live event, multiple video streams showing different perspectives of the live event;

displaying a first video stream of the received multiple video streams using a display of the wireless mobile computing device;

buffering a plurality of the received video streams in the wireless mobile computing device, the buffering is performed without the user of the mobile computing device indicating which video streams to buffer, the buffered video streams includes at least one video stream other than the first video stream;

after displaying at least a portion of the first video stream and after starting the buffering, receiving a request to access the buffered video streams; and

displaying one of the buffered video streams, other than the first video stream, in response to the request.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the displaying one of the buffered video streams from the buffer includes displaying an occurrence during the live event that already occurred;

the buffering a plurality of the received video streams includes simultaneously buffering five video streams in the wireless mobile computing device for replay mode playback; and

the receiving a request to access the buffered video streams includes receiving a request to playback a specific video stream from the buffered video streams.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving first identification information at the wireless mobile computing device, the buffering of the plurality of the received video streams includes buffering a subset of the received video streams; and

using the first identification information at the wireless mobile computing device to determine which of the received video streams are in the subset to be buffered.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the first identification information directly identifies the video streams of the subset of the received video streams.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving, at the wireless mobile computing device during the live event, second identification information;

using the second identification information at the wireless mobile computing device to determine which of the received video streams to buffer; and

changing, during the live event, the subset of the received video streams to buffer based on the second identification information.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the first identification information and the multiple video streams are received at the mobile computing device in a single wireless signal.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the first identification information and the multiple video streams are received at the mobile computing device using a single tuner and communicated to one or more buffers from the single tuner.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at the wireless mobile computing device, identification information;

accessing user data at the mobile computing device; and

using the identification information in combination with the user data at the wireless mobile computing device to determine which of the received video streams are in the subset to be buffer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein

the receiving multiple video streams further includes receiving multiple audio streams of the live event and receiving a data feed for the live event;

and

the buffering further includes buffering the audio streams separately from the video streams and buffering the data feed separately from both the video streams and audio streams.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying one of the buffered video streams comprises:

freezing the buffering of the received video streams;

displaying one of the buffered video streams;

determining that a period of time has expired;

restarting the buffering of received video streams in response to determining that the period of time has expired; and

displaying a live feed from one of the received video streams in response to determining that the period of time has expired.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the buffering includes storing the plurality of the receive video streams in a first memory buffer in the wireless mobile computing device;

the displaying one of the buffered video streams includes displaying the one of the buffered video streams from the first memory buffer;

the method further includes buffering the plurality of the received video streams in a second memory buffer in the wireless mobile computing device while displaying the least one of the buffered video streams from the first memory buffer.

12. A mobile computing device, comprising:

a wireless receiver, the wireless receiver multiple video streams during a live event that show different perspectives of the live event;

a display, at least one of the received video streams are displayed on the display;

one or more buffers; and

a processor in communication with the wireless receiver, the display, and the one or more buffers;

the processor buffers a plurality of the video streams into the one or more buffers without the user of the mobile computing device indicating which video streams to buffer, receives a request from a user to play a stored video stream from the one or more buffers, and plays at least a portion of the stored video stream from the one or more buffers in response to the request.

13. The mobile computing device of claim 12, wherein:

the wireless receiver receives first identification information; and

the processor uses the first identification information to determine a subset of video streams to buffer.

14. The mobile computing device of claim 13, wherein:

the first identification information directly identifies the video streams to buffer.

15. The mobile computing device of claim 13, further comprising:

the wireless receiver receives second identification information;

the processor uses the second identification information to determine which video streams to buffer and changes, during the live event, the subset of the received video streams being buffered based on the second identification information.

16. The mobile computing device of claim 13, wherein:

the first identification information and the multiple video streams are received at the mobile computing device in a single wireless signal.

17. The mobile computing device of claim 13, wherein:

the wireless receiver includes a single tuner; and

the first identification information and the multiple video streams are received at the mobile computing device using the tuner and communicated to one or more buffers from the single tuner.

18. The mobile computing device of claim 12, further comprising:

the wireless receiver receives first identification information;

the processor accesses user data at the mobile computing device; and

the processor uses the first identification information and the user data to automatically determine which video streams to buffer.

19. The mobile computing device of claim 12, wherein

the wireless receiver further receives multiple audio streams for the live event and a data feed for the live event;

and

the one or more buffers include separate buffers for the video streams, audio streams and data feed.

20. The mobile computing device of claim 12, wherein:

the one or more buffers includes a first buffer and a second buffer;

at a first time during the live event, the processor buffers live video streams of the received video streams into the first buffer while playing a selected video stream depicting past actions from the second buffer; and

at a second time during the live event, the processor buffers live video streams of the received video streams into the second buffer while playing a selected video stream depicting prior actions from the first buffer.

21. A method of presenting content on a wireless mobile computing device, comprising:

receiving multiple video channels at a wireless mobile computing device;

displaying a first video channel of the received video channels using a display of the wireless mobile computing device;

automatically determining a subset of the video channels to buffer, the subset of received video channels includes at least one video channel other than the first video channel;

buffering the subset of received video channels in one or more buffers in the wireless mobile computing device;

receiving a request to access a buffered video channel, other than the first video channel, from the buffered subset of video channels; and

displaying the buffered video channel from the buffered subset of video channels.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the subset of the video channels to buffer is determined based on automatically recognizing image content in one or more of the multiple video channels.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the subset of the video channels to buffer is determined based on automatically recognizing audio content in one or more of the multiple video channels.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the subset of the video channels to buffer is determined based on automatically recognizing data associated with the one or more of the multiple video channels.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the multiple video channels are received in a single wireless signal using a single tuner.

26. A method of presenting content to a wireless mobile computing device, comprising:

receiving multiple video streams depicting a live event;

wirelessly transmitting the multiple video streams to a first set of mobile computing devices during the live event; and

transmitting to the first set of mobile computing devices first information that identifies a first subset of the video streams for the first set of mobile computing devices to buffer for replay mode playback.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein:

the transmitting of the first information includes wirelessly transmitting the first information to the first set of mobile computing devices.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

adding the multiple video streams and the first information to a common wireless signal, the wirelessly transmitting the multiple video streams includes transmitting the common wireless signal to the first set of mobile computing devices.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein:

the wirelessly transmitting the multiple video streams to the first set of mobile computing devices includes wirelessly transmitting the multiple video streams to a second set of mobile computing devices; and

the method further comprises transmitting to the second set of mobile computing devices second information that identifies a second subset of the video streams for the second set of mobile computing devices to buffer for replay mode playback, the first subset of the video streams is different than the second set of video streams.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein:

the first subset of video streams includes five video streams.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

automatically choosing the first subset of the video streams and creating the first information based on the automatically choosing.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein:

the automatically choosing the first subset of video streams is based on recognizing video content in at least one of the multiple video streams.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein:

the automatically choosing the first subset of video streams is based on recognizing audio content associated with at least one of the multiple video streams.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein:

the automatically choosing the first subset of video streams is based on identifying data received for the live event.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein:

the automatically choosing the first subset of video streams is based on user data for one or more users of the first set of mobile computing devices.

36. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

during the live event, dynamically changing the first information to identify a second subset of the video streams and transmitting the changed first information to the first set of mobile computing devices.

37. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

receiving multiple audio streams of the live event during the live event;

wirelessly transmitting the multiple audio streams to the set of mobile computing devices;

transmitting to the first set of mobile computing devices audio selection information that identifies a first subset of the audio streams for the first set of mobile computing devices to buffer for replay mode playback, the audio selection information is separate from the first information.

38. A content transmission system, comprising:

one or more storage devices that store multiple video streams depicting a live event during the live event;

a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits the multiple video streams to a first set of mobile computing devices during the live event; and

a processor in communication with the one or more storage devices and the wireless transmitter, the processor communicates first information to the first set of mobile computing devices that identifies a first subset of the video streams for the first set of mobile computing devices to buffer for replay mode playback.

39. The content transmission system of claim 38, wherein:

the processor communicates the first information to the first set of mobile computing devices via the wireless transmitter.

40. The content transmission system of claim 38, wherein:

the processor combines the multiple video streams and the first information into a single signal that is sent to the first set of mobile computing devices via the wireless transmitter.

41. The content transmission system of claim 38, wherein:

the wireless transmitter wirelessly transmits the multiple video streams to a second set of mobile computing devices during the live event and

the processor communicates second information to the second set of mobile computing devices that identifies a second subset of the video streams for the second set of mobile computing devices to buffer for replay mode playback, the first subset of the video streams is different than the second set of video streams.

42. The content transmission system of claim 38, further comprising:

the processor automatically chooses the first subset of the video streams and creates the first information based on the automatically choosing.

43. The content transmission system of claim 42, wherein:

the processor automatically chooses the first subset of the video streams based on recognizing video content in at least one of the multiple video streams.

44. The content transmission system of claim 42, wherein:

the processor automatically chooses the first subset of the video streams based on recognizing audio content associated with at least one of the multiple video streams.

45. The content transmission system of claim 42, wherein:

the processor automatically chooses the first subset of the video streams based on identifying data received for the live event.

46. The content transmission system of claim 42, wherein:

the processor automatically chooses the first subset of the video streams based on user data for one or more users of the first set of mobile computing devices.

47. The content transmission system of claim 42, wherein:

the processor includes multiple microprocessor in multiple computers.

48. The content transmission system of claim 38, wherein:

during the live event, the processor dynamically changes the first information to identify a second subset of the video streams and the wireless transmitted sends the changed first information to the first set of mobile computing devices.

49. A method of presenting content on a wireless mobile computing device, comprising:

continuously receiving multiple video channels at the wireless mobile computing device;

displaying a first video channel of the received video channels as live video using a display of the wireless mobile computing device;

continuously buffering at least a subset of two or more of the received multiple video channels in one or more buffers of the wireless mobile computing device while receiving the multiple video channels at the wireless mobile computing device;

receiving a request to access one or more of the buffered video channels;

freezing the one or more buffers and displaying one or more of the buffered video channels in response to the request, the displaying one or more of the buffered video channels displays an action that occurred previously in time;

receiving a request to return to live video;

releasing the one or more buffers from being frozen in response to the request to return to live video;

displaying at least one of received video channels as live video using the display in response to the request to return to live video; and

continuously buffering two or more of the received multiple video channels in the one or more buffers of the wireless mobile computing device while receiving the multiple video channels at the wireless mobile computing device in response to the request to return to live video.

50. A mobile computing device, comprising:

a wireless receiver, the wireless receive receives a first video stream in a wireless transmission;

a display;

a first buffer;

a second buffer; and

a processor in communication with the wireless receiver, the display, the first buffer and the second buffer;

the processor buffers the first video stream into the first buffer, receives a first request to replay the first video stream, replays at least a portion of the first video stream from the first buffer in response to the first request and buffers the first video stream into the second buffer at least while replaying the first video stream from the first buffer.

51. The mobile computing device of claim 50, wherein:

the processor receives a second request to replay the first video stream, replays at least a portion of the first video stream from the second buffer in response to the second request and buffers the first video stream into the first buffer at least while replaying the first video stream from the second buffer.

52. The mobile computing device of claim 50, wherein:

the wireless receiver receives additional video streams, including a second video stream;

the processor causes the second video stream to be displayed in the display, the first request is received while displaying the second video stream; and

the processor buffers the additional video stream into the first buffer while buffering the first video stream into the first buffer.