METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSMITTING SYNCHRONIZED VISUAL AND AUDIO MEDIA

• US 20130342760A1
• Filed: 07/25/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories Incorporated (CEVA Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories Incorporated (CEVA Incorporated)
• Inventors: SCHEIREY, Stephen, RAMAGEM, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,456,020 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/515
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41415 involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/067 Arrangements or circuits at the transmitter end
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

Systems and methods according to the present invention provide methods, devices and systems for delivering media content to users. Broadcast audio and video streams can be synchronized for substantially simultaneous output by users. User feedback can be used to compose playlists of synchronized media.

Claims

1. A method for broadcasting synchronized photographs and music to a plurality of devices comprising:

generating program contents, wherein said program contents include information associated with said synchronized photographs and music which are related to a specific topic;

transmitting a first control signal toward a photo server;

transmitting a second control signal toward an audio server;

transmitting a playlist toward said plurality of devices;

transmitting a first multicast broadcast from said photo server in response to said first control signal;

transmitting a second multicast broadcast from said audio server in response to said second control signal;

providing interactive content in said first multicast;

receiving uploaded photographs at said photo server for use in generating said program contents; and

synchronizing said first and second multicast broadcasts.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said audio media is at least one of music and spoken content.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein tags associated with at least one topic are attached to said visual media and said audio media.

2. A method for delivering visual and audio media content comprising:

generating program contents, wherein said program contents include information associated with said visual and audio media;

transmitting a plurality of control signals;

delivering said visual and audio media via multicast signaling;

providing interactive content; and

synchronizing said visual and audio media.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said interactive content is at least one of a polling question or an interactive advertisement.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving uploaded photographs.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of generating program contents further comprises:

filtering said visual media prior to including said visual media in said program contents.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said visual media is at least one of photographs and videos.

9. A device for controlling media content delivery comprising:

a processor configured to read master program lists and, based upon said master program lists, further configured to generate instructions for delivering synchronized photographs and music via multicast signaling;

an interface configured to transmit said instructions and receiving information; and

a memory configured to store information associated with said master program lists.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said device supports a web page which allows for two way interactions.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said master program list is received from a database.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein instructions for archiving program information are transmitted from said device to said database.