Synchronizing a video program from a television broadcast with a secondary audio program

• US 6,630,963 B1
• Filed: 01/23/2001
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digeo Incorporated (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Billmaier, Brittany R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US09/768,019
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 348/485, 348/738, 348/465, 348/462, 348/553, 348/515, 348/729, 725/32, 725/109-111, 725/51, 725/61
• US Class Current: 348/485
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/18 Arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4305 Synchronising client clock from received content stream, e.g. locking decoder clock with encoder clock, extraction of the PCR packets arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter by comparing receiver clock with transmitter clock H04L7/0012; arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter wherein the receiver takes measures against momentary loss of synchronisation H04L7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43072 of multiple content streams on the same device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4333 Processing operations in response to a pause request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859

Abstract

According to one embodiment, in response to a user pressing an alternative audio button while watching a television broadcast, the user is provided with a list of secondary audio programs (e.g., radio programs received via the Internet) to replace the primary audio program associated with the broadcast. After a secondary audio program is selected, a synchronization component determines an extra transmission delay associated with the secondary audio program. A buffering component then buffers the video program for a period of time equal to the extra delay. A mixing component then mixes the synchronized video program with the secondary audio program, which are then presented to the user.

Claims

1. A method for providing an alternative audio program during a television broadcast, the method comprising:

intercepting a television transmission comprising a video program and a primary audio program;

receiving through a slower transmission medium a secondary audio program generated simultaneously with and related to the video program, wherein the slower transmission medium causes reception of the secondary audio program to be delayed with respect to the video program;

synchronizing the video program with the secondary audio program; and

presenting the synchronized video program with the secondary audio program.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary audio program is received via the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary audio program comprises a radio program.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the television transmission relates to a sporting event and the radio program comprises a radio commentary pertaining to the sporting event.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing comprises:

buffering the video program in a storage device for a buffering period.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the buffering period is from about three seconds to about four seconds.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing comprises:

buffering the video program in a personal video recorder (PVR) device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing comprises:

buffering the video program in a random access memory.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing comprises:

determining a transmission delay associated with the secondary audio program; and

buffering the video program in a storage device for a buffering period equal to the transmission delay.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the secondary audio program comprises a time index, and wherein determining:

comparing the time index with an indication of a time at which the time index is received with the secondary audio program.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining comprises:

buffering the video program in the storage device for a default buffering period;

presenting the video program with the secondary audio program; and

adjusting the buffering period in response to user feedback.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying comprises:

mixing the synchronized video program with the second audio program.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an indication of at least one secondary audio program generated simultaneously with and related to the video program; and

receiving a user selection of a secondary audio program from the list.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein displaying comprises:

accessing a database comprising an indication of a television program and at least one indication of a secondary audio program generated simultaneously with and related to the television program.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the list is displayed in response to a user activating a specifically-designated button a remote control device.

16. A system for providing an alternative audio program during a television broadcast, the method comprising:

a transmission interception component configured to intercept a television transmission comprising a video program and a primary audio program;

an audio program reception component configured to receive with the television transmission through a slower transmission medium a secondary audio program generated simultaneously with and related to the video program, wherein the slower transmission medium causes reception of the secondary audio program to be delayed with respect to the video program;

a synchronizing component configured to synchronize the video program with the secondary audio program, and

a presentation component configured to present the synchronized video program with the secondary audio program.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the secondary audio program is received via the Internet.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the secondary audio program comprises a radio program.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the television transmission relates to a sporting event and the radio program comprises a radio commentary pertaining to the sporting event.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a buffering component configured to buffer the video program in a storage device for a buffering period.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the buffering period is from about three seconds to about four seconds.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the storage device comprises a personal video recorder (PVR) device.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the storage device comprises a random access memory.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the synchronization component is further configured to determine a transmission delay associated with the secondary audio program;

and

wherein the buffering component is further configured to buffer the video program in a storage device for a buffering period equal to the transmission delay.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the secondary audio program comprises a time index, and the synchronization component is further configured to compare the time index with an indication of a time at which the time index is received with the secondary audio program.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the buffering component is further configured to buffer the video program in the storage device for a default buffering period;

wherein the presentation component is further configured to present the video program with the secondary audio program; and

wherein the synchronization component is further configured to adjust the buffering period in response to user feedback.

27. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a mixing component configured to mix the synchronized video program with the second audio program.

28. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a program selection component configured to display an indication of at least one secondary audio program generated simultaneously with and related to the video program and receive a user selection of a secondary audio program from the list.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising:

a database access component configured to access a database comprising an indication of a television program and at least one indication of a secondary audio program generated simultaneously with and related to the television program.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the list is displayed in response to a user activating a specifically-designated button a remote control device.