Apparatus for playing of synchronized video between wireless devices

• US 7,599,685 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tunnel IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Syncronation, Inc.
• Inventors: Sears, Jim, Goldberg, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tu X
• Application Number:
  US11/566,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20070136769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 455/68, 455/3.06, 455/567, 455/566, 455/115.3, 455/115.2, 455/421, 455/412.2
• US Class Current: 455/421
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0025 Automatic or semi-automatic music composition, e.g. producing random music, applying rules from music theory or modifying a musical piece automatically producing a series of tones G10H1/26
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0083 using wireless transmission, e.g. radio, light, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/40 Rhythm
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/076 for extraction of timing, tempo; Beat detection tempo display G10H2220/081; tempo control G10H2210/375
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/175 for jam sessions or musical collaboration through a network, e.g. for composition, ensemble playing or repeating; Compensation of network or internet delays therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/251 Mobile telephone transmission, i.e. transmitting, accessing or controlling music data wirelessly via a wireless or mobile telephone receiver, analog or digital, e.g. DECT GSM, UMTS smartphone, PDA or palmtop used for musical purposes G10H2230/015; mobile ringtone G10H2230/021
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/305 Internet or TCP/IP protocol use for any electrophonic musical instrument data or musical parameter transmission purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/325 Synchronizing two or more audio tracks or files according to musical features or musical timings synchronised lyrics, e.g. for karaoke G10H2220/011
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/58 of audio determination or detection of speech characteristics in general G10L25/00; speech recognition in general G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for the shared playing of video by a first video player and a second video player. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for playing a video signal on a first portable video player synchronously with the same video signal on a second portable video player. In one aspect, the first portable video player is enabled to transmit video to a second player. The video is played synchronously on both video players, wherein the video is received from another player or from storage on the player. In various further aspects, synchronization signals are used to adjust the position of the video signal playing on the first and second video player, where the video signal is present on both video players.

Claims

1. A method of operation of a mobile user device comprising:

establishing communication with a second mobile user device via a local wireless connection;

receiving a broadcast of entertainment content from the second mobile user device via the local wireless connection;

presenting the entertainment content to a user of the mobile user device;

testing the local wireless connection;

making a determination as to whether the local wireless connection is inadequate; and

providing feedback to the user of the mobile user device if a determination is made that the local wireless connection is inadequate;

wherein the entertainment content comprises at least audio content, and providing the feedback to the user comprises overlaying an audible alert on the audio content presented to the user of the mobile user device if the determination is made that the local wireless connection is inadequate.

2. A method of operation of a mobile user device comprising:

establishing communication with a second mobile user device via a local wireless connection;

receiving a broadcast of entertainment content from the second mobile user device via the local wireless connection;

presenting the entertainment content to a user of the mobile user device;

testing the local wireless connection;

making a determination as to whether the local wireless connection is inadequate; and

providing feedback to the user of the mobile user device if a determination is made that the local wireless connection is inadequate;

wherein the entertainment content comprises at least audio content, and providing the feedback to the user comprises;

interrupting playback of the audio content; and

presenting an audible alert to the user of the mobile user device while playback of the audio content is interrupted.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein making the determination comprises making a determination that the local wireless connection is inadequate if a loss of signal on the local wireless connection is anticipated.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the determining whether the loss of signal on the local wireless connection is anticipated comprises determining whether a loss of signal on the local wireless connection is anticipated based on a strength of a signal received from the second mobile user devices over the local wireless connection.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein making the determination comprises making the determination as to whether the local wireless connection is inadequate based on time-averaged results of testing the local wireless connection.

6. A mobile user device comprising:

a) a local wireless communication interface; and

b) a control system adapted to;

i) establish communication with a second mobile user device via the local wireless communication interface to provide a local wireless connection;

ii) receive a broadcast of entertainment content from the second mobile user device via the local wireless connection;

iii) present the entertainment content to a user of the mobile user device;

iv) test the local wireless connection;

v) make a determination as to whether the local wireless connection is inadequate; and

vi) provide feedback to the user of the mobile user device if the determination is made that the local wireless connection is inadequate;

wherein the entertainment content comprises at least audio content, and in order to provide the feedback to the user of the mobile device, the control system is further adapted to interrupt playback of the audio content and present an audible alert to the user of the mobile user device while playback of the audio content is interrupted.