Capturing and sharing media content

• US 7,975,062 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2007
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sling Media LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sling Media Incorporated (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Krikorian, Jason, Krikorian, Blake
• Primary Examiner(s): HIGA, BRENDAN Y
• Application Number:
  US11/620,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20070168543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,640 Days
• Field of Search: 709217-219, 715719-726, 726 87- 89
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/80 characterised by transmission among terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4015 where at least one of the additional parallel sessions is real time or time sensitive, e.g. white board sharing, collaboration or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/613 for the control of the source by the destination control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components specially adapted for selective content distribution H04N21/637
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/102 characterised by the element, parameter or selection affected or controlled by the adaptive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/107 between spatial and temporal predictive coding, e.g. picture refresh
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/115 Selection of the code volume for a coding unit prior to coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/117 Filters, e.g. for pre-processing or post-processing sub-band filter banks H04N19/635
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/132 Sampling, masking or truncation of coding units, e.g. adaptive resampling, frame skipping, frame interpolation or high-frequency transform coefficient masking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/137 Motion inside a coding unit, e.g. average field, frame or block difference
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/14 Coding unit complexity, e.g. amount of activity or edge presence estimation H04N19/146 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/152 by measuring the fullness of the transmission buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/162 User input
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/164 Feedback from the receiver or from the transmission channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/172 : the region being a picture, frame or field
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/182 : the unit being a pixel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/188 : the unit being a video data packet, e.g. a network abstraction layer [NAL] unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/40 : using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 : in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/80 : Details of filtering operations specially adapted for video compression, e.g. for pixel interpolation H04N19/635, H04N19/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/85 : using pre-processing or post-processing specially adapted for video compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23406 : involving management of server-side video buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 : involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• 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 21/2743 : Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 : Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4384 : involving operations to reduce the access time, e.g. fast-tuning for reducing channel switching latency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44004 : involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 : involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 : using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

A media device allows users to watch and capture portions from a media stream. Users may then share the captured media content with other users. In one embodiment, the media device receives a media stream, plays the media stream, and caches a portion of the media stream as it is being played. A user can define a media clip by selecting its boundaries in the cached portion of the media stream. The media device creates the media clip based on the user'"'"'s input and enables the user to transmit the media clip to another system, such as a community website for sharing it with other users.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for sharing media content from a first device over a digital network, the method comprising:

receiving at the first device a media stream from a remote media source;

caching at least a portion of the received media stream in a memory of the first device as the media stream is received from the remote media source;

receiving, at least one user command to create a clip of the media stream via a user interface while the cached portion of the media stream is being output for display, the at least one user command comprising a start point and an end point for defining boundaries of the clip within the media stream;

responsive to receiving the at least one user command, creating the clip at the first device by copying data from the cached portion of the media stream as the media stream is received from the remote media source, wherein the copied data comprises a portion of the media stream bounded by the start point and the end point; and

responsive to creating the clip, transmitting the clip to a second device via the digital network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the media source is a place-shifting media system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one user command is received via a graphical interface that allows a review of the media stream.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information that describes the content of the clip; and

associating the information with the clip.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the information is received at least in part from a user input.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the information is received at least in part from an automatic process for obtaining information about the clip.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the information is received at least in part by extracting meta data embedded in the media stream.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the clip comprises uploading the clip to a media content sharing website.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the media stream is a digital media stream transmitted over the digital network from a media broadcaster.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the media stream is a broadcast television signal.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the media source is configured to receive a television signal from a source, to convert the television signal to the media stream, and to transmit the media stream on the digital network.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the outputting for presentation comprises playing the media stream from the cached portion of the media stream, and wherein the captured portion of the media stream used to create the clip is obtained from the same cached portion of the media stream used to play the media stream.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the media source is a placeshifting device that receives media content in a television format, creates the media stream from the media content, and transmits the media stream over the digital network.

14. The computer implemented method of claim 13 wherein the clip is captured from the cached portion of the media stream that is received from the placeshifting device.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 wherein the outputting for presentation comprises presenting the media content on the display of the first device as the media stream is received from the placeshifting device.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein the outputting for presentation comprises presenting the media content on the display of the first device from the cached portion of the media stream, and wherein the captured portion of the media stream used to create the clip is obtained from the same cached portion of the media stream used to play the media stream.

17. A computer program product for sharing media content from a first device to a second device, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing computer program code for performing a method comprising:

receiving at the first device a media stream from a remote media source;

caching at least a portion of the media stream at the first device as the media stream is received from the remote media source;

outputting the cached portion of the media stream for presentation on a display associated with the first device as the media stream is received from the remote media source;

receiving at least one user command at the first device to create a clip of the media stream, wherein the at least one user command is received via a user interface while the cached portion of the media stream is playing, and wherein the at least one user command identifies a start point and an end point for defining boundaries of the clip within the media stream;

responsive to receiving the at least one user command, creating the clip at the first device by copying data from the cached portion of the media stream as the media stream from the remote media source, wherein the copied data comprises a portion of the media stream bounded by the start point and the end point; and

transmitting the clip to the second device.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the media stream is received from a place-shifting media system.

19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the caching further comprises caching the received media stream in a memory of the first device.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the at least one user command is received via a graphical interface that allows a review of the media stream.

21. The computer program product of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving information related to the clip; and

associating the information with the clip.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the information is received at least in part from a user input.

23. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the information is received at least in part from an automatic process for obtaining information about the clip.

24. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the information is received at least in part by extracting meta data embedded in the media stream.

25. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein transmitting the clip comprises uploading the clip to a media content sharing website.

26. An integrated media system for sharing media content, the system comprising computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-executable instructions comprise:

a module for receiving a media stream from a remote media broadcaster by the integrated media system;

a module for caching at least a portion of the media stream as the media stream is received from the remote media broadcaster;

a media player module for outputting the cached portion of the media stream for presentation as the media stream is received from the remote media broadcaster;

a media editor module for accessing the cached portion of the media stream as the media stream is received from the remote media broadcaster receiving at least one user selection to create a clip of the media stream while the cached portion of the media stream is being output for presentation, wherein the at least one user selection comprises a start point and an end point for defining boundaries of the clip within the media stream, and creating the clip of the media stream by copying data from the cached portion of the media stream as the media stream is received from the remote media broadcaster, wherein the copied data comprises a portion of the media stream bounded by the start point and the end point; and

a network client module for transmitting the clip to a remote computing device.

27. A method for sharing media content on a digital network, the method comprising:

receiving a media stream from a remote media source on a local computing device via the digital network;

storing at least a portion of the media stream in a cache at the local computing device as the media stream is received from the remote media source;

playing the cached portion of the media stream on an integrated user interface at the local computing device as the media stream is received from the remote media source;

receiving a first user command via the integrated user interface as the media stream is played;

responsive to receiving the first user command, displaying a media edit window via the integrated user interface;

receiving a first user command via the integrated user interface as the media stream is played;

responsive to receiving the first user command, displaying a media edit window via the integrated user interface;

receiving a user selection for creating a clip of the cached portion of the media stream via the media edit window while the cached portion of the media stream is being played, the user selection defining a start point and an end point of the clip within the media stream;

responsive to receiving the user selection, creating the clip at the local computing device by copying data from the cached portion of the media stream as the media stream is received from the remote media source, wherein the copied data comprises a portion of the media stream bounded by the start point and the end point;

receiving a second user command to transmit the clip to a computing system via the integrated user interface; and

responsive to receiving the second user command, transmitting the clip to the computer system via the digital network.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

receiving information related to the clip via the integrated user interface; and

associating the received information with the clip.

29. A computer program product for sharing media content, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium containing computer program code for performing a method comprising:

receiving a media stream on a local computing device from a remote media source over a digital network;

storing at least a portion of the media stream at the local computing device as the media stream is received from the remote media source;

playing the cached portion of the media stream on an integrated user interface at the local computing device as the media stream is received from the remote media source;

responsive to receiving a first user command, displaying a media edit window via the integrated user interface;

receiving a user selection to create a clip of the media stream via the media edit window while the cached portion of the media stream is playing, the user selection defining a start point and an end point for defining boundaries of the clip within the media stream;

creating the clip at the local computing device by copying data from the cached portion of the media stream as the media stream is received from the remote media source, wherein the copied data comprises a portion of the media stream bounded by the start point and the end point;

receiving a second user command to transmit the clip to a computing system via the integrated user interface; and

responsive to receiving the second user command, transmitting the clip to the computing system via the digital network.

30. A computer-implemented method for sharing media content from a first device, the method comprising:

receiving a digital media stream at the first device from a remote media source;

caching at least a portion of the digital stream in a cache at the first device as the digital media stream is received from the remote media source;

outputting the cached portion of the digital media stream for presentation on a display associated with the first device as the digital media stream is received from the remote media source;

receiving at least one user command to create a clip of the digital media stream via a user interface while the cached portion of the media stream is being output for presentation, wherein the at least one user command comprises a start point and an end point defining boundaries of the clip within the digital media stream;

creating the clip at the first device by copying data from the cached portion of the media stream as the media stream is received from the remote media source, wherein the copied data comprises a portion of the media stream bounded by the start point and the end point; and

transmitting the clip to a second device over a digital network.

31. A media player device comprising:

a memory;

a display;

an interface to a digital network configured to receive a digital media stream from a remote media source; and

a processor configured to receive cache at least a portion of the digital media stream in a memory as the digital media stream is received from the remote media source, to play the cached portion of the digital media stream on the display as the digital stream is received from the remote media source, and to generate a user interface on the display that is configured to receive at least one user command to create a clip of the digital media stream while the cached portion of the digital media stream is playing, the at least one user command comprising a start point and an end point for defining boundaries of the clip within the media stream, wherein the processor is further configured to create the clip by copying data from the cached portion of the digital media stream as the media stream is received from the remote media source, wherein the copied data comprises a portion of the digital media stream bounded by the start point and the end point.