Methods and systems for transmitting synchronized visual and audio media

• US 8,522,298 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2009
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CEVA Technologies, Inc. (CEVA Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hillcrest Laboratories Incorporated (CEVA Incorporated)
• Inventors: Scheirey, Stephen, Ramagem, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Parry, Chris
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chowdhury, Sumaiya A
• Application Number:
  US13/126,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20110231869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 725119-120, 725/105, 725/41, 725 44- 48, 725/51, 725 93- 94, 725109-110, 725115-117, 725145-146, 707/661, 709/204
• US Class Current: 725/116
• 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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said interactive content is at least one of a polling question or an interactive advertisement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of generating program contents further comprises:

filtering said photographs prior to including said photographs in said program contents.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein tags associated with at least one topic are attached to said photographs and said music.

5. A method for broadcasting synchronized media of a first type and media of a second type, different from said first type, to a plurality of devices comprising:

generating program contents, wherein said program contents include information associated with said synchronized media of said first type and media of said second type which are related to a specific topic;

transmitting a first control signal toward a first media server;

transmitting a second control signal toward a second media server;

transmitting a playlist toward said plurality of devices;

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

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

providing interactive content in said first multicast;

receiving uploaded media of said first type at said first media server for use in generating said program contents; and

synchronizing said first and second multicast broadcasts.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said interactive content is at least one of a polling question or an interactive advertisement.

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

filtering said media of said first type prior to including said media of said first type in said program contents.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein tags associated with at least one topic are attached to said media of said first type and said media of said second type.

9. A communications node on a network, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory,

wherein said processor is configured to;

broadcast synchronized visual media and audio media to a plurality of devices,

further wherein said processor is configured to;

generate program contents, wherein said program contents include information associated with said synchronized visual media and audio media which are related to a specific topic;

transmit a first control signal toward a visual media server;

transmit a second control signal toward an audio media server;

transmit a playlist toward said plurality of devices;

transmit a first multicast broadcast from said visual media server in response to said first control signal;

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

provide interactive content in said first multicast;

receive uploaded visual media at said visual media server for use in generating said program contents; and

synchronize said first and second multicast broadcasts.

10. The communications node of claim 9, wherein said interactive content is at least one of a polling question or an interactive advertisement.

11. The communications node of claim 9, wherein said processor is further configured to filter said visual media prior to including said visual media in said program contents.

12. The communications node of claim 9, wherein tags associated with at least one topic are attached to said visual media and said audio media.

13. The communications node of claim 9, wherein said audio media is at least one of music and spoken content.

14. The communications node of claim 9, wherein said visual media is at least one of photographs and videos.