Method and apparatus for browsing using multiple coordinated device sets

• US 8,527,640 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2009
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Convergent Media Solutions LLC (Strategic Intellectual Solutions, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Teleshuttle Tech2 LLC
• Inventors: Reisman, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): HOANG, HIEU T
• Application Number:
  US12/552,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20090319672A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 709227-229
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/15 Synchronised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/426 Receiver side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/93 which locates resources of other pieces of information, e.g. URL [Uniform Resource Locator]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2358 for generating different versions, e.g. for different recipient devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2387 Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25 Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25825 involving client display capabilities, e.g. screen resolution of a mobile phone optimising the visualisation of content during browsing in the Internet G06F16/9577; processing of terminal status or physical abilities in wireless networks H04W8/22; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 : Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4358 : for generating different versions, e.g. for different peripheral devices
• 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 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440263 : by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for displaying on a connected PDA
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 : Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/4622 : 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47208 : for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 : Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 : involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 : involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 : Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/85 : Assembly of content; Generation of multimedia applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8543 : using a description language, e.g. Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group [MHEG], eXtensible Markup Language [XML] information retrieval of semistructured data, the underlying structure being taken into account, e.g. mark-up language structure data G06F16/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/858 : Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object, by creating a hotspot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8583 : by creating hot-spots
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 : by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.

Claims

1. A method for cloning a session that includes a presentation of a continuous media resource on a first device set, the method comprising:

accessing via a programmed computer a session state record that includes continuous media resource identity data and a designation of a particular time position in the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set;

facilitating via the programmed computer the cloning of the session associated with the accessed session state record to produce a cloned session at a second device set, the cloned session including a presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set from a target presentation time position derived from the designation of the particular time position;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling the presentation at the first device set to be stopped based on a first user input received from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling options for the target presentation time position for the cloned session to be adjusted, wherein the options include at least an option to make an adjustment and an option to make no adjustment, based on receipt of a second user input from at least one of the first device set and the second device set; and

in the event that the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set was not stopped in response to the first user input, continuing the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set after the cloning subject to user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set independently of user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set, and

wherein the continuous media resource is to be viewed by a consumer.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein content of the continuous media resource is obtained for presentation at the second device set from a source other than the first device set.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more time-shift events responsive to user time-shift commands at the first device set occur prior to or coincident with the cloning to facilitate altering the target presentation time position of the continuous media resource.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the time shift commands comprise at least one of pause, fast-forward, rewind, replay, restart, and skip forward.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein the target presentation time position for the cloned session is to be adjusted in a selected manner, and wherein the second user input includes a user time adjustment command or a previously set user preference setting that specifies a selected time adjustment.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the user-specified time adjustment is one or more of an adjustment for cloning latency, an adjustment backward by a specified replay time, an adjustment to real time as broadcast, and a null adjustment.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an entity controlling rights to the continuous media resource.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an authorized user of the first device set.

62. The method of claim 1, wherein the session is a browser session associated with a user.

68. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device set is a media player-type device set and the second device set is a computer-type device set.

73. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device set is a computer-type device set and the second device set is a media player-type device set.

78. The method of claim 1, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the first device set.

83. The method of claim 1, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the second device set.

88. The method of claim 1, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource at the second device set is, at the time of the cloning, facilitated to be paused at an intermediate time position, until play is initiated responsive to a third user input, and then to continue to be time-shifted in accordance with the third user input.

95. The method of claim 1, further comprising authenticating, via the programmed computer, that the first and second device sets are both associated with a common authorized user.

102. The method of claim 1, wherein the state record further includes additional data used to facilitate cloning additional aspects of the session state at the second device set.

111. The method of claim 1, wherein the programmed computer is co-located with the second device set.

112. The method of claim 1, wherein the programmed computer is remote from the second device set.

113. The method of claim 1, wherein the programmed computer is remote from the first device set.

114. The method of claim 1, wherein the programmed computer is remote from both the first and the second device set.

115. The method of claim 1, wherein the programmed computer is co-located with the first device set.

121. The method of claim 1, further comprising facilitating altering the presentation of the continuous media resource at the second device set, without causing corresponding altering of the presentation of the continuous media resource at the first device set, responsive to a user time-shift command.

128. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a streamed resource.

134. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a locally stored resource.

141. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a streamed resource.

148. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a locally stored resource.

167. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input is provided substantially at a time when the cloned session is produced.

168. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input is provided prior to a time when the cloned session is produced.

169. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input is provided via the first device set.

170. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input is provided via the second device set.

171. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input includes a selection of one of a plurality of selectable target time position offsets from the designation of the particular time position in the presentation on the first device set, and one of the selectable target time position offsets is an offset to the start of the program.

172. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input includes a selection of one of a plurality of selectable target time position offsets from the designation of the particular time position in the presentation on the first device set, a first one of the selectable target time position offsets is an offset to the start of the program and a second one of the selectable target time position offsets is an offset of substantially zero.

173. The method of claim 172, wherein at the time of the designation the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set was paused.

174. The method of claim 172, wherein at the time of the designation the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set was currently playing.

175. The method of claim 172, wherein the second user input includes selection of one state record from a list of items having associations with a plurality of saved state records to indicate that the session corresponding to the selected list item'"'"'s state record is to be cloned.

176. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input includes selection of a target time position offset from the designated time position in the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set and one of the selectable target time position offsets is a specific positive or negative amount of time.

177. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media resource is a real time broadcast viewed in substantially real time, and the second user input includes specification of a target time position offset from the designated time position in the presentation on the first device set as an offset from the real time of the broadcast.

178. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input includes selection of one state record from a list of items each having an association with one of a plurality of saved state records to indicate that the session corresponding to the selected list item'"'"'s state record is to be cloned.

179. The method of claim 178, wherein the saved state records are identified by an identity of the continuous media resource.

180. The method of claim 178, wherein the saved state records are identified by an identity of the device set that they were saved from.

181. The method of claim 178, wherein the saved state records are identified from a member of the group consisting of (1) a list of saved state records and (2) a list of available continuous media resources not all of which are associated with saved state records.

182. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input is received from at least one of the first device set and the second device set and the second user input further includes a selection of one of a plurality of presentation states of play.

183. The method of claim 182, wherein the selection of one of a plurality of presentation states of play is from a plurality of offerings and the offered states of play include pause and play.

184. The method of claim 178, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set is stopped at the time of cloning.

185. The method of claim 178, wherein the target presentation time position for the cloned session is to be adjusted in the selected manner.

186. The method of claim 178, wherein the target presentation time position for the cloned session is not adjusted.

187. The method of claim 1, wherein after the cloning, the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set continues until a synchronization request is made by a user to request synchronization of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set with the presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set.

188. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous media resource originated from a remote commercial entertainment provider.

2. A method of operating a computer, comprising:

facilitating a session at the computer comprising a presentation of a continuous media resource on the computer;

creating a state record relating to the session at the computer that includes continuous media resource identity data and a designation of a particular time position in the presentation of the continuous media resource on the computer;

transferring the state record to a media player, wherein the media player is facilitated to clone the session associated with the transferred state record to produce a cloned session by facilitating a presentation of the continuous media resource on the media player from a target presentation time position derived from the designated time position;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling the presentation at the computer to be stopped based on a first user input received from at least one of the computer and the media player;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling options for the target presentation time position for the cloned session to be adjusted, wherein the options include at least an option to make an adjustment and an option to make no adjustment, based on receipt of a second user input from at least one of the computer and the media player; and

wherein, after the cloned session is produced, in the event that the presentation of the continuous media resource on the computer was not stopped in response to the first user input, continuing the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set after the cloning subject to user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set independently of user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the media player; and

wherein the continuous media resource is to be viewed by a consumer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the media player and the computer do not share operational logic.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein a link activated at the computer triggers presentation at the media player of an ending resource.

27. The method of claim 2, wherein content of the continuous media resource is obtained for presentation at the media player from a source other than the computer.

63. The method of claim 2, wherein the session is a browser session associated with a user.

79. The method of claim 2, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the computer.

84. The method of claim 2, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the media player.

89. The method of claim 2, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource at the media player is, at the time of the cloning, facilitated to be paused at an intermediate time position, until play is initiated responsive to a third user input, and then to continue to be time-shifted in accordance with the third user input.

96. The method of claim 2, further comprising authenticating that the computer and the media player are both associated with a common authorized user.

103. The method of claim 2, wherein the state record further includes additional data used to facilitate cloning additional aspects of the session state at the media player.

122. The method of claim 2, further comprising facilitating altering the presentation of the continuous media resource at the second device set, without causing corresponding altering of the presentation of the continuous media resource at the first device set, responsive to a user time-shift command.

129. The method of claim 2, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a streamed resource.

135. The method of claim 2, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a locally stored resource.

142. The method of claim 2, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a streamed resource.

149. The method of claim 2, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a locally stored resource.

155. The method of claim 2, wherein one or more time-shift events responsive to user time-shift commands at the computer occur prior to or coincident with the cloning to alter the target presentation time position of the continuous media resource.

156. The method of claim 155, wherein the time shift commands comprise at least one of pause, fast-forward, rewind, replay, restart, and skip forward.

157. The method of claim 2, wherein the target presentation time position for the cloned session is to be adjusted in a selected manner, and wherein the second user input includes a user time adjustment command or a previously set user preference setting that specifies a selected time adjustment.

158. The method of claim 157, wherein the user-specified time adjustment is one or more of an adjustment for cloning latency, an adjustment backward by a specified replay time, an adjustment to real time as broadcast, and a null adjustment.

159. The method of claim 2, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the media player is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an entity controlling rights to the continuous media resource.

160. The method of claim 2, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the media player is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an authorized user of the computer.

189. The method of claim 2, wherein the continuous media resource originated from a remote commercial entertainment provider.

195. The method of claim 2, wherein the second user input includes a selection of one of a plurality of selectable target time position offsets from the designation of the particular time position in the presentation on the first device set, and one of the selectable target time position offsets is an offset to the start of the program.

5. A method for providing portability of a session, wherein the session includes a presentation of a continuous media resource on a first device set, the method comprising:

maintaining via a programmed computer associated with the first device set state information corresponding to the session, the state information including a designation of a particular time position in the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set;

transferring via the programmed computer at least a portion of the state information to a second device set, wherein the at least a portion of the state information facilitates cloning of the session at the second device set to produce a cloned session by facilitating a presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set from a target presentation time position in the continuous media resource based on the designation of the particular time position;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling the presentation at the first device set to be stopped based on a first user input received from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling options for the target presentation time position for the cloned session to be adjusted, wherein the options include at least an option to make an adjustment and an option to make no adjustment, based on receipt of a second user input from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

in the event that the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set was not stopped in response to the first user input, continuing the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set after the cloning subject to user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set independently of user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set, and

wherein the continuous media resource is to be viewed by a consumer.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the session is a browser session associated with a user.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the transferring of the at least a portion of the state information is executed in response to a request for the transfer by an application supporting the session.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the first device set is a media player-type device set and the second device set is a computer-type device set.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the first device set is a computer-type device set and the second device set is a media player-type device set.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the session at the first and second device sets is associated with a single user.

28. The method of claim 5, wherein content of the continuous media resource is obtained for presentation at the second device set from a source other than the first device set.

38. The method of claim 5, wherein one or more time-shift events responsive to user time-shift commands at the first device set occur prior to or coincident with the cloning to alter the target presentation time position of the continuous media resource.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the time shift commands comprise at least one of pause, fast-forward, rewind, replay, restart, and skip forward.

40. The method of claim 5, wherein the target presentation time position for the cloned session is to be adjusted in a selected manner, and wherein the second user input includes a user time adjustment command or a previously set user preference setting that specifies a selected time adjustment.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the user-specified time adjustment is one or more of an adjustment for cloning latency, an adjustment backward by a specified replay time, an adjustment to real time as broadcast, and a null adjustment.

42. The method of claim 5, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an entity controlling rights to the continuous media resource.

43. The method of claim 5, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an authorized user of the first device set.

80. The method of claim 5, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the first device set.

85. The method of claim 5, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the second device set.

90. The method of claim 5, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource at the media player is, at the time of the cloning, facilitated to be paused at an intermediate time position, until play is initiated responsive to a third user input, and then to continue to be time-shifted in accordance with the third user input.

97. The method of claim 5, further comprising authenticating, via the programmed computer, that the first and second device sets are both associated with a common authorized user.

104. The method of claim 5, wherein the state information further includes additional data used to facilitate cloning additional aspects of the session state at the second device set.

123. The method of claim 5, further comprising facilitating altering the presentation of the continuous media resource at the second device set, without causing corresponding altering of the presentation of the continuous media resource at the first device set, responsive to a user time-shift command.

130. The method of claim 5, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a streamed resource.

136. The method of claim 5, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a locally stored resource.

143. The method of claim 5, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a streamed resource.

150. The method of claim 5, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a locally stored resource.

190. The method of claim 5, wherein the continuous media resource originated from a remote commercial entertainment provider.

196. The method of claim 5, wherein the second user input includes a selection of one of a plurality of selectable target time position offsets from the designation of the particular time position in the presentation on the first device set, and one of the selectable target time position offsets is an offset to the start of the program.

11. A method for providing portability of a session, wherein the session includes a presentation of a continuous media resource on a first device set, the method comprising:

receiving via a programmed computer state data relating to the session, the state data including a designation of a particular time position in the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set;

identifying via the programmed computer a second device set as a target for cloning the session; and

transmitting via the programmed computer the state data to the second device set for facilitating cloning the session at the second device set to produce a cloned session by facilitating a presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set from a target presentation time position that is based on the designated time position;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling the presentation at the first device set to be stopped based on a first user input received from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling options for the target presentation time position for the cloned session to be adjusted, wherein the options include at least an option to make an adjustment and an option to make no adjustment, based on receipt of a second user input from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

in the event that the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set was not stopped in response to the first user input, continuing the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set after the cloning subject to user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set independently of user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set, and

wherein the continuous media resource is to be viewed by a consumer.

29. The method of claim 11, wherein content of the continuous media resource is obtained for presentation at the second device set from a source other than the first device set.

44. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more time-shift events responsive to user time-shift commands at the first device set occur prior to or coincident with the cloning to facilitate altering the target presentation time position of the continuous media resource.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the time shift commands comprise at least one of pause, fast-forward, rewind, replay, restart, and skip forward.

46. The method of claim 11, wherein the target presentation time position for the cloned session is to be adjusted in a selected manner, and wherein the second user input includes a user time adjustment command or a previously set user preference setting that specifies a selected time adjustment.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the user-specified time adjustment is one or more of an adjustment for cloning latency, an adjustment backward by a specified replay time, an adjustment to real time as broadcast, and a null adjustment.

48. The method of claim 11, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an entity controlling rights to the continuous media resource.

49. The method of claim 11, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an authorized user of the first device set.

64. The method of claim 11, wherein the session is a browser session associated with a user.

69. The method of claim 11, wherein the first device set is a media player-type device set and the second device set is a computer-type device set.

74. The method of claim 11, wherein the first device set is a computer-type device set and the second device set is a media player-type device set.

81. The method of claim 11, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the first device set.

86. The method of claim 11, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the second device set.

91. The method of claim 11, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource at the media player is, at the time of the cloning, facilitated to be paused at an intermediate time position, until play is initiated responsive to a third user input, and then to continue to be time-shifted in accordance with the third user input.

98. The method of claim 11, further comprising authenticating, via the programmed computer, that the first and second device sets are both associated with a common authorized user.

105. The method of claim 11, wherein the state data further includes additional data used to facilitate cloning additional aspects of the session state at the second device set.

124. The method of claim 11, further comprising facilitating altering the presentation of the continuous media resource at the second device set, without causing corresponding altering of the presentation of the continuous media resource at the first device set, responsive to a user time-shift command.

131. The method of claim 11, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a streamed resource.

137. The method of claim 11, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a locally stored resource.

144. The method of claim 11, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a streamed resource.

151. The method of claim 11, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a locally stored resource.

191. The method of claim 11, wherein the continuous media resource originated from a remote commercial entertainment provider.

197. The method of claim 11, wherein the second user input includes a selection of one of a plurality of selectable target time position offsets from the designation of the particular time position in the presentation on the first device set, and one of the selectable target time position offsets is an offset to the start of the program.

12. A method for providing portability of a session that facilitates a presentation of a continuous media resource on a first device set, the method comprising:

receiving, at a programmed computer associated with a second device set, state data including continuous media resource identity data and a designation of a particular time position in the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set; and

cloning the session associated with the received state data at the programmed computer, wherein the session is cloned to produce a cloned session by facilitating a presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set from a target presentation time position in the continuous media resource based on the designation of the particular time position;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling the presentation at the first device set to be stopped based on a first user input received from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling options for the target presentation time position for the cloned session to be adjusted, wherein the options include at least an option to make an adjustment and an option to make no adjustment, based on receipt of a second user input from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

in the event that the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set was not stopped in response to the first user input, continuing the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set after the cloning subject to user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set independently of user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set, and

wherein the continuous media resource is to be viewed by a consumer.

30. The method of claim 12, wherein content of the continuous media resource is obtained for presentation at the second device set from a source other than the first device set.

65. The method of claim 12, wherein the session is a browser session associated with a user.

70. The method of claim 12, wherein the first device set is a media player-type device set and the second device set is a computer-type device set.

75. The method of claim 12, wherein the first device set is a computer-type device set and the second device set is a media player-type device set.

82. The method of claim 12, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the first device set.

87. The method of claim 12, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the second device set.

92. The method of claim 12, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource at the media player is, at the time of the cloning, facilitated to be paused at an intermediate time position, until play is initiated responsive to a third user input, and then to continue to be time-shifted in accordance with the third user input.

99. The method of claim 12, further comprising authenticating, via the programmed computer, that the first and second device sets are both associated with a common authorized user.

106. The method of claim 12, wherein the state data further includes additional data used to facilitate cloning additional aspects of the session state at the second device set.

125. The method of claim 12, further comprising facilitating altering the presentation of the continuous media resource at the second device set, without causing corresponding altering of the presentation of the continuous media resource at the first device set, responsive to a user time-shift command.

132. The method of claim 12, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a streamed resource.

138. The method of claim 12, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a locally stored resource.

145. The method of claim 12, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a streamed resource.

152. The method of claim 12, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a locally stored resource.

161. The method of claim 12, wherein one or more time-shift events responsive to user time-shift commands at the first device set occur prior to or coincident with the cloning to facilitate altering the target presentation time position of the continuous media resource.

162. The method of claim 161, wherein the time shift commands comprise at least one of pause, fast-forward, rewind, replay, restart, and skip forward.

163. The method of claim 12, wherein the target presentation time position for the cloned session is to be adjusted in a selected manner, and wherein the second user input includes a user time adjustment command or a previously set user preference setting that specifies a selected time adjustment.

164. The method of claim 163, wherein the user-specified time adjustment is one or more of an adjustment for cloning latency, an adjustment backward by a specified replay time, an adjustment to real time as broadcast, and a null adjustment.

165. The method of claim 12, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an entity controlling rights to the continuous media resource.

166. The method of claim 12, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an authorized user of the first device set.

192. The method of claim 12, wherein the continuous media resource originated from a remote commercial entertainment provider.

198. The method of claim 12, wherein the second user input includes a selection of one of a plurality of selectable target time position offsets from the designation of the particular time position in the presentation on the first device set, and one of the selectable target time position offsets is an offset to the start of the program.

13. A method for providing portability of a session that includes a presentation of a continuous media resource on a first device set, the method comprising:

accessing via a programmed computer one or more elements of state information that includes a designation of a particular time position in the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set; and

facilitating via the programmed computer the cloning of the session associated with the accessed state information at a second device set to produce a cloned session by facilitating a presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set from a target presentation time position in the continuous media resource based on the designation of the particular time position;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling the presentation at the first device set to be stopped based on a first user input received from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling options for the target presentation time position for the cloned session to be adjusted, wherein the options include at least an option to make an adjustment and an option to make no adjustment, based on receipt of a second user input from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

in the event that the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set was not stopped in response to the first user input, continuing the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set after the cloning subject to user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set independently of user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set, and

wherein the continuous media resource is to be viewed by a consumer.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the first device set.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the state information is accessed by the programmed computer from the first device set.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the programmed computer comprises a server remote from the first device set and the second device set.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the second device set.

31. The method of claim 13, wherein content of the continuous media resource is obtained for presentation at the second device set from a source other than the first device set.

50. The method of claim 13, wherein one or more time-shift events responsive to user time-shift commands at the first device set occur prior to or coincident with the cloning to facilitate altering the target presentation time position of the continuous media resource.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the time shift commands comprise at least one of pause, fast-forward, rewind, replay, restart, and skip forward.

52. The method of claim 13, wherein the target presentation time position is determined at least in part responsive to a user-specified time adjustment, based upon the particular time position and the user-specified time adjustment, wherein the user-specified time adjustment is specified by a user time adjustment command or user preference setting.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the user-specified time adjustment is one or more of an adjustment for cloning latency, an adjustment backward by a specified replay time, an adjustment to real time as broadcast, and a null adjustment.

54. The method of claim 13, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an entity controlling rights to the continuous media resource.

55. The method of claim 13, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an authorized user of the first device set.

66. The method of claim 13, wherein the session is a browser session associated with a user.

71. The method of claim 13, wherein the first device set is a media player-type device set and the second device set is a computer-type device set.

76. The method of claim 13, wherein the first device set is a computer-type device set and the second device set is a media player-type device set.

93. The method of claim 13, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource at the media player is, at the time of the cloning, facilitated to be paused at an intermediate time position, until play is initiated responsive to a third user input, and then to continue to be time-shifted in accordance with the third user input.

100. The method of claim 13, further comprising authenticating, via the programmed computer, that the first and second device sets are both associated with a common authorized user.

107. The method of claim 13, wherein the state information further includes additional data used to facilitate cloning additional aspects of the session state at the second device set.

109. The method of claim 13, wherein the state information further includes continuous media resource identity data.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein the one or more elements include both continuous media resource identity data and the designation of the particular time position.

116. The method of claim 13, wherein the programmed computer is co-located with the second device set.

117. The method of claim 13, wherein the programmed computer is remote from the second device set.

118. The method of claim 13, wherein the programmed computer is remote from the first device set.

119. The method of claim 13, wherein the programmed computer is remote from both the first and the second device set.

120. The method of claim 13, wherein the programmed computer is co-located with the first device set.

126. The method of claim 13, further comprising facilitating altering the presentation of the continuous media resource at the second device set, without causing corresponding altering of the presentation of the continuous media resource at the first device set, responsive to a user time-shift command.

133. The method of claim 13, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a streamed resource.

139. The method of claim 13, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a locally stored resource.

146. The method of claim 13, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a streamed resource.

153. The method of claim 13, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a locally stored resource.

193. The method of claim 13, wherein the continuous media resource originated from a remote commercial entertainment provider.

199. The method of claim 13, wherein the second user input includes a selection of one of a plurality of selectable target time position offsets from the designation of the particular time position in the presentation on the first device set, and one of the selectable target time position offsets is an offset to the start of the program.

18. A method for providing portability of a session that facilitates a presentation of a continuous media resource on a first device set, the method comprising:

receiving, at a second device set, via a programmed computer at the second device set, state information corresponding to the session, the state information including a designation of a particular time position in the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set; and

cloning the session at the second device set via the programmed computer, to produce a cloned session, wherein the cloned session continues by facilitating presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set from a target presentation time position in the continuous media resource based on the designation of the particular time position;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling the presentation at the first device set to be stopped based on a first user input received from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

prior to the start of the cloned session, enabling options for the target presentation time position for the cloned session to be adjusted, wherein the options include at least an option to make an adjustment and an option to make no adjustment, based on receipt of a second user input from at least one of the first device set and the second device set;

in the event that the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set was not stopped in response to the first user input, continuing the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set after the cloning subject to user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the first device set independently of user control of time position of the presentation of the continuous media resource on the second device set, and

wherein the continuous media resource is to be viewed by a consumer.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the first device set.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the state information is communicated from the first device set to the second device set.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the state information is communicated via a relay server.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the cloning is initiated in response to a third user input at the second device set.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein content of the continuous media resource is obtained for presentation at the second device set from a source other than the first device set.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource is paused responsive to user time-shift commands at the first device set at the time of the cloning.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource is playing at both the first and second device sets at the time of the cloning.

56. The method of claim 18, wherein one or more time-shift events responsive to user time-shift commands at the first device set occur prior to or coincident with the cloning to facilitate altering the target presentation time position of the continuous media resource.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the time shift commands comprise at least one of pause, fast-forward, rewind, replay, restart, and skip forward.

58. The method of claim 18, wherein the target presentation time position for the cloned session is to be adjusted in a selected manner, and wherein the second user input includes a user time adjustment command or a previously set user preference setting that specifies a selected time adjustment.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the user-specified time adjustment is one or more of an adjustment for cloning latency, an adjustment backward by a specified replay time, an adjustment to real time as broadcast, and a null adjustment.

60. The method of claim 18, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an entity controlling rights to the continuous media resource.

61. The method of claim 18, wherein the cloning is facilitated if and only if the second device set is authorized and authenticated as prescribed by an authorized user of the first device set.

67. The method of claim 18, wherein the session is a browser session associated with a user.

72. The method of claim 18, wherein the first device set is a media player-type device set and the second device set is a computer-type device set.

77. The method of claim 18, wherein the first device set is a computer-type device set and the second device set is a media player-type device set.

94. The method of claim 18, wherein the presentation of the continuous media resource at the media player is, at the time of the cloning, facilitated to be paused at an intermediate time position, until play is initiated responsive to a third user input, and then to continue to be time-shifted in accordance with the third user input.

101. The method of claim 18, further comprising authenticating, via the programmed computer, that the first and second device sets are both associated with a common authorized user.

108. The method of claim 18, wherein the state information further includes additional data used to facilitate cloning additional aspects of the session state at the second device set.

127. The method of claim 18, further comprising facilitating altering the presentation of the continuous media resource at the second device set, without causing corresponding altering of the presentation of the continuous media resource at the first device set, responsive to a user time-shift command.

140. The method of claim 18, wherein the continuous media resource at the second device set is a locally stored resource.

147. The method of claim 18, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a streamed resource.

154. The method of claim 18, wherein the continuous media resource at the first device set is a locally stored resource.

194. The method of claim 18, wherein the continuous media resource originated from a remote commercial entertainment provider.

200. The method of claim 18, wherein the second user input includes a selection of one of a plurality of selectable target time position offsets from the designation of the particular time position in the presentation on the first device set, and one of the selectable target time position offsets is an offset to the start of the program.