Synchronizing multiple playback device timing utilizing DRM encoding

• US 8,583,555 B1
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quiro Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Quiro Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Issa, Alfredo C., Evans, Gregory M., Amidon, Christopher M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Calvin
• Application Number:
  US13/650,424
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 705 50- 59
• US Class Current: 705/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• 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 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/835 Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments

Abstract

A system and method are provided for synchronizing playback of media content on multiple playback devices utilizing Digital Rights Management (DRM) encoding. In general, multiple playback devices or users of those playback devices are associated to form a virtual group. A virtual group (VG) control function operates to synchronize advertisement (ad) slots within media content provided to the playback devices in the virtual group utilizing DRM encoding.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first media content stream for a first playback device and a second media content stream for a second playback device, the first media content stream being different from the second media content stream, the first and second media content streams having content breaks therein;

synchronizing each of the content breaks in the first and second media content streams such that the first media content stream is synchronized with the second media content stream;

generating timing rights for the first and second synchronized media content streams to restrict playback of the first and second synchronized media content streams such that the first and second synchronized media content streams are synchronized during playback;

encoding each of the first and second synchronized media content streams to provide a first encoded synchronized media content stream and a second encoded synchronized media content stream;

providing the first encoded synchronized media content stream and the timing rights for the first and second synchronized media content streams to the first playback device; and

providing the second encoded synchronized media content stream and the timing rights for the first and second synchronized media content streams to the second playback device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising segmenting the first and second synchronized media content streams.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the synchronized media content streams are segmented based on the synchronized content breaks.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing alternative content in the first and second synchronized media content streams such that alternative content is simultaneously presented at the first playback device and the second playback device.

5. A system comprising:

a) a communication interface communicatively coupling the system to a plurality of playback devices; and

b) a control system associated with the communication interface and configured to;

i) receive a first media content stream for a first playback device and a second media content stream for a second playback device, the first media content stream being different from the second media content stream, the first and second media content streams having content breaks therein;

ii) synchronize each of the content breaks in the first and second media content streams such that the first media content stream is synchronized with the second media content stream;

iii) generate timing rights for the first and second synchronized media content streams to restrict playback of the first and second synchronized media content streams such that the first and second synchronized media content streams are synchronized during playback;

iv) encode each of the first and second synchronized media content streams to provide a first encoded synchronized media content stream and a second encoded synchronized media content stream;

v) provide the first encoded synchronized media content stream and the timing rights for the first and second synchronized media content streams to the first playback device; and

vi) provide the second encoded synchronized media content stream and the timing rights for the first and second synchronized media content streams to the second playback device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control system is further configured to:

segment the first and second synchronized media content streams.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the synchronized media content streams are segmented based on the synchronized content breaks.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the control system is further configured to:

place alternative content in the first and second synchronized media content streams such that alternative content is simultaneously presented at the first playback device and the second playback device.