Methods and systems for providing synchronized display of content

• US 8,887,189 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Beyabani, Syed Zafar
• Primary Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Castro, Alfonso
• Application Number:
  US11/863,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20090089824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,601 Days
• Field of Search: 725/78, 725/17
• US Class Current: 725/17
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/80 characterised by transmission among terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Systems and methods may include receiving a device identifier that identifies a first device, the first device being capable of causing display of first content at a first display device, and communicating a synchronization request that includes the device identifier via a network. Systems and methods may further include receiving an event message from the first device via the network, the event message identifying the first content the first device is causing display at the first display device, wherein the event message is useable to synchronize second content a second device causes display at a second display device with the first content the first device is causing display at the first display device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a second device, a device identifier that identifies a first device and an authentication code, the first device being capable of causing display of first content at a first display device;

communicating, from the second device, a synchronization request that includes the device identifier via a network, wherein the synchronization request is communicated to a remote server configured to provide for covert and overt synchronization of the first content, wherein the synchronization request further comprises the authentication code, wherein the remote server processes the synchronization request to authenticate the authentication code to determine whether to permit covert synchronization with the first device;

determining whether to permit covert or overt synchronization, wherein covert synchronization is permitted if the authentication code validates, and overt synchronization is permitted if the authentication code does not validate and a viewer of first content at the first devices approves of overt synchronization by affirmatively responding to an overt synchronization request presented via the first display device;

receiving an event message at the second device from the first device via the network, the event message identifying the first content being displayed at the first display device, wherein the event message is useable to synchronize second content the second device causes display at a second display device with the first content the first device is causing display at the first display device, wherein the event message includes metadata describing the first content, wherein the second device causes display of a graphical user interface when the metadata satisfies a condition and automatically displays the first content at the second display device instead of the second content based on the event message when the metadata satisfies the condition.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the event message to synchronize the second content with the first content.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the event message includes a content identifier associated with the first content, and wherein processing the event message causes the second display device to display the second content associated with the content identifier.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote server communicates a covert synchronization request to the first device if the authentication code is authenticated, and an overt synchronization request if the authentication code is not authenticated.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronization request is communicated to the first device via the network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an acceptance message from the first device, the acceptance message indicating acceptance of the synchronization request.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a set top box.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device and the second device are located at a user premises.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device and the second device are located remote from one another or at different locations within a user premise.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an end synchronization request;

generating an end synchronization message based on the end synchronization request; and

communicating the end synchronization message to the first device via the network, wherein the end synchronization message instructs the first device to end transmission of the event message.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device may cause display of the second content and unsynchronized content at the second display device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein one of the second content and the unsynchronized content is displayed in a picture in picture display at the second display device.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising code which when executed causes a computer to perform the method of claim 1.

14. A method comprising:

receiving, by a remote server, a synchronization request from a first device via a network, the synchronization request comprising a device identifier of a second device and an authentication code, wherein the remote server provides for covert and overt synchronization of the first content, wherein the first device is causing display of first content;

querying, by the remote server, a database using the device identifier and the authentication code to determine whether to permit covert monitoring of the second device based on the authentication code, wherein the remote server processes the synchronization request to authenticate the authentication code to determine whether to permit covert synchronization with the first device; and

in the event that the authentication code is authenticated, communicating a covert synchronization request from the remote server to the second device, the covert synchronization request to instruct the second device to monitor second content being displayed at a second display device, and to generate an event message based on the second content, wherein the event message includes metadata describing the content, wherein the first device causes display of a graphical user interface when the metadata satisfies a condition and automatically causes the second content displayed at the second display device to display at the first display device instead of the first content based on the event message when the metadata satisfies the condition; and

in the event that the authentication code is not authenticated, permitting overt synchronization if a viewer of the second content at the second device approves of overt synchronization by affirmatively responding to an overt synchronization request presented via the second display device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second device communicates the event message to the first device to permit the first device to synchronize second content the first device causes display with the content.

16. A method comprising:

receiving a synchronization request by a remote server via a network, the remote server provides for covert and overt synchronization of a first content;

receiving an authentication code by the remote server via the network, wherein the synchronization request further comprises the authentication code;

processing the synchronization request by the remote server to authenticate the authentication code in order to determine whether to permit covert synchronization or overt synchronization;

permitting covert synchronization if the authentication code is authenticated by the remote server, the covert synchronization comprises;

causing display of first content at a display device,

monitoring the first content being displayed to identify an event,

generating an event message based on the event, and

communicating the event message to a first device via the network, wherein the first device causes display of a second content, wherein the event message includes metadata describing the first content, wherein the first device causes display of a graphical user interface when the metadata satisfies a condition and automatically causes the first content to display at the first device instead of the second content based on the event message when the metadata satisfies the condition; and

permitting overt synchronization if the authentication code is not authenticated and a viewer of the first content at the device approves the overt synchronization request by affirmatively responding to an overt synchronization request presented via a second display device.

17. A system comprising:

a computing device communicatively coupled to a network to;

cause display of a graphical user interface and to receive a device identifier that identifies a first device, the first device causing display of first content at a first display device,

generate a synchronization request that includes the device identifier and an authentication code,

communicate the synchronization request to a remote server to validate the authentication code in order to determine whether to permit covert synchronization of the first content, wherein;

if the authentication code validates, the remote server provides for covert synchronization of the first content, and if the authentication does not validate, the synchronization request is communicated to a viewer of the first device for approval of overt synchronization by affirmatively responding to an overt synchronization request presented via the first display device, and

communicate the synchronization request via the network and to receive an event message from the first device via the network, the event message identifying the first content the first device is causing display at the first display device, wherein the event message includes metadata describing the first content, wherein the computing device causes display of a graphical user interface when the metadata satisfies a condition, and to receive an authentication code via the network, wherein the synchronization request further comprises the authentication code, and wherein the computing device processes the event message to cause display of first content instead of second content when the metadata satisfies a condition.

18. A system comprising:

a remote server to;

receive a synchronization request via a network, wherein the synchronization request includes a device identifier that identifies a first device, the first device being capable of causing display of first content at a first display device, wherein the remote server provides for covert and overt synchronization of the first content,

determine whether to provide for covert or overt synchronization of the first content, wherein the remote server processes the synchronization request to authenticate the authentication code to determine whether to permit covert synchronization with the first device,

approve overt synchronization via a display device if covert synchronization does not validate,

communicate an event message via the network, the event message identifying the first content the first device is causing display at the first display device, wherein the event message includes metadata describing the first content, and

receive an authentication code via the network, wherein the synchronization request further comprises the authentication code, and wherein the event message is useable to synchronize second content a second device causes display at a second display device with the first content the first device is causing display at the first display device, wherein the second display device causes display of a graphical user interface when the metadata satisfies a condition and automatically displays the first content at the second display device instead of the second content based on the event message when the metadata satisfies the condition.