Methods and systems for transmitting synchronized visual and audio media

• US 9,456,020 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2013
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• 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): Harold, Jefferey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Khalid, Omer
• Application Number:
  US13/950,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20130342760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 725119-120, 725/105, 725/41, 725 44- 48, 725/51, 725 93- 94, 725/109, 725/110, 725115-117, 725145-146, 348/500, 707/661, 709/204
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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:

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 broadcast from said photo server in response to said first control signal;

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

providing interactive content in said first broadcast;

receiving uploaded photographs at said photo server; and

synchronizing said first and second 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 tags associated with at least one topic are attached to said photographs and said music.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating program contents, wherein said program contents include information associated with said synchronized photographs and music which are related to a specific topic.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of generating program contents further comprises:

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