Second screen methods and arrangements
First Claim
1. A method comprising the acts:
- transforming data sampled from an audio-visual program content of a first type, rendered by a first device to a user, by a watermark extraction process executing on a hardware processor, to yield watermark payload data, said watermark extraction process including the acts;
discerning a watermark calibration signal in the sampled data;
adjusting the sampled data in accordance with the discerned watermark calibration signal;
extracting a series of raw bits by demodulating the adjusted sample data with a carrier signal, said raw bits redundantly encoding a watermark payload; and
decoding the watermark payload data from the extracted series of raw bits;
submitting said watermark payload data to a database and, in response, obtaining metadata about said audio-visual program content;
using said metadata, identifying plural alternative sources for audio-visual program content of said first type;
selecting between said identified plural alternative sources based on stored rule data; and
arranging for user viewing of the audio-visual program content of said first type, from said selected source.
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Abstract
The present technology concerns cell phones and similar devices, and their use in conjunction with media content (electronic and physical) and other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology particularly concern “second screen” applications that sense a television program being watched by a user, and present menus of complementary content on the phone touchscreen from which the user can select. This complementary content can include other video content, associated web pages, opportunities to buy merchandise related to the program, etc. This complementary content can be identified by a provider of the television program, or can be identified otherwise (e.g., by crowd-sourcing). In some embodiments, the phone instructs a remote DVR to record content of interest for later viewing. The technology also provides features for making TV watching a social experience—involving remote friends. A great number of other arrangements and details are also disclosed.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising the acts:
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transforming data sampled from an audio-visual program content of a first type, rendered by a first device to a user, by a watermark extraction process executing on a hardware processor, to yield watermark payload data, said watermark extraction process including the acts; discerning a watermark calibration signal in the sampled data; adjusting the sampled data in accordance with the discerned watermark calibration signal; extracting a series of raw bits by demodulating the adjusted sample data with a carrier signal, said raw bits redundantly encoding a watermark payload; and decoding the watermark payload data from the extracted series of raw bits; submitting said watermark payload data to a database and, in response, obtaining metadata about said audio-visual program content; using said metadata, identifying plural alternative sources for audio-visual program content of said first type; selecting between said identified plural alternative sources based on stored rule data; and arranging for user viewing of the audio-visual program content of said first type, from said selected source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method in which a user device samples audio from audio-visual program content being delivered from a first networked source to a first rendering device, and rendered by said first device to a user, the method comprising the acts:
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transforming the sampled audio data by a watermark extraction process to yield watermark payload data, using a hardware processor configured to perform such transforming, said watermark extraction process including the acts; discerning a watermark calibration signal in the sampled audio data; adjusting the sampled audio data in accordance with the discerned watermark calibration signal; extracting a series of raw bits by demodulating the adjusted sample data with a carrier signal, said raw bits redundantly encoding a watermark payload; and decoding the watermark payload data from the extracted series of raw bits; submitting said watermark payload data to a database and, in response, obtaining metadata about said audio-visual program content, based on the sample audio; and using the metadata in arranging delivery of said audio-visual content to the user from a second networked source different than the first networked source, said second networked source being selected from among plural networked sources, based on user preference data, the user preference data concerning a preference of the user regarding at least one of;
(a) streaming media content vs. downloaded;
(b) free content vs. paid;
(c) commercials;
(d) video resolution;
(e) delivery from sources that may be unauthorized; and
(f) source. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising the acts:
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transforming audio data sampled from first audio-visual program content that is rendered by a first device to a user and that comprises a sporting event of a first type involving first and second competitors, by a watermark extraction process to yield watermark payload data, using a hardware processor configured to perform such transforming, said watermark extraction process including the acts; discerning a watermark calibration signal in the audio data; adjusting the audio data in accordance with the discerned watermark calibration signal; extracting a series of raw bits by demodulating the adjusted audio data with a carrier signal, said raw bits redundantly encoding a watermark payload; and decoding the watermark payload data from the extracted series of raw bits; submitting said watermark payload data to a database and, in response, obtaining metadata about said audio-visual program content; and based on said metadata, identifying related second audio-visual program content, said second content comprising; another sporting event of said first type involving one of said competitors; a sporting event involving said first and second competitors, but being of an event type different than said first type; wherein said identifying is performed by a hardware processor configured to perform such act. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification