Method and system for synchronized multi-venue experience and production

• US 9,654,813 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wickr Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wickr Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lemmey, Tara, Vonog, Stanislav, Surin, Nikolay
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Rong
• Application Number:
  US13/815,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20140068681A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• 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

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for an interactive event experience capable of synchronizing two or more physical venues, with live events happening at one or more venues. In some embodiments, a system may synchronize the live event experience by equalizing remote participants with local ones, and remote shared screens with local ones. In some embodiments, attention management may be provided to local and remote participants. In some embodiments, a cloud-based broadcasting system may be provided at a local venue and/or remote venues.

Claims

1. A method for providing an interactive event experience, the method comprising:

receiving live stream signals, including audio signals, from each of a plurality of physical venues of an interactive event;

synchronizing the live stream signals from the plurality of physical venues;

presenting a plurality of objects on a content layer that is instantiated at each of a plurality of display devices of each of the plurality of physical venues, each of the plurality of objects corresponding to live stream signals from one of the plurality of physical venues; and

managing presentation of each of the plurality of objects on a particular display device at a first physical venue of the plurality of physical venues;

wherein managing the presentation includes providing options to manage the position of each of the plurality of objects relative to each other;

wherein the volume of the audio signal associated with a second object of the plurality of objects is based on a distance between the second object and a first object corresponding to the first physical venue, the second object corresponding to a second physical venue of the plurality of physical venues.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the presentation of each of the plurality of objects on the particular display device is managed by an experience platform according to a predetermined mechanism.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the presentation of each of the plurality of objects on the particular display device includes appearance and volume of each of the plurality of objects and appearance of the plurality of objects on the particular device.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the presentation of each of the plurality of objects on the particular display device is at least partially managed by a specific participant at the first physical venue.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the live stream signals have computing element to enhance display appearance of the live stream signals on the display device.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the live stream signals include live video, pre-recorded video, graphic, texts, scripts, media files, software and documents.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the content layer includes the live stream signals of events, simultaneously happening at the plurality of physical venues, and content that a host participant shares with other participants of the interactive event.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the plurality of objects on the content layer are displayed with a specific pre-defined layout on the particular display device at the first physical venue.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

when the host participant shares the content on the content layer or engages in a dialogue with a particular participant, automatically resizing and repositioning the plurality of objects on the particular display device at the first physical venue.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the live stream signals include video signals, captured by two or more smart devices at the first physical venue of the interactive event and

wherein the audio signals include audio signals captured by one of the two or more smart devices and/or a microphone at the first physical venue, the two or more smart devices having a built-in camera.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein at least one of the two or more smart devices is mounted on any of a tripod, microphone stand, or iPad holder.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the live stream signals include video and audio signals captured by at least one smart device at the second physical venue of the interactive event, the at least one smart device having a built-in camera.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the live stream signals from the plurality of physical venues are combined and synchronized by an AV system located at the first physical venue.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

providing an attention option, via the particular display device at the first physical venue, to manage attention in the interactive event.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the attention option includes an option to draw or write in a plurality of colors on the content layer, each color representing a specific meaning.

16. An experience platform, the platform comprising:

a network interface; and

a memory coupled to the network interface, the memory including computer code stored thereon corresponding to operations for providing an interactive event experience, the operations comprising;

receiving, via the network interface, live stream signals, including audio signals, from each of a plurality of physical venues of an interactive event;

synchronizing the live stream signals from the plurality of physical venues;

presenting a plurality of objects on a content layer that is instantiated at each of a plurality of display devices of each of the plurality of physical venues, each of the plurality of objects corresponding to live stream signals from one of the plurality of physical venues; and

managing presentation of each of the plurality of objects on a particular display device at a first physical venue of the plurality of physical venues;

wherein managing the presentation includes providing options to manage the position of each of the plurality of objects relative to each other;

wherein the volume of the audio signal associated with a second object of the plurality of objects is based on a distance between the second object and a first object corresponding to the first physical venue, the second object corresponding to a second physical venue of the plurality of physical venues.

17. The experience platform as recited in claim 16, wherein the presentation of each of the plurality of objects on the particular display device is managed by the experience platform according to a predetermined mechanism.

18. The experience platform as recited in claim 17, wherein the presentation of each of the plurality of objects on the particular display device includes appearance and volume of each of the plurality of objects and appearance of the plurality of objects on the particular display device.

19. The experience platform as recited in claim 18, wherein the presentation of each of the plurality of objects on the particular display device is at least partially managed by a specific participant at the first physical venue.

20. The experience platform as recited in claim 16, wherein the live stream signals have computing element to enhance display appearance of the live stream signals on the display device.

21. The experience platform as recited in claim 16, wherein the live stream signals include live video, pre-recorded video, graphic, texts, scripts, media files, software and documents.

22. The experience platform as recited in claim 16, wherein the content layer includes the live stream signals of events, simultaneously happening at the plurality of physical venues, and content that a host participant shares with other participants of the interactive event.

23. The experience platform as recited in claim 22, wherein the plurality of objects on the content layer are displayed with a specific pre-defined layout on the particular display device at the first physical venue.

24. The experience platform as recited in claim 23, wherein the operations further comprises:

when the host participant shares the content on the content layer or engages in a dialogue with a particular participant, automatically resizing and repositioning the plurality of objects on the particular display device at the first physical venue.

25. The experience platform as recited in claim 16, wherein the live stream signals include video signals, captured by two or more smart devices at the first physical venue of the interactive event;

and

wherein the audio signals include audio signals captured by one of the two or more smart devices and a microphone at the first physical venue, the two or more smart devices having a built-in camera.

26. The experience platform as recited in claim 25, wherein at least one of the two or more smart devices is mounted on any of a tripod, microphone stand, or iPad holder.

27. The experience platform as recited in claim 16, wherein the live stream signals include video and audio signals captured by at least one smart device at the second physical venue of the interactive event, the at least one smart device having a built-in camera.

28. The experience platform as recited in claim 16, wherein the live stream signals from the plurality of physical venues are combined and synchronized by an AV system located at the first physical venue.

29. The experience platform as recited in claim 16, wherein the operations further comprises providing an attention option, via the particular display device, to manage attention in the interactive event.

30. The experience platform as recited in claim 29, wherein the attention option includes an option to draw or write in a plurality of colors on the content layer, each color representing a specific meaning.

31. A server computer operating as part of an experience platform for providing an interactive event experience, the server computer comprising:

means for receiving live stream signals, including audio signals, from each of a plurality of physical venues of an interactive event;

means for synchronizing the live stream signals from the plurality of physical venues;

means for presenting a plurality of objects on a content layer that is instantiated at each of a plurality of display devices of each of the plurality of physical venues, each of the plurality of objects corresponding to live stream signals from one of the plurality of physical venues; and

means for managing presentation of each of the plurality of objects on a particular display device at a-first physical venue of the plurality of physical venues;

wherein managing the presentation includes providing options to manage the position of each of the plurality of objects relative to each other;

wherein the volume of the audio signal associated with a second object of the plurality of objects is based on a distance between the second object and a first object corresponding to the first physical venue, the second object corresponding to a second physical venue of the plurality of physical venues.

32. A method for providing an interactive event experience, the method comprising:

receiving video signals from two or more host smart devices at a host venue of an interactive event, each of the two or more host smart devices having a built-in camera, wherein the two or more host smart devices are pre-positioned with different sight angles at the host venue;

receiving video signals from one or more remote smart devices at each of remote physical venues of the interactive event, wherein the one or more remote smart devices is pre-positioned to capture participants at the corresponding physical venue;

receiving one set of audio signals from each of the host and remote physical venues of the interactive event, wherein the one set of audio signals are audio signals from a microphone, audio signal from a specific smart device, or combined audio signals from the microphone and the specific smart device at the corresponding physical venue;

synchronizing video and audio signals from the host and remote physical venues of the interactive event;

presenting a plurality of objects on a content layer instantiated at each of a plurality of display devices at each of the host and remote physical venues, each of the plurality of objects corresponding to video signals from one of the host or remote physical venues of the interactive event; and

managing presentation of each of the plurality of objects on a particular display device at the host physical venue;

wherein managing the presentation includes providing options to manage the position of each of the plurality of objects relative to each other;

wherein the volume of the set of audio signals associated with a first object of the plurality of objects is based on a distance between the first object and a second object corresponding to the host physical venue, the first object corresponding to one of the remote physical venues.

33. A method for providing an interactive event experience, wherein two or more smart devices are pre-positioned with different sight angles at a host venue of an interactive event, wherein at least one smart device is pre-positioned at each of one or more remote venues of the interactive event, each of the smart devices having one or more built-in camera, the method comprising:

transmitting local video signals from the two or more host smart devices to a host AV system through wired or wireless connections;

transmitting local audio signals from one of the two or more host smart devices to the host AV system through wired or wireless connections;

receiving remote video and audio signals from the at least one smart device at each of the one or more remote venues;

synchronizing the local video and audio signals with the remote video and audio signals;

displaying a plurality of objects on a local screen at the host venue, each of the plurality of objects corresponding to video signals from one of either the host venue or one of the remote venues of the interactive event;

playing synchronized local and remote audio signals on a local speaker at the host venue; and

providing options, via a producer smart device at the host venue, to manage the position of each of the plurality of objects relative to each other, as displayed on the local screen;

wherein the volume of the audio associated with a first object of the plurality of objects is based on a distance between the first object and a second object corresponding to the host venue, the first object corresponding to one of the remote venues.

34. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions which when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to:

receive live stream signals, including audio signals, from each of a plurality of physical venues of an interactive event;

synchronize the live stream signals from the plurality of physical venues;

present a plurality of objects on a content layer that is instantiated at each of a plurality of display devices of each of the plurality of physical venues, each of the plurality of objects corresponding to live stream signals from one of the plurality of physical venues; and

manage presentation of each of the plurality of objects on a particular display device at a first physical venue of the plurality of physical venues;

wherein managing the presentation includes providing options to manage the position of each of the plurality of objects relative to each other;

wherein the volume of the audio signal associated with a second object of the plurality of objects is based on a distance between the second object and a first object corresponding to the first physical venue, the second object corresponding to a second physical venue of the plurality of physical venues.