Method and infrastructure for synchronized streaming of content

• US 9,848,221 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2015
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Network Entertainment International LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: McCoy, Charles, Xiong, True, Wong, Ling Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): MONTOYA, OSCHTA I
• Application Number:
  US14/661,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20150195590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• 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 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4302 Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43076 of the same content streams on multiple devices, e.g. when family members are watching the same movie on different devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44004 involving video buffer management, e.g. video decoder buffer or video display buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44209 Monitoring of downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. bandwidth variations of a wireless network arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/654 Transmission by server directed to the client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8586 by using a URL processing chained hypermedia data for information retrieval G06F16/94; information retrieval from the Internet by using URLs G06F16/955; URL in broadcast information H04H20/93; Web-based protocols H04L67/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/932 Regeneration of analogue synchronisation signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/935 Regeneration of digital synchronisation signals

Abstract

Systems and methods for synchronizing the playback of network media across multiple content playback devices, termed herein as “playback devices”, “clients”, or “client devices”. In one implementation, client devices are controlled to parse and buffer media content separately. Once all clients are ready, a controller may cause the client devices to start in a synchronized fashion based on signals sent by the controller. The controller adjusts the timing of the signal so that the outputs are displayed in synchronization on each client device. In other implementations, device lag times may be measured. In still other implementations, a master device may synchronize playback of media content on slave devices. In yet other implementations, devices may buffer and join playback of media content occurring on other devices. In further implementations, the systems and methods may be expanded to include steps of processing authentication for service providers prior to arranging synchronized playback.

Claims

1. A method of synchronizing the playback of a content item among a plurality of content playback devices, the content item available through a service provider requiring an affiliation process, comprising:

a. coupling a plurality of content playback devices in data communication with a controller, the controller configured to at least partially control playback of a content item on the plurality of content playback devices through a service provider, the plurality of content playback devices constituting a synchronization group;

b. sending a signal from the controller to each of the plurality to cause each of the plurality to contact the service provider to obtain access to the content item;

c. in the event one of the plurality is not allowed access to the content item, then notifying the controller of the event and responsive to the notifying, the controller removing the one from the synchronization group; and

d. sending a signal to each of the remaining content playback devices in the synchronization group to begin playback of the content item, such that the one of the plurality that is not allowed access does not receive a signal to begin playback;

e. receiving data about device lag times associated with at least a first and a second content playback device in the plurality;

f. calculating a time differential between a start time associated with the first content playback device and a start time associated with the second content playback device, the time differential at least partially based on the device lag times; and

g. wherein the sending a signal to each of the content playback devices in the synchronization group to begin playback of the content item includes sending signals to the first and second content playback devices to begin playback of the content item, a time of each sending separated by the time differential.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality are in data communication with a proxy device, and wherein the sending a signal to cause each of the plurality to contact the service provider includes sending a signal to cause each of the portion of the plurality to contact the service provider through the proxy device, such that the content item is obtained at least in part by throughput through the proxy device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the proxy device is a second display.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller configures the plurality of content playback devices for synchronized playback through a second display.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second display indicates a list of content items for which access may be obtained by each of the plurality, or a list of content playback devices within the plurality that can obtain access to a given content item.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending each of the content playback devices in the synchronization group a unique URL with which to access the content item.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising instructions for causing a computing device to implement the method of claim 1.

8. A method of synchronizing the playback of a content item among a plurality of content playback devices, the content item available through a service provider requiring an affiliation process, comprising:

a. coupling a plurality of content playback devices in data communication with a controller, the controller configured to at least partially control playback of a content item on the plurality of content playback devices through a service provider, the plurality of content playback devices constituting a synchronization group;

b. sending a signal from the controller to each of the plurality to cause each of the plurality to contact the service provider to obtain access to the content item;

c. in the event one of the plurality is not allowed access to the content item, then notifying the controller of the event and removing the one from the synchronization group;

d. sending a signal to each of the remaining content playback devices in the synchronization group to begin playback of the content item, such that the one of the plurality that is not allowed access does not receive a signal to begin playback;

e. receiving data about device lag times associated with at least a first and a second content playback device in the plurality;

f. calculating a time differential between a start time associated with the first content playback device and a start time associated with the second content playback device, the time differential at least partially based on the device lag times; and

g. wherein the sending a signal to each of the content playback devices in the synchronization group to begin playback of the content item includes sending signals to the first and second content playback devices to begin playback of the content item, a time of each sending separated by the time differential.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the plurality are in data communication with a proxy device, and wherein the sending a signal to cause each of the plurality to contact the service provider includes sending a signal to cause each of the portion of the plurality to contact the service provider through the proxy device, such that the content item is obtained at least in part by throughput through the proxy device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the proxy device is a second display.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the controller configures the plurality of content playback devices for synchronized playback through a second display.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second display indicates a list of content items for which access may be obtained by each of the plurality, or a list of content playback devices within the plurality that can obtain access to a given content item.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending each of the content playback devices in the synchronization group a unique URL with which to access the content item.