Methodology for equalizing systemic latencies in television reception in connection with games of skill played in connection with live television programming

• US 9,878,243 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2017
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Winview IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: WinView Incorporated (GameSquare Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lockton, David B., Berner, Mark K., Micheli, Mark J., Lowe, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Masud
• Application Number:
  US15/496,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20170225072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 280 Days
• Field of Search: 360 65, 360 51, 381103, 370260, 463 40- 42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/32 using local area network [LAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/358 Adapting the game course according to the network or server load, e.g. for reducing latency due to different connection speeds between clients
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/50 Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/534 for network load management, e.g. bandwidth optimization, latency reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/24 Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth, upstream requests monitoring of server performance or load G06F11/34; arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/27 : Server based end-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4302 : Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• 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 21/4508 : Management of client data or end-user data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 : for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 : Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 : involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/04 : Synchronising for television systems using pulse code modulation H04N7/56

Abstract

A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

Claims

1. A method of equalizing effects of latency differences in a game of skill or chance or other entertainment comprising:

a. receiving an online broadcast of content;

b. synchronizing the game of skill or chance or other entertainment with the online broadcast of content; and

c. presenting the online broadcast of content and synchronized game data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the online broadcast of content comprises an audio and video track utilized to synchronize the game of skill or chance or other entertainment.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining a start time of the online broadcast of content includes using a recognizable signal.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein existing events in the online broadcast of content are used as synchronization points as start points for data files stored on the device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein information is embedded in the online broadcast of content and tracked online in real-time.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of synchronization points are used to continuously check to ensure the game of skill or chance or other entertainment is synchronized with the online broadcast of content.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining an amount of delay for each participant of the game of skill or chance or other entertainment.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising substantially equalizing receipt of game-related data and the game data for each participant through adjustment of the amount of delay.

9. A method of equalizing effects of latency differences in a game of skill or chance or other entertainment comprising:

a. grouping participants into a set of cohorts receiving content delivered by similar transmission and reception systems;

b. determining an amount of delay for the set of cohorts;

c. receiving a content stream;

d. synchronizing the game of skill or chance or other entertainment with the content stream; and

e. delivering the content stream and synchronized game data to the set of cohorts.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the content comprises an online broadcast.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein determining comprises establishing the amount of delay through an automated system which samples an online audio track, linked to a game server, to provide information related to a precise arrival of the broadcast.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein equalizing the set of cohorts comprises time stamping the amount of delay on a game lock out signal, imposing the amount of delay on an entire game data stream and sending game control data to the participant cohorts at the same time relative to receipt of the broadcast, where client software delays presentation of game data based on a precise time of reception of the broadcast by the group.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein determining the amount of delay is performed by a client device.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein determining the amount of delay is performed by a server device.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein synchronizing and delivering are performed by a server device.

16. A method of equalizing effects of latency differences in a game of skill or chance or other entertainment comprising:

a. determining a service provider for each participant of the game of skill or chance or other entertainment;

b. grouping participants into a set of cohorts receiving content from a same service provider;

c. receiving a content stream;

d. synchronizing the game of skill or chance or other entertainment with the content stream; and

e. delivering the content stream and synchronized game data to the set of cohorts.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising presenting the content stream and synchronized game data on a screen for a participant to view.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the screen comprises a television screen.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the screen comprises a computing device screen.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the screen comprises a mobile phone display.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein determining the service provider is performed by a server device.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein determining the service provider is performed by a client device.

23. The method of claim 16 wherein the content stream and the synchronized game data of the game of skill or chance or other entertainment are presented on a same screen.