Method, apparatus, and program products for socially synchronizing an experiential data stream

• US 20060174311A1
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: III Holdings 6, LLC
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Ducheneaut, Nicolas B., Nickell, Eric S., Thornton, James D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,882,530 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/135
• 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 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6405 Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

Apparatus, methods, and program products that synchronize the presentation of an experiential data stream at a local device with the presentation of a similar experiential data stream using a playback position received over a control link.

Claims

1. A computer controlled method comprising:

monitoring a first playback position in a time dimension of an experiential data stream on a local device for at least one local audience member;

periodically receiving a second playback position related to said experiential data stream over a control link;

synchronizing said first playback position with said second playback position; and

presenting said experiential data stream responsive to the step of synchronizing.

2. The computer controlled method of claim 1, wherein the step of synchronizing operates as a context-displayed synchronization, a jump synchronization, or a social-context synchronization.

3. The computer controlled method of claim 1, wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises setting said first playback position to be that of said second playback position.

4. The computer controlled method of claim 1, wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises:

determining a viewing distance;

determining a synchronization interval responsive to said viewing distance;

adjusting a playback vector such that said first playback position and said second playback position will be substantially aligned at the end of the synchronization interval.

5. The computer controlled method of claim 4, wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises:

detecting proximity between said first playback position and an audio trigger position of a commentary audio clip; and

presenting said commentary audio clip.

6. The computer controlled method of claim 5, wherein the step of presenting further comprises pitch compensating the presentation of said commentary audio clip responsive to the adjustment in said playback vector.

7. The computer controlled method of claim 1, wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises:

adjusting a playback vector whereby said first playback position will approach said second playback position over time;

detecting proximity between said first playback position and an audio trigger position of a commentary audio clip;

setting said playback vector to a nominal value responsive to the step of detecting proximity; and

presenting said commentary audio clip.

8. The computer controlled method of claim 7, further comprising detecting completion of said commentary audio clip and readjusting said playback vector.

9. The computer controlled method of claim 7, further comprising

detecting substantial alignment between said first playback position and said second playback position;

and

setting said playback vector to a nominal value.

10. The computer controlled method of claim 1, further comprising initiating the step of synchronizing responsive to detection of a synchronization command.

11. The computer controlled method of claim 1, further comprising tracking said second playback position whereby substantial alignment between said first playback position and said second playback position is maintained.

12. The computer controlled method of claim 11, wherein the step of tracking further comprises determining whether a viewing distance is within a threshold.

13. A computer program product comprising:

a computer-usable data carrier storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to perform a method comprising;

monitoring a first playback position in a time dimension of an experiential data stream on a local device for at least one local audience member;

periodically receiving a second playback position related to said experiential data stream over a control link;

synchronizing said first playback position with said second playback position; and

presenting said experiential data stream responsive to the step of synchronizing.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the step of synchronizing operates as a context-displayed synchronization, a jump synchronization, or a social-context synchronization.

15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises setting said first playback position to be that of said second playback position.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises:

determining a viewing distance;

determining a synchronization interval responsive to said viewing distance;

adjusting a playback vector such that said first playback position and said second playback position will be substantially aligned at the end of the synchronization interval.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises:

detecting proximity between said first playback position and an audio trigger position of a commentary audio clip; and

presenting said commentary audio clip.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the step of presenting further comprises pitch compensating the presentation of said commentary audio clip responsive to the adjustment in said playback vector.

19. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises:

adjusting a playback vector whereby said first playback position will approach said second playback position over time;

detecting proximity between said first playback position and an audio trigger position of a commentary audio clip;

setting said playback vector to a nominal value responsive to the step of detecting proximity; and

presenting said commentary audio clip.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising detecting completion of said commentary audio clip and readjusting said playback vector.

21. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising

detecting substantial alignment between said first playback position and said second playback position;

and

setting said playback vector to a nominal value.

22. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising initiating the step of synchronizing responsive to detection of a synchronization command.

23. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising tracking said second playback position whereby substantial alignment between said first playback position and said second playback position is maintained.

24. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the step of tracking further comprises determining whether a viewing distance is within a threshold.

25. An apparatus for presenting an experiential data stream for at least one local audience member, the apparatus comprising:

a first position monitor configured to monitor a first playback position in a time dimension of said experiential data stream;

a control link configured to periodically receive a second playback position related to said experiential data stream;

a synchronization logic, responsive to the control link, configured to synchronize said first playback position with said second playback position; and

presentation logic configured to present said experiential data stream responsive to the synchronization logic.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the synchronization logic performs a context-displayed synchronization, a jump synchronization, or a social-context synchronization.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the synchronization logic further comprises an alignment logic configured to set said first playback position to be that of said second playback position.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the synchronization logic further comprises:

a first logic configured to determine a viewing distance;

a second logic configured to determine a synchronization interval responsive to said viewing distance;

an adjustment logic configured to adjust a playback vector such that said first playback position and said second playback position will be substantially aligned at the end of the synchronization interval.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the synchronization logic further comprises:

a proximity detector configured to detect proximity between said first playback position and an audio trigger position of a commentary audio clip; and

a second presentation logic configured to present said commentary audio clip.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the second presentation logic further comprises a pitch compensation logic configured to adjust the pitch of said commentary audio clip responsive to the adjustment in said playback vector when said commentary audio clip is presented.

31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the synchronization logic further comprises:

a first adjustment logic configured to adjust a playback vector whereby said first playback position will approach said second playback position over time;

a proximity detector configured to detect proximity between said first playback position and an audio trigger position of a commentary audio clip;

a second adjustment logic configured to adjust said playback vector to a nominal value responsive to the proximity detector; and

a second presentation logic configured to present said commentary audio clip.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising:

a completion logic configured to detect completion of the presentation of said commentary audio clip and wherein the first adjustment logic is reactivated.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising

an alignment detection logic configured to detect substantial alignment between said first playback position and said second playback position;

and

a third adjustment logic configured to adjust said playback vector to a nominal value setting responsive to the alignment detection logic.

34. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising an internal control handler logic configured to invoke the synchronization logic responsive to detection of a synchronization command.

35. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising a tracking logic configured maintain substantial alignment between said first playback position and said second playback position.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the tracking logic further comprises a threshold logic configured to determine whether a viewing distance is within a threshold.