Synchronization aspects of interactive multimedia presentation management

• US 20070006061A1
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Colle, Olivier
• Granted Patent: US 8,020,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/255
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2579 HD-DVDs [high definition DVDs]; AODs [advanced optical discs]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/005 Reproducing at a different information rate from the information rate of recording for television signals H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/10 Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43074 of additional data with content streams on the same device, e.g. of EPG data or interactive icon with a TV program
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8545 for generating interactive applications

Abstract

Methods and systems for determining a total elapsed play time of an interactive multimedia presentation having a play duration, a video content component, and an interactive content component include identifying two time intervals within the play duration. During the first interval, no video is scheduled for presentation, and a first elapsed play time of the presentation is measured based on a first timing signal. During the second interval, a video (which may include video, audio, data, or any combination thereof) is scheduled for presentation, and a second elapsed play time is measured based on a second timing signal. During the first interval, the total elapsed play time is determined using the first elapsed play time, and during the second interval, it is determined using the second elapsed play time. The total elapsed play time is usable to provide frame-accurate synchronization between the interactive content component and the video content component.

Claims

1. A method for determining a total elapsed play time of an interactive multimedia presentation having a play duration, a video content component and an interactive content component, the method comprising:

identifying a first time interval within the play duration, the video content component not scheduled for presentation during the first time interval;

based on a first timing signal, measuring a first elapsed play time of the interactive multimedia presentation that occurs within the first time interval;

for play of the interactive multimedia presentation that occurs within the first time interval, determining the total elapsed play time using the first elapsed play time;

identifying a second time interval within the play duration, the video content component scheduled for presentation during the second time interval;

based on a second timing signal, measuring a second elapsed play time of the interactive multimedia presentation that occurs within the second time interval; and

for play of the interactive multimedia presentation that occurs within the second time interval, determining the total elapsed play time using the second elapsed play time.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

using the total elapsed play time for synchronizing presentation of the interactive content component and the video content component.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first timing signal comprises a continuous timing signal.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the first time interval, the interactive content component is scheduled for presentation.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first elapsed play time is based on a play time of the interactive content component.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second timing signal comprises a timing signal used to coordinate a rate, based on the play speed, at which the video content component is received from a video source, and wherein the video content component comprises samples selected from the group consisting of video, audio, and data.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein during the second time interval, the video content component is scheduled for presentation concurrently with the interactive content component.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein during the second time interval, the video content component is scheduled for presentation and the interactive content component is not scheduled for presentation.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the video content component comprises a first video component and a second video component.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

within the second time interval, measuring the second elapsed play time based on a play state of one of the first and second video content components.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first timing signal and the second timing signal are derived from a common clock.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the multimedia presentation has a play speed, and wherein the measurement of the second elapsed play time is based on the play speed.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the play speed comprises one of a zero speed, a slow-forward speed, a fast-forward speed, a slow-reverse speed, and a fast-reverse speed.

14. A computer-readable medium encoded with computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 1.

15. A system for playing an interactive multimedia presentation, the interactive multimedia presentation having a play duration, a play speed, a video content component and an interactive content component, the system comprising:

an interactive content manager configured to arrange the interactive content component for rendering at a rate based on a first timing signal;

a first time reference calculator operable to measure a first elapsed play time of the interactive multimedia presentation based on the first timing signal and based on the play speed;

a video content manager configured to arrange the video content component for rendering, the video content component received from a video source at a rate based on a second timing signal;

a second time reference calculator operable to measure a second elapsed play time of the interactive multimedia presentation based on the second timing signal and based on the play speed; and

a presentation manager configured for communication with the interactive content manager and the video content manager and responsive to receive the first elapsed play time from the first time reference calculator and the second elapsed play time from the second time reference calculator, the presentation manager operable to

identify a first time interval within the play duration, the video content component not scheduled for presentation during the first time interval,

identify a second time interval within the play duration, the video content component scheduled for presentation during the second time interval,

when play of the interactive multimedia presentation occurs within the first time interval, determine a total elapsed play time of the interactive multimedia presentation based on the first elapsed play time, and

when play of the interactive multimedia presentation occurs within the second time interval, determine the total elapsed play time of the interactive multimedia presentation based on the second elapsed play time.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the total elapsed play time is usable to synchronize operation of the video content manager and the interactive content manager.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the system comprises an operating system.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the operating system is associated with an optical disc player.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the optical disc player complies with specifications for high definition video published by the DVD Forum.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the operating system is associated with an electronic device.