US20130198321A1

US20130198321A1 - Content associated with primary content

Info

Publication number: US20130198321A1
Application number: US13/363,054
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul W. Martin; David A. Desormeaux; Robert P. Martin
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Current assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date: 2012-01-31
Filing date: 2012-01-31
Publication date: 2013-08-01
Also published as: US8730716B2; US20130302914A1; US20130288396A1; US8634234B2

Abstract

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to communicating content associated with primary content including media presented at a first device. Metadata information about the primary content is used to communicate associated content to a second device.

Description

BACKGROUND

Consumers today use a variety of devices daily. For example, a user may use a television, a computer, Blu-ray players, etc. to watch media. Blu-ray disks and/or DVDs may include bonus content in addition to movie content. Users may also use computing devices to retrieve media from the Internet. The Internet provides a large amount of media to users that users can search through.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a system for providing associated content about primary content to a presentation device, according to one example;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an associated content platform for providing associated content about primary content to a visual presentation device, according to one example;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams of mobile devices capable of presenting secondary content associated with primary content, according to various examples;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for providing associated content to a device, according to one example; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example user interface for presenting secondary content about primary content, according to one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Users of devices search the Internet to retrieve information and media. Due to the growth of available information, the proliferation of online advertising, and biasing of search results based on business forces, the effectiveness of searching through the Internet for relevant information has suffered. As such, many users may receive a cluttered and confusing search experience while attempting to navigate through the Internet.
Many people watching media, such as video media like television, streaming online video, DVDs, Blu-rays, digital video recordings, etc. or audio media such as radio, digital radio, a media player, a streaming audio source, etc. also use another device while watching the video media or listening to the audio media. For example, a user may use a tablet, laptop, or mobile phone while viewing the video media on television or other device. Many times, the users search for information about the video media or audio media being played. However, it can be challenging for a user to quickly and efficiently navigate to information that the user desires or would find interesting.
Accordingly, various embodiments disclosed herein relate to integrating contextual search results associated with a primary content viewing experience at a secondary presentation device. In one embodiment, primary content is media that a user or multiple users can view on a primary visual presentation device such as a television or computer or listen to on a primary audio presentation device such as a computer, a television, a stereo, etc. In certain embodiments, a visual presentation device is an electronic device that is capable of outputting visual information. Further, in certain embodiments, a presentation device is an electronic device that is capable of outputting visual and/or audio information. Primary content can be used for determining content presented on the secondary presentation device. This can provide a user easier access to content associated with the primary content. The secondary presentation device can be implemented to provide options of associated content streams to a user based on synchronization with the primary presentation device. In certain examples, associated content streams are sets of information that are associated with cues about the primary content. These associated content streams can also be personalized to a user or account associated with the secondary presentation device. For example, two people watching television playing the primary content can receive different content streams of associated content based on a profile.
In addition, a marketplace can be created to supply associated content experiences. Authoring tools can be provided to users and users may be able to submit media to a database. Further, advertisements can be associated with the database and customized/targeted for a user based on the profile and/or primary content.
In certain examples, the secondary presentation device can be a mobile device, such as a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a media player, or the like. In other examples, the secondary presentation device can include a stationary computing device, such as a desktop computer, a workstation, etc.
In one example, a cloud can receive synchronization information about the primary content from the primary presentation device. The cloud can determine content associated with the primary content based on metadata including synchronization information. The associated content can be customized and sent to the secondary presentation device. The associated content can include a layer of abstraction (e.g., thumbnail sized links) to send as content stream alternatives to allow a user to choose an associated content stream.
FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a system for providing associated content about primary content to a presentation device, according to one example. The system 100 can include an associated content platform 102 that communicates with a primary content presentation device 104 and associated content visual presentation devices 106 a-106 n via a communication network 108. In one example, the associated content platform 102 can include a synchronization module 120, an associated content module 122, and a communication module 124. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the associated content platform 102 can further include a profile manager 126, a device association module 128, a content mining module 130, a content development module 132, a processor 140, and memory 142.
In certain examples, the associated content platform 102, the primary content presentation device 104, and/or associated content visual presentation devices 106 are computing devices, such as servers, client computers, desktop computers, mobile computers, set top boxes, etc. The associated content platform 102, the primary content presentation device 104, and the associated content visual presentation devices 106 can be implemented via a processing element, memory, and/or other components. Further, in certain examples, functionality of one of the devices can be split between multiple other devices. For example, multiple servers or computing devices can be used to implement the functionality of the associated content platform 102.
A user can utilize a primary content presentation device 104, such as a television, a set top box (a cable box, a satellite dish box, a digital video recorder, etc.), other computing devices with capabilities to output presentation information (e.g., to a projector or display), etc. The primary content presentation device 104 can play video media and/or audio media for a user. The media can be tagged with metadata. In one example, metadata is descriptive data about the primary content. Examples of metadata for media can include timing information such as a time stamp, location information about a scene of video content such as a location stamp, item identification information about items in the audio and/or video content, other contextual information (e.g., information about actors/actresses in a scene, information about hotels, landmarks, or other structures in a scene, information about an artist associated with an audio track, etc.), or the like. Metadata can be set for a particular frame or set of frames of video media. This information can be provided to the associated content platform 102 by the primary content presentation device 104. Further, network protocols can be used to synchronize the play of the primary content presentation device 104 with associated content provided to the associated content visual presentation device 106. Various examples described herein relate to visual media content, however, it is contemplated that other media sources, such as audio media can similarly be used.
The primary content presentation device 104 can be associated with one or more associated content visual presentation devices 106 a-106 n. The association can be made via the associated content platform 102, as part of an ad-hoc connection between the primary content presentation device 104, as part of a network connection between the devices, as part of a wireless connection between the devices, or the like. In certain scenarios, the associated content visual presentation device 106 can execute an application to communicate with the associated content platform 102 and the primary content presentation device 104. An account can be created to associate the associated content visual presentation device 106 and primary content presentation devices 104. In certain scenarios, a location of an associated content visual presentation device 106 can be used as part of a determination to become associated with the primary content presentation device 104. In other scenarios, the application can allow a user to select a location and/or primary content presentation device 104. Further, in certain scenarios, the application or device may be associated with a particular primary content presentation device 104 based on a unique identifier or set of identifiers of the primary content presentation device 104 and/or associated content visual presentation device 106.
The associated content platform 102 can also associate the primary content presentation device 104 with the associated content visual presentation device 106. In certain embodiments, a device association module 128 associates the primary content presentation device 104 and the associated content visual presentation device 106. The device association module 128 can be used to associate the primary content presentation device 104 with one or more associated content visual presentation devices 106. In certain examples, the devices can send the associated content platform 102 information about the devices desired to connect to. For example, the primary content presentation device 104 may correspond with the device association module 128 when turned on and/or when primary content is being played to notify the associated content platform 102 that it is available. When an application associated with the associated content visual presentation device 106 is activated, it can send information to the device association module 128 that it would like to connect to the primary content presentation device 104. As such, the device association module 128 can make the association based on information (e.g., identifiers) received from the primary content presentation device 104 and/or the associated content visual presentation device 106.
Once associated, the associated content visual presentation device 106 can receive associated content about the primary content from the associated content platform 102. In certain embodiments, associated content is information derived based on metadata of the primary content. The associated content module 122 can determine the associated content. By way of example, the associated content can include a web link to information and/or content, an advertisement, a game that can be played, information associated with the primary content, information associated with a particular object in the primary content, a store offering purchasable items associated with the primary content, etc. In certain examples, the associated content can be based on time stamps, location stamps, contextual information (e.g., item information) about objects in the primary content, combinations thereof, etc. Further, the synchronization module 120 can coordinate the associated content with the information currently being presented on the primary content presentation device 104, for example, based on timestamps. In certain examples, the associated content module 122 can execute a contextual search based on the metadata to determine the associated content. In some examples, the contextual search can include metadata present at a particular timestamp and/or set of timestamps. In other examples, the contextual search can also be based on a user profile.
A profile manager 126 can be used to augment a search for a particular user and/or device. In certain scenarios, a user and/or device can be associated with an account with profile information accessible at the associated content platform 102. The profile information can include historical behavior of the user, user preferences, social network information associated with the user, or other information about the user and/or device use. As such, profile information can be used to customize associated content for the user of an associated content visual presentation device 106. In certain scenarios, if different profiles are associated with two different associated content visual presentation devices associated with the same primary content presentation device 104, the associated content transmitted to the respective devices can be different.
Further, in certain examples, contextual information about the user and/or associated content visual presentation device 106 can be used to affect the secondary content. For example, the associated content visual presentation device 106 may include a Global Positioning Sensor (GPS), a camera, or other sensors that may affect the selection of associated content. In one example, if the user is watching primary content in an area associated with the primary content, more information about the specific location can be shown and it can be pointed out that it is within a particular distance. In another example, if the camera captures an image of the user laughing during a particular part of the primary content, a stream can be generated for comedy associated with that portion of the primary content. In certain scenarios, the context information associated with the associated content visual presentation device 106 can be used as part of a profile.
Once associated content is determined, the communication module 124 can be used to transmit or otherwise communicate the associated content to the respective associated content visual presentation devices 106. As noted above, the associated content can include links, contextual information based on metadata, games, advertisements, store information to purchase one or more items, or the like. Further multiple types of associated content and/or search results can be provided to the associated content visual presentation device 106. Some results can be provided directly from a database associated with the associated content platform 102. Other results can link to other content. Further, the associated content can be delivered to the user in one or more streams. For example, a user may receive a separate stream of information about clothing, locations, and cars. A stream of information can be synchronized to the primary content by time and metadata used to generate the stream. As such, if there is a first car in a first scene and a second car in a second scene, a stream associated with cars can change from being associated with the first car to the second car (e.g., based on a new search). Further, as further detailed in FIG. 4, the streams may be used to control primary content to be viewed.
In some embodiments, feedback can be used to update profile information. For example, a user of the associated content visual presentation device 106 may provide rating information and/or the device can provide activity information to the communication module 124. Profile manager 126 can then update a profile associated with the respective account with rating information and/or information about the usage information of the user. As such, usage tendencies and/or preferences can be used to modify future searches. For example, one user may frequently access associated content associated with clothing in the primary content. Future searches can provide more such results. Rating information can be based on a score and/or a binary like or dislike of the associated content.
A content mining module 130 can be used to quickly generate internet based associated content. The content mining module 130 can bootstrap content into a cloud service so that useful results can be obtained quickly. Further, a content development module 132 can be used to enable connection between primary content and associated content. A developer community can be harnessed to create an eco-system and/or marketplace for associated content. In one example, users (e.g., enthusiasts, professionals associated with the primary content, etc.) can add metadata information to a database to describe particular primary content. Further, developers can be able to curate, format, and/or submit augmentation information and associated content to the associated content platform 102.
In one example, one or more databases of metadata associated with primary content can be created. In some examples, these databases can be sold and/or subscribed to by users. This can be used as an incentive for developers provide information about primary content. With this approach, metadata information can be stored at the associated content platform 102. When synchronization information (e.g., one or more timestamps) of the primary content is received, the local database of metadata can be searched for metadata to use for the contextual search to generate the associated content. Professionally produced content, such as television shows, movies, training material, music, etc. can include metadata in an associated database and/or with the primary content. Further, amateur content, such as personal streaming video content, social media content, audio podcasts, etc., can include metadata. Examples of producers include studios, news organizations, production companies, bloggers, reviewers, social networks, topic experts, etc. In certain scenarios, hash keys and/or other identification information can be used to associate metadata with particular primary content. Further, in some embodiments, metadata can be added to primary content after the content is generated (e.g., by watchers of the primary content).
In another example, one or more databases of associated content can be generated. For example, a database full of information about hotels, locations, clothing, combinations thereof, etc. can be developed. These databases can also be monetized. For example, if a hotel is booked based on a link from the database, an entity associated with the database can receive revenue sharing.
Further, one or more associated content databases based on social media may be generated and/or searched. For example, access information to a user's social media account (e.g., a FACEBOOK account, a MYSPACE account, etc.) can be provided to the profile manager 126. The context search can be used to retrieve images, video, or other content from the social media account databases. Further, the context search can link the user to the content on an associated social media website.
The communication network 108 can use wired communications, wireless communications, or combinations thereof. Further, the communication network 108 can include multiple sub communication networks such as data networks, wireless networks, telephony networks, etc. Such networks can include, for example, a public data network such as the Internet, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), cable networks, fiber optic networks, combinations thereof, or the like. In certain examples, wireless networks may include cellular networks, satellite communications, wireless LANs, etc. Further, the communication network 108 can be in the form of a direct network link between devices. Various communications structures and infrastructure can be utilized to implement the communication network(s).
By way of example, the associated content platform 102, the primary content presentation device 104, and the associated content visual presentation devices 106 a-106 n communicate with each other and other components with access to the communication network 108 via a communication protocol or multiple protocols. A protocol can be a set of rules that defines how nodes of the communication network 108 interact with other nodes. Further, communications between network nodes can be implemented by exchanging discrete packets of data or sending messages. Packets can include header information associated with a protocol (e.g., information on the location of the network node(s) to contact) as well as payload information.
Processor 140 may be, at least one central processing unit (CPU), at least one semiconductor-based microprocessor, at least one graphics processing unit (GPU), other hardware devices suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions stored in memory 142 such as a machine-readable storage medium, or combinations thereof. For example, the processor 140 may include multiple cores on a chip, include multiple cores across multiple chips, multiple cores across multiple devices (e.g., if the associated content platform 102 includes multiple node devices), or combinations thereof. Processor 140 may fetch, decode, and execute instructions. As an alternative or in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, processor 140 may include at least one integrated circuit (IC), other control logic, other electronic circuits, or combinations thereof that include a number of electronic components for performing additional functionality.
In certain embodiments, a machine-readable storage medium may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable instructions. Thus, a machine-readable storage medium may be, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a storage drive, a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), and the like. As such, the machine-readable storage medium can be non-transitory. A machine-readable storage medium may be encoded with a series of executable instructions for performing one or more methods, for example, the method of FIG. 3.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams of mobile devices capable of presenting secondary content associated with primary content, according to various examples. Mobile devices 200 a, 200 b include components that can be utilized to present associated content related with primary content playing on another device. The respective mobile devices 200 a, 200 b may be a notebook computer, a cellular phone, a tablet computing device, a wireless device, a media device, or any other computing device that is mobile. Further, in certain scenarios, the mobile device 200 includes network capabilities to connect with an associated content platform and/or a primary content presentation device. In some embodiments, the mobile device includes an association module 210, a communication module 212, and a presentation module 214. In other embodiments, the mobile device 200 can further include a synchronization module 216, a selection module 218, a processor 230, memory 232, and input/output interfaces 234.
The mobile device 200 can be used as an associated content visual presentation device. As such, the mobile device 200 can present associated content to a user when the user is within proximity to a device playing primary content. The association module 210 can be used to associate the mobile device 200 with a presentation device used to present the primary content. As noted above, the primary content can include video media, audio media, etc. The association module 210 can become associated with the primary content presentation device in various ways as noted above. In one example, the association module 210 can be implemented as part of an application that allows a user to select a primary content presentation device to associate with. In other examples, the selection can be automatic based on an automatic determination (e.g., based on network information) of proximity to the primary content presentation device. In certain scenarios, once associated a first time, the two devices can be associated in one or the other's favorites list or list of previous contacts, making it easier for a user to select in the future.
The communication module 212 can communicate the association with the primary content presentation device to an associated content platform. In one example, the communication can be direct in a transmission to the platform. In another example, the communication can be indirect, for example, via the primary content presentation device.
The communication module 212 can further be used to receive associated content related to the primary content from the associated content platform. The secondary content can be synchronized to the primary content. In one example, the synchronization can occur at the associated content platform and information received is based on synchronization information received at the associated content platform from the primary content presentation device. In another example, the associated content and/or associated content streams can be received at the mobile device and a synchronization module 216 can be used to synchronize the received associated content with information presented to a user based on time synchronization with the primary content presentation device. As such, the presentation module 214 can present synchronized associated content to a user. The associated content can be presented via an input/output interface 234 to an output device, such as a monitor, a projection output, etc.
As noted above, the associated content can be customized based on a profile associated with an account associated with the mobile device 200. An account can be associated with the mobile device 200 if authentication information is available at the mobile device 200. The account can also be associated with a user. Further, multiple accounts can be available on the mobile device 200. In certain scenarios, login information can be used to select an active profile to be used to generate the associated content. As noted above, the associated content can include at least one of a web link, an advertisement, a game, descriptive information about the primary content, information about actors or artists, places, things, etc. of the primary content, store information to purchase items associated with the primary content, wiki entries about the primary content, news about objects in the primary content, a string of comments about a portion of the primary content, information about particular objects viewable in the primary content, or the like.
In certain examples, the associated content includes context based selection information associated with the primary content. As noted above, associated content can include streams of content. For example, a first set of content can be associated with cars, a second set with locations, a third set with other objects, etc. The selection module 218 can be used to select a portion of the context based selection information. In the example of cars, the associated content stream can be selected. Once selected, in certain examples, the associated content can be used to select a portion of the primary content or other primary content to view on the primary content presentation device. For example, the selected associated content can link to five cars. Three of the media objects can be associated with the primary content while the other two are associated with other primary content. The user can be provided an option to view a scene associated with the media object on the primary content presentation device. The user can select the option to view the same primary content or other primary content. Further, timing information can be associated with the content so that the primary content presentation device is synchronized to the correct part of the primary content.
The communication module 212 can be used to cause presentation of the selected content on the primary content presentation device based on the selection. In some embodiments, the communication module 212 can be used to directly communicate with the primary content presentation device with the selection information that can be used by the primary content presentation device to cause presentation of the selected content. In other embodiments, the communication module 212 can be used to provide the selection information to the associated content platform 102 to provide the selected content to the primary content presentation device 104. A command or a request can be sent to the primary content presentation device to cause the presentation.
Processor 230, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions and/or electronic circuits can be configured to perform the functionality of any of the modules 210, 212, 214 described herein. As noted above, a CPU can include multiple execution cores. Further, multiple processors can be used in the mobile device 200. In certain scenarios, instructions and/or other information, such as account information, can be included in memory 232 or other memory. Input/output interfaces 234 may additionally be provided by the mobile device 200 b. For example, input devices 240, such as a keyboard, a sensor (e.g., GPS), a camera, a touch interface, a mouse, a microphone, etc. can be utilized to receive input from an environment surrounding the mobile device 200 b. Sensors, such as cameras, GPS, etc. can be used to determine contextual information about the mobile device 200. This information can be sent to an associated content platform to customize associated content for the mobile device 200. Further, an output device 242, such as a display, can be utilized to present information to users. Examples of output devices include speakers, display devices, amplifiers, etc. Moreover, in certain embodiments, some components can be utilized to implement functionality of other components described herein.
Each of the modules 210, 212, 214 may include, for example, hardware devices including electronic circuitry for implementing the functionality described herein. In addition or as an alternative, each module 210, 212, 214 may be implemented as a series of instructions encoded on a machine-readable storage medium of mobile device 200 and executable by processor 230. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, some modules are implemented as hardware devices, while other modules are implemented as executable instructions.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for providing associated content to a device, according to one example. Although execution of method 300 is described below with reference to associated content platform 102, other suitable components for execution of method 300 can be utilized (e.g., a set of servers, a computing device, etc.). Additionally, the components for executing the method 300 may be spread among multiple devices. Method 300 may be implemented in the form of executable instructions stored on one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media and/or in the form of electronic circuitry. Further, the associated content platform 102 can be used to provide services to various sets of primary content presentation devices and/or associated content visual presentation devices.
Method 300 may start at 302, where a device association module 128 has associated a first device playing primary content including media, such as video media and/or audio media with at least one second device configured to present associated content. The association can be based on information received from the first device, the second devices, or a combination thereof.
The method 300 can then proceed to 304, where the associated content platform 102 receives metadata about the primary content. As noted above, the metadata can include timing information about the primary content as well as other contextual information. The metadata can be received from the first device and/or from a database that includes metadata information about the primary content. In certain scenarios, other timing information about the state of the primary content on the first device can also be received for synchronization.
Then, at 306, an associated content module 122 determines associated content based on the primary content and the metadata. As noted above, the associated content can be determined based on a contextual search performed based on the metadata. Synchronization timing information from the first device can be used to determine what metadata is relevant at a particular time. For example, one scene of primary content may include metadata about a first car, a first dress, a first country location, and a first hotel. Another scene of the primary content may include metadata about a second car, a second dress, the first country location, and a second hotel. The contextual searches at the times of the different scenes can be different based on the metadata.
Further, the contextual searches and/or the associated content determined from the contextual searches can be further customized using a profile manager 126 (at 308). For example, profile information associated with the second device can reflect that a user is interested in cars, while other profile information associated with a third device can reflect that the user is interested in hotels. As such, streams of associated content can be customized for each device based on the respective profiles.
The communication module 124 can then transmit or communicate the associated content to the second device at 310. In certain examples, when there is a third device or multiple other devices, the associated content related to those devices can also be transmitted. Then, at 312, the method 300 stops. The devices and associated content platform 102 can continue to perform other tasks.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example user interface for presenting secondary content about primary content, according to one example. A first user interface 400 shows primary content playing on a primary content presentation device.
The primary content can be associated with timing information. The timing information shown here can be reflected as a time line 402 shown in a second user interface 410 associated with a second device that can be used to show associated content related to the primary content. The second user interface shows a set of streams 412 a-412 n. Each of the streams 412 can be associated with content associated with the metadata. Examples of streams include stores, information about actors associated with the primary content, places associated with the primary content, things or other items/objects associated with the primary content, news associated with items, objects, locations, etc. associated with the primary content, wiki streams, streams of comments about portions of the primary content, or the like. In one example, a first stream may be associated with locations, a second stream may be associated with clothes in the primary content, a third stream may be associated with cars, etc. Additional streams can be made available by scrolling through the stream feeds. Here, stream 412 a is selected.
When selected, a set of stream tiles 414 a-414 n can be presented to the user. The stream tiles 414 a-414 n can be associated with particular parts of the primary content as shown in timeline 416. When a stream tile 414 b is selected, a pop-up 418 can be shown as a preview of the content within. In certain embodiments, the associated content can be expanded to a larger screen portion or can be located to another portion of the second user interface 410. When the user interacts with the stream tile 414 b, interaction of stream tiles can pause or scrub though primary content being played (e.g., video content) at the first user interface 400. As such, the selection of the content can be used to control the primary content. For example, clicking on a stream tile 414 b can provide the user with an option to present a scene or another portion of the playback of the primary content, for example, at playback 420. In another example, the user can be presented with an option to have the primary content device present a scene or another specific portion of the playback of another primary content. Further, stream tiles 414 can be saved to bookmarks 422 for use at a later time. Moreover, in certain scenarios, when a stream tile is chosen, the user can navigate to other content and/or perform other context searches associated with other information or content.
Further, a target content and/or status scrubber 424 can be used to show synchronization points of the primary content. The scrubber may include transport controls showing one or more synchronization points of the primary content that the associated content is based on. In certain scenarios, one or more of the elements shown on the second user interface 410 can be hidden, including the target content and/or status scrubber 424.
Moreover, in certain scenarios, tiles of multiple streams can be shown at the same time. In this scenario, the tiles are hidden beneath the pop-up 418. The streams can also be filtered based on criteria. For example, some of the content streams can be associated with paid content or particular types of media (e.g., games, video, images, etc.). These categories can be used to sort and/or filter the streams. Examples of filters can include free/paid, popular/new, favorite topics, favorite producers, favorite bloggers, etc. Further, sorting/filtering can be based on rating information and/or user profile information.
With the above approaches, relevant content is delivered quickly to users. Users can utilize their devices to retrieve associated content without affecting the viewing of the primary content for other users. The content can further be personalized and actionable. Further, advertisers may be able to advertise on the associated content device instead of the primary content device to reach more users.
This can be helpful to reach audiences of DVDs and/or Digital Video Recorders (DVRs). Amateur and professional curators can add to the content community and can be incentivized with approaches to earn revenue.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A computing system comprising:

a synchronization module to receive synchronization information about primary content including media being presented at a first presentation device;

an associated content module to determine associated content related to the primary content based on the synchronization information; and

a communication module to transmit the associated content to a visual presentation device.

2. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the associated content module further customizes the associated content for the visual presentation device based on profile information associated with a user of the visual presentation device.

3. The computing system of claim 2, wherein the associated content is further customized based on social networking information of the user.

4. The computing system of claim 2,

wherein the associated content module further determines second associated content based on the synchronization information and second profile information associated with a second user of a second visual presentation device, and

wherein the communication module transmits the second associated content to the second visual presentation device.

5. The computing system of claim 2, further comprising:

a profile manager,

wherein the communication module receives rating information about the associated content from the visual presentation device, and

wherein the profile manager updates the profile information based on the rating information.

6. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the visual presentation device is a mobile device.

7. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a device association module to associate the first presentation device and the visual presentation device.

8. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the associated content includes at least one of: a web link, an advertisement, a game, search information based on metadata of the primary content, a user comment feed, social media, and an online store.

9. A method comprising:

receiving metadata about primary content including media presented on a first device;

determining associated content based on the primary content and the metadata;

customizing the associated content for a second device based on profile information; and

transmitting the associated content to the second device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second device is one of: a tablet device, a mobile phone, and a portable media device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the metadata includes timing information about the primary content.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

associating the first device and a third device;

customizing the associated content for the third device based on other profile information; and

communicating the associated content for the third device to the third device,

wherein the associated content for the third device is further based on the timing information.

13. A mobile device comprising:

an association module to associate the mobile device with a presentation device presenting primary content including media,

a communication module to communicate the association to an associated content platform and to receive associated content related with the primary content from the associated content platform,

wherein the associated content is synchronized to the primary content; and

a presentation module to present the secondary content.

14. The mobile device of claim 13,

wherein the associated content is customized based on a profile associated with an account associated with the mobile device, and

wherein the associated content includes at least one of: a web link, an advertisement, a game, a user comment feed, social media, an online store, and descriptive information about the primary content.

15. The mobile device of claim 13,

wherein the associated content includes context based selection information associated with the primary content,

the mobile device further comprising:

a selection module to select a portion of the context based selection information,

wherein the communication module causes the presentation of at least one of:

another portion of the primary content and a portion of another primary content on the presentation device based on the selected portion.