WO2016187389A1

WO2016187389A1 - Synchronized media access

Info

Publication number: WO2016187389A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/033206
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hari EPPANAPALY; Moses Johnson
Original assignee: Eppanapaly Hari; Moses Johnson
Priority date: 2015-05-21
Filing date: 2016-05-19
Publication date: 2016-11-24

Abstract

A method and system for synchronized media access with scheduled media events and synchronizing the user with other users by computing a mathematical formula or algorithm wherein the mathematical formula or algorithm compute the difference in time code (d) using time of access (a) by the user and schedule time of event(t) is disclosed in the invention. A licensing model comprising publishers or broadcasters publishing media content in a system for synchronized media access (SMA); a user accessing the media content synchronized with other users wherein the user is synchronized by computing a mathematical formula or algorithm stored in the SMA system is also disclosed in the invention.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Synchronized Media Access

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62164773 filed on May 21, 2015, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention is generally related to media broadcasting and, more particularly, to a system and method for synchronizing media of a scheduled media event for simultaneous access by plurality of users.

2. Description of the related art

[0003] Recent advances in computing technology, compression technology, high-bandwidth storage devices, and high-speed networks have made it feasible to provide real-time multimedia services over the Internet. There are two modes for transmission of media over the Internet, namely the download mode and the streaming mode.

[0004] In the download mode, a user downloads the entire video or audio file and then plays back the video or audio file. However, full file transfer in the download mode usually suffers long and perhaps unacceptable transfer time. In contrast, in the streaming mode, the video or audio content need not be downloaded in full, but is being played out while parts of the content are being received and decoded. Due to its real-time nature, streaming typically has bandwidth, delay and loss requirements.

[0005] Streaming media is transmitted by a server application and received and displayed in realtime by a client application called a media player. A media player can be either an integral part of a browser, a plug-in, a separate program, or a dedicated device, such as an iPod. Frequently, video files come with embedded players. YouTube videos, for example, run in embedded flash players. [0006] Streaming media technologies have improved significantly since the 1990s, when delivery was typically uneven. However, the current best-effort Internet does not offer any quality of service guarantees to streaming video over the Internet. In addition, for multicast, it is difficult to efficiently support multicast video while providing service flexibility to meet a wide range of quality of service requirements from the users.

[0007] Thus, designing mechanisms and systems for synchronized accessible to media poses many challenges. Since multicast is a different transmission mode from unicast, only protocols designed for multicast can be sensibly used with multicast. Most of the existing application protocols that use multicast run on top of the User Datagram Protocol (UDP).In many applications, the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) is used for framing of multimedia content over multicast; the Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) may be used for bandwidth reservation in a network supporting multicast distribution. Multicast DNS (mDNS) can be used to resolve domain or host names without a dedicated DNS server by using multicast.

[0008] Continuous media information such as video and audio content is often the most demanded resources over the Internet. Delivery of such information over the Internet provides many advantages and benefits and hence there is a need to develop a method and system in media, which has synchronized accessibility by the users and also addressing all the above issues in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a system and method in a more efficient way for synchronized media access rather than using the master playing or streaming method.

[0010] Accordingly the present invention provides a method of synchronizing media access simultaneously to a plurality of users comprising:

creating a listing of scheduled media event wherein the scheduled media event comprising plurality of media files with synchronized 24 hour loop in a storage medium for broadcast; accessing the storage medium with scheduled synchronized 24 hour loop by a user; synchronizing the user with other users by computing a mathematical formula or algorithm formula wherein the mathematical formula or algorithm computes the difference in time code(d) using time of access (a) by the user and schedule time of event(t).

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the media files with synchronized 24 hour loop is created by using the metadata of media files which includes location, duration, title, description, among others.

[0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the storage medium includes a server or plurality of servers.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the created scheduled 24 hour loop comprises plurality of media files of video or audio content such as movies, TV or radio shows, presentations, sporting events, lectures, among other media events.

[0014] In a still another embodiment of the present invention, the synchronized loop makes certain media files available at specific time creating an effect of traditional cable broadcasting.

[0015] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the media may be video or audio and the user may be a viewer or listener.

[0016] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, synchronizing the user comprises placing the user at the same place in the media in progression with other users.

[0017] In a still another embodiment of the present invention, the mathematical formula or algorithm used for performing synchronization of media events across media platforms is d=a-t, where 'd' is difference in time code, 'a' is time of access of scheduled media event by a user on a media platform, and 't' is scheduled air time of the media event.

[0018] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, synchronizing the user creates a jump forward in the media due to the difference in time code (d) of the time of access of scheduled media event (a) and scheduled air time of the media event(t). [0019] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the users can be located at multiple locations and use different media platforms such as user interface, URL, Computer, smart TV, mobile apps among others.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a system for synchronized media access comprising:

a storage medium for listing of scheduled media events created by using the metadata of the media file and quantifying a scheduled 24 hour loop;

a software for synchronizing media by performing a mathematical formula or algorithm using the information such as schedule time of the event (t )and time of access of media platform(a) by a user;

and a media platform for playing synchronized media event.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the metadata of the media file includes location, title, content duration, description, among others.

[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention, the storage medium includes a server or plurality of servers.

[0023] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the created scheduled 24 hour loop comprises plurality of media files of video or audio content such as movies, TV or radio shows, presentations, sporting events, lectures, among other media events.

[0024] In a still another embodiment of the present invention, the mathematical formula or algorithm used for performing synchronization of media events across media platforms is d=a-t, where 'd' is difference in time code, 'a' is time of access of scheduled media event by a user on a media platform, and 't' is scheduled air time of the media event.

[0025] According to the teachings of the invention, a licensing model is provided comprising publishers or broadcasters publishing media content in a system for synchronized media access (SMA) system; a user accessing the media content synchronized with other users wherein the user is synchronized by computing mathematical formula or algorithm stored in the SMA system.

[0026] In one embodiment the invention includes a model wherein the publisher or broadcaster of the media content can publish the media and provide it for access to their clients or customers or employers. The publisher will have to pay a particular price for using of the synchronized system and method developed according to the present invention.

[0027] The publisher or broadcaster in some embodiments includes but not limited to youtube channel owners, corporate companies which publishes corporate presentations or training sessions to its employees; movie or TV show production houses which publishes movies or TV shows for its viewers; radio show production houses which airs radio shows for its listeners; sporting event organizers who publishes the sporting events such as football, cricket among others.

[0028] In yet another embodiment, the user accessing the system for synchronized media access may have to pay a particular price depending on usage.

[0029] In a still another embodiment, the user may access the system for synchronized media access for free and the publisher or broadcaster generates revenue by advertisements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawing figures in which:

[0031] Fig 1 shows sequence of actions performed in the synchronized media access system.

[0032] Fig 2 is a schematic diagram of the application architecture of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The invention relates to a system and method for synchronizing media of a scheduled media event simultaneously for access by plurality of users.

[0034] The scheduled media event is intended to incorporate any type of media event including but not limited to movie, TV show, live/sporting event such as concerts, cricket, football match among others; corporate presentation, lectures, conference among others; and traditional media delivery (e.g. radio, television) which will start at a scheduled time.

[0035] Broadcasters or publishers of the media can upload their channels or media files in the web based interface, where the interface is embedded with a media player.

[0036] In one aspect of the invention, the method for synchronizing media comprises: creating listing of scheduled media event by a server in the form of metadata which includes location, title, duration, description among others and then quantifying a scheduled 24 hour loop or any other time loop depending upon the number of media files and duration of media files.

[0037] The scheduled 24 hour loop makes certain media files available at a certain point of time and accessing it at the same time across various media platforms and locations.

[0038] Synchronizing a media platform with other media platforms using a difference in time code (d), where the difference in time code is computed, by a mathematical formula or an algorithm, the formula includes computing the difference between time of access by a user of a particular media file on the media platform and scheduled air time of scheduled media event.

[0039] Once the difference in time code (d) is computed the video or audio on a media platform will be placed into the media file that everyone is accessing on another media platform in progression of the media event, this means the user accessing the scheduled 24 hour loop on a particular media platform, at later time other than the start time skips already accessed or played media and automatically jumps to the point, where other users are accessing the media event in the 24 hour loop, thus synchronizing with other media platforms and users.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method of synchronizing media access simultaneously to a plurality of users comprising:

creating a listing of scheduled media event wherein the scheduled media event comprising plurality of media files with synchronized 24 hour loop in a storage medium for broadcast;

accessing the storage medium with scheduled synchronized 24 hour loop by a user; synchronizing the user with other users by computing a mathematical formula or algorithm formula wherein the mathematical formula or algorithm computes the difference in time code(d) using time of access (a) by the user and schedule time of event(t).

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the media files with synchronized 24 hour loop is created by using the metadata of media files which includes location, duration, title, description, among others.

[0042] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the storage medium includes a server or plurality of servers.

[0043] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the created scheduled 24 hour loop comprises plurality of media files of video or audio content such as movies, TVor radio shows, presentations, sporting events, lectures, among other media events.

[0044] In a still another embodiment of the present invention, the synchronized loop makes certain media files available at specific time creating an effect of traditional cable broadcasting.

[0045] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the media may be video or audio and the user may be a viewer or listener.

[0046] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, synchronizing the user comprises placing the user at the same place in the media in progression with other users.

[0047] In a still another embodiment of the present invention, the mathematical formula or algorithm used for performing synchronization of media events across media platforms is d=a-t, where 'd' is difference in time code, 'a' is time of access of scheduled media event by a user on a media platform, and 't' is scheduled air time of the media event.

[0048] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, synchronizing the user creates a jump forward in the media due to the difference in time code (d) of the time of access of scheduled media event (a) and scheduled air time of the media event (t). [0049] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the users can be located at multiple locations and use different media platforms such as user interface, URL, Computer, smart TV, mobile apps among others.

[0050] By performing the mathematical formula or algorithm the media platforms are synchronized, for example user 1 access the scheduled media event on media platform 1 at beginning of the media event, later user 2 access the scheduled media event on media platform 2 after few minutes of the start of media event. By performing said algorithm or math formula, the media on media platform 2 is skipped and placed at a time where other users are watching or listening and in this case where user 1 is watching or listening.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a system for synchronized media access comprising:

a software for synchronizing media by performing algorithm or math formula using the information such as schedule time of the event (t )and time of access of media platform(a) by a user;

and a media platform for playing synchronized media event.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the metadata of the media file includes location, title, content duration, description, among others.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, the storage medium includes a server or plurality of servers.

[0054] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the created scheduled 24 hour loop comprises plurality of media files of video or audio content such as movies, TV or radio shows, presentations, sporting events, lectures, among other media events.

[0055] In a still another embodiment of the present invention, the mathematical formula or algorithm used for performing synchronization of media events across media platforms is d=a-t, where 'd' is difference in time code, 'a' is time of access of scheduled media event by a user on a media platform, and 't' is scheduled air time of the media event.

[0056] System and method implemented in accordance with the invention can be utilized for developing different types of licensing models called Scheduled Accessibility Licensing(SAL) Models.

[0057] The licensing model where the scheduled media events can be published and the users can access them in the 24 hour loop in a synchronized way using the method and system developed according to the present invention.

[0058] The user can access the scheduled media over a user interface, which is web based. The web based user interface is embedded with a media player with the details of the scheduled media events and the user has to create a sign in account with user credentials by paying a particular amount per year or month or depending upon the usage.

[0059] Once the user access the web page and sign in using the account credentials the media player is initialized and then the media player contacts the synchronization system and obtains the details such as time of accessing and time of the scheduled media event and performs the synchronization method such as computing the time code from the details obtained and then synchronizes the media according to the time code.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a licensing model comprising publishers or broadcasters publishing media content in a system for synchronized media access (SMA)system;

a user accessing the media content synchronized with other users wherein the user is synchronized by computing mathematical formula or algorithm stored in the SMA system.

[0061] In one embodiment the invention includes a model wherein the publisher or broadcaster of the media content can publish the media and provide it for access to their clients or customers or employers. The publisher will have to pay a particular price for using of the synchronized system and method developed according to the present invention. [0062] The publisher or broadcaster in some embodiments includes but not limited to youtube channel owners, corporate companies which publishes corporate presentations or training sessions to its employees; movie or TV show production houses which publishes movies or TV shows for its viewers; radio show production houses which airs radio shows for its listeners; sporting event organizers who publishes the sporting events such as football, cricket among others.

[0063] Broadcasters or publishers of the media can upload their channels or media files in the web based interface, where the interface is embedded with a media player. In some embodiments the File types for uploading can include, but are not limited to, Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), Audio Interchange File Format (.aif, .aifc, .aiff), Audio for Windows (.wav) among others.

[0064] In yet another embodiment, the user accessing the system for synchronized media access may have to pay a particular price depending on usage.

[0065] In a still another embodiment, the user may access the system for synchronized media access for free and the publisher or broadcaster generates revenue by advertisements.

[0066] The creation of listing of scheduled media event by a server in the form of metadata includes location, title, content duration, description among others and then quantifying a scheduled 24 hour loop.

[0067] System and method implemented in accordance with the invention can utilize a network and provide enhanced consumer experiences in conjunction with various types of media events, such as may include live events (e.g., concerts, sporting events, seminars) and traditional media delivery (e.g., radio, television, cable). As one example, a media provider can employ a producer to transfer selected content to a server throughout the duration of a given scheduled media event. Systems and methods implemented in accordance with the invention create the distinct and familiar effect of watching television or the radio to the viewers or listeners.

[0068] The selected content that is presented in each consumer session can include various types of information that enhance the consumer experience for the scheduled media event. By way of further examples, the systems and methods can equip media providers to use the internet to better engage consumers by providing an enhanced consumer experience, such as with relevant content for their favorite programs, social networking with other program fans, chatting option across users accessing the same media event and additional interactive features. Additionally, media providers can employ the internet to deliver relevant, targeted advertising to consumers over the duration of the media event rather than just during the traditional commercial break times, thereby increasing advertising opportunities and, in turn, revenue.

[0069] The system, method and the licensing model of the present invention not only generates revenue for the broadcasters or publishers, also by forcing the users or customers or viewer to view at a given time or miss out and wait till next broadcast. This limited access maintains the interest of the users and gain control over their consumption.

[0070] The exemplary synchronization system and method of the invention is illustrated in Fig 1 and Fig 2 and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of invention.

[0071] In Fig 1, media play list comprises plurality of media files with information such as location, duration, title, description and other metadata and also scheduled air time of the media event (t); a software performing the algorithm or math formula i.e. a-t=d, where 't' is scheduled air time and 'a' is time of access and 'd' is difference in time code and the media player for playing the synchronized media event.

[0072] In Fig 2, the scheduled 24 hour loop comprises media files named as media 1, media 2 and media 3, media 1 start time is 02:30:00 and duration 00:04:00; media 2 start time is 02:34:00 and duration 01: 10:00; and media 3 start time is 03:44:00 and duration of 00:03:00. User 1 access the media 1 on media platform 1 at the start of the event i.e. 02:30:00, later user 2 access the media 1 on media platform 2 after time 00:00:45, now the software stored in the server performs the algorithm or math formula a-t=d, in this case a is 2:30:45 and t is 2:30:00, therefore d=00:00:45 now the media platform places media 1 at 2:30:45 skipping by 00:00:45 time, here the user 2 has missed the media event for few seconds. User 3 access the scheduled media 1 at 2:33:05, in this case d=00:03:05. The algorithm or math formula is performed and media is synchronized across all the three media platforms.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method of synchronizing media access simultaneously to a plurality of users comprising:

accessing the storage medium with scheduled synchronized 24 hour loop by a user; synchronizing the user with other users by computing a mathematical formula or algorithm wherein the mathematical formula or algorithm compute the difference in time code(d) using time of access (a)by the user and schedule time of event(t).

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the media files with synchronized 24 hour loop is created by using the metadata of media files which comprises location, duration, title and description.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the storage medium comprises a server or plurality of servers.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the created scheduled 24 hour loop comprises plurality of media files of video or audio content such as movies, tv or radio shows, presentations, sporting events, lectures and other media events.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the synchronized loop makes certain media files available at specific time creating an effect of traditional cable broadcasting.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the media may be video or audio and the user may be a viewer or a listener.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein synchronizing the user comprising placing the user at the same place in the media in progression with other users.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the mathematical formula or algorithm used for performing synchronization of media events across media platforms is d=a-t, where 'd' is difference in time code, 'a' is time of access of scheduled media event by a user on a media platform, and 't' is scheduled air time of the media event.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein synchronizing the user creates a jump forward in the media due to the difference in time code (d) of the time of access of scheduled media event (a) and scheduled air time of the media event (t).

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the users can be located at multiple locations and use different media platforms comprising a user interface, URL, Computer, smart TV, and mobile apps or combination thereof.

11. A system for synchronized media access comprising:

a software for synchronizing media by performing mathematical formula or algorithm using information such as schedule time of the event(t) and time of access of media platform (a) by a user;

and a media platform for playing synchronized media event.

12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the metadata of the media file comprises location, title, content duration and description.

13. The system according to claim 11 wherein the storage medium includes a server or plurality of servers.

14. The system according to claim 11 wherein the created scheduled 24 hour loop comprises plurality of media files of video or audio content such as movies, tv or radio shows, presentations, sporting events, lectures and other media events.

15. The system according to claim 11 wherein the mathematical formula or algorithm used for performing synchronization of media events across media platforms is d=a-t, where 'd' is difference in time code, 'a' is time of access of scheduled media event by a user on a media platform, and 't' is scheduled air time of the media event.

16. A licensing model comprising publishers or broadcasters publishing media content in a system for synchronized media access (SMA);

a user accessing the media content synchronized with other users wherein the user is synchronized by computing a mathematical formula or algorithm stored in the SMA system.

17. The licensing model of claim 16 wherein the publisher or broadcaster of the media content can publish the media and provide it for access to their clients or customers or employers and the publishers or broadcasters have to pay a particular price for using of the system and method of the synchronized media access.

18. The licensing model of claim 16 wherein the publisher or broadcaster comprises youtube channel owners, corporate companies which publishes corporate presentations or training sessions to its employees, movie or tv show production houses which publishes movies or tv shows for its viewers, radio show production houses which airs radio shows for its listeners, sporting event organizers who publishes the sporting events such as football and cricket.

19. The licensing model of claim 16 wherein the user accessing the system for synchronized media access may have to pay a particular price depending on usage.

20. The licensing model of claim 16 wherein the user may access the system for synchronized media access for free and the publisher or broadcaster generates revenue by advertisements.