Synchronizing internet (“over the top”) video streams for simultaneous feedback
US11006168B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2019 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/8547
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques are described for synchronizing internet (“over the top”) video streams for simultaneous playback. In particular, techniques are described to improve the performance and accuracy of stream synchronization among participant media player applications playing a same video content item, for example, as part of a “watch party.” The techniques can be further augmented to allow interaction between the users watching the presentation, e.g., by sending messages to other users or by annotating the video presentation with comments, and can be further used to enable “cross device control,” a feature that enables multiple users, or a single user with multiple devices, to control a shared video playback session on another device. For example, two users watching a streaming video on a set-top box connected to a TV in their living room could each use an app on their respective smart phones to pause/play/seek the playback session, providing a more collaborative experience.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.