IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,143,565

Granted Patent B2

US 9,143,565 · App. 13/905,779 · Granted Sep 22, 2015

Synchronizing an application on a companion device

Inventors: Debra Hensgen (San Jose, CA); Ludovic Pierre (San Francisco, CA); Martin Gibson (San Francisco, CA); Nandini Iyer (San Francisco, CA); Jean-Rene Menand (San Francisco, CA); Sebastian Rapport (San Francisco, CA)

Assignee: OpenTV, Inc.

H04L67/1095 G06F9/00 G06F17/30861 H04L12/2803 H04L65/00 H04L65/1059 H04L65/4015 H04L65/4084 H04N21/2362 H04N21/242 H04N21/4126 H04N21/8545 H04N21/8586 H04W8/005

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 9,143,565
App. No.: 13/905,779
Granted: Sep 22, 2015
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an “app-sync indicator” for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.

Claims (151)

1. A method comprising:

using a processor, generating a datastream that contemporaneously includes media content and an app-sync indicator for the media content; and

providing the datastream to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display and detect a companion device,

the companion device being configured to launch an application in response to a launch instruction from the media device, the app-sync indicator and the launch instruction identifying the application among multiple applications stored by the companion device,

the media device being configured to send the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator identifying the application,

the providing of the datastream including providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content to the media device,

the media device sending the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator being provided contemporaneously with the media content being presented on the display,

the companion device launching the application in response to the launch instruction identifying the application, the launch instruction being sent from the media device based on the provided app-sync indicator.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the generating of the datastream includes embedding the application into the datastream that includes the app-sync indicator; and

the companion device receives the application from the media device prior to launching the application.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the app-sync indicator includes a uniform resource locator (URL) that locates supplemental content that corresponds to the media content;

the media device is configured to extract the URL from the app-sync indicator,

the launch instruction includes the URL extracted from the app-sync indicator; and

the companion device launches the application with the URL as an input to the application.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:

the media device, prior to sending the launch instruction to the companion device, determines that the URL is referenced by a list of trusted URLs.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the media device, prior to sending the launch instruction to the companion device, determines that the application is referenced by a list of trusted applications.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the app-sync indicator includes a reference to supplemental content for the media content;

the media device is configured to extract the reference to the supplemental content from the app-sync indicator;

the launch instruction includes the reference to the supplemental content; and

the companion device, in launching the application, causes the application to obtain and store the supplemental content on the companion device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the app-sync indicator includes a reference to supplemental content for the media content;

the media device is configured to extract the reference to the supplemental content from the app-sync indicator;

the launch instruction includes the reference to the supplemental content; and

the companion device, in launching the application, causes the application to initiate a presentation of the supplemental content on a screen of the companion device.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein:

the providing of the datastream to the media device occurs via a first network; and the method further comprises

providing the supplemental content to the companion device via a second network.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein:

the media content depicts an event from a first camera angle; and

the supplemental content depicts the event from a second camera angle.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein:

the media device, prior to sending the launch instruction to the companion device, presents a suggestion that the companion device present the supplemental content.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the media device presents the suggestion on the display of the media device and receives an acceptance of the suggestion from a remote control configured to control the media device.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the media device presents the suggestion by causing the companion device to present the suggestion on the screen of the companion device.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein:

the media device receives an acceptance of the suggestion from the companion device.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the suggestion is a single icon that indicates an availability of the supplemental content for presentation and identifies a button that is operable to submit the acceptance of the suggestion.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the media device, prior to sending the launch instruction to the companion device, presents a menu of detected companion devices on the display and receives a selection that indicates the companion device is selected from the presented menu.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the media device, prior to sending the launch instruction to the companion device, establishes a communication link with the companion device based on the companion device being brought within a threshold distance of the media device.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein:

the media device, prior to establishing the communication link with the companion device, determines that the companion device is referenced by a list of trusted companion devices.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the media device is inadequate to execute the application.

19. A system comprising:

means for generating a datastream that contemporaneously includes media content and an app-sync indicator for the media content; and

means for providing the datastream to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display and detect a companion device,

the media device being configured to send the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator identifying the application,

the providing of the datastream including providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content to the media device,

the media device sending the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator being provided contemporaneously with the media content being presented on the display,

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

means for providing a detection module to the media device, the detection module configuring the media device to detect the companion device coming within a predetermined threshold distance of the media device.

21. A system comprising:

a processor configured by a generator module to generate a datastream that contemporaneously includes media content and an app-sync indicator for the media content; and

a provision module configured to provide the datastream to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display and detect a companion device,

the media device being configured to send the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator identifying the application,

the providing of the datastream including providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content to the media device,

the media device sending the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator being provided contemporaneously with the media content being presented on the display,

22. The system of claim 21 further comprising:

a server module configured to generate a synchronization module and provide the synchronization module to the media device, the synchronization module configuring the media device to send the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator.

23. The system of claim 21 further comprising:

a server module configured to generate a companion module and provide the companion module to the companion device, the companion module configuring the companion device to launch the application in response to the launch instruction from the media device.

24. A media device comprising:

a reception module configured to access a datastream that includes media content and an app-sync indicator associated with the media content;

a presentation module configured to cause presentation of the media content on a display;

a detection module configured to detect a companion device in physical proximity to the media device; and

a processor configured by a synchronization module to send, to the companion device, a launch instruction to cause launching of an application corresponding to the app-sync indicator on the companion device, the app-sync indicator and the launch instruction identifying the application among multiple applications stored by the companion device, the launch instruction being sent based on the app-sync indicator identifying the application, the launch instruction being sent contemporaneously with the presentation of the media content on the display.

25. The media device of claim 24 , wherein:

the datastream includes the application; and

the synchronization module configures the processor to send the application to the companion device prior to the sending of the launch instruction to the companion device.

26. A method comprising:

using a processor, generating a datastream that contemporaneously includes media content and an app-sync indicator for the media content, the app-sync indicator including a uniform resource locator (URL) that locates supplemental content that corresponds to the media content; and

providing the datastream to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display and detect a companion device,

the companion device being configured to launch an application in response to a launch instruction from the media device,

the media device being configured to extract the URL from the app-sync indicator and send the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator, the launch instruction including the URL extracted from the app-sync indicator,

the providing of the datastream including providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content to the media device,

the media device sending the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator being provided contemporaneously with the media content being presented on the display,

the companion device launching the application, with the URL as input to the application, in response to the launch instruction sent from the media device based on the provided app-sync indicator.

27. A system comprising:

a processor configured by a generator module to generate a datastream that contemporaneously includes media content and an app-sync indicator for the media content, the app-sync indicator including a uniform resource locator (URL) that locates supplemental content that corresponds to the media content; and

a provision module configured to provide the datastream to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display and detect a companion device,

the companion device being configured to launch an application in response to a launch instruction from the media device,

the providing of the datastream including providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content to the media device,

the media device sending the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator being provided contemporaneously with the media content being presented on the display,

the companion device launching the application, with the URL as input to the application, in response to the launch instruction sent from the media device based on the provided app-sync indicator.

28. A media device comprising:

a reception module configured to access a datastream that includes media content and an app-sync indicator associated with the media content, the app-sync indicator including a uniform resource locator (URL) that locates supplemental content that corresponds to the media content;

a presentation module configured to cause presentation of the media content on a display;

a detection module configured to detect a companion device in physical proximity to the media device; and

a processor configured by a synchronization module to extract the URL from the app-sync indicator and send, to the companion device, a launch instruction to cause launching of an application corresponding to the app-sync indicator on the companion device, the launch instruction including the URL extracted from the app-sync indicator, the launch instruction being sent contemporaneously with the presentation of the media content on the display, the companion device launching the application with the URL as input to the application in response to the launch instruction.

29. A method comprising:

using a processor, generating a datastream that contemporaneously includes media content and an app-sync indicator for the media content, the app-sync indicator including a reference to supplemental content for the media content; and

providing the datastream to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display and detect a companion device,

the companion device being configured to launch an application in response to a launch instruction from the media device,

the media device being configured to extract the reference to the supplemental content from the app-sync indicator and send the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator, the launch instruction including the reference to the supplemental content,

the providing of the datastream including providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content to the media device,

the media device sending the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator being provided contemporaneously with the media content being presented on the display,

the companion device launching the application in response to the launch instruction sent from the media device based on the provided app-sync indicator,

the companion device, in launching the application, causing the application to obtain and store the supplemental content on the companion device.

30. A system comprising:

a processor configured by a generator module to generate a datastream that contemporaneously includes media content and an app-sync indicator for the media content, the app-sync indicator including a reference to supplemental content for the media content, and

a provision module configured to provide the datastream to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display and detect a companion device,

the companion device being configured to launch an application in response to a launch instruction from the media device,

the providing of the datastream including providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content to the media device,

the media device sending the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator being provided contemporaneously with the media content being presented on the display,

the companion device launching the application in response to the launch instruction sent from the media device based on the provided app-sync indicator,

the companion device, in launching the application, causing the application to obtain and store the supplemental content on the companion device.

31. A media device comprising:

a reception module configured to access a datastream that includes media content and an app-sync indicator associated with the media content, the app-sync indicator including a reference to supplemental content for the media content;

a presentation module configured to cause presentation of the media content on a display;

a detection module configured to detect a companion device in physical proximity to the media device; and

a processor configured by a synchronization module to extract the reference to the supplemental content from the app-sync indicator and send, to the companion device, a launch instruction to cause launching of an application corresponding to the app-sync indicator on the companion device, the launch instruction including the reference to the supplemental content, the launch instruction being sent contemporaneously with the presentation of the media content on the display, the companion device, in launching the application, causing the application to obtain and store the supplemental content on the companion device.

32. A method comprising:

providing the datastream to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display and detect a companion device,

the companion device being configured to launch an application in response to a launch instruction from the media device,

the providing of the datastream including providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content to the media device,

the media device sending the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator being provided contemporaneously with the media content being presented on the display,

the companion device launching the application in response to the launch instruction sent from the media device based on the provided app-sync indicator,

the companion device, in launching the application, causing the application to initiate a presentation of the supplemental content on a screen of the companion device.

33. A system comprising:

a processor configured by a generator module to generate a datastream that contemporaneously includes media content and an app-sync indicator for the media content, the app-sync indicator including a reference to supplemental content for the media content; and

a provision module configured to provide the datastream to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display and detect a companion device,

the companion device being configured to launch an application in response to a launch instruction from the media device,

the providing of the datastream including providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content to the media device,

the media device sending the launch instruction to the companion device based on the app-sync indicator being provided contemporaneously with the media content being presented on the display,

the companion device launching the application in response to the launch instruction sent from the media device based on the provided app-sync indicator,

the companion device, in launching the application, causing the application to initiate a presentation of the supplemental content on a screen of the companion device.

34. A media device comprising:

a reception module configured to access a datastream that includes media content and an app-sync indicator associated with the media content, the app-sync indicator including a reference to supplemental content for the media content;

a presentation module configured to cause presentation of the media content on a display;

a detection module configured to detect a companion device in physical proximity to the media device; and

a processor configured by a synchronization module to extract the reference to the supplemental content from the app-sync indicator and send, to the companion device, a launch instruction to cause launching of an application corresponding to the app-sync indicator on the companion device, the launch instruction including the reference to the supplemental content, the launch instruction being sent contemporaneously with the presentation of the media content on the display, the companion device, in launching the application, causing the application to initiate a presentation of the supplemental content on a screen of the companion device.

Assignments (1)

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2013

From: HENSGEN, DEBRA; PIERRE, LUDOVIC; GIBSON, MARTIN; IYER, NANDINI; MENARD, JEAN-RENE; RAPPORT, SEBASTIAN

To: OPENTV, INC.

Reel/Frame 030515/0607 →

Continuity (1)

Related Publication 20140359057A1 · Dec 4, 2014