IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,598,230
Granted Patent B2
US 12,598,230 · App. 18/793,281 · Granted Apr 7, 2026

Methods for determining second screen content based on data events at primary content output device

Inventors: Stephen Ziring (Lansdale, PA); David Nicholas Voyles (Narberth, PA); Kalila Sharafi (Philadelphia, PA); Charles White (Glen Mills, PA); Maurice Gaston (Philadelphia, PA); Bryan Yurasits (Levittown, PA)
Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
H04L67/104G06Q30/0255H04L67/55
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,598,230
App. No.
18/793,281
Granted
Apr 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Aspects as described herein are directed to providing an enhanced user experience for consuming content on a computing device. Secondary computing devices, such as handheld smartphones and tablet-style computers, may be identified by a primary computing device, such as a set-top box. The secondary computing devices may be configured to receive actionable instructions from the primary computing device. An actionable event associated with content being outputted to a user via the primary computing device may be determined and an actionable instruction may be transmitted to the secondary computing device in response to the determined actionable event.

Claims (74)

1 . A method comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, a request to fast-forward through a portion of content being output by a first display device; and

based on the request and an indication that a second display device is available:

sending instructions to output second content on the second display device with trick play disabled; and

fast-forwarding through the portion of the content being output by the first display device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the computing device comprises a set-top box, the first display device comprises a television, and the second display device comprises a mobile phone.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving the request comprises receiving data indicating an input, at a remote control device, of a fast-forward command,

wherein the instructions to output the second content on the second display device with the trick play disabled are based on a table correlating inputs received at the remote control device to instructions to be sent to the second display device.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the content being output by the first display device comprises advertisement content, and wherein the second content comprises alternative advertisement content different from the advertisement content.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the content being output by the first display device comprises an advertisement.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication that the second display device is available comprises an indication that the second display device has accessed an application that interacts with the computing device.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second display device comprises a mobile computing device comprising a remote control device of the computing device.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

selecting, based on a duration of the second content, a speed at which to fast-forward through the portion of the content being output by the first display device.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

pausing, based on receiving information indicating that a user viewing the content being output by the first display device has left a proximity of the computing device or the first display device, the content being output by the first display device.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first display device is a component of the computing device.

11 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed, cause:

receiving, by a computing device, a request to fast-forward through a portion of content being output by a first display device; and

based on the request and an indication that a second display device is available:

sending instructions to output second content on the second display device with trick play disabled; and

fast-forwarding through the portion of the content being output by the first display device.

12 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the computing device comprises a set-top box, the first display device comprises a television, and the second display device comprises a mobile phone.

13 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the receiving the request comprises receiving data indicating an input, at a remote control device, of a fast-forward command,

wherein the instructions to output the second content on the second display device with the trick play disabled are based on a table correlating inputs received at the remote control device to instructions to be sent to the second display device.

14 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the content being output by the first display device comprises advertisement content, and wherein the second content comprises alternative advertisement content different from the advertisement content.

15 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 11 , wherein the content being output by the first display device comprises an advertisement.

16 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 11 , wherein the indication that the second display device is available comprises an indication that the second display device has accessed an application that interacts with the computing device.

17 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the second display device comprises a mobile computing device comprising a remote control device of the computing device.

18 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed further cause:

selecting, based on a duration of the second content, a speed at which to fast-forward through the portion of the content being output by the first display device.

19 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 11 , wherein the instructions, when executed further cause:

pausing, based on receiving information indicating that a user viewing the content being output by the first display device has left a proximity of the computing device or the first display device, the content being output by the first display device.

20 . The one or more non-transitory computer readable media of claim 11 , wherein the first display device is a component of the computing device.

21 . An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

receive, by the apparatus, a request to fast-forward through a portion of content being output by a first display device; and

based on the request and an indication that a second display device is available:

send instructions to output second content on the second display device with trick play disabled; and

fast-forward through the portion of the content being output by the first display device.

22 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the apparatus comprises a set-top box, the first display device comprises a television, and the second display device comprises a mobile phone.

23 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the receiving the request comprises receiving data indicating an input, at a remote control device, of a fast-forward command,

wherein the instructions to output the second content on the second display device with the trick play disabled are based on a table correlating inputs received at the remote control device to instructions to be sent to the second display device.

24 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the content being output by the first display device comprises advertisement content, and wherein the second content comprises alternative advertisement content different from the advertisement content.

25 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the content being output by the first display device comprises an advertisement.

26 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the indication that the second display device is available comprises an indication that the second display device has accessed an application that interacts with the computing device.

27 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the second display device comprises a mobile computing device comprising a remote control device of the computing device.

28 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to:

select, based on a duration of the second content, a speed at which to fast-forward through the portion of the content being output by the first display device.

29 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to:

pause, based on receiving information indicating that a user viewing the content being output by the first display device has left a proximity of the computing device or the first display device, the content being output by the first display device.

30 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the first display device is a component of the computing device.

31 . A system comprising:

a computing device, and a first display device,

wherein, the computing device comprises:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to:

receive a request to fast-forward through a portion of content being output by the first display device; and

based on the request and an indication that a second display device is available:

send instructions to output second content on the second display device with trick play disabled; and

fast-forward through the portion of the content being output by the first display device.

32 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the computing device comprises a set-top box, the first display device comprises a television, and the second display device comprises a mobile phone.

33 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the receiving the request comprises receiving data indicating an input, at a remote control device, of a fast-forward command,

wherein the instructions to output the second content on the second display device with the trick play disabled are based on a table correlating inputs received at the remote control device to instructions to be sent to the second display device.

34 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the content being output by the first display device comprises advertisement content, and wherein the second content comprises alternative advertisement content different from the advertisement content.

35 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the content being output by the first display device comprises an advertisement.

36 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the indication that the second display device is available comprises an indication that the second display device has accessed an application that interacts with the computing device.

37 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the second display device comprises a mobile computing device comprising a remote control device of the computing device.

38 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the computing device to:

select, based on a duration of the second content, a speed at which to fast-forward through the portion of the content being output by the first display device.

39 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the computing device to:

pause, based on receiving information indicating that a user viewing the content being output by the first display device has left a proximity of the computing device or the first display device, the content being output by the first display device.

40 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the first display device is a component of the computing device.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2024
From: ZIRING, STEPHEN; VOYLES, DAVID NICHOLAS; SHARAFI, KALILA; WHITE, CHARLES; GASTON, MAURICE; YURASITS, BRYAN
To: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 069099/0565 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 18468204 · Sep 15, 2023
Continuation 14614562 · Feb 5, 2015
Related Publication 20240396965A1 · Nov 28, 2024
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