254results about "Broadcast/distribution synchronisation by plural systems" patented technology

In a broadcasting system, an electronic program guide (EPG) is used to determine what broadcast program is on a given channel at a given time in a given location. With the particular determined broadcast program as an input, timing offset objects defining interactive content related to the determined broadcast program can be retrieved from a timing offsets database. Each timing offset object specifies a time from the beginning of the program, an act to perform at the time, and a reference to interactive content on which to perform the act at the time. With the reference to the interactive content as an input, an interactive application or other interactive content can be retrieved from an interactive content database. The EPG, the timing offsets database, and the interactive content database may be located logically or physically together or separately, and they may be cached locally or referenced from an external source.

A method is provided for synchronizing the playback of a digital audio broadcast on a plurality of network output devices by inserting an audio waveform sample in an audio stream of the digital audio broadcast. The method includes the steps of outputting a first unique signal as part of an audio signal which has unique identifying characteristics and is regularly occurring, outputting a second unique signal so that the time between the first and second unique signals must be significantly greater than the latency between sending and receiving devices, and coordinating play of audio by an audio waveform sample assuring the simultaneous output of the audio signal from multiple devices. An algorithm in hardware, software, or a combination of the two identifies the audio waveform sample in the audio stream. The digital audio broadcast from multiple receivers does not present to a listener any audible delay or echo effect.

A computer implemented method and system simultaneously distributes content data streams (CDSs) of multiple content formats, for example, live cable television content, gaming content, social media content, user generated content, etc., to one or more computing devices. An interactive content distribution platform (ICDP) receives user selections of the CDSs and the content formats via a graphical user interface (GUI) and receives one or more CDSs in one or more content formats from multiple content sources based on the user selections. The ICDP synchronizes the CDSs by encoding the CDSs into a common data format and adjusting a transmission rate of the CDSs. The ICDP simultaneously transmits and displays the synchronized CDSs in one or more configurable windows on a display screen of each computing device at configurable time instances via the GUI. The ICDP facilitates interactions and initiates transactions between computing devices during the simultaneous display of the synchronized CDSs.

A method is provided for synchronizing the playback of a digital audio broadcast on a plurality of network output devices by inserting a control track pulse in an audio stream of the digital audio broadcast. The method includes the steps of outputting a first control track pulse as part of an audio signal which has unique identifying characteristics and is regularly occurring, outputting a second control track pulse so that the time between the first and second control track pulses must be significantly greater than the latency between sending and receiving devices, and coordinating play of audio at the time of the occurrence of the transmission of the second control track pulse assuring the simultaneous output of the audio signal from multiple devices. The control track pulses have a value unique from any other portion of the audio stream. The digital audio broadcast from multiple receivers does not present to a listener any audible delay or echo effect.

The present invention realizes electronic commerce by providing a reception section that receives product information and service information and a barcode formation section that forms a barcode based on the received information, displaying the barcode formed by the barcode formation section on a display section and allowing a barcode reader provided at a shop terminal, etc. to read this barcode.

The present invention realizes electronic commerce by providing a reception section that receives product information and service information and a barcode formation section that forms a barcode based on the received information, displaying the barcode formed by the barcode formation section on a display section and allowing a barcode reader provided at a shop terminal, etc. to read this barcode.

Provided is a system and method for terrestrial digital broadcasting service using a single frequency network without additional equipment. The system and method synchronizes input signals into transmitting stations by inserting a transmission synchronization signal into a header of TS periodically, and solves the problematic ambiguity of the trellis encoder by including a trellis encoder switching unit separately and initializing a memory of the trellis encoder. The terrestrial digital broadcasting system includes: a broadcasting station for multiplexing video, voice and additional signals into transport stream (TS) and transmitting the TS to the transmitting stations and a transmitting stations for receiving the TS and broadcast the TS to receiving stations through a single frequency network

A media system is provided having synchronized multiple camera signals of at least one event or activity for transmission over the internet to end users for selective display and / or manipulation. The media system may provide that end users are able to select and view and manipulate one or more of the multiple streaming video signals at will. The media system may be used in connection with a great variety of events or activities, including without limitation concerts, sports events, political events, sales events, movie premiers, public events, training events and religious events. A method is also provided having synchronized camera signals of at least one event or activity for transmission over the internet to end users for selective display and / or manipulation. The multiple camera signals are provided to end users for selective display and / or manipulation by end users. A media player is also provided for processing synchronized camera signals representing different views of at least one event or activity and providing end users of the media player the options of selectively displaying and / or manipulating at least one of the views at will.

Apparatus for interactive broadcasting comprises: an in step device for determining predetermined times in a broadcast relevant to user interaction; a content insertion device for inserting interactivity content for sending over a network to users for interaction at the predetermined times; and an embedding unit for embedding timing control into the interactive content to ensure that the interactive content is displayed to the users at the predetermined times. The apparatus is useful for providing timely user interaction even via the cellular network. Further refinements include traffic spreading at the application layer, and the use of SMS to provide a user with the URL for initial logging on.

The invention relates to a method and system of delivering an object relating to a broadcast media stream to a user terminal (110) of a radio system (206). A broadcast system (2000) broadcasts the media stream, associates the object to the media stream and delivers an object identification of the object to at least one user terminal (110) either through the radio system or as an RDS broadcast. The user terminal (110) presents the object identification in synchronization with the media stream in the user terminal and sends, if a user requests the delivery of the object based on the object identification, a transaction signal with the object identification to a database (208) having at least one object through the radio system (206). The database (208) delivers the object of the object identification to the user terminal (110), which sent the request signal, through the radio system (206).

A system and method is provided for use in connection with delivering content that is targeted to users of a broadcast network. In order to select content that is targeted to users of the broadcast network, signals are received from a plurality of customer premise equipment devices (CPEs) of the network users via a broadcast network interface. Based on the received signals, broadcast assets (e.g., programming, advertisements etc.) are selected from a collection of available asset options. Accordingly, at least a portion of the selected assets are inserted into a content stream of the broadcast network. Once the content stream is broadcast over a broadcast network interface, at least a portion of the selected assets area available for receipt by at least a portion of the CPEs. The CPEs generate reports regarding assets delivered such that asset providers can be billed based on guaranteed targeted impressions.

A system and method is provided for use in connection with delivering content that is targeted to users of a broadcast network. In order to select content that is targeted to users of the broadcast network, signals are received from a plurality of customer premise equipment devices (CPEs) of the network users via a broadcast network interface. Based on the received signals, broadcast assets (e.g., programming, advertisements etc.) are selected from a collection of available asset options. Accordingly, at least a portion of the selected assets are inserted into a content stream of the broadcast network. Once the content stream is broadcast over a broadcast network interface, at least a portion of the selected assets area available for receipt by at least a portion of the CPEs. The CPEs generate reports regarding assets delivered such that asset providers can be billed based on guaranteed targeted impressions.

A single frequency network (SFN) system is provided, where the system includes a head-end and a plurality of transmitters. The head-end is capable of calculating timing information based upon a time reference having a second resolution. Thereafter, the head-end is capable of sending content including the timing information. The transmitters are capable of receiving the content including the timing information. At least one transmitter is capable of calculating a delay to synchronize the content with content received by at least one other transmitter. In this regard, the transmitter(s) are capable of calculating the delay based upon the timing information and a time reference having a first resolution, the first resolution being higher than the second resolution such that the delay has a higher accuracy than the timing information. After the delay, then, the transmitter(s) are capable of broadcasting the synchronized content to a plurality of mobile terminals.

A system for providing broadcast content includes a content source and a terminal. The content source, in turn, includes a continuity server capable of maintaining at least one piece of content and a schedule. The schedule specifies broadcast time(s) the content source broadcasts the piece(s) of content. In this regard, the content source can broadcast the piece(s) of content in accordance with the schedule. The terminal can store, in a memory, at least one piece of pre-broadcast content comprising the same piece(s) of content maintained by the continuity server. The terminal can therefore access at least one piece of pre-broadcast content from the memory in accordance with the schedule. Then, the terminal can present the accessed at least one piece of pre-broadcast content as the content source broadcasts the same at least one piece of content.

A method of enabling a television viewer to interact with a television programme. A television signal corresponding to said television programme is broadcast by a television corporation 1 whilst an information server 5 is synchronised to the broadcast. Messages are sent from the information server 5 to a mobile wireless terminal 7 operated by the television viewer and / or received messages received at the information server 5 from wireless terminal 7. The sending and / or receipt of messages at the information server 5 is synchronised with the broadcast television signal.

A system, method, apparatus and computer code are provided for producing coherent symbols from digital RF transmitters. A receiver receives a first initialization packet containing a plurality of stuff bytes and Trellis coders are deterministically initialized using the first initialization packet.

The present invention discloses a wireless mobile communication system for transferring MBMS data from an access gateway to plural wireless base stations and transmitting the MBMS data from the plural wireless base stations to a wireless mobile station at the same time. The system includes a transferring part included in the access gateway for copying the MBMS data in a number corresponding to the number of the plural wireless base stations, adding a header indicative of data transmission time to the MBMS data, and transferring the MBMS data to the plural wireless base stations; a transmitting part included in each the plural wireless base stations for extracting the data transmission time from the header of the transferred MBMS data, deleting the header from the MBMS data, and transmitting the MBMS data to the wireless mobile station.

A system, method, apparatus and computer code are provided for producing coherent symbols from digital RF transmitters. A multiplexer receives a digital signal containing content data to be broadcast from the digital RF transmitters and inserts a first initialization packet into the digital signal, where the initialization packets implicit position in the digital signal will signal data framing in the digital RF transmitters. Where the initialization packet contains stuff bytes for deterministically initializing Trellis coders in the digital RF transmitters. A transport stream emitter transmits the digital signal to the plurality of digital RF transmitters.

Synchronization of content, events and other executables is contemplated. The synchronization may include synchronizing events executing on one device relative to events executing on another device, such as to facilitate syncing an interactive application executing on a tablet computer or other mobile device to a television program or other content interfaced through a television or other interface.

Disclosed is a hybrid delivery method for content in which content is divided corresponding to the number of means of delivery and transmitted. An hybrid delivery method of content comprises the steps of: detecting the number of delivery means by which a server can transmit content to a client; dividing the content so as to correspond to the detected number of delivery means; generating composition information for each of the divided content; and transmitting the divided content and the composition information to the client using the transmission means. Thus, a variety of transmission means can be used effectively.

There is provided a system and method for streaming content to a plurality of devices over a network. A first stream comprising a first live feed is received from a first source, a second stream comprising a second live feed received from a second source, the first live feed synchronized with the second live feed, and a third stream comprising the synchronized first and second live feed generated and sent to each device. An interface is also presented on each device and the live feed displayed therewithin, a request signal indicative of a request for interactive content received, a control signal comprising instructions for retrieving the interactive content from the memory sent to each device, and the interface dynamically modified for causing the retrieved interactive content to be displayed concurrently with the live feed.

Systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are provided for causing a dataframe to be emitted at an air interface of an antenna. A memory stores a transmission to antenna delay value (TAD). An offset calculator calculates an offset value based on an epoch of a global timebase generator and the transmission to antenna delay value (TAD). An interface controller in communication with the offset calculator communicates a segment synchronization signal and a field synchronization signal based on the offset value.

A media system comprising a broadcast system, a telecommunication system, a content processing system, and a user terminal. While a media stream is broadcast, a group of content items associated with the media stream are generated. The content items are presented in the user terminal in a first mode, wherein a presentation element corresponding to a content item is changed to another presentation element according to the timing information of the content item, or in a second mode wherein a presentation element is changed to another presentation element in response to a user action. Transition from the second mode is allowed only by authorization according to a pre-defined procedure. The interactive operations are thus controlled by the user and thus not overridden by content timed or pushed to the user terminal for display.

A system, method, apparatus and computer code are provided for producing coherent symbols from digital RF transmitters. A receiver receives a first initialization packet containing a plurality of stuff bytes and Trellis coders are deterministically initialized using the first initialization packet.

Provided are an apparatus and method of transmitting and receiving associated broadcasting contents based on a heterogeneous network. The transmission system generates a basic contents stream for basic contents configuring the broadcasting contents to transmit the basic contents stream to a terminal through a broadcasting network, generates an additional contents stream for additional contents associated with the basic contents to transmit the additional contents stream to the terminal through a communication network, and further transmits at least one of associated playing information on the basic contents and associated playing information on the additional contents to the terminal, and the reception terminal receives the basic contents stream, the additional contents stream, and the associated playing information and synchronize the basic contents and the additional contents with each other to play them, thereby playing the broadcasting contents in real time.

A broadcast service for transmission to mobile terminals 10a-10c in a cellular communication system comprises a series of burst B1-B5 of data packets in a transport stream 7. Where the available data transmission rates in cells C1, C2 are unequal, the transport stream 7a for transmission to the cell C1 with the higher data transmission rate is modified by incorporating additional payload L1-L5 in each burst in the series, for example by appending the additional payload to each burst or by interleaving the burst data and additional payload (FIG. 7) so that a time interval t; between adjacent bursts B1-B5 is the same in both cells C1, C2. Therefore, start times of the transmission of each burst B1-B5 in both cells C1, C2 are synchronised, i.e. the transmission of each burst B1-B5 begins simultaneously in both cells C1 or a time interval to between the start of transmission of each burst in cells C1, C2 is fixed (FIG. 5). This allows a mobile terminal 10b operating in a selective data reception mode to continue receiving a service without disruption when moving across a cell boundary 11. The incorporation of the additional payload may be performed by a digital broadcast head-end 26 or by an apparatus 13 associated with a transmitter 8 serving a cell C1.

Embodiments are provided for syncing multiple electronic devices for collective audio playback. According to certain aspects, a master device connects (218) to a slave device via a wireless connection. The master device calculates (224) a network latency via a series of network latency pings with the slave device and sends (225) the network latency to the slave device. Further, the master devices sends (232) a portion of an audio file as well as a timing instruction including a system time to the slave device. The master device initiates (234) playback of the portion of the audio file and the slave devices initiates (236) playback of the portion of the audio file according to the timing instruction and a calculated system clock offset value.

The invention relates to a media system, a user terminal and a method of providing one or more content items to at least one user terminal, the content item being related to a broadcast media stream. The method comprises: attaching the content item to a broadcasting time line of the broadcast media stream by a broadcasting system; broadcasting the broadcast media stream by the broadcasting system; synchronizing an internal time of the user terminal with the internal time of the broadcasting system; sending the content item attached to the broadcasting time line from the radio system to the user terminal; and presenting the received content item in the user terminal at a given moment in time that is based on the attachment and on the synchronization.