U.S. patent application number 13/363054 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-01 for content associated with primary content.
The applicant listed for this patent is David A. Desormeaux, Paul W. Martin, Robert P. Martin. Invention is credited to David A. Desormeaux, Paul W. Martin, Robert P. Martin.
Application Number | 20130198321 13/363054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48871269 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130198321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin; Paul W. ; et
al. |
August 1, 2013 |
CONTENT ASSOCIATED WITH PRIMARY CONTENT
Abstract
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to communicating
content associated with primary content including media presented
at a first device. Metadata information about the primary content
is used to communicate associated content to a second device.
Inventors: |
Martin; Paul W.; (Loveland,
CO) ; Desormeaux; David A.; (Ft. Collins, CO)
; Martin; Robert P.; (Fort Collins, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Martin; Paul W.
Desormeaux; David A.
Martin; Robert P. |
Loveland
Ft. Collins
Fort Collins |
CO
CO
CO |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48871269 |
Appl. No.: |
13/363054 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 43/12 20130101;
G06F 16/48 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/217 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A computing system comprising: a synchronization module to
receive synchronization information about primary content including
media being presented at a first presentation device; an associated
content module to determine associated content related to the
primary content based on the synchronization information; and a
communication module to transmit the associated content to a visual
presentation device.
2. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the associated content
module further customizes the associated content for the visual
presentation device based on profile information associated with a
user of the visual presentation device.
3. The computing system of claim 2, wherein the associated content
is further customized based on social networking information of the
user.
4. The computing system of claim 2, wherein the associated content
module further determines second associated content based on the
synchronization information and second profile information
associated with a second user of a second visual presentation
device, and wherein the communication module transmits the second
associated content to the second visual presentation device.
5. The computing system of claim 2, further comprising: a profile
manager, wherein the communication module receives rating
information about the associated content from the visual
presentation device, and wherein the profile manager updates the
profile information based on the rating information.
6. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the visual presentation
device is a mobile device.
7. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising: a device
association module to associate the first presentation device and
the visual presentation device.
8. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the associated content
includes at least one of: a web link, an advertisement, a game,
search information based on metadata of the primary content, a user
comment feed, social media, and an online store.
9. A method comprising: receiving metadata about primary content
including media presented on a first device; determining associated
content based on the primary content and the metadata; customizing
the associated content for a second device based on profile
information; and transmitting the associated content to the second
device.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second device is one of: a
tablet device, a mobile phone, and a portable media device.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the metadata includes timing
information about the primary content.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: associating the
first device and a third device; customizing the associated content
for the third device based on other profile information; and
communicating the associated content for the third device to the
third device, wherein the associated content for the third device
is further based on the timing information.
13. A mobile device comprising: an association module to associate
the mobile device with a presentation device presenting primary
content including media, a communication module to communicate the
association to an associated content platform and to receive
associated content related with the primary content from the
associated content platform, wherein the associated content is
synchronized to the primary content; and a presentation module to
present the secondary content.
14. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the associated content
is customized based on a profile associated with an account
associated with the mobile device, and wherein the associated
content includes at least one of: a web link, an advertisement, a
game, a user comment feed, social media, an online store, and
descriptive information about the primary content.
15. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the associated content
includes context based selection information associated with the
primary content, the mobile device further comprising: a selection
module to select a portion of the context based selection
information, wherein the communication module causes the
presentation of at least one of: another portion of the primary
content and a portion of another primary content on the
presentation device based on the selected portion.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Consumers today use a variety of devices daily. For example,
a user may use a television, a computer, Blu-ray players, etc. to
watch media. Blu-ray disks and/or DVDs may include bonus content in
addition to movie content. Users may also use computing devices to
retrieve media from the Internet. The Internet provides a large
amount of media to users that users can search through.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] The following detailed description references the drawings,
wherein:
[0003] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a system for providing
associated content about primary content to a presentation device,
according to one example;
[0004] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an associated content platform
for providing associated content about primary content to a visual
presentation device, according to one example;
[0005] FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams of mobile devices capable
of presenting secondary content associated with primary content,
according to various examples;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for providing associated
content to a device, according to one example; and
[0007] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example user interface for
presenting secondary content about primary content, according to
one example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Users of devices search the Internet to retrieve information
and media. Due to the growth of available information, the
proliferation of online advertising, and biasing of search results
based on business forces, the effectiveness of searching through
the Internet for relevant information has suffered. As such, many
users may receive a cluttered and confusing search experience while
attempting to navigate through the Internet.
[0009] Many people watching media, such as video media like
television, streaming online video, DVDs, Blu-rays, digital video
recordings, etc. or audio media such as radio, digital radio, a
media player, a streaming audio source, etc. also use another
device while watching the video media or listening to the audio
media. For example, a user may use a tablet, laptop, or mobile
phone while viewing the video media on television or other device.
Many times, the users search for information about the video media
or audio media being played. However, it can be challenging for a
user to quickly and efficiently navigate to information that the
user desires or would find interesting.
[0010] Accordingly, various embodiments disclosed herein relate to
integrating contextual search results associated with a primary
content viewing experience at a secondary presentation device. In
one embodiment, primary content is media that a user or multiple
users can view on a primary visual presentation device such as a
television or computer or listen to on a primary audio presentation
device such as a computer, a television, a stereo, etc. In certain
embodiments, a visual presentation device is an electronic device
that is capable of outputting visual information. Further, in
certain embodiments, a presentation device is an electronic device
that is capable of outputting visual and/or audio information.
Primary content can be used for determining content presented on
the secondary presentation device. This can provide a user easier
access to content associated with the primary content. The
secondary presentation device can be implemented to provide options
of associated content streams to a user based on synchronization
with the primary presentation device. In certain examples,
associated content streams are sets of information that are
associated with cues about the primary content. These associated
content streams can also be personalized to a user or account
associated with the secondary presentation device. For example, two
people watching television playing the primary content can receive
different content streams of associated content based on a
profile.
[0011] In addition, a marketplace can be created to supply
associated content experiences. Authoring tools can be provided to
users and users may be able to submit media to a database. Further,
advertisements can be associated with the database and
customized/targeted for a user based on the profile and/or primary
content.
[0012] In certain examples, the secondary presentation device can
be a mobile device, such as a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, a
personal digital assistant, a media player, or the like. In other
examples, the secondary presentation device can include a
stationary computing device, such as a desktop computer, a
workstation, etc.
[0013] In one example, a cloud can receive synchronization
information about the primary content from the primary presentation
device. The cloud can determine content associated with the primary
content based on metadata including synchronization information.
The associated content can be customized and sent to the secondary
presentation device. The associated content can include a layer of
abstraction (e.g., thumbnail sized links) to send as content stream
alternatives to allow a user to choose an associated content
stream.
[0014] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a system for providing
associated content about primary content to a presentation device,
according to one example. The system 100 can include an associated
content platform 102 that communicates with a primary content
presentation device 104 and associated content visual presentation
devices 106a-106n via a communication network 108. In one example,
the associated content platform 102 can include a synchronization
module 120, an associated content module 122, and a communication
module 124. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the
associated content platform 102 can further include a profile
manager 126, a device association module 128, a content mining
module 130, a content development module 132, a processor 140, and
memory 142.
[0015] In certain examples, the associated content platform 102,
the primary content presentation device 104, and/or associated
content visual presentation devices 106 are computing devices, such
as servers, client computers, desktop computers, mobile computers,
set top boxes, etc. The associated content platform 102, the
primary content presentation device 104, and the associated content
visual presentation devices 106 can be implemented via a processing
element, memory, and/or other components. Further, in certain
examples, functionality of one of the devices can be split between
multiple other devices. For example, multiple servers or computing
devices can be used to implement the functionality of the
associated content platform 102.
[0016] A user can utilize a primary content presentation device
104, such as a television, a set top box (a cable box, a satellite
dish box, a digital video recorder, etc.), other computing devices
with capabilities to output presentation information (e.g., to a
projector or display), etc. The primary content presentation device
104 can play video media and/or audio media for a user. The media
can be tagged with metadata. In one example, metadata is
descriptive data about the primary content. Examples of metadata
for media can include timing information such as a time stamp,
location information about a scene of video content such as a
location stamp, item identification information about items in the
audio and/or video content, other contextual information (e.g.,
information about actors/actresses in a scene, information about
hotels, landmarks, or other structures in a scene, information
about an artist associated with an audio track, etc.), or the like.
Metadata can be set for a particular frame or set of frames of
video media. This information can be provided to the associated
content platform 102 by the primary content presentation device
104. Further, network protocols can be used to synchronize the play
of the primary content presentation device 104 with associated
content provided to the associated content visual presentation
device 106. Various examples described herein relate to visual
media content, however, it is contemplated that other media
sources, such as audio media can similarly be used.
[0017] The primary content presentation device 104 can be
associated with one or more associated content visual presentation
devices 106a-106n. The association can be made via the associated
content platform 102, as part of an ad-hoc connection between the
primary content presentation device 104, as part of a network
connection between the devices, as part of a wireless connection
between the devices, or the like. In certain scenarios, the
associated content visual presentation device 106 can execute an
application to communicate with the associated content platform 102
and the primary content presentation device 104. An account can be
created to associate the associated content visual presentation
device 106 and primary content presentation devices 104. In certain
scenarios, a location of an associated content visual presentation
device 106 can be used as part of a determination to become
associated with the primary content presentation device 104. In
other scenarios, the application can allow a user to select a
location and/or primary content presentation device 104. Further,
in certain scenarios, the application or device may be associated
with a particular primary content presentation device 104 based on
a unique identifier or set of identifiers of the primary content
presentation device 104 and/or associated content visual
presentation device 106.
[0018] The associated content platform 102 can also associate the
primary content presentation device 104 with the associated content
visual presentation device 106. In certain embodiments, a device
association module 128 associates the primary content presentation
device 104 and the associated content visual presentation device
106. The device association module 128 can be used to associate the
primary content presentation device 104 with one or more associated
content visual presentation devices 106. In certain examples, the
devices can send the associated content platform 102 information
about the devices desired to connect to. For example, the primary
content presentation device 104 may correspond with the device
association module 128 when turned on and/or when primary content
is being played to notify the associated content platform 102 that
it is available. When an application associated with the associated
content visual presentation device 106 is activated, it can send
information to the device association module 128 that it would like
to connect to the primary content presentation device 104. As such,
the device association module 128 can make the association based on
information (e.g., identifiers) received from the primary content
presentation device 104 and/or the associated content visual
presentation device 106.
[0019] Once associated, the associated content visual presentation
device 106 can receive associated content about the primary content
from the associated content platform 102. In certain embodiments,
associated content is information derived based on metadata of the
primary content. The associated content module 122 can determine
the associated content. By way of example, the associated content
can include a web link to information and/or content, an
advertisement, a game that can be played, information associated
with the primary content, information associated with a particular
object in the primary content, a store offering purchasable items
associated with the primary content, etc. In certain examples, the
associated content can be based on time stamps, location stamps,
contextual information (e.g., item information) about objects in
the primary content, combinations thereof, etc. Further, the
synchronization module 120 can coordinate the associated content
with the information currently being presented on the primary
content presentation device 104, for example, based on timestamps.
In certain examples, the associated content module 122 can execute
a contextual search based on the metadata to determine the
associated content. In some examples, the contextual search can
include metadata present at a particular timestamp and/or set of
timestamps. In other examples, the contextual search can also be
based on a user profile.
[0020] A profile manager 126 can be used to augment a search for a
particular user and/or device. In certain scenarios, a user and/or
device can be associated with an account with profile information
accessible at the associated content platform 102. The profile
information can include historical behavior of the user, user
preferences, social network information associated with the user,
or other information about the user and/or device use. As such,
profile information can be used to customize associated content for
the user of an associated content visual presentation device 106.
In certain scenarios, if different profiles are associated with two
different associated content visual presentation devices associated
with the same primary content presentation device 104, the
associated content transmitted to the respective devices can be
different.
[0021] Further, in certain examples, contextual information about
the user and/or associated content visual presentation device 106
can be used to affect the secondary content. For example, the
associated content visual presentation device 106 may include a
Global Positioning Sensor (GPS), a camera, or other sensors that
may affect the selection of associated content. In one example, if
the user is watching primary content in an area associated with the
primary content, more information about the specific location can
be shown and it can be pointed out that it is within a particular
distance. In another example, if the camera captures an image of
the user laughing during a particular part of the primary content,
a stream can be generated for comedy associated with that portion
of the primary content. In certain scenarios, the context
information associated with the associated content visual
presentation device 106 can be used as part of a profile.
[0022] Once associated content is determined, the communication
module 124 can be used to transmit or otherwise communicate the
associated content to the respective associated content visual
presentation devices 106. As noted above, the associated content
can include links, contextual information based on metadata, games,
advertisements, store information to purchase one or more items, or
the like. Further multiple types of associated content and/or
search results can be provided to the associated content visual
presentation device 106. Some results can be provided directly from
a database associated with the associated content platform 102.
Other results can link to other content. Further, the associated
content can be delivered to the user in one or more streams. For
example, a user may receive a separate stream of information about
clothing, locations, and cars. A stream of information can be
synchronized to the primary content by time and metadata used to
generate the stream. As such, if there is a first car in a first
scene and a second car in a second scene, a stream associated with
cars can change from being associated with the first car to the
second car (e.g., based on a new search). Further, as further
detailed in FIG. 4, the streams may be used to control primary
content to be viewed.
[0023] In some embodiments, feedback can be used to update profile
information. For example, a user of the associated content visual
presentation device 106 may provide rating information and/or the
device can provide activity information to the communication module
124. Profile manager 126 can then update a profile associated with
the respective account with rating information and/or information
about the usage information of the user. As such, usage tendencies
and/or preferences can be used to modify future searches. For
example, one user may frequently access associated content
associated with clothing in the primary content. Future searches
can provide more such results. Rating information can be based on a
score and/or a binary like or dislike of the associated
content.
[0024] A content mining module 130 can be used to quickly generate
internet based associated content. The content mining module 130
can bootstrap content into a cloud service so that useful results
can be obtained quickly. Further, a content development module 132
can be used to enable connection between primary content and
associated content. A developer community can be harnessed to
create an eco-system and/or marketplace for associated content. In
one example, users (e.g., enthusiasts, professionals associated
with the primary content, etc.) can add metadata information to a
database to describe particular primary content. Further,
developers can be able to curate, format, and/or submit
augmentation information and associated content to the associated
content platform 102.
[0025] In one example, one or more databases of metadata associated
with primary content can be created. In some examples, these
databases can be sold and/or subscribed to by users. This can be
used as an incentive for developers provide information about
primary content. With this approach, metadata information can be
stored at the associated content platform 102. When synchronization
information (e.g., one or more timestamps) of the primary content
is received, the local database of metadata can be searched for
metadata to use for the contextual search to generate the
associated content. Professionally produced content, such as
television shows, movies, training material, music, etc. can
include metadata in an associated database and/or with the primary
content. Further, amateur content, such as personal streaming video
content, social media content, audio podcasts, etc., can include
metadata. Examples of producers include studios, news
organizations, production companies, bloggers, reviewers, social
networks, topic experts, etc. In certain scenarios, hash keys
and/or other identification information can be used to associate
metadata with particular primary content. Further, in some
embodiments, metadata can be added to primary content after the
content is generated (e.g., by watchers of the primary
content).
[0026] In another example, one or more databases of associated
content can be generated. For example, a database full of
information about hotels, locations, clothing, combinations
thereof, etc. can be developed. These databases can also be
monetized. For example, if a hotel is booked based on a link from
the database, an entity associated with the database can receive
revenue sharing.
[0027] Further, one or more associated content databases based on
social media may be generated and/or searched. For example, access
information to a user's social media account (e.g., a FACEBOOK
account, a MYSPACE account, etc.) can be provided to the profile
manager 126. The context search can be used to retrieve images,
video, or other content from the social media account databases.
Further, the context search can link the user to the content on an
associated social media website.
[0028] The communication network 108 can use wired communications,
wireless communications, or combinations thereof. Further, the
communication network 108 can include multiple sub communication
networks such as data networks, wireless networks, telephony
networks, etc. Such networks can include, for example, a public
data network such as the Internet, local area networks (LANs), wide
area networks (WANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), cable
networks, fiber optic networks, combinations thereof, or the like.
In certain examples, wireless networks may include cellular
networks, satellite communications, wireless LANs, etc. Further,
the communication network 108 can be in the form of a direct
network link between devices. Various communications structures and
infrastructure can be utilized to implement the communication
network(s).
[0029] By way of example, the associated content platform 102, the
primary content presentation device 104, and the associated content
visual presentation devices 106a-106n communicate with each other
and other components with access to the communication network 108
via a communication protocol or multiple protocols. A protocol can
be a set of rules that defines how nodes of the communication
network 108 interact with other nodes. Further, communications
between network nodes can be implemented by exchanging discrete
packets of data or sending messages. Packets can include header
information associated with a protocol (e.g., information on the
location of the network node(s) to contact) as well as payload
information.
[0030] Processor 140 may be, at least one central processing unit
(CPU), at least one semiconductor-based microprocessor, at least
one graphics processing unit (GPU), other hardware devices suitable
for retrieval and execution of instructions stored in memory 142
such as a machine-readable storage medium, or combinations thereof.
For example, the processor 140 may include multiple cores on a
chip, include multiple cores across multiple chips, multiple cores
across multiple devices (e.g., if the associated content platform
102 includes multiple node devices), or combinations thereof.
Processor 140 may fetch, decode, and execute instructions. As an
alternative or in addition to retrieving and executing
instructions, processor 140 may include at least one integrated
circuit (IC), other control logic, other electronic circuits, or
combinations thereof that include a number of electronic components
for performing additional functionality.
[0031] In certain embodiments, a machine-readable storage medium
may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage
device that contains or stores executable instructions. Thus, a
machine-readable storage medium may be, for example, Random Access
Memory (RAM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only
Memory (EEPROM), a storage drive, a Compact Disc Read Only Memory
(CD-ROM), and the like. As such, the machine-readable storage
medium can be non-transitory. A machine-readable storage medium may
be encoded with a series of executable instructions for performing
one or more methods, for example, the method of FIG. 3.
[0032] FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams of mobile devices capable
of presenting secondary content associated with primary content,
according to various examples. Mobile devices 200a, 200b include
components that can be utilized to present associated content
related with primary content playing on another device. The
respective mobile devices 200a, 200b may be a notebook computer, a
cellular phone, a tablet computing device, a wireless device, a
media device, or any other computing device that is mobile.
Further, in certain scenarios, the mobile device 200 includes
network capabilities to connect with an associated content platform
and/or a primary content presentation device. In some embodiments,
the mobile device includes an association module 210, a
communication module 212, and a presentation module 214. In other
embodiments, the mobile device 200 can further include a
synchronization module 216, a selection module 218, a processor
230, memory 232, and input/output interfaces 234.
[0033] The mobile device 200 can be used as an associated content
visual presentation device. As such, the mobile device 200 can
present associated content to a user when the user is within
proximity to a device playing primary content. The association
module 210 can be used to associate the mobile device 200 with a
presentation device used to present the primary content. As noted
above, the primary content can include video media, audio media,
etc. The association module 210 can become associated with the
primary content presentation device in various ways as noted above.
In one example, the association module 210 can be implemented as
part of an application that allows a user to select a primary
content presentation device to associate with. In other examples,
the selection can be automatic based on an automatic determination
(e.g., based on network information) of proximity to the primary
content presentation device. In certain scenarios, once associated
a first time, the two devices can be associated in one or the
other's favorites list or list of previous contacts, making it
easier for a user to select in the future.
[0034] The communication module 212 can communicate the association
with the primary content presentation device to an associated
content platform. In one example, the communication can be direct
in a transmission to the platform. In another example, the
communication can be indirect, for example, via the primary content
presentation device.
[0035] The communication module 212 can further be used to receive
associated content related to the primary content from the
associated content platform. The secondary content can be
synchronized to the primary content. In one example, the
synchronization can occur at the associated content platform and
information received is based on synchronization information
received at the associated content platform from the primary
content presentation device. In another example, the associated
content and/or associated content streams can be received at the
mobile device and a synchronization module 216 can be used to
synchronize the received associated content with information
presented to a user based on time synchronization with the primary
content presentation device. As such, the presentation module 214
can present synchronized associated content to a user. The
associated content can be presented via an input/output interface
234 to an output device, such as a monitor, a projection output,
etc.
[0036] As noted above, the associated content can be customized
based on a profile associated with an account associated with the
mobile device 200. An account can be associated with the mobile
device 200 if authentication information is available at the mobile
device 200. The account can also be associated with a user.
Further, multiple accounts can be available on the mobile device
200. In certain scenarios, login information can be used to select
an active profile to be used to generate the associated content. As
noted above, the associated content can include at least one of a
web link, an advertisement, a game, descriptive information about
the primary content, information about actors or artists, places,
things, etc. of the primary content, store information to purchase
items associated with the primary content, wiki entries about the
primary content, news about objects in the primary content, a
string of comments about a portion of the primary content,
information about particular objects viewable in the primary
content, or the like.
[0037] In certain examples, the associated content includes context
based selection information associated with the primary content. As
noted above, associated content can include streams of content. For
example, a first set of content can be associated with cars, a
second set with locations, a third set with other objects, etc. The
selection module 218 can be used to select a portion of the context
based selection information. In the example of cars, the associated
content stream can be selected. Once selected, in certain examples,
the associated content can be used to select a portion of the
primary content or other primary content to view on the primary
content presentation device. For example, the selected associated
content can link to five cars. Three of the media objects can be
associated with the primary content while the other two are
associated with other primary content. The user can be provided an
option to view a scene associated with the media object on the
primary content presentation device. The user can select the option
to view the same primary content or other primary content. Further,
timing information can be associated with the content so that the
primary content presentation device is synchronized to the correct
part of the primary content.
[0038] The communication module 212 can be used to cause
presentation of the selected content on the primary content
presentation device based on the selection. In some embodiments,
the communication module 212 can be used to directly communicate
with the primary content presentation device with the selection
information that can be used by the primary content presentation
device to cause presentation of the selected content. In other
embodiments, the communication module 212 can be used to provide
the selection information to the associated content platform 102 to
provide the selected content to the primary content presentation
device 104. A command or a request can be sent to the primary
content presentation device to cause the presentation.
[0039] Processor 230, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a
microprocessor suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions
and/or electronic circuits can be configured to perform the
functionality of any of the modules 210, 212, 214 described herein.
As noted above, a CPU can include multiple execution cores.
Further, multiple processors can be used in the mobile device 200.
In certain scenarios, instructions and/or other information, such
as account information, can be included in memory 232 or other
memory. Input/output interfaces 234 may additionally be provided by
the mobile device 200b. For example, input devices 240, such as a
keyboard, a sensor (e.g., GPS), a camera, a touch interface, a
mouse, a microphone, etc. can be utilized to receive input from an
environment surrounding the mobile device 200b. Sensors, such as
cameras, GPS, etc. can be used to determine contextual information
about the mobile device 200. This information can be sent to an
associated content platform to customize associated content for the
mobile device 200. Further, an output device 242, such as a
display, can be utilized to present information to users. Examples
of output devices include speakers, display devices, amplifiers,
etc. Moreover, in certain embodiments, some components can be
utilized to implement functionality of other components described
herein.
[0040] Each of the modules 210, 212, 214 may include, for example,
hardware devices including electronic circuitry for implementing
the functionality described herein. In addition or as an
alternative, each module 210, 212, 214 may be implemented as a
series of instructions encoded on a machine-readable storage medium
of mobile device 200 and executable by processor 230. It should be
noted that, in some embodiments, some modules are implemented as
hardware devices, while other modules are implemented as executable
instructions.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for providing associated
content to a device, according to one example. Although execution
of method 300 is described below with reference to associated
content platform 102, other suitable components for execution of
method 300 can be utilized (e.g., a set of servers, a computing
device, etc.). Additionally, the components for executing the
method 300 may be spread among multiple devices. Method 300 may be
implemented in the form of executable instructions stored on one or
more non-transitory machine-readable storage media and/or in the
form of electronic circuitry. Further, the associated content
platform 102 can be used to provide services to various sets of
primary content presentation devices and/or associated content
visual presentation devices.
[0042] Method 300 may start at 302, where a device association
module 128 has associated a first device playing primary content
including media, such as video media and/or audio media with at
least one second device configured to present associated content.
The association can be based on information received from the first
device, the second devices, or a combination thereof.
[0043] The method 300 can then proceed to 304, where the associated
content platform 102 receives metadata about the primary content.
As noted above, the metadata can include timing information about
the primary content as well as other contextual information. The
metadata can be received from the first device and/or from a
database that includes metadata information about the primary
content. In certain scenarios, other timing information about the
state of the primary content on the first device can also be
received for synchronization.
[0044] Then, at 306, an associated content module 122 determines
associated content based on the primary content and the metadata.
As noted above, the associated content can be determined based on a
contextual search performed based on the metadata. Synchronization
timing information from the first device can be used to determine
what metadata is relevant at a particular time. For example, one
scene of primary content may include metadata about a first car, a
first dress, a first country location, and a first hotel. Another
scene of the primary content may include metadata about a second
car, a second dress, the first country location, and a second
hotel. The contextual searches at the times of the different scenes
can be different based on the metadata.
[0045] Further, the contextual searches and/or the associated
content determined from the contextual searches can be further
customized using a profile manager 126 (at 308). For example,
profile information associated with the second device can reflect
that a user is interested in cars, while other profile information
associated with a third device can reflect that the user is
interested in hotels. As such, streams of associated content can be
customized for each device based on the respective profiles.
[0046] The communication module 124 can then transmit or
communicate the associated content to the second device at 310. In
certain examples, when there is a third device or multiple other
devices, the associated content related to those devices can also
be transmitted. Then, at 312, the method 300 stops. The devices and
associated content platform 102 can continue to perform other
tasks.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example user interface for
presenting secondary content about primary content, according to
one example. A first user interface 400 shows primary content
playing on a primary content presentation device.
[0048] The primary content can be associated with timing
information. The timing information shown here can be reflected as
a time line 402 shown in a second user interface 410 associated
with a second device that can be used to show associated content
related to the primary content. The second user interface shows a
set of streams 412a-412n. Each of the streams 412 can be associated
with content associated with the metadata. Examples of streams
include stores, information about actors associated with the
primary content, places associated with the primary content, things
or other items/objects associated with the primary content, news
associated with items, objects, locations, etc. associated with the
primary content, wiki streams, streams of comments about portions
of the primary content, or the like. In one example, a first stream
may be associated with locations, a second stream may be associated
with clothes in the primary content, a third stream may be
associated with cars, etc. Additional streams can be made available
by scrolling through the stream feeds. Here, stream 412a is
selected.
[0049] When selected, a set of stream tiles 414a-414n can be
presented to the user. The stream tiles 414a-414n can be associated
with particular parts of the primary content as shown in timeline
416. When a stream tile 414b is selected, a pop-up 418 can be shown
as a preview of the content within. In certain embodiments, the
associated content can be expanded to a larger screen portion or
can be located to another portion of the second user interface 410.
When the user interacts with the stream tile 414b, interaction of
stream tiles can pause or scrub though primary content being played
(e.g., video content) at the first user interface 400. As such, the
selection of the content can be used to control the primary
content. For example, clicking on a stream tile 414b can provide
the user with an option to present a scene or another portion of
the playback of the primary content, for example, at playback 420.
In another example, the user can be presented with an option to
have the primary content device present a scene or another specific
portion of the playback of another primary content. Further, stream
tiles 414 can be saved to bookmarks 422 for use at a later time.
Moreover, in certain scenarios, when a stream tile is chosen, the
user can navigate to other content and/or perform other context
searches associated with other information or content.
[0050] Further, a target content and/or status scrubber 424 can be
used to show synchronization points of the primary content. The
scrubber may include transport controls showing one or more
synchronization points of the primary content that the associated
content is based on. In certain scenarios, one or more of the
elements shown on the second user interface 410 can be hidden,
including the target content and/or status scrubber 424.
[0051] Moreover, in certain scenarios, tiles of multiple streams
can be shown at the same time. In this scenario, the tiles are
hidden beneath the pop-up 418. The streams can also be filtered
based on criteria. For example, some of the content streams can be
associated with paid content or particular types of media (e.g.,
games, video, images, etc.). These categories can be used to sort
and/or filter the streams. Examples of filters can include
free/paid, popular/new, favorite topics, favorite producers,
favorite bloggers, etc. Further, sorting/filtering can be based on
rating information and/or user profile information.
[0052] With the above approaches, relevant content is delivered
quickly to users. Users can utilize their devices to retrieve
associated content without affecting the viewing of the primary
content for other users. The content can further be personalized
and actionable. Further, advertisers may be able to advertise on
the associated content device instead of the primary content device
to reach more users.
[0053] This can be helpful to reach audiences of DVDs and/or
Digital Video Recorders (DVRs). Amateur and professional curators
can add to the content community and can be incentivized with
approaches to earn revenue.
* * * * *