(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0280695A1
`SHARMA et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 18, 2014
`
`US 20140280695A1
`
`(54) SYNCHRONIZING MULTIPLE
`TRANSMISSIONS OF CONTENT
`
`(71) Applicant: COMCAST CABLE
`COMMUNICATIONS, LLC,
`Philadelphia, PA (US)
`
`(72) Inventors: Sudhanshu SHARMA, Lansdale, PA
`(US); James D. MORA, Pottwtown, PA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: COMCAST CABLE
`COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
`Philadelphia, PA (US)
`s
`s
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/798,843
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar 13, 2013
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`H04L 29/08
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .................................. H04L 67/1095 (2013.01)
`USPC .......................................................... T09/217
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`- 0
`The disclosure relates generally to providing synchronized
`Supplemental content. In one aspect, second user devices may
`be used to consume Supplemental content associated with
`primary content presented on a first display. The Supplemen
`tal content may be synchronized with the primary content,
`Such synchronization may be performed by detecting and
`reporting triggers within the primary content and transmitting
`synchronization signals to appropriate second user devices.
`Another aspect of the disclosure relates to determining which
`interfaces or applications will report the triggers, and fine
`tuning how many interfaces or applications will report the
`triggers.
`
`- 541
`
`
`
`SSC
`
`
`
`Local Office
`103
`
`SSC
`
`S1
`
`S2
`
`SSC
`
`- 10
`
`Interface
`12Ob
`
`Interface
`120C
`
`-1-
`
`Amazon v. Audio Pod
`US Patent 10,091,266
`Amazon EX-1025
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 1 of 10
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`US 2014/0280695 A1
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`
`
`
`
`External NetWOrk
`109
`
`
`
`103
`
`Push Server Content Server App Server
`105
`106
`107
`
`101
`
`UUUUUU
`
`
`
`120
`
`102a
`
`Set Top Box
`113
`
`Personal
`Computer
`114
`
`Laptop Computer
`115
`
`FIG. 1
`
`-2-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 2 of 10
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`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`External NetWOrk
`21 O
`
`DEVICE
`CONTROLLER
`2O7
`
`NETWORK
`—b- I/O
`209
`
`ROM
`202
`
`o
`
`V
`
`REMOVABLE
`MEDIA
`204
`
`HARD DRIVE
`205
`
`--> PROssor Ho-
`
`E.
`
`Supplemental
`COntent
`Manager
`2O1a
`
`
`
`INPUT DEVICE
`208
`
`FIG. 2
`
`-3-
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 3 of 10
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`US 2014/0280695 A1
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`
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`-4-
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 18,2014 Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 2014/0280695 Al
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 5 of 10
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`US 2014/0280695 A1
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`
`
`-6-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`F.G. 6
`
`
`
`
`
`ACCeSS POrtal
`601
`
`
`
`
`
`Create ACCOUnt
`602
`
`
`
`
`
`Register Device with a
`Zone or Group
`603
`
`Enter Preferences
`604
`
`-7-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`PrOCeSS information With
`SeCOnd SCreen device
`
`Process information with first
`SCreen device
`
`Calibrate synchronization
`
`Execute Second SCreen
`experience ao
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Choose Second SCreen COntent
`
`
`
`701
`
`702
`
`703
`
`704
`
`705
`
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`Correct location?
`
`---
`
`---
`
`---
`
`-
`
`
`
`>
`
`u-Change in Second Screens
`is Content Requested? -
`s
`u-
`Yes
`
`s
`
`^
`
`>
`
`FIG. 7
`
`-8-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`START
`
`Determine sampling information
`
`Determine multiplier
`
`Transmit sampling info
`and multiplier
`
`Receive and cache (optional)
`sampling info and multiplier
`
`Transmit content with trigger
`
`Receive content with trigger
`
`Detect trigger
`
`8O1
`
`802
`
`803
`
`804
`
`805
`
`806
`
`807
`
`- is
`808
`No - Send detection -
`is signal? --
`Yes
`Transmit detection signal
`
`(a)
`
`Receive detection signal
`
`ldentify second screen devices
`
`Push synchronization signal to
`identified devices
`
`809
`
`810
`
`811
`
`812
`
`813
`
`FIG. 8
`
`-9-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Detect trigger
`
`Determine time of day
`
`Determine Channel
`
`Retrieve percentage
`
`Retrieve multiplier
`
`Compute algorithm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`901 a
`
`902a
`
`903a
`
`904a
`
`905a
`
`906a
`
`NO
`
`
`
`- is
`- Send detections/
`is signal?
`--
`
`907a
`
`908a
`
`
`
`FIG. 9B
`
`FIG. 9A
`
`904b.
`
`905b
`
`906b
`
`Do Not Transmit detection signal
`
`Transmit detection signal
`
`-10-
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 18, 2014 Sheet 10 of 10
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`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`()
`
`START
`
`Detect received detection signal
`Decode detection signal
`
`Store deCOced information
`
`Compare results with desired
`results
`
`1001
`
`1002
`
`1003
`
`1004
`
`---> --
`
`1005
`
`Yes ur is
`< Too many responses?)-
`s u
`
`NO
`
`1 OO6
`
`DeCrease
`Multiplier
`
`-1 1007
`
`Multiplier
`
`---
`
`1008
`
`YeS u- s > -
`s Too few responses?)-
`
`1009
`
`NO
`
`Increase
`Multiplier
`
`Transmit
`Multiplier
`
`1010
`
`FIG 10
`
`-11-
`
`

`

`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`Sep. 18, 2014
`
`SYNCHRONIZING MULTIPLE
`TRANSMISSIONS OF CONTENT
`
`BACKGROUND
`0001 Television viewing is no longer the static, isolated,
`or passive pastime that it used to be. Today, viewers have the
`option of using a computing device. Such as a tablet computer
`or Smartphone, as a second screen to view a webpage related
`to a show they are watching, thereby keeping viewers
`engaged in a particular program. However, there is a demand
`for taking second screen experiences further. Specifically,
`there is a demand for Supplemental content (e.g., second
`screen content) that is synchronized with the primary content
`users are watching. While users want synchronization
`between their Supplemental content and other programs, they
`also want and rely on fast network speeds. Thus, systems and
`methods for providing synchronized Supplemental content
`with minimal impact on network bandwidth and other ben
`efits are desired.
`
`SUMMARY
`0002 Some or all of the various features described herein
`may facilitate synchronization of supplemental content (e.g.,
`second screen content) displayed on a second user device
`(e.g., a second screen device Such as a tablet computer, Smart
`phone, laptop, etc.) with primary content displayed on a first
`user device (e.g., a first screen device Such as a television or
`video display) thereby providing a desirable second screen
`experience. Some aspects described below allow for synchro
`nization of supplemental content with linear or time shifted
`primary content while minimizing an impact on network
`bandwidth.
`0003. In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, a
`plurality of interfaces (e.g., gateways, user devices, set top
`boxes, etc.) may receive triggers from a trigger Source for
`Supplemental content (e.g., second screen content) to be dis
`played on second screen devices in Synchronicity with pri
`mary content. A Subset of those interfaces may be selected to
`represent the plurality, and the Subset may report back trigger
`receipt information to the trigger Source, to allow the Source
`to adjust its timing of future triggers for the plurality of
`interfaces. Because a subset of the interfaces (which may be
`a relatively small amount of interfaces in comparison to the
`total number of interfaces) are used to report the triggers,
`instead of all of the interfaces, the impact on the upstream
`bandwidth of a service provider's network may be mini
`mized.
`0004. In an illustrative embodiment, the disclosure
`teaches grouping or categorizing interfaces into different
`Zones or groups, and teaches that the interfaces in a common
`Zone or group are expected to receive the same primary con
`tent at approximately the same time. In contrast, different
`Zones may receive similar primary content (e.g., a television
`program), but the primary content may include different
`advertisements or may be time shifted differently (e.g., have
`different delays). In each Zone, a subset of interfaces are
`expected to detect and report triggers embedded within or
`otherwise transmitted with the primary content. The subset of
`interfaces may vary. In some embodiments, the interfaces
`themselves or an associated computing device may compute
`an algorithm to determine whether they should report the
`trigger. An algorithm may be based on Statistical information
`received from a service provider or some other administrator.
`
`The statistical information may be specific to each Zone (or
`group) because, for example, it may be expected that users in
`Some Zones are more likely to view certain content than users
`in another Zone. An algorithm may take into account the
`channel for delivering the primary content, time of day, and
`other factors when determining whether the interface (or an
`application associated with the interface) should report a
`trigger.
`0005. In another aspect, and in particular to further reduce
`network traffic, multipliers may be sent at more frequent
`intervals than the statistical information, which may include a
`heavier payload than the multiplier. A multiplier may be a
`factor used to adjust the Subset of interfaces reporting trig
`gers. Regardless of the method for determining whether a
`trigger should be reported, when the trigger is reported, a
`trigger detection signal may be sent upstream on the same
`lines or channel that the primary content is received on. The
`trigger detection signal may eventually reach one or more
`servers dedicated for receiving and processing Such signals.
`The server(s) may then push synchronization signals to cer
`tain second screen devices that it knows or believes are dis
`playing second screen content associated with the primary
`content from which the trigger was detected. The server may
`transmit synchronization signals to second screen devices in
`response to the trigger detection signals. The second screen
`devices may then use the synchronization signals to synchro
`nize second screen content, which may be received from
`another source, e.g., another network or server, or already
`downloaded on the second screen device. Additionally,
`aspects of the present disclosure teach computing devices,
`having a processor and memory storing computer-executable
`instructions, and other apparatuses to perform the above steps
`and other steps for improving a second screen experience.
`0006. Other details and features will also be described in
`the sections that follow. This summary is not intended to
`identify critical or essential features of the inventions claimed
`herein, but instead merely Summarizes certain features and
`variations thereof.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0007 Some features herein are illustrated by way of
`example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the
`accompanying drawings and in which like reference numer
`als refer to similar elements.
`0008 FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication net
`work on which various features described herein may be used.
`0009 FIG. 2 illustrates an example computing device and
`Software configuration that can be used to implement any of
`the methods, servers, entities, and computing devices
`described herein.
`0010 FIG. 3 illustrates a system architecture according to
`one or more illustrative aspects described herein.
`0011
`FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram illustrating an example
`embodiment of another aspect of the present disclosure.
`0012 FIG. 5 illustrates a system architecture according to
`one or more illustrative aspects described herein.
`0013 FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example
`method according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.
`0014 FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an example
`method according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.
`0015 FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example
`method according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.
`
`-12-
`
`

`

`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`Sep. 18, 2014
`
`0016 FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow diagrams illustrating
`example methods according to one or more aspects of the
`disclosure.
`0017 FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example
`method according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0018. In the following description of various illustrative
`embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying draw
`ings, which form a parthereof, and in which is shown, by way
`of illustration, various embodiments in which aspects of the
`disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other
`embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional
`modifications may be made, without departing from the scope
`of the present disclosure.
`0019. By way of introduction, the various features
`described herein may allow a user to consume primary con
`tent (e.g., watch a television program) on a first device (e.g.,
`a television) and second screen content, which is synchro
`nized with the primary content, on a second device (e.g., a
`Smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.). In one example, an interface
`(e.g., a set top box) associated with the first device may
`determine whether it should report a trigger detected within
`the primary content. As a result, a sample of interfaces may
`report detected triggers instead of all interfaces thereby mini
`mizing the impact of reporting triggers on the upstream band
`width. This determination may be based on statistical infor
`mation, a multiplier, and/or other data received from a service
`provider or other administrator. The system may monitor and
`update this information so that the reporting of the triggers
`may be further optimized. Based on detection signals
`received from the sample of interfaces, synchronization sig
`nals may be generated and transmitted (e.g., pushed) to sec
`ond screen devices so that the second screen devices can
`synchronize second screen content with the primary content.
`0020 FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication net
`work 100 on which many of the various features described
`herein, such as the requesting and retrieval of primary content
`and second screen content may be implemented. Network
`100 may be any type of information distribution network,
`Such as satellite, telephone, cellular, wireless, etc. One
`example may be an optical fiber network, a coaxial cable
`network, or a hybrid fiber/coax distribution network. Such
`networks 100 use a series of interconnected communication
`links 101 (e.g., coaxial cables, optical fibers, wireless, etc.) to
`connect multiple premises 102 (e.g., businesses, homes, con
`Sumer dwellings, etc.) to a local office or headend 103. The
`local office 103 may transmit downstream information sig
`nals onto the links 101, and each premises 102 may have a
`receiver used to receive and process those signals.
`0021. There may be one link 101 originating from the
`local office 103, and it may be split a number of times to
`distribute the signal to various premises 102 in the vicinity
`(which may be many miles) of the local office 103. The links
`101 may include components not illustrated, such as splitters,
`filters, amplifiers, etc. to help convey the signal clearly, but in
`general each split introduces a bit of signal degradation. Por
`tions of the links 101 may also be implemented with fiber
`optic cable, while other portions may be implemented with
`coaxial cable, other lines, or wireless communication paths.
`By running fiber optic cable along some portions, for
`example, signal degradation may be significantly minimized,
`allowing a single local office 103 to reach even farther with its
`network of links 101 than before.
`
`0022. The local office 103 may include an interface, such
`as a termination system (TS) 104. More specifically, the inter
`face 104 may be a cable modem termination system (CMTS),
`which may be a computing device configured to manage
`communications between devices on the network of links 101
`and backend devices such as servers 105-107 (to be discussed
`further below). The interface 104 may be as specified in a
`standard, such as the Data Over Cable Service Interface
`Specification (DOCSIS) standard, published by Cable Tele
`vision Laboratories, Inc. (a.k.a. CableLabs), or it may be a
`similar or modified device instead. The interface 104 may be
`configured to place data on one or more downstream frequen
`cies to be received by modems at the various premises 102,
`and to receive upstream communications from those modems
`on one or more upstream frequencies.
`0023 The local office 103 may also include one or more
`network interfaces 108, which can permit the local office 103
`to communicate with various other external networks 109.
`These networks 109 may include, for example, networks of
`Internet devices, telephone networks, cellular telephone net
`works, fiber optic networks, local wireless networks (e.g.,
`WiMAX), satellite networks, and any other desired network,
`and the network interface 108 may include the corresponding
`circuitry needed to communicate on the external networks
`109, and to other devices on the network such as a cellular
`telephone network and its corresponding cell phones. For
`example, the network interface 108 may communicate with a
`wireless device 116 via the external network 109 so that the
`wireless device 116 may receive supplemental content from
`the local office 103 or other computing devices connected to
`the external network 109.
`0024. As noted above, the local office 103 may include a
`variety of servers 105-107 that may be configured to perform
`various functions. For example, the local office 103 may
`include a push notification server 105. The push notification
`server 105 may generate push notifications to deliver data
`and/or commands to the various premises 102 in the network
`(or more specifically, to the devices in the premises 102 that
`are configured to detect such notifications). The local office
`103 may also include a content server 106. The content server
`106 may be one or more computing devices that are config
`ured to provide content to users at their premises. This content
`may be, for example, video on demand movies, television
`programs, Songs, text listings, etc. The content server 106
`may include software to validate user identities and entitle
`ments, to locate and retrieve requested content, to encrypt the
`content, and to initiate delivery (e.g., streaming) of the con
`tent to the requesting user(s) and/or device(s).
`0025. The local office 103 may also include one or more
`application servers 107. An application server 107 may be a
`computing device configured to offer any desired service, and
`may run various languages and operating Systems (e.g., Serv
`lets and JSP pages running on Tomcat/MySQL, OSX. BSD,
`Ubuntu, Redhat, HTML5, JavaScript, AJAX and COMET).
`For example, an application server may be responsible for
`collecting television program listings information and gener
`ating a data download for electronic program guide listings.
`Another application server may be responsible for monitor
`ing user viewing habits and collecting that information foruse
`in selecting advertisements. Yet another application server
`may be responsible for formatting and inserting advertise
`ments in a video stream being transmitted to the premises
`102. Although shown separately, one of ordinary skill in the
`
`-13-
`
`

`

`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`Sep. 18, 2014
`
`art will appreciate that the push server 105, content server
`106, and application server 107 may be combined.
`0026. Further, here the push server 105, content server
`106, and application server 107 are shown generally, and it
`will be understood that they may each contain memory Stor
`ing computer executable instructions to cause a processor to
`perform steps described herein and/or memory for storing
`data, Such as information for identifying a user or second
`screen device.
`0027. An example premises 102a, such as a home, may
`include an interface 120. The interface 120 may include com
`puter-executable instructions (e.g., an application) for per
`forming one or more aspects of the disclosure, such as detect
`ing triggers, determining whether to report triggers, and/or
`generating detection signals to report triggers. The interface
`120 can include any communication circuitry needed to allow
`a device to communicate on one or more links 101 with other
`devices in the network. For example, the interface 120 may
`include a modem 110, which may include transmitters and
`receivers used to communicate on the links 101 and with the
`local office 103. The modem 110 may be, for example, a
`coaxial cable modem (for coaxial cable lines 101), a fiber
`interface node (for fiber optic lines 101), twisted-pair tele
`phone modem, cellular telephone transceiver, satellite trans
`ceiver, local wi-fi router or access point, or any other desired
`modem device. Also, although only one modem is shown in
`FIG. 1, a plurality of modems operating in parallel may be
`implemented within the interface 120. Further, the interface
`120 may include a gateway interface device 111. The modem
`110 may be connected to, or be apart of the gateway interface
`device 111. The gateway interface device 111 may be a com
`puting device that communicates with the modem(s) 110 to
`allow one or more other devices in the premises 102a, to
`communicate with the local office 103 and other devices
`beyond the local office 103. The gateway 111 may be a set-top
`box (STB), digital video recorder (DVR), computer server, or
`any other desired computing device. The gateway 111 may
`also include (not shown) local network interfaces to provide
`communication signals to requesting entities/devices in the
`premises 102a, Such as display devices 112 (e.g., televisions),
`additional STBs 113, personal computers 114, laptop com
`puters 115, wireless devices 116 (e.g., wireless routers, wire
`less laptops, notebooks, tablets and netbooks, cordless
`phones (e.g., Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone—DECT
`phones), mobile phones, mobile televisions, personal digital
`assistants (PDA), etc.), landline phones 117 (e.g. Voice over
`Internet Protocol VoIP phones), and any other desired
`devices. Examples of the local network interfaces include
`Multimedia Over Coax Alliance (MoCA) interfaces, Ethernet
`interfaces, universal serial bus (USB) interfaces, wireless
`interfaces (e.g., IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16), analog twisted
`pair interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, and others.
`0028 FIG. 2 illustrates general hardware elements that
`can be used to implement any of the various computing
`devices discussed herein. The computing device 200 may
`include one or more processors 201, which may execute
`instructions of a computer program to perform any of the
`features described herein. The instructions may be stored in
`any type of computer-readable medium or memory, to con
`figure the operation of the processor 201. For example,
`instructions may be stored in a read-only memory (ROM)
`202, random access memory (RAM) 203, removable media
`204, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, compact
`disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk drive, or
`
`any other desired storage medium. Instructions may also be
`stored in an attached (or internal) hard drive 205. The com
`puting device 200 may include one or more output devices,
`Such as a display 206 (e.g., an external television), and may
`include one or more output device controllers 207, such as a
`Video processor. There may also be one or more user input
`devices 208, Such as a remote control, keyboard, mouse,
`touch screen, microphone, etc. The computing device 200
`may also include one or more network interfaces, such as a
`network input/output (I/O) circuit 209 (e.g., a network card)
`to communicate with an external network 210. The network
`input/output circuit 209 may be a wired interface, wireless
`interface, or a combination of the two. In some embodiments,
`the network input/output circuit 209 may include a modem
`(e.g., a cable modem), and the external network 210 may
`include the communication links 101 discussed above, the
`external network 109, an in-home network, a provider's wire
`less, coaxial, fiber, or hybrid fiber/coaxial distribution system
`(e.g., a DOCSIS network), or any other desired network.
`0029. The FIG. 2 example is a hardware configuration.
`Modifications may be made to add, remove, combine, divide,
`etc. components of the computing device 200 as desired.
`Additionally, the components illustrated may be imple
`mented using basic computing devices and components, and
`the same components (e.g., processor 201, ROM storage 202,
`display 206, etc.) may be used to implement any of the other
`computing devices and components described herein. For
`example, the various components herein may be imple
`mented using computing devices having components such as
`a processor executing computer-executable instructions
`stored on a computer-readable medium, as illustrated in FIG.
`2. Some orall of the entities described herein may be software
`based, and may co-existina common physical platform (e.g.,
`a requesting entity can be a separate Software process and
`program from a dependent entity, both of which may be
`executed as Software on a common computing device). Addi
`tionally, the computing device 200 may include a Supplemen
`tal content manager 201a, which can perform the various
`methods for realizing synchronization of the second screen
`content with the primary content described herein as a
`replacement for, or augment to, any other processor 201 that
`the computing device 200 may include. That is, the supple
`mental content manager 201a may include a separate proces
`Sorand/or set of computer-executable instructions stored on a
`computer-readable medium that, when executed by a proces
`Sor, cause the processor (or the computing device 200 as a
`whole) to perform the various methods of the present disclo
`Sure, such as processing detection signals, monitoring detec
`tion signals, generating sampling information and multipli
`ers, and generating synchronization signals. The
`Supplemental content manager 201a may also include secure
`memory (not shown), which can store the various sampling
`information, multipliers, algorithms, and Zone information
`described herein. The secure memory can be any desired type
`of memory, and can have enhanced security features to help
`restrict access (e.g., can only be accessed by the Supplemental
`content manager 201a, can be internal to the Supplemental
`content manager 201a, etc.). Where the Supplemental content
`manager 201a includes a separate set of computer-executable
`instructions, these instructions may be secured Such that only
`authorized users may be allowed to modify, augment, or
`delete them.
`0030. In some embodiments, the supplemental content
`manager 201a may be implemented as an application specific
`
`-14-
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`

`

`US 2014/0280695 A1
`
`Sep. 18, 2014
`
`integrated circuit (ASIC). That is, the supplemental content
`manager 201a may be a chip designed specifically for per
`forming the various processes described herein. Further, the
`ASIC may be implemented within or in communication with
`various computing devices provided herein.
`0031 One or more aspects of the disclosure may be
`embodied in computer-usable data and/or computer-execut
`able instructions, such as in one or more program modules,
`executed by one or more computers or other devices. Gener
`ally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,
`components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks
`or implement particular abstract data types when executed by
`a processorina computer or other data processing device. The
`computer executable instructions may be stored on one or
`more computer readable media Such as a hard disk, optical
`disk, removable storage media, Solid state memory, RAM,
`etc. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the
`functionality of the program modules may be combined or
`distributed as desired in various embodiments. In addition,
`the functionality may be embodied in whole or in part in
`firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits,
`field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and the like. Particu
`lar data structures may be used to more effectively implement
`one or more aspects of the disclosure, and Such data structures
`are contemplated within the scope of computer executable
`instructions and computer-usable data described herein.
`0032 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example system
`architecture 300 on which various features described herein
`may be performed. The system 300 of FIG.3 depicts a local
`office 103, a first premises 102a, a second premises 102b, one
`or more content distribution networks (CDN) 310 and 320, a
`network 330, and a second screen experience management
`computing device (e.g., a server)340. As shown in FIG. 1, the
`local office 103 may connect to the first premises 102a and
`second premises 102b via links 101. The first premises 102a
`may include an interface 120 (e.g., a set top box), a first Screen
`device 301 (e.g., a television, a monitor, a projector, etc.), and
`one or more second screen devices 302 (e.g., a Smartphone,
`tablet, laptop, etc.). As shown in FIG.3, multiple users A and
`B may be located at the first premises 102a and each user may
`operate a second screen device 302 while consuming content
`via the first screen device 301. Meanwhile, the second pre
`mises 102b may include an interface 120, a first screen device
`301, and a second screen device 302 used by a user C. Con
`tent, Such as video content, may be transmitted from the local
`office 103 to the interfaces 120 of the first and second pre
`mises 102a-b, and presented through the first screen devices
`301. Thus, users A and B may consume content (e.g., view a
`stream of a video program that is multicast according to a
`schedule, or transmitted on demand, or playing back content
`that is locally recorded at the device 301 or an associated
`device such as at a DVR) at the premises 102a and user C may
`consume content at the premises 102b. Notably, while con
`Suming content, each user may operate a respective second
`screen device 302 to consume second screen content related
`to the primary content presented on the first device 301 at
`their premises 102. For example, user A may operate a second
`screen device 302. Such as a Smartphone, to consume second
`screen content, Such as a poll through which user A may vote
`for a contestant shown in the primary content presented on the
`first screen device 301. The second screen content may be any
`data that provides information or content to Supplement pri
`mary content, which may be the video content (e.g., linear
`television program, on-demand movie, etc.) presented on a
`
`first screen device 301. For example, second screen content
`may include a link to a webpage of a product shown in an
`advertisement of the primary content, a video clip with bonus
`features, text and/or images with information about the con
`tent itself or about individuals or items shown in the primary
`content, advertisements, coupons, questions pertaining to the
`primary content, etc. The various second screen content may
`be generated from ordinary everyday consumers of the pri
`mary content, as well as from formal primary content sources.
`The appearance of the second screen content may be gener
`ated by the second screen device 302 using software that is
`previously stored, or it may be dynamically retrieved or
`received when it is needed, and the timing of when the second
`screen content appears (e.g., when a particular Internet link
`should appear, or when a particular image should be dis
`played) may be based on triggers or signals that are received
`along with the primary content stream.
`0033 Referring to FIG. 3., users (e.g., people) may con
`Sume contentata premises 102a (e.g., a home, business, etc.).
`Consuming content may include, for example, watching and/
`or listening to a television program or internet video on a first
`screen device 301 (e.g., a television, computer monitor, pro
`jector, etc.). The first screen device 301 may receive the
`content from the interface 120, which is connected to the local
`office 103 and configured to accept the primary c