Abstract:
A method is disclosed which provides for multicasting video of an event, thereby allowing geographically dispersed members of a user&#39;s social network to experience a user&#39;s current locale, so that the user&#39;s friends may join him via live video at events (concerts, clubs, or other venues) which they cannot attend in person. The method includes the steps of enabling transmission of an invitation to at least one selected individual; processing an acceptance of the invitation; processing a live video signal of the event; storing the signal in a streaming database; and outputting a video stream in accordance with the acceptance. The outputting may be performed in real time. The processing of the live video signal may also include caching the video signal, so that the event may be viewed other than in real time.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more particularly to multicasting live images as streaming video to selected persons by a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     One frequently wishes to share a particular, immediate experience with another person who is not physically close by. For example, an individual attending an event, such as an outdoor concert, may want several of his friends (all of them geographically dispersed) to see what he is seeing at that moment. 
     Many wireless telephones now have the capability to record video images, functioning either as a camera or camcorder, or having a camcorder attachment. Presently available systems permit a user of a telephone camera/camcorder to post completed photos or videos to an Internet location for viewing by others. For example, a telephone camera/camcorder may be used to record an event (producing still or video images), with the recording subsequently posted on a Web site using an Internet based video or photo sharing service such as FLICKR® or YouTube®. Using these approaches, events can be recorded and played back at a later time, but they cannot be both experienced and shared in real time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     It therefore is desirable to provide a system and method for sharing a real time event with one&#39;s social network. Such a system preferably would permit an individual to present live video to selected remote users, and simultaneously allow all the users to discuss the event over an audio connection. 
     A method is disclosed which provides for multicasting video of an event, thereby allowing geographically dispersed members of a user&#39;s social network to experience a user&#39;s current locale, so that the user&#39;s friends may join him via live video at events (concerts, clubs, or other venues) which they cannot attend in person. The method includes the steps of enabling transmission of an invitation to at least one selected individual; processing an acceptance of the invitation; processing a live video signal of the event; storing the signal in a streaming database; and outputting a video stream in accordance with the acceptance. The outputting may be performed in real time. The processing of the live video signal may also include caching the video signal, so that the event may be viewed other than in real time. 
     In an embodiment, the processing of the acceptance further includes detecting capabilities of a receiving device of the individual, so that the outputting of the video stream is performed in accordance with those capabilities. 
     In a further embodiment, the invitation includes information regarding the event, and the outputting of the video stream includes adding advertising content to the video stream in accordance with that information. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a system for facilitating sharing of an experience by a viewer of an event includes a first server for enabling transmission of an invitation from the viewer to at least one selected individual and for processing an acceptance of the invitation; a second server for processing a live video signal of the event; and a third server for outputting a video stream to the selected individual in accordance with the acceptance. 
     According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product is provided which includes instructions executable by a computing device for performing the method described above. The computer program product, performing the method described herein, is realized as a software application called JoinMe, which may be invoked from a user&#39;s wireless camcorder telephone. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  schematically illustrates the flow of information and images in a system according to the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating steps in a method in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  shows examples of screen displays and images seen by persons using the system of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
         FIG. 4  schematically illustrates the addition of advertising content to live streaming video, in accordance with another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  schematically illustrate an embodiment of the disclosure in which a user  101  is attending an event  100 , and wishes to share live images of the event with a number of other persons who are located elsewhere.  FIG. 2  correspondingly shows steps in a method which is followed when the system of this embodiment is used. 
     In the following description it will be assumed that user  101  has a wireless telephone  102  that is capable of functioning as a camcorder to capture and record live video images. It will be appreciated, however, that this example is not limiting, and that the systems and methods of the present disclosure are applicable to a variety of any known or to become known portable electronic devices capable of capturing audio, video and/or images, as well as communicating wirelessly with other devices, networks, and/or the Internet. A “live” video image of an event is understood to refer to an image available to a person operating a remote device at or nearly at the time the event itself transpires (taking into account, by way of non-limiting example, brief time periods required for transmitting, buffering, caching and/or storing a signal representing the event). 
     In an embodiment, user  101  starts the JoinMe application on his telephone camcorder device  102 , as shown in  FIG. 1A  (flowchart, step  201 ). As understood by those skilled in the art, the JoinMe software application itself is locally executable or available from a remote server, not shown, having a wireless connection to device  102 . The user enters identifying information  401  for the video stream he is about to create (e.g. the name and/or date of the event). He then decides which people to invite to join him; that is, who he wishes to be recipients of the live video (step  202 ). The group of invitees  103  may optionally be individually selected persons; members of a predetermined group with a single group identifier; or a default group to whom an invitation is sent automatically with no real-time input from user  101  required. Device  102  is linked to an interaction server  110  which handles transmission of invitations and responses thereto. The invitation is sent to members of group  103  (step  203 ). Some or all of the invitees may accept the invitation, thereby becoming a group of recipients  109  (see  FIG. 1C ). The acceptances are sent as signals to interaction server  110 ; it is not necessary that they be audio or text messages directed to user  101 , nor is it necessary for user  101  to respond to them. 
     As soon as at least one of the invitees responds with an acceptance, interaction server  110  sends a signal to device  102 , enabling device  102  for capturing video images, and notifying user  101  that he may begin transmitting (step  204 ). The device displays a message to user  101  such as, for example, “Ready”, “Start Transmitting?”, etc. The display on device  102  may also show which invitees have already accepted. 
     User  101  then captures images of the event  100  with device  102 , as shown in  FIG. 1B  (step  205 ). The device is connected to a wireless network  106  for transmitting a streaming video signal to a central media capture server  107  (step  206 ). Server  107  accepts and caches the video stream (step  207 ) and causes it to be saved in a live streaming database  108 , as shown in  FIG. 1C  (step  208 ). 
     Individuals in the invitee group  103  may share the event with user  101  (that is, join group  109 ) by accepting the invitation either before or during the live image capture. In an embodiment, user  101  may set up a link associated with his own entry in his various friends&#39; telephone address books. An invitee, reviewing his address book (which has an entry for his friend, user  101 ) and noticing that his friend has enabled the JoinMe application, may select that link at any time and be instantly connected with the video stream from the camcorder of user  101 . Since the stream is cached, an invitee accepting the invitation after the live image capture has begun may be given the option of joining the live event in progress, or viewing the event from the beginning. 
     A response to an invitation, sent by a person joining group  109 , includes a signal to server  110  which includes information  402  regarding the properties of that person&#39;s device. The interaction server signals a media server  111  to retrieve the stored video and begin a streaming session (step  209 ). Media server  111  (e.g. Darwin Streaming Server, an open source tool available from Apple®) thereupon sends the streaming video to the various devices  112  of members of group  109 . The video may be formatted, for example, according to the 3GP standard, and transmitted according to the RTSP open standard streaming protocol, although any video/audio transmission protocols or techniques now known or to become known may be used to implement the transmission of sound or images as described herein. 
     The interaction server also instructs the media server regarding the device capabilities of the various recipients, so that each user may receive a streaming video signal in a convenient format. For example, if one recipient is viewing the video stream on a less powerful wireless telephone, the media server  111  will format the video accordingly (reduce resolution or “dumb down” the signal); if another recipient is using a more powerful desktop computer, the media server will attempt to enhance the signal (increase resolution) for that device. 
     In an embodiment, an audio connection is also established among all of the sharing parties (user  101  and members of group  109 ) so that they may discuss the shared event while they are viewing it. Both the video streaming session and the audio connection may continue until user  101  terminates the JoinMe application. Other communication methods are also possible, such as using text messaging, SMS, instant messaging or “walkie-talkie” type functionality to permit a more intimate shared experience. 
     In another embodiment, user  101  may choose to not send any invitations, but rather record event  100  for his own use. In this case the JoinMe application enables user  101  to employ the built-in memory of device  102  as a buffer for the video signal, and then to write the signal to server  107  over wireless network  106  (e.g. over the Internet). User  101  may then retrieve the video recording from server  111  at some later time. 
     In a further embodiment, user  101  may choose to have the JoinMe application running at all times, thereby maintaining an open video channel over which a continuous video signal is transmitted to his social network. In this embodiment (which may be characterized as “Open Channel”), a continuous video stream is available to all persons in the user&#39;s social network (that is, members of group  103 ) so that sending and responding to invitations may not be necessary. The JoinMe application may instead send an automatic notice to each member of group  103  that a video signal is available for viewing by any member of the group. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show examples of screen displays on device  102  of user  101  while running the JoinMe application. When user  101  starts the application, the screen displays a list  303  of possible invitees (that is, members of group  103 ), as shown in  FIG. 3A . After user  101  has made his selection of whom to invite, the screen display  304  shows the progress of contacting the invitees. (Alternatively, an “Open Channel” selection may be provided; if user  101  makes this selection, no invitations are required and all persons on the list will be able to view a continuous video stream.) A period of time, shown schematically as  305 , generally elapses while the invitees make their responses. As soon as any of the invitees accepts, the application causes screen  306  to be displayed, showing who has and has not yet responded and enabling live video transmission ( FIG. 3B ). User  101  may begin transmitting a live video signal by selecting “Start Transmitting.” User  101  then aims or points device  102  toward the intended scene to capture image  310 . As the image is transmitted to the group of recipients  109 , device  102  displays screen  311 , showing the image being transmitted and identifying who is watching. This display changes as viewers join or leave the group. User  101  may terminate the transmission by selecting “Stop Transmitting.” 
       FIG. 4  schematically illustrates a further embodiment in which advertising content is added to the video stream viewed by recipients  109 . A database  105  with advertising content stored therein is linked to the media server  111 . The JoinMe application selects appropriate advertising content in accordance with the identifying information  401  provided by user  101 . The advertising content is then transmitted to media server  111 , so that viewers see the advertising simultaneously with the live video, before the feed starts, or interleaved therewith during breaks or lulls. The advertising may include text or still or video images, or may be static banners or images with or without links to other content. Advertising content may be sent based on a variety of factors, such as for example the identity of the sender or recipient based on information contained in, for example, user database  500 . The advertising content may also be based on the context of messages sent, e.g. “I&#39;m at a Coldplay concert,” with the words “Coldplay” or “concert” being used to determine advertising content. In addition, if the sender or recipient has a location detecting device (e.g. GPS enabled telephone or PDA) the location could be used as a factor in sending the advertising. 
     Although the servers  107 ,  110 ,  111  have been described as different servers to point out their different functions, it will be appreciated that they need not be separate devices. In addition, differing functional elements described herein may be implemented as software, firmware, and/or hardware, or may be implemented in multiple, single, or distributed components, either at a device level, server level, or network level or combinations thereof. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is evident in view of the foregoing description that numerous alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the scope and spirit of the invention and the following claims.