Patent ID: 12192563

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts that are not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

The purpose of terminology used herein is only for describing embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Where context permits, words using the singular or plural form may also include the plural or singular form, respectively.

Terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “displaying,” “generating” or the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, may refer to actions and processes of a computing device that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer's memory or registers into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's memory, registers, or other such storage medium, transmission, or display devices.

The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or variants thereof, as used herein, may refer to any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements. The coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof.

FIG.1is a diagrammatic representation of a network environment100in which some examples of the present disclosure may be implemented or deployed. The network environment100includes a plurality of video streamers, e.g., streamer104, streamer106, and streamer108; a plurality of viewers, e.g., viewer112, viewer114, and viewer116; a coordinator118and a host110; all interconnected via a network102, such as the Internet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), etc.

During operation of the network environment100, the viewers have authorization (e.g., via credentials such as username and password and/or location of the viewer) to access the streamers. For example, the viewer112may have authorization to access a first video stream120from the streamer104while the viewer114may have authorization to access the same first video stream120from the streamer106. The viewer116may have authorization to access the same first video stream120from both the streamer106and the streamer108.

If the host110wishes to host a “room” then the coordinator118for the first video stream120will check the authorization of all of the viewers of the plurality of viewers that want to join or have joined the room. The coordinator118will select a streamer (e.g., one deemed most reliable), before or after the authorization process, from the plurality of streamers to stream and request the selected streamer to transmit the first video stream120to it, e.g., via a remote browser running in a cloud. In addition, the host110will generate a second video stream122and transmit it to the coordinator118or directly to all authorized viewers. The coordinator118then transmits the first video stream120and optionally the second video stream122(if the host110did not transmit the second video stream122to the viewers) to the viewers with authorization to access the first video stream120.

Accordingly, for example, if the viewer112had authorization to access the first video stream120from the streamer104but the coordinator118determined that the first video stream120from the streamer106is more reliable (e.g., low latency) and/or otherwise preferred (e.g., higher resolution), the coordinator118would retransmit the first video stream120from the streamer106to the viewer112.

At each authorized viewer of the plurality of viewers, a syncher310(FIG.3) will synchronize the first video stream120and the second video stream122to display synchronously on a display of each viewer based on time stamps in the first video stream120and the second video stream122.

In addition, each of the plurality of viewers may generate additional video streams that the coordinator118would receive and transmit to all of the viewers in a room or could be transmitted to other viewers bypassing the coordinator118. The syncher310at each viewer would then synchronize display of the additional video streams with the first video stream120and the second video stream122based on time stamps in each of the video streams.

In addition, each of the plurality of viewers and the host110can generate text (seeFIG.5) that can be displayed on each of the viewers and the host110. Note that the text does not need to be time stamped but can be for synchronous display with the video streams.

Further, while three viewers, three streamers and one host110are shown, any number of viewers, streamers and hosts are able to simultaneously use the coordinator118to generate a room as described above using the same first video stream120or a different video stream from one of the streamers.

Further, the first video stream120and the second video stream122can include video and/or audio.

In one example, the timestamps of the second video stream122(e.g. the host110camera stream) are also being inserted based on “wall clock time” as is the first video stream120. To clarify, when the host110receives the first video stream120(e.g., NFL stream), they are not performing any process to align the second video stream122with the first video stream120timestamps. No manual synchronization process is needed (e.g., waterfalling the streams to ensure matching time stamps).

From a high level overview of the network environment100, the origin and delivery of the two streams that make up a room experience can be as follows in one example:

1. The content stream (e.g. NFL stream) originates from a video loaded in a remote web browser running in the cloud. The coordinator118can load any web page, capture the video element loaded on the web page, and stream that first video stream120content over WebRTC to both the host110and viewers who are joined in rooms.

2. The host110stream (e.g. host's camera/mic streams) originates from the host110. A third party service (e.g., Daily) is used to send the host110second video stream122to all viewers in a room over WebRTC.

Note: in this example, there is no waterfall processing of the streams before sending them to host/viewers in a room (i.e., a host110is not receiving the content stream before sending their stream to viewers); both the first video stream120and host second video stream122get directly delivered to host/viewers concurrently in real-time. Host and viewers will be seeing the same streams within 50-200 ms of one another.

Turning now toFIG.2, a diagrammatic representation of a processing environment200of the coordinator118is shown, which includes a processor202(e.g., a GPU, CPU, or combination thereof).

The processor202is shown to be coupled to a power source204and to include (either permanently configured or temporarily instantiated) modules, namely an authorizer206, a streamer selector208, a receiver210, a time stamper212and a transmitter214.

During operation of the coordinator118, the authorizer206checks the plurality of viewers' authorization to view the first video stream120from one or more of the streamers. New viewers will need to provide authorization information (e.g., username and password) while prior viewers will have authorization information previously saved. Authorization can also include checking if a viewer is authorized to view the first video stream120based on a location of the viewer (e.g., using IP address of the viewer, location of the viewer as indicated by GPS, mobile phone network connected to, and/or other techniques). For example, if the viewer112has authorization to view the first video stream120based on its credentials, the viewer112may still not have full authorization by being outside of an authorized location.

The streamer selector208, based on stream source mapping of the streamers, selects one of the plurality of streamers to stream the first video stream120to the viewers that have authorization per the authorizer206. The stream source mapping may include video streams of movies, sports events, music concerts, and/or other events (live or prerecorded) and media, all streamers for each of the respective video streams, and time of the streaming (e.g., sporting event start time or movie premiere). The mapping may be based on most reliable streamer historically (e.g., historically low latency) and/or based on real time measurements of the first video stream120(e.g., current latency).

Once a streamer is selected by the streamer selector208, the receiver210, which can be implemented with WebRTC for example, will receive the first video stream120from the selected streamer (e.g., using a remote browser in a cloud to identify video in a webpage and stream the identified video). The time stamper212then time stamps segments of the first video stream120(e.g., 90 kHz for the video and 48 kHz for the audio) with a current time. The transmitter214may then send the timestamped first video stream120to the host110for the host110to produce the second video stream122. The receiver210may then optionally receive the second video stream122from the host110(or the host110may transmit the second video stream122to the viewers bypassing the receiver210).

The time used for timestamping can be based on a time maintained at the coordinator118or from a remote source (e.g., from the National Institute of Standards and Technology). The second video stream122may already be time stamped by the host110or can be time stamped similarly by the time stamper212. The transmitter214then transmits both the timestamped first video stream120and, optionally, the timestamped second video stream122(if not transmitted by the host110to the viewers), to authorized viewers.

Turning now toFIG.3, a diagrammatic representation of a processing environment300of a viewer, such as the viewer112, is shown, which includes a processor302(e.g., a GPU, CPU, or combination thereof). The host110can have a similar processing environment to the processing environment300.

The processor302is shown to be coupled to a power source304, and to include (either permanently configured or temporarily instantiated) modules, namely a graphical user interface GUI306, a receiver308, a syncher310, a time stamper312and a transmitter314.

During operation of the processing environment300the GUI306will display both the first video stream120and the second video stream122as received by the receiver308from the coordinator118and/or the host110, respectively. The syncher310ensures that the GUI306displays the two video streams in synch based on time stamps in the video streams. The video generator316optionally generates the second video stream122if the processing environment300is being implemented on the host110or an additional video stream if the processing environment300is implemented in one of the viewers. For any video generated locally, the time stamper312regularly time stamps the generated video to have synchronous time stamps with the first video stream120based on a time (e.g., locally or remotely kept time) or by matching up time stamps in the second video stream122based on time stamps in the first video stream120(e.g., waterfalling the video streams). This ensures the first video stream120and the second video stream122are in synch when displayed on the GUI306. Any video generated is then transmitted by the transmitter314to the coordinator118for transmitting to the plurality of viewers. Alternatively, the generated video can be transmitted to the host110and/or viewers bypassing the coordinator118.

FIG.4is a flowchart of a method of streaming video, in accordance with some examples. In block402, for a plurality of devices (e.g., the viewer112, viewer114, etc.), each of the plurality of devices having access to a first video stream (e.g., the first video stream120) from at least one of a plurality of streamers of the first video (e.g., streamer104, streamer106, etc.), confirm authorization to access the first video stream from the at least one of the plurality of streamers of the first video. In block404, the coordinator118receives the first video stream. In block406, the coordinator118timestamps the first video stream. In block408, the coordinator118transmits the timestamped first video stream to the plurality of devices. In block410, the host110or the coordinator118transmits a timestamped second video stream (e.g., the second video stream122) generated at the host110to the plurality of devices. In block412, cause, at each of the plurality of devices, synchronized display of the first and the second video streams.

Note that order of operations may be different than that described and some operations or parts of operations are optional. Further, some operations can be performed concurrently instead of sequentially.

FIG.5illustrates the GUI306, in accordance with some examples. The GUI306comprises 3 panels including a panel for displaying the first video stream120, a second panel for displaying the second video stream122and optionally a third panel for displaying a text stream502from the plurality of viewers. The second video stream122may partially or fully overlay the first video stream120.

An example authentication and streaming process may include the following:Step 1: use event and broadcast network data to spin up the receiver210(FIG.2) (e.g., to spin up a remote browser) to capture the stream.The coordinator118combines event and broadcast data from a data provider, such as Sportsradar, with a stream source mapping based on the best and most reliable sources for each league/network/game (e.g., low latency, low dropped packets, etc.).For example, a room wants to watch the New York Mets vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates on a streamer such as SNY15 minutes before first pitch (6:35 PM ET), a remote browser window would automatically go to the link on MLB TV's site for the SNY feed for Mets vs. Pirates. The coordinator118using the receiver210would then capture the stream to be available for the Playback room.Step 2: the stream is added to the room→new users are asked asked to complete the TV or streaming service authentication process and existing users have their existing tv or streaming services checked to confirm authorization by the authorizer206(FIG.2).For each captured stream, the coordinator118append the relevant service authentication rules—basically what network is the game on and what TV service or streaming services could provide access to the game, depending on the user's locationFor the Mets vs. Pirates example, viewers using the coordinator118from a specific set of zip codes (made available publicly by MLB TV on their side), would need to access through a cable TV (or equivalent) service. Outside of those zip codes, a user would need a subscription to MLB TV to watch the game.Once the stream is added a room, the authentication business logic kicks in:For all existing viewers, the coordinator118performs a quick check to see if they can access the game via any of their logged in services. Those that can watch the game, experience no stream interruptions. Those that don't have access to the game are presented a message that they have 5 minutes to log into the relevant service or being unable to access the streamAll new viewers are presented with a message to complete the TV and streaming service authentication process. They are also presented with a list of potential TV and streaming services, based on their location and the game eventFor the Mets vs. Pirates example, a new viewer from inside New York would be presented with a list of cable providers that provide access to SNYStep 3: viewers complete the TV and streaming service authentication process:Once a viewer chooses to start the authentication process, they are presented with a list of platforms they can use to watch on the coordinator118Once a viewer clicks on a service, they are presented with a screen to input their credentialsAfter a viewer submits their credentials, the coordinator118inputs those same credentials in a temporary remote browser.This part is invisible to the viewer—the viewer will display a short loading screen to confirm the process is ongoing.Assuming the credentials are correct, the coordinator118is able to login to the platform and quickly parse what subscriptions the viewer has access to and what channels are available to them based on their subscriptionIf we confirm the viewer has access to the specific network or streaming service that is showing the game, the viewer displays an access verified message and the viewer can continue to display the game without interruption.

FIG.6is a block diagram600illustrating a software architecture604, which can be installed on any one or more of the devices described herein. The software architecture604is supported by hardware such as a machine602that includes processors620, memory626, and I/O components638. In this example, the software architecture604can be conceptualized as a stack of layers, where each layer provides a particular functionality. The software architecture604includes layers such as an operating system612, libraries610, frameworks608, and applications606. Operationally, the applications606invoke API calls650through the software stack and receive messages652in response to the API calls650.

The operating system612manages hardware resources and provides common services. The operating system612includes, for example, a kernel614, services616, and drivers622. The kernel614acts as an abstraction layer between the hardware and the other software layers. For example, the kernel614provides memory management, Processor management (e.g., scheduling), component management, networking, and security settings, among other functionalities. The services616can provide other common services for the other software layers. The drivers622are responsible for controlling or interfacing with the underlying hardware. For instance, the drivers622can include display drivers, camera drivers, BLUETOOTH® or BLUETOOTH® Low Energy drivers, flash memory drivers, serial communication drivers (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) drivers), WI-FI® drivers, audio drivers, and power management drivers.

The libraries610provide a low-level common infrastructure used by the applications606. The libraries610can include system libraries618(e.g., C standard library) that provide functions such as memory allocation functions, string manipulation functions, mathematic functions, and the like. In addition, the libraries610can include API libraries624such as media libraries (e.g., libraries to support presentation and manipulation of various media formats such as Moving Picture Experts Group-4 (MPEG4), Advanced Video Coding (H.264 or AVC), Moving Picture Experts Group Layer-3 (MP3), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) audio codec, Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG or JPG), or Portable Network Graphics (PNG)), graphics libraries (e.g., an OpenGL framework used to render in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D) in a graphic content on a display), database libraries (e.g., SQLite to provide various relational database functions), web libraries (e.g., Web Kit to provide web browsing functionality), and the like. The libraries610can also include a wide variety of other libraries628to provide many other APIs to the applications606.

The frameworks608provide a high-level common infrastructure used by the applications606. For example, the frameworks608provide various graphical user interface (GUI) functions, high-level resource management, and high-level location services. The frameworks608can provide a broad spectrum of other APIs that can be used by the applications606, some of which may be specific to a particular operating system or platform.

In some examples, the applications606may include a home application636, a contacts application630, a browser application632, a book reader application634, a location application642, a media application644, a messaging application646, a game application648, and a broad assortment of other applications such as a third-party application640. The applications606are programs that execute functions defined in the programs. Various programming languages can be employed to create one or more of the applications606, structured in a variety of manners, such as object-oriented programming languages (e.g., Objective-C, Java, or C++) or procedural programming languages (e.g., C or assembly language). In a specific example, the third-party application640(e.g., an application developed using the ANDROID™ or IOS™ software development kit (SDK) by an entity other than the vendor of the particular platform) may be mobile software running on a mobile operating system such as IOS™, ANDROID™, WINDOWS® Phone, or another mobile operating system. In this example, the third-party application640can invoke the API calls650provided by the operating system612to facilitate functionality described herein.

FIG.7is a diagrammatic representation of the machine700within which instructions710(e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine700to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. For example, the instructions710may cause the machine700to execute any one or more of the methods described herein. The instructions710transform the general, non-programmed machine700into a particular machine700programmed to carry out the described and illustrated functions in the manner described. The machine700may operate as a standalone device or be coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine700may operate in the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine700may comprise, but not be limited to, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), an entertainment media system, a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a mobile device, a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance), other smart devices, a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a network bridge, or any machine capable of executing the instructions710, sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by the machine700. Further, while a single machine700is illustrated, the term “machine” may include a collection of machines that individually or jointly execute the instructions710to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The machine700may include processors704, memory706, and I/O components702, which may be configured to communicate via a bus740. In some examples, the processors704(e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) Processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) Processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), another Processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, a Processor708and a Processor712that execute the instructions710. The term “Processor” is intended to include multi-core processors that may comprise two or more independent processors (sometimes referred to as “cores”) that may execute instructions contemporaneously. AlthoughFIG.7shows multiple processors704, the machine700may include a single processor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-core processor), multiple processors with a single core, multiple processors with multiples cores, or any combination thereof.

The memory706includes a main memory714, a static memory716, and a storage unit718, both accessible to the processors704via the bus740. The main memory706, the static memory716, and storage unit718store the instructions710embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions710may also reside, wholly or partially, within the main memory714, within the static memory716, within machine-readable medium720within the storage unit718, within the processors704(e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or any suitable combination thereof, during execution thereof by the machine700.

The I/O components702may include various components to receive input, provide output, produce output, transmit information, exchange information, or capture measurements. The specific I/O components702included in a particular machine depend on the type of machine. For example, portable machines such as mobile phones may include a touch input device or other such input mechanisms, while a headless server machine will likely not include such a touch input device. The I/O components702may include many other components not shown inFIG.7. In various examples, the I/O components702may include output components726and input components728. The output components726may include visual components (e.g., a display such as a plasma display panel (PDP), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), acoustic components (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., a vibratory motor, resistance mechanisms), or other signal generators. The input components728may include alphanumeric input components (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen configured to receive alphanumeric input, a photo-optical keyboard, or other alphanumeric input components), point-based input components (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or another pointing instrument), tactile input components (e.g., a physical button, a touch screen that provides location and/or force of touches or touch gestures, or other tactile input components), audio input components (e.g., a microphone), and the like.

In further examples, the I/O components702may include biometric components730, motion components732, environmental components734, or position components736, among a wide array of other components. For example, the biometric components730include components to detect expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, vocal expressions, body gestures, or eye-tracking), measure biosignals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, perspiration, or brain waves), or identify a person (e.g., voice identification, retinal identification, facial identification, fingerprint identification, or electroencephalogram-based identification). The motion components732include acceleration sensor components (e.g., accelerometer), gravitation sensor components, rotation sensor components (e.g., gyroscope). The environmental components734include, for example, one or cameras, illumination sensor components (e.g., photometer), temperature sensor components (e.g., one or more thermometers that detect ambient temperature), humidity sensor components, pressure sensor components (e.g., barometer), acoustic sensor components (e.g., one or more microphones that detect background noise), proximity sensor components (e.g., infrared sensors that detect nearby objects), gas sensors (e.g., gas detection sensors to detection concentrations of hazardous gases for safety or to measure pollutants in the atmosphere), or other components that may provide indications, measurements, or signals corresponding to a surrounding physical environment. The position components736include location sensor components (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver component), altitude sensor components (e.g., altimeters or barometers that detect air pressure from which altitude may be derived), orientation sensor components (e.g., magnetometers), and the like.

Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies. The I/O components702further include communication components738operable to couple the machine700to a network722or devices724via respective coupling or connections. For example, the communication components738may include a network interface Component or another suitable device to interface with the network722. In further examples, the communication components738may include wired communication components, wireless communication components, cellular communication components, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth® components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and other communication components to provide communication via other modalities. The devices724may be another machine or any of a wide variety of peripheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via a USB).

Moreover, the communication components738may detect identifiers or include components operable to detect identifiers. For example, the communication components738may include Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader components, NFC smart tag detection components, optical reader components (e.g., an optical sensor to detect one-dimensional bar codes such as Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code, multi-dimensional bar codes such as Quick Response (QR) code, Aztec code, Data Matrix, Data glyph, Maxi Code, PDF417, Ultra Code, UCC RSS-2D bar code, and other optical codes), or acoustic detection components (e.g., microphones to identify tagged audio signals). In addition, a variety of information may be derived via the communication components738, such as location via Internet Protocol (IP) geolocation, location via Wi-Fi® signal triangulation, or location via detecting an NFC beacon signal that may indicate a particular location.

The various memories (e.g., main memory714, static memory716, and/or memory of the processors704) and/or storage unit718may store one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software) embodying or used by any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. These instructions (e.g., the instructions710), when executed by processors704, cause various operations to implement the disclosed examples.

The instructions710may be transmitted or received over the network722, using a transmission medium, via a network interface device (e.g., a network interface component included in the communication components738) and using any one of several well-known transfer protocols (e.g., hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)). Similarly, the instructions710may be transmitted or received using a transmission medium via a coupling (e.g., a peer-to-peer coupling) to the devices724.

Examples

1. A method, comprising:determining a first streamer from a plurality of streamers that are streaming a first video stream;receiving the first video stream from the determined first streamer;timestamping the first video stream;transmitting the timestamped first video stream to a plurality of devices;transmitting a timestamped second video stream generated at a host device to the plurality of devices; andcausing, at each of the plurality of devices, synchronized display of the first and the second video streams based on the timestamps.

2. The method of example 1, wherein the timestamping the first video stream is based on a current time and the second video stream is timestamped using the current time.

3. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the second video stream is timestamped to match timestamps of the first video stream.

4. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the determining is based on historical reliability of the plurality of streamers.

5. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the determining is based on real time latency measurements of the plurality of streamers.

6. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the synchronized display includes displaying the second video stream overlaying the first video stream.

7. The method of any of the preceding examples, further comprising transmitting a third timestamped video from one of the plurality of devices to the other plurality of devices and the host device and causing synchronized display of the third video stream on the other plurality of devices and the host device.

8. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the receiving includes using a remote browser to access the first video stream from the determined streamer.

9. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein the first video stream includes a live event.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium including instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:determine a first streamer from a plurality of streamers that are streaming a first video stream; receive the first video stream from the determined first streamer;timestamp the first video stream;transmit the timestamped first video stream to a plurality of devices;transmit a timestamped second video stream generated at a host device to the plurality of devices; andcause, at each of the plurality of devices, synchronized display of the first and the second video streams based on the timestamps.

11. A computing apparatus comprising:a processor; anda memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the apparatus to:determine a first streamer from a plurality of streamers that are streaming a first video stream; receive the first video stream from the determined first streamer;timestamp the first video stream;transmit the timestamped first video stream to a plurality of devices;transmit a timestamped second video stream generated at a host device to the plurality of devices; andcause, at each of the plurality of devices, synchronized display of the first and the second video streams based on the timestamps.

12. The computing apparatus of example 11, wherein the timestamping the first video stream is based on a current time and the second video stream is timestamped using the current time.

13. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding examples, wherein the second video stream is timestamped to match timestamps of the first video stream.

14. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding examples, wherein the determining is based on historical reliability of the plurality of streamers.

15. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding examples, wherein the determining is based on real time latency measurements of the plurality of streamers.

16. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding examples, wherein the synchronized display includes display the second video stream overlaying the first video stream.

17. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding examples, wherein the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, further configure the apparatus to transmit a third timestamped video from one of the plurality of devices to the other plurality of devices and the host device and causing synchronized display of the third video stream on the other plurality of devices and the host device.

18. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding examples, wherein the receiving includes using a remote browser to access the first video stream from the determined streamer.

19. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding examples, wherein the first video stream includes a live event.

20. The computing apparatus of any of the preceding examples, wherein the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, further configure the apparatus to waterfall the first and second video streams such that the second video stream has timestamps matching the first video stream.

Glossary

“Carrier Signal” refers to any intangible medium capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of such instructions. Instructions may be transmitted or received over a network using a transmission medium via a network interface device.

“Communication Network” refers to one or more portions of a network that may be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), the Internet, a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a plain old telephone service (POTS) network, a cellular telephone network, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi® network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more such networks. For example, a network or a portion of a network may include a wireless or cellular network, and the coupling may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) connection, or other types of cellular or wireless coupling. In this example, the coupling may implement any of a variety of types of data transfer technology, such as Single Carrier Radio Transmission Technology (1×RTT), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) including 3G, fourth-generation wireless (4G) networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, others defined by various standard-setting organizations, other long-range protocols, or other data transfer technology.

“Component” refers to a device, physical entity, or logic having boundaries defined by function or subroutine calls, branch points, APIs, or other technologies that provide for the partitioning or modularization of particular processing or control functions. Components may be combined via their interfaces with other components to carry out a machine process. A component may be a packaged functional hardware unit designed for use with other components and a part of a program that usually performs a particular function of related functions. Components may constitute either software components (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium) or hardware components. A “hardware component” is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain physical manner In examples, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computer system, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one or more hardware components of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardware component that operates to perform certain operations as described herein. A hardware component may also be implemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, a hardware component may include dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certain operations. A hardware component may be a special-purpose processor, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A hardware component may also include programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware component may include software executed by a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor. Once configured by such software, hardware components become specific machines (or specific components of a machine) uniquely tailored to perform the configured functions and are no longer general-purpose processors. A decision to implement a hardware component mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software), may be driven by cost and time considerations. Accordingly, the phrase “hardware component” (or “hardware-implemented component”) should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein. Considering examples in which hardware components are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware components need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardware component comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software to become a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may be configured as different special-purpose processors (e.g., comprising different hardware components) at different times. Software accordingly configures a particular processor or processors, for example, to constitute a particular hardware component at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware component at a different instance of time. Hardware components can provide information to, and receive information from, other hardware components. Accordingly, the described hardware components may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiple hardware components exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) between or among two or more of the hardware components. In examples in which multiple hardware components are configured or instantiated at different times, communications between such hardware components may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of information in memory structures to which the multiple hardware components have access. For example, one hardware component may perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory device to which it is communicatively coupled. A further hardware component may then, at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output. Hardware components may also initiate communications with input or output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information). The various operations of example methods described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented components that operate to perform one or more operations or functions described herein. As used herein, “processor-implemented component” refers to a hardware component implemented using one or more processors. Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partially processor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors being an example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations of methods described herein may be performed by one or more processors1004or processor-implemented components. Moreover, the one or more processors may also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines including processors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an API). The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some examples, the processors or processor-implemented components may be located in a single geographic location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or a server farm). In some examples, the processors or processor-implemented components may be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

“Computer-Readable Medium” refers to both machine-storage media and transmission media. Thus, the terms include both storage devices/media and carrier waves/modulated data signals. The terms “machine-readable medium,” “computer-readable medium” and “device-readable medium” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

“Machine-Storage Medium” refers to a single or multiple storage devices and/or media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store executable instructions, routines and/or data. The term includes solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media, including memory internal or external to processors. Specific examples of machine-storage media, computer-storage media and/or device-storage media include non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FPGA, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks The terms “machine-storage medium”, “device-storage medium,” “computer-storage medium” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “machine-storage media,” “computer-storage media,” and “device-storage media” specifically exclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, and other such media, at least some of which are covered under the term “signal medium.”

“Module” refers to logic having boundaries defined by function or subroutine calls, branch points, Application Program Interfaces (APIs), or other technologies that provide for the partitioning or modularization of particular processing or control functions. Modules are typically combined via their interfaces with other modules to carry out a machine process. A module may be a packaged functional hardware unit designed for use with other components and a part of a program that usually performs a particular function of related functions. Modules may constitute either software modules (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium) or hardware modules. A “hardware module” is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computer system, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardware module that operates to perform certain operations as described herein. In some embodiments, a hardware module may be implemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, a hardware module may include dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware module may be a special-purpose processor, such as a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). A hardware module may also include programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware module may include software executed by a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor. Once configured by such software, hardware modules become specific machines (or specific components of a machine) uniquely tailored to perform the configured functions and are no longer general-purpose processors. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware module mechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations. Accordingly, the phrase “hardware module” (or “hardware-implemented module”) should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments in which hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardware module comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software to become a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g., comprising different hardware modules) at different times. Software accordingly configures a particular processor or processors, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at a different instance of time. Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive information from, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardware modules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiple hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) between or among two or more of the hardware modules. In embodiments in which multiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at different times, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of information in memory structures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. For example, one hardware module may perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory device to which it is communicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input or output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information). The various operations of example methods and routines described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions described herein. As used herein, “processor-implemented module” refers to a hardware module implemented using one or more processors. Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partially processor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors being an example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed by one or more processors or processor-implemented modules. Moreover, the one or more processors may also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines including processors), with these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an Application Program Interface (API)). The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the processors or processor-implemented modules may be located in a single geographic location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other example embodiments, the processors or processor-implemented modules may be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

“Processor” refers to any circuit or virtual circuit (a physical circuit emulated by logic executing on an actual processor) that manipulates data values according to control signals (e.g., “commands”, “op codes”, “machine code”, etc.) and which produces corresponding output signals that are applied to operate a machine. A processor may, for example, be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) Processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) Processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) or any combination thereof. A processor may further be a multi-core processor having two or more independent processors (sometimes referred to as “cores”) that may execute instructions contemporaneously.

“Signal Medium” refers to any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying the instructions for execution by a machine and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of software or data. The term “signal medium” may include any form of a modulated data signal, carrier wave, and so forth. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a matter as to encode information in the signal. The terms “transmission medium” and “signal medium” mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure.