Patent ID: 12200293

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates in general to television devices, and, more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to systems and methods for facilitating smart TV content receivers in a local network.

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferred exemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits may be shown in block diagrams in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not included in the figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.

Various embodiments will now be discussed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying figures, beginning withFIG.1.

FIG.1shows an exemplary media content distribution system100in which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. For brevity, the system100is depicted in a simplified and conceptual form, and may generally include more or fewer systems, devices, networks, and/or other components as desired. Further, number and type of features or elements incorporated within the system100may or may not be implementation-specific, and at least some of the aspects of the system100may be similar to a cable television distribution system, an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) content distribution system, and/or any other type of media or content distribution system.

The system100may include a service provider102, a satellite network122(which may include a satellite uplink104, a plurality of satellites106a-c, a satellite dish108, etc.), a primary television receiver (PTR)110, a plurality of secondary television receivers (STRs)112, a plurality of televisions114, a local server115(e.g., a home router) and at least one software repository system103. As disclosed herein, the PTR110and STRs112may correspond to smart TV content receivers. The televisions114may correspond to smart TVs.

The system100may also include at least one network120that may facilitate bi-directional communications for data transfer between the PTR110, the service provider102, and the software repository system103, which communications may be by way of the local server115and/or the satellite components. The network120is intended to represent any number of terrestrial and/or non-terrestrial network features or elements. For example, the network120may incorporate or exhibit any number of features or elements of various wireless and/or hardwired packet-based communication networks such as, for example, a wide area network (WAN), a home area network (HAN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless-local area network (W-LAN), Internet, a cellular network, or any other type of communication network configured such that data may be transferred between and among respective elements of the system100.

The system100may also include at least one local network121that establishes a bi-directional communication path for data transfer between and among the PTR110, STRs112, and televisions114of the system100, which may be by way of the local server115. The local network121may correspond to a home computing environment. The PTR110, together with the STRs112and televisions114, may each be incorporated within or form at least a portion of a particular home computing network121.

The PTR110and the STRs112as described throughout may correspond to television receivers, television converters, etc., such as a set-top box (STB) for example, configured as smart TV content receivers. In another example, the PTR110and the STRs112, may exhibit functionality integrated as part of or into a television, a digital video recorder (DVR), a computer such as a tablet computing device, or any other computing system or device, as well as variations thereof. Further, the PTR110may be configured so as to enable communications in accordance with any particular communication protocol(s) and/or standard(s) including, for example, transmission control protocol (TCP)/Internet protocol (IP), digital living network alliance/digital transmission copy protection over Internet Protocol), high-definition multimedia interface/high-bandwidth digital content protection, etc. For instance, one or more of the various elements or components of the local network121may be configured to communicate in accordance with the MoCA® (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) home entertainment networking standard.

In practice, the satellites106a-cmay each be configured to receive uplink signals (e.g.,124a,124b, etc.) from the satellite uplink104. In this example, each of the uplink signals may contain one or more transponder streams of particular data or content, such as one or more particular television channels, as supplied by the service provider102. For example, each of the respective uplink signals may contain various media content such as encoded High-Definition television channels, Standard Definition television channels, on-demand programming, programming information, and/or any other content in the form of at least one transponder stream, and in accordance with an allotted carrier frequency and bandwidth. In this example, different media content may be carried using different ones of the satellites106a-c.

The satellites106a-cmay further be configured to relay the uplink signals (i.e.,124a,124b) to the satellite dish108as downlink signals (represented as126a,126b). Similar to the uplink signals, each of the downlink signals may contain one or more transponder streams of particular data or content, such as various encoded and/or at least partially electronically scrambled television channels, on-demand programming, etc., in accordance with an allotted carrier frequency and bandwidth. The downlink signals however, may not necessarily contain the same or similar content as a corresponding one of the uplink signals. This may occur due to different user subscriptions. For example, the uplink signal124amay include a first transponder stream containing at least a first group or grouping of television channels, and the downlink signal126amay include a second transponder stream containing at least a second, different group or grouping of television channels. In other examples, the first and second group of television channels may have one or more television channels in common. In other words, there may be varying degrees of correlation between the uplink signals and the downlink signals, both in terms of content and underlying characteristics. Further, satellite television signals may be different from broadcast television or other types of signals. Satellite signals may include multiplexed, packetized, and modulated digital signals. Once multiplexed, packetized and modulated, one analog satellite transmission may carry digital data representing several television stations or service providers (e.g., HBO®, CBS®, ESPN®, etc.).

The satellite dish108may be provided for use to receive television channels (e.g., on a subscription basis) provided by the service provider102, satellite uplink104, and/or satellites106a-c. For example, the satellite dish108may be configured to receive particular transponder streams, or downlink signals e.g.,126aor126b, from one or more of the satellites106a-c. Additionally, the PTR110, which is communicatively coupled to the satellite dish108, may subsequently select via tuner, decode, and relay particular transponder streams to a television114-2for display thereon. For example, the satellite dish108and the PTR110may, respectively, be configured to receive, decode, and relay at least one premium HD-formatted television channel to the television114-2. Programming or content associated with the HD channel may generally be presented live, or from a recording as previously stored on, by, or at the PTR110. Here, the HD channel may be output to the television114-1in accordance with the HDMI/HDCP content protection technologies. Other embodiments are however possible. For example, the HD channel may be output to the television114-1in accordance with the MoCA® home entertainment networking standard.

Further, the PTR110may select via tuner, decode, and relay particular transponder streams to one or both of the STRs112, which may in turn relay particular transponder streams to a corresponding one of the televisions114for display thereon. For example, the satellite dish108and the PTR110may, respectively, be configured to receive, decode, and relay at least one television channel to the television114-1by way of the STR112-1. It is appreciated that the television channel may be presented live, or from a recording as previously stored on the PTR110, and may be output to the television114-1by way of the STR112-1in accordance with a particular content protection technology and/or networking standard.

According to some embodiments, the PTR110and the STRs112may be configured in a client-server architecture within the local network121. Each STR112may operate and stream A/V content without communicating directly to a cloud server (e.g., without communicating to a remote system via the network120). Each STR112may obtain the majority or all of its content from a PTR110with which the STR112is communicatively coupled (e.g., via one or a combination of MoCA, Wi-Fi, and/or the like) in the local computing network121. In some examples, each STR112may obtain over the air (OTA) updates and smart TV OS-specific file format packages from the PTR110.

In some embodiments, the PTR110may include, have installed thereon, be connected to, or otherwise be communicatively coupled to a PTR configurer111. The PTR configurer111may adapt the PTR110currently deployed in a home computing environment to operate in accordance with various embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the PTR configurer111may correspond to an add-on device that configures the PTR110with the software components, and in some embodiments provides the necessary hardware components, to enable the PTR110to provide, among other things, the control and networking features to the local network121, obtain over-the-top (OTT) services and stream to STRs112, communicate with STRs112, operate as a server in the client-server architecture to provide the various features to the STRs112, utilize link-local IP addresses to provide the various features, obtain and provide the software update features to the STRs112, and/or the like features disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the PTR configurer111may correspond to a dongle that may be connected to a port of the PTR110. For example, the PTR configurer111may be connected by way of a USB connection and/or the like of the PTR110. Accordingly, the PTR configurer111may allow for quick adaptation of a PTR110without the need for individualized integration, for example, without individualized Linux integration. It is appreciated that the description of the PTRs provided above is in no way limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, other embodiments are possible, where pre-configured PTRs110may be initially configured with low-level software and hardware to perform the functionalities disclosed herein.

FIG.2illustrates an example block diagram of a client-server A/V streaming architecture200over a local network221, in accordance with disclosed embodiments according to the present disclosure. The general environment of the client-server A/V streaming architecture200may correspond to client-server A/V streaming over the local network221, where the local network221may, for example, correspond to a home network121. The local network221may include a primary media device210and one or more secondary media devices212.

In some embodiments, the primary media device210may include the PTR110and each secondary media device212may include the STR112; however, in some embodiments, the primary media device210and the one or more secondary media devices212may include other types of content receivers. In some embodiments, the primary media device210and the one or more secondary media devices212may include one or a combination of various computerized devices configured to facilitate features disclosed in various embodiments herein. For example, in various embodiments, the primary media device210and the one or more secondary media devices212may include one or more of a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a home server, a home router, a smart TV, a smartphone, a tablet computer, another mobile device, smart glasses, a smart watch, another form of wearable computing device, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the primary media device210and the one or more secondary media devices212may serve content to and/or include one or more display devices, such as televisions114and/or integrated display devices. In some embodiments, the primary media device210and/or the one or more secondary media devices212may serve one or more other client devices214, which may, for example, include one or a combination of the televisions114and/or the other abovementioned devices.

In a conventional client-server architecture, devices of a local network may need to connect to the Internet for enhanced functionality through a home router. To connect with the router, the devices may get an IP address from the home router. However, there are issues with such a situation that are resolved by embodiments disclosed herein. For example, there may be no Internet connection for any of a number of different reasons. However, a secondary media device212video streaming encrypted A/V from a primary media deice210may need to be supported even when there is no Internet connection. An IP address may be still needed. Disclosed embodiments may provide solutions for such issues that include providing for an IP address that may be a link-local IP address (also known as zero-conf or zero-configuration networking). As disclosed herein, the devices of the client-server A/V streaming architecture200may be configured to communicate with each other and perform video streaming using link-local IP addresses, which, because they are self-assigned, provide for more stable AV streaming.

Another issue that is solved by disclosed embodiments involves IP addresses that change or are lost. With a router connection to the Internet, there is a router-assigned IP address, called a DHCP address. DHCP is a protocol for routers to assign IP addresses to individual devices. However, the IP addresses may change and may be lost from the perspective of the individual devices, especially with some problematic routers among the hundreds of different router models. Disclosed embodiments may also provide solutions for such issues, as disclosed herein.

Other issues that are resolved by disclosed embodiments include the following. The IP addresses supported by some routers in some home networks can be limited such that they are insufficient to support all the devices on the network. Also, routers can enter a bad state such that cannot adequately provide for A/V streaming via IP. Additionally, conventional smart TV and associated apps do not support solutions where there is a loss of functionality due to no connection to the Internet; conventional designs assume Wi-Fi is available. However, disclosed embodiments may provide solid, reliable A/V services to the primary media devices210and the secondary media devices212, despite the above problems.

The client-server A/V streaming architecture200may correspond to a multiple-subnet architecture. In the local network221, the primary media device210and/or the one or more secondary media devices212may be configured to establish and use multiple subnets222and223over the same physical network connection(s). A dual-subnet architecture200may, for example, include a link-local IP subnet (also known as, zero-configuration)222and a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) IP subnet223. Typically, DHCP IP addressing may be mainly used for Internet access and for communication with other home network devices. DHCP IP addressing may be available when the local network221includes a DHCP server115-1(e.g., a home router115-1). Each device may obtain its own DHCP IP address from the DHCP server115-1. In some embodiments, the secondary media device212and/or other client device214may obtain their respective DHCP IP addresses from the DHCP server115-1through the primary media device210; in some embodiments, the secondary media device212and/or other client device214may obtain their respective DHCP IP addresses directly from the DHCP server115-1

In the local network221, in addition to creating, establishing, expanding, and/or using the DHCP IP subnet223, the primary media device210and/or the one or more secondary media devices212may further create and use the link-local IP subnet222. Within a typical home network, it may be that not all devices support both subnets. A DHCP IP subnet may be supported but not necessarily both a DHCP IP subnet and a link-local IP subnet. However, the primary media devices210and the secondary media devices212may support multiple subnets, including both a DHCP IP subnet223and a link-local IP subnet222.

The primary media device210and/or the one or more secondary media devices212may self-assign link-local IP addresses to create the subnet222. The primary media device210and the one or more secondary media devices212may each self-assign link-local IP addresses upon startup, and/or after network connection interruption and subsequent reestablishment. In some instances, other devices214in the local network221, which may include third-party devices, may also generate their own link-local IP addresses. The architecture200may support multiple platforms, including Linux, Android, and/or the like. The devices210,212, and/or214may be configured to communicate with each other and perform video streaming using link-local IP addresses, which, because they are self-assigned, provide for more stable A/V streaming. The primary media device210and/or the one or more secondary media devices212may, for example, use the link-local IP subnet architecture200for A/V streaming, command and control, and other client-service device communications as a default.

FIG.3illustrates an example block diagram of a primary media device210-1and a secondary media device212-1in the client-server A/V streaming architecture200, in accordance with disclosed embodiments according to the present disclosure. For brevity, the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1are depicted in a simplified form, and various embodiments of the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1may generally include more and/or different components to implementing various features of the embodiments.

The network120may provide a connection between service providers102and the primary media device210-1. Additionally or alternatively, the primary media device210-1may be connected to service providers102via a satellite connection. For example, as described above, the primary media device210-1may be coupled with a satellite antenna configured to receive data from one or more satellites. The service providers102may include one or more remote services configured to provide digital content such as live television channels, subscription television shows, streaming movies, streaming audio, shopping, etc. to a requesting device, such as the primary media device210-1. The service providers102may distribute digital content via network120, such as the Internet. Additionally, or alternatively, service providers102may distribute digital content via direct broadcast satellite services.

In some embodiments, the primary media device210-1may be part of multiple different networks. For example, the primary media device210-1may communicate with service providers102via the Internet. Additionally or alternatively, the primary media device210-1may communicate with the secondary media device212-1via the local network121,221. In some embodiments, the primary media device210-1has a direct connection to network120while the secondary media device212-1does not have a direct connection to network120. For example, the secondary media device212-1may route some or all communication to network120via the primary media device210-1. Incoming communication from network120may also be received by the primary media device210-1and routed to the secondary media device212-1. In this way, the secondary media device212-1may still receive and consume services from service providers102without having a direct connection with network120. This may include the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1providing the ability to play encrypted A/V without an Internet connection on an Android TV.

The client-server architecture200may allow for the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1to provide a non-pure over-the-top solution, where encrypted A/V and other content may be provided with or without an Internet connection. The primary media device210-1may be configured to obtain encrypted A/V and other content via the network120(e.g., the Internet) and/or via the satellite network122(e.g., from the service provider systems102).

With multiple client devices114,214(e.g., Android TVs), content provided by the primary media device210-1(e.g., by way of one or more tuners of the device210-1) may be shared simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the multiple client devices114,214, directly from the primary media device210-1and/or via one or more secondary media devices212-1. Accordingly, with some embodiments, upon user request with a control device, content from the primary media device210-1may be shared with the multiple client devices114,214or a subset thereof.

Further, the shared content may be manipulated separately and independently (e.g., with playback control features such as pausing, skipping, transporting, rewinding, playback speed controls, recording, etc.) via the secondary media devices212-1and/or client devices114,214, while the shared content continues to stream to all the devices. In some embodiments, one or more tuners of the secondary media devices212-1may be allocated to the receive stream in order to facilitate the playback control features that may be unique to a particular secondary media device212-1according to the viewer control commands received by the particular secondary media device212-1. Thus, the primary media device210-1and the secondary media devices212-1would allow for one viewer of shared content to pause playback at one secondary media device212-1and/or client device114,214, while another viewer of the shared content rewinds the shared content at another secondary media device212-1and/or client device114,214.

Additionally or alternatively, with multiple client devices114,214, one client device114may be served content via the Internet, while another client device114may be simultaneously served content via satellite. Moreover, even on one client device114, a combination of content from different sources (e.g., obtain via Internet and satellite) may be provided by the primary media device210-1and/or the secondary media device212-1. The client-server A/V devices210-1and/or212-1may automatically select whether to obtain encrypted A/V and other content via the network120and/or via the satellite network122based at least in part on content type and/or network routing reachability/availability. Accordingly, the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1may provide for dynamic switching between the network120and/or via the satellite network122.

In addition to streaming encrypted A/V content from the primary media device210-1, the secondary media device212-1in accordance with disclosed embodiments may be configured to provide one or more smart TV functionalities, such as access to one or more applications, voice assistants, games, and/or other digital content. The smart TV functionalities may be included, and/or accessible through, the operating system349installed on the secondary media device212-1. The operating system349may provide a set of processes and a particular inter process communication (IPC) mechanism that enables the processes to communicate and interact with each other.

However, integrating the set of software applications and/or processes configured to obtain the A/V content from the primary media device210-1with the smart TV operating system may pose several unique challenges. First, the IPC mechanism provided by the smart TV operating system may not be the same IPC mechanism used by the set of applications configured to obtain the A/V content from the primary television receiver. Further, the smart TV operating system may not include one or more libraries that support the IPC mechanism used by the set of applications. Lastly, the smart TV operating system may not include one or more drivers configured to support the communication between the secondary media device212-1and the primary media device210-1by which the A/V content is obtained.

Embodiments detailed herein can deal with these challenges and others. A custom software stack within the smart TV operating system can be configured to execute in parallel with the native software stack provided by the smart TV operating system. Existing sets of software applications configured to obtain the A/V content from primary television receivers may then be installed in the custom software stack. The modifications may enable the software applications in the custom software stack to interact with processes in the native stack while maintaining their original functionality and portability across multiple platforms. Installing a parallel software stack may reduce the complexity of developing new software applications for the smart TV operating system in addition to creating an environment where other functionalities may be quickly and easily integrated.

The primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1may include operating systems339,349and kernels338,348, and may conform to various configurations in accordance with various embodiments. The primary media device210-1may include the operating system339configured to execute one or more processes. The one or more processes may configure the primary media device210-1to receive digital content from service providers102and provide the digital content to the secondary media device212-1in response to a request received by the primary media device210-1from the secondary media device212-1. For example, the secondary media device212-1may be configured to transmit a request to the primary media device210-1to tune one or more television frequency tuners of the primary media device210-1to a specific frequency associated with a television channel and stream the content received at the specific frequency back to the secondary media device212-1. As another example, the secondary media device212-1may be configured to transmit a request to the primary media device210-1to provide digital content previously recorded and/or stored by the primary media device210-1to the secondary media device212-1.

The secondary media device212-1may include the operating system349, which may include one or more components configured to manage various hardware and software resource of the secondary media device212-1. For example, the operating system349may include one or more drivers configured to display digital content on a television screen communicatively coupled with the secondary media device212-1, such as television114as described above. In some embodiments, the operating system349may be different from the operating system339included in the primary media device210-1. For example, while the primary media device210-1may be configured to operate using a Linux-based operating system, the operating system349may be a Linux-based operating system that configures the secondary media device212-1to function as an Android TV content receiver device.

The kernel348may include one or more services at the core of operating system210. For example, the kernel348may facilitate interactions between hardware and software components of the secondary media device212-1. The kernel348may control various hardware resources, such as input and output (I/O) devices, memory, peripherals etc. via device drivers, and optimize utilization of common resources such as a central processing unit (CPU), cache memory, file systems, and network sockets. One or more software stacks can be installed on the kernel348. For example, a native software stack and a custom software stack may each be installed on the kernel348. The native software stack may include a default software stack for the operating system349. The custom software stack may be a separate software stack loaded onto the operating system349. In some embodiments, one or more components of the custom software stack are loaded onto operating system349using a custom loader. Further details regarding these embodiments are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/556,723, filed Dec. 20, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein for all purposes.

In some embodiments, the secondary media device212-1and the primary media device210-1may be communicatively coupled using one or more coaxial cables. For example, the secondary media device212-1and the primary media device210-1may include physical connections configured to receive a coaxial cable. Once coupled using coaxial cable, the secondary media device212-1and the primary media device210-1may utilize the MoCA standards for bi-directional communications between the secondary media device212-1and the primary media device210-1.

In various embodiments, the primary media device210-1may include one or more interfaces330. The one or more interfaces330may include a Wi-Fi interface330-1, an Ethernet interface330-2, a MoCA interface330-3, and/or one or more other interfaces. In various embodiments, the secondary media device212-1may likewise include one or more interfaces340. The one or more interfaces340may include a Wi-Fi interface340-1, an Ethernet interface340-2, a MoCA interface340-3, and/or one or more other interfaces. Accordingly, the different types of connections may include one or a combination of Wi-Fi connections, Ethernet connections, MoCA connections, USB connections, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the MoCA interfaces330-3,340-3may correspond to MoCA components331,341that include hardware and software configured to provide non-OTT solutions that enable encrypted content streaming without an Internet connection. The MoCA components331,341, for example, may correspond to MoCA applications and interfaces that allow communication of digital packets over a coaxial cable connection between the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1. For instance with respect to the secondary media device212-1, the MoCA components341may include a MoCA driver that may operate like a device driver to allow use of a MoCA connection to communicate with the primary media device210-1. A control application344or another system application of the secondary media device212-1may initiate a MoCA that operates with the kernel348to set up the interface. To a smart TV device214, the interface may appear as a simple network interface, without detecting that the interface media is different. Accordingly, MoCA connection quality and consistency may be achieved. Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments may be configured with Wi-Fi radios and software corresponding to the Wi-Fi interfaces330-1,340-1to facilitate a Wi-Fi connection for communications between the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1. The primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1may be adaptive to utilize one or both of the MoCA connection and the Wi-Fi connection as function of operating conditions in order to maintain encrypted A/V quality above a particular quality threshold without an Internet connection.

To facilitate the concurrent multiple-address configuration utilizing multiple subnets, each active network interface may be assigned IP addresses to provide for coexistent link-local IP addresses and DHCP IP addresses. For example, for each active network interface of the primary media device210and/or the one or more secondary media devices212, a respective link-local IP address may be self-assigned by the respective device210or212alongside with the DHCP IP address so that each active interface has a link-local IP address and a DHCP IP address in parallel. By way of example, with a MoCA-enabled secondary media device212-1, link-local IP addresses may be assigned for the MoCA interface340-3and the Ethernet interface340-2. With a Wi-Fi-enabled secondary media device212-1, link-local IP addresses may be assigned for the Wi-Fi interface340-1and the Ethernet interface340-2. With some configurations of the primary media device210-1that utilize the PTR configurer111, there may be a single interface for which a link-local IP address is assigned. Other embodiments are possible.

The primary media device210-1may include one or more bridging components332. The bridging components332may correspond to level 2 and/or level 3 bridging components332. The bridging components332may allow for provisioning of an Internet connection, for example, to a smart TV through the primary media device210-1.

The primary media device210-1may include a network connection manager334. In various embodiments, the secondary media device212-1may or may not also include a network connection manager. The network connection manager334may bring up and activates all network interfaces, may detect when an interface is ready for communication (e.g., the low level is active), and may then starts an auto IP thread to obtain a link-local IP address. When a link-local IP address is ready to use, the network connection manager334may send a notification to a network device manager336to start discovery of other nodes in the network221-1on the interface.

The primary media device210-1may include a network device manager334. In various embodiments, the secondary media device212-1may also include a network connection manager. The network connection manager334may bring up and activates all network interfaces, may detect when an interface is ready for communication (e.g., the low level is active), and may then starts an auto IP thread to obtain a link-local IP address. When a link-local IP address is ready to use, the network connection manager334may send a notification to a network device manager336to start discovery of other nodes in the network221-1on the interface.

The network connection manager334may detect on which interface a secondary media device212-1is detected (e.g., Wi-Fi interface340-1, Ethernet interface340-2, or MoCA interface340-3). The primary media device210-1may authenticate content for streaming to the secondary media device212-1. Before the secondary media device212-1starts using the primary media device210-1, the primary media device210-1may check if the secondary media device212-1is authorized on an account associated with the primary media device210-1based at least in part on stored account information and/or communications with the service provider system102.

The network connection manager334may set appropriate route rules and advanced route tables to properly route data to corresponding clients. This allows the use of the link-local subnet222to support mixed clients (e.g., MoCA-configured secondary media devices212-1and Wi-Fi-configured secondary media devices212-1) in the same local network221-1(e.g., a household network).

Once devices are discovered and known to each other, the primary media device210-1and/or the secondary media device212-1may select the preferred subnet for communication automatically based at least in part on content type and/or network routing reachability. Link-local IP may be selected as preferred if devices discover each other via both subnets222,223. For example, client-Server A/V devices210-1and/or212-1may select the link-local subnet222for A/V streaming. The client-server A/V devices210-1and/or212-1may automatically switch to DHCP IP for A/V streaming when link-local IP is detected as not available, for example, due to third-party rogue network devices114and/or115-1. The DHCP IP subnet223may be used to communicate with an Internet server. Accordingly, the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1may provide for dynamic switching between link-local and DHCP.

However, link-local IP addressing and the link-local subnet223may be available at least with respect to the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1even when no DHCP server115-1or home router115-1is available, so that client-server A/V streaming can always work. For example, the primary media device210-1may stream content, which it has stored, to the secondary media device212-1. Additionally or alternatively, the primary media device210-1may obtain content via the satellite network122, which content the primary media device210-1may then stream to the secondary media device212-1. Accordingly, the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1may provide for non-pure OTT (over-the-top) A/V streaming devices for smart TVs that may be integrated with such devices and/or may be communicatively coupled thereto (e.g., as other client devices214, which may correspond to televisions114in some embodiments).

As disclosed herein, the devices210-1,212-1may primarily use link-local IP addressing and a link-local subnet223to stream A/V, not DHCP IP. Link-local may be more stable than DHCP. This may guarantee A/V stream quality without disturbance when DHCP IP is not available or fluctuates (e.g., disconnections, the home router115-1may enter a bad state, may be old, etc.). The secondary media device212-1may always be able to find a primary media device210-1on the network221-1using the link-local subnet223. If, for some reason (say, there is a problem on reboot, or some routers115-1may be limited such that they do not have enough DHCP addresses to support all the devices to which it should be connected on the local network, or some routers transition to a bad state after running for an extended period of time) the router115-1cannot assign a DHCP address, the link-local may be available. Only if link-local communications cannot be established, the DHCP IP address may be used as a fallback for A/V streaming.

Not all conventional client devices214, associated apps, and routers115-1may support the dual-subnet architecture in accordance with disclosed embodiments. For example, some smart TVs may always use a single DHCP IP address on an interface. Problems can also occur when smart TVs, routers, or other home network devices do not follow an IP address conflict resolution protocol. To solve such problems, the primary media device210-1and/or the secondary media device212-1may identify when smart TVs, routers, or other home network devices do not follow an IP address conflict resolution protocol.

The primary media device210-1and/or the secondary media device212-1may be configured to work with third-party rogue network devices214and/or routers115-1that break link-local IP compatibility. For example, the primary media device210-1and/or the secondary media device212-1may be configured with an automatic troubleshooting mechanism that allows the primary media device210-1and/or the secondary to adapt solve situations where the devices214do not follow IP address conflict resolution protocol and dual IP addresses on single interface. The secondary media device212-1may adapt and reconfigure itself to avoid the problems.

When the primary media device210-1or the secondary media device212-1self-assigns a link-local IP address (e.g., as per RFC-3927 or RFC-8200), the device announces the link-local IP address to other devices with which it is in communication on the network221-1. A rogue device214or115-1may object to the announced link-local IP address (e.g., objecting that it is a duplicate address). In such case where there is a conflict (e.g., because of alleged duplicate addresses on the network), the device210-1or212-1may follow a conflict resolution protocol for self-assigned link local IP addresses (e.g., per RFC 3927). The device210-1or212-1may detect and store the MAC address of the rogue device. The device210-1or212-1may change its self-assigned link-local IP address, generating a new address and announcing to the rogue device.

If the rogue device continues to object, the device210-1or212-1may change its self-assigned link-local IP address and announce the new address to the rogue device. If the rogue device (which is identified by the device MAC address) again objects, the device210-1or212-1may detect the pattern of behavior of the rogue device and, after X attempts (e.g., three attempts) of changing self-assigned link-local IP addresses, if a rogue device continues to object (which corresponds to claiming that various different link-local IP addresses as its own), the device210-1or212-1may determine that the rogue device is a compatibility issue with the link-local addressing scheme. In response, the device210-1or212-1may overrule the objections, and keep and use the last-generated address.

In some instances, when a rogue device obtains a DHCP IP address on an interface, the device214may remove the link-local IP address. However, the network connection manager334may detect that and may add the link-local IP address back. Accordingly, the network connection manager334may solve some such problems where a client device214attempts to utilize a DHCP IP address as the primary address instead of utilizing the link-local address is the primary address in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

Accordingly, the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1may be configured with a link-local architecture to facilitate zero-configuration networking so that the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1may communicate directly, rather than relying on an Internet connection such as network120. By using the link-local IP subnet222, disclosed embodiments may not require the existence of a router or an Internet connection in order for the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1to communicate and operate to facilitate content streaming with reliable consumer-grade A/V services. The primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1may utilize the link-local IP address as a default as part of the processes to provide for A/V stability. This may correspond to a multi-subnet on the same network interfaces of the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1. Thus, the special-purpose architecture supports the use of link to reduce dependency on a router115-1and Internet connection to provide reliable A/V services. Even if an implementation includes a router115-1, the link-local architecture may keep the A/V services stable no matter how the router115-1behaves (e.g., enters a bad state not be assigned IP address, changes IP addresses to client devices, etc.) to maintain a robust A/V stream between the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1. The multiple subnet method of A/V stability controls may be employed with all the different types of connections employed by the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1to control the quality of streaming of encrypted A/V between the primary media device210-1and the secondary media device212-1.

The client-server architecture200may further allow for other advantageous features.FIG.4illustrates an example block diagram of certain other aspects of a secondary media device212-2in the client-server A/V streaming architecture200, in accordance with disclosed embodiments according to the present disclosure. The secondary media device212-2may include a combined application package401, a controller410, one or more REST APIs420, a security module415, a software updater430, a settings database440, and an information guide database450. The combined application package401may include a first application403, a second application405, and a player407. In some embodiments, the first application403may be independent and different than the second application405.

One or more processors may execute instructions to provide the security module415. The security module415may facilitate the provisioning of encrypted content in the client-server architecture200. The primary media device110may likewise include a security module to facilitate the provisioning of the encrypted content. The encryption may be specific to the device114,214. For example, the encryption may be specific to the Android TV in some embodiments. Security modules415may provide the capabilities securing the streaming within the local network221and with respect to one or more sessions. The security modules415may be configured to address security needs including, but not limited to, ensuring authorization and authentication of the primary media device210, the secondary media device212-2, other client devices214, entitlements to content, and otherwise securing A/V content stream within the local network221. In various embodiments, the security module415may operate separately and/or in conjunction with security components provided by other components of the primary media device210, the secondary media device212-2, other client devices214, and/or those provided by backend systems such as the service provider systems102.

In some embodiments, the security modules415may be configured to utilize a common household DRM key. Such common household key may facilitate access to content stored, in encrypted form, on each of the devices participating in the local network221. In some embodiments, a unique DRM key may be required to access unique content. In some embodiments, the security modules415on the devices210,212-2in the local network221may be configured to utilize other security keys, inter-device keys, for securing communications over the local network221. Such inter-device keys may be based on various information, such as a customer billing number, a customer identifier, and/or other information, may be randomly generated, or otherwise. In some embodiments, as devices join and/or leave the local network221, one or more security keys may be dynamically adjusted, modified, or otherwise processed.

The software updater430may be configured to allow the secondary media device212-2to obtain software updates from the primary media device210, with the primary media device210operating as a server for the secondary media device212-2. For example, the software updater430may obtain updated application packages and system image files from the primary media device210, decrypt them, and install them in the secondary media device212-2. In some embodiments, the software updater430may download and install the software packages in the background using flash partitions. The secondary media device212-2may include the controller410that may be configured to provide services to manage TV sessions associated with the primary media device210, and to provide for connection ID management. In some embodiments, the controller410may include, use, or otherwise correspond to the control application344. When a channel change or playback operation is requested from a user-facing application, the controller410may perform a lookup of the IP address of the primary media device210, and thereafter create a connection to the primary media device210.

In some embodiments, the controller410may be configured to provide a multi-layered (also referred to herein as a picture on top of a picture (POP)) user interface (UI) features on top of a video layer. The POP feature(s) may be achieved by molding a first UI associated with the first application403, and a second UI associated with the second application405. The POP functionality may be achieved via an underlying messaging system utilized by the different components of the secondary media device212-2. In some embodiments, the controller410may communicate with databases such as the settings database440and the information guide database450. The settings database440may be configured to at least store information pertaining to device settings (e.g., display screen size, display settings, etc.) of a television114associated with the secondary media device212-2. The information guide database450may be configured to store information pertaining to programming media guide information (e.g., a TV guide).

The first application403may be included in the combined application package401, and the secondary media device212-2may be configured to facilitate a first UI (i.e., a first screen) associated with the first application403. In some examples, the first UI may include a representation of content such as web applications downloaded by the secondary media device212-2, and/or a display of different programs (i.e., content) offered by a content service provider102. The different programs may be arranged in a tile formation, wherein each tile includes information of the respective content provided by the service provider. In some embodiments, the first application403may cause display of installed applications received from the software repository system and may allow them to be launched.

In some embodiments, the first UI associated with the first application403may be the initial application seen (by a user) when the smart TV114starts. Additionally, the first application403may be configured to check whether the current mode is a standby mode when the television114boots in order to avoid using tuners on PTR devices when not needed. The second application405may be associated with a second UI such as a guide screen, DVR screens, on-demand screens, etc. The player407included in the combined application package401of the secondary media device212-2may be configured to facilitate playing of encrypted content obtained from the primary media device210, the first application403, the second application405, locally issued video trick modes (fast-forward, skip back, etc.), ad insertion, and may handle buffering for IP streaming content passed-through from the primary media device210.

The secondary media device212-2may include a REST API application420configured to use APIs to facilitate server-client operations between the secondary media device212-2and the primary media device210. For instance, the REST API420may allow the second application405to interface with native applications for local control and data, and may allow the second application405to invoke REST API commands on the primary media device210via redirecting http requests to the appropriate host. The REST API application420may further allow external control of the secondary media device212-2via either remote asynchronous events (RAE) or an open listening port. Additionally, the REST API application420may further allow applications to send events to the second application405. The REST API application420may also communicate with a wireless access point.

The multi-layered UI features (i.e., the POP features) may be obtained via the first UI (associated with the first application403), the second UI (associated with the second application405), and the player420. Multi-layered UIs may, for example, allow POP features to provide, for instance, a guide to allow a user to select programs and channels while a currently selected channel is presented as an overlay. Shared video may be built so that a user can go from one set of screens to another and keep the video in a corner without having to restart—similar to transitioning between multiple apps but grafted together into one interface facilitated by the combined application package401.

In various embodiments, the multi-layered UIs may further allow for layering and grafting of encrypted A/V and/or other content from multiple, different sources obtained by the primary media device210from the multiple, different sources via the network120(e.g., the Internet) and/or via the satellite network122(e.g., from the service provider systems102). The primary media device210may serve combinations of content from the different sources to the secondary media device212-2. The secondary media device212-2may simultaneously present the combinations of content in the multi-layered UI (e.g., picture-in-picture, tiled format, overlays, and/or the like). Accordingly, the secondary media device212-2may simultaneously present first content from the Internet with second content obtained via satellite in the multi-layered UI, where the first content may be presented picture-in-picture with the second content or vice versa, the first content in the second content may be presented in tiles, the first content may be presented as an overlay on the same content or vice versa, and/or the like.

The combined application package401, which may include the first application403associated with a first UI403A, the second application405associated with second UI405A, and the player407, may utilize a messaging framework to communicate with the controller410in order to generate a video signal. Specifically, the combined application package401may utilize a plurality of display layers (also referred to herein as a stack of display layers) and may determine via messaging, a positioning of each display layer within the stack of display layers. The secondary media device212-2may be configured to generate a video signal based on the plurality of display layers.

In some embodiments, the controller410may receive content (e.g., a video from the primary media device210) and transmit the video to the player407. The player407, in turn, may assign the video to a first display layer of the plurality of display layers (i.e., the stack of display layers). Upon receiving a trigger signal (e.g., a first trigger signal from a remote-control device that is communicatively coupled with the secondary media device) the first application403of the combined application package401, may assign the first UI403A associated with the first application to a second display layer of the stack of the display layers. The first application403may further position the second display layer to be above the first display layer. The first trigger signal may correspond to a signal that is generated upon the user making a selection with respect to the remote control (e.g., the user pressing a DVR button on the remote control).

Consequently, in response to receiving another trigger signal (e.g., a second trigger signal), the first application403may transmit a message to the second application405. The transmitted message may correspond to a message, which instructs the second application405to assign the second UI405A to a third display layer of the stack of display layers and position the third display layer over the second display layer. The second trigger signal may correspond to a signal that is generated upon the user selecting one of the tiles included in the first UI403A via the remote control.

The second application405may transmit an HTTP request to a web server (e.g., via REST API420). The HTTP request may correspond to, for instance, a request to resize the video (e.g., assigned to the first display layer), a channel change request, or a playback request. In some embodiments, the REST API420, upon receiving the HTTP request(s), may extract HTTP data from the request and convert the extracted data into a format that is accepted by the controller410(e.g., a native Android format). Based on the type of request, the controller410may execute the request and transmit the request to the player407, or the primary media device210. For instance, a resize request may be executed by the controller410and transmitted directly to the player407, whereas a request for a channel change or a playback request may be transmitted by the controller410to the primary media device210in order to obtain the relevant content. The second application405may also be configured to issue HTTP requests in order to obtain (e.g., from a database) a list of recordings associated with a certain program. In a similar manner, the controller410may also be configured to receive requests from the first application403. Such requests may, for instance, correspond to requests for a change in channels via user selection of a different tile from the first UI403A.

In some embodiments, upon the user selecting an icon associated with the second UI405A, the second application405may be configured to switch (or replace) the first video originally assigned to the first display layer with a second video that corresponds to video associated with the selected episode of the program. Furthermore, the second application405may resize the second video to correspond to a size of a display screen on which the video is to be presented. In this manner, the combined application package401of the secondary media device may utilize a messaging framework (between components of the secondary media device212-2) to generate a video signal based on the plurality of display layers. Although the first application403and the second application405are depicted as separate entities, other embodiments are possible. For instance, some embodiments may include a single application having the functionality of both application403and application405. Moreover, further details regarding various embodiments are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/546,964, filed Dec. 9, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein for all purposes.

Embodiments of the primary television receiver110, the primary media device210, secondary television receiver112, the secondary media device212, and/or components thereof, can be implemented on, and/or can incorporate, one or more computer systems, as illustrated inFIG.5.FIG.5provides a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a computer system500that can implement various system components and/or perform various steps of methods provided by various embodiments. It should be noted thatFIG.5is meant only to provide a generalized illustration of various components, any or all of which may be utilized as appropriate.FIG.5, therefore, broadly illustrates how individual system elements may be implemented in a relatively separated or relatively more integrated manner.

The computer system500is shown including hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus505(or may otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). The hardware elements may include one or more processors510, including, without limitation, one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration processors, video decoders, and/or the like).

As illustrated, some embodiments include one or more input devices515and/or output devices520. The computer system500is configured to interface with additional computers, such that the input devices515and/or output devices520include various physical and/or logical interfaces (e.g., ports, etc.) to facilitate computer-to-computer interaction and control. Embodiments of the input devices515and output devices520can be configured to implement the television receivers (e.g., STR112and PTR110), so that the computer system500can interface with televisions114, or other receivers in the local network121.

The computer system500may further include (and/or be in communication with) one or more non-transitory storage devices525, which can comprise, without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage, and/or can include, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state storage device, such as a random-access memory (“RAM”), and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can be programmable, flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including, without limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the storage devices525include the non-transient memory. In some embodiments, the storage devices525can include one or more of the settings database240, and the information guide database250.

The computer system500can also include a communications subsystem530, which can include, without limitation, any suitable antennas, transceivers, modems, network cards (wireless or wired), infrared communication devices, wireless communication devices, chipsets (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an 802.11 device, a Wi-Fi device, a WiMAX device, cellular communication device, etc.), and/or other communication components. As illustrated, the communications subsystem530generally includes any suitable components for facilitating communications with network120, televisions114, satellite dish108, etc.

In many embodiments, the computer system500will further include a working memory535, which can include a RAM or ROM device, as described herein. The computer system500also can include software elements, shown as currently being located within the working memory535, including an operating system540, device drivers, executable libraries, and/or other code, such as one or more application programs545, which may include computer programs provided by various embodiments, and/or may be designed to implement methods, and/or configure systems, provided by other embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, one or more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussed herein can be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by a computer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect, then, such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt a general purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or more operations in accordance with the described methods.

In some embodiments, the operating system540and the working memory535are used in conjunction with the one or more processors510to implement features of the STR112. Embodiments of the one or more processors510can implement one or methods executed by a receiver (e.g., PTR110, primary media device110, STR112, secondary media device212), such that the operating system540and the working memory535can implement features of the PTR110, primary media device110, STR112, and/or secondary media device212. In some embodiments, the working memory535includes non-transient, processor-readable memory having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause the one or more processors510to perform steps including: configuring a primary media device to: operate as a server in a local network, receive first audio/video (A/V) content via an Internet connection, and receive second A/V content via a satellite network connection; configuring a set of one or more secondary media devices to: operate as a client with respect to the primary media device in the local network, receive the first A/V content from the primary media device, receive the second A/V content from the primary media device, and provide the first A/V content and the second A/V content to at least one television of a set of one or more televisions; where the primary media device simultaneously serves the first A/V content and the second A/V content to at least one secondary media device of the set of one or more secondary media devices, and the at least one secondary media device provides for simultaneous display a combination of video from the first A/V content and the second A/V content with at least one television of the set of one or more televisions.

A set of these instructions and/or codes can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the non-transitory storage device(s)525described above. In some cases, the storage medium can be incorporated within a computer system, such as computer system500. In other embodiments, the storage medium can be separate from a computer system (e.g., a removable medium, such as a compact disc), and/or provided in an installation package, such that the storage medium can be used to program, configure, and/or adapt a general purpose computer with the instructions/code stored thereon. These instructions can take the form of executable code, which is executable by the computer system500and/or can take the form of source and/or installable code, which, upon compilation and/or installation on the computer system500(e.g., using any of a variety of generally available compilers, installation programs, compression/decompression utilities, etc.), then takes the form of executable code.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantial variations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. For example, customized hardware can also be used, and/or particular elements can be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to other computing devices, such as network input/output devices, may be employed.

As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may employ a computer system (such as the computer system500) to perform methods in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure. According to a set of embodiments, some or all of the procedures of such methods are performed by the computer system500in response to processor510executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions (which can be incorporated into the operating system540and/or other code, such as an application program545) contained in the working memory535. Such instructions may be read into the working memory535from another computer-readable medium, such as one or more of the non-transitory storage device(s)525. Merely by way of example, execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the working memory535can cause the processor(s)510to perform one or more procedures of the methods described herein.

The terms “machine-readable medium,” “computer-readable storage medium” and “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. These mediums may be non-transitory. In an embodiment implemented using the computer system500, various computer-readable media can be involved in providing instructions/code to processor(s)510for execution and/or can be used to store and/or carry such instructions/code. In many implementations, a computer-readable medium is a physical and/or tangible storage medium. Such a medium may take the form of a non-volatile media or volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as the non-transitory storage device(s)525. Volatile media include, without limitation, dynamic memory, such as the working memory535. Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, any other physical medium with patterns of marks, a RAM, a PROM, EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read instructions and/or code. Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor(s)510for execution. Merely by way of example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk and/or optical disc of a remote computer. A remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions as signals over a transmission medium to be received and/or executed by the computer system500. The communications subsystem530(and/or components thereof) generally will receive signals, and the bus505then can carry the signals (and/or the data, instructions, etc., carried by the signals) to the working memory535, from which the processor(s)510retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by the working memory535may optionally be stored on a non-transitory storage device525either before or after execution by the processor(s)510.

It should further be understood that the components of computer system500can be distributed across a network. For example, some processing may be performed in one location using a first processor while other processing may be performed by another processor remote from the first processor. Other components of computer system500may be similarly distributed. As such, computer system500may be interpreted as a distributed computing system that performs processing in multiple locations. In some instances, computer system500may be interpreted as a single computing device.

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add various method steps or procedures, or system components as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations, the methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and/or various stages may be added, omitted, and/or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of example configurations (including implementations). However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the configurations. This description provides example configurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of the configurations will provide those of skill with an enabling description for implementing described techniques. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

Also, configurations may be described as a process which is depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in the figure. Furthermore, examples of the methods may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage medium. Processors may perform the described tasks.

Furthermore, the example embodiments described herein may be implemented as logical operations in a computing device in a networked computing system environment. The logical operations may be implemented as: (i) a sequence of computer implemented instructions, steps, or program modules running on a computing device; and (ii) interconnected logic or hardware modules running within a computing device.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.