Live video streaming services using one or more external devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10904584-B2
Application number	US-201816216658-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 11, 2018
Priority date	Jan 26, 2016
Publication date	Jan 26, 2021
Grant date	Jan 26, 2021

Abstract

In some implementations, a system may include a video broadcasting service, implemented on a server, configured to enable a mobile computing device to broadcast a live feed media stream of an event, over a network, to a plurality of viewing devices. The video broadcasting service is configured to receive the live feed media stream, over the network, from the mobile computing device, where the live feed media stream originates from an external device having a camera configured as a video source for the live feed media stream. The external device may be communicatively coupled to the mobile computing device. The video broadcasting service is configured to provide the live feed media stream, over the network, to the plurality of viewing devices.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A social media platform comprising:
a video broadcasting service, implemented on a server, configured to transmit, over a network, digital information to a client application executable by a computing device, the digital information being used to render and display a timeline of social content,
the video broadcasting service configured to enable the client application to broadcast a live feed media stream of an event, over the network, to a plurality of viewing devices each of which is executing the client application, the live feed media stream being captured by a plurality of video sources, the plurality of video sources including a camera on an external device and a camera on the computing device,
wherein a video source of the live feed media stream is switched between the camera on the external device and the camera on the computing device at a point after a start of the live feed media stream and before an end of the live feed media stream,
wherein the switching is based on an amount of user engagements associated with the live feed media stream, the user engagements including signals of approvals that are provided to the viewing devices and broadcasting device during the live feed media stream.

2. The social media platform of claim 1 , wherein the video broadcasting service is configured to:
determine a first number of the user engagements received when the live feed media stream is captured using the camera of the computing device;
determine a second number of the user engagements received when the live feed media stream is captured using the camera of the external device; and
select the camera of the external device in response to the second number being higher than the first number.

3. The social media platform of claim 1 , wherein the video broadcasting service is configured to provide a multi-perspective display of the live feed media stream, the multi-perspective display providing a concurrent display of a first live feed media stream captured by the external device, and a display of a second live feed media stream captured by the camera of the computing device.

4. The social media platform of claim 1 , wherein the video source of the live feed media stream is the camera on the external device, and an audio source of the live feed media stream is a microphone of the computing device.

5. The social media platform of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of video sources include a secondary external device, wherein the video source of the live feed media stream is switched between the camera on the external device, the camera on the computing device, a camera on the secondary external device at multiple times after the start of the live feed media stream and before the end of the live feed media stream.

6. The social media platform of claim 1 , wherein the client application is configured to receive video selection information at a point in time after the start of the live feed media stream and before the end of the live feed media stream, wherein the video switch is switched between the camera on the computing device and the camera on the external camera in response to receipt of the video selection information.

7. The social media platform of claim 1 , wherein the video broadcasting service is configured to determine, using a connection graph, user accounts directly related to a user account of the client application of the computing device, and the video broadcasting service is configured to send a push notification to computing devices of the user accounts regarding the live feed media stream.

8. The social media platform of claim 1 , wherein the server is configured to store the live feed media stream for later retrieval as a replay, wherein when the replay is selected, the media stream is replayed along with engagement indications as they occurred during the live feed media stream.

9. The social media platform of claim 1 , wherein the external device is communicatively coupled to the computing device, the client application is configured to select a type of network connection between the computing device and the external device based on a type of external device, video quality, audio quality, or range between the computing device and the external device.

10. A social media platform comprising:
a client application executable by a computing device, the client application configured to render and display a timeline of social content,
the client application configured to broadcast, via a video broadcast service, a live feed media stream of an event, over a network, with a plurality of viewing devices, the live feed media stream being captured by a plurality of video sources, the plurality of video sources including a first external camera device and a second external camera device, the first and second external camera devices being devices separate from the computing device executing the client application,
wherein a video source of the live feed media stream is switched between the first external camera device and the second external camera device at multiple points after a start of the live feed media stream and before an end of the live feed media stream,
wherein the switching is based on an amount of user engagements associated with the live feed media stream, the user engagements including signals of approvals that are provided to the viewing devices and broadcasting device during the live feed media stream.

11. The social media platform of claim 10 , wherein the client application is configured automatically select a wireless connection between the first external camera device and the client application among a plurality of available wireless connections based on a type of the first external camera device, video quality, audio quality, and range between the computing device and the first external camera device.

12. The social media platform of claim 10 , wherein the first external camera device is communicatively coupled to the computing device via a Bluetooth connection, a mobile network, or a Wi-Fi network connection.

13. The social media platform of claim 10 , wherein the first external camera device is communicatively coupled to the server, and the second external camera device is communicatively coupled to the computing device.

14. The social media platform of claim 10 , wherein the first and second external camera devices are communicatively coupled to the computing device.

15. The social media platform of claim 10 , wherein the first and second external camera devices are communicatively coupled to the server.

16. The social media platform of claim 10 , wherein the first external camera device includes a camera-equipped drone.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions that when executed by at least one processor is configured to cause the at least one processor to:
display, by a client application executable by a computing device, a timeline of social content;
broadcast, via a video broadcast service, a live feed media stream of an event, over a network, with a plurality of viewing devices, the live feed media stream being captured by a plurality of video sources, the plurality of video sources including a camera on the computing device, a camera on a first external device, and a camera on a second external device, the first and second external devices being communicatively coupled to the computing device or a server executing the video broadcast service,
wherein a video source of the live feed media stream is switched between the camera on the first external device, the camera on the second external

Assignees

• Twitter Inc

Inventors

• Chang Wayne

Classifications

• H04N21/4788

  communicating with other users, e.g. chatting {(arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104)} · CPC title

• H04N21/2187 Primary

  Live feed · CPC title

• H04N21/21805

  enabling multiple viewpoints, e.g. using a plurality of cameras · CPC title

• H04N21/41407

  embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop (constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57) · CPC title

• H04N21/4223

  Cameras (H04N23/00 takes precedence) · CPC title