Multi-lingual audio streaming

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9398322-B2
Application number	US-201113094992-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 27, 2011
Priority date	Apr 27, 2011
Publication date	Jul 19, 2016
Grant date	Jul 19, 2016

Abstract

Digital video data and digital multiple-audio data are extracted from a source, using a hardware processor in a content source device within a premises. The extracted digital video data is processed for display on a main display device in the premises; and the extracted digital multiple-audio data is processed into a primary soundtrack in a primary language, to be listened to within the premises in synchronization with the displayed extracted digital video data. The primary soundtrack corresponds to the displayed extracted digital video data, in the primary language. The extracted digital multiple-audio data is processed into at least one secondary audio asset, different than the primary soundtrack; and the at least one secondary audio asset is transmitted to a personal media device within the premises, for apprehension by a user of the personal media device in synchronization with the displayed extracted digital video data.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising the steps of:
obtaining digital video data and digital multiple-audio data from a source, using a hardware processor in a content source device within a premises;
processing said digital video data for display on a main display device in said premises;
processing said digital multiple-audio data into a primary soundtrack in a primary language, to be listened to within said premises in synchronization with said displayed digital video data, said primary soundtrack corresponding to said displayed digital video data, in said primary language;
introducing a delay in said digital video data for display on said main display device and in said primary soundtrack in said primary language, wherein said delay is controlled by said main display device using feedback received by said main display device from a personal media device;
processing said digital multiple-audio data into at least one secondary audio asset, different than said primary soundtrack; and
transmitting said at least one secondary audio asset to said personal media device within said premises, for apprehension by a user of said personal media device, wherein said delay of said displayed digital video data and said primary soundtrack is synchronized to a playback of said at least one secondary audio asset by said personal media device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting as packets addressed to said personal media device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting said at least one secondary audio asset comprises transmitting non-compressed pulse code modulated audio wrapped in IP frames.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in said obtaining step, said source comprises a persistent memory device coupled to said hardware processor.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in said obtaining step, said source comprises a media drive, coupled to said hardware processor, and having a removable media therein.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in said obtaining step, said source comprises content streamed to said content source device from an external service provider.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one secondary audio asset transmitted in said transmitting step comprises at least one of:
a secondary soundtrack in a secondary language, said secondary soundtrack corresponding to said displayed digital video data, in said secondary language; and
a descriptive audio track.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one secondary audio asset transmitted in said transmitting step comprises subtitles for display on said personal media device.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein in said transmitting step, said subtitles transmitted for display on said personal media device comprise subtitles, in a language other than said primary language, corresponding to said displayed digital video data.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising obtaining, at said content source device, a menu selection from said user of said personal media device, said menu selection specifying a chosen form of said second audio asset.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing, to said personal media device, from said content source device, a representation of a menu from which said menu selection can be made, said representation of said menu comprising data indicative of available forms of said second audio asset.

12. A method for interaction between a personal media device and a content source device which provides, within a premises, digital video data for display on a main display device in said premises, and a primary soundtrack in a primary language, to be listened to within said premises in synchronization with said displayed digital video data, said method comprising the steps of:
obtaining, at said personal media device within said premises, from said content source device within said premises, a representation of a menu, said representation of said menu comprising data indicative of available forms of a secondary audio asset,
providing, from said personal media device, to said content source device, a menu selection specifying a chosen form of said secondary audio asset;
obtaining, at said personal media device, from said content source device, said secondary audio asset, for apprehension by a user of said personal media device in synchronization with said displayed digital video data, said secondary audio asset being different than said primary soundtrack; and
providing, from said personal media device, to said content source device, data indicative of an appropriate delay to be introduced in said displayed digital video data and said primary soundtrack at said content source device, wherein said displayed digital video data and said primary soundtrack are simultaneously synchronized to a playback of said at least one secondary audio asset by said personal media device.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said obtaining of said secondary audio asset comprises obtaining as packets specifically addressed to said personal media device.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein said secondary audio asset obtained in said step of obtaining said secondary audio asset comprises at least one of:
a secondary soundtrack in a secondary language, said secondary soundtrack corresponding to said displayed digital video data, in said secondary language; and
a descriptive audio track.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said obtaining of said secondary audio asset comprises obtaining non-compressed pulse code modulated audio wrapped in IP frames.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein said secondary audio asset obtained in said step of obtaining said secondary audio asset comprises subtitles for display on said personal media device.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein in said step of obtaining said secondary audio asset, said subtitles comprise subtitles in a language other than said primary language, corresponding to said displayed digital video data.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein said content source device is provided by a multi-services operator, further comprising said multi-services operator inviting a user of said personal media device to download thereto an appropriate software application which enables said personal media device at least to provide said menu selection to said content source device.

19. A system comprising:
a main memory;
a main hardware processor coupled to said main memory;
a source of digital video data and digital multiple-audio data in data communication with said main hardware processor;
a wireless interface coupled to said main hardware processor;
a graphics processor coupled to said main hardware processor;
wherein:
said main hardware processor and said main memory cooperate to:
obtain said digital video data and said digital multiple-audio data from said source;
process said digital video data and route said video data to said graphics processor for display in a premises;
process said digital multiple-audio data into a primary soundtrack in a primary language, to be listened to within the premises in synchronization with said displayed digital video data, said primary soundtrack corresponding to said displayed digital video data, in said primary language; and
process said digital multiple-audio data into at least one secondary audio asset, different than said primary soundtrack; and

said wireless interface facilitates transmitting said at least one secondary audio asset to a personal media device within the premises, for apprehension by a u

Assignees

• Hawkins Sherisse
• Osminer Matthew
• Cholas Chris
• Time Warner Cable Entpr Llc

Inventors

• Hawkins Sherisse
• Osminer Matthew
• Cholas Chris

Classifications

• H04N21/8106

  involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages · CPC title

• H04N21/4363 Primary

  Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network · CPC title

• H04N21/4126 Primary

  The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones · CPC title

• H04N5/04

  Synchronising (for television systems using pulse code modulation H04N7/56) · CPC title

• H04N21/4856

  for language selection, e.g. for the menu or subtitles · CPC title