Connected-media end user experience using an overlay network

摘要

An Internet infrastructure delivery platform (e.g., operated by a service provider) provides an overlay network (a server infrastructure) that is used to facilitate “second screen” end user media experiences. In this approach, first media content, which is typically either live on-demand, is being rendered on a first content device (e.g., a television, Blu-Ray disk or other source). That first media content may be delivered by servers in the overlay network. One or multiple end user second content devices are then adapted to be associated with the first content source, preferably, via the overlay network, to facilitate second screen end user experiences (on the second content devices).

主权项

1. Apparatus associated with an overlay network, comprising:
one or more hardware processors; computer memory associated with the one or more hardware processors and in which are stored computer program instructions executable by the one or more hardware processors, the computer program instructions comprising:
first program code to receive updates from a first content source, at least one update identifying first media content, and data identifying a temporal location within the first media content; andsecond program code (i) to receive one or more event requests from a second content source distinct from the first content source, at least one event request seeking an event identifier associated with second content capable of being rendered at the second content source in synchronization with the first media content being rendered on the first content source, and (ii) in response, to return to the second content source the event identifier, the event identifier being an instruction to the second content source to render the second content.