Multi-representation media event handoff

Abstract

A system and method provides transition continuity for an event across a plurality of media representation device types. The system and method allow identification information for a media event such as a sports game, talk show, music, video, etc. to be handed-off between various media presentation devices such as radios, broadcast televisions, cable television set top boxes, an internet connected computer, satellite receivers, and multimedia cellular phones. A multi-representation media event hand-off method includes receiving ( 804 ) a first event identifier that corresponds to a first media representation of an event, correlating ( 808 ) the first event identifier to a second event identifier that corresponds to a second media representation of the event, and transmitting ( 810 ) data indicative of the second event identifier to a media device that facilitates presentation of the second media representation.

1 . A multi-representation media event hand-off method comprising:
 receiving a first event identifier that corresponds to a first media representation of an event;   correlating the first event identifier to a second event identifier that corresponds to a second media representation of the event; and   transmitting data indicative of the second event identifier to a media device that facilitates presentation of the second media representation.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 correlating the first event identifier to the second event identifier comprises accessing a database that includes data indicative of event identifiers, events, and media representations of events; and   the database includes data indicative of the first event identifier and data indicative of the second event identifier.   
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 actively updating the database to reflect changes in available event programming.   
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 supporting a predefined second media representation in the database to reflect user choices of available event programming.   
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 transmitting data transmits the data indicative of the second event identifier to a communication device; and   the method further comprises sending the second event identifier from the communication device to the media device.   
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 initiating presentation of the second media representation by the communication device.   
   
   
       7 . A multi-representation media event handoff method comprising:
 receiving a first event identifier from a first device, the first event identifier corresponding to a first media type representation of an event in progress;   determining, based upon the first event identifier, a second media type representation of the event in progress; and   obtaining data indicative of a second event identifier corresponding to the second media type representation; and   sending the data indicative of the second event identifier to a second device   initiating presentation of the event in progress using the second media type representation, via the second device.   
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the determining comprises:
 accessing a database that includes data indicative of the first event identifier and the second event identifier.   
   
   
       9 . A multi-representation media event handoff system comprising:
 a controller configured to:
 receive, from a first communication device, data indicative of a first event identifier identifying a first media representation of an event in progress; 
 determine, based upon the first event identifier, a second event identifier identifying a second media representation of the event in progress; and 
 transmit, to a second communication device, data indicative of the second event identifier to initiate the second media representation of the event in progress. 
   
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 9  further comprising:
 a first media device configured to allow user selection of the first media representation of the event in progress coupled to the first communication device.   
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 9  further comprising:
 a second media device configured to allow user selection of the second media representation of the event in progress coupled to the second communication device.   
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 11 , wherein the second media device is configured to receive and processes the data indicative of the second event identifier. 
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first media device coupled to the first communication device, the first media device being configured to allow user selection of the event in progress, and the first communication device being configured to receive the first event identifier from the first media device, and to transmit the first event identifier to the controller.   
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second media device coupled to the second communication device, the second communication device being configured to receive the data indicative of the second event identifier from the controller, and the second communication device being configured to transmit the data indicative of the second event identifier to the second media device.   
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a database coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is further configured to access the database to determine the second event identifier based on the first event identifier.