Synchronous Transmission of Data with Network Remote Control

Abstract

A novel method and apparatus is disclosed for synchronously delivering complementary data to two devices. Complementary data is used herein to designate at least two streams of related data that, when combined, form an organic whole. In one embodiment of the disclosed invention, a command is received through a network for the synchronous transmission of complementary data. Subsequently, first data is transmitted through the network to a first device synchronized with transmission of second data to a second device, wherein the first and second data are complementary data. In one embodiment of the invention, a mobile and/or hand-held device such as a PDA is used to control another device remotely through one or more networks, such that complementary, synchronous streams of data that are intended for observation in combination by users and/or entities, can be transmitted to each of the PDA and the device. The flexibility of such an arrangement, wherein the PDA can be carried to different locations to control different devices for synchronous transmission of complementary data, allows the provision of a multitude of services not heretofore available.

1 . A device comprising:
 a control unit adapted to:
 responsive to a command received via a network, transmit first data through said network to a first device, transmission of said first data synchronized with transmission of second data transmitted to a second device, said first data and said second data forming complementary data, said first data synchronized with transmission of said second data via an introduction of a relative delay to whichever of said first data and said second data corresponds to a shorter delay time of a first delay time and a second delay time, said relative delay based upon a difference between said first delay time and said second delay time, said first delay time measured by said control unit and associated with said first data, said second delay time measured by said control unit and associated with second data. 
   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said network is a telephone network.   
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said network is the Internet.   
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said network is a wireless network.   
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said network is a first network and said second data is transmitted to said second device through a second network.   
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said first data and said second data is one from a group consisting of audio data and video data.   
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first device is a PDA.   
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first device is a telephone.   
   
   
       9 . A system comprising:
 a first device;   a second device;   a control unit connected to each of said first device and said second device via a network, responsive to a command received via said network, said control unit adapted to transmit first data through said network to said first device, said transmission of said first data synchronized with transmission of second data transmitted to said second device, said first data and said second data forming complementary data, transmission of said first data synchronized with transmission of said second data via an introduction of a relative delay to whichever of said first data and said second data corresponds to a shorter delay time of a first delay time and a second delay time, said relative delay based upon a difference between said first delay time and said second delay time, said first delay time measured by said control unit and associated with said first data, said second delay time measured by said control unit and associated with second data.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said first device is a vehicle navigation system; and   said first data includes navigational video data delivered to said first device.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said first device is a vehicle navigation system; and   said first data includes navigational video data delivered to said first device and said second data delivered to said second device is audio data.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said first device is a video monitor; and   said first data includes video data delivered to said first device and said second data comprises subtitles delivered to said second device.   
   
   
       13 . A system comprising:
 a control unit adapted to:
 responsive to a received command requesting first data and complementary second data, transmit said first data through a network to a first device, transmission of said first data synchronized with transmission of said second data transmitted to a second device, said transmission of said first data synchronized with transmission of second data via a first time taken by said first device to respond to a Packet Internet Groper (ping) utility and a second time taken by said second device to respond to said ping utility, said transmission of said first data synchronized with transmission of second data via introducing a time delay to at least one of said first data and said second data based upon said first time and said second time. 
   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said network is a first network and second data is transmitted to said second device through a second network.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said second data is transmitted to said second device via a telephone network.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said second data is transmitted to said second device via the Internet.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said second data is transmitted to said second device via a wireless network.   
   
   
       18 . A system comprising:
 a control unit adapted to:   responsive to a command received from a personal digital assistant via a network, transmit first data through said network to said personal digital assistant, transmission of said first data synchronized with transmission of second data transmitted to a device, said first data and said second data forming complementary data, said first data synchronized with transmission of second data via an introduction of a relative delay to whichever of said first data and said second data corresponds to a shorter delay time of a first delay time and a second delay time, said relative delay based upon a difference between said first delay time and said second delay time, said first delay time measured by said control unit and associated with said first data, said second delay time measured by said control unit and associated with second data.