Playback synchronization in a group viewing a media title

Abstract

A method and apparatus for synchronizing the playback of a media title to a group of client device platforms is disclosed. A synchronizer may make adjustments to the playback modes of one or more client device platforms within a group watching the same media title in order to ensure synchronized playback. When a client device platform is behind the group its playback mode may be changed to a fast playback mode. When a client device platform is ahead of the group its playback mode may be changed to a slow playback mode. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for synchronizing a playback progress of a media title being consumed by a plurality of client device platforms connected to a network, wherein the client device platforms are configured to send and receive one or more communications to other client device platforms, the method comprising:
 monitoring playback progress of the media title for each of the client device platforms in the plurality; and   changing a playback mode of one or more of the client device platforms in the plurality from a standard playback mode to an adjusted playback mode when the playback progress for each of the client device platforms is not the same.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusted playback mode is a fast playback mode. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fast playback mode includes eliminating one or more commercials from the media title. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fast playback mode includes replacing a standard length commercial in the media title with a shorter length commercial. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fast playback mode includes eliminating one or more blank frames from the media title. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fast playback mode includes increasing the playback speed of one or more transition frames in the media title. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fast playback mode includes eliminating one or more predetermined buffer scenes from the media title. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the playback mode of a first client device platform is changed to the fast playback mode when the playback progress of the first client device platform is behind the playback progress of one or more of the other client device platforms. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusted playback mode is a slow playback mode. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the slow playback mode includes increasing the length of an advertisement break in the media title. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the slow playback mode includes inserting blank frames into the media title. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the slow playback mode includes decreasing the speed of one or more transition frames in the media title. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the slow playback mode includes adding one or more predetermined buffer scenes into the media title. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the playback mode of a first client device platform is changed from the standard playback mode to the slow playback mode when the playback progress of the first client device platform is ahead of the playback progress of one or more of the other client device platforms. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring the playback progress of the media title comprises comparing a most recently displayed frame of the media title from each of the plurality of client device platforms. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring the playback progress of the media title comprises determining a remaining run-time of the media title for each of the plurality of client device platforms. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring the playback progress comprises predictive monitoring. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein predictive monitoring comprises checking each of the plurality of client device platforms for an abnormally large latency. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein predictive monitoring includes monitoring the communications between the plurality of client device platforms. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the communication is a textual communication. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the textual communication is a text message. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the textual communication is an online-chat message. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the textual communication is a micro-blogging post. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the communication is a vocal communication. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the predictive monitoring includes visually monitoring one or more users of each of the plurality of client device platforms. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the one or more users are visually monitored with a video camera. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein visually monitoring the one or more users includes detecting when they are viewing a screen of the client device platform. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 initiating the playback of the media title.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein initiating the playback of the media title includes allowing client device platforms to begin consuming the media title at a scheduled start time. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the playback of the media title is initiated when each of the plurality of client device platforms in a predefined group of client device platforms has made a connection over the network with a source of the media title. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the playback of the media title is initiated when a predetermined number of client device platforms have made a connection over the network with a source of the media title. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , monitoring the playback progress of the media title for each of the client device platforms includes calculating a mean progress point for the client device platforms in the plurality and determining a difference between a progress point for one or more of the client device platforms in the plurality and the mean progress point, and wherein changing the playback mode of one or more of the client device platforms includes applying a playback mode configured to reduce the absolute value of the difference. 
     
     
         33 . A nontransitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for synchronizing a playback progress of a media title being consumed by a plurality of client device platforms connected to a network, wherein the client device platforms are configured to send and receive on or more communications to other client device platforms, and wherein execution of the program instructions by one or more processors of a computer system causes the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:
 monitoring playback progress of the media title for each of the client device platforms in the plurality; and   changing a playback mode of one or more of the client device platforms in the plurality from a standard playback mode to an adjusted playback mode when the playback progress for each of the client device platforms is not the same.   
     
     
         34 . A trigger generator configured to operate on a network, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory coupled to the processor;   one or more instructions embodied in memory for execution by the processor, the instructions being configured to synchronizing a playback progress of a media title being consumed by a plurality of client device platforms connected to a network, wherein the client device platforms are configured to send and receive on or more communications to other client device platforms, the method comprising:
 monitoring playback progress of the media title for each of the client device platforms in the plurality; and 
 changing a playback mode of one or more of the client device platforms in the plurality from a standard playback mode to an adjusted playback mode when the playback progress for each of the client device platforms is not the same.