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 media player configured to present media content synchronously with a group of one or more other users viewing the media content with one or more corresponding other media players, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory coupled to the processor;   one or more instructions embodied in the memory for execution by the processor, the instructions being configured to, when executed, cause the device to:   continuously detect a place in time of the media player's presentation of the media content compared to the one or more corresponding other media players by communicating with the one or more corresponding media players over a network and gain back synchronization with the group by eliminating portions of the media content.   
     
     
         2 . The media player of  claim 1 , wherein eliminating portions of the media content includes removing one or more commercials from the media content and leaving other non-commercial content in the media content. 
     
     
         3 . The media player of  claim 2 , further comprising replacing the one or more commercials that were removed with an alternative monetization mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The media player of  claim 3 , wherein the alternative monetization mechanism includes a banner advertisement displayed over portions of the other non-commercial content in the media content. 
     
     
         5 . The media player of  claim 1  wherein eliminating portions of the media content includes replacing a standard length commercial with a variable length commercial. 
     
     
         6 . The media player of  claim 5 , wherein a length of the variable length commercial is different than a length of the standard length commercial. 
     
     
         7 . A computer readable medium having non-transitory instructions embodied thereon, the instructions being configured to cause a computer to carry out a method for presenting media content synchronously with a group of one or more other users viewing the media content with one or more corresponding other media players the method comprising:
 continuously detecting a place in time of the presentation of the media content compared to the one or more corresponding other media players by communicating with the one or more corresponding media players over a network and gain back synchronization with the group by eliminating portions of the media content.   
     
     
         8 . The computer readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein eliminating portions of the media content includes removing one or more commercials from the media content and leaving other non-commercial content in the media content. 
     
     
         9 . The computer readable medium of  claim 9  wherein the alternative monetization mechanism includes a banner advertisement displayed over portions of the other non-commercial content in the media content. 
     
     
         10 . The computer readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein eliminating portions of the media content includes replacing a standard length commercial with a variable length commercial. 
     
     
         11 . The computer readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein eliminating portions of the media content includes replacing a standard length commercial with a variable length commercial. 
     
     
         12 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein a length of the variable length commercial is different than a length of the standard length commercial. 
     
     
         13 . A method for presenting media content synchronously with a group of one or more other users viewing the media content with one or more corresponding other media players, comprising;
 continuously detecting a place in time of the presentation of the media content compared to the one or more corresponding other media players by communicating with the one or more corresponding media players over a network and gain back synchronization with the group by eliminating portions of the media content.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein eliminating portions of the media content includes removing one or more commercials from the media content and leaving other non-commercial content in the media content. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising replacing the one or more commercials that were removed with an alternative monetization mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alternative monetization mechanism includes a banner advertisement displayed over portions of the non-commercial content in the media content. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein eliminating portions of the media content includes replacing a standard length commercial with a variable length commercial. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a length of the variable length commercial is different than a length of the standard length commercial.