US 12,284,410 B2
Facilitating watch parties
Neil Marten, Lakewood, CO (US)
Assigned to DISH Network L.L.C., Englewood, CO (US)
Filed by DISH Network L.L.C., Englewood, CO (US)
Filed on Oct. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/484,241.
Application 18/484,241 is a continuation of application No. 16/801,277, filed on Feb. 26, 2020, granted, now 11,838,450.
Prior Publication US 2024/0040178 A1, Feb. 1, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04N 21/2662 (2011.01); H04N 21/262 (2011.01); H04N 21/43 (2011.01)
CPC H04N 21/2662 (2013.01) [H04N 21/2625 (2013.01); H04N 21/4307 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a sync server;
a first user device, for use by a first user, communicatively coupled by at least one first coupling to the sync server;
a second user device, for use by a second user, communicatively coupled to the sync server;
wherein the second user device is remotely located from the first user device; and
a content source providing a content to the sync server;
wherein the sync server transmits the content as a first content to the first user device and as a second content to the second user device;
wherein the first user device transmits a first user device current frame identifier to the sync server;
wherein the first user device transmits a first network time and a first device time to the sync server;
wherein the first device time indicates when the first user device decoded of a first data packet provided with a first ping sent by the sync server to the first user device using the at least one first coupling;
wherein the second user device transmits a second user device current frame identifier to the sync server;
wherein the sync server compares the first user device current frame identifier to the second user device current frame identifier;
wherein the sync server adjusts a first bit rate, resulting in an adjusted first bit rate, utilized for transmission of the first content from the sync server to the first user device based on a result of the comparing of the first user device current frame identifier to the second user device current frame identifier;
wherein the sync server utilizes a content link matrix to adjust the first bit rate; and
wherein the content link matrix identifies at least one communication parameter for the at least one first coupling determined based on a content data encoded at two or more bit rates and using two or more network connections;
wherein the sync server transmits the first content to the first user device at the adjusted first bit rate; and
wherein upon adjusting the first bit rate, the first user device and the second user device receive, from the sync server, and substantially simultaneously and separately present the first content to the first user and the second content to the second user.