# US 2021/0344993 A1 · Method and system for synchronized viewing of content over mulitple remote media play devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0344993 A1 - Document ID: US20210344993A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/245,830 - Filed: 2021-04-30 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-01 - Assignees: ARRIS Enterprises LLC - Applicants: ARRIS Enterprises LLC - Inventors: Scott R. EPSTEIN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210344993A1 ## CPC - H04N 21/43076: {of the same content streams on multiple devices, e.g. when family members are watching the same movie on different devices} - H04N 21/42615: {involving specific demultiplexing arrangements} - H04N 21/4341: {Demultiplexing of audio and video streams} - H04N 21/4348: {Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams} - H04N 21/6587: Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A synchronization control device configured to synchronize media play between at least two remote devices is disclosed. The synchronization control device includes: an input for receiving data indicating a point in a play of media content on a first remote media play device; and a synchronization controller module configured to align the point of play of media content on a first remote media play device with a point of play of the media content at a second remote media play device; and delivering commands to the first remote media play device and the second remote media display device, wherein the commands control the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device to substantially synchronize the play of the media content in the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A synchronization control device configured to synchronize media play between at least two remote devices, the synchronization control device comprising: an input for receiving data indicating a point in a play of media content on a first remote media play device; a synchronization controller configured to align the point of play of media content on a first remote media play device with a point of play of the media content at a second remote media play device; and delivering commands to the first remote media play device and the second remote media display device, wherein the commands control the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device to substantially synchronize the play of the media content in the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The synchronization control device of claim 1, further comprising: a media content storage; and an output for sending a media content to the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The synchronization control device of claim 1, wherein the synchronization controller sends command signals to at least one of the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device that includes data related to delay in play of the media content proportional to latency in the delivery path from the media content storage to at least one of the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The synchronization control device of claim 3, wherein the delay data is stored on a computer readable medium on a residential gateway, and wherein the residential gateway is communicatively coupled to the remote media play device and to a set-top box. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The synchronization control device of claim 4, wherein the set top box further comprising: a demultiplexing module for separating a video component from the multimedia stream and delay data. ### Claim 6 A set-top box, comprising: a demultiplexing module for separating a video component from the multimedia stream and delay data, wherein the delay data is stored on a computer readable medium on a residential gateway, and wherein the set-top box is communicatively coupled to the remote media play device; and a buffer that stores and controls the play of media content in accordance with the delay data. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The set-top box of claim 6 further comprising: a system clock for access by the synchronization controller to synchronize the play of the media content in the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device. ### Claim 8 A computer program product stored on one or more computer readable media, the computer program product enabled for synchronizing play of the media content in the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device, the computer program product having instructions operable for: receiving data indicating a point in a play of media content on a first remote media play device; and aligning the point of play of media content on a first remote media play device with a point of play of the media content at a second remote media play device; and delivering commands to the first remote media play device and the second remote media display device, wherein the commands control the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device to substantially synchronize the play of the media content in the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the reference input is received over a wide area network. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computer program product of claim 9, further having instructions operable for: storing components of a multimedia stream in one or more buffers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The computer program product of claim 10, wherein storing components of a media stream in one or more buffers includes storing an audio portion of the media stream to an audio buffer, and wherein the computer program product further has instructions operable for: comparing delay data to the play of the media content in the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device within the audio buffer; and adjusting a play point of the media stream based on the comparing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The computer program product of claim 11, wherein storing a media stream in one or more buffers includes storing a video portion of a media stream to a video buffer, wherein adjusting the play of the media content in the first remote media play device and the second remote media play device includes: adjusting an audio play point of the media stream; and adjusting a video play point of the media stream.