US US8942252B2

Summary of U.S. Patent US8942252B2

A concise summary of U.S. Patent US8942252B2 is provided below, based on a search of the USPTO database.

Title: Method and system synchronization of content rendering

Assignee: IMPLICIT LLC. Records also indicate a later assignment to Implicit Networks Inc.

Inventors: Edward Balassanian, Scott W. Bradley

Filing Date: March 25, 2013

Issue Date: January 27, 2015

Abstract: The patent describes a method and system for synchronizing the playback of content across multiple devices. In this system, one device is designated as the "master" and all others are "slaves." The master device sends messages containing its current playback time ("rendering time") and its internal clock time ("device time") to the slave devices. Upon receiving this information, each slave device determines if its own playback is in sync with the master. If a slave device is out of sync, it adjusts its content rendering to compensate for the time difference, thereby maintaining a synchronized multimedia experience.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

The patent contains two independent claims, which are the broadest statements of the invention. In simple terms, they are:

• Claim 1: This claim protects the method from the perspective of the master device. The master device plays a content stream and sends out multiple timing updates to a slave device. These updates provide a continuous reference for the slave device, which is configured to smoothly correct any time drift between itself and the master, ensuring the two content streams remain synchronized.

• Claim 11: This claim protects the method from the perspective of the slave device. The slave device receives a content stream to play. It also receives multiple timing updates from the master device. The slave device's key function is to calculate a "smoothed" time difference between its playback and the master's. This prevents abrupt jumps or skips in playback. Based on this smoothed calculation, the slave device adjusts its own playback speed to stay in sync with the master device.

CAFC Docket Information

A search of the CAFC dockets for 2026 did not reveal any cases specifically involving US Patent US8942252B2. It should be noted that public records indicate this patent has been involved in litigation in the past, including at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, but no active cases for the specified year were found. Information regarding past litigation can be found in court records from earlier years.