SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEGMENTED DATA TRANSMISSION

Abstract

The present invention relates to system and methods for segmented data transmission. One example comprises steps of: connecting a plurality of computerized devices to each other; designating at least one master device from the plurality of computerized devices; designating remainder of devices as slave devices; producing a content originated from said at least one master device; segmenting the content into a plurality of data-streams; transmitting at least one data-stream of said plurality of data-streams to slave devices; uploading said plurality of data-streams to a server-computer; assembling said plurality of data-streams into said content.

Claims

1.-35. (canceled)

36. A method for segmented data transmission comprising the steps of: a. periodically searching connected network channels of a first computerized device for other computerized devices; b. periodically measuring latency of any found computerized device to a server-computer; c. connecting any found computerized devices to each other and to said first computerized device, if said found computerized device meet a certain latency limit to said server-computer; d. designating at least one master device from the plurality of connected computerized devices; e. designating a remainder of the plurality of connected computerized devices as slave device; f. producing a content originated from said at least one master device; g. segmenting said content into a plurality of data-streams; h. transmitting at least one data-stream of said plurality of data-streams to any slave devices; i. if latency between any connected computerized device and said server-computer exceeds a certain limit, disconnecting this computerized device from said server-computer; j. uploading said plurality of data-streams to said server-computer; k. assembling said plurality of data-streams into said content.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of broadcasting the content to a plurality of recipient devices by said server-computer.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of connecting said plurality of computerized devices to each other is accomplished with a software application installed on said plurality of computerized devices.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of designating at least one master device, accomplished by designating a plurality of computerized devices.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of designating at least one master device, accomplished by designating a plurality of computerized devices.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the step of designating a plurality of computerized devices is comprised of the following steps: a. prompting a user of each connected computerized device to take an action; b. waiting for users to take action; c. designating responded computerized devices as master devices.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein said step of segmenting content is accomplished by segmenting the content to a number of streams depending on the total number of connected computerized devices.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of segmenting content is accomplished by segmenting the content to a number of streams depending on the total number of slave devices.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of designating a plurality of master devices is accomplished by designating 2 master devices; positioning said 2 master-devices adjacently to one another and facing a same object; and further wherein, after the step of assembling said plurality of data-streams, and overlaying contents produced by said 2 master devices one atop the other, wherein a single 3D content is produced.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein after designating a plurality of master devices, positioning said plurality of master-devices adjacently to one another and facing various directions; further wherein, after the step of assembling said plurality of data-streams, combining contents produced by said plurality of master devices, wherein a single panoramic content is produced.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein after designating a plurality of master devices, positioning said plurality of master-devices remotely to one another; further wherein, after the step of assembling said plurality of data-streams, broadcasting at least one content produced by the plurality of master devices to at least one recipient device, wherein a recipient device may choose from the following: displaying any content or displaying all contents concurrently.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein after designating a plurality of master devices, positioning said plurality of master-devices remotely to one another; further wherein, after the step of assembling said plurality of data-streams; wherein the server designating a single master device as active, broadcasting its content to all recipients; further ordering remaining master devices to capture video in low-resolution, therefore, saving uplink bandwidth and resources.

48. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of identifying and selecting a mode of content-capture.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the step of identifying and selecting a mode of content-capture is accomplished by a method comprising the steps of: a. deducing relative location and orientation of the plurality of master devices in relation to each other; b. if the plurality of master devices are adjacent and facing a single objectselecting 3D capture mode; c. if master devices are adjacent and facing various directionsselecting panoramic capture mode; d. if master devices are remoteselecting capture from multiple angles mode.

50. The method of claim 36, wherein said content is any set of digital information including document files, multimedia content, executable files, and databases.

51. The method of claim 36, wherein said content is produced, segmented, transmitted, and uploaded to server, such that content is streamed to the server, assembled and broadcasted in real-time to recipient devices.

52. The method of claim 39 wherein said content is produced, segmented, transmitted, and uploaded to server, such that content is streamed to the server, assembled and broadcasted in real-time to recipient devices.

53. The method of claim 36, wherein a master/slave status of connected computerized devices is designated by the server.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein a master/slave status of connected computerized devices is being constantly updated by the server.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein a master/slave status of connected computerized devices is designated by said at least one of master devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Embodiments and features of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a system for the methods of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for an exemplary application running on a computerized device.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation a system executing a method of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation a system executing a method of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation a system executing a method of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 11a is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 11b is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail.

[0052] FIG. 1 depicts a system of the present invention executing a method of the present invention. The exemplary system comprises a server (106) and 3 computerized devices (101).

[0053] The computerized device may be a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any computer with access to the internet and with connectivity via such means as a cellular network, Bluetooth and WIFI.

[0054] The computerized devices are connected to each other in a network and connected to a server (106) via the internet connections of the computerized devices (101). The computerized devices may be connected to each other by such means as an active Bluetooth connection, and a WIFI network.

[0055] It is contemplated that the computerized devices may be connected to each other by different means. For example, a first device may be connected to a second device by Bluetooth and the second device may be connected to a third device by WIFI.

[0056] Additionally, the middle of the computerized devices (101) is designated as a master device and the rest are designated as slave devices. The role of the master device is to produce content (102) originated therefrom; to segment the content (102) into a plurality of data-streams (104), and to transmit data-streams to the slave devices.

[0057] It is contemplated that the master device uses external means as a source such as, a dedicated camera and an external storage device.

[0058] The content may be any set of digital information including but not limited to: document files, multimedia content, executable files, databases.

[0059] As can be seen, after some data-streams are transmitted (103) to the slave devices, each of the computerized devices uses its internet connection to upload (105) its data-stream to the server (106). The server then assembles (107) the data-streams to the original content (108) originated from the master device. The server then makes the content available for download or broadcast (109) the content to various recipients (110).

[0060] Preferably, the content may be produced, segmented, transmitted, and uploaded to server, such that content is streamed to the server, assembled and broadcast in real-time to recipients.

[0061] It is contemplated that the server (106) designates the master/slave status of the various connected computerized devices. It is further contemplated that the server (106) can constantly edit in real time the status of each connected computerized device.

[0062] It is contemplated that a master/slave status of connected computerized devices is designated by said at least one of master devices.

[0063] FIG. 2 depicts a method for segmented data transmission comprising the steps of: [0064] a. connecting a plurality of computerized devices to each other (201); [0065] b. designating at least one master device from the plurality of computerized devices (202); [0066] c. designating a remainder of the plurality of computerized devices (203) as slave devices; [0067] d. producing a content originated from said at least one master device (204); [0068] this step may be accomplished by such actions as generating a multimedia feed with master device's camera and microphone or choosing a file (or a plurality of files) stored within the master device's memory. [0069] Where live multimedia feed is produced as content, it is contemplated to merge said live multimedia feed with real-time additions by interacting with UI elements of said at master device. For instance, live multimedia feed is generated by master device and played real-time on a screen of master device. A user then interacts with the UI of the master device such that various additions are added to the live feed in real time (e.g., placing emoticons in various places in feed, or writing commentaries in live-feed). [0070] e. segmenting the content with said at least one master computerized device into a plurality of data-streams (205); [0071] segmenting the content may be executed by various known algorithms. [0072] f. transmitting at least one data-stream of said plurality of data-streams to any slave devices (206); [0073] g. uploading said plurality of data-streams to a server-computer (207); [0074] h. assembling said plurality of data-streams into said content by said server-computer (208).

[0075] FIG. 3 depicts a method of an exemplary application for executing upon a computerized device, comprising steps of: [0076] a. launching an application installed on a computerized device (301); [0077] b. searching connected network channels for other computerized devices running the application (302); [0078] the network channels may be either from wireless networks such as Bluetooth and WIFI or from physical connections such as USB protocol connection. [0079] c. if at least one additional computerized device running the application is found, connecting to any found computerized device (303); [0080] It is contemplated that the connection to the found devices is made only upon executing a validation action to receive permission from said computerized devices. Such an action may be at least one of the following: receiving an authorization from the found device, entering a password by a searching device, and scanning a QR code. [0081] d. designating said computerized device as a master device and the additional computerized devices as slave device (304); [0082] e. prompting a user of the application to produce content (305) [0083] f. waiting for the user to take action that is either choosing a content stored in memory (306a) of device or choosing capturing live feed (306b); [0084] g. segmenting the content into a plurality of data-streams (307); [0085] this step may be accomplished by segmenting the content to a number of streams depending on the total number of connected computerized devices or based on the number of slave devices; [0086] h. transmitting at least one data-stream of said plurality of data-streams to any slave device (308); [0087] it should be noted that a single data stream may remain on master device, in such case, the following step is initiated; [0088] i. uploading any remaining data-stream to a server-computer (309);

[0089] FIG. 4 depicts a method for designating multiple computerized devices as master devices: [0090] a. prompting a user of each connected computerized device to take an action (e.g. interacting with UI elements, shaking the device, entering a predefined password, etc) (401); [0091] b. waiting for users to take action (402a,b); [0092] waiting may be terminated by any of various predetermined occurrences: among others, the following: reaching a time-limit (402a), reaching a pre-determined number of users taking action (402b); [0093] c. designating responded computerized devices as master devices.

[0094] FIG. 5 illustrates a system of the invention executing a method for generating 3D content. As can be seen, 2 master-devices (501) are positioned adjacently to one another and facing a same direction. Each of the 2 master-devices capture a video of a person (502); the 2 master devices each segment their video content into a plurality of data-streams and transmit them to a plurality of slave devices (503). All devices then, upload data-streams to server (504). The server assembles the data-streams into 2 videos and overlays both to a single 3D video. As can be seen, a recipient device (505) then plays the 3D video

[0095] FIG. 6. depicts a method for generating 3D content involving the steps of: positioning 2 master-devices adjacently to one another and facing an object (601); capturing 2 contents produced by said 2 master-devices (602); segmenting content to plurality of data-streams (603); transmitting data-streams to slave-devices (604); uploading data-streams to server (605); assembling data-streams to the two contents (606); overlaying said 2 contents one atop the other into a single 3D content (607).

[0096] FIG. 7 illustrates a system of the invention executing a method for generating panoramic content. As can be seen, a plurality master-devices (701) are positioned adjacently to one another and facing various directions. Each of the 2 master-devices captures a video of a view (702); the plurality of master devices each segment their video content into a plurality of data-streams and transmit them to a plurality of slave devices (703). All devices then, upload data-streams to server (704). The server assembles the data-streams into a plurality of videos and combines all to a single panoramic video. As can be seen, a recipient device (705) then plays the panoramic video.

[0097] FIG. 8 depicts a method for generating panoramic content involving the steps of: positioning a plurality of master-devices adjacently to one another facing in various directions (801); capturing a plurality of contents from all master-devices (802); segmenting said plurality of contents to plurality of data-streams (803); transmitting data-streams to slave-devices (804); uploading data-streams to server (805); assembling data-streams to the plurality of contents (806); combining said plurality of contents into a single panoramic content (807).

[0098] FIG. 9 illustrates a system of the invention executing a method for generating from a plurality of capture angles. As can be seen, a plurality master-devices (901) are positioned remotely to one another and facing, in this case, a single scene (902). Each of the plurality master-devices capture a video of the scene (902); the plurality of master devices each segment their video content into a plurality of data-streams and transmit them to a plurality of slave devices (903). All devices then, upload data-streams to server (904). The server assembles the data-streams into plurality of videos. As can be seen, various recipient devices (905-907) receive any of the assembled videos on demand. One of the recipient devices (905) plays all videos concurrently therefore, viewing the recorded scene from multiple angles.

[0099] It is contemplated that the server designates a single master device as active broadcasting its content to all recipients. In this instance, server further orders remaining master devices to capture video in low-resolution, therefore, saving uplink bandwidth and resources.

[0100] FIG. 10 depicts a method for generating content from a plurality of capture angles involving the steps of: positioning a plurality of master-devices remotely to one another (1001); capturing a plurality of contents from all master-devices (1002); segmenting said plurality of contents to plurality of data-streams (1003); transmitting data-streams to slave-devices (1004); uploading data-streams to server (805); assembling data-streams to the plurality of contents (1006); broadcasting at least one of the plurality of contents to at least one recipient device (1007).

[0101] FIG. 11a depicts a method for performing the step of capturing a plurality of contents in methods that employ the step of identifying and selecting a mode of content-capture: [0102] a. capturing a multimedia content simultaneously by each of said plurality of master devices (1101); [0103] b. capturing a location and orientation of each of said plurality of master devices during capturing of said plurality of multimedia content (1101); [0104] c. combining each multimedia content with the location and orientation data into a single content (1101);

[0105] FIG. 11b depicts a method for performing the step of identifying and selecting a mode of content-capture: [0106] a. deducing relative location and orientation of the plurality of master devices in relation to each other (1121); [0107] b. if master devices are adjacent and facing a single objectselecting 3D capture mode (1122); [0108] c. if master devices are adjacent and facing various directionsselecting panoramic 310 capture mode (1123); [0109] d. if master devices are remoteselecting capture from multiple angles mode (1124);

[0110] FIG. 12 depicts additional steps for the method segmented data transmission: [0111] a. Periodically measuring latency of each of said computerized devices to server computer (1201); [0112] b. If the latency of any of said devices exceeds a certain threshold, disconnecting said device from the server-computer (1202);

[0113] Some embodiments of the present invention may periodically search for other devices to connect. In such embodiments, a contemplated system may also measure, any found device's latency, and attempt a connection, upon meeting a condition such as: if measured latency is lower than a certain threshold, or if measured latency is lower than the latency of any other connected devices.

[0114] The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

[0115] Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should be interpreted according to this definition.