System, method and article of manufacture for late synchronization during the execution of a multimedia event on a plurality of client computers

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for delayed synchronization of an event on a plurality of client apparatuses. First, a plurality of client apparatuses are connected via a network and an event is stored in memory on the client apparatuses. The event is then simultaneously played back on the client apparatuses utilizing the network. During the simultaneous playback, a request may be received from one of the client apparatuses for that particular client to be included in the synchronized event. In response to the request, information is transmitted to the requesting client apparatus utilizing the network. This information is adapted for identifying a location in the memory where the event is currently being played back on the remaining client apparatuses. This allows the simultaneous playback of the event on the requesting client apparatus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for delayed synchronization of an event on a plurality of client apparatuses, comprising the steps of: 
 connecting a plurality of client apparatuses via a network;    providing an event stored in a memory storage device on each of the plurality of client apparatuses;    transmitting information from a host apparatus to the plurality of client apparatuses to start a synchronized event, wherein the synchronized event includes playback of the event on each of the plurality of client apparatuses;    receiving a request from an additional client apparatus during the synchronized event; and    transmitting additional information from the host apparatus to the additional client apparatus to allow the additional client apparatus to join the synchronized event;    wherein only the host apparatus can transmit the additional information to allow the additional client apparatus to join the synchronized event.    
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said information includes a history of simultaneous playback.  
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein said client apparatus is a computer.  
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said request is received utilizing said network.  
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said synchronized event includes at least one of a movie, a concert, and a theatrical event.  
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said memory storage device includes a DVD.  
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said information includes chapter information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said information includes title information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said information includes start time information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said information includes stop time information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said information includes DVD command information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said information includes client apparatus capability information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said information includes user information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said network is a wide area network.  
     
     
         15 . A method for synchronizing an event, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an event stored in a first memory storage device on a first client apparatus;    providing the event stored in a second memory storage device on a second client apparatus;    connecting the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus to a host apparatus utilizing a computer network; and    transmitting information from the host apparatus to the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus utilizing the network for allowing the simultaneous playback of the event on each of the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus;    wherein only the host apparatus can transmit the information to the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus for allowing the simultaneous playback of the event on each of the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus.    
     
     
         16 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said information includes a history of the simultaneous playback.  
     
     
         17 . A method of  claim 15 , wherein said client apparatus is a computer.  
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said event includes at least one of a movie, a concert, and a theatrical event.  
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said memory storage device includes a DVD.  
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said information includes chapter information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said information includes title information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said information includes start time information associated with said memory storage device  
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said information includes stop time information associated with said memory storage device  
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said information includes DVD command information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said information includes client apparatus capability information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said information includes user information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         27 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said network is a wide area network.  
     
     
         28 . A method for delayed synchronization of an event on a plurality of client apparatuses, comprising the steps of: 
 connecting a plurality of client apparatuses via a network;    providing an event stored in a memory storage device on each of the plurality of client apparatuses;    transmitting information from a host apparatus to the plurality of client apparatuses to start a synchronized event, wherein the synchronized event includes playback of the event on each of the plurality of client apparatuses;    receiving a request from an additional client apparatus during the synchronized event; and    transmitting information from the host apparatus to the additional client apparatus to allow the additional client apparatus to join the synchronized event;    wherein the information to allow the additional client apparatus to join the synchronized event also includes a history of the synchronized event.    
     
     
         29 . A method of  claim 28 , wherein said client apparatuses are computers.  
     
     
         30 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said request is received utilizing said network.  
     
     
         31 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said synchronized event includes at least one of a movie, a concert, and a theatrical event.  
     
     
         32 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said memory storage device includes a DVD.  
     
     
         33 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said information includes chapter information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         34 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said information includes title information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         35 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said information includes start time information associated with said memory storage device  
     
     
         36 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said information includes stop time information associated with said memory storage device  
     
     
         37 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said information includes DVD command information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         38 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said information includes client apparatus capability information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         39 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said information includes user information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         40 . A method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein said network is a wide area network.  
     
     
         41 . A method for synchronizing an event, comprising the steps of: 
 connecting a first client apparatus to host apparatus utilizing a computer network, wherein the first client apparatus accesses an event stored in a first memory storage device;    connecting a second client apparatus to the host apparatus utilizing the computer network, wherein the second client apparatus accesses the event stored in a second memory storage device; and    transmitting information from the host apparatus to the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus utilizing the network for allowing the simultaneous playback of the event on each of the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus;    wherein only the host apparatus can transmit the information to the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus for allowing the simultaneous playback of the event on each of the first client apparatus and the second client apparatus.    
     
     
         42 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein said information includes a history of simultaneous playback.  
     
     
         43 . A method of  claim 41 , wherein said client apparatus is a computer.  
     
     
         44 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein said request is received utilizing said network.  
     
     
         45 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein said synchronized event includes at least one of a movie, a concert, and a theatrical event.  
     
     
         46 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein said memory storage device includes a DVD.  
     
     
         47 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein said information includes chapter information associated with said memory storage device.  
     
     
         48 . A method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein said network is a wide area network.