Systems, methods and computer software for live video/audio broadcasting

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting). Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to computer software for live video/audio broadcasting (e.g., game broadcasting).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for live broadcasting video information from a sender computer to a receiver computer via at least one server computer operative on a network, comprising:
 desktop software stored on a computer readable medium, wherein the desktop software is operative on the sender computer, wherein the desktop software: (1) obtains from the sender computer a plurality of video packets of live video information corresponding to a series of images shown on a screen of the sender computer; and (2) provides the plurality of video packets to a network connection associated with the sender computer for broadcast via the network, wherein the plurality of video packets provided to the network connection comprise: (a) a zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the sender computer when a user of the sender computer indicates to the desktop software to provide the zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the sender computer; and (b) a non-zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the sender computer when the user of the sender computer does not indicate to the desktop software to provide the zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the sender computer; and   server software stored on a computer readable medium, wherein the server software is operative on the server computer, wherein the server software: (1) receives the plurality of video packets broadcast from the network connection of the sender computer; and (2) broadcasts, via the network, to the receiver computer video information corresponding to the plurality of video packets received by the server computer.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network comprises at least one of: (a) the Internet; and (b) an intranet. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver computer communicates with the server computer using a web browser. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the live video information corresponding to the series of images shown on the screen of the sender computer comprises at least one of: (a) a computer desktop; (b) a computer application; (c) a computer game; and (d) a feed from a camera. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the desktop software further: (3) obtains from the sender computer a plurality of audio packets of live audio information corresponding to the series of images shown on the screen of the sender computer; and (4) provides the plurality of audio packets to the network connection associated with the sender computer for broadcast via the network; and   the server software further: (3) receives the plurality of audio packets broadcast from the network connection of the sender computer; and (4) broadcasts, via the network, to the receiver computer audio information corresponding to the plurality of audio packets received by the server computer.   
     
     
         6 . A system for live broadcasting video information from at least one sender computer to at least one receiver computer via at least one server computer operative on a network, comprising:
 first desktop software stored on a computer readable medium, wherein the first desktop software is operative on a first sender computer, wherein the first desktop software: (1) obtains from the first sender computer a plurality of packets of live video information corresponding to a series of images shown on a screen of the first sender computer; and (2) provides the plurality of video packets to a network connection associated with the first sender computer for broadcast via the network, wherein the plurality of video packets provided to the network connection associated with the first sender computer comprise: (a) a zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the first sender computer when a user of the first sender computer indicates to the first desktop software to provide the zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the first sender computer; and (b) a non-zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the first sender computer when the user of the first sender computer does not indicate to the first desktop software to provide the zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the first sender computer;   second desktop software stored on a computer readable medium, wherein the second desktop software is operative on a second sender computer, wherein the second desktop software: (1) obtains from the second sender computer a plurality of packets of live video information corresponding to a series of images shown on a screen of the second sender computer; and (2) provides the plurality of video packets to a network connection associated with the second sender computer for broadcast via the network, wherein the plurality of video packets provided to the network connection associated with the second sender computer comprise: (a) a zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the second sender computer when a user of the second sender computer indicates to the second desktop software to provide the zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the second sender computer; and (b) a non-zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the second sender computer when the user of the second sender computer does not indicate to the second desktop software to provide the zoomed-in version of the series of images shown on the screen of the second sender computer;   server software stored on a computer readable medium, wherein the server software is operative on the server computer, wherein the server software: (1) receives the plurality of video packets broadcast from the network connection of the first sender computer; (2) receives the plurality of video packets broadcast from the network connection of the second sender computer; (3) receives via the network, from a first receiver computer, a first channel instruction; and (4) in response to the first channel instruction broadcasts, via the network, to the first receiver computer video information corresponding to either: (a) the plurality of video packets received by the server computer that are associated with the first sender computer; or (b) the plurality of video packets received by the server computer that are associated with the second sender computer.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first channel instruction from the first receiver computer is based upon a selection made by a user of the first receiver computer from a choice of channels provided by the server computer to the first receiver computer. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the choice of channels provided by the server computer to the first receiver computer comprises at least a first indicia corresponding to the first sender computer and at least a second indicia corresponding to the second sender computer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the choice of channels provided by the server computer to the first receiver computer comprises at least a first indicia corresponding to a user of the first sender computer and at least a second indicia corresponding to a user of the second sender computer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the server software further: (5) receives via the network, from a second receiver computer, a second channel instruction; (6) in response to the second channel instruction broadcasts, via the network, to the second receiver computer video information corresponding to either: (a) the plurality of video packets received by the server computer that are associated with the first sender computer; or (b) the plurality of video packets received by the server computer that are associated with the second sender computer;   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the network comprises at least one of: (a) the Internet; and (b) an intranet. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first receiver computer communicates with the server computer using a web browser. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the live video information corresponding to the series of images shown on the screen of the first sender computer comprises at least one of: (a) a computer desktop; (b) a computer application; (c) a computer game; and (d) a feed from a camera and wherein the live video information corresponding to the series of images shown on the screen of the second sender computer comprises at least one of: (a) a computer desktop; (b) a computer application; (c) a computer game; and (d) a feed from a camera. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first desktop software further: (3) obtains from the first sender computer a plurality of packets of live audio information corresponding to the series of images shown on the screen of the first sender computer; and (4) provides the plurality of audio packets to the network connection associated with the first sender computer for broadcast via the network;   the second desktop software further: (3) obtains from the second sender computer a plurality of packets of live audio information corresponding to the series of images shown on the screen of the second sender computer; and (4) provides the plurality of audio packets to the network connection associated with the second sender computer for broadcast via the network;   the server software further: (7) receives the plurality of audio packets broadcast from the network connection of the first sender computer; (8) receives the plurality of audio packets broadcast from the network connection of the second sender computer; (9) in response to the first channel instruction broadcasts, via the network, to the first receiver computer audio information corresponding to either: (a) the plurality of audio packets received by the server computer that are associated with the first sender computer; or (b) the plurality of audio packets received by the server computer that are associated with the second sender computer; and (10) in response to the second channel instruction broadcasts, via the network, to the second receiver computer audio information corresponding to either: (a) the plurality of audio packets received by the server computer that are associated with the first sender computer; or (b) the plurality of audio packets received by the server computer that are associated with the second sender computer.   
     
     
         15 . A system for live broadcasting video information from a sender computer to a receiver computer via at least one server computer operative on a network, comprising:
 desktop software stored on a computer readable medium, wherein the desktop software is operative on the sender computer, wherein the desktop software: (1) obtains from the sender computer a plurality of packets of live video information corresponding to a series of images shown on a screen of the sender computer; (2) obtains from the sender computer a plurality of packets of live video information corresponding to a series of images from a camera; (3) converts the plurality of packets of live video information corresponding to the series of images shown on the screen and the plurality of packets of live video information corresponding to the series of images from the camera into a single composite video stream in the form of a series of video packets; and (4) provides the series of video packets to a network connection associated with the sender computer for broadcast via the network; and   server software stored on a computer readable medium, wherein the server software is operative on the server computer, wherein the server software: (1) receives the series of video packets broadcast from the network connection of the sender computer; and (2) broadcasts, via the network, to the receiver computer video information corresponding to the series of video packets received by the server computer.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the network comprises at least one of: (a) the Internet; and (b) an intranet. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the receiver computer communicates with the server computer using a web browser. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the live video information corresponding to the series of images shown on the screen of the sender computer comprises at least one of: (a) a computer desktop; (b) a computer application; (c) a computer game; and (d) a feed from a camera. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the desktop software further: (5) obtains from the sender computer a plurality of packets of live audio information corresponding to the series of images shown on the screen of the sender computer; and (6) provides the plurality of audio packets to the network connection associated with the sender computer for broadcast via the network; and   the server software further: (3) receives the plurality of audio packets broadcast from the network connection of the sender computer; and (2) broadcasts, via the network, to the receiver computer audio information corresponding to the plurality of audio packets received by the server computer.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the desktop software further: (5) obtains from the sender computer a plurality of packets of live audio information corresponding to the series of images from the camera; and (6) provides the plurality of audio packets to the network connection associated with the sender computer for broadcast via the network; and   the server software further: (3) receives the plurality of audio packets broadcast from the network connection of the sender computer; and (2) broadcasts, via the network, to the receiver computer audio information corresponding to the plurality of audio packets received by the server computer.