Second Screen Channel Mapping via Audio Fingerprinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Second screen devices lack the ability to determine channel presets on media devices without a WLAN connection, making it difficult to provide an enhanced viewing experience due to unidirectional infrared communication, which restricts the usability of interactive electronic program guides.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sending a control signal to a media device to switch channels, receiving an audio signal, generating an audio fingerprint, and determining channel preset mapping information by associating the channel preset identifier with meta information obtained from the audio fingerprint, allowing for channel name identification even without a WLAN connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If unidirectional infrared communication is used to control channel presets, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to exchange channel information between second screen device and media device is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary audio signal as a mediator to transfer channel information from the media device to the second screen device. The audio signal contains encoded channel identification data that enables the second screen device to determine current channel presets without requiring bidirectional infrared communication or WLAN connections, thus resolving the information loss problem while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/infrared communication system with an acoustic field-based system. Instead of using infrared signals for bidirectional communication, the system uses audio signals carried on the broadcast channel to convey channel information, substituting a different physical medium to achieve the same information transfer function
2Measurement precision
If WLAN connection is used to exchange channel metadata, then channel name identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases and adaptability decreases in environments without WLAN
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the second screen device to autonomously determine channel preset mappings by extracting channel information directly from the audio signal of the broadcast channel itself. The device performs self-identification of channel presets without requiring external WLAN connections or additional information sources, achieving both accuracy and adaptability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal solution that works across multiple communication scenarios (with or without WLAN, different infrared protocols). The audio-based channel identification method is universally applicable to any media device playing broadcast content, making the system adaptable to diverse environments and device configurations
3Device complexity
If manual memorization of channel name to channel number mapping is required, then device complexity is minimized, but ease of operation deteriorates due to time-consuming channel switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically establishing the mapping between channel names and channel preset numbers before the user needs to switch channels. The second screen device proactively determines and stores the channel preset mappings by analyzing audio signals, so that when the user selects a channel from the EPG, the corresponding preset is already identified and ready for immediate switching
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the second screen device continuously monitors the audio signal from the media device to verify and update channel preset mappings. This feedback loop ensures that the EPG application on the second screen device maintains accurate, real-time information about which channel presets correspond to which channel names, enabling intelligent channel switching without manual intervention
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the usability of second screen devices by enabling automatic channel preset mapping, allowing users to switch channels directly from an electronic program guide without manual memorization, even in environments with no WLAN connection, thus improving the user experience.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, at the electronic device, an audio signal emitted by the media device; generating, by the electronic device, an audio fingerprint from the received audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises sending a control signal from an electronic device to a media device, the control signal comprising a channel preset identifier and causing the media device to switch to a channel identified by the channel preset identifier; receiving, at the electronic device, an audio signal emitted by the media device; generating, by the electronic device, an audio fingerprint from the received audio signal; obtaining, by the electronic device, channel meta information based on the audio fingerprint; and determining channel preset mapping information, the channel preset mapping information associating the channel preset identifier with the channel meta information.