Broadcast Audio Data Embedding for Interactive Listener Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional AM/FM radio systems lack interaction between listeners and broadcasters, relying on passive listening experiences and inaccurate listener interest surveys, which can be misleading due to sampling issues and unclear responses.
Innovation Solution
Embedding data within audio signals using frequency domain manipulation, allowing for dynamic data such as Tweets, coupons, or QR codes to be encoded and decoded, enabling interactive experiences and direct communication between listeners and broadcasters through existing communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If AM/FM radio stations use traditional survey methods with third parties to determine listener interests, then they can gather audience data, but the data can be misleading due to sampling issues and unclear responses
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback by embedding data in audio signals that directly communicates listener interests and interactions back to the radio station. Listeners can interact with the broadcast content through their devices, and this interaction data is immediately fed back to the station, eliminating the need for delayed and potentially misleading survey methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a listener's device and data embedding/detection mechanism that mediates between the listener and the radio station. This intermediary enables direct, accurate communication of listener preferences without relying on third-party surveyors, thereby improving measurement precision while reducing information loss.
2Ease of operation
If radio stations rely on passive listening experiences, then listeners can consume content, but there is little interaction between listeners and radio stations
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the audio broadcast system multi-functional by enabling it to not only transmit audio content but also carry embedded data and facilitate interactive communication. The same audio signal serves multiple purposes: entertainment delivery, data transmission, and interaction facilitation, thereby enhancing adaptability without compromising ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The listener's device acts as an intermediary that enables interaction while maintaining ease of operation. The device automatically detects embedded data and facilitates communication between the listener and station without requiring the listener to manually engage with complex systems, thus preserving ease of operation while dramatically increasing interaction capability.
3Loss of information
If radio stations use third-party survey channels to communicate with listeners, then they can gather audience feedback, but it bypasses direct communication channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the traditional third-party survey channel and embeds it directly within the audio signal itself. By taking out the need for separate survey infrastructure and embedding data directly in the broadcast, the system reduces device complexity while improving information collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the audio content delivery function with the data communication function into a single integrated system. The audio signal simultaneously carries both entertainment content and interaction data, eliminating the need for separate third-party survey channels and thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective feedback collection.
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
Facilitates an interactive listening experience by allowing listeners to engage with broadcast content, providing accurate audience interest data and enabling direct marketing and transaction capabilities, bypassing third-party channels.
Implementation Method 1
Frequency domain data of the audio signal may be generated for an individual frame of the plurality of frames. Data may be embedded into a selected sinusoidal component selected from the frequency domain data of the individual frame by controlling a phase angle of the selected sinusoidal component to represent a selected bit of the data.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an audio signal is received and divided into a plurality of frames. Frequency domain data of the audio signal may be generated for an individual frame of the plurality of frames. For example, the frequency domain data may include a plurality of sinusoidal components. Data may be embedded into a selected sinusoidal component selected from the frequency domain data of the individual frame by controlling a phase angle of the selected sinusoidal component to represent a selected bit of the data. For instance, a first range of the phase angle may represent a first type of bit and a second range of the phase angle may represent a second type of bit.