Broadcast Media Insertion Prioritization via Pilot Tone Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing broadcast systems interrupt the playback of recorded media when inserting announcements, and require the same type of medium for insertion and playback, leading to inefficiencies and user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A system that prioritizes recorded media insertion based on priority indicators, allowing for delayed insertion during low-priority events and immediate insertion during high-priority events, and supports multi-media insertion regardless of the user's medium type, using signals like pilot tones or watermarks for synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the system uses a simple switch-over of the source selector to insert announcements, then the insertion is simple and quick, but the recording cannot pause and the listener misses part of the recording
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting pilot tones and preparing the announcement insertion in advance. The microprocessor monitors the audio signal for pilot tones and prepares to interrupt the recording playback before the actual announcement is inserted, allowing the system to manage the interruption more effectively and reduce information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the source selector based on detected pilot tones rather than using a static simple switch-over. The microprocessor dynamically controls the audio signal routing, enabling intelligent decision-making about when to interrupt recording playback and when to allow it to continue, thereby reducing information loss while maintaining insertion efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the system requires the announcement medium and recording medium to be of the same type, then the system is simple to operate, but the system lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by implementing multi-media support through a unified microprocessor-controlled architecture. The microprocessor can handle different media types (audio recordings, video broadcasts, digital streams) and insert various announcement formats (audio, text, video) regardless of whether they match the original recording type. This allows the system to perform multiple functions with a single versatile platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor acts as an intermediary that mediates between different media types. It receives pilot tones, decides whether to insert announcements, and routes signals appropriately regardless of media type compatibility. This intermediary layer enables the system to overcome the limitation of requiring matching media types while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
3Speed
If the system interrupts the broadcast stream for media insertion, then the announcement is delivered immediately, but the user experience is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of pilot tones and prepares announcement insertion in advance, allowing it to deliver announcements quickly when appropriate while avoiding unnecessary interruptions. The microprocessor monitors for insertion opportunities and only interrupts the broadcast stream when truly necessary, balancing speed of delivery with user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pilot tone detection to intelligently control announcement insertion. The microprocessor continuously monitors the audio signal for pilot tones that indicate when announcements should be inserted, and only interrupts the broadcast stream when such signals are detected. This feedback mechanism ensures announcements are delivered promptly when needed while minimizing unnecessary user disturbance.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for prioritizing the insertion of recorded media into a broadcast stream according to a comparison of priority indicators in the broadcast stream and in the recorded media insertion. The recorded media insertion may be multi-media in nature.