Broadcast Synchronization via Visual Code Delay Pools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for synchronizing electronic devices during live-streaming events fail to accurately account for visual delays, leading to unfair competitive advantages for users watching live events versus those watching delayed broadcasts.
Innovation Solution
A system that introduces unique visual codes into the broadcast stream, allowing user devices to scan and confirm delay times, thereby placing users into delay pools for fair interactive participation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users watch live-streaming events through different broadcast channels, then users can access event content, but visual delays cause unfair competitive advantages for users watching live versus delayed broadcasts
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temporal parameter of broadcast delivery by introducing delay compensation mechanisms. Different delay pools are created based on measured visual delays, and interactive content is timed relative to each pool's delay characteristics, transforming the unfair time loss into equalized participation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where visual codes are displayed in the broadcast stream, users scan these codes with their devices, and the system measures the time to scan and process the code. This feedback data is used to calculate actual visual delays and adjust interactive content timing accordingly, ensuring fairness.
2Measurement precision
If the system introduces unique visual codes into the broadcast stream for delay measurement, then accurate delay detection is achieved, but the broadcast stream complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual codes are extracted as separate, discrete elements from the main broadcast stream. These codes can be simple graphical overlays, QR codes, or distinctive visual markers that are independently rendered and do not interfere with the primary broadcast content, thus minimizing added complexity while enabling precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual codes serve as intermediary elements between the broadcast stream and the measurement system. Rather than directly analyzing complex broadcast parameters, the system uses these simple visual markers as mediators that carry timing information, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If users scan visual codes to confirm delay times, then fair grouping into delay pools is achieved, but user interaction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when a user scans a visual code and calculating the delay time without requiring manual input. The scanning action itself triggers the measurement process, and the system handles all processing, grouping, and timing adjustments automatically based on the measured delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual codes utilize distinctive visual characteristics including color changes or color-coded patterns that are easily distinguishable in the broadcast stream and can be quickly identified by users. These visual cues enable rapid recognition and scanning, simplifying user interaction while ensuring accurate delay confirmation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a server platform in communication with a plurality of user devices. The server platform retrieves and transmits data regarding a live broadcast event to the plurality of user devices and provides an interactive activity related to the live broadcast event. In one embodiment, in order to account for delays between the broadcasts of different players, the server platform utilizes at least one graphical element and/or at least one audiovisual element of the live broadcast event to generate separate pools of players participating in the interactive activity, thereby increasing fairness.