Broadcast Token Insertion for Interactive TV Content Linking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively integrate interactivity and accountability of Internet platforms into television and radio networks, limiting their ability to compete with Internet advertising systems, and lack solutions that work across all television distribution environments.
Innovation Solution
A data network system that includes a data stream server inserting tokens into a broadcast media stream to link broadcast content with content stored on a computer network, allowing for two-way communication and enabling interactive features like clickable advertisements or emergency alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If broadcast networks use traditional unidirectional distribution architecture, then content delivery efficiency is improved, but interactivity and user engagement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces data pointers as intermediary elements that are inserted into broadcast content streams. These pointers act as mediators between the unidirectional broadcast network and the bidirectional Internet platform, enabling interactive functionality without disrupting the efficient broadcast delivery architecture. The pointers carry information that allows receivers to access additional content or interact with services while maintaining the original broadcast flow.
2Adaptability or versatility
If television networks add two-way communication capabilities, then user interactivity is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the strengths of broadcast networks (efficient one-to-many content delivery) with the strengths of Internet networks (interactivity and on-demand access). By merging these two platforms through data pointers, the system achieves two-way communication functionality without requiring a complete overhaul of the broadcast infrastructure. The broadcast network maintains its simple distribution architecture while gaining interactive capabilities through the integrated pointer system.
Solution Approach 2:
The data pointer mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains backward compatibility with traditional broadcast receivers, enables interactive services for capable devices, provides content metadata, and facilitates advertising delivery. This multi-functionality allows the system to gain interactivity without adding separate dedicated systems for each function.
3Speed
If broadcast content is delivered without data pointers, then content purity and delivery speed are improved, but ability to link with external content deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Data pointers are inserted into the broadcast content stream in advance, during the content delivery process. This preliminary insertion allows receivers to have immediate access to linking information without waiting for additional transmissions or processing delays. The pointers are prepared and integrated beforehand, enabling instant interactive functionality when receivers process the content.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, in various aspects, to systems and methods for linking content stored on a computer network with content broadcast over a television network. The system includes a database, a trigger mechanism, a communications interface, and a packet generator. The database stores tokens representative of links to the stored content and delivery information representative of at least a duration for delivering the token. The trigger mechanism indicates an instruction to deliver a token over the television network, generating a signal indicating a respective one of the stored tokens and a time for starting the delivery of the respective token. The communications interface has a channel in communication with a television set top box device for transferring the respective token to the television set top box device. The packet generator generates packets within a stream of television content to be broadcast over the television network.