Broadcast Trigger Mechanism for Supplemental Content Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for delivering supplemental content in broadcast emissions face challenges in efficiently transporting and triggering interactive elements, particularly in scenarios where internet access is limited, requiring innovative methods to synchronize and render supplemental content without relying on continuous internet connectivity.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a reception apparatus that utilizes a compact trigger mechanism, integrated within the broadcast transport stream, to access and retrieve supplemental content data from both the transport stream and communication networks, allowing for seamless delivery of interactive elements even without internet access, using a Trigger Parameters Table (TPT) and Triggered Declarative Objects (TDOs) within the FLUTE File Delivery Table (FDT).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If supplemental content data are delivered via communication networks requiring internet access, then interactivity and additional content capabilities are improved, but system reliability deteriorates when internet access is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteractive content deliveryVSAvoidcontent delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments supplemental content delivery into two independent pathways: (1) internet-based delivery for enhanced interactivity, and (2) broadcast transport stream delivery for reliable baseline content. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through the broadcast pathway while achieving interactivity through the internet pathway when available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hybrid delivery mechanism that acts as an intermediary between pure broadcast and pure internet delivery. The system uses broadcast emissions as a reliable foundation and supplements with internet data when available, creating a mediating delivery system that combines the reliability of broadcast with the interactivity of internet-based content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If supplemental content is delivered through broadcast emissions, then reliability without internet access is improved, but adaptability and interactivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent delivery reliabilityVSAvoidinteractive content capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the broadcast transport stream serve multiple functions: it delivers both primary content and supplemental content data simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliability through broadcast delivery while still enabling interactivity by embedding triggers and content identifiers within the same broadcast stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to broadcast emissions by embedding supplemental content delivery mechanisms within the traditional broadcast stream. Through FLUTE sessions and trigger mechanisms embedded in the broadcast, the system transforms the unidirectional broadcast into a multi-dimensional delivery system that can trigger interactive content from either broadcast or internet sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If traditional trigger mechanisms are used for supplemental content, then simplicity is maintained, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate due to lack of synchronization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrigger mechanism complexityVSAvoidcontent delivery efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical timing-based trigger mechanisms with a content-addressable system using FLUTE File Delivery Tables and hash-based content identification. This substitution eliminates the need for precise timing synchronization while maintaining trigger functionality, thereby improving delivery efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-delivering supplemental content data through FLUTE sessions before the main content is fully processed. The system pre-loads content identifiers and triggers into the FDT, allowing the reception apparatus to efficiently retrieve and synchronize supplemental content without real-time coordination overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2839637B1Method, computer program, and reception apparatus for delivery of supplemental content

Publication Date: 2022.05.04 SATURN LICENSING LLC

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AI summary

Reception apparatus, method, computer-readable storage medium, and information providing apparatus for a trigger. The reception apparatus includes a tuner/demodulator and a processor. The tuner/demodulator is configured to receive content included in a transport stream from a content source. The transport stream includes a trigger associated with the content and references information included in the transport stream. The processor is configured to retrieve the trigger from the transport stream, and to retrieve the information from the transport stream based on the reference in the trigger.