Content Stream Overlay System for Real-Time Product Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when viewing advertisements for products during content streams, as they must divert attention to obtain information about the advertised items, typically by leaving the current content or using a separate device.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors content streams for embedded content identifiers or unique fingerprints, allowing connected devices to retrieve and display information about items, such as prices and availability, directly within the stream, using a network of devices and databases to provide real-time information through selectable icons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users divert attention to obtain information about advertised items by leaving the current content or using a separate device, then they can access product information, but they lose continuity of viewing experience and require additional time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (such as a set-top box, cable box, or media player) that acts as a mediator between the content delivery system and the user's personal device. This intermediary monitors the content stream for identifiers, retrieves product information from databases, and transmits it to the user's device for display as overlays. This resolves the contradiction by providing product information access without requiring users to leave the current content or use separate manual search processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the traditional linear viewing experience by implementing multi-layered information display. Product information is presented as transparent overlays or sidebars that coexist with the main content stream, allowing users to access product details while maintaining viewing continuity. This dimensional addition resolves the contradiction by enabling simultaneous content consumption and information access.
2Ease of operation
If the system monitors content streams for embedded identifiers and provides real-time product information, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional monitoring and data retrieval mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing databases that map content identifiers to product information before the actual content playback occurs. The system pre-configures monitoring algorithms to recognize specific identifier formats embedded in content streams. When content is played back, the monitoring and matching processes are already optimized, reducing real-time computational complexity while maintaining user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where the monitoring device automatically detects identifiers in the content stream, queries databases for corresponding product information, and generates display overlays without requiring user intervention. This automation reduces the operational burden on users while distributing system complexity across multiple automated components that work independently but coordinated.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein identify items within a content stream and output information pertaining to these items. For instance, the techniques may monitor an audio and/or video stream to identify products, geographical locations, particular people, or any other item of interest. In response to identifying an item of interest, the techniques obtain an instruction that determines what type of information to output with the content stream.