Dynamic Interactive Skin for Reducing Voting Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current voting systems for reality television shows, particularly those using SMS messaging, suffer from high voter error due to the complexity and accessibility issues of mobile device keypads, and lack an intuitive interface for users, including children and individuals with special needs.
Innovation Solution
A communications device and system equipped with a dynamic interactive skin that includes a transceiver, display, processor, and memory, capable of acquiring and displaying content such as contact data, media program data, and providing voting capabilities through SMS, MMS, or IM, with a user-friendly interface for selecting items and sending messages, including votes, via various means of communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional telephone call or SMS voting systems are used, then voting functionality is provided, but voter error rate is high due to small keypads and complex interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic skin that can change its appearance and functionality based on the media program being viewed. The skin dynamically updates to display contestant information, voting instructions, and interactive elements that adapt to the current show context, making the interface more intuitive and reducing voter error
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic skin acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the voting system. It provides a simplified, visual interface that mediates the complex SMS/telephony voting process, allowing users to interact with contestants through familiar media interfaces rather than directly with keypad-based voting systems
2Ease of operation
If traditional contact list interface is used, then calling and messaging functions are provided, but children and disabled individuals have difficulty using it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specialized interfaces within the dynamic skin that are tailored to different user needs and contexts. The skin can display large, clear contestant images and simple voting buttons for users with disabilities, while providing more detailed information for other users, making the interface accessible to children and disabled individuals without sacrificing functionality
3Ease of operation
If dynamic interactive skin with intuitive interface is implemented, then voter error is reduced and user experience is enhanced, but device functionality and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic skin serves multiple functions within a single interface: it displays contestant information, provides voting capabilities, offers messaging functions, and adapts to different media programs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate applications and complex device configurations, actually simplifying the overall system while enhancing accessibility
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is described for providing a dynamic interactive skin to at least one communications device. The dynamic interactive skin can be used to select one or more items. The items may be selected to send a message to at least one contact, send a vote for at least one contestant in a media program, send a vote for at least one ending of a media program, purchase an item in a store, preorder a product such as a meal or preorder a service such as a movie ticket, and perform various other wireless commerce functions.