Latency Equalization for Live TV Skill Games
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Solution Overview
Problem
Latency issues in television signal reception cause uneven playing fields in games of skill synchronized with live or taped television programming, as participants may experience different delays based on their signal reception path.
Innovation Solution
A method and system to equalize latency differences by grouping participants into cohorts based on their signal reception path, determining the delay for each cohort, and adjusting the game data stream to ensure all participants receive the same information at the same time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If participants are allowed to play games of skill simultaneously with live television programming, then user engagement and entertainment value are improved, but latency differences in television signal reception create unfair competitive advantages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides participants into separate cohorts based on their television signal reception path (e.g., cable, satellite, over-the-air). Each cohort is assigned a specific latency compensation value, allowing fair competition within each group while maintaining simultaneous play across all groups. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by ensuring fairness within segments while preserving overall user engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies latency compensation by adjusting the timing parameters of game data transmission for each cohort. By changing the transmission time offset based on the measured latency of each cohort's television signal path, the system equalizes the competitive playing field while maintaining simultaneous game progression and user engagement.
2Reliability
If latency compensation is applied to equalize playing fields, then fairness of competition is improved, but system complexity increases due to need for measuring and adjusting delays for different signal paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of latency parameters for different television signal paths during system setup or calibration phases. These pre-measured latency values are stored and applied automatically during game play, eliminating the need for real-time complex measurements while maintaining fairness. This preliminary action reduces operational system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically identifies each participant's signal reception path and applies appropriate latency compensation without requiring manual configuration or complex real-time analysis. The system self-configures by detecting the television signal characteristics and autonomously adjusting timing parameters, thereby reducing operational complexity while ensuring fairness.
3Reliability
If participants are grouped into cohorts based on signal reception path, then fairness within groups is improved, but the ability to compare and compete across different groups is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments participants into latency-based cohorts while maintaining the ability to compete across groups through standardized scoring and ranking systems. Each cohort plays fairly within its latency parameters, but all cohorts can be compared using normalized performance metrics, preserving cross-group competition and adaptability while ensuring internal fairness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates equipotential playing conditions within each cohort through latency compensation, ensuring that all participants in a group have equal competitive opportunities. The system then provides transparent rankings and scoring that allow meaningful comparisons across cohorts, maintaining both internal fairness and external competitiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.