Media Device Viewer Image Capture via Embedded Triggers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Viewers face challenges in accurately recalling their reactions to programming due to the distracting nature of note-taking during viewing and the diminished recall of reactions when notes are made after the program, especially when associating reactions with specific scenes or portions of the program.

Innovation Solution

A media device and method that embed event capture triggers within a program stream, allowing for image and audio capture during initial viewing, with unique identifiers, and stores these captures for later retrieval and presentation during replay, enabling accurate association of viewer reactions with specific scenes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the viewer takes notes during the program presentation, then the viewer can record their reactions, but the note taking becomes very distracting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecall of reactionsVSAvoidviewing experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically capturing viewer images at the moment scenes of interest occur during the initial viewing, eliminating the need for the viewer to manually take notes during the program presentation. The capture triggers are embedded in the program stream and automatically detect and capture reactions at the appropriate moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the viewer makes notes after the end of the program presentation, then the viewer can record their reactions, but the recall of reactions is likely to be diminished or incorrect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of reaction recallVSAvoidtime delay in recording reactions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures viewer reactions in real-time during the initial program presentation by detecting embedded capture triggers in the program stream. Images are automatically captured and stored with associated scene information at the moment the reaction occurs, eliminating the time delay and accuracy loss associated with post-viewing note-taking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If the viewer must recall particular reactions to particular portions or scenes of the program presentation, then the viewer can review their notes, but the process requires significant manual effort and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation of reactions with scenesVSAvoidmanual note organization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates automatic copies of viewer reactions captured at the moment they occur, storing each image with embedded metadata that includes the unique identifier of the corresponding scene of interest. During replay, the system automatically retrieves and displays the appropriate captured images without requiring manual organization or association by the viewer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If the system captures images during initial viewing, then the viewer reactions are accurately recorded, but the system requires embedding capture triggers in the program stream

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming of reaction captureVSAvoidprogram stream modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the capture trigger data with the program stream by embedding unique identifiers for scenes of interest directly into the program content. This integration allows the reaction capture system to synchronize with the program presentation without requiring separate trigger files or complex external synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2230841B1A media device and a method for capturing viewer images
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 ECHOSTAR TECH LLC
  • EP2230841B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2230841B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2230841B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Images of a viewer (202) watching programming on a media presentation device (204) can be captured for storage or display. A program stream (102) to be presented on the presentation device (204) has events and scenes of interest identified by event capture triggers (114). When a processor (210) associated with the presentation device (204) detects the occurrence of an event capture trigger an image capture device (230), such as a camera, is activated to capture an image of the viewer. Those captured images may be stored or may be displayed by the presentation device.