TV Reception Latency Cohorting for Fair Live Skill Games
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Solution Overview
Problem
Games of skill that rely on television signal reception for real-time entertainment face latency issues due to systemic propagation delays, arbitrarily imposed delays, and variances in broadcast times, leading to unfair competitive advantages and user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that equalize latency differences by grouping participants based on their television signal reception paths, determining and adjusting delays through various methodologies, including participant feedback, GPS location determination, and automated signal sampling, to synchronize the receipt of television signals and prevent unfair advantages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If participants are allowed to play games of skill simultaneously across different television reception systems, then user participation and engagement are improved, but latency differences create unfair competitive advantages and compromise game fairness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments participants into distinct cohorts based on their television reception system (satellite, cable, over-the-air). Each cohort is assigned a specific latency compensation value, allowing fair competition within groups while maintaining broad participation across different systems. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling universal participation while preventing unfair advantages through group-specific latency adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the timing parameter of game-related signals (such as lockout signals and game data transmission) based on the identified latency characteristics of each cohort. By changing the transmission timing parameter according to reception system type and measured latency, the system maintains game fairness while preserving user participation across diverse television infrastructure.
2Reliability
If latency compensation is implemented for different television reception systems, then game fairness is improved, but system complexity increases due to the need to determine and adjust delays for multiple cohorts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of latency characteristics for each cohort before the game begins. By pre-establishing the latency values and grouping participants accordingly, the system avoids complex real-time calculations during game play. This preliminary action reduces operational complexity while ensuring fair competition through pre-calculated latency compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines participant cohorts and applies appropriate latency compensation without requiring manual intervention. The automated cohort assignment and latency adjustment processes reduce the operational burden on game administrators, maintaining fairness while minimizing the complexity of manual configuration and management.
3Manufacturing precision
If participants are grouped into cohorts based on television reception paths, then latency equalization is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring latency differences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement process where participants or their devices provide latency information through standardized mechanisms. This intermediary approach simplifies the measurement process by using established protocols and reference points, reducing the difficulty of accurately determining latency differences while achieving precise cohort-based equalization.
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.