Set-Top Box Alternative Audio Delivery via Database Metadata

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for obtaining alternative audio for audio-visual content, such as sports events, often result in poor audio quality and lack of availability when the viewer is out of range of local radio stations, as they rely on external radio receivers and require prior knowledge of broadcasting frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A system that identifies audio-visual content and uses a database to search for and connect to Internet radio stations offering alternative audio sources, allowing viewers to select and receive high-quality alternative audio streams, with the ability to adjust delays between audio and video.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If viewers use external radio receivers to obtain alternative audio, then they can access different audio sources, but the audio quality suffers and availability is limited when out of range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access alternative audio sourcesVSAvoidaudio quality and availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a database and set-top box that mediates between the viewer and alternative audio sources. The database stores metadata identifying alternative audio sources, and the set-top box automatically searches and retrieves audio streams based on this metadata, eliminating the need for viewers to manually tune radio receivers and ensuring consistent access regardless of geographic location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical radio receiver tuning system with an electronic database-driven system. Instead of manually adjusting radio frequencies, the system uses electronic metadata storage and automated searching to identify and retrieve alternative audio streams, substituting physical radio wave reception with digital stream delivery through existing television infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If viewers manually tune radio receivers to get alternative audio, then they can access different announcers, but the process is complex and requires prior knowledge of broadcasting frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multiple audio perspectivesVSAvoidsimplicity of accessing alternative audio

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically identifying alternative audio sources through metadata stored in the database. The set-top box autonomously searches for and retrieves alternative audio streams based on program information, eliminating the need for viewers to manually search for frequencies or have prior knowledge of broadcasting details.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing metadata about alternative audio sources in the database before viewers need them. This metadata includes information about different announcers and audio sources, allowing the system to quickly retrieve and present options to viewers without requiring real-time searching or manual tuning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If viewers turn off television audio and use radio receivers, then they can hear alternative commentary, but they lose synchronization control and audio-video coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to select preferred audio commentaryVSAvoidneed for multiple devices and delay adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the alternative audio retrieval function with the existing television set-top box infrastructure. Instead of requiring separate radio receivers and delay adjustment devices, the system combines alternative audio stream retrieval, selection, and synchronization control within the television's existing set-top box, delivering both video and alternative audio through a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8739225B2Alternative audio delivery for television viewing

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 INTERDIGITAL MADISON PATENT HLDG

AI summary

A viewer viewing audio-visual content on an audio-visual display (12) advantageously can receive information as to potential sources of alternative audio (241-24n) via a set-top box (14). The set-top-box collects metadata identifying the audio-visual content viewed by the viewer and provides that metadata to a database (26) that searches for and identifies to the set-top-box the source(s) of alternative audio-if any. The set-top box will alert the viewer who can then select one of the identified sources of alternative audio in place of the audio embedded in the currently viewed audio-visual content.