Social TV Secondary Event Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack an effective solution for synchronizing secondary events with primary video programs across devices, failing to enhance user engagement and revenue streams through integrated social networks and gaming strategies.

Innovation Solution

The system allows secondary event orchestrators to create and synchronize secondary content with primary video programs, using a network architecture that includes social television support servers, gaming systems, and rewards platforms, enabling interactive experiences and revenue generation through secondary events displayed on secondary devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If secondary events are synchronized with primary video programs across multiple devices, then user engagement and revenue streams are enhanced, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A synchronization server acts as an intermediary between primary content delivery and secondary event distribution. The server receives synchronization data from orchestrators, processes timing information, and distributes coordinated signals to multiple user devices, thereby managing system complexity centrally while enabling versatile multi-device engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization server performs multiple functions including receiving orchestration data, processing timing synchronization, managing device coordination, and distributing secondary content signals. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single universal component rather than requiring separate systems for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If secondary content is delivered to multiple user devices simultaneously, then user experience is improved, but network bandwidth and data transmission requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Secondary content and synchronization data are prepared and staged in advance on the synchronization server before being distributed to user devices. Timing information and content bundles are pre-processed and ready for immediate transmission, reducing real-time network overhead and enabling seamless multi-device delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and distributes standardized copies of secondary content packets to multiple devices simultaneously. Each device receives an identical synchronized copy of the secondary event data, ensuring consistent user experience across all devices while using efficient copy-based transmission rather than generating unique content for each device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9866884B2Social television system

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A method includes receiving a request associated with a secondary event orchestrator to schedule a secondary event to be concurrently broadcast with a primary video program. The secondary event is based on the primary video program. The method includes scheduling, by a processing device, the secondary event in an interactive media guide (IMG). The method also includes receiving requests or subscriptions for the secondary event from at least one user device based on the scheduled secondary event in the IMG, and providing support for the concurrent broadcast of the secondary event.