Supplemental Audio Signal for Interactive TV Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing television broadcasting systems are unidirectional, making it cumbersome for viewers to provide feedback on advertisements or content, especially when multiple viewers attempt to interact simultaneously, as they typically require separate remote controls or graphical interfaces that interrupt the viewing experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a supplemental ultrasonic audio signal within the television broadcast that mobile devices can detect, allowing viewers to access interactive content and provide feedback through their devices, which can then be credited with incentive values, without disrupting the primary viewing experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If viewers use remote controls or graphical interfaces to provide feedback, then viewer feedback can be collected, but the viewing experience is interrupted and multiple viewers require separate controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audio signal as an intermediary carrier to transmit feedback requests from the television system to mobile devices. This audio signal acts as a mediator that enables communication between the TV system and viewers without requiring direct interaction through remotes or graphical interfaces, thus preserving the viewing experience while collecting feedback data
2Device complexity
If a unidirectional broadcast system is used, then content delivery is simple, but viewer feedback cannot be collected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where viewer responses are transmitted back to the television service provider system through mobile devices. This creates a closed-loop communication system that enables bidirectional interaction while maintaining the simplicity of the original broadcast infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile devices serve as intermediaries that receive audio signals from the television system and transmit viewer feedback responses back to the service provider. This intermediary layer enables feedback collection without requiring direct modification of the broadcast system
3Loss of information
If multiple viewers attempt to provide feedback simultaneously, then comprehensive feedback can be collected, but separate remote controls or interfaces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes mobile devices universal feedback collection points that can be used by any viewer simultaneously. Each mobile device functions as an independent feedback terminal, allowing multiple viewers to provide feedback at the same time without requiring additional remote controls or interfaces for each user
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simultaneous and convenient viewer feedback on television content, including advertisements, without altering the primary viewing experience, by using mobile devices to collect responses and reward participants with incentives.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile device of a viewer of the broadcast television programming may detect the supplemental audio signal using an on-board microphone of the mobile device. The supplemental audio signal, as output, may be ultrasonic.
Data Source
AI summary
Various arrangements for providing interactive content to viewers of television programming are presented. A television service provider system may supplement broadcast television programming with a supplemental audio signal. The supplemental audio signal may not part of the broadcast television programming as received by the television service provider system from a content provider. The television service provider system may broadcast a data stream comprising the broadcast television programming and the supplemental audio signal via a television programming distribution network. A television receiver may receive the data stream and output the broadcast television programming and the supplemental audio signal. A viewer's mobile device may detect the supplemental audio signal using an on-board microphone of the mobile device. In response to the received supplemental audio signal, the mobile device may access interactive content and provide such interactive content to the viewer.