Supplementary Information Delivery via Personal Audio Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media content delivery systems disrupt the viewing experience for users who do not require supplementary information like closed captioning, subtitles, or audio descriptions, as this information is typically overlaid on the screen or played alongside the content, affecting other viewers.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that receive media content item data streams, store user profiles, and transmit supplementary information to personal user devices based on user preferences, allowing for simultaneous playback of media content with tailored supplementary information without disrupting other users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If supplementary information (subtitles, closed captioning) is overlaid on the screen during media playback, then accessibility for users with impaired hearing is improved, but the viewing experience for other users is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the supplementary information delivery by separating it from the main media content stream. Instead of overlaying subtitles or closed captioning on the video screen, the system transmits supplementary information through a separate audio channel to personal audio devices, dividing the information delivery into independent pathways that do not interfere with each other
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces personal audio devices (headphones, earphones, audio players) as intermediary carriers between the media content and the user. These intermediary devices receive and play back supplementary information privately, acting as a mediator that delivers accessibility features without directly interfering with the shared viewing experience
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio description is provided during media playback, then accessibility for visually impaired users is improved, but the viewing experience for other users is disrupted due to extra sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments audio delivery by providing standard audio content through one channel and supplementary audio description through a separate personal audio device channel. This segmentation allows visually impaired users to receive detailed descriptions without the audio interfering with the shared media playback experience for other users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses personal audio devices as intermediaries to deliver audio description to visually impaired users. The audio description is transmitted through this intermediary device rather than being mixed into the main audio stream, allowing private consumption of the supplementary information without affecting other viewers
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional dialogue in different languages is provided during media playback, then language accessibility is improved, but the viewing experience is disrupted due to extra audio tracks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments language accessibility by providing original language audio through the main media stream and additional language dialogue through separate personal audio devices. This allows users to access multiple language options without having all languages simultaneously playing in the shared viewing space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces personal audio devices as intermediaries for delivering additional language dialogue. Users can select and hear translations or alternative language versions through these private devices rather than having the audio tracks mixed into the shared media experience, thus maintaining language accessibility without disrupting others
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a device for providing a media content item to a user, the device comprising: a media content item receiver operable to receive the media content item as a data stream, the data stream comprising identifying data which identifies the media content item; a memory operable to store user profile information associated with the user of the device; a supplementary information requester operable to transmit the identifying data which identifies the media content item, the user profile information, and a request for supplementary information related to the media content item to a server over a network; a supplementary information receiver operable to receive supplementary information related to the media content item from the server over the network, the supplementary information being determined by the server on the basis of the transmitted identifying data which identifies the media content item and the transmitted user profile information; and a supplementary information transmitter operable to transmit the received supplementary information to a separate personal user device specified by the stored user profile information.