Synchronization Gateway for Interactive TV Content Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for synchronizing additional content with main audiovisual content, such as advertising spots, are prone to human error and do not facilitate the development of interactive TV services due to manual intervention, especially for short content that requires precise synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for controlling synchronization, utilizing a synchronization gateway that receives metadata about audiovisual content, extracts user interactivity element identifiers, and transmits synchronized requests for presenting user interactivity elements, ensuring precise timing and automation to align with the broadcast of main content, including adjustments for propagation delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual methods are used to synchronize additional content with main audiovisual content, then the control process is simple to implement, but synchronization precision deteriorates and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synchronization gateway as an intermediary device between the metadata receiver and the content delivery system. This gateway automatically processes synchronization requests, extracts timing information from metadata, and coordinates the delivery of additional content with the main audiovisual content, thereby achieving precise synchronization without manual intervention while maintaining system simplicity through automated mediation
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization system is designed to be self-service through automated metadata processing. The synchronization gateway automatically extracts timing information from received metadata, identifies the appropriate additional content, and schedules its delivery without requiring technician intervention. This automation maintains high synchronization precision while reducing control process complexity by eliminating manual steps
2Reliability
If manual synchronization methods are used, then device complexity is low, but reliability deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization gateway acts as a reliable intermediary that automatically validates and processes synchronization metadata. It ensures that additional content is delivered at the correct time by comparing timing information from metadata with the actual playback schedule, thereby improving synchronization reliability through automated verification without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the synchronization gateway continuously monitors the delivery status of additional content and adjusts timing based on metadata information. This feedback loop ensures high reliability by automatically correcting any synchronization deviations, maintaining robust performance while keeping the control system manageable through automated regulation
3Productivity
If automated synchronization is implemented, then productivity increases and human error is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization gateway is designed as a self-service system that automatically receives metadata, extracts timing information, identifies additional content, and schedules delivery without human intervention. This automation dramatically improves productivity by enabling massive development of interactive TV services while managing complexity through standardized automated processes that eliminate the need for manual synchronization operations
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization gateway is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple types of audiovisual content and additional content simultaneously. It processes various metadata formats and coordinates different content delivery channels through a single automated system, thereby increasing productivity across diverse service types while containing complexity through multi-functional integration rather than multiple separate systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method of synchronization control in a synchronization gateway equipment is proposed. The method includes: receiving first metadata relating to a first audiovisual content, the metadata having an audiovisual content identifier, a first TV broadcast channel identifier, and time-and-date information; obtaining an identifier of a user interactivity element from the audiovisual content identifier; obtaining time-and-date information for presentation of a user interactivity element from the received time-and-date information; and transmitting, in synchronized manner with the time-and-date information for presentation of the interactivity element, a request for presentation of the user interactivity element corresponding to the identifier of the user interactivity element, the request including the identifier of the user interactivity element.