TV Game Latency Equalization for Fair Live Competition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Games of skill that rely on television signal reception for real-time entertainment face latency issues due to systemic propagation delays, arbitrarily imposed delays, and variances in broadcast times, leading to unfair competitive advantages and user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that equalize latency differences by grouping participants based on their television signal reception paths, determining and adjusting delays through various methodologies such as GPS, employee observations, and automated systems, ensuring all players receive synchronized 'lock out' signals and game data, thereby maintaining a level playing field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If participants are allowed to play games of skill simultaneously across different television reception systems, then user participation and engagement are improved, but latency differences create unfair competitive advantages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments participants into multiple cohorts based on their television signal reception paths (e.g., cable, satellite, over-the-air). Each cohort is assigned a specific latency compensation value, allowing fair competition within each segment while maintaining overall participation across diverse reception systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts timing parameters for different cohorts by applying latency compensation values. The server modifies when lock-out signals are sent to each cohort based on their measured latency, transforming the raw latency difference into an equalized competition timeline.
2Reliability
If latency compensation is applied to equalize competition fairness, then competitive fairness is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple delay determination methodologies
Solution Approach 1:
The complex latency compensation system is segmented into distinct phases: cohort formation, latency measurement, and compensation application. Each phase uses specific methodologies appropriate to its function, making the overall complex system manageable and implementable through standardized steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs automated latency measurement techniques where participants themselves provide latency information through their device characteristics and reception path. This self-service approach reduces the need for manual configuration and complex centralized control.
3Reliability
If participants are grouped into cohorts based on signal reception paths, then competition fairness is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Participants' device characteristics and reception paths are automatically detected and used for cohort assignment. The system leverages information already available from mobile devices and television signal metadata, eliminating the need for complex manual latency measurement and reducing detection difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from latency measurements to adjust cohort assignments and compensation values. By continuously monitoring and adapting to latency conditions, the system refines its measurements and improves accuracy without requiring overly complex initial detection systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.