TV Signal Latency Equalization for Fair Live Skill Games
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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 a non-level playing field for participants.
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, including participant feedback, GPS location determination, and automated signal sampling, to synchronize 'lock out' signals and game data across all cohorts, ensuring fair competition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If participants are allowed to play games of skill simultaneously across different regions, then user engagement and competition are improved, but latency differences create unfair competitive advantages
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides participants into separate cohorts based on their television signal reception paths (e.g., satellite, cable, over-the-air). Each cohort is treated independently with customized delay adjustments, allowing simultaneous play across regions while maintaining fairness within each cohort by compensating for their specific latency characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing parameters of game data transmission and lockout signals based on measured latency for each cohort. By changing transmission timing parameters according to each cohort's specific delay characteristics, the system eliminates unfair advantages while preserving simultaneous participation.
2Reliability
If the system accounts for and adjusts latency differences for each cohort, then fairness of competition is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically measures latency for each cohort using synchronization signals and broadcast timing information. Participants self-identify their cohort through standard television reception parameters, and the system autonomously calculates and applies appropriate delay adjustments without requiring manual configuration or complex user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary timing adjustment mechanism that sits between the game server and participants. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of latency compensation by measuring delays, calculating adjustments, and implementing synchronized timing, thereby shielding users from system complexity while maintaining fairness.
3Manufacturing precision
If participants are grouped by television signal reception path, then latency equalization is improved, but measurement and classification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copies of synchronization signals and timing information that are already embedded in the television broadcast infrastructure. By leveraging existing broadcast timing markers and signal characteristics, the system can accurately measure and classify cohort latency without requiring complex additional measurement equipment or signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages universal television broadcast timing signals and reception parameters that are already being used for program scheduling and advertising. These multi-functional signals serve dual purposes: standard broadcast function and latency measurement function, thereby simplifying the detection and classification process while maintaining precision.
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.