Interactive Voice Input System for Real-Time TV Engagement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interactive applications face limitations due to disparate communication paths, inferior voice recognition technology, and limitations in content delivery, hindering users' ability to engage actively with TV content, such as playing along with games or participating in real-time interactive experiences.

Innovation Solution

The system employs advancements in voice-recognition technology, smart devices as input sources, and streaming/wireless technologies to create a seamless interactive experience by allowing users to input responses via voice during video content, with a central server or peer-to-peer network architecture, enabling accurate scoring and real-time interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If small handheld devices are used for user interaction, then users can keep track of their own score, but the user experience is limited by the user's speed at keeping track and inherent inaccuracies in user self-monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser ability to keep track of scoreVSAvoidaccuracy of user self-monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to self-monitor their own performance through the handheld device display, showing their score and the current question/answer being presented. This eliminates the need for external monitoring while maintaining accuracy through automated tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback to users by displaying their score, the current question, and the correct answer on the handheld device. This real-time feedback loop allows users to accurately track their performance without relying on memory or external observers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If second screens are employed for interaction, then users can input votes or choices, but the experience is hindered by limitations on button pushing speed and disparate communication paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser ability to input votes and choicesVSAvoidbutton pushing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical button pushing with voice recognition technology. Users can speak their answers instead of manually inputting them, eliminating the speed limitation of finger movement and button pressing while maintaining accurate response capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The handheld device serves multiple functions: displaying questions, showing user scores, capturing voice inputs, and providing feedback. This multi-functional approach consolidates interaction capabilities into a single device, improving both versatility and response speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If voice recognition technology is used for input, then users can speak answers, but inferior voice recognition technology limits accuracy and reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser ability to speak answersVSAvoidaccuracy of voice recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the handheld device as an intermediary between the user's voice and the main system. The device captures voice input locally and processes it through voice recognition software, then transmits the interpreted data to the main system. This intermediary approach isolates voice recognition errors from the core scoring system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback by displaying the interpreted voice input on the handheld device before final scoring. This allows users to verify that their spoken answer was correctly recognized and provides an opportunity for correction if misrecognition occurs, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of information

If polling systems are used for user participation, then information can be gathered, but the experience lacks aspects of a full interactive experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation gathering capabilityVSAvoidinteractive experience completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handheld device provides multiple interaction modes beyond simple polling: users can answer questions, view their scores in real-time, receive feedback on correct/incorrect answers, and compete with other users. This transforms a simple information-gathering poll into a comprehensive interactive gaming experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate feedback to users about their performance, including displaying their score, indicating whether their answer was correct, and showing the correct answer. This feedback loop creates an engaging interactive experience rather than passive information gathering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10595090B2System and method for optimized and efficient interactive experience

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed to implement a technique for viewer interaction and participation while viewing content. In one implementation, a computer system executing a software application presents video content to a user and receives user input at selected points of interaction during the presentation. The system provides feedback to the user according to the received input and information associated with the video content. In one example, this presentation, input, and feedback forms a game experience for the user.