Integrated Voice and Video Session for Real-Time Advertiser Interaction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High bandwidth access networks need to support real-time voice communication between subscribers and advertisers during video sessions, as existing systems lack an integrated method for users to contact advertisers seamlessly during streaming video content.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allows users to initiate a voice session with advertisers by displaying phone numbers in commercial content, enabling real-time voice communication, which can occur in a separate frame or integrated with video, with the option to hold or background the original video session.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If streaming video contents with commercials are sent to subscribers, then advertising reach is improved, but real-time interaction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines video streaming and voice communication into a single integrated session. The media server merges the video stream from the content server with the voice stream from the subscriber, allowing both advertising delivery and real-time interaction to occur simultaneously through the same network connection and user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The media server is designed to handle multiple functions: it receives video streams from content servers, receives voice streams from subscribers, merges these streams, and distributes the combined output. This multi-functional capability allows the system to both deliver advertising content and enable real-time communication through the same infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If voice communication is added during video session, then interaction capability is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The media server acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the overall system architecture. Instead of requiring direct integration between video streaming infrastructure and voice communication infrastructure, the media server mediates between these two systems, receiving inputs from both, merging them, and delivering the combined output to the subscriber.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple simultaneous application sessions are supported, then service integration is improved, but network load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple application sessions (video streaming and voice communication) into a single integrated session. By combining the video stream and voice stream into one unified data flow that travels through the same network path, the system reduces the total number of separate sessions required, thereby decreasing network load while maintaining service integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for enabling service providers to offer businesses to advertise using commercials over streaming video contents to interact with interested consumers on a real time basis are disclosed. For example, the present method enables an advertiser to display phone numbers, e.g., toll free numbers, that the user can activate to participate in real time voice communication with the advertiser. This voice session can take place in an independent voice only session indicated in a separate display frame from the video session display frame on a television monitor.