Location-Based Content Playout

Number: 20250254368
Published: 2025-08-07
Filed: 2024-08-14
Assignee: Disney Enterprise, Inc.
Inventors: Eaton; Steven C. et al.
CPC: H04N21/25816; H04N21/41407; H04N21/2143; H04N21/2393; H04N21/63345
Verdict: Set aside location-based content playout, business
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

Abstract

A system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing software code and a content delivery application deployable to multiple personal communication devices, as well as multiple directional antennas communicatively coupled to the computing platform. The hardware processor is configured to execute the software code to, transmit, using a first directional antenna of the multiple directional antennas, a content activation signal to a predetermined area within a venue, transmission of the content activation signal being limited to the predetermined area. The content activation signal causes content relevant to an event at the predetermined area to be played out by the content delivery application deployed to one of the multiple personal communication devices to a user of that personal communication device, only when that personal communication device is present in the predetermined area.

Background

BACKGROUND

Content that provides accessibility services is used in many venues to help diverse audiences participate in and enjoy experiences that may otherwise be hampered by hearing difficulties, vision limitations, language barriers, and the like. One of the older forms of assistance is provided by hearing loop technology or Audio Frequency Induction Loop Systems (AFILS). With this technology, very high quality audio can be provided to equipped listener devices such as hearing aids. However, only one audio program can be provided in a venue, making AFILS less useful for providing translations. Also, although the signal provided by AFILS has low propagation distance, it is omnidirectional such that interference between content intended for different areas within a venue can occur.

As an alternative to the use of AFILS, a venue may broadcast a trigger signal across the entire venue that causes each individual assistive device present in the venue to playout pre-recorded audio. The pre-recorded audio can be unique to each assistive device such that one participant can receive a translation in one language, while a neighbor receives another language or differing content. The trigger signal may be broadcast using line of sight technology such as infrared (IR) signaling so that crosstalk between areas in a large venue is eliminated. This alternative approach can be augmented to provide streaming audio in addition to or as an alternative to pre-recorded audio and te

Claims

1. A system comprising: a computing platform including a hardware processor and a memory; the memory storing a software code and a content delivery application deployable to a plurality of personal communication devices; and a plurality of directional antennas communicatively coupled to the computing platform; the hardware processor configured to execute the software code to: transmit, using a first directional antenna of the plurality of directional antennas, a content activation signal to a predetermined area within a venue, transmission of the content activation signal being limited to the predetermined area; wherein the content activation signal causes a content relevant to an event at the predetermined area to be played out by the content delivery application deployed to one of the plurality of personal communication devices to a user of the one of the plurality of personal communication devices, only when the one of the plurality of personal communication devices is present in the predetermined area. || 12. A method for use by a system including a hardware processor, a memory storing a software code and a content delivery application deployable to a plurality of personal communication devices, and a plurality of directional antennas communicatively coupled to the computing platform, the method comprising: transmitting, by the software code executed by the hardware processor and using a first directional antenna of the plurality of directional antennas, a content activation signal to a predetermined area within a venue, transmission of the content activation signal being limited to the predetermined area; wherein the content activation signal causes a content relevant to an event at the predetermined area to be played out by the content delivery application deployed to one of the plurality of personal communication devices to a user of the one of the plurality of personal communication devices, only when the one of the plurality of personal communication devices is present in the predetermined area.