ABSTRACT
Bridging broadcast and internet services can be difficult, because the system architectures are typically different. Though integrated broadcast broadband systems that can provide companion screen (CS) services have been standardised, existing systems are television-centric; therefore, it can be difficult for users to easily access broadcast services through mobile applications.
Therefore, we propose a CS architecture (CSA) that can be used to tune to specific TV channels and launch broadcast-related applications from a CS such as a smartphone, smart speaker, or smart watch. The general versatility and feasibility of the proposed CSA was verified through prototyping of multiple use cases.
Moreover, based on user tests, we confirmed that our proposed CSA has a potential to improve broadcast accessibility from mobile applications and increase the number of times the users watch broadcast programs. Thus, our proposed CSA can help bridge broadcast and mobile or Internet-of-Things services.
INTRODUCTION
The diversification of people’s lifestyles has complicated the roles of media and associated service consumption. In recent years, several service providers have designed crossdevice and mash-up services to provide appropriate content for individual users.
In addition, broadcasters now broadcast programs and related content over the internet. From the standpoint of media consumption, the border between broadcast and internet has disappeared. However, bridging broadcast and internet services can be difficult, because the system architectures in these two cases might vary.
Hence, standardised integrated broadcast-broadband (IBB) systems such as Hybridcast and HbbTV enable to combine broadcast and internet services on a TV screen. They also provided companion screen (CS) services to extend cross-device services between TVs and smartphones. However, CS services might suffer from certain disadvantages; in particular, the currently employed systems are TV-centric and thus it can be difficult for users to easily access broadcast services through mobile applications.
Therefore, we propose a CS architecture (CSA) that can tune to specific TV channels and launch broadcast-related applications from a CS. Our proposed architecture allows various mobile applications to smoothly access broadcast services through a simple one-tap action. In addition, because the proposed CSA can also be implemented in smart speakers, smart watches, and other devices, it can act as a bridge between broadcast and
Internet of Things (IoT) services. The general versatility of the CSA was verified through prototyping. In particular, we prototyped CS software that supports the CSA for TV, smartphone applications, smart speakers, and smart watches; in particular, we demonstrated various use cases with partnership broadcasters.
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