Patent Publication Number: US-2023156299-A1

Title: Fingerprinting a television signal and displaying information concerning a program that is being transmitted by the television signal

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to processing of a television (TV) signal, and more particularly, to fingerprinting the TV signal and displaying information concerning a program that is being transmitted on the TV signal. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, the approaches described in this section may not be prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     There is a need for a technique that determines what TV program(s) is/are being shown on one or many TV screens, and creates and displays relevant information about the program(s) (e.g., betting odds, program information) on a second display. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for a technique that determines what TV program(s) is/are being shown on one or many TV screens, and creates and displays relevant information about the program(s) (e.g., betting odds, program information) on a second display. 
     To address this object, in the present document there is provided a process that includes (a) receiving an identification of a television (TV) network, (b) obtaining a descriptor of an event that is being transmitted by the TV network, i.e., a televised event, (c) obtaining information concerning the event, and (d) sending the information to a device for presentation on a target display. There is also provided a system that performs the process, and a storage device that contains instructions that cause a processor to perform the process. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the televised event is a sporting event. Accordingly, the process includes (a) receiving an identification of a television (TV) network, (b) obtaining a descriptor of a sporting event that is being transmitted by the TV network, (c) obtaining gambling statistics concerning the sporting event, and (d) sending the gambling statistics to a device for presentation on a target display. There is also provided a system that performs the process, and a storage device that contains instructions that cause a processor to perform the process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a system for fingerprinting a TV signal and displaying information concerning a program that is being transmitted by the TV signal. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of a Broadcast ID Device in the system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram of an Analytics System in the system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a block diagram of a Display Device in the system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram of a mobile camera phone that has an application installed therein for utilization in the system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a block diagram of a portion of the system for a scenario in which user is using a mobile camera phone. 
         FIG.  7    is a collection of flowcharts of a session showing processes performed by a Broadcast ID Device, an Analytics System, and a Display Device. 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart of a process performed by a mobile camera phone. 
     
    
    
     A component or a feature that is common to more than one drawing is indicated with the same reference number in each of the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Fingerprinting is a process of acquiring video or audio samples of a TV program and extracting certain attributes to create a unique sample ID. The sample ID can be compared to a reference database to determine a match to a TV channel or a programming stream. 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a system, namely system  100 , for fingerprinting a TV signal and displaying information concerning a program that is being transmitted by the TV signal. In one aspect, system  100  displays graphical information on a dedicated TV about televised events taking place on adjacent or proximity TVs in a multiscreen venue. In another aspect, system  100  allows a user to use a mobile camera phone to execute an application that captures an event on a TV, in either the venue or at a home, and displays graphical information related to the event thus providing an augmented reality experience. In the present document, system  100  is described by way of example as displaying gambling statistics concerning a sporting event that is being presented on a TV. 
     In system  100 :
         (a) TV monitoring devices, referred to herein as Broadcast ID devices, gather, in real time, data such as device MAC address, geographic location, venue location, surrounding or proximity TV&#39;s and signal. A sample ID is created from the signal by sampling TV audio or video. The sample ID is compared to a live database of monitored channels to identify a name of the network that is transmitting the signal. The TV network name is then sent to an analytics system that obtains additional information concerning programs currently being shown on the named TV network. The phrase “real time” as used herein means that from the perspective of a person, an action appears to be immediate, or nearly so, e.g., within a few seconds.   (b) The analytics system acquires data from multiple sources, including the Broadcast       

     ID devices, an electronic program guide (EPG), and a betting data service. The analytics system analyzes data associated with the TV channels that are playing at each specific geographic location to determine what data to send to a display device for display on a TV.
         (c) The display device receives data from the analytics system, populates locally stored graphical templates, and plays stored or live streamed content on the TV&#39;s screen.   (d) A mobile camera phone includes an application to determine what TV event a user is watching. The user points the mobile camera phone at the TV, and the application samples audio or video and creates a sample ID. The sample ID is compared to a live database of monitored channels to identify a name of the network that is transmitting the TV event. The TV network name is then sent to an analytics system that obtains additional information concerning programs currently being shown on the named TV network, and the application displays the additional information on the mobile camera phone. The application can be used at either a business venue or a non-business venue, e.g., the user&#39;s home.       

     The description of  FIG.  1   , below, provides an abbreviated, introductory description of the operation of system  100 . Further details are provided in descriptions of subsequent drawings. 
     System  100  includes a venue  103 , Network Identification  139 , an EPG  141 , Betting Data  143 , an Analytics System  145 , a home  135 , and a mobile camera phone  133 . Various components of system  100  communicate with one another via Internet  136 , and such communications may be conducted via paths that include wireless channels or wired channels, e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and cellular/mobile channels for smartphone communications for Internet access. 
     Venue  103 , e.g., a business venue such as a bar or restaurant, includes a TV set-up  106   a , a TV set-up  106   n , and a display set-up  118 . 
     TV set-up  106   a  includes Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   a , a Broadcast ID device  112   a , and a TV  115   a.    
     Display set-up  118  includes Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  121 , a Display Device  124 , and a TV  127 . 
     Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   a  is a source of a TV program, which is represented as signal  110   a . Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   a  may include, for example, over-the-air (OTA), cable, satellite, internet (IP), or optical sources. Signal  110   a  can be in any TV format, e.g., ultra-high definition, high-definition or standard definition over high bandwidth digital multimedia interface (HDMI), component or composite video and optical, and may include digital audio or analog audio. The digital audio or analog audio can be derived from cable/OTA/streaming devices. For purpose of example, assume that signal  110   a  is a broadcast of a sporting event. 
     Broadcast ID device  112   a  receives signal  110   a  and forwards it to TV  115   a . In practice, if signal  110   a  is in an optical, digital audio or analog audio format, TV  115   a  would be optional, as TV  115   a  would not ordinarily be used if signal  110   a  is in an optical, digital audio or analog audio format. Broadcast ID device  112   a  extracts audio or video of the TV program from signal  110   a , based thereon creates a sample ID  137 , and sends sample ID  137  to Network Identification  139 . 
     Network Identification  139  receives sample ID  137 , and based thereon, identifies a TV network that is transmitting the TV program, thus yielding a confirmed ID  138 , and sends confirmed ID  138  to Broadcast ID Device  112   a . In the present example, confirmed ID  138  identifies the TV network that is transmitting the sporting event. 
     Broadcast ID Device  112   a  receives confirmed ID  138  and in turn, sends a confirmed ID  148 , to Analytics System  145 . Confirmed ID  148  includes the TV network identification and also includes information about Broadcast ID Device  112   a , such as its MAC address. 
     In an alternative embodiment, Broadcast ID Device  112   a  sends Sample ID  137  to Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  sends Sample ID  137  to Network Identification  139 . Network Identification  139  receives sample ID  137 , and based thereon, identifies a TV network that is transmitting the TV program, thus yielding a confirmed ID  138 , and sends confirmed ID  138  to Analytics System  145 . 
     In another alternative embodiment, Broadcast ID Device  112   a  sends Sample ID  137  to Network Identification  139 . Network Identification  139  receives sample ID  137 , and based thereon, identifies a TV network that is transmitting the TV program, thus yielding a confirmed ID  138 , and sends confirmed ID  138  to Analytics System  145 . 
     Analytics System  145  obtains, from EPG  141  and Betting Data  143 , information about the TV program that is being transmitted by the TV network. EPG  141  provides descriptors of programming events that are scheduled on the TV network, including a descriptor of the sporting event. Betting Data  143  provides gambling statistics specific to the sporting event scheduled or currently being shown. Analytics System  145  sends the information, in the form of display information  150 , to Display Device  124 . In the present example, display information  150  is information, e.g., gambling statistics concerning the sporting event that is being presented on TV  115   a.    
     As mentioned above, display set-up  118  includes Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  121 . Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  121  are similar to Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   a , and provides a TV signal, namely signal  122 , to Display Device  124 . 
     Display Device  124  has two modes of operation. In the first mode of operation, Display Device  124  routes signal  122  to TV  127 . In a second mode of operation, Display Device  124  internally creates a graphical representation of display information  150  on TV  127 , and in the present example, the information concerns the sporting event that is being presented on TV  115   a . Accordingly, when Display Device  124  is in its second mode of operation, a user  130  can watch the sporting event on TV  115   a  and view corresponding gambling statistics on TV  127 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, Display Device  124 , and Broadcast ID Device  112   a  can provide the same functionality and therefore be interchanged. 
     TV set-up  106   n  is similar to TV set-up  106   a , and includes Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   n , a Broadcast ID Device  112   n , and a TV  115   n , which operate similarly to Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   a , Broadcast ID Device  112   a , and TV  115   a , respectively. Accordingly, ID Device  112   n  will communicate with components via Internet  136 , and Display Device  124  will also display on TV  127 , information concerning a TV program or an event that is being presented on TV  115   n.    
     As explained below, system  100  is informed of locations of TVs  115   a  and  115   n  relative to the location of TV  127 , and thus relative to one another, so that TV  127  can present, on its display, information that is relevant to what is being displayed on TVs  115   a  and  115   n . For example, if TVs  115   a  and  115   n  are mounted on a wall, and TV  115   a  is situated to the left of TV  127 , and TV  115   n  to the right of TV  127 , TV  127  will display information concerning the program on TV  115   a  on the left side of TV  127 &#39;s display, and information concerning the program on  115   n  on the right side of TV  127 &#39;s display Alternatively, instead of TV  127  concurrently presenting information concerning TV  115   a  and  115   n , TV  127  can present the information in time slices, for example, in a cyclical manner, present information concerning TV  115   a  for several seconds, and then present information concerning TV  115   n  for several seconds. 
     Although venue  103  is shown as having two TV set-ups, i.e., TV set-ups  106   a  and  106   n , in practice, venue  103  may have any desired number of TV set-ups, and thus a plurality of TVs, and accordingly, Display Device  124  will display, on TV  127 , information concerning TV programs or events being presented on the plurality of TVs. 
     Also, in practice, system  100  may include many venues configured similarly to venue  103 , having devices similar to Broadcast ID Device  112   a  and Display Device  124  that engage in communication with Analytics System  145 . 
     Another aspect of system  100  utilizes mobile camera phone  133 , e.g., a phone or other communication device being used by user  130 . Mobile camera phone  133  includes an application  132  that, when executed, (a) captures, from TV  115   a , audio or video concerning a TV program, (b) communicates with Network Identification  139  and Analytics System  145  to obtain display information  150 , and (c) and presents, on a display of mobile camera phone  133 , information concerning the TV program. Application  132  could similarly capture audio or video from a TV program being presented on TV  134  in home  135 , and thereafter present on the display of mobile camera phone  133 , information concerning the TV program being presented on TV  134 . Application  132  will also provide an ability to overlay betting data on a streamed live event being captured by user  130  on mobile camera phone  133  to create an augmented reality experience. 
     Moreover, TV  134  need not be situated in home  135 , but instead, at any location. As such, mobile camera phone  133 , by way of execution of application  132 , can operate in a venue such as a bar or restaurant that may or may not include Broadcast ID device  112   a  yet still allow user  130  to view information about a program that is being presented on a TV in the bar or restaurant. 
       FIG.  2    is a block diagram of Broadcast ID Device  112   a . Broadcast ID Device  112   a  includes several modules, namely a controller/processor  203 , a signal extractor  206 , a communication engine  209 , a signal sample and analyzer  212 , a media player  215 , and media and data storage  218 . 
     The term “module” is used herein to denote a functional operation that may be embodied either as a stand-alone component or as an integrated configuration of a plurality of subordinate components. Thus, a module may be implemented as a single module or as a plurality of sub-ordinate modules that operate in cooperation with one another. 
     Controller/Processor  203  communicates with all of the other modules in Broadcast ID Device  112   a . The communications include device configurations and software programming stacks. Controller/Processor  203  receives signal  110   a  from Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   a , and routes signal  110   a  to signal extractor  206 . 
     Signal extractor  206  decodes signal  110   a , e.g., decodes an HDMI signal&#39;s audio or video, and provides the decoded signal to signal sample and analyzer  212 . 
     Signal sample and analyzer  212  creates sample ID  137  for the specific sample of signal  110   a , and sends sample ID  137 to communication engine  209 . 
     Communication engine  209  sends sample ID  137  via Internet  136  to Network Identification  139 . Network Identification  139  identifies a TV network that is transmitting the TV program, thus yielding a confirmed ID  138  sends confirmed ID  138  back to Broadcast ID Device  112   a . Network Identification  139  provides the TV network identification that matched sample ID  137  or a “no match” ID if no match was found. Thereafter, Broadcast ID Device  112   a  sends its MAC address and the confirmed TV network identification on confirmed ID  148  to the Analytics System  145  for processing. 
     , In an alternative embodiment, Communication engine  209  sends sample ID  137  and MAC address via Internet  136  to Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  sends Sample ID  137  via Internet  136  to Network Identification  139 . Network Identification  139  identifies a TV network that is transmitting the TV program, thus yielding a confirmed ID  138 , and sends confirmed ID  138  back to Analytics System  145 . Network Identification  139  provides the TV network identification that matched sample ID  137  or a “no match” ID if no match was found. 
     In another alternative embodiment, Communication engine  209  sends sample ID  137  and MAC address via Internet  136  to Network Identification  139 . Network Identification  139  identifies a TV network that is transmitting the TV program, thus yielding a confirmed ID  138 , and sends confirmed ID  138  with MAC address to Analytics System  145 . Network Identification  139  provides the TV network identification that matched sample ID  137  or a “no match” ID if no match was found. 
     Media and data storage  218  provides for storage of media, graphical elements, and local advertising banners and commercials. 
     Media player  215  selectively routes, to TV  115   a , either (a) live content, i.e., in signal  110   a , from Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   a , (b) live content via Internet  136 , or (c) data from media and data storage  218 . 
       FIG.  3    is a block diagram of Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  includes several modules, namely, a controller/processor  303 , a venue device monitoring engine  306 , a communication engine  309 , software/firmware configurations  312 , a proximity analytics engine  315 , and media, templates, and data storage  318 . 
     Analytics System  145  provides for monitoring and health of Broadcast ID Device  112   a , Broadcast ID Device  112   n , and Display Device  124 . 
     Controller/Processor  303  communicates with all the other modules within Analytics System  145 , and also with Betting Data  143 , EPG  141 , Networking Identification  139 , Broadcast ID Device  112   a , and Display Device  124 . 
     Communications engine  309  provides for communications, via Internet  136 , with Betting Data  143 , EPG  141 , Broadcast ID Device  112   a , Broadcast ID Device  112   n , and Display Device  124 . 
     Proximity analytics engine  315  collects and maintains information concerning venue  103  relating to TVs  115   a  and  115   n , and TV  127 , and the proximity of TVs  115   a  and  115   n  to TV  127 . In this regard, proximity analytics engine  315  is interested in the locations of TVs  115   a  and  115   n  relative to the location of TV  127 , so that, as mentioned above, TV  127  can present, on its display, information that is relevant to what is being displayed TVs  115   a  and  115   n . Each of the devices are identified by MAC address, which associates all of the relevant data for the analytic process. 
     Venue device monitoring engine  306  receives from Broadcast ID Device  112   a , the network identification of the program that is being displayed on TV  115   a  along with Broadcast ID Device  112   a  &#39;s unique parameters such as MAC address and health. Controller/Processor  303  obtains information from EPG  141  and Betting Data  143 , and groups relevant information for venue  103  and Display Device  124 . All information is sent via communications engine  309  and includes betting data, templates, and images for Display Device  124 . Communications between components of system  100  are conducted in real time so that if TV  115   a  is tuned to a different channel of Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   a , Broadcast ID Device  112   a  will inform Analytics System  145  (via Sample ID  137 and Confirmed ID  138 ), and Analytics System  145  will send, to Display Device  124 , new information specific to the newly tuned channel of Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  109   a.    
     Software/firmware configurations  312  maintains and standardizes software/firmware configurations for Broadcast ID Device  112   a  and Display Device  124 . This includes automatic configurations due to loss of power or device interrupt. 
     Media, Templates and Data Storage  318  serves multiple purposes. In the example of sporting events, data is collected from EPG  141  for future scheduled events. Graphical templates, content (e.g., commercials, videos, photos) are sent to Display Device  124  prior to when they will need to be displayed. 
     Thus, Analytics System  145  collects information from Broadcast ID Device  112   a , Display Device  124 , EPG  141 , and Betting Data  143 . Venue Device Monitoring Engine  306  verifies all units are operational and functional. Proximity Analytics Engine  315  determines what information should be transmitted via Internet  136  to Display Device  124  and shown on TV  127 . At the conclusion of the live events, Display Device  124  can be deactivated via Internet  136  and switched back to Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  121  to display signal  122  on TV  127 . 
     As mentioned above, in practice, system  100  may include many venues configured similarly to venue  103 . Accordingly, Analytics System  145  will provide monitoring and health for Broadcast ID Devices that are similar to Broadcast ID Device  112   a , and Display Devices that are similar to Display Device  124 , in each of the many venues. 
       FIG.  4    is a block diagram of Display Device  124 . Display Device  124  includes several modules, namely, a controller/processor  403 , an input switching engine  406 , a communication engine  409 , a graphics engine  412 , a media player  415 , and media and data storage  418 . 
     Controller/processor  403  communicates with all the other modules within Display Device  124 . The communications include device configurations and software programming stacks. 
     Communication engine  409  receives relevant information, i.e., display information  150 , from Analytics System  145  on a real time basis via Internet  136 . 
     Media and data storage  418  stores templates and data that are sent by Analytics System  145 . 
     Graphics engine  412  retrieves the templates and data from media and data storage  418  and prepares them for presentation on TV  127 . As mentioned above, TV  127  correlates the presentation of information on its display to programs being presented on TV  115   a  and  115   n.    
     Media Player  415  can play locally stored content from media and data storage  418 , or stream content that it obtains via the Internet  136  through communication engine  409 . 
     Input switching engine  406  routes, to TV  127 , either signal  122  from Broadcast/Streaming Network Sources  121 , or (b) content from graphics engine  412  and media player  415 , e.g., information concerning a program that is being presented on TV  115   a.    
     Thus, Display Device  124  provides, to TV  127 , consolidated information received from Analytics System  145 , which includes information from Broadcast ID Device  112   a , specifics of the scheduled live events from the EPG  141  and Betting Data  143  statistics, all of which relate to what is being shown on TV  115   a.    
     In an alternative embodiment, Display Device  124 , and Broadcast ID Device  112   a  provide identical functionality and therefore interchangeable hardware. 
       FIG.  5    is a block diagram of mobile camera phone  133  and includes several modules, namely, a controller/processor  503 , an input device select  515 , a communication engine  509 , a software application signal extractor  506 , a signal sample and analyzer  512 , and media and data storage  518 . 
     Software application and signal extractor  506  allows user  130  to select signal capture mode via input device select  515 . Software application signal extractor  506  sends a captured audio or video signal to signal sample and analyzer  512 . 
     Signal Sample and Analyzer  512  analyzes the captured signal and sends sample ID  137  to Network Identification  139  via Communication Engine  509  and Internet  136 . In practice, mobile camera phone  133  may access Internet  136  via a mobile carrier&#39;s network. 
     Network Identification  139  sends confirmed ID  138 , which includes network identification, to mobile camera phone  133 . Communications engine  509  sends relevant data including network identification to Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  sends display information  150  to mobile camera phone  133  for displaying. 
     In an alternative embodiment, Signal Sample and Analyzer  512  analyzes the captured signal and sends sample ID  137  to Analytics System  145  via Communication Engine  509  and Internet  136 . Analytics System  145  sends Sample ID  137  to Network Identification  139  via Internet  136 . Network Identification  139  sends Confirmed ID  138  to Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  sends display information  150  to mobile camera phone  133  for displaying. 
     In another alternative embodiment, Signal Sample and Analyzer  512  analyzes the captured signal and sends sample ID  137  to Network Identification  139  via Communication Engine  509  and Internet  136 . Network Identification  139  sends Confirmed ID  138  to Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  sends display information  150  to mobile camera phone  133  for displaying. 
       FIG.  6    is a block diagram of a portion of system  100  for a scenario  600  in which user  130  is using mobile camera phone  133 . 
     Mobile camera phone  133  is a device such as a smart phone or a tablet that includes a camera to capture video streams, a microphone to capture audio, Internet connectivity and a display. It also includes a processor (not shown) and a memory (not shown) that contains data and program code, i.e., instructions, that control the processor. In this regard, the memory includes application  132 , which controls the processor to perform operations described herein on behalf of mobile camera phone  133 . 
     Prior to use of application  132 , user  130  downloads application  132  into the memory of mobile camera phone  133 , and allows permissions application  132  to access location services, the camera, and the microphone of mobile camera phone  133 . User  130  runs application  132  and selects video or audio sampling so that system  100  can determine what user  130  is watching on TV  134  at home  135 , or TV  115   a  at venue  103 . Mobile camera phone  133  sends sample ID  137  via Internet  136  to Network Identification  139  for verification. Mobile camera phone  133  receives confirmed ID  138  and sends data i.e., confirmed ID  148 , to Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  obtain information from EPG  141  and Betting Data  143 , and formats and sends display information  150 , which include relevant data with graphical elements, to mobile camera phone  133  for presentation on the display of mobile camera phone  133 . Analytics System  145  will continue to update mobile camera phone  133  until user  130  terminates application  132  or uses application  132  to capture another video or audio sample. 
     In an alternative embodiment, mobile camera phone  133  sends sample ID  137  via Internet  136  to Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  sends sample ID  137  to Network Identification  139 . Network Identification  139  sends Confirmed ID  138  to Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  obtains information from EPG  141  and Betting Data  143 , and formats and sends display information  150 , which includes relevant data with graphical elements, to mobile camera phone  133  for presentation on the display of mobile camera phone  133 . Analytics System  145  will continue to update mobile camera phone  133  until user  130  terminates application  132  or uses application  132  to capture another video or audio sample. 
     In another alternative embodiment, mobile camera phone  133  sends sample ID  137  via Internet  136  to Network Identification  139 . Network Identification  139  sends Confirmed ID  138  to Analytics System  145 . Analytics System  145  obtains information from EPG  141  and Betting Data  143 , and formats and sends display information  150 , which includes relevant data with graphical elements, to mobile camera phone  133  for presentation on the display of mobile camera phone  133 . Analytics System  145  will continue to update mobile camera phone  133  until user  130  terminates application  132  or uses application  132  to capture another video or audio sample. 
       FIG.  7    is a collection of flowcharts of a session  700  showing processes performed by Broadcast ID Device  112   a , Analytics System  145 , and Display Device  124 . 
     Process  710  is performed by Broadcast ID Device  112   a.    
     In operation  712 , signal extractor  206  extracts a sample of signal  110   a . Signal  110   a  may be in HDMI or optical format, or a digital audio or analog audio signal. 
     In operation  714 , signal sample and analyzer  212  creates sample ID  137 . 
     In operation  716 , Broadcast ID Device  112   a  sends sample ID  137  to Network Identification  139 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, in operation  716 , Broadcast ID Device  112   a  sends sample ID  137  to Analytics System  145 . 
     In operation  718 , Broadcast ID Device  112   a  checks for a response, i.e., confirmed ID  138 , from Network Identification  139 . If there is no response, process  710  loops back to operation  714 . If there is a response, i.e., confirmed ID  138 , process  710  proceeds to operation  720 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, in operation  718 , Broadcast ID Device  112   a  checks for a response, i.e., confirmed ID  138 , from Analytics System  145 . If there is no response, process  710  loops back to operation  714 . If there is a response, i.e., confirmed ID  138 , process  710  proceeds to operation  720 . 
     In operation  720 , Broadcast ID Device  112   a  sends confirmed ID  148  to Analytics System  145 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, in operation  720 , Analytics System  145  confirms ID  148 . 
     Process  730  is performed by Analytics System  145 . 
     In operation  732 , venue device monitoring engine  306  polls Broadcast ID Device  112   a  and Display Device  124  for data metrics. 
     In operation  734 , Analytics System  145  considers whether there are any device issues or changes from the last poll. If there is a change, process  730  proceeds to operation  736 . If there is no change, process  730  proceeds to operation  738 . 
     In operation  736 , Analytics System  145  schedules update software/firmware configurations based on software/firmware configurations  312 . Process  730  then loops back to operation  732 . 
     In operation  738 , proximity analytics engine  315  conducts proximity analytics, which includes (a) in operation  740 , fetching relevant program information from EPG  141 , and (b) in operation  742 , fetching sports betting information from Betting Data  143 . Process  730  then proceeds to operation  744 . 
     In operation  744 , Analytics System  145  compiles media, templates and data from media, templates, and data storage  318 . 
     In operation  746 , Analytics System  145  sends display information  150  to Display Device  124 , and then process  730  loops back to operation  732 . 
     Process  750  is performed by Display Device  124 . 
     In operation  752 , input switching engine  406  is set to select data, via input  2 , from media player  415 . 
     In operation  754 , Display Device  124  polls Analytics System  145 . 
     In operation  756 , Display Device  124  considers whether there is any change in data, i.e., in display information  150 , from Analytics System  145 . If the is no change in data, process  750  loops back to operation  754 . If there is a change in data, i.e., new display information  150 , process  750  proceeds to operation  758 . 
     In operation  758 , Display Device  124  retrieves graphics templates, backgrounds, images, and data for games from media and data storage  418 . 
     In operation  760 , graphics engine  412  renders graphics. 
     In operation  762 , Display Device  124  sends content to TV  127 , and process  750  then loops back to operation  754 . 
       FIG.  8    is a flowchart of a process  800  performed by mobile camera phone  133  in accordance with application  132 . For process  800 , we assume that mobile camera phone  133  is being operated by user  130  watching TV  134  in home  135 . However, process  800  could also be performed with user  130  watching TV  115   a  in venue  103 . 
     Application  132  performs several operations that are analogous to operations performed by Broadcast ID Device  112   a , and several operations that are analogous to operations performed by Display Device  124 . 
     In operation  802 , application  132  is initiated and set to present content on the display of mobile camera phone  133 . Operation  802  is analogous to that of input switching engine  406  being configured to select data from media player  415 . 
     As mentioned above, mobile camera phone  133  has a camera and a microphone. 
     In operation  804 , application  132  prompts user  130  to select either a camera or a microphone to capture content from TV  134 . If user  130  selects “camera”, process  800  proceeds to operation  806 . If user  130  selects “microphone”, process  800  proceeds to operation  808 . 
     In operation  806 , user  130  directs the camera of mobile camera phone  133  at TV 134 , and the camera captures video from TV  134 , and application  132  prepares sample ID  137  from the video. Process  800  then proceeds to operation  810 . 
     In operation  808 , user  130  positions the microphone of mobile camera phone  133  to capture audio from TV  134 , and application  132  prepares sample ID  137  from the audio. Process  800  then proceeds to operation  810 . 
     In operation  810 , mobile camera phone  133  sends sample ID  137  to Network Identification  139 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, in operation  810 , mobile camera phone  133  sends Sample ID  137  to Analytics System  145 . 
     In operation  812  mobile camera phone  133  checks for a response, i.e., confirmed ID  138 , from Network Identification  139 . If there is no response, process  800  loops back to operation  804 . If there is a response, i.e., confirmed ID  138 , process  800  proceeds to operation  814 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, in operation  812 , mobile camera phone  133  checks for a response, i.e., confirmed ID  138 , from Analytics System  145 . If there is no response, process  800  loops back to operation  804 . If there is a response, i.e., confirmed ID  138 , process  800  proceeds to operation  814 . 
     In operation  814 , mobile camera phone  133  prepares and sends confirmed ID  148  to Analytics System  145 , and in return, receives display information  150 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, in operation  814 , mobile camera phone  133  receives confirmed ID  148  and display information  150  from Analytics System  145 . 
     In operation  816 , mobile camera phone  133 , based on display information  150 , retrieves graphics templates, backgrounds, images, and data of games from a storage, analogous to media and data storage  418 . 
     In operation  818 , mobile camera phone  133  presents, on its display, the graphics templates, backgrounds, images and data of games, and process  800  then loops back to operation  804 . 
     In review, Analytics System  145  performs a process that includes (a) receiving, in confirmed ID  148 , an identification of a television (TV) network (b) obtaining, from EPG  141 , a descriptor of a sporting event that is being transmitted by the TV network, (c) obtaining, from Betting Data  143 , gambling statistics concerning the sporting event, and (d) sending the gambling statistics, in display information  150 , to a device, e.g., display device  124  or mobile camera phone  133 , for presentation on a target display, e.g., the display of TV  127  or the display of mobile camera phone  133 . 
     The sporting event may be presented on a first display, e.g., the display of TV  115   a  or the display of TV  134 , and the target display may be a second display, e.g., the display of TV  127  or the display of mobile camera phone  133 . 
     The first display may be a component of a first TV, e.g., TV  115   a , and the second display may be a component of a second TV, e.g., TV  127 . 
     The second display may be a component of a mobile communication device, e.g., mobile camera phone  133 . 
     Consider a case in which the above-noted TV network is a first TV network, the sporting event is a first sporting event, and the gambling statistics are first gambling statistics, and that the first sporting event is being presented on a first display, e.g., the display of TV  115   a . The process may further include (e) receiving in another instance of confirmed ID  148 , an identification of a second television (TV) network, (f) obtaining, from EPG  141 , a descriptor of a second sporting event that is being transmitted by the second TV network and being presented on a second display, e.g., the display of TV  115   n , (g) obtaining, from Betting Data  143 , second gambling statistics concerning the second sporting event and (h) sending the second gambling statistics, in display information  150 , to device  124 , for presentation on the target display e.g., the display of TV  127 . Thus, the target display is a third display. The process may also include receiving data that indicates a location of the first display, data that indicates a location of the second display, and data that indicates a location of the third display, and formatting the first gambling statistics and the second gambling statistics for presentation on the third display in a manner that indicates the location of the first display and the location of the second display relative to the location of the third display. 
     Each of Broadcast ID Device  112   a , Analytics System  145 , Display Device  124 , and mobile camera phone  133  includes electronic circuitry that performs operations to execute methods or processes described herein. The circuity may be implemented with any or all of (a) discrete electronic components, (b) firmware, or (c) a programmable circuit that includes a processor and a memory. Such a processor is an electronic device configured of logic circuitry that responds to and executes instructions. Such a memory is a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage device encoded with a computer program. In this regard, the memory stores data and instructions, i.e., program code, that are readable and executable by the processor for controlling operations of the processor. The memory may be implemented in a random-access memory (RAM), a hard drive, a read only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. 
     Additionally, the program code may be configured on a storage device for subsequent loading into the memory. Such a storage device is a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage device, and examples include (a) a compact disk, (b) a magnetic tape, (c) a read only memory, (d) an optical storage medium, (e) a hard drive, (f) a memory unit consisting of multiple parallel hard drives, (g) a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, (h) a random-access memory, and (i) an electronic storage device coupled the components of system  100  via a data communication network, such as Internet  136 . 
     The techniques described herein are exemplary, and should not be construed as implying any particular limitation on the present disclosure. It should be understood that various alternatives, combinations and modifications could be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, operations associated with the processes described herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or dictated by the operations themselves. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
     The terms “comprises” or “comprising” are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, operations or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, operations or components or groups thereof. The terms “a” and “an” are indefinite articles, and as such, do not preclude embodiments having pluralities of articles.