Snapscreen: Linking Traditional TV and the Internet

Abstract

We present "Snapscreen", a prototype second-screen app. Snapscreen is a platform that allows content providers (TV channels, broadcasters) to offer transparently content-related information and services to users watching TV. Users need only install the app on their mobile devices and can then take a snapshot of TV content they are currently watching. The resulting "snap" image is processed by the app to generate an identification key that is sent to the Snapscreen server, where it is matched to TV content in real time. Once a specific program/TV station has been identified, information and services related to this content are sent back to the user for interaction. Thus, Snapscreen can bridge television and Internet intuitively by using the television content detected to form the basis of an Internet query. An advantage of Snapscreen (over most state-of-the-art apps) is that this single app can offer access to a variety of interactive services and can link to a wide range of content offered by any television channel (station, broadcaster).