Repository of Existing Business-Level Use Cases for TVs In Tandem With Other Screens that Enrich Programs and Commercials via the Web

1.1.1 UC1: ...by searching the Web

• Brief description:
  • User looks for additional information on topics contained in TV programs by searching the Web on companion devices.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Search Engine Service
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. User is curious about a topic shown in the TV program.
  • 3. User searches the Web for related information using a Search Engine Service on a companion device. User uses key words from the TV program or of their own choice.
  • 4. Search Engine Service shows a list of links on the companion device.
  • 5. User selects a link of interest on the companion device.

1.1.2 UC2: ...from supplied URLs

• Brief description:
  • User gets additional information on wineries contained in a TV program by manually inputting URLs or by scanning QR codes displayed on the TV screen into a companion device.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster displays a URL or a QR code tied to a wine or winery contained in the TV program.
  • 3. User inputs the URL into a companion device or scans the QR code with a QR code reader built into the device.
  • 4. The companion device shows the user the web page from the URL or the QR code.

1.1.3 UC3: ...on the Olympic Games

• Brief description:
  • User gets additional information on content broadcast from the Summer Olympic Games by manually inputting URLs or by scanning QR codes displayed on the TV screen into a companion device.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching the Summer Olympic Games on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster displays a URL or a QR code tied to a sport or an athlete.
  • 3. User inputs the URL into a companion device or scans the QR code with a QR code reader built into the device.
  • 4. The companion device shows the web page from the URL or the QR code to the user.
• Note:
  • This web page also contains additional links to information about the Olympic Games. User can navigate beyond the sport or the athlete by following these links.

1.1.4 UC4: ...about commercials by searching the Web

• Brief description:
  • User gets additional information related to commercials broadcast during TV programs by manually inputting key word search terms into a search engine on a companion device.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Manufacturer
  • Sponsor
  • Search Engine Service
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster airs a commercial during the TV program.
  • 3. Broadcaster displays and/or voices over key words tied to the commercial.
  • 4. User inputs the key words into a search engine on a companion device.
  • 5. Search Engine Service shows a list of links on the companion device. The link to the web page tied to the commercial is shown at the top of the list.

1.1.5 UC5: ...about commercials from supplied URLs

• Brief description:
  • User gets additional information related to commercials broadcast during TV programs by manually inputting URLs or by scanning QR codes displayed on the TV screen into a companion device.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Sponsor
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster airs a commercial during the TV program which informs the user of a URL. This is done by displaying and/or announcing the URL string. This is also done by displaying a QR code.
  • 3. User inputs the URL into a companion device or scans the QR code with a QR code reader built into the device.
  • 4. The companion device shows the user the web page from the URL or the QR code.

1.2.1 UC6: ...by searching the Web

• Brief description:
  • User looks for additional information on products or services displayed in TV programs by searching the Web on companion devices, then purchases the products or services via the devices.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Search Engine Service
  • Online Vendor
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. User is curious about a product or service displayed in the TV program.
  • 3. User searches the Web for related information using Search Engine Service on a companion device. User uses key words of their own choice or from the TV program.
  • 4. Search Engine Service shows a list of links on the companion device.
  • 5. The list contains 1) links to manufactures' or service providers' web sites, and/or 2) links to Online Vendor that deals with the product or service, and/or 3) links to reviews of the product or service such as magazine articles, blog entries, micro-blog posts, and SNS pages.
  • 6. User selects a link of interest on the companion device, learns about the product or service in detail, and purchases the product or service via Online Vendor.

1.2.2 UC7: ...from supplied URLs

• Brief description:
  • User gets additional information on wineries contained in a TV program by manually inputting into a companion device URLs or by scanning QR codes displayed on the TV screen, then purchases products via the devices.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Online Vendor
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster displays a URL or a QR code tied to a wine or winery featured in the TV program.
  • 3. User inputs the URL into a companion device or scans the QR code with a QR code reader built into the device.
  • 4. The companion device shows the user the web page from the URL or the QR code.
  • 5. User buys the wine and/or other wines at the web site or via Online Vendor which the web page contains links to.

1.2.3 UC8: ...within commercials

• Brief description:
  • User gets additional information related to commercials broadcast during TV programs by manually inputting into a companion device URLs or by scanning QR codes displayed on the TV screen, then purchases products or services the commercials feature via the devices.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Online Vendor
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster airs a commercial during the TV program which informs the user of a URL. This is done by displaying and/or announcing the URL string. This is also done by displaying a QR code.
  • 3. User inputs the URL into a companion device or scans the QR code with a QR code reader built into the device.
  • 4. The companion device shows the user the web page from the URL or the QR code.
  • 5. User receives additional information about the products or services.
  • 6. User purchases the products or services at the web site or via Online Vendor which the web page contains links to.

1.3.1 UC9: ...on companion devices

• Brief description:
  • User watches videos such as previous episodes, episodes from other seasons of the TV program, or other TV programs featuring the same actors or similar themes via VOD services on the Web.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • VOD Service
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster displays a URL or a QR code tied to VOD Service that deals with the previous episode, episodes from other seasons of the TV program, and/or other TV programs featuring the same actors or similar themes .
  • 3. User inputs the URL into a companion device or scans the QR code with a QR code reader built into the device.
  • 4. The companion device shows the user the web page of the VOD Service from the URL or the QR code.
  • 5. User purchases and watches videos via VOD Service.

1.4.1 UC10: ...using companion devices

• Brief description:
  • User joins promotional campaigns organised by broadcasters to win prizes.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster displays a URL or a QR code tied to a promotional campaign.
  • 3. User inputs the URL into a companion device or scans the QR code with a QR code reader built into the device.
  • 4. The companion device shows the user the web page of the promotional campaign from the URL or the QR code.
  • 5. User submits an entry into the promotional campaign via the companion device for the chance to win a prize and the broadcaster recieve the user's entry.

1.5.1 UC11: ...by posting interesting comments on the Web

• Brief description:
  • User finds an interesting scene on a TV program and sends comments to share his or her impressions with his or her friends on a companion device by e-mail, SMS or micro-blog.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • User/Friend
  • E-mail Service
  • SMS
  • Micro-blog Service
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. User finds an interesting scene in the TV program.
  • 3. User uses a companion device to share his or her impressions with his or her friends by e-mail, SMS or micro-blog.
  • 4. Friend receives the user's comment on a companion device.
  • 5. Friend acts on the user's comment and watches the TV program on his or her TV set.
• Extensions:
  • 5a. If the user's original comment is negative, the friend may or may not watch the program.

1.5.2 UC12: ...in a virtual living room

• Brief description:
  • A group of users arrange to view a TV program remotely and enjoy the program as though they were together in a living room by using e-mail, SMS or micro-blog on a companion device.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • User/Friend
  • E-mail Service
  • SMS
  • Micro-blog Service
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. A group of users plan on their companion devices to view a TV program together but remotely.
  • 2. Each user starts watching the TV program on their own TV set.
  • 3. The users share their impressions of scenes of interest via e-mail, SMS or micro-blog. An active dialogue between users ensues.

1.6.1 UC13: ...with hashtags of related topics

• Brief description:
  • User posts and shares their impressions of a TV program publicly on a micro-blog using a popular hashtag via companion devices.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Micro-blog Service
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User finds an interesting scene in a TV program.
  • 2. User identifies a popular hashtag on a micro-blog for the TV program provided by other users, the Web, or the TV program.
  • 3. User posts his or her impressions publicly using the hashtag on a micro-blog via a companion device.
  • 4. Other users of the micro-blog find the user's post by using the hashtag and join the public discussion.

1.6.2 UC14: ...with supplied hashtags

• Brief description:
  • User publicly posts their impressions of a TV program or opinions on topics under discussion about the program via companion devices on a micro-blog using hashtags provided by the broadcaster. Some posts are presented in the TV program and enable the users to actually participate in creating the broadcast content.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Micro-blog Service
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster promotes hashtags on the TV program and encourages users to post via companion devices their comments on the TV program or topics under discussion using these hashtags on a micro-blog.
  • 3. User posts his or her comment on the micro-blog with the hashtags via a companion device.
  • 4. Broadcaster selects user's comments after filtering the micro-blog postings with the hashtags.
  • 5. Broadcaster displays for all viewers some user's comments in the program.

1.7.1 UC15: ...after learning about interesting features of the programs via the Web

• Brief description:
  • User comes across an enticing description about a TV program on the Web via a companion device and watches the TV program on a TV set.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User comes across an enticing description about a TV program on the Web via a companion device.
  • 2. User watches the TV program on a TV set.
• Note:
  • This is a generic use case. The Web has long been providing numerous ways to discover TV content and the editors see no reason to write a use case for each specific way users can discover TV programming on the Web at the time of publication of this document.

1.8.1 UC16: ...through quizzes or questionnaires

• Brief description:
  • Broadcaster provides quizzes or questionnaires on a companion as the program progresses and superimposes a selection of user responses or statistical results on TV screens.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Manufacturer
  • Online Survey Service
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching an interactive TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster promotes interactive aspects of the TV program available through a companion device application.
  • 3. User activates the application to particpate interactively with the TV program on a companion device.
  • 4. Broadcaster provides quizzes or questionnaires in the application as the program progresses.
  • 5. User inputs their choices or answers and submits them to the broadcaster.
  • 6. Broadcaster compiles the responses and superimposes a selection of the responses and/or other statistical results on TV screens.
• Note:
  • Broadcaster and Online Survey Service may partner to provide this use case.

1.8.2 UC17: ...by voting and/or participating in a poll

• Brief description:
  • Broadcaster invites users to cast votes and/or participate in a poll. User interacts via companion devices.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Manufacturer
  • Online Survey Service
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching an interactive TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster promotes interactive aspects of the TV program available through a companion device application.
  • 3. User activates the application to participate interactively with the TV program on a companion device.
  • 4. Broadcaster invites users to cast votes and/or participate in a poll.
  • 5. User inputs their choices and/or answers and submits them to the broadcaster.
  • 6. Broadcaster compiles the responses and superimposes a selection of the responses and/or other statistical results on TV screens.
• Note:
  • Broadcaster and Online Survey Service may partner to provide this use case.

1.8.3 UC18: ...by sending photos and messages

• Brief description:
  • Broadcaster displays photos and messages posted by users with companion devices.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • Manufacturer
  • Photo Sharing Service
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching an interactive TV program on a TV set.
  • 2. Broadcaster promotes interactive aspects of the TV program available through a companion device application.
  • 3. User activates the application to participate interactively with the TV program on a companion device.
  • 4. Broadcaster invites users to post photos and messages.
  • 5. User submits their content to the broadcaster.
  • 6. Broadcaster compiles then superimposes a selection of the posts on TV screens.
• Note:
  • Broadcaster and Photo Sharing Service may partner to provide this use case.

1.9.1 UC19: ...by transferring TV program or channel information from device A to device B

• Brief description:
  • User watches a TV program on device A (typically a TV set) and continues on a different device (a kitchen TV set, a tablet, ...) upon changing their location. Note that device A and device B can be any TV set, tablet, phone.
• Primary actor:
  • User
• Stakeholders:
  • Broadcaster
  • VOD Service
  • Manufacturer
• Basic flow:
  • 1. User is watching a TV program on device A
  • 2. User decides to change their location but wants to continue viewing the TV program
  • 3. User interacts with device A to select an alternative viewing device option
  • 4. Available devices for viewing are proposed to the user
  • 5. User selects device B
  • 6. The TV program stops playing on device A. The TV program resumes playing on device B via either broadcast or VOD Service
• Note:
  • Service providers in this use case determine if the video actually starts, or is ready to start but needs a specific user action on device B.

4.1.1 Package 1: UC3 Variation Using ACR

An easy way to explain the benefits of ACR is to vary an existing use case. Here we simplify Package 1: UC3 above to illustrate ACR's potential effect on our use cases.

• Package 1: UC3: Get detailed information on the Olympic Games
  • Basic description:
    • User receives additional information on content broadcast from the Summer Olympic Games by activating ACR apps available on companion devices.
  • Basic flow:
    • 1. User is watching the Summer Olympic Games on a TV set.
    • 2. User activates an ACR app available on a companion device. Following the result of scene recognition by the ACR app, the companion device displays either content from the portal of the Olympic Games web site or detailed information about the sport being viewed.
  • Note:
    • This ACR app also contains additional links to information about the Olympic Games. User can navigate beyond the sport or the athlete by following these links.