Sport events, games and talk shows are just a few examples of possible iTV applications. The LiveLink system delivers added value to TV viewers, TV broadcast stations and TV producers. The latter can differentiate themselves from similar programmes, and thereby avoid the current pressure of the sector. The TV broadcast station benefits from higher television ratings and stronger customer loyalty.
Product placement is another possible application. Through the decreasing effect of the classical advertisement, this form becomes more and more important. The LiveLink system can for example be integrated into an action movie. The TV viewer can receive more information about the displayed car via the remote control. This results in an obtained higher attention for the car producer and additional advertisement incomes for the TV broadcast station.
The LiveLink system consists of a variety of components that can be adjusted to the particular usage site of the TV studio.
A novel object tracking system makes this functionality possible. Small infrared transmitters, the so-called LiveLinks, can be attaced for example at a guest of a talk show. An infrared camera, the so-called LiveCam, detects the synchronous positions of the LiveLinks.
The heart of the LiveLink system is the LiveStation. It is responsible for the co-ordination of the data generated by the LiveLink and the LiveCam as well as for the broadcasting of that data.