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SymbolShifters Embeds Digital Gateway In Traditional Television Broadcast
[December 22, 2014]

SymbolShifters Embeds Digital Gateway In Traditional Television Broadcast


SymbolShifters, a new US company, has patented a method for connecting traditional television broadcast to the digital universe of computers, tablets and mobile phones.

The technology briefly embeds a scannable code, such as a QR, in the video stream. The consumer does not scan the icon, and may not even notice it. The data linked to the icon is automatically harvested and stored locally.

Information that can be linked includes localized coupons, digital brochures and URLs. The data can be selected according to user preferences or viewing patterns. In addition, the information can include code that triggers a variety of actions, depending on the configuration at the consumer end. Ths might include connectivity to social media (for example, a Facebook (News - Alert) "Like" function), or an "Add to Cart" linked to the consumer's online shopping cart.



SymbolShifters technology also enables set-by-set analytics, recording viewer behavior in a detail that is otherwise hard to obtain with traditional broadcast media.

Full exploitation of the SymbolShifters technology will require minor hardware configurations at the consumer end, depending on the functions sought. These might include a dongle, app, or download to the set top box, and the use of programmable buttons on the viewer's remote or equivalent technology.


President of SymbolShifters, Ted Hartson, said: "We're looking for the industry partner that recognizes the enormous potential of this technology. Effectively, we've broken the barrier between traditional television and the digital world. Whoever controls this will have a major competitive advantage over those who don't."

Co-founder Walt Ciciora added: "There's a lot of talk about the migration of TV audiences to online platforms like Netflix and Amazon. But millions continue to watch traditional television and will for years to come. Our technology ensures that so long as it lasts, traditional TV can enjoy some of the benefits of digital connection to the consumer."

The SymbolShifters team will be attending CES (News - Alert) in January, and will be available in Las Vegas to provide private demonstrations of the technology.

For more information, please visit SymbolShifters.com.


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