HIC TV: facilitator for interactive shopping via television and radio

• Grant number: 01/13398-5
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2002
• End date: July 31, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Telecommunications
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Ricardo Drummond
• Grantee: Pedro Ricardo Drummond
• Company: Celeritas Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda
• City: São Paulo

Abstract

The present project aims to develop a device (HIC TV) which will enable television and radio transmission shopping, and interactivity in television and radio programs. The functions are carried out via high-frequency audio communication from the receiving apparatus previously installed in a particular place by the customer (TV and radio) to the device that is the object of the present project. In this way, in a TV transmission in which a product is offered for sale, the product information is transmitted together with the audio signal (voice or music) of the advertisement. These signals are of a frequency close to the limits of human hearing and are received by the device, which shows the product name and its price in a liquid crystal display or on the TV screen, via its own character generator. If the user wishes to acquire the product, he presses a key on the device, which in turn will raise an automatic purchase order or will initiate contact with the help desk of the company selling the goods, using the telephone line. Enabling interactivity, the device can be used for the measurement of TV or radio audiences, for the participation in question and answer programs, and for the participation in TV or radio surveys, amongst other applications. It is important to point out that both objectives can be achieved without the need for any high cost installation in the user’s environment. No installation is necessary to special access to any data network, whether internet or any other, not even the replacement of the television set with another model. HIC TV is simple to install, low cost and permits shopping users to enjoy the advantages it offers. (AU)