iPhone/Android SDK

TvTak Software Development Kit

The TvTak iPhone/Android Software Development Kit allows third-party developers, advertisers and media companies to enable instant TV check-ins on their TV Companion Apps, bookmarking TV content and triggering events in synch with the TV broadcast.

The viewer points his iPhone at the TV screen, and TvTak detects the show or the commercial within one second.

TvTak SDK is a set of software libraries to include in the mobile device application; it gives developers the opportunity to include features for instant detection of video and recognition of TV programs and commercials.

TvTak SDK is extremely easy to integrate; it usually requires a programmer a couple of hours of work

How Video Recognition Works

TvTak uses a unique sophisticated patent-pending technology to identify TV content by pointing the camera of the smartphone at the television set.

TvTak video recognition algorithms are real-time, operate on any television set with no specific set-up box or connection, and do require to watermark the original video before broadcast.

On the smartphone, when the user points at the TV, TvTak first detects the surface of the television display, and then computes an identifier of the video playing on the TV with its unique graphical characteristics.
Matching:This identifier computed on the smartphone is then compared to source identifiers from two reference databases:
- TV Check-Ins -In the back-office, TvTak has dedicated boxes that receive all the broadcast TV channels. Video is not recorded but only analyzed in real-time to produce the reference matching identifiers.
- TV Cues – for ad spots, movie trailers, or any other pre-recorded content, reference IDs can be generated in advance.

Interact on TV Programs

TvTak offers new types of direct engagement with viewers that promote loyalty and sharing.

See something that interests you? TV producers can create an immediate call to action on the smartphone or tablet. Users can “spread the word” with spontaneity and no hassle.

Uses

1. Social TV : One click to share what you are watching with Facebook, Twitter or Email. TVTvTak is the fastest way to tell your friends what you’re watching. Point at your TV with your iPhone, and you get the channel and the name of the show written automatically, a perfectly scaled, zoomed, and cropped picture of your TV display and the ability to add an icon with your mood; with one click, you can either post it instantly or add a personal comment.
2. Gamification of the TV viewing experience : Reward viewers for checking-in at a particular instant of a live sports match, a major event broadcast or a pre-recorded TV show. Points, badges, trophies and more are unlocked when a viewer points to the TV at the right moment. Create deep engagement with the video content.
3. Augmented TV : TvTak leverages the existing elements of a TV advertising campaign by providing an augmented reality layer with graphic overlays displaying in synch with the TV or online video. Each device’s detection history is known and the feed can change based on number of engagements, consumer location or how the live programming evolves.

Interactive TV Ads

TvTak offers new types of direct engagement between viewers and advertisers.

See something that interests you? Advertisers can create an immediate call to action with spontaneity and no hassle. Watching an inspiring commercial; see it, point and click to call, to get more info, or download a cool app sponsored by the brand.

Call-to Action on Commercials : One-click to call to a telemarketing service, one-click to like on a Facebook page, one-click to watch a YouTube clip, one-click to register in a sweepstakes or one-click to land into an e-commerce page or collect coupons.

Straight-to-the-Product

Point at your TV when you see the ad for that sleek new car, click to get performance or safety details about the vehicle, or the nearest place to take a test drive.

Watching an inspiring commercial; see it, point and click. Download a unique app from the App Store with exclusive content about sponsored concerts or sporting events. This is a good way to win customer loyalty and give the consumer added value.

TvTak is a win-win for the consumer and advertiser.

App Showcase

onTV is an example of an app showcasing TvTak Video Recognition technology. You can check how the technology works with pre-recorded cues of “commercials” with instant call-to-action landing pages, recognition of TV shows in broadcast TV channels in the UK, France and Netherlands.

The onTV APP can be downloaded from the Apple App Store "click on this link" or search for “onTV identifier” in the Apple AppStore.

A tutorial, link to the video content and other information can be found on onTV website ontv.meimark.com