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Sustainability is a significant term. Nonetheless, the role is specific to environmental sustainability, on a sociological and economic sustainability context.
In the market, the “green” initiative has been an area of debate, conjecture and development for many, many years. As media technologies have developed, green marketing initiatives have been refined and convayed in an increasingly narrow context.
In the 1970’s, melbournians where involved with many of environmental movements, including conference festival otherwise known as confest. This festival has continued for many years, whilst I was younger I also attended with a significant troop of friends.
Many of the lead speakers within the current environment, could be identified as “dark green” activists, as they often refuse to listen to science or claim to understand it, whilst talking about broad topics with little specification, with the best of intentions as they continue their activitism with a goal of healing the world from its evils.
It is a fact that our economic, social and political environment currently rely’s upon the use of non-renewable resources. It is also a fact that these non-renewable resources are assisting Australia’s economic platform, as it continues to operate in a largely materialistic social environment, sustaining our cultures economic mechanisms; allowing us to be clothed, have shelter, be feed and have the opportunity of good health-care and the ability to support a family.
In the last 50 years, technology has made products much more available to consumers. It is unlikely that retail economics will change dramaticially in the next 50 years. Therefore, it is essential that we find better ways to use our resources and prosper in an increasingly international social-economic environment.
The science, intellectual capacity and development of professional methods to develop solutions for our societies, when considering environmental sustainability, could be beneficially labelled “light green”; a term to describe the individual interested in creating solutions and actionable works, while still maintaining a good grip on the commercial mecahnics underpinning out society and methods to evolve it.
A History of Contribution
I find it difficult to remember the entire project’s I’ve been involved in overall, that’s why i’ve got this blog. Nonetheless, here are some of the more recent ones.
Sustainability and E-Learning
In 2008, made an investment into an organisation called “Global Green Plan”. The founders of the Global Green Plan, developed plans to establish a range of initiatives ranging from an educational curriculum established in Williamstown High School, through to the start-up works for local community centre, which was designed to provide a community engagement strategy, in-conjunction with the curriculum’s delivery. Other plans and under-performing products included green bins, energy companies, carbon concepts, etc. etc.
I worked on the project freely for a number of months (about six months), investing cash into the project to pay their phone-bills, and to sponsor the attendance in the world sustainable buildings conference in 2008, where they needed promotional materials and copies of the curriculum printed, as well as assistance for representation at their booth.
The tasks I completed throughout the period ranged from strategic, business consulting works developing new economic models for the business (aiming to turn the business around, into a cash-flow positive position) to cleaning the williamstown customs house building, in an effort to get it ready to open; as well as web-development and video transcoding to initiate the build of an e-learning platform, marketing and promotions capability for the firm and its proposed membership revenue business system.
Soon after my investment FujiXerox invested into the business, culminating the collective works with an event where Dame Elizabeth Murdoch was announced as the patron of the Global Green Plan, as part of a broader school based event with speakers locally and remotely, with speakers such as Penny Wong and Isabel Lucas. This event was also marketed in connection to a letter Dame Elizabeth wrote to Michelle Obama, requesting action on climate change.
As another consequence of this work, I held a consultation with Telstra Corporation, endavouring to produce a method for e-learning curriculum materials to be sponsored by Telstra, and for this platform to be made available to students, using a 24/7/365 wireless network card, integrated with the e-learning platform, as well as schools and the school based filter. The development of this proposed platform is a work in progress.
Energy Technology and Transportation
In 2003, I purchased a Series 1, XJ6 jaguar the last car manufactured by the founder, with the specific intention of replacing the drive-train system with more recent, Hybrid Technologies.
Between roles, and during any other downtime periods, I researched technologies that could offer a suitable platform overall.
I found Wheel Motor Technology, being developed in the University of Queensland as well as other companies overseas. Having had some experience with the CSIRO, I was aware of the battery based technology; however, I was also aware of the difficulties facing battery use in these environments, including; charge, tempreture, availability, recycling and non-renewable components used within the battery technology. So, I started to look at ways to generate enough electricity, and regulate the power input.
This later led me to investigate ultra-capacitors and Micro-Turbine Engines.
Turbines are extremely efficient at the right speed. They can also operate on a range of fuels, with relatively little modification. However, it is not suitable to spin them up and down, with acceleration and de-acceleration. Through the use of ultra capacitors, it would be possible to create a “power store”, where energy generated from the wheel motors, any heat-conversion and direct electricity produced from the proposed micro-turbine, could be used to power the vehicle.
As an effect, the turbine could then be computer controlled to operate at optimal efficiency, as required to power the drive train and maintain optimal charge in the ultra-capacitor array. Through chance, I met a lady from the CSIR (south african equivalent to the CSIRO) who suggested they might have some micro-turbine units available for use on this project. However the project never proceeded beyond these concepts.
Works were pursued with the US based LincVolt Project, who have been working with a South Australian company. I spoke to this firm on several occasions, seeking to further investigate these concepts; however not much really happened. Last time we spoke I was advised they were in the process of raising capital, which is a positive outcome for their works.
To summarise this experience, although I found advanced technologies that were capable, (with investment), to produce a conversion solution for existing vehicles; the commercial desire to create these forms of solutions for the existing vehicle market seems lacking in the local market. New vehicles featuring technologies sourced from overseas will, most likely, be the course of least resistance for the introduction of more sustainably powered vehicles for the local market.
Portable power and storage
I became aware of Hydrogen Fuel Cells from an associated company called manhattern scientific. The Company, based in the US had developed many patents for manufacturing Fuel Cells. Further research in the area later found another company called Horizon Fuel Cell, who started their commercialiastion works selling fuel-cell toys.
I have been investigating the possibility of using fuel-cell technology in rural areas, as a replacement for standardised battery power.
Family have an “off the grid” farm in country Victoria. The power system they use is based upon solar power, with a deep-cycle battery array, connected to an inverter. The difficulty with this system, as it has been installed (by solar experts), is that the batteries are housed underneath the solar panels, in an outdoor environment. Due to this, the battery life span is decreased; batteries are ideally stored in a controlled environment of about 20c.
Their farm, and many like it, has dam water. Using an electrolizer and fuel-cell technology, is a plausable method to consider. The proces, would essentially use the solar panels to generate stored hydrogen, which can then be converted back to water (using fuel-cells) providing electricity at times where no solar power is directly available.
I have been discussing this concept with Horizon Fuel Cells, and we are working on a suitable solution to test this theorem.
In summary, this project aims to consider a suitable renewable solution for the storage of energy in the form of hydrogen. In doing so, it is believed that the solution will both generate clean water and electricity, from a stored potential energy state.
Related to this work is additional research into LED and OLED based lighting systems, as well as other appliances that lower the overall use of energy in the household.
Similarly, heating and cooling systems are being researched with a friends father (who started bramar), at this time I have a particular interest in finding out more information, about the mechanisms and power requirements of heat-pump’s.
Urban Water Use
Melbourne has recently been through a property boom. Our population has increased by between 800,000 and 900,000 people within the last ten years. Having worked within the offices of one of the largest Victorian property developers, who has been a key party in the development of environmental leaders in Australia, I am astutely aware of the infrastructure implications this population growth has on the broader local territory.
Sometime in the start of 2006, an English committee was engaged from the UK, to advise Melbourne water on new water management and efficiency initiatives. The leader for this Team is my partners direct reletive and, one day, while he swam in our pool, I was able to discuss some of my ideas in this area.
Bottled Water, and the export of water seemed like an unsuitable business for an environment struggling with a lack of water resources. Post my discussion, the news article discussing their trip, featured a picture of the CTO for Melbourne water, drinking a bottle of Melbourne water, perhaps unrelated, nonetheless humorous.
I also have a idea, about the treatment and recapture of stormwater. Through discussions with a local water manager, I became aware of the difficult issue of the water company apparently not being able to get an EPA license to treat storm water, in some environments.
With an increase of concrete, roofing and other systems for run-off into the storm-water. The produces an effect where less water soaks into the ground, as the concrete replaces the natural environment; a simultanious effect, caused by subdivision and other drivers caused by urbanisation; relates to humidity, as the mechanisms for precipitation within urban environments changes. One key element includes the process where more water, being stored or moved to underground water-tight drainage systems, where it cannot re-articulate back into the local environmental system. Another is the use of pre-existing swamp land and river areas, for urban housing, which drains into the other issue.
Water tanks provide a significant step towards responding to this issue, however as a renter I’m forced to watch my 50 year old fruit trees die in the yard, without any owner interest in implementing such technology. To continue to find ways to respond to this issue, further work surrounding the opportunity to reclaim storm-water and its use within localised parks, gardens and council areas, seems like an ideal method to continue to improve efficiency of our storm-water grid, in association to environmental management.
However my ideas in this area continue to develop and solid solutions haven’t really been identified as yet, beyond the initial ideas.
Geographic Mapping
Councils seem to obtain information about trees, when ther’re scheduled to be taken down. It is also my experience that older trees can become diseased. It was my experience, when living in Balwyn, that a tree chopper (I know their called aborists) continually left me cards, offering to cut down my trees. As a result of the successful work by the aborist around the local area, I developed a new initiatives I mapped into the e-learning project; (which was not further developed) was to do a tree census.
The concept of a “tree census” would be to provide a database of native flora, which can be used to more effectively manage the local flora population. Trees assist with carbon, as well as precipitation. When replacing trees with concrete, the environmental factors within the environment change.
I was recently paid to go and record on camera, the Natural Climate Change Conference.
This was brought together by the old Dean for mathematics, of Monash University. He was fighting to get some form of public recognition for the findings of his work, related to some very specific elements of climate science. With so much climate science in the media, it seemed that there were many experts who were not being effectively represented, due to their specific knowledge in the area; and, related specifications about the terminology, and the problems that related to each term, specifically.
Through his presentation, I learnt about solar flares and how they produce climate effects on the earth. I also learnt about solar cycles. Their discussion particularly related to the natural climate cycles, and new scientific findings in this area.
They were specific in their suggestions that urbanised areas create different environmental micro-climates, as opposed to broader “un-touched” environments. Nonetheless, they were particularly frustrated, that the news publicised every possible environmental issue as an effect of climate change. Climate change, however, is a very specific topic within a broader group of environment and sustainability issues. Climate itself, is affected by these issues, but is not directly related to the poor use of un-renewable resources, clearing of forests, development of ecologically beneficial technology and all such aspects emboded within the context of environmental sustainability.
GreenTV
There is no sustainability TV Channel. I’ve been working on one slowely, but it is taking time. One of my clients / friends in Dubai wants to hold a Dubai Environmental Sustainability Film Festival which I’ve been assisting him with developing conceptually and operationally.
Game Concept Overview
Dreamtime is a quest and/or puzzle orientated computer game, distributed on leading platforms such as PC, Xbox360, Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3 or the platforms that are created in the next generation.
The Dreamtime game, is proposed to be embodied as an adventure game. The player creates a profile as a type of individual, representating a family and community member within a common Aboriginal community; and is presented with an immersive, story telling world where the users growth is governed by their ability to adapt and understand the environment around them.
The player starts within a community, and is required to learn key concepts concerning the lifestyle, beliefs and role they play in their tribal society as a contributor to the community. Once initial challenges have been met, the player goes “walkabout”. This offers the player an opportunity to visit, meet and get involved in other communities around Australia.
The Game-Play Challenges
In a manner not dissimilar to the iconic story orientated games of Kings Quest, Myth, Space Quest, Monkey Island, Legend of Zelda and Fable, the game Dreamtime, presents the player with an immersive world where they are required to successfully accomplish interactive stories, or tasks, that collectively contribute towards the game-players statistics and achievements in the game. The game is progressively developed for the user, based on what they’ve already achieved in the game. To begin with, simple aspects are available whilst in latter parts of the games storyline, more complex tasks or puzzles are opened up, requiring knowledge developed from prior accomplishments.
The Storyline
The Storyline will be developed through the participation and contributions of the Aboriginal society. The setting is Australia, prior to European Settlement, where Aboriginal people were part of the land, living in a manner untouched by European values and influences.
Through the participation of Aboriginal communities across Australia, it is envisaged that the game will create a historically accurate, interactive, participatory environment where the dreamtime and culture of Aboriginal communities throughout Australia can be embrased by the world of game-players.
It is envisaged that the game will be delivered in a manner that provides staged presentations at key intervals of the players progress. Within these stages, “dreamtime” stories would be presented to the user, representing the stories passed down by the generations of the real-world communities, in a way that assists the players’ progress in the game to the next level (of knowledge and gameplay).
Commercial concepts
Commercial Market
The game aims to be distributed internationally on a range of platforms.
The game would initially be distributed on PC and consoles, with extensions to the game concept being available on mobile gaming platforms. As the product’s scope is a game that provides character development based on the accomplishment of “dreamtime” story orientated puzzles, it is plausable to provide an online account where users can play on a range of devices, contributing to their overall “gamer profile”, where statistics and achievements would be listed.
Content development and Research
Aboriginal people had different territories throughout Australia, where differentiated cultural aspects ensued. Information pertaining to these individual cultures is somewhat available, however I am currently unsure as to whether the relevent information is available in a suitable format for use over the entire, potential scope of the project.
In order to fairly and effectively develop an archive of knowledge that can be used to generate game-play elements, Aboriginal communities across Australia should be engaged to assist by providing the stories and cultural learnings that will make up the game and the gameplay lifecycle. Using modern technology, it is viable to produce a gaming environment that can be extended with content downloads, after the title has been released to the market. Nonetheless, the broad functionality of the game needs to be published within the initial content package, embodied within the titles software.
Inorder to effectively document and aquire cultural information, it is suggested that the community is engaged and content acquisition is managed, by a team. This team would be responsible for accumulating stories, environmental information and other anthropological data as required by a commercial game development team/s, to turn the dreamtime stories and cultural information into an interactive gaming world.
Corporate Formulation
The Title is designed to assist the Aboriginal people of Australia, and their assistance will be crucial to the success of the game, through the collection of information for the manufacture of the gaming environmnet. In Return for developing a successful game, it is envisaged that a Not for Profit (NFP) entity would be established.
As this not-for-profit entity develops, and as the game becomes commercially lucrative – it is envisaged that this NFP entity would transition from an initial purpose of collecting and holding copywrite for the cultural information gained from throughout the community, towards a new operational business involving investments into Aboriginal Communities for the purpose of exposing its native culture to world markets. This proposed firm, would manage licensing revenues by investing in and contributions towards the on-going economic support for ensuring Aboriginal culture remains a “living” culture. I would like to see funds put towards the benefit of aboriginal communities in a way that brings about a ubiquity in aboriginal culture and what the aboriginal people, felt was most important. Nonetheless, the game must provide a satisfactory commercial return for investors and continued development; and, it will take a lot of good work to make this successful.
Game Engineering Concept
The Game engine needs to be able to represent 3-dimentional representations of geographic territories, at a range of levels. A user should be able to browse Australia as a whole; identifying which specific territory they wish to further investigate while, upon selection, also providing the capacity to interact with a local environment in a first-person perspective.
The Game Engine developed should be made in such a way that it is extendable, with additional content modules. These modules should use a standardised specification, as to provide the opportunity for contributions to the overall environment. Althought the initial focus is Australia and the Aboriginal culture, it is envisaged that upon success the concept could be more broadly applied to other territories around the world where indigenous cultures are less ubiquitous in modern-day lifestyle and communications. Internet access will be a key ingredient in the use of this platform, as it provides the game a method to extend the world and its incorporated “dreamtime” stories, as they become available; and, as funding continues to become available through the sale of game, for further development.
An Immersive Environment
Story telling is also a great art harboured within the creative film industry. I am continuing to consider how filmmakers and game makers could work together on this project, to provide a suitably immersive “dreamtime” environment. It is key to the game, that it looks immaculate, in its visual presentation. There are significant opportunities to also immerse traditional songs and other audio content as part of the experience.
Advanced gameplay and dreamtime puzzles
Almost every concept found within a culture can be described and/or represented to a player as a puzzle. By associating this concept to “dreamtime” stories, the cultural learnings of the Aboriginal people, would be captured from participating groups, and converted into game-play aspects. A good game ensures the player feels forfilled throughout the process of playing it, achieving goal, and moving to a new “level”. In this case, the gameplay is embodied within the story, which has some form of learning outcome found through interaction.
Game Developers are expertly trained at manufacturing gaming environments, and increasingly visual art. However game developers will require content, and a process for acceptance is also envisaged to be necessary to ensure the output is not misrepresentatal to the origin of the story, in a way that misguided.
Economic Effect
It is envisaged that this title, embodying the subject matter effectively in a way that can be successfully marketed to the world, would significantly benefit the Aboriginal culture and our modern understanding of that culture, and its representation in international markets. This historical platform of traditional Australia, could change opinions of Australia in a global market. Sorry, is an important word, however ensuring Aboriginal Culture remains a Living counterpart to the Australian Presence, is much more important.
Film and Social Contributions
The research project will present an opportunity to produce TV or film orientated content, surrounding the production of the game. It is also envisaged that locals could be offered a range of opportunities to participate in the production, providing a range of additional training opportunities in the process.
Related Marketing Concepts
It is envisaged that the game will include a number of cinemagraphic scenes, describing context and associted immersive scenes.
Industry Participation
There is a title called “earth”, which was produced with the assistance of advertising agencies and brands around the world, which was then freely distributed. Although the objective is not to freely distribute the principle output of this project; there is likely an opportunity to present branding and sponsorship support in assocation to the games software environment, but not within the game itself. Any brands and/or corporations known to be contributing to the Game would be rewarded with brand assocaition, to a game that attempts to bring to life indigenous culture. Therefore, as a method for brands, and industry to engage a commercial opportunity to support the community; it is envisaged that this project will provide a palletable opportunity. This is especially the case if and as a successful community development strategy takes form, in relation to the previously mentioned NFP Structure.
A Collaborative Work
The commercialisation strategy ideally provides a framework for wide-spread participation; in-turn, creating a brand that can be cross-marketed, and promoted across a diverse range of Australian and international groups.
As referenced earlier, one of the technical objectives is to build and/or use a game-engine, designed to provide the opportunity for modular development. Through the application of a modular development environment, with a relevant certification process; the commercial method may lend itself to distributed development, with a variety of development agencies.
Technology and Potential Applications (other than the “dreamtime” game)
There is potential for the body of work to be used in education environments and other spaces where immersive environments can be displayed. An example would be a digital planetarium or lecture theatre with digital projector; where the application could be modified to suit an instructor-led tutorial or exhibit.
Another potential application is the development of a framework for delivering a historical, interactive video application that compiles and represents content in a mapping orientated manner. Through the development of a computer game, a computer rendered environment would be produced that may be used for a variety of applications, at a range of complexity levels.
Another idea, is that it may be produced in a manner that provides the means to string-together stories using basic text-orientated strings (ie: XML) that uses a language or XML Schema, designed to allow the production of a story, based on referencing a group of objects, rules and linear gameplay processes. However, I am not sure if this is similar to existing game development processes. In such a design, it would be envisaged that the elements produced would be archived in a database structure for application and re-application into a range of environments. This mechanism is envisaged to be similar to the method used for second-life, however considerably different in the quality of rendering; and commercially different by instituting a process of validation prior to application within any applicable game environment.
In summary: I think this is a great idea that deserves support. If you are able to support the project, please do not hesitate to contact me on +61 3 93911164.
With the introduction of all these social networks, the use of instant messaging has changed. The behaviour of using an instant messaging system is changing. There are multiple facets to this change.
Some of the key aspects include;
1. Mobile phones (with Data allowance)
Integrating with Online Social Network Systems. Some with VOIP capibilities, other integrate with contact databases, whilst others again compile completely different lists of users.
2. Social network websites
Lots of them. Plaxo, Linkedin, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, MSN Spaces and the others.
So – The question becomes – How exactly does one track, from a contacts point of view, the activities across these networks?
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Key Functions
1. Syndicated Feeds – informing the user of all the goings on, segmented, made into a useful feed of information.
2. Online Messaging. As application interfaces continue to evolve, instant messaging is a communication feature made available throughout these application interfaces.
Application interfaces;
Instant Messenger like.
Ability to read feeds from different applications
Ability to segment what types of feeds you want. qualified by type, format, application, etc.
Ability to use the system on multiple devices
Ability to have instant messaging
Ability to send messages via different platforms
I’ll keep thinking about it.
These Images describe different components of the digital video file lifecycle.
these diagrams assume a basic understanding of computer systems. Understanding these parts of the video lifecycle can help to better understand how and what is going wrong with any particular video files. It can also be used to produce better video files.
The encoding process is just an example developed some years ago. it is not designed to be a leading-edge or particular method.
Name: Timothy Holborn
Email address: timothy.holborn@theitvcompany.com.au
Mobile: 03 9857 4486
AIMIA Membership Number: NA.
Idea 1
Describe the concept:
It is a framework for enabling, managing and monetising interactive content channel, and advertising supported content delivery over IP to Consumer Electronics Devices. The contribution being an operational IPTV framework that provides the ability for “channel providers” to enhance their TV offering through the delivery of multimedia over IP, utilising the TV-Anytime Specification, and related technologies, products and services.
What makes this so unique?
This ‘concept’ is targeted at increasing economic value and turnover for digital content and related markets. It is also designed to provide an “open standard”, which is developed in collaboration with international regions.
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
This provides more choices to consumers, whilst providing revenue to content creators and targeted community exposure to SME advertisers.
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
The system charges channel providers for products and services including the transport of media to ISP’s. ISP’s are also charged (Mb’s or GB’s).
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
The framework needs to be converted into an organisation with Agreements, a Team and a Test-Bed.
Idea 2
Describe the Concept
An Internet Based Video Player, powered by a Search Engine. The Video player uses a range of search technologies to source and display videos from across the internet. Users could vote, skip, and select from “channels” (”genres”, top viewed, etc.), which the search-engine could sort via meta-data found in association to the content sources, and internal DB entries built up by the system.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
No
What makes this so unique?
It plays full screen video, based on search-engine results with minimal user input. A user skip videos, and refine selection criteria but it is not a video archive, it is a video player, which finds the content using search technology
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
Global
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It provides a new type of TV like experience on the web.
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
Advertising, text and image overlays as well as TVCs being inserted into “playlists”, of search related video-output.
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
Patent (if possible) build, test, commercialise. It is an idea, with some technical structure.
Idea 3
Describe the Concept
A multi-path video compilation for distribution over web, interactive broadcast and blu-ray DVD. The Storyline is developed in stages by teams. Each Team is able to produce a segment. The Team segments that receive the highest viewer votes are selected as the basis for new segments. Each Segment is 5 minutes. The completed story line can be up to 40 minutes in duration.
There is one initial segment. The winner gets to write, produce and direct the final segment.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
No
What makes this so unique
It’s a “choose your own adventure” soon to be available on TV experience. Users participate to direct the storyline of the multi-path TV styled presentation
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
The 16 to 38 age bracket.
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It provides them a brand-new TV experience.
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
Revenue Model is advertising based; with a secondary source via distribution sales.
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
This concept needs to be developed from its initial concept, to delivery.
Idea 4
Describe the Concept
Codename: Green TV, it is a multi-platform media station that delivers environmental and sustainability related Video centric content to viewers. It provide a “channel” that is dedicated to the environment, sustainability and related issues. It would leverage the best available technologies to enable low-cost production and distribution of community content, from across Australia.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
NO.
What makes this so unique
The “channel” is unique by the fact that it focuses on the Environment and sustainability, something that there is no Foxtel Channel supporting. It is also unique by the way in which the channel landscape is set-up, facilitating functionality aliened to YouTube, with community involvement, patination TV opportunities and a global content catalogue of TV Content, for environmentally related issues.
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
People who are investigating and/or interested in sustainability
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It helps people to better understand what the crazy greenies are going on about, whilst supporting green business advertising, innovation and development
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
Advertising
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
From concept, to beyond; it needs to be built, I have some tools.
Idea 5
Describe the Concept
The Interactive Video Business Directory, is a web-based tool for the distribution of business video advertorials over multiple platforms. It enables digital video producers to sell their production services to business, whilst providing them a place for that content to be distributed. It forms the basis for sponsorship of distribution for other “creative” content, whilst facilitating small business exposure.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
No
What makes this so unique
Youtube and others offer advertising sponsored video hosting. This is sponsored video hosing for businesses who wish to advertise. It would incorporate tools for DIY, or Professional spaces being deployed, in a manner that is consistent with the needs for future IPTV services.
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
SME Sector
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It enables businesses to advertise with video, incorporated into genre compilations (like “weddings in vic”), and provide them the opportunity to sponsor other content.
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
Pay per view, depending on output platform, etc.
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
It needs to be built, marketed and commercialised.
IDEA 6
Describe the Concept
The “Worlds best DJ Competition” is a multi-platform, radio centric competition where participants enter and select a range of songs to “mix” via internet which are submitted for airplay and voted for by radio listeners. each radio station participates with music that is relevant to their normal programming. For example, Gold 104, would have a music archive of older classics, whereas JJJ would have principally Australian music.
After each “round”, winners are selected and the playlist is extended by another song. This process continues until there are a finalist “dj’s”, with an extended playlist. Votes continue to stream in, and a winner is found.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
No
What makes this so unique
It is a participation multi-platform radio product, incorporating digital music systems.
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
Radio, Music Industry, Radio Listeners
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It will enable the introduction of more recent music into radio, helping fledging artists
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
SMS, MP3 Sales, Advertising
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
It is a concept that needs to be turned into reality.
IDEA 7
Describe the Concept
Media Guide Networks is an online Channel Development Platform, for IPTV Services. It is sold to Channel providers. Channel providers are provided an API Specification, in which they can develop their own portals for video delivery. This API is consistent with the TV-Anytime Specification, and other technologies found in STB Devices, such as TiVo or the Teac HDRM7250. The Media guide provides the framework for multi-platform media delivery, with a specific interest in IPTV networks.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
No
What makes this so unique
It is designed to conform to international standard for Interactive IPTV / DVB Services.
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It provides the means to deliver archive content. it provides localised advertising capabilities, that can also support small businesses advertisers who want to sell advertise in very small territory foot-prints and/or for specific content titles.
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
Broadcast and rich media industry
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
Advertising, Channel Sales Income, Support agreements, Distribution of media assets across a managed CDN
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
Web-development to turn the specifications into a working prototype
IDEA 8
Streaming Platform, is a web-based Media Management system, incorporating Storage, Live Transco ding, Distribution, DRM, Meta-Data management, B2B Distribution Support, Library Services and a range of related functions. The Key components are in alpha stage of development, and the server equipment is already available.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
No
What makes this so unique
It enables the delivery of media in multiple web-formats, in a range of business models more cost-effectively than is otherwise available in the Australian market.
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It provides the network capability to Broadcast Live, to the globe on multiple formats at low-cost. It also provides the capability to optimise network distribution in local markets and transcode, manage and resell library assets at a reduced cost, whilst maintaining control over the video assets.
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
Media Industry
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
Cost per Minute Transcoded and Cost per GB distributed / Stored.
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
The Software Development (database and web development) needs to be done, and the servers need to be housed in a data-centre.
IDEA 9
Describe the Concept
A portable Live Webcasting system, for Local events. It revolutionises accessibility of media to our communities. Providing exposure and enhancing community relationships. The system uses satellite and server technology to achieve multi-platform output, up to D1 Resolution, globally.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
No
What makes this so unique
It provides the means for Live Transmission at high quality for low cost. Providing community events an and opportunity that they would otherwise not have available to them.
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
Community and SME
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It means that our community industry leaders can be provided global media coverage, providing support for their works. It also provides the means to generate more community advertising, and the opportunity for emerging media professionals to get more opportunities to produce media.
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
It costs about $1500 for the satellite + 310 GB of bandwidth. The production crew costs ~$300 per person ½ day. Equipment costs ~20k. There is a margin on these costs, advertising sponsors are sought.
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
Funding to acquire equipment and facilitate events whilst the revenue and advertising builds up
Idea 10
Describe the Concept
A SME iTV Advertising Production Group, which brings together the video production industry into a group for the purpose of producing low-cost advertising for the SME market that can be apply to evolving IPTV and iTV Opportunities.
It would incorporate a forum, possibly involving competitions, a website, networking events and conferences to educate video professionals about how to make video for digital platforms. It would encourage and foster industry take-up, providing leads to participating production and/or ad-agencies. It may also provide a Video Distribution Database that facilitates ad-management and on-licensing to publishing points.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
No
What makes this so unique?
It is an initiative that is aimed at ensuring every small business can use video to advertise their brand and related services.
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
Media Services, MFG’s + SME Sector
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It helps the video production market connect who in-turn support community through new media and related opportunities. The organisation operates in a manner that aims to compete directly with the cost of junk-mail development and distribution.
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
Referral charges, membership charges, distribution related charges, sponsorship, product related advertising revenue.
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
A body like AIMIA, needs to take it on, market it, and make it work.
Idea 11
Describe the Concept
A Full-Screen Video playing web-site, which is developed in flash and silver-light and delivers a full-screen video window from the point of entry. The Functionality is similar to TV, providing object-based menus, and there are a range of channels and other interactive features that are integrated into the player, which is connected to a video CMS, for database and channel management purposes.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
NO
What makes this so unique
It is a website, which looks like a TV Channel. No WebPages, just full-screen video, interactivity and navigation.
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
Consumer Market
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It provides a TV experience in a web-browser. TV-Anywhere. (Subject to licensing and media accessibility)
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
Advertising, Channel Sales, CDN Service On-Sales, Licensing Fees for Software or other.
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
I need someone who can help me connect my database to the silver-light application, using PHP and Jscript. As well as Further help from this point, to sustainability.
Idea 12
Describe the Concept
Myphonebox.com is a web-based Telephony Service. It provides a number, which is accessible by telephones and provides in-bound, out-bound, call-diversion, call-redirection, message-bank, facsimile receipt and send, and online calls via a web-browser. Like Hotmail, for telephony.
Is there anything like this in the marketplace today
No
What makes this so unique?
It provides the facilities required to make telephone calls via a web-page, as well as managing telephony services via a web-interface and re-direction of telephony to a internet accessible location.
Which market/demographic is it aimed at?
Office workers, Students without faxes, Start-ups
How does it change the lives of the people who use it?
It provides a single number, that can be redirected to any telephony or internet based device. For example, the number could be used on business cards and re-directed to the work mobile. if the employee gets fired, they move the redirection and communications continue. It Empowers people, to better maintain their own personal relationships.
Do you see a revenue model associated with the model? If so, what?
Licensing rev. via Telco partners or margin on supply costs.
What assistance is required to take it to the next step?
The System needs to be built, and sold to telecommunications providers on a partnership basis.
An Interactive Multimedia Business Directory – Systems, Methods and group of Application.
A brief description of the motivation and vision for the concept
I have been developing standardised interfaces for interactive TV. This work has been self funded. The outcome I sought is the ability to create interactive advertising, as well as making the same opportunity available to others.
Free iTV can be achieved through advertising sponsorship, as the content and exposure is more valuable to businesses than the value it provides home users, with internet alternatives. Therefore, this application provides a basis to create that advertising, for later sponsorship of content assets, distributed over IPTV networks. There are a number of “tricks” that makes this style of advertising mechanism more compelling than previously available methodologies, including advanced geo-targeting. Geo-Targeting enables localised advertising products and services to be sold to small to medium businesses, as a tool to pay for the delivery of on-demand content. My initial figures suggest that it would take 14 advertisers per hour, at a cost of 7c USD per advertiser, per user, to pay for the download of content, in a profitable manner. In Telecommunications terms, this means approximately 98 cents per user per hour of viewing. However, that model may be some time away.
In-order to develop a content repository, of participating businesses and related content asset; an interactive TV business directory would provide the framework required to cultivate this new industry, and the content it could produce. Once a mass of content has been developed, it can then be applied to entertainment and educational content, for sponsored delivery.
I believe this product, is a method and system, providing tools that are required in-order to substantiate the development of business advertorial products and services, by content developers.
I believe that in the future, every business will have interactive TV Advertising made available to them, in an affordable way.
A short personal or company presentation (competences, references and, if appropriate, areas of activity, number of employees, sales figures, form of company, etc.)
The iTV Company Pty. Ltd. is an Australian private company limited by shares. It currently has a sole director, being myself – Timothy Holborn. I have an advanced international network of professionals who are highly skilled in the area of IPTV. Provided funding, these resources can be activated. Further information about me can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/ubiquitous
The company has been facilitating a process of research and development, which has not required significant operational resources. It has been difficult to attract investment in Australia for the projects undertaken by the company; including but not limited to, a low-cost live webcasting technology; and, an online media management featuring a live Transcoding and distribution system, to any format / broadband connected device; and, an international standard for interactive TV.
The company’s focus is upon interactive TV technologies and the application of such technologies on broadcast and broadband networks, in an economically useful manner.
Concept Proposal
The iTV Company would collaborate with Project Contributors to develop an Advanced Interactive Multimedia Business Directory. The Interactive Video Business directory would provide localised advertising content to consumers. It would be produced for all businesses either by the business themselves or through a production company of their choice. This advertising content will showcase local businesses and their product / service offerings to the market. The business directory and its content would be used to source products and services by consumers on a pro-active basis.
The system will act as the businesses “iTV home page” for client exposure throughout the iTV platform. The Interactive Business Directories will provide mechanisms for advertisers to get value from their content. Their iTV Advertisements / titles would be made available to consumers in a range of ways; including but not exclusive to,
- A Reference ID
- User Search
- Integration into vertical market presentations (ie: the wedding guide, or the car repair guide)
- The ability for businesses to use their content, for sponsoring content delivery in their local areas.
The project would incorporate software development of all the relevant mechanisms required, for integration of any-such content into the media room platform. It would also require a range of marketing and operational development processes, to effectively promote the availability of the functionality throughout alpha, beta, pre-launch, and post-launch stages. Sponsorship and advertising business systems will be one of the principle aims of the project; in being able to associate any-such content, to other content as a market based content sponsorship and free on-demand, content delivery.
The Interactive Multimedia Business directory project would provide the tools and processes required to make it easy for all businesses, to produce an advertisement for their business. The advertisements would incorporate Video, Audio, user interactivity and other computer generated programmatically input-output based presentation materials. As previously mentioned, any such advertising packages could be produced either by the business or by a professional organisation, which specialises in such work.
The online video business directory provides the subsidisation of video content as well as the paid content delivery by businesses, of content packages that might leverage the content archives made available through the introduction of an interactive multimedia business directory.
A description of the concept proposal – Business model
Potential advertorial participants may be businesses, government, not-for-profit organisations and even start-up businesses or videographers. The delivery of content is charged to someone by the network operator.
The “interactive multimedia business directory”, is envisaged to incorporates a number of key components
- A content publishing system that provides media-room compliant content packages
- An menu-system complaint content management and presentation system
- An advanced targeting system
- A subscriber management, billing and measurement platform
- A media packaging and presentation API for the Mediaroom platform
- A web based content production system
The content production system would ideally be online WYSIWYG. Principally, such a system would enable a user with basic knowledge to produce a content package and deliver that content package to the media-room platform without any programming knowledge.
If a content producer is hired to produce content, for distribution over this platform – the system should provide the means for an advanced user to create more advanced packages for the system.
For the purposes of demonstrating the concept, I will focus describing the components to make available, for the WYSIWYG interface.
The User would need to create an account on a website affiliated, and at the discretion of the platform operator. The user would be identified, the account set-up, and the user would be “enabled” to the web-media room production package.
The production package would include a range of options. Including “add new page”, “add new content title” and “Add new assets”, as key functions. All assets required for the produced title, are uploaded to the content production platform.
Initially conceived revenue lines for the concept
- Advertising distribution
- Pay per viewer
- Pay per product (i.e. compilation)
- pay to sponsor content
- i. fixed fee
- ii. Auction
- Production
- Pay to create an account
- Pay to get the SDK
- Pay to get someone to make a video for you
- Content related revenues
- Broadcasters pay to manage accounts and/or incorporate functionality to broadcast delivered content
- Advertising pays for content viewership
- Click-through related revenue
- Pay for Referrals
- Pay for Sale
- Pay for SMS
A presentation on technical realisation (block diagram, basic technologies used, functions involved, resources required, scaling, etc.)
Regarding the technical feasibility of the project; I have spoken to the Microsoft TV Executives around the world, and the outcome is that this project is technically feasible. However, without an agreement with a service operator connected to an existing media room platform, the software development kits are not made available. Essentially the system is a web-based system. There are a range of international standardised specifications that should be used, principally delivered in XML. I believe the project can be for filled within the funding commitments made available by the Project Contributorsinteractive TV Award, as prescribed by the promotional materials.
I have not prepared advanced technical architecture or functionality specification, as I believe the spirit of this competition is to win the opportunity to collaborate with Deutsche Telekom, and there is likely a range of key business requirements your organisation would like to include; therefore, the principles I investigated pertained to whether there was any such existing system (whether or not it was unique) – finding that there is no existing system, and that it is a unique proposal at the time of due-diligence in preparation for this application; and, whether it was technically feasible to create – which I found to be so. There are no foreseeable technical problems preventing the development and commercialisation of this opportunity. I have existing agreements in-place that will help to lower the cost of development and commercialisation.
Industrial property rights or copyright in connection with the project ideas they have submitted.
The Concept of “the interactive multimedia business directory” was conceived by Timothy Holborn, founder of the iTV Company. There is no third party Intellectual property rights known to The iTV Company or Timothy Holborn, that might preclude the right of Timothy Holborn / The iTV Company in producing and commercialising the products and service conceived as part of the project.
Throughout the project there will be intellectual property assets of 3rd party organisations that will be utilised under standard commercial licensing terms. Principally, such Intellectual Property will be incorporated into commercially available software solutions and/or specification licensing parameters.
Thankyou for your time in considering this proposal. I look forward to a positive response, and a continued working relationship revolutionising local media industries, and the broader economic platform such tools provide our communities.
Project Owner: The iTV Company Pty. Ltd.
Founder and Director: Timothy Charles Holborn
Email: timothy.holborn@theitvcompany.com.au
Streaming Platform – www.streamingplatform.com
Streaming Platform is a sophisticated website designed to provide online digital media services through a web-interface.
Streaming Platform will provide a customer with the ability to;
- Convert live or pre-recorded media files into a multitude of formats in real-time
- Distribute media files via a URL interface to any broadband connected end-point
- Store and search media
- Accelerate and enhance the distribution of high quality media over existing (and emerging) networks
- Track and govern distribution rights for media
- Implement digital rights on media
- Sign-up and manage an account online
- Automate the media management processes with an XML formatted file
- Interact with the external internet programs such as the Media Guide Networks channel platform and advertising sales systems
Media Guide Networks www.mediaguidenetworks.com www.mediaguidenetworks.net
Media Guide Networks (MGN) is a sophisticated internet application framework designed for end-to-end management of interactive TV over broadband networks.
The Company foresees the future of broadcast networks and TV connected devices providing an interactive end-user experience. This experience will be powered by hardware that supports media storage, broadcast reception and broadband delivered content. Such devices will provide interactive menu systems within each channel, supporting an unlimited number of potential content asserts for use by consumers on a participation and broadcast basis. The MGN platform is designed to supply the features and benefits required to make this happen.
In existing digital broadcast networks, end-user devices have an interactive guide which helps a user change from one channel to another: This is called an Electronic Program Guide or EPG. Through the introduction of interactive channelling each channel will require an additional interactive menu system. This will enable users to navigate and interact with the library of content each channel provider will provide on an advertising-sponsored basis over the broadband network, sometimes interacting with the broadcast.
Through investigations earlier in the year, the name of this type of interface was suggested to be a “media guide” in Europe, the leader of technology development in this area. The Company purchased the domain, Media Guide Networks, to brand a service whereby a delivery system for media guides and related media assets, would be sold and marketed to international vendors and media companies.
The technology development project will incorporate a range of globally ratified existing standards such as TV-Anytime (Content Referencing), Globally Executable Multimedia Home Platform (GEM-MHP) (interactive content), DVB-SI / DVB-IPTV (possible signalling and content delivery specifications), VC-1 and H.264 or Mpeg 4 / AVC (media formats), XML (mark-up language), and a range of other associated standards.
There are a number of levels throughout the fulfilment process (from production to end-user) that this project (and The Company) will need to take into account.
- 1. Media format
Existing interactive TV, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD platforms provide a consistent approach to interactive television design, application and software development. The MGN network will continue to develop upon the existing foundations archived by these formats and hopes to provide an automated encoding procedure from Blu-Ray or HD-DVD to MGN / SP enabled systems.
- 2. Interactivity between disk or broadcast and broadband delivered video
Existing digital broadcasting standards support data insertion into broadcast feeds. This function can be used to send links that signal consumer devices to get broadband data, from broadcast driven events.
- 3. Channel Management
The channel management platform is the perceived brains of the operation, providing producers the systems and tools necessary to publish and meter channel content usage. The channel system also enables distributors to manage usage, distribution territories, advertising information, design differentiation and interactivity with the end-user devices.
- 4. End-User Devices
The software platform is designed for implementation on Hybrid Personal Digital Recording Devices. These devices have started to emerge in the market. In the near-term, interfaces for existing devices and gaming consoles (ie: media centre + Xbox 360) can be produced cheaply and easily, and are likely to accelerate adoption and growth of Set-Top Usage MGN usage.
Existing High Definition DVD players (both HD-DVD and BluRay) incorporate network content access. These interfaces will be used as a sales interface that the business will seek to capitalise on. Disk driven usage offers the business a low-tech way for a user to interact with broadband delivered media. For disk providers, it is possible to provide new business models to disk distribution by providing updated and expanded media for HD-DVD / Blu-Ray content titles; potentially also securing premium content on the disks, by providing the usage rules over broadband.
The method and system for this integration, is believed to be innovative, unique, and therefore protectable, via IP laws and processes.
In summary, MGN is designed to be a standards package for providing interactive TV content to customers. The platform provides interactive media to a range of devices and interfaces including mobile phones, interactive digital radio devices and web-browsers. MGN is an integrated platform solution designed to deliver an interactive content solution to channel operators.
The iTV Company was been established to commercially exploit iTV opportunities that are emerging. The paradigms The Company seeks to leverage have been based on a number of assumptions.
- Interactive television will evolve to become part of the new standards for the broadcasting industry.
- The broadcast media industry requires these new standards to compete and participate in the new landscape of digital communications technologies.
- Content providers cannot produce interactive content, until standards exist that provide the assuredly that any-such produced content can be used in multiple environments / territories.
- Collaboration is required on an international level, in order to obtain the critical mass requirements for the production of associated products and services, as required for the introduction and operation of non IPTV based, interactive television services.
- Broadcast and other video media markets have been detrimentally affected by the introduction of fast broadband connectivity and the use of this utility for viewing broadcast media, without a business system that supplies revenue back to the content producers. Content Delivered via Internet often originates from a single viewer somewhere in the world, rather than a legitimate license holder, providing revenue to the supply chain.
- Advertising dollars have broader market options, such as paying per user, to anywhere in the world and/or to local communities via specific WWW estates. Broadcasters need a method to capture some of this market, in order to maintain a current standing, in an internet connected market.
- There are many differences between the World Wide Web (www) and Internet Protocol. Interactive television will be best leveraged with the benefits Internet Protocol offers differentiating its “business systems” to protect related communities and viewership audiences, through localisation, privacy protection, and the development of existing business systems, operated by existing broadcasters…
- The www is an application of internet, providing freedom of speech, with very few restrictions.
- Broadcasting operates upon geographical territories as a licensed service, governed by local bodies to protect a range of sociological requirements and their effects on the local communities such systems serve.
- WWW, without broadcast mechanisms is unlikely to support local community development in a way evolutionary to existing broadcast systems.
- WWW only content distribution risks a critical business systems failure of the broadcasting industry, through its inability to compete in advertising markets. This would be economically disruptive, propagated through multiple levels of social media, and small to medium business sectors.
- The iTV Company is able to produce a platform that could be used as an interactive TV standard. The project will be funded through advertising and become successful through ease of use and the demonstration of the solution to local markets.
This is an excerpt of a business plan I wrote in 2007. It provides an analysis of the Australian TV Content Media Industry.
The business plan was developed to source funding for the development, and establishment of an open-standard, operational platform for DVB and IP Delivered Content, to TV. These proposed systems incorporated all such aspects end-to-end, including content production, content storage, content security, content distribution and content display. The principle area of work surrounded advertising supported content.
This proposal cuts across a group of industry sectors, however, the profit drivers were based upon advertising, media and telecommunications.
For years, industry leaders have been discussing “convergence” and its effects on a range of industry segments as internet protocol becomes the leading format for information communications networks, and compounds in the number of formats or types of information made compatible and transferred across such networks.
This has lead to a boom in telecommunications revenue opportunities and core business associations to the rest of the community. It has also provided new opportunities for growth and has developed to provide a leadership role in the growth of new economies, and related intellectual property capitalisation.
A problem incurred through such ubiquitous compatibility, is a degradation of the organically positioned stepping stones, incurred by operations that did not involve telecommunications as a foundation for business growth. Telecommunications have broadened their cross-section of economical effect, to an extent whereby almost no business can operate without payment to telecommunications businesses. This has incurred a dramatic change in parity and IP capitalisation drivers, harboured by companies that traditionally monetised other formats, that are now “compatible with internet”, for distribution purposes…
The telecommunications industry has not successfully developed security measures to protect business from risks associated to the operation of their core business. Whereas in pre-internet markets parties were required to obtain physical copies of materials prior to replication, internet does not require such precursors. In fact, one physical copy can be “enabled” onto the global telecommunication network for replication. The only party, who will, in all cases, make direct revenues from this process, is the telecommunications industry.
Beneficially, this platform enables global, free speech and low-cost distribution of ideas, concepts and other intellectual property. The iTV Company aims to purport a specification for this platform, calling it HTTP internet, whilst segregating and opening opportunities for other market segments to utilise the same infrastructure to support their key business drivers in an economical manner.
This, in media terms, is Intellectual Property (“IP”). Although the acronym is used in a similar format to Internet Protocol (“IP”), the terms actuate very different things in terms of economics.
In internet terms; Intellectual Property values the information, made possible through interpretive publication of data.
Whether it be media, financial, medical, social, corporate, government other personal information there are intellectual property associations to such “data”, that are and should be valued at a different rate to the cost of transacting the data asset.
This has not been implemented in the foundation for the internet networks. In fact, internet networks, and the telecommunications companies who operate such networks, take very little responsibility for any data that is transferred over their commercial services, the appropriation of such data in information format to recipients and/or the commercial model in which the data was transacted on an information level.
Televisions sit in our lounge rooms and are family orientated devices. They have been developed and continually used as a format of social communications, governed by local social decisions of content suitability and access-form. It is seemingly important to attempt to adapt the new technology, around the social principles that have been established through precedent.
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