Google Wants to 'Detect' What You're Watching to Further Personalize Search Results?!


class=Google was recently granted a patent for a system and method that detects television programs being played in the 'proximity' of the device and then uses that information to enhance your search results. Here's the interesting portion of the patent:

"A computer implemented method for using search queries related to television programs. A server receives a user's search query from an electronic device. The server then determines, in accordance with the search query and television program related information for television programs available at a location associated with the electronic device during a specific time window, a television program currently being displayed in proximity to the electronic device, wherein the television program related information includes program descriptions for a plurality of television programs being broadcast for the associated location."
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Within the patent, Google outlined that people make searches based on what they are watching on TV, and the patent would simplify Googlebot's job if it could listen and detect what the user is watching. Also, Google could give users recommendations about what to watch based on their behavior.

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This patent feels a little obscure and raises a lot of red flags when it talks about detecting programs that are being played close to where you're sitting with your smart phone. The technology they will use to detect what your TV is playing is yet to be seen. There is immediate concern that they'll activate your phone's microphone but with all televisions being digital there are more advanced ways to find programming data. Time will tell on this one.

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