System and method for providing a platform for optimizing overlay location over programming content

A method of controlling the operation of a display in an establishment by a mobile device that is registered to a user, the display configured to display programming content distributed over a first channel by a content provider, the method comprising:

• receiving a user selection for a program topic associated with programming content that is not displayed on the display in the establishment;
• searching, by a processor, for the program topic in a database of program topics that relates the programming content not displayed on the display;
• determining, by the processor, if the user selected topic matches a topic in the database that relates to the programming content not displayed on the display;
• and
• presenting, via the mobile device, an option to select a second channel by a user for programming content associated with the user selected topic, if a match is determined.

A system providing for optimizing a location of a user defined overlay over programming content that is delivered over a channel and displayed on a display at an establishment, the system including one or more servers programmed to execute one or more software modules, the one or more modules comprising;

• a first engine configured to manage registration and authentication of one or more user mobile devices and one or more establishments;
• a second engine configured to communicate with the first engine, the second engine further configured to (1) register and control operation of one or more control units on the one or more establishments and (2) facilitate overlay selection and positioning over programming content on a display at an establishment so that the overlay does not interfere with one or more tickers transmitted by the content provider over the programming content;
• and
• a third engine configured to communicate with the second engine and further configured to receive and process content programming from content providers.

A system for providing a platform for optimizing overlay location over programming content that is distributed over a channel by a content provider and displayed on a display at an establishment, the system comprising one or more servers that communicates with (1) equipment at the establishment to facilitate the display of programming content on a display and (2) a mobile device of a user over a network, the one or more servers programmed to execute the method, the method comprising:

• transmitting a sound signal from the programming content that is distributed over the channel at the establishment to the mobile device of the user, wherein transmitting includes:
• (1) communicating over the network between the equipment at the establishment and the one or more servers;
• and
• (2) communicating over the network between the one or more servers and the mobile device.