Method for providing advertisement in linear media service

Abstract

There is provided a method for providing an advertisement in a linear media service, the method being performed by a content playback device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining first list information on a first advertisement group to be provided during an advertisement time of the linear media service; and (b) performing signal processing and providing at least a portion of the first advertisement group based on the first list information during the advertisement time, in which step (b) comprises the steps of: (b-1) receiving a first user input for skipping a first advertisement in the first advertisement group when the first advertisement having a skippable attribute is being signal-processed and provided; (b-2) in response to the first user input, stopping providing the first advertisement and obtaining second list information on a second advertisement group to be provided in a first remaining time during the advertisement time; and (b-3) during the first remaining time, performing signal processing and providing at least a portion of the second advertisement group based on the second list information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service, and more particularly, to a method for providing skippable advertisements in a linear media service. Background Art

[0002] The term "linear media service" refers to a media service that provides content to multiple users simultaneously according to a schedule.

[0003] In other words, unlike a non-linear media service that provides content to a specific user via streaming (e.g., a video-on-demand (VOD) service), a linear media service (e.g., a representative example is a linear TV service) provides content to multiple users simultaneously via a medium such as terrestrial, satellite, or cable broadcast based on a channel. With the advancement of broadcasting and communication technologies, a linear media service can also be provided via the Internet.

[0004] In both linear media services and non-linear media services, content and advertisements can be provided to users.

[0005] In a non-linear media service, advertisements can be provided before, during, or after providing (delivering) content to a user. Examples of advertisements that can be provided in a non-linear media service include skippable advertisements and non-skippable advertisements.

[0006] A skippable advertisement is an advertisement that can be interrupted upon receiving a user input. A non-skippable advertisement is an advertisement that is provided without interruption until its end.

[0007] For example, in a non-linear media service that provides advertisements, at least one of a skippable advertisement and a non-skippable advertisement can be provided to a user before, during, or after providing content to the user. Thus, a user views at least one of a skippable advertisement and a non-skippable advertisement before viewing desired content.

[0008] As described above, a non-linear media service is provided to a specific user. Thus, when a user input for interrupting (skipping) a skippable advertisement is received while the skippable advertisement is being provided to the user, the next advertisement (which can be a skippable advertisement or a non-skippable advertisement) or content to be supplied is subsequently provided to the user.

[0009] That is, since a non-linear media service does not follow a specific schedule, when a user input for skipping a skippable advertisement is received, the next advertisement or content can be immediately provided to the user.

[0010] On the other hand, in a linear media service, content and advertisements are provided according to a schedule. Thus, it is difficult to provide skippable advertisements in a linear media service.

[0011] That is, since content is provided to multiple users simultaneously based on a schedule in a linear media service, it is difficult to change the schedule to provide skippable advertisements only to specific users. In other words, since the advertisement time (ad break) in a linear media service is also specified based on a schedule, it is difficult to modify the advertisement time only for specific users.

[0012] Therefore, in a traditional linear media service, only non-skippable advertisements can be provided.

[0013] [Prior Art Documents]

[0014] [Patent Documents]

[0015] Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2022-0150608 Summary of the Invention

[0016] [Technical Problem]

[0017] An object of the technology of the present disclosure is to provide a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service, in which skippable advertisements and non-skippable advertisements can be combined and provided to users. Therefore, this method can overcome the limitation that only non-skippable advertisements must be selected for advertisement time in a linear media service, and enables the provision of personalized advertisements.

[0018] [Technical Solution]

[0019] According to one aspect of the technology of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service, which is executed by a content playback device, and the method includes: (a) obtaining first list information about a first advertisement group to be provided during an ad break in the linear media service; and (b) performing signal processing based on the first list information during the ad break and providing at least a part of an advertisement of the first advertisement group. The step (b) includes: (b-1) while providing a first advertisement having a skippable attribute in the first advertisement group through signal processing, receiving a first user input for skipping the first advertisement; (b-2) in response to the first user input, stopping the provision of the first advertisement and obtaining second list information about a second advertisement group to be provided during a first remaining time in the ad break; and (b-3) performing signal processing based on the second list information during the first remaining time and providing at least a part of an advertisement of the second advertisement group.

[0020] [Advantageous Effects]

[0021] According to the technology of the present disclosure, skippable advertisements and non-skippable advertisements can be combined and provided to users in a linear media service. Therefore, the limitation that only non-skippable advertisements must be selected for advertisement time in a linear media service can be overcome. In addition, personalized advertisements can even be provided in a linear media service. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a content playback device for performing a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 3 shows the environment in which a content playback device for performing a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure is located.

[0025] Figure 4 is a diagram exemplarily showing a first advertisement group and first list information in a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 5 is a diagram exemplarily showing the step of obtaining first list information in a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 6 is a flowchart schematically showing the specific steps of a process of signal processing and providing at least a part of an advertisement of a first advertisement group based on first list information during an advertisement break.

[0028] Figure 7 is a diagram exemplarily showing a second advertisement group and second list information in a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 8 is a diagram exemplarily showing the step of obtaining second list information in a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 9 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a second embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the following, embodiments of a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the technology of the present disclosure will be mainly described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Meanwhile, in the drawings for describing the embodiments of the technology of the present disclosure, in order to facilitate description, only a part of the actual configuration may be shown, or the actual configuration may be shown while omitting or changing a part of the actual configuration. In addition, the relative sizes and ratios of components in the text may be enlarged or reduced.

[0032] <First Embodiment>

[0033] Figure 1 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a content playback device for performing a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing the environment in which a content playback device for performing a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure is located.

[0034] First, referring to Figure 2 a content playback device 100 that executes a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described.

[0035] As Figure 2 shown, a content playback device 100 that executes a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure may include a communication interface 110, an operation processor 130, and a storage device 150.

[0036] The communication interface 110 may be a communication interface based on a wired or wireless communication method. The communication interface 110 may be implemented by a semiconductor device such as a communication chip.

[0037] The operation processor 130 may be implemented by a semiconductor device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0038] The operation processor 130 may be implemented using, for example, multiple semiconductor devices. For example, the operation processor 130 may be implemented using a first semiconductor device that executes a communication function and a second semiconductor device that executes signal processing and provides content and advertisements.

[0039] The operation processor 130 is configured to execute a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the first embodiment, and may control the communication interface 110 and the storage device 150 to execute a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the first embodiment.

[0040] The storage device 150 may be configured to store data. The storage device 150 may be implemented by, for example, a semiconductor device such as a semiconductor memory. The storage device 150 may store, for example, first list information, second list information, third list information, list generation reference information, padding advertisements, at least a part of an advertisement of a first advertisement group (first group of advertisements), at least a part of an advertisement of a second advertisement group (second group of advertisements), and at least a part of an advertisement of a third advertisement group (third group of advertisements), which will be described later. For example, the first list information, the second list information, the third list information, at least a part of an advertisement of the first advertisement group, at least a part of an advertisement of the second advertisement group, and at least a part of an advertisement of the third advertisement group may be received from an external device other than the content playback device 100 and temporarily stored in the storage device 150.

[0041] The storage device 150 may be implemented using, for example, a plurality of semiconductor devices.

[0042] Next, referring to Figure 3 , the environment in which the content playback device 100 is located will be described.

[0043] As Figure 3 shown, the content playback device 100 may be connected to a device 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as a "media server") that provides a linear media service through at least one of a broadcast network and a communication network.

[0044] The content playback device 100 may also be connected to a device (hereinafter simply referred to as an "advertisement server") 300 that provides the first list information through a communication network.

[0045] The media server 200 and the advertisement server 300 may be connected through a communication network.

[0046] The content playback device 100 may receive a linear media service from the media server 200. For example, the content playback device 100 receives content data and performs signal processing on the content data provided by the media server 200 based on a channel to provide its content to an end user. Although not shown, the content playback device 100 may be connected to a display or may include a display.

[0047] The content playback device 100 is a device that can receive content data from the media server 200 and perform signal processing on the content data to provide its content to the end user (viewer). The content playback device 100 may include, for example, a device including a display, such as a television, a personal computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone, or a device such as a set-top box connected to a display. In other words, the content playback device 100 may include not only a television or a set-top box that receives a linear media service in a broadcast format and performs signal processing on the content data of the linear media service to provide its content to the end user, but also a computing device capable of executing an application that receives a linear media service through a communication network and performs signal processing on the content data of the linear media service to provide its content to the end user.

[0048] The media server 200 is a device that provides a linear media service. That is, the media server 200 transmits content to the content playback device 100 based on a schedule and a channel.

[0049] For example, the media server 200 may be composed of one or more devices and may also be referred to as a media system.

[0050] The media server 200 may refer to a device configured to provide any one of various linear media services, including broadcast services such as terrestrial broadcasting, cable broadcasting, or satellite broadcasting; channel-based streaming services on a communication network; or IPTV services. For example, if an over-the-top (OTT) service is provided based on a channel (i.e., in the form of a linear media service), the media server 200 may refer to a device configured to provide the OTT service in a channel-based manner. In addition, if a video-on-demand (VOD) service is provided in real time based on a channel, the media server 200 may refer to a device configured to provide the VOD service in a channel-based manner in real time.

[0051] A channel may include not only a physical channel (e.g., a frequency allocated for a broadcast service) but also a virtual channel. That is, a case where multiple contents are provided using a virtual channel through a communication network may also correspond to the linear service described herein.

[0052] The media server 200 may send a schedule to the content playback device 100.

[0053] The schedule may include a period during which content is provided and a period during which an advertisement is provided.

[0054] The media server 200 may send one or more advertisements to be signal-processed and provided by the content playback device 100 to the content playback device 100 during a period when an advertisement is provided (hereinafter also referred to as "ad insertion").

[0055] Meanwhile, the content playback device 100 may perform signal processing during an advertisement break and provide other advertisements in place of the advertisements provided by the media server 200.

[0056] The advertisement server 300 may specify one or more advertisements to be signal-processed and provided by the content playback device 100 during an advertisement break, and send the specified advertisements to the content playback device 100. The advertisement server 300 may be operated by a commercial operator providing a linear media service, but may also be operated by a separate entity.

[0057] The advertisement server 300 may send, for example, list information regarding one or more advertisements to be signal-processed and provided by the content playback device 100 during an advertisement break (at least some of which may be different from the one or more advertisements sent from the media server 200) to the content playback device 100. The content playback device 100 may perform signal processing on the received one or more advertisements based on the list information and provide the one or more advertisements. For example, the content playback device 100 may receive one or more advertisements and perform signal processing on the received one or more advertisements to provide the one or more advertisements by using, for example, a uniform resource identifier (URI) for the one or more advertisements included in the list information.

[0058] In particular, the advertisement server 300 may be used to provide personalized advertisements suitable for the users of the content playback device 100. The personalized advertisements may also be referred to as targeted advertisements, customized advertisements, addressable TV advertisements, or alternative advertisements.

[0059] Hereinafter, referring to Figure 1 ..., a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure will be described in more detail.

[0060] Referring to Figure 1 ..., first, the content playback device 100 (more specifically, the operation processor 130) obtains first list information of a first advertisement group to be provided during an advertisement break in a linear media service (step S100).

[0061] Figure 4 is a diagram exemplarily showing a first advertisement group and first list information in a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0062] Referring to Figure 4 ..., according to the schedule of the linear media service, there is an advertisement break. During the advertisement break, for example, "AD#1", "AD#2", "AD#3", and "AD#4" may be provided.

[0063] That is, for example, the first set of advertisements to be provided during an advertisement break in a linear media service may include "AD#1", "AD#2", "AD#3", and "AD#4".

[0064] The first list information may include information about one or more advertisements in the first set of advertisements.

[0065] For example, the first list information may include information such as the order in which one or more advertisements in the first set of advertisements will be provided, and the URIs through which one or more advertisements in the first set of advertisements can be received. At least some of the URIs may correspond to advertisements pre-stored in the storage device 150 of the content playback device 100.

[0066] Although the first list information is shown in a simplified manner in Figure 4 it may actually be implemented in a URI format according to standards such as the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol and the Moving Picture Experts Group Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH) protocol. That is, although Figure 4 a simplified representation is shown for the purpose of explanation, "ad-1.ts", "ad-2.ts", "ad-3.ts", and "ad-4.ts" may represent the URIs that respectively store the corresponding advertisements in the first set of advertisements. In addition, each of "ad-1.ts", "ad-2.ts", "ad-3.ts", and "ad-4.ts" may include multiple pieces of information. For example, "ad-1.ts" may be composed of multiple pieces of information such as "ad-1-1.ts", "ad-1-2.ts", and "ad-1-3.ts".

[0067] Although the first list information has been described based on the case of being set and configured according to HLS or MPEG-DASH, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the first list information may be set and configured according to a protocol different from the HLS protocol or the MPEG-DASH protocol.

[0068] Figure 5 FIG. is an exemplary diagram showing step S100 in a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0069] More specifically, Figure 5 various examples of obtaining the first list information are shown.

[0070] Hereinafter, examples of obtaining the first list information will be described in more detail.

[0071] (a) The case of receiving the first list information from the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300

[0072] Reference Figure 5 , the operation processor 130 can receive the first list information from the media server 200 or the advertising server 300 (step S110).

[0073] For example, the operation processor 130 can receive the first list information from the media server 200 and perform step S200 described later based on the first list information.

[0074] Meanwhile, in order to provide personalized advertisements, the operation processor 130 can receive the first list information from the advertising server 300.

[0075] That is, the operation processor 130 can receive the first list information from the advertising server 300 and perform step S200 described later based on the first list information.

[0076] The first list information received from the advertising server 300 can be generated by the advertising server 300 based on, for example, predetermined list generation reference information (predetermined reference information for list generation), such as at least one of information about the content playback device 100 and information about the user of the content playback device 100.

[0077] For example, the advertising server 300 can be configured to generate the first list information including a first advertisement group including personalized advertisements for the user of the content playback device 100 based on at least one of the following: area information indicating where the content playback device 100 is located; the specifications of the content playback device 100; and user information of the content playback device 100 (e.g., gender, age, having or not having children, purchase history, browsing history, and product preferences).

[0078] Preferably, sensitive personal information including the user's name, address, and phone number is not included in the user information. For example, user information such as gender, age, having or not having children, purchase history, browsing history, and product preferences can be generated by analyzing the user's activity history and does not need to be generated by direct input from the user.

[0079] The advertising server 300 can be configured to select one or more advertisements to be included in the first advertisement group from multiple advertisements based on, for example, criteria such as advertising fees charged in combination with advertisement delivery and list generation reference information.

[0080] As described above, the operation processor 130 can receive the first list information from the media server 200 or the advertising server 300, and as will be described later, during an advertisement break, based on the first list information obtained through step S100 (more specifically, step S110), perform signal processing and provide at least a part of an advertisement of the first advertisement group (see step S200).

[0081] (b) Case where the content playback device 100 directly generates the first list information

[0082] Refer to Figure 5 , the operation processor 130 may be configured to directly generate the first list information using predetermined list generation reference information (step S120).

[0083] In other words, instead of receiving the first list information from the media server 200 or the advertising server 300, the operation processor 130 may directly generate the first list information using the predetermined list generation reference information.

[0084] For example, the operation processor 130 may be configured to use the list generation reference information to select, for the user of the content playback device 100, a first group of advertisements including personalized advertisements from one or more advertisements pre-stored in the storage device 150.

[0085] One or more advertisements pre-stored in the storage device 150 may be personalized for the user of the content playback device 100.

[0086] Thereafter, the operation processor 130 may directly generate the first list information for the first group of advertisements.

[0087] As described above, the operation processor 130 may directly generate the first list information, and may perform signal processing during the insertion of commercial advertisements based on the first list information obtained through step S100 (more specifically, step S120), and provide at least a part of one advertisement of the first group of advertisements, as will be described later (see step S200).

[0088] (c) Case where the content playback device 100 determines the method for obtaining the first list information

[0089] Refer to Figure 5 , the operation processor 130 may be configured to determine whether to receive the first list information from the media server 200 or the advertising server 300, or to generate the first list information using the predetermined list generation reference information (step S130).

[0090] Step S130 may be performed based on a control signal sent from the media server 200 or the advertising server 300. That is, for example, in the case where the media server 200 (or the advertising server 300) sends a control signal indicating that the first list information sent from the media server 200 (or the advertising server 300) should be used for a given advertisement insertion, when the content playback device 100 receives the control signal, the operation processor 130 determines to receive the first list information from the media server 200 (or the advertising server 300).

[0091] If it is determined in step S130 to receive the first list information from the media server 200 (or the advertisement server 300), the operation processor 130 receives the first list information from the media server 200 (or the advertisement server 300) (step S140). Except for performing step S140 after determining to receive the first list information from the media server 200 (or the advertisement server 300), step S140 is substantially the same as step S110. Therefore, its detailed description will be omitted.

[0092] If it is determined in step S130 to generate the first list information by using predetermined list generation reference information, the first list information is generated by using the predetermined list generation reference information (step S150). Except for performing step S150 after determining to generate the first list information by using the predetermined list generation reference information, step S150 is substantially the same as step S120. Therefore, its detailed description will be omitted.

[0093] (d) Case where the content playback device 100 generates the first list information by combining the temporary lists

[0094] Reference Figure 5 , the operation processor 130 may be configured to generate the first list information by combining the first temporary list information received from the media server 200 (or the advertisement server 300) with the second temporary list information generated by using the predetermined list generation reference information (step S160).

[0095] For example, the first temporary list information may include information about the advertisements that must be provided and information about the replaceable advertisements.

[0096] Therefore, the operation processor 130 may generate the first list information by replacing the information about the replaceable advertisements in the first temporary list information with the information about the advertisements in the second temporary list information.

[0097] As described above, the first list information can be obtained in various ways.

[0098] Return reference Figure 1 , during the advertisement insertion period, the operation processor 130 performs signal processing and provides at least a part of an advertisement of the first advertisement group based on the first list information obtained through step S100 (step S200).

[0099] Figure 6 is a flowchart schematically showing the specific steps of the process of performing signal processing and providing at least a part of an advertisement of the first advertisement group based on the first list information during the advertisement insertion period.

[0100] Reference Figure 6, the operation processor 130 may be configured to receive a first user input for skipping the first advertisement having a skippable attribute while providing the first advertisement of the first advertisement group through signal processing (step S210).

[0101] For example, referring to Figure 4 the example described, assume that "AD#1" corresponds to the first advertisement and "AD#4" corresponds to the second advertisement.

[0102] The first advertisement has a skippable attribute. That is, when a user input is received, the provision of the first advertisement is interrupted.

[0103] On the other hand, the second advertisement has a non-skippable attribute. That is, regardless of whether a user input is received, the second advertisement is provided without interruption until its end.

[0104] Since the first advertisement has a skippable attribute, if the first advertisement is skipped during playback, it may affect the provision of other advertisements included in the first list information.

[0105] Therefore, preferably, the first advertisement is provided at the start or middle part of the ad break.

[0106] For this purpose, the first list information may be configured such that the first advertisement is provided at the start or middle part of the ad break.

[0107] Alternatively, the first advertisement may be placed at the end part of the ad break. In this case, if the first advertisement is skipped during playback, the content playback device 100 may provide a filler advertisement, although the filler advertisement is not included in the first list information, as will be described later.

[0108] The second advertisement has a non-skippable attribute. Therefore, preferably, the second advertisement is provided at the start or end part of the ad break. For this purpose, the first list information may be configured such that the second advertisement is provided at the start or end part of the ad break.

[0109] If the second advertisement is provided at the end part of the ad break, there is no need to provide a filler advertisement.

[0110] Alternatively, the second advertisement may be placed at the middle part of the ad break.

[0111] In step S210, the first user input is received.

[0112] At the same time, in step S210, before receiving the first user input, the operation processor 130 may provide guidance information indicating that the first advertisement can be skipped along with the first advertisement while providing the first advertisement (during its playback) through signal processing. For example, guidance information such as "Press the red button on the remote control to skip the advertisement" may be presented to the user together with the first advertisement (e.g., overlaid on the first advertisement).

[0113] Next, in response to the first user input received in step S210, the operation processor 130 stops providing the first advertisement and obtains second list information about a second advertisement group to be provided in the remaining time (referred to as the first remaining time) during the commercial break (step S220).

[0114] When the provision of the first advertisement is stopped in step S220, the operation processor 130 does not continue to provide the remaining advertisements of the first advertisement group obtained based on the aforementioned first list information, but obtains second list information about the second advertisement group to be provided in the first remaining time during the advertisement insertion.

[0115] That is, second list information is obtained, the second list information being configured to be suitable for the first remaining time.

[0116] Figure 7 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a second advertisement group and second list information in a method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the first embodiment of the presently disclosed technology.

[0117] refer to Figure 7 , when the first advertisement stops being provided during the advertisement break, for example, advertisements such as "AD#2", "AD#3", "AD#5" and "filler advertisement" may be provided in the remaining time during the advertisement break (referred to as the first remaining time).

[0118] That is, for example, a second set of advertisements to be provided in a first remaining time during an advertisement break in a linear media service may include "AD#2," "AD#3," "AD#5," and "Filler Ad."

[0119] The second list information includes information about one or more advertisements in the second advertisement group.

[0120] For example, the second list information may include information such as the order in which one or more advertisements in the second advertisement group are to be provided and URIs through which one or more advertisements in the second advertisement group may be received. At least some of the URIs may correspond to advertisements pre-stored in the storage device 150 of the content playback device 100.

[0121] Despite Figure 7The second list information is shown in a simplified manner in the middle, but similar to the first list information, it can actually be implemented in URI format according to standards such as the HLS protocol or the MPEG-DASH protocol. That is, although Figure 7 A simplified representation is shown for explanation, but "ad-2.ts", "ad-3.ts", "ad-5.ts", and "filler-ad.ts" can represent URIs that respectively store the corresponding advertisements in the second advertisement group. In addition, each of "ad-2.ts", "ad-3.ts", "ad-5.ts", and "filler-ad.ts" can include multiple pieces of information. For example, "ad-2.ts" can be composed of multiple pieces of information such as "ad-2-1.ts", "ad-2-2.ts", and "ad-2-3.ts".

[0122] Although the second list information has been described based on the situation set and configured according to HLS or MPEG-DASH, similar to the situation of the first list information, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the second list information can be set and configured according to a protocol different from the HLS protocol or the MPEG-DASH protocol.

[0123] For example, referring to Figure 7 the example described, assume that "AD#3" corresponds to the third advertisement and "AD#5" corresponds to the fourth advertisement.

[0124] The third advertisement has a skippable attribute. That is, when a user input is received, the provision of the third advertisement is interrupted.

[0125] On the other hand, the fourth advertisement has a non-skippable attribute. That is, regardless of whether a user input is received, the fourth advertisement is provided continuously until its end.

[0126] Since the third advertisement has a skippable attribute, if the third advertisement is skipped during playback, it may affect the provision of other advertisements included in the second list information.

[0127] Therefore, preferably, the third advertisement is provided at the start part or the middle part of the first remaining time.

[0128] For this purpose, the second list information can be configured such that the third advertisement is provided at the start part or the middle part of the first remaining time.

[0129] Alternatively, the third advertisement can be placed at the end part of the first remaining time. In this case, if the third advertisement is skipped during playback, the content playback device 100 can provide a filler advertisement.

[0130] The fourth advertisement has a non-skippable attribute. Therefore, preferably, the fourth advertisement is provided at the start or end portion of the first remaining time. For this purpose, the second list information may be configured such that the fourth advertisement is provided at the start or end portion of the first remaining time.

[0131] If the fourth advertisement is provided at the end portion of the first remaining time, there is no need to provide a filler advertisement. However, if there is still remaining time after the fourth advertisement is provided and the remaining time is not suitable for providing another regular advertisement, a filler advertisement may be provided.

[0132] Alternatively, the fourth advertisement may be placed in the middle portion of the first remaining time.

[0133] The filler advertisement has a non-skippable attribute and, for example, has a short playback time ranging from one second to three seconds. Therefore, the filler advertisement can be provided in cases where it is difficult to provide a regular advertisement. Preferably, the filler advertisement is pre-stored in the storage device 150 of the content playback device 100 and can be provided when needed.

[0134] Preferably, the filler advertisement is placed at the end portion of the first remaining time. However, for example, the filler advertisement may be placed at the start or middle portion of the first remaining time. For example, when the second list information is not obtained at the start portion of the first remaining time, the filler advertisement may be placed at the start portion of the first remaining time until the second list information is obtained and advertisements can be provided normally. Additionally, when the advertisement to be provided based on the second list information cannot be obtained in the middle portion of the first remaining time, the filler advertisement may be placed in the middle portion of the first remaining time until the advertisement to be provided based on the second list information is obtained.

[0135] Meanwhile, the second advertisement group may include a fifth advertisement that is included in the first advertisement group but not provided in step S200.

[0136] In the example described in reference Figure 7 it is assumed that "AD#2" corresponds to the fifth advertisement. The fifth advertisement, i.e., "AD#2", is included in Figure 4 the first advertisement group shown. If the first advertisement (i.e., "AD#1") is skipped during playback in step S200, the operation processor 130 performs signal processing based on the second list information and provides at least a part of an advertisement of the second advertisement group during the first remaining time (see step S230 described below). Therefore, if the fifth advertisement is not included in the second advertisement group, the fifth advertisement cannot be provided.

[0137] However, in order to more quickly perform signal processing based on the second list information during the first remaining time period and provide at least a part of an advertisement of the second advertisement group, or in order to include high-return advertisements in the second advertisement group, the second advertisement group may include a fifth advertisement.

[0138] For example, the second list information may be configured such that the fifth advertisement is provided at the beginning part of the first remaining time. In this case, the fifth advertisement can be obtained, signal-processed, and provided more quickly.

[0139] Figure 8 FIG. is an exemplary diagram showing step S220 in a method for providing an advertisement in a linear media service according to a first embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0140] More specifically, Figure 8 various examples of obtaining the second list information are shown.

[0141] Examples of obtaining the second list information will now be described in more detail.

[0142] (a) Case of receiving the second list information from the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300

[0143] Referring to Figure 8 , the operation processor 130 may receive the second list information from the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300 (step S221).

[0144] That is, the operation processor 130 may receive the second list information from the media server 200 and perform step S230, which will be described later, based on the second list information.

[0145] Meanwhile, in order to provide personalized advertisements during the first remaining time period, the operation processor 130 may receive the second list information from the advertisement server 300.

[0146] That is, the operation processor 130 may receive the second list information from the advertisement server 300 and perform step S230, which will be described later, based on the second list information.

[0147] The second list information received from the advertisement server 300 may be generated by the advertisement server 300 based on, for example, predetermined list generation reference information (such as at least one of information about the content playback device 100 and information about the user of the content playback device 100).

[0148] For example, the advertisement server 300 may be configured to generate second list information including a second advertisement group including personalized advertisements for the user of the content playback device 100 based on area information indicating where the content playback device 100 is located, the specifications of the content playback device 100, and user information of the content playback device 100 (e.g., gender, age, having or not having children, purchase history, browsing history, and product preferences).

[0149] As described above, preferably, sensitive personal information including the user's name, address, and phone number is not included in the user information. For example, user information such as gender, age, having or not having children, purchase history, browsing history, and product preferences can be generated by analyzing the user's activity history and does not need to be obtained through direct input from the user.

[0150] The advertisement server 300 may be configured to select one or more advertisements to be included in the second advertisement group from among a plurality of advertisements based on criteria such as, for example, advertising fees charged in connection with advertisement delivery and list generation reference information.

[0151] Although not shown in Figure 8 the operation processor 130 may send a request signal to the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300 in step S220, the request signal indicating a request to send the second list information. In response to the request signal, the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300 may generate the second list information and send the generated second list information to the content playback device 100.

[0152] Although the foregoing example has been described based on the operation processor 130 receiving the second list information from the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300, preferably, the operation processor 130 may receive the second list information from the advertisement server 300.

[0153] That is, in order to minimize the processing load of the media server 200, the operation processor 130 may receive the second list information from the advertisement server 300.

[0154] In particular, in order to provide personalized advertisements suitable for the user of the content playback device 100, preferably, the operation processor 130 receives the second list information from the advertisement server 300.

[0155] In addition, the advertisement server 300 (or the media server 200) may generate the second list information by modifying the above first list information into a form suitable for the first remaining time, that is, by changing the first list information to be deliverable within the first remaining time.

[0156] As described above, the operation processor 130 may receive the second list information from the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300, and as will be described later, may perform signal processing during the first remaining time and provide at least a part of an advertisement of the second advertisement group based on the second list information obtained in step S220 (more specifically, step S221) (see step S230).

[0157] (b) Case where the content playback device 100 directly generates the second list information

[0158] Refer to Figure 8 , the operation processor 130 may be configured to directly generate the second list information using predetermined list generation reference information (step S222).

[0159] In other words, instead of receiving the second list information from the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300, the operation processor 130 may directly generate the second list information based on the predetermined list generation reference information.

[0160] For example, the operation processor 130 may be configured to select, for the user of the content playback device 100, a second advertisement group including personalized advertisements from one or more advertisements pre-stored in the storage device 150 based on the predetermined list generation reference information.

[0161] One or more advertisements pre-stored in the storage device 150 may be personalized for the user of the content playback device 100.

[0162] Thereafter, the operation processor 130 may directly generate the second list information of the second advertisement group.

[0163] The operation processor 130 may generate the second list information, for example, by modifying the above first list information into a form suitable for the first remaining time, that is, by changing the first list information to be capable of being delivered within the first remaining time.

[0164] As described above, the operation processor 130 may directly generate the second list information, and as will be described later, may perform signal processing during the first remaining time and provide at least a part of an advertisement of the second advertisement group based on the second list information obtained in step S220 (see step S230).

[0165] The method by which the operation processor 130 directly generates the second list information is particularly advantageous because it allows for the rapid generation of the second list information.

[0166] (c) Case where the content playback device 100 determines the method of obtaining the second list information

[0167] Refer to Figure 8, the operation processor 130 may be configured to determine whether to receive the second list information from the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300, or to generate the second list information by using the predetermined list generation reference information (step S223).

[0168] Step S223 may be executed based on the control signal sent from the media server 200 or the advertisement server 300. That is, for example, in the case where the advertisement server 300 (or the media server 200) sends a control signal indicating that the second list information sent from the advertisement server 300 (or the media server 200) should be used within the first remaining time, when the content playback device 100 receives the control signal, the operation processor 130 determines to receive the second list information from the advertisement server 300 (or the media server 200).

[0169] If it is determined in step S223 to receive the second list information from the advertisement server 300 (or the media server 200), the operation processor 130 receives the second list information from the advertisement server 300 (or the media server 200) (step S224). Except for executing step S224 after determining to receive the second list information from the advertisement server 300 (or the media server 200), step S224 is basically the same as step S221. Therefore, its detailed description will be omitted.

[0170] If it is determined in step S223 to generate the second list information by using the predetermined list generation reference information, the second list information is generated by using the predetermined list generation reference information (step S225). Except for executing step S225 after determining that the second list information will be generated by using the predetermined list generation reference information, step S225 is basically the same as step S222. Therefore, its detailed description will be omitted.

[0171] (d) The case where the content playback device 100 generates the second list information by combining the temporary lists

[0172] Refer to Figure 8 , the operation processor 130 may be configured to generate the second list information by combining the third temporary list information received from the advertisement server 300 (or the media server 200) with the fourth temporary list information generated by using the predetermined list generation reference information (step S226).

[0173] For example, the third temporary list information may include information about the advertisements that must be provided and information about the replaceable advertisements.

[0174] Therefore, the operation processor 130 may generate the second list information by replacing the information about the replaceable advertisements in the third temporary list information with the information about the advertisements in the fourth temporary list information.

[0175] As described above, the second list information can be obtained in various ways.

[0176] Next, the operation processor 130 performs signal processing based on the second list information during the first remaining time and provides at least a part of an advertisement of the second advertisement group (step S230).

[0177] As described above, according to the first embodiment, even in a linear media service, both skippable advertisements and non-skippable advertisements can be provided to a user. Therefore, the limitation that only non-skippable advertisements must be selected for advertisement insertion in a linear media service can be eliminated. In addition, personalized advertisements can also be provided in a linear media service.

[0178] [Detailed Description of Embodiments]

[0179] [Second Embodiment]

[0180] Figure 9 FIG. is a flowchart schematically showing a method for providing an advertisement in a linear media service according to a second embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0181] The method for providing an advertisement in a linear media service according to the second embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure can be executed after executing the method for providing an advertisement in a linear media service according to the first embodiment described above.

[0182] Therefore, in the method for providing an advertisement in a linear media service according to the second embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure, the above steps S100 and S200 are also executed.

[0183] Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on the differences between the method for providing an advertisement in a linear media service according to the second embodiment and the method according to the first embodiment.

[0184] Refer to Figure 9 , when step S230 shown in Figure 6 is executed, that is, when at least a part of an advertisement of the second advertisement group is provided during the first remaining time through signal processing based on the second list information (more specifically, when the third advertisement having a skippable attribute in the second advertisement group is provided through signal processing), the operation processor 130 receives a second user input indicating skipping the third advertisement (step S231).

[0185] Except that the second user input indicates skipping the third advertisement, the second user input is similar to the above first user input. Therefore, its detailed description will be omitted.

[0186] Next, in response to the second user input received through step S231, the operation processor 130 stops providing the third advertisement and obtains third list information of the third advertisement group to be provided in the second remaining time during the first remaining time (step S232).

[0187] The second remaining time refers to a time remaining in the first remaining time after provision of the third advertisement stops.

[0188] The third advertisement group and the third list information are similar to the second advertisement group and the second list information of the first remaining time described above except that they are related to the second remaining time, and therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0189] For example, the third list information may also be received from the advertising server 300 (or the media server 200), or may be generated by the content playback device 100. Furthermore, for example, the content playback device 100 may determine a method for obtaining the third list information, or may generate the third list information by combining temporary lists. Other features of the second advertisement group and the second list information may similarly apply to the third advertisement group and the third list information.

[0190] Next, the operation processor 130 performs signal processing based on the third list information during the second remaining time and provides at least a portion of one advertisement of the third advertisement group (step S233).

[0191] Step S233 is similar to the aforementioned step S230 except that at least a portion of one advertisement of the third advertisement group is signal-processed and provided during the second remaining time based on the third list information. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0192] The third advertisement group may include at least a sixth advertisement that is included in the second advertisement group but is not provided in step S230 , and the third list information may be configured such that the sixth advertisement is provided at the beginning of the second remaining time.

[0193] Since the sixth advertisement is provided in a manner similar to the sixth advertisement, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0194] As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the technical effects of the above-described first embodiment, even after a skippable advertisement has been skipped, another skippable advertisement can be skipped based on a user input.

[0195] <Other embodiments>

[0196] Although the technology of the present disclosure has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the technology of the present disclosure can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0197] For example, the technology of the present disclosure can also be applied to a content playback device.

[0198] The content playback device according to the technology of the present disclosure can be implemented, for example, by the above content playback device 100.

[0199] That is, according to another aspect of the technology of the present disclosure, the content playback device 100 includes a communication interface 110, an operation processor 130, and a storage device 150. The operation processor 130 is configured to execute: (a) obtaining first list information regarding a first advertisement group provided during an advertisement insertion period of a linear media service; and (b) performing signal processing based on the first list information during the advertisement insertion period and providing at least a part of an advertisement of the first advertisement group. Step (b) includes: (b-1) while providing a first advertisement of the first advertisement group having a skippable attribute through signal processing, receiving a first user input for skipping the first advertisement; (b-2) in response to the first user input, stopping the provision of the first advertisement, and obtaining second list information regarding a second advertisement group to be provided during a first remaining time period of the advertisement insertion period; and (b-3) performing signal processing based on the second list information during the first remaining time period and providing at least a part of an advertisement of the second advertisement group.

[0200] Other technical features of the method for providing advertisements in a linear media service according to the technology of the present disclosure can also be applied to the content playback device according to the technology of the present disclosure in a similar manner.

[0201] Therefore, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not used to limit the technical idea of the present disclosure, but to explain the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited by those embodiments. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be construed as defined in the appended claims, and all technical ideas falling within the technical idea of the present disclosure are intended to be covered by the scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

[0202] [Industrial Applicability]

[0203] According to some embodiments of the technology of the present disclosure, skippable advertisements and non-skippable advertisements can be combined and provided to users in a linear media service. Therefore, the limitation that only non-skippable advertisements must be selected for advertisement time in a linear media service can be overcome. In addition, personalized advertisements can even be provided in a linear media service.

[0204] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0205] 100: Content playback device

[0206] 110: Communication interface

[0207] 130: Operation processor

[0208] 150: Storage device

[0209] 200: Media server

[0210] 300: Advertising server.

Claims

1. A method for providing advertisements in a linear media service, the method being performed by a content playback device, the method comprising: (a) obtaining first listing information about a first advertisement group to be provided during an advertisement break in the linear media service; as well as (b) performing signal processing based on the first list information and providing at least a portion of an advertisement of the first advertisement group during the advertisement break; (b) includes: (b-1) receiving a first user input for skipping the first advertisement while providing the first advertisement having a skippable attribute in the first advertisement group through signal processing; (b-2) in response to the first user input, ceasing to provide the first advertisement, and obtaining second list information regarding a second advertisement group to be provided during a first remaining time during the commercial break; and (b-3) During the first remaining time, based on the second list information, signal processing is performed and at least a portion of one advertisement of the second advertisement group is provided.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) comprises one of the following: (a-1) receiving the first list information from a device providing the linear media service or from a device providing the first list information; and (a-2) The first list information is generated using predetermined list generation reference information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The predetermined list generation reference information is generated based on at least one of information about the content playback device and information about a user of the content playback device.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) comprises: (a-3) determining that the first list information is received from a device providing the linear media service or a device providing the first list information; or using predetermined list generation reference information to generate the first list information; (a-4) if it is determined in (a-3) that the first list information is received from the device providing the linear media service or the device providing the first list information, receiving the first list information from the device providing the linear media service or the device providing the first list information; as well as (a-5) If it is determined in step (a-3) that the first list information is generated using the predetermined list generation reference information, the first list information is generated using the predetermined list generation reference information.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein (a) comprises: (a-6) Generating the first list information by combining first temporary list information received from the device providing the linear media service or the device providing the first list information and second temporary list information generated using predetermined list generation reference information.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein (b) comprises: (b-4) While the first advertisement is signal-processed and provided, guidance information indicating that the first advertisement is skippable is provided together with the first advertisement.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first advertisement group includes at least the first advertisement and a second advertisement having a non-skippable attribute.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The first list information is configured such that the first advertisement is provided at one of a beginning portion and a middle portion of the commercial break.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The first list information is configured such that the second advertisement is provided at one of a beginning portion and an end portion of the commercial break.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein The second advertisement group includes at least a third advertisement having a skippable attribute and a fourth advertisement having a non-skippable attribute.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The second list information is configured such that the third advertisement is provided at one of a start portion and a middle portion of the first remaining time.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The second list information is configured such that the fourth advertisement is provided at one of a start portion or an end portion of the first remaining time.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The second ad group also includes filler ads having a non-skippable attribute.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The second list information is configured such that the filler advertisement is provided at one of a beginning portion, a middle portion, and an end portion of the first remaining time.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein The second ad group includes a fifth ad that was included in the first ad group but was not provided in (b), and The second list information is configured such that the fifth advertisement is provided at a beginning portion of the first remaining time.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein (b-2) includes one of the following: (b-2-1) receiving the second list information from a device providing the linear media service or a device providing the first list information; as well as (b-2-2) The second list information is generated using predetermined list generation reference information.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein (b-2) comprises: (b-2-3) determining whether the second list information is received from a device providing the linear media service or a device providing the first list information; or using predetermined list generation reference information to generate the second list information; (b-2-4) if it is determined in (b-2-3) that the second list information is received from the device providing the linear media service or the device providing the first list information, receiving the second list information from the device providing the linear media service or the device providing the first list information; as well as (b-2-5) If it is determined in (b-2-3) that the second list information is generated using the predetermined list generation reference information, the second list information is generated using the predetermined list generation reference information.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein (b-2) Includes: (b-2-6) Generating the second list information by combining third temporary list information received from the device providing the linear media service or the device providing the first list information and fourth temporary list information generated using predetermined list generation reference information.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein (b-3) comprises: (b-3-1) while providing a third advertisement having a skippable attribute in the second advertisement group through signal processing, receiving a second user input for skipping the third advertisement; (b-3-2) in response to the second user input, stopping providing the third advertisement, and obtaining third list information about a third advertisement group to be provided in a second remaining time during the first remaining time; as well as (b-3-3) Performing signal processing based on the third list information and providing at least a portion of one advertisement of the third advertisement group during the second remaining time.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The third advertising group includes at least a sixth advertisement, the sixth advertisement being included in the second advertising group but not provided in (b-3), and The third list information is configured such that the sixth advertisement is provided at a beginning portion of the second remaining time.

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