Advertising Inventory Estimation via Database Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in effectively managing and providing accurate advertising inventory information, particularly in response to demographic inquiries, due to the finite physical space on web pages and the complexity of representing numerous demographic combinations, which exceeds feasible database implementation limits.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a server to query an advertising inventory database and a contract database to estimate available inventory by determining total query inventory, total contract inventory, contract delivery targets, and sold inventory, thereby calculating available inventory matching demographic criteria, implemented using computer software modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all demographic combinations are represented in the database, then complete inventory information is provided, but the database becomes infeasibly large (10^35 combinations)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inventory information into two distinct databases: an advertising inventory database storing base inventory data, and a contract database storing contract-specific data. This segmentation avoids storing all possible demographic combinations in a single database, reducing overall complexity while maintaining information completeness through coordinated queries of both databases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary computational process that calculates available inventory by querying both databases and performing set operations (intersection of total query inventory and total contract inventory). This intermediary calculation layer eliminates the need to pre-store all demographic combinations, as the information is derived on-demand from the two smaller databases.
2Productivity
If ad space is allocated based on popular web pages, then advertising revenue is maximized, but demand exceeds supply due to finite physical space
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously calculating and providing available inventory information to advertisers before contract execution. By querying the inventory and contract databases to determine current availability, the system gives real-time feedback on how much ad space remains, enabling advertisers to make informed decisions and preventing overbooking of web pages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If contracts are signed weeks/months in advance, then advertising planning is improved, but inventory levels vary unpredictably due to expiring contracts
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by calculating available inventory in advance of advertiser inquiries. By pre-computing the intersection of total query inventory and total contract inventory, and subtracting sold inventory, the system prepares accurate availability information before advertisers make decisions, enabling reliable long-term planning while accounting for expiring contracts.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and system for providing advertising inventory information. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for providing advertising inventory information in response to demographic inquiries. In an exemplary embodiment, a server responds to a demographic query. Based on the query, the server queries an advertising inventory database and a contract database to retrieve relevant information. Using the relevant information, the total inventory and the total sold inventory are obtained. Using the now obtained total inventory and the total sold inventory information, the server then provides an estimation of the total available inventory matching the query.