Audio Tag Insertion in Web Pages via Connection Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data communications systems using connection-oriented protocols like TCP do not allow modification of transmitted data during a communications session, making it impossible to insert audio content into a Web page after distribution, as any changes are detected as errors.

Innovation Solution

A method for inserting audio tags into a content page during a communications session between devices without disrupting the session by adjusting connection characteristics such as sequence, acknowledgment, or error correction information, allowing mid-stream modifications of the content page.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connection-oriented protocols like TCP are used to ensure reliable data transmission, then data integrity and reliability are improved, but the ability to modify transmitted data during communication is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoiddata modification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a data modification device as an intermediary component between the data source and the communication protocol. This intermediary intercepts packets during transmission, modifies the data payload, and adjusts connection characteristics (sequence numbers, acknowledgment numbers, checksums) to maintain protocol consistency. The intermediary enables dynamic content insertion while preserving TCP reliability mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies connection-oriented protocol parameters dynamically during data transmission. Specifically, it changes sequence numbers, acknowledgment numbers, and error detection checksums to account for inserted data. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain protocol compliance while enabling real-time content modification, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If audio content is inserted into a Web page after distribution, then advertising flexibility and revenue generation are improved, but TCP error detection mechanisms detect the modification as corruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertising flexibilityVSAvoiderror detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of TCP error detection (which would normally block content modification) into a benefit by systematically adjusting error detection parameters. Instead of avoiding detection, the system proactively modifies checksums and sequence numbers to reflect the inserted content, making the modification appear legitimate to the protocol's error detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes error detection parameters (checksums, sequence numbers) to match the modified content. By recalculating and updating these parameters after content insertion, the system ensures that TCP error detection mechanisms validate the modified packets as correct, enabling flexible content updates without triggering error responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If mid-stream modification of transmitted data is attempted, then content update capability is improved, but communication session disruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent update capabilityVSAvoidcommunication session stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary adjustments to connection characteristics before and during data modification. By pre-calculating the impact of content insertion on sequence numbers and checksums, and applying these adjustments proactively, the system prevents communication disruptions. The intermediary device maintains session state information and applies corrections in advance to avoid protocol violations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the intermediary device monitors communication session state and adjusts connection characteristics based on real-time conditions. By tracking sequence numbers, acknowledgment patterns, and error detection values, the system dynamically modifies packets to maintain session stability while enabling content updates, preventing disruptions through continuous adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7987271B1Methods and apparatus for inserting content within a content page

Publication Date: 2011.07.26 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Mechanisms and techniques provide a data communications device for inserting an audio tag into a content page during a communications session between a first computerized device and a second computerized device. A data communications device receives a request for a content page from a first computerized device and transfers the request to a second computerized device. The data communications device receives the content page from the second computerized device in response to the request, inserts an audio tag within the content page, and adjusts a connection characteristic associated with the content page to maintain the communications session between the first computerized device and the second computerized device. The data communications device then transfers the content page having the inserted audio tag and modified connection characteristic to the first computerized device.