Box Office Prediction via Competitive Dynamics Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for predicting movie box office performances prior to release dates are unreliable and biased, failing to account for cyclical and changing competitive dynamics, leading to inaccurate estimates of total audience size relative to film production budgets.

Innovation Solution

A machine learning-based method using a support vector machine (SVM) to analyze historical data and identify patterns in competitive dynamics, enabling accurate predictions of worldwide box office performance by optimizing the learning algorithm through cross-validation techniques, thereby providing reliable estimates of total audience size relative to film production budgets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If subjective evaluation methods are used to predict box office performance, then the prediction process is simple and quick, but the accuracy and reliability of the estimates are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracyVSAvoidprediction system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective human evaluation methods with an automated machine learning system based on support vector machines. This substitution eliminates human bias and subjectivity while providing objective, data-driven predictions of box office performance, directly resolving the contradiction between prediction accuracy and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces competitive dynamics patterns as an intermediary layer between historical data and box office predictions. This intermediary captures the complex interactions between competing films and translates them into predictive features, improving accuracy while maintaining a structured approach to handling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If historical data analysis is performed without considering competitive dynamics, then the analysis is simpler, but the predictions fail to account for cyclical and changing competitive patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction reliabilityVSAvoidanalysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic analysis by capturing competitive dynamics patterns that change over time. The system models how competitive relationships between films evolve cyclically, allowing predictions to adapt to changing market conditions rather than relying on static historical averages, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent identifies and utilizes periodic patterns in competitive dynamics that repeat across different time periods. By detecting these cyclical patterns in how films compete for audience attention, the system can predict future performance more reliably while accounting for recurring market behaviors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If subjective evaluation methods are used, then the prediction process is faster, but the estimates are biased and misleading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveestimate accuracyVSAvoidprediction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis by pre-processing historical data and pre-training the machine learning model on extensive datasets before actual predictions are needed. This preliminary work establishes the competitive dynamics patterns and model parameters in advance, enabling fast and accurate predictions without subjective bias when actual box office forecasts are required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system makes the prediction process self-service through automated machine learning algorithms that eliminate the need for human subjective evaluation. The model independently processes data, identifies patterns, and generates predictions without human intervention, ensuring both accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10984477B1Predicting box office performance of future film releases based upon determination of likely patterns of competitive dynamics on a particular future film release date
Publication Date: 2021.04.20 WINFIELD MICHAEL C
  • US10984477B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer-implemented method incorporating machine learning (e.g., a support vector machine) for predicting worldwide box office performance of a film prior to its release date, wherein the predicted performance determination is based upon a total audience size relative to a corresponding movie production budget. Total audience size estimate relative to movie production budget is based upon objective likely patterns of competitive dynamics on a particular date, without reliance upon potentially-misleading subjective evaluations.