Broadcast Ad Replacement Using Audio Fingerprinting and Viewer History
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in reliably identifying and replacing advertisements in broadcast television programming, especially after the content has been distributed, due to the distributed nature of broadcasts and the unpredictability of ad placement, which affects ad reach and frequency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a data processing system that uses audio fingerprinting and content analysis to identify advertisements in real-time or near real-time, creating a database of viewed ads, and automatically replacing them with relevant ads based on viewer history and location, even in time or place-shifted content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional electronic program guides are used to provide programming schedule information, then viewers can access basic scheduling data, but detailed information about specific content components including timing and identities of commercials is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast content into identifiable components including advertisements, program content, and transition elements. By creating discrete content identifiers for each advertisement segment, the system enables detailed tracking and replacement of specific ad content without affecting the overall program structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary content identification system that bridges the gap between broadcast content and viewer information needs. This intermediary layer captures, identifies, and transmits detailed advertising content information to both the content distribution system and viewers, enabling sophisticated ad management without requiring fundamental changes to the broadcast infrastructure.
2Speed
If live broadcasting is used to deliver content in real-time, then content reaches viewers immediately, but it is not possible to know in advance where ads will be located or what ads will be run
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by capturing and identifying advertisement content during the broadcast process itself, before the content is distributed to viewers. The content identification system records ad locations, timings, and identifiers in real-time, enabling subsequent replacement or tracking actions to be performed on already-distributed content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the content identification system continuously monitors broadcast content, identifies advertisements, and provides real-time information back to the content distribution system. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic ad management decisions based on actual broadcast content rather than predetermined schedules.
3Ease of operation
If distributed broadcast content is stored in millions of separate DVR locations, then viewers can access content locally, but ad replacement becomes extraordinarily difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating and distributing content identifiers and metadata about advertisements to all DVR locations. Instead of requiring complex coordination to modify content at each distributed location, the system copies identification information to each device, enabling local devices to independently identify and replace ads based on shared identification data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a standardized content identification system that can be applied across all distributed DVR locations uniformly. The same identification principles, metadata structures, and replacement mechanisms work consistently across millions of devices, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the distributed nature of content storage.
4Productivity
If advertisers attempt to improve reach and frequency of advertisements, then ad exposure increases, but ad skipping technologies make this increasingly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of simply broadcasting ads with a sophisticated digital identification and replacement system. By using content analysis, digital identifiers, and automated replacement mechanisms, the system ensures that advertisements are reliably delivered and can be replaced or tracked based on viewer behavior, overcoming traditional ad skipping methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances ad reach and frequency by ensuring relevant ads are delivered to viewers, preventing oversaturation and improving the viewer experience through targeted ad replacement.
Implementation Method 1
uses audio fingerprinting and content analysis to identify advertisements in real-time or near real-time
Implementation Method 2
uses audio fingerprinting and content analysis to identify advertisements in real-time or near real-time
Data Source
AI summary
Advertisements in broadcast television programming are digitally replaced with different ads prior to viewing. Replacement can occur in time and/or place shifted content, and can be used to promote a particular advertisement that the viewer has not yet seen, thereby improving the reach of the ad without oversaturation. Data reporting by the playback devices is collected in a database of viewed ads. The information in the database can be used to refresh previously-viewed ads, to increase saturation of particular ads, to replace previously-broadcast but no longer relevant ads, or for other purposes as desired.