Automated Insertion Server for Broadcast Signal Triggers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for inserting promotional materials or commercials into television broadcasts, such as satellite systems, are often manual and lack reliability, making them inefficient and costly in terms of customer service and system maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that involves storing insert material in a content repository, assigning an identification, generating a schedule, and using an automation server to retrieve and insert the material into a content signal at a predetermined time, triggered by a specific signal, to form a modified content signal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual methods are used to insert promotional materials into television broadcasts, then flexibility in customization is improved, but reliability and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization flexibilityVSAvoidsignal insertion reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation where the broadcast system automatically inserts promotional materials based on pre-configured schedules and triggers. The automation server monitors content signals, detects trigger points, and autonomously inserts ads without manual intervention, thereby maintaining customization flexibility while significantly improving reliability and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring insertion schedules, defining trigger points, and preparing promotional material queues before broadcast begins. This advance preparation allows the system to automatically execute insertions reliably while maintaining the ability to customize insertion parameters, resolving the contradiction between manual flexibility and automated reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If manual insertion methods are used, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidinsertion operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the ad insertion process into distinct modular components: a scheduling module for pre-configuring insertions, a trigger detection module for identifying insertion points, an automation server for coordinating operations, and a material delivery module for providing promotional content. This segmentation enables automated high-productivity operations while keeping each component relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The automation server performs multiple functions including monitoring content signals, detecting triggers, managing insertion schedules, coordinating material delivery, and handling exceptions. This multi-functionality consolidates complex operations into a single system that dramatically improves productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If manual insertion processes are used, then implementation cost is reduced, but customer service quality and system reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation costVSAvoidbroadcast service quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic control. The automation server uses electronic signal monitoring, digital schedule management, and automated material delivery to insert promotional content. This substitution eliminates human error and variability, significantly improving broadcast service quality and reliability while the modular architecture keeps implementation costs manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8938751B2Method and system for placing inserts into a broadcast television signal

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 DIRECTV LLC

AI summary

A system and method includes a content repository storing insert material therein and a scheduling system assigning an insert material identification to the insert material and generating an insertion schedule having an insertion time corresponding to the insert material identification. The system also includes an automation server in communication with the scheduling system. The automation server receives the insertion schedule, retrieves the insertion material from the content repository, stores the content therein in response to the insertion time, receives a content signal with a trigger and inserts the insert material into the content signal in response to the trigger and the trigger time to form a modified content signal.