Dual-Device Content Distribution with Ad Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Viewers' avoidance of advertisements in traditional content distribution models leads to revenue loss for content distributors, as consumers often skip or fast-forward through ads, disrupting the viewing experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that deliver content with and without advertisements based on the linkage status with a secondary device, where content is streamed with ads when no secondary device is linked and without ads when linked, with ads being displayed on the secondary device instead, allowing for targeted advertising and maintaining viewer engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If advertisements are included in the content stream, then revenue for content distributors is improved, but viewer experience deteriorates due to interruptions and annoyance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the advertisement delivery system into two separate channels: a primary content stream delivered to the first device (set-top box) and a secondary advertisement stream delivered to the second device (mobile device). This segmentation allows the content to be delivered without interruptions while advertisements are delivered separately, resolving the contradiction between maintaining revenue and improving viewer experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a secondary device (mobile device) as an intermediary to receive and display advertisements. Instead of inserting ads directly into the primary content stream, the system uses the mobile device as a mediator to deliver advertisements to the viewer, eliminating interruptions in the main content while preserving ad delivery.
2Loss of energy
If advertisements are displayed on the primary device, then revenue is maintained, but content flow continuity deteriorates due to fast-forwarding and skipping
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates content delivery from advertisement delivery by using two distinct devices. The primary device plays content continuously without interruptions, while the secondary device handles advertisement display. This segmentation prevents viewers from needing to fast-forward or skip content, eliminating loss of viewing time while maintaining revenue through ad delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a linkage between the first and second devices before content playback begins. By pre-configuring the dual-device connection and preparing the advertisement stream in advance, the system ensures that advertisements can be delivered to the mobile device without interrupting the content flow on the primary device, preventing any loss of content viewing time.
3Loss of energy
If a dual-device system is implemented, then advertisement delivery effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as both a remote control for the set-top box and an advertisement display device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated advertisement players, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while maintaining effective advertisement delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the mobile device to self-manage the advertisement display process. Once linked with the set-top box, the mobile device autonomously receives and displays advertisements without requiring additional complex control mechanisms, simplifying the overall system architecture while improving ad delivery effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method at a first device coupled to a display includes: when no second device is linked with the first device, receiving a first content stream, the first content stream including a content item and one or more first advertisements, and outputting the content item and the first advertisements to the display. The method also includes: when a second device is linked with the first device, receiving a second content stream, the second content stream including the content item and not including the first advertisements, and outputting the content item to the display without the first advertisements.