DVR Ad Insertion Using Program Start Metadata

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media distribution systems struggle to dynamically insert advertisements seamlessly before playing recorded programs on digital video recorders (DVRs), limiting opportunities for additional advertisement impressions.

Innovation Solution

The system uses media asset metadata to dynamically select and play advertisements immediately before playing recorded programs on DVRs, allowing for additional advertisement impressions beyond traditional break spots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional ad insertion methods are used during program breaks, then ad playback is straightforward, but additional advertisement impression opportunities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertisement impression opportunitiesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by determining the beginning of the recorded program before ad insertion occurs. The DVR identifies program start points using metadata or content analysis, then pre-positions advertisements to play immediately before the program begins, creating additional impression opportunities without disrupting the main playback flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that acts as a bridge between the advertisement content and the recorded program. This intermediary system manages the timing and sequencing of ads, inserting them at identified program beginning points without requiring complex real-time processing during main playback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If advertisements are inserted dynamically before recorded programs, then additional revenue streams are created, but seamless playback is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverevenue streamsVSAvoidseamless playback

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines program beginning points in advance using metadata or content analysis before ad insertion. By pre-identifying where programs start, the system can seamlessly transition from advertisements to program content without playback disruptions or timing issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor program content and identify beginning points through metadata analysis or content recognition. This feedback loop ensures accurate timing for ad insertion, maintaining seamless playback while enabling additional revenue opportunities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250126325A1Systems and methods for playing media assets stored on a digital video recorder based on a determined beginning of a recorded program

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 DISH NETWORK LLC

AI summary

Improved technical functionality is provided to dynamically select and seamlessly play advertisements immediately before playing of a recorded program upon selection of the recorded program for playing, or upon other detected events and conditions associated with the set-top-box (STB) or user. In some embodiments, this is performed by using metadata which may be delivered to and stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) prior to recording the program, providing a technical solution to enable opportunities for additional advertisement impressions. Playing of the advertisement may also or instead occur upon the recorded program finishing playing. Thus, the technical solution provides the additional opportunity for the content creator and/or the satellite television or cable service provider to sell advertising spots in addition to those already sold for breaks within the recorded program.