DVR Media Asset Metadata for Dynamic Ad Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multichannel media distribution platforms face challenges in dynamically inserting advertisements into recorded programs on digital video recorders (DVRs), limiting opportunities for additional advertisement impressions and revenue streams.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of media asset metadata that allows DVRs to select and play advertisements immediately before or after recorded programs, using service identifiers to target specific advertisements based on user interactions or events, enabling seamless dynamic ad insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If advertisements are dynamically inserted during playback of recorded content, then advertisement revenue opportunities are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares advertisement content and metadata in advance, storing multiple advertisement options locally on the DVR device. The metadata includes information about which advertisements to play, when to play them, and under what conditions. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time communication with remote servers during playback, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to dynamically insert relevant advertisements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary layer between the recorded content and the advertisement insertion mechanism. This metadata acts as a pre-computed instruction set that guides the DVR on when and what advertisements to play, simplifying the device's decision-making process. The metadata structure includes service identifiers, timing information, and advertisement selection criteria, allowing the DVR to autonomously make advertisement insertion decisions without complex real-time processing.
2Measurement precision
If multiple service identifiers are used to target specific advertisements, then advertisement targeting effectiveness is improved, but metadata complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses service identifiers as discrete parameters to categorize different types of services (e.g., customer service, messaging, program playback). Each service identifier corresponds to specific advertisement rules and content. By changing the parameter (service identifier) based on the active service, the system can precisely target advertisements without requiring complex algorithms. The metadata structure is designed to efficiently handle multiple service identifiers with associated advertisement rules.
3Ease of operation
If advertisements are played immediately before recorded programs, then user engagement is improved, but loss of time for content delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads advertisement content and prepares it for immediate playback before the recorded program starts. The metadata includes timing information that specifies exactly when each advertisement should be played relative to the program start time. This allows the DVR to queue and play advertisements seamlessly without delaying the actual program content, maintaining user engagement while minimizing time loss.
Data Source
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.