DVR Menu Enhancing Revenue via Post-Program Promotional Options
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital video recorders (DVRs) face limitations in storage capacity, leading to the need for users to delete recorded programs to free up space, with existing 'save or delete' menus offering limited options and underutilized screen real estate, particularly after program completion when viewer interest in advertised products is high.
Innovation Solution
Enhancing the 'save or delete' menu with additional promotional options that allow users to interact with advertisements, purchase products, or learn more about featured items immediately after program completion, utilizing existing DVR infrastructure with minimal modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the 'save or delete' menu is enhanced with additional promotional options, then user engagement with advertisements increases and revenue generation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing 'save or delete' menu is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it continues to provide the original save/delete operations while simultaneously displaying promotional content and enabling product purchases. This allows the same interface to fulfill both traditional storage management and new commercial engagement functions without adding separate dedicated interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the promotional content display and interaction capabilities directly within the existing 'save or delete' menu structure. By merging advertising delivery, product information presentation, and purchase functionality into the already-established menu framework, the system leverages existing user familiarity while introducing new revenue-generating capabilities.
2Area of stationary object
If promotional content is displayed in the 'save or delete' menu, then unused screen real estate is utilized for revenue generation, but the user interface becomes more cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the temporal dimension by displaying promotional content specifically at the moment when users are most receptive (immediately after program completion). This timing-based approach allows the interface to present additional content without creating permanent clutter, as the promotional material appears only during this specific transitional state rather than occupying screen space continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The menu interface dynamically adapts its content based on user state and timing. Promotional content is displayed conditionally during the post-program window when users are actively engaged with the DVR, and the interface can be dismissed or navigated away from, allowing users to control their interaction level with the promotional material.
3Loss of information
If users are presented with promotional options immediately after program completion, then user engagement with advertisements increases while products are fresh in their minds, but the viewing experience is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares promotional content in advance and delivers it at the optimal moment (immediately after program completion) when user interest is highest. By timing the promotional delivery to coincide with this specific transitional state, the system capitalizes on freshly formed product memories while the user is still in an engaged mindset, rather than interrupting the program itself or waiting until interest has faded.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for presenting menus to DVR users and users of other media playback devices are described. After a DVR (or other media device) has finished playing a recorded television program (or other content), or in response to other specified events, the DVR presents a screen which comprises a menu. In addition to or in alternative to “save” and “delete” options, the menu comprises one or more options. Each of these other options may correspond to a separate item. For example, a user's selection of such an option may cause the DVR to display or play certain content on the user's television set. Additionally, or alternatively, these other options, when selected by a user, may cause the DVR to display a user interface through which the user can actually interact with content, such as an item that was featured or referenced in the television program that the user was just watching.