Dynamic Ad Insertion in Offline Video Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current television content delivery methods, such as cable and satellite, lack flexibility in ad insertion and user control, as ads are typically inserted before broadcast or during transmission, and do not allow for dynamic ad updating or user-specific targeting after content is downloaded for offline viewing.

Innovation Solution

A system that downloads television programs and ads via the internet, enabling dynamic ad insertion based on user metadata, allowing for targeted ad delivery and refreshing outdated ads, while allowing users to access and view content offline without real-time internet connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ads are inserted before broadcast or during transmission, then ad delivery is simple and reliable, but ad flexibility and user-specific targeting are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvead flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by downloading both content and ads to the user's device before playback. Metadata is embedded in the content file indicating ad insertion points, and ads are downloaded in advance and stored locally. This allows ads to be inserted dynamically during offline playback without requiring real-time internet connectivity or complex transmission infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a local storage device on the user's system - that mediates between the content delivery system and the playback device. This intermediary stores both content and ads locally, enabling flexible ad insertion during offline playback while simplifying the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for complex real-time ad insertion infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If content is downloaded for offline viewing, then user convenience is improved, but dynamic ad updating becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidad updating capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamics by enabling ads to be updated independently of the main content. When a user downloads content, the system also downloads associated ads and stores them locally. The metadata embedded in the content file allows the playback software to locate and replace ads dynamically, even when the content file itself remains unchanged. This provides adaptability while maintaining offline viewing convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the content delivery system into independent components: content files with embedded metadata, separate ad files, and a local storage mechanism. This segmentation allows ads to be updated independently from the main content, enabling dynamic ad refreshing while preserving the offline viewing capability. The metadata acts as a bridge, linking content to its associated ads without requiring them to be permanently bound together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If ads are inserted during content playback, then viewing experience is maintained, but ad freshness and relevance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing experienceVSAvoidad freshness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by using metadata embedded in content files that track ad insertion points and characteristics. When ads are downloaded and stored locally, the system continuously checks for updated ads associated with the downloaded content. This feedback loop ensures that ads remain fresh and relevant while maintaining seamless integration during playback, as the system can replace outdated ads with newer versions without disrupting the viewing experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2413601B1Method of inserting promotional content within downloaded video content
Publication Date: 2014.12.03 SYNC ACQUISITION CORP
  • EP2413601B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2413601B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2413601B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method is provided for downloading video content to a user/client's device. The video content includes episode content and ads content. Each content includes metadata. The ads content is inserted in the episode content for viewing during a playback. The ads content is inserted automatically or at a certain designated time based on certain criteria.