Dynamic Content Pod Adjustment for Streaming Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video streaming services face challenges in providing customized ancillary content experiences efficiently, synchronizing content streaming according to a published schedule, and managing memory and network utilization for large numbers of target devices, particularly in linear programmed streaming content.

Innovation Solution

Systems and methods for dynamically controlling streaming of content by accessing a specification of a content pod length, adjusting pod durations, and synchronizing primary and ancillary content based on user responses to enhance content placement and reduce resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional approaches are used to provide customized ancillary content experiences, then content personalization can be achieved, but computer resource utilization and latency increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomized ancillary content experiencesVSAvoidcomputer resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments ancillary content into discrete content pods that are independently managed and delivered. Each content pod is a self-contained unit with associated metadata, allowing the system to deliver only the necessary portions of content rather than entire streams, thereby reducing computer resource utilization while maintaining personalization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-computing content recommendations and preparing content pods before they are needed. User preferences and viewing history are analyzed in advance to determine which ancillary content should be prepared, reducing real-time processing requirements and latency during actual content delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conventional approaches are used to ensure consistent ancillary content presentation during rapid channel switching, then content consistency can be maintained, but system complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistent ancillary content presentationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts content pod delivery based on real-time viewing conditions. When users switch channels rapidly, the system detects this behavior and adapts the content delivery strategy accordingly, suspending or pausing ancillary content delivery during transitions while maintaining consistency during stable viewing periods, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor user viewing behavior and channel switching patterns. This feedback is used to automatically adjust content pod delivery timing and frequency, ensuring consistent ancillary content presentation during stable viewing while avoiding redundant content delivery during rapid switching, thus maintaining reliability without increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional approaches are used to synchronize content streaming according to published schedules, then schedule accuracy can be maintained, but memory and network utilization increase for large numbers of devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling accuracyVSAvoidmemory and network utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by customizing content pod delivery parameters for each user based on their individual viewing patterns and device capabilities. Rather than using a uniform scheduling approach for all devices, the system adjusts content delivery timing, frequency, and size according to local user characteristics, maintaining scheduling accuracy while reducing overall memory and network utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key parameters of content delivery including pod size, delivery frequency, and timing based on user preferences and viewing history. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than using fixed conventional schedules, the system maintains scheduling accuracy while optimizing resource utilization across large numbers of devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250211807A1Methods and systems for generating and providing program guides and content

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 PLUTO INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are configured to manage streaming video content. A first time length specification for a content pod is accessed. If a determination is made that a response to a request for ancillary content of a duration corresponding to the first time length of the content pod includes ancillary content of insufficient duration to populate the first time length of the content pod, the content pod time length is reduced. Ancillary content items associated with the response to the request are streamed to a user device as part of a streaming channel comprising primary content having scheduled start times. A primary content item, having a scheduled start time, is streamed to the user device after the items of ancillary content, and earlier than the scheduled start time of the item of primary content.