Dynamic Playout Buffers for Personalized Live Stream Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing television content distribution systems lack the ability to provide a dynamic playout buffer for live media streams, limiting user control over non-programming content insertion and failing to adapt to individual viewer preferences.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for publishing a disparate per-client live media output stream with dynamic insertion of targeted non-programming and customized programming content, utilizing a Dynamic Ad/Content Insertion System (DACIS) to generate a dynamic playout buffer based on client-specific parameters and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a definite and unchanging playout buffer is used for live media streams, then media players can create rules for fetching and buffering media segments, but user control over non-programming content insertion is limited and personalized content delivery is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic playout buffer that can be adjusted in real-time based on user preferences and content characteristics. The buffer duration is no longer fixed but can be modified during stream playback, allowing the system to adapt to different user requirements for non-programming content while maintaining stream continuity and quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the playout buffer parameter dynamically based on user profiles, content types, and insertion decisions. By making the buffer duration a variable parameter rather than a constant, the system enables personalized content delivery and user control over non-programming content insertion points and types
2Adaptability or versatility
If modern streaming protocols with fixed playout buffers are used, then streaming stability is maintained, but the ability to provide personalized content and adapt to individual viewer preferences is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic playout buffer adjusts its duration based on real-time conditions and user preferences while maintaining stream stability. The system dynamically modifies buffer parameters during playback to enable personalized content insertion without disrupting the overall streaming reliability or causing playback interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor user interactions, preferences, and streaming conditions to continuously optimize the playout buffer configuration. This feedback loop allows personalized content delivery to be implemented while maintaining streaming stability through adaptive adjustments
3Ease of operation
If Server-Side Ad Insertion is used for live streaming, then non-programming content can be inserted in near real-time, but user control and influence over content selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the SSAI system and the user that enables user preferences to influence content insertion decisions. This intermediary mechanism allows users to control which non-programming content is inserted, when it is inserted, and under what conditions, while the system maintains efficient automated content delivery
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for dynamic playout buffer for disparate live media output stream. A request is received that comprises a stream identifier and an additional parameter. In accordance with a playout buffer feature and the additional parameter, a first disparate live media output stream is generated based on an insertion of manifest data and indexed metadata of a media segment associated with the stream identifier to a first disparate live media output stream manifest. The playout buffer feature, defined in a first programming schedule, is associated with a corresponding number of media segments representing pre-encoded media assets and/or live input streams referenced in the first programming schedule.