Dynamic Slate Server for Streaming Blackout Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing streaming technologies face high costs and inefficiencies in managing media program blackouts, particularly due to the need to maintain infrastructure for streaming high-resolution content to large audiences and the inability to provide interactive experiences during blackouts, which results in unnecessary transmission costs and limited viewer engagement.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine the current transmission state of a media program based on the device's location and user identifier, terminating the stream and providing alternative content when a blackout occurs, which includes interactive elements such as branding, upcoming programs, countdowns, and recommendations, dynamically controlled based on user location and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If streaming infrastructure is maintained to deliver high-resolution media programs to large audiences, then media quality and availability are improved, but transmission costs and infrastructure expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the streaming delivery function from the main media server by introducing a separate slate server that delivers alternative content during blackouts. This allows the system to maintain streaming infrastructure for when it's needed while reducing unnecessary transmission during blackout events, thereby lowering transmission costs without compromising media availability when programs are actually accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the transmission parameter by switching from streaming high-resolution media content to delivering lower-bandwidth alternative content (slates with information, branding, recommendations) during blackout periods. This parameter change in content type and transmission requirements reduces bandwidth consumption and transmission costs while maintaining service availability.
2Loss of information
If traditional streaming slates are delivered during blackouts, then information is provided to viewers, but transmission costs remain high due to unnecessary streaming infrastructure usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs lightweight, easily generated slate content that can be quickly created and delivered without requiring expensive streaming infrastructure. These slates are simple information displays with branding, program information, and recommendations that can be delivered through more efficient transmission methods, reducing transmission costs while still providing valuable information to viewers during blackouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a slate server as an intermediary component that specifically handles alternative content delivery during blackouts. This separate component allows the main streaming infrastructure to remain idle or reduced during blackouts, while the slate server efficiently delivers information content, thereby separating the information delivery function from the expensive streaming infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interactive elements are added to improve viewer engagement during blackouts, then viewer experience is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slate server is designed as a multi-functional component that can deliver various types of alternative content including branding information, program recommendations, countdowns, and interactive elements through a single unified system. This universal approach allows the system to provide diverse viewer engagement options without requiring separate specialized systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the content delivered during blackouts based on user location, preferences, and context. The slate content can change in real-time to provide personalized recommendations, location-specific information, or time-sensitive content like countdowns to program availability. This dynamic behavior enhances viewer engagement through personalization without requiring complex static infrastructure for each possible scenario.
4Adaptability or versatility
If location-based personalization is implemented to provide relevant alternative content, then viewer experience is optimized, but measurement and detection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements location detection through self-service mechanisms where the client device automatically provides location information or the system infers location from available data without requiring complex active detection protocols. This approach reduces the measurement and detection complexity by leveraging existing device capabilities and passive data collection rather than implementing sophisticated active location detection systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system for presenting a program guide in response to a user request to stream a broadcast subject to a blackout is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system receives a media program request, and if the requested media program is blacked out, provides information from the requesting to device to present a program guide or other information available to the user in lieu of the unavailable streamed media program.