Dynamic Streaming Content Insertion via Emulated Single Media Piece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current streaming media systems are limited in dynamically inserting content, such as advertisements, into streaming media programs because they require predefined manifests and discontinuity indicators, which restrict flexibility and dynamic selection of content.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically select and assemble content for insertion into streaming media programs by using meta URIs and a dynamic content decisioning system to provide an emulated single piece of content that matches the defined duration, eliminating the need for discontinuity indicators in the manifest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If predefined manifests with discontinuity indicators are used to insert content into streaming media, then content insertion is possible, but flexibility and dynamic selection of content are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the content selection decision-making process from the manifest structure itself. Instead of embedding content identifiers and discontinuity indicators directly in the manifest, the system separates the manifest (which only defines duration placeholders) from the content selection logic (handled by the decisioning server), thereby simplifying the manifest while enabling dynamic content selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a decisioning server as an intermediary between the manifest and the content delivery. This mediator receives requests for content insertion, makes dynamic selection decisions based on various criteria, and returns selected content identifiers, thereby enabling flexible content selection without complicating the manifest structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discontinuity indicators are inserted to define content insertion points, then content can be inserted at specific durations, but the manifest becomes more complex and requires predefined content durations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes discontinuity indicators and content duration definitions from the manifest structure. Instead, the manifest contains only placeholder elements with duration attributes, while the actual content insertion logic and duration management are extracted to the decisioning server, simplifying the manifest while maintaining dynamic insertion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the content insertion process dynamic by allowing the decisioning server to select content and determine actual durations at runtime based on viewer characteristics and content availability, rather than requiring all content durations to be predefined in the manifest. This enables flexible content insertion without manifest complexity.
3Productivity
If content is selected before manifest creation, then manifest can be predefined, but content selection flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary preparation by creating the manifest structure with placeholder elements and duration attributes before content selection. However, the actual content selection is deferred to runtime when the decisioning server processes insertion requests, combining efficient manifest preparation with flexible dynamic content selection based on viewer characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic content selection system where the decisioning server determines which content to insert and what durations to use at runtime, rather than statically selecting content before manifest creation. This allows the system to maintain efficient manifest processing while adapting content selection to specific viewer contexts and content availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel method and system is provided for dynamically selecting, assembling and inserting content into streaming media. The system and method allow for the selection of the content to be inserted into a streaming media program to be performed after the manifest, or equivalent, defining the streaming media program has been provided to a rendering device and to allow the selection of multiple pieces of content to fill a defined insertion point duration, provided only that the total duration of the selected pieces of content equal the duration of the defined insertion point. Selected pieces of content to be inserted are assembled by the system and method into an assembled emulated single piece of content which removes the need for discontinuity indicators, or equivalents, to be placed in the manifest between the selected pieces of content.