Episode Containers for Live Stream Ad Insertion and Re-Broadcasts
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved systems and methods to manage online broadcasts that incorporate advertisements seamlessly, especially when advertisement timing is unknown at the outset of a live broadcast, and to facilitate re-broadcasts with the ability to show different or the same advertisements.
Innovation Solution
The use of episode containers, which are data structures that include video and advertisement segments, allowing for dynamic insertion and management of advertisements during live broadcasts and enabling re-broadcasts with flexible advertisement placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional live streaming is used without episode containers, then the broadcast can proceed continuously, but advertisement insertion becomes complex and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the live stream into discrete episode containers with defined start and end times. Each episode container can independently hold video content and advertisement segments, allowing advertisements to be inserted by simply adding them to the appropriate container rather than manually intervening in the continuous stream.
Solution Approach 2:
Episode containers are prepared in advance with predetermined time slots for advertisements. This preliminary structuring allows the system to automatically manage advertisement insertion without requiring real-time manual decisions, as the container framework already defines where ads should appear.
2Adaptability or versatility
If advertisement timing is unknown at the outset, then the broadcast can be more flexible, but managing advertisement placement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The episode container system allows dynamic addition of advertisement segments at any point during the broadcast. New advertisement containers can be created and inserted into the stream based on real-time decisions, and the system automatically handles the integration without requiring complete re-planning of the broadcast schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The episode container acts as an intermediary layer between the live video stream and advertisement content. This intermediate structure simplifies management by providing a standardized interface for inserting advertisements, regardless of when they are added to the broadcast.
3Reliability
If seamless switching between video sources is required, then viewer experience is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the broadcast into episode containers with clearly defined boundaries, the system can seamlessly switch between different video sources at container transitions without disrupting the viewer experience. Each container is a self-contained unit that can be independently managed and switched.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of managing online streaming content are contemplated in this application. A new data structure is discussed. The new data structure is useful for the organization and delivery of streaming content—especially live content. Systems and methods make it possible for a broadcast manager to determine when advertisements can be played during a live broadcast (e.g., during a time out in a basketball game). Episode containers (the new data structure) include different segments, including both video-segments and advertisement-segments, where segments can be used to broadcast video from different sources. This can be particularly useful for broadcasting of content online where advertisement videos can be hosted elsewhere from where the broadcast content is hosted, allowing users to seamlessly watch a program with advertisements without experiencing interruption when they are transitioned to an advertisement from the broadcast.