Information targeting using hierarchical location segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current information delivery systems lack the granularity and specificity needed to effectively target content to users based on location, relying heavily on geographic location data and failing to account for sub-location attributes and user context.

Innovation Solution

A system that utilizes both geographic and user-specified location data, along with co-location analysis and user input, to enhance the specificity of information targeting and delivery, allowing for the identification of sub-locations and contextual attributes to determine the most appropriate content for delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If geographic location data is used for information delivery, then information can be delivered to users based on their location, but the granularity and specificity of targeting is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation granularityVSAvoidcontextual information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments location information into multiple hierarchical levels: geographic location (broad), sub-location (intermediate), and co-located objects (specific). This segmentation allows the system to progressively refine targeting precision from city-level to room-level accuracy, resolving the contradiction between broad geographic coverage and fine-grained location specificity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where sub-locations are nested within geographic locations, and co-located objects are nested within sub-locations. This nested doll approach allows the system to maintain multiple levels of location granularity simultaneously, enabling both broad geographic targeting and specific sub-location targeting without losing contextual information at any level

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If only geographic location data is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the targeting specificity and user experience are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetargeting specificityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where mobile devices automatically detect and report their own location, sub-location, and co-located objects without requiring manual user input. The system automatically infers sub-locations based on device location data and automatically identifies co-located objects through sensor data, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high targeting specificity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary information delivery system that acts as a mediator between users and content providers. This intermediary automatically processes location data, infers sub-locations, identifies co-located objects, and selects appropriate content, shielding users from system complexity while enabling precise targeting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If sub-location and contextual information are incorporated, then information delivery becomes highly specific and relevant, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery adaptabilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptability where the level of information delivery specificity automatically adjusts based on available data, user preferences, and contextual conditions. The system dynamically selects which level of location granularity to use (geographic, sub-location, or co-located object level) and dynamically adapts content selection based on real-time sensor data and user behavior, enabling high versatility without requiring complex manual configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2779665B1Information delivery targeting
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC
  • EP2779665B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2779665B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2779665B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Information may be more specifically targeted to locations or individuals based on contextual information derived from user input, environmental information, device attributes and the like. A more precise location, in some examples, may be determined based on user-specified information such as a name of a device. In other examples, user input such as commands and queries may be used to determine further attributes of a particular location, of a device and/or of a user. Such information may then be used as parameters for filtering and selection of information such as advertisements, movies, books, shows, articles and the like to a specific location, device and/or user.