Content Manifest Alignment for Seamless Mid-Fragment Ad Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content delivery systems face challenges in seamlessly integrating secondary content, such as advertisements, into content assets without disrupting playback due to misaligned insertion points with fragment boundaries, leading to delays and increased server processing burdens.
Innovation Solution
A local playback device determines and generates updated manifest information to align secondary content insertion points with content fragment boundaries, reducing the need for server-side reprocessing of entire content assets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the content asset is processed on the server to align secondary content insertion points with content fragment boundaries, then the secondary content can be seamlessly integrated, but the server processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the content asset into discrete content fragments with defined boundaries. By segmenting the content and identifying alignment points where secondary content can be inserted without disrupting the fragment structure, the system enables seamless integration while avoiding the need to reprocess the entire content asset on the server. The playback device then performs local alignment operations on individual fragments rather than the complete asset.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the server process the entire content asset to align secondary content insertion points with fragment boundaries, the patent inverts the approach by having the playback device perform the alignment operation locally. The server provides the content fragments and secondary content separately, and the playback device aligns them at playback time, thereby eliminating the server's processing burden while achieving the same seamless integration result.
2Manufacturing precision
If the entire content asset is reprocessed on the server to accommodate secondary content insertion, then proper alignment is achieved, but the computational burden and processing resources on the server increase
Solution Approach 1:
The content asset is segmented into multiple content fragments, each with identifiable boundaries. The system identifies specific alignment points within these fragments where secondary content can be inserted. By working with individual fragments rather than the complete asset, the alignment operation achieves precise positioning without requiring the server to reprocess the entire content asset, thus maintaining high alignment precision while preserving server productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reprocessing the entire content asset on the server, the patent applies partial action by performing alignment operations only on the specific content fragments that require secondary content insertion. The playback device handles the alignment locally for only the necessary portions of the content, achieving proper alignment precision while minimizing the computational burden on the server to merely packaging and delivering the fragments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If secondary content is inserted at non-boundary locations within content fragments, then flexible content delivery is enabled, but playback interruptions and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines alignment points within content fragments based on the specific insertion requirements of secondary content. Rather than requiring fixed pre-defined insertion points, the playback device can identify suitable alignment locations within fragments that maintain playback continuity. This dynamic approach enables flexible content delivery while preserving playback reliability by ensuring that insertions occur at appropriate boundaries or alignment points.
Solution Approach 2:
The content asset is pre-segmented into fragments with defined boundaries during the packaging phase, and potential alignment points are identified in advance. This preliminary structuring allows the playback device to quickly determine appropriate insertion locations without disrupting playback continuity. The pre-established fragment structure provides a framework that maintains playback reliability while still allowing flexible insertion of secondary content at various points within the overall asset.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive a manifest that identifies a plurality of content fragments associated with a content asset. The device may receive or access instructions for inserting secondary content into a location of the content asset that does not align with the boundaries between the content fragments. Based on the received instructions, the playback device may generate updated manifest information that identifies a first modified content fragment and a second modified content fragment. The location for inserting the secondary content in the updated manifest information may align with a new boundary of the first modified content fragment or the second modified content fragment. The device may share the updated manifest information, and may receive a modified manifest file, or content asset, comprising the modified content fragments.