Network Termination Unit User Viewing Pattern Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video content distribution systems lack the ability to effectively target auxiliary information, such as advertising, at a granular level beyond geographic targeting, as they rely on high-level targeting methods without detailed user viewing patterns analysis.
Innovation Solution
A network termination unit with a detection module that monitors user viewing patterns and forms use pattern packets, which are analyzed by a content analyzer to characterize user behavior, enabling targeted content delivery through the video distribution network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If geographic targeting and predictive analysis techniques are used for auxiliary information distribution, then information can be sent to head-ends and D-hubs, but the targeting precision remains at a very high level and cannot be tailored to individual users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the auxiliary information distribution system into multiple components: head-end for content assembly, D-hubs for regional distribution, and individual NTUs for user-specific monitoring and delivery. This segmentation enables precise user-level targeting while distributing system complexity across multiple manageable components rather than concentrating it in a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where NTUs monitor user viewing patterns and send this information back through the video distribution network to the content analyzer. This feedback loop enables the system to learn individual user preferences and dynamically tailor auxiliary information delivery to each user, achieving high precision targeting through iterative refinement rather than static high-level geographic targeting.
2Loss of information
If use pattern monitoring is implemented at the NTU level, then individual user viewing patterns can be captured, but this requires additional monitoring capabilities and data processing infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The NTU leverages existing demodulation and decoding capabilities to monitor viewing patterns, essentially making the decoding process serve dual purposes: converting signals for display and extracting viewing pattern information. This self-service approach minimizes additional complexity by reusing existing infrastructure rather than adding separate monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The NTU is designed to perform multiple functions: demodulating video content signals, decoding them for display, and simultaneously monitoring viewing patterns for targeted content delivery. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating monitoring capabilities within the existing NTU rather than requiring separate dedicated monitoring devices at each user location.
3Adaptability or versatility
If content analysis and characterization are performed on use pattern packets, then targeted content delivery can be achieved, but this requires sophisticated analysis algorithms and processing power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the complex analysis and characterization work from the network infrastructure side to the content delivery decision side. The NTU collects detailed user behavior data in one dimension (viewing patterns), but the actual content selection and targeting decisions are made by the content analyzer using a different dimension (characterization and matching algorithms), distributing processing requirements across different functional layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The content analyzer performs preliminary characterization of user profiles based on aggregated viewing patterns before actual content delivery decisions are made. This preliminary action creates reusable user characterizations that can be applied to multiple content selection decisions, reducing the processing power needed for each individual content delivery decision by pre-computing user preferences and patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for monitoring use patterns or services available information in video distribution networks. A network termination unit receives the video content through a port, demodulates and decodes the signals to produce display signals. The display signals are displayed on a viewing device connected to the network termination unit and the network termination unit monitors the use patterns and/or services available information of the viewing device. The unit then formats the use patterns or services available information into use pattern network packets and transmits them. A content analyzer receives use pattern packet from a network termination unit and decode them to access the data. The content analyzer then analyzes the use patterns and/or services available information and characterizes the unit. The characterization of the unit is then used to target content to that unit.