Per-Device URL Insertion in Video Streams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Service providers face challenges in managing and presenting additional interactive content alongside video content due to limitations in controlling URLs or links on consumer electronic devices, especially when using unmanaged third-party devices, which affects the delivery of enhanced viewing experiences across multiple screens and devices.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves inserting links or URLs associated with video content items at a program or channel level per device/user, allowing service providers to manage and display additional interactive content without interference from CE device manufacturers, using mechanisms like metadata insertion, caching, and filtering based on device attributes and user profiles, ensuring that the CE device manufacturer cannot update or remove these links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If service providers use unmanaged third-party CE devices to deliver video content, then device compatibility and user choice are improved, but control over interactive content delivery and URL management deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidcontrol over interactive content

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments URL management control by inserting device-specific identification codes into video content streams, allowing service providers to maintain control over interactive content delivery to specific unmanaged CE devices while permitting other devices to operate freely. This segmentation enables selective control without restricting overall device compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where device identification codes are embedded within video streams as metadata. These codes act as intermediaries that enable service providers to indirectly control unmanaged CE devices by recognizing device-specific identifiers and managing URL delivery accordingly, without requiring direct device management authority.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If service providers insert device-specific URLs and links into video streams, then control over interactive content delivery is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over interactive contentVSAvoidsystem processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by inserting device identification codes into video streams during the content delivery process, before interactive content needs to be delivered. This allows receiving devices to pre-identify themselves and receive appropriate URL configurations in advance, reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by embedding lightweight device identification code copies within video stream metadata rather than transmitting full device profiles or complex control data. This copying approach maintains control reliability while minimizing system complexity and processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If CE device manufacturers can override service provider URLs, then device autonomy and ease of operation are improved, but service provider content management capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice autonomyVSAvoidservice provider content management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-inserting device identification codes and associated URL management rules into video streams before devices can potentially override them. This creates a preemptive control mechanism that maintains service provider authority while allowing devices to operate autonomously within defined parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional control model by having devices identify themselves to service providers through embedded codes rather than providers having to manage individual devices directly. This inversion maintains service provider control while preserving device autonomy, as devices actively participate in the identification process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9794603B1System and method for inserting and assigning a channel or program link per device or user

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 COX COMMUNICATIONS INC

AI summary

Insertion and assignment of a link or URL per device/user is provided. A CE device may be used by the user as an interface to access video content from a plurality of service providers, content provider/owners, etc. An indication to access video content from an unmanaged CE device may be received and the device and its manufacturer/manager may be identified. An analysis may be performed based on the requested content item, user's display device, CE device, CE device manufacturer/manager, business rules/agreements etc. A URL or link may be assigned based on the analysis. The URL or link may then be sent for display on the user's viewing device along with the stream of requested video content. The CE device manufacturer/manager may not have the ability to update or erase the URL/link that is sent by the service provider.