Scheduling Trigger Apparatus for Promotional Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content delivery systems require users to manually program their devices to schedule viewings of promoted events, which can be cumbersome and lead to decreased motivation and forgotten recordings, especially with the complexity of multiple channels and cross-media promotions.
Innovation Solution
The system associates scheduling triggers with promotional content, allowing users to select and schedule events directly from the promotion, eliminating the need for manual programming and enabling contemporaneous scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually program their devices to schedule viewings of promoted events, then the system can provide scheduling functionality, but the complexity of multiple steps and channels decreases user motivation and increases the likelihood of forgotten recordings
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service scheduling by automatically capturing scheduling information from the promotion itself. The promotion contains embedded scheduling data (date, time, channel) that the system automatically extracts and uses to set up the scheduling trigger, eliminating the need for users to manually enter scheduling information while the system serves itself by processing the promotion data directly
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the scheduling trigger within the promotion before the user needs to view the event. The scheduling information is prepared and embedded in the promotion content itself, so when the user interacts with the promotion, the scheduling setup is already in place and requires no additional manual configuration steps
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides detailed scheduling information for multiple channels and cross-media promotions, then the system becomes more versatile, but the complexity of locating and programming events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the promotion content with the scheduling functionality by embedding scheduling triggers directly within the promotion. This combines what were previously separate functions (viewing promotion and scheduling event) into a single integrated interaction, allowing users to access scheduling information for multiple channels and cross-media promotions without having to separately locate and program each event
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling trigger mechanism provides universal functionality across different promotion types and channels. A single trigger system handles scheduling for television events, cross-media promotions, and various channel configurations, making the system adaptable to diverse promotion scenarios while maintaining consistent ease of use through a unified interface
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for embedding and associating triggers within a promotion or other similar content element with the event being promoted are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, consumer premises equipment (CPE) such as a digital set-top box is used to interface between the user and an external network (such as an HFC cable network) and facilitate the user selecting and scheduling viewing or recording of a subsequent event (e.g., broadcast movie) via the promotion itself. The trigger(s) within the promotion allow the user to contemporaneously select the promoted event for viewing, recording, etc. without any further action. The trigger(s) then initiates tuning of the user's receiver to the scheduled event at the appropriate date and time. This approach obviates additional actions by the user (such as programming their DVR), and also permits the user to commit to viewing the event when their interest level is highest; i.e., contemporaneous with the promotion.