Set Top Box Tuner Segmentation for Seamless Channel Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing targeted advertising content cause tuning delays and artifacts when switching between network channels and targeted advertising channels, leading to a suboptimal viewing experience for customers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that allows seamless tuning between network channels and targeted advertising channels by using multiple tuners and decoders, where one tuner/decoder maintains the network channel while another tunes to the targeted advertising channel, and user input can switch between channels during the targeted advertising window without delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single tuner/decoder is used to display targeted advertising content during a TAD window, then advertising revenue is improved, but tuning delays and artifacts occur when switching between network channels and TAD channels
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tuning function into two separate tuners: a first tuner dedicated to network channels and a second tuner dedicated to TAD channels. This segmentation allows both tuners to operate independently and simultaneously, eliminating the need to switch between channels and thus eliminating tuning delays and artifacts while still delivering targeted advertising content.
2Reliability
If the TAD application forces the customer to stay on the TAD channel during the TAD window, then advertising content delivery is improved, but the customer may miss the beginning portion of requested network channels
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tuning function into two independent tuners, the system allows the first tuner to continuously receive network channel content while the second tuner receives TAD content. This enables the customer to watch network channels without interruption even during TAD windows, while advertising content is simultaneously delivered through the second tuner.
Solution Approach 2:
The second tuner acts as an intermediary that handles TAD content delivery separately from the primary network channel viewing. This intermediary tuner ensures advertising content is delivered reliably without interfering with the customer's ability to watch their requested network channel.
3Duration of action of moving object
If tuning back to the network channel is performed at the end of the TAD window, then advertising content is fully delivered, but tuning artifacts and delays result in a suboptimal viewing experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tuning function so that the first tuner continuously maintains network channel tuning while the second tuner handles TAD channel tuning. This eliminates the need to retune the primary tuner during or after TAD windows, thereby eliminating tuning artifacts and delays that would otherwise occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The first tuner maintains continuous tuning to the network channel throughout the TAD window and beyond, ensuring uninterrupted viewing. The second tuner independently handles TAD content, allowing both functions to operate continuously without interruption or artifacts.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of managing advertising content are shown and disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes outputting first multimedia content from a first channel, and outputting TAD content from a TAD channel instead of the first multimedia content during a TAD window of the first multimedia content. The method additionally includes receiving a first user input requesting multimedia content of a content channel different from the TAD channel during the TAD window, and outputting the multimedia content of the content channel instead of the TAD content in response to the first user input.