Real-Time Streaming Ad Insertion With PoP Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in inserting targeted content in real-time streaming media without causing delays or deteriorating the streaming quality, as they lack a framework for deciding when it's too late for timely splicing and lack control over the timing of the content insertion process.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for selecting, transcoding, and inserting targeted content at a Point of Presence (PoP) close to the viewer, using an ordered sequence of signals to ensure timely insertion, including caching and transcoding ads at PoPs, and inserting them at key frames in the media stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content insertion is performed in real-time streaming media, then targeted content can be delivered to viewers, but the streaming quality and timing may deteriorate due to processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by caching ad content at PoP locations before they are needed for insertion. This allows the ad insertion process to use pre-positioned content rather than fetching and processing content in real-time, thereby maintaining streaming quality while enabling targeted content delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces PoP (Point of Presence) locations as intermediary nodes between the content source and the viewer. These intermediaries cache and transcode ad content locally, reducing the processing burden on the main streaming system and enabling timely ad insertion without compromising overall streaming quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ad content is processed and inserted in real-time, then targeted advertising can be achieved, but the timing control becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes an ordered sequence of signals and performs preliminary caching of ad content before the actual ad insertion moment. This preliminary action ensures that when ad insertion is triggered, the content is already prepared and available, eliminating timing uncertainties and enabling precise control over when ads are delivered to viewers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through ordered sequences of signals that track the state of ad content preparation and insertion. This feedback system monitors whether ads are ready, when they should be inserted, and confirms successful insertion, providing deterministic timing control for targeted advertising delivery.
3Loss of time
If a framework for deciding insertion timing is implemented, then timely ad splicing can be achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ad insertion system into distinct functional components: signal generation modules, caching modules at PoP locations, transcoding modules, and insertion modules. Each segment handles a specific aspect of the timing decision process, making the overall complex system manageable through modular organization while achieving timely ad splicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing ordered sequences of signals that define insertion timing criteria before actual ad delivery. This preliminary setup creates a deterministic decision framework that automatically determines when ads should be inserted, reducing real-time complexity while ensuring timely splicing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for targeted content insertion in real-time streaming. The method leverages the different ordered signals available on a multi-step process that clients follow when subscribing to a real-time media (video and/or audio) stream including selecting a region, connecting to a control channel, and subscribing to a stream to guide a multi-stage process of content selection, transcoding, and insertion in a real-time media stream. A system is also specified for implementing the described method on a real-time streaming architecture.