Tracking Ad Preferences in Adaptive Bit Rate Streaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adaptive bit rate streaming systems face challenges in effectively managing and monetizing advertisements due to the ability of subscribers to skip ads, which reduces revenue for network operators and limits the ability to track user preferences, as traditional ad management techniques are not suitable for these systems.

Innovation Solution

The system tracks and learns from a subscriber's ad preferences by allowing them to skip individual ads while keeping records of watched and skipped ads, using this information to deliver more relevant ads through intelligent manipulation of manifest files in the adaptive bit rate network delivery system, allowing for minimal invasiveness and effective ad targeting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional ad management techniques are used in adaptive bit rate systems, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but ad revenue and targeting effectiveness deteriorate due to ad skipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidad revenue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by tracking subscriber ad preferences through monitoring which ads are watched versus skipped, and using this information to intelligently select and deliver more relevant ads to individual subscribers, thereby reducing ad skipping and improving revenue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of ad selection from static, generic ad delivery to dynamic, personalized ad delivery based on tracked subscriber preferences and behavior patterns, improving ad relevance and reducing skipping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If ad skipping is completely prevented, then ad revenue is maximized, but information gathering about user preferences is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvead revenueVSAvoiduser preference data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful behavior of ad skipping into a beneficial information gathering opportunity by tracking which ads are skipped versus watched, using this data to build user preference profiles that enable more effective future ad targeting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows subscribers to self-select ads they prefer by skipping unwanted ads, and the system automatically learns from these choices to deliver more relevant ads, making the user effectively serve their own advertising preferences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If intrusive techniques are used to gather ad preference information, then targeting accuracy improves, but subscriber experience and acceptance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetargeting accuracyVSAvoidsubscriber experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system avoids intrusive data collection by allowing subscribers to naturally express their ad preferences through skipping behavior, and automatically processes these choices to build preference profiles without requiring explicit user input or intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11869038B2Tracking ad preferences in adaptive bit rate systems

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

An adaptive bit rate system uses adaptive streaming to deliver content to client devices capable of adaptive bit rate streaming. Techniques for advertisement management include monitoring ad skipping by an adaptive bit rate client device that receives media chunks from the adaptive bit rate system. Techniques include monitoring a client action or inaction as it relates to advertisement skipping for future advertisement selections.