Interactive TV Commercial Insertion via Payment Model Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interactive television systems lack effective methods for integrating commercial advertising into non-linear programming, which hinders revenue generation and user engagement.
Innovation Solution
An interactive television system that allows subscribers to select viewing commercials in lieu of or in addition to traditional payment methods, enabling commercial insertion at strategic points during interactive applications, such as games, using video-on-demand technology and broadcast signals to manage commercial delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional payment methods (subscription, pay-per-view) are used for interactive television applications, then revenue is generated through direct charges, but user flexibility and engagement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multiple payment pathways (traditional direct charges and commercial viewing) within a single interactive television platform, allowing the same application infrastructure to support both subscription models and advertising-supported models, thereby increasing payment method flexibility while maintaining revenue generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The payment model is made dynamic by allowing users to switch between traditional payment methods and commercial viewing options based on their preferences, enabling the system to adapt revenue generation strategies in real-time based on user behavior and commercial performance
2Productivity
If commercials are inserted into interactive television applications, then alternative revenue streams are created, but the non-linear nature of interactive programming makes commercial placement challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The commercial delivery system is segmented into modular components including commercial selection modules, insertion point identification modules, and delivery modules that can independently operate and be configured for different interactive applications, reducing the complexity of integrating commercials into non-linear programming
Solution Approach 2:
A commercial delivery system acts as an intermediary layer between the interactive television application and the commercial content, managing the complexity of commercial placement by handling selection, timing, and delivery without requiring modifications to the core interactive application logic
3Productivity
If users are required to pay for interactive television applications, then revenue is secured, but user engagement and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring direct payment for application access, the system inverts the model by offering free or reduced-cost access in exchange for viewing commercials, thereby securing revenue through advertising while improving user accessibility and engagement
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the present invention, commercials are provided to a subscriber at the start of or during their use of an interactive television application. Further in accordance with the invention, a subscriber may select to pay for use of the interactive television application by watching a specified amount of commercials in connection with use of the application. The subscriber can thereby reduce or avoid any additional payment for such services. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the subscriber is prompted to determine the payment method preferred by the subscriber payment method includes receiving commercials as an option in lieu of or in addition to traditional payment methods such as pay-per-view, pay-per-use pay-per-play and subscription based.