VOD Ad Inventory Augmentation via Ownership Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional Video-On-Demand (VOD) systems, unused advertising inventory controlled by programmers is not utilized by network operators, leading to lost advertising opportunities due to the lack of indication in ad request and response messages about ownership of placement opportunities, preventing network operators from filling unfilled ad slots.

Innovation Solution

The system enables ad request and response messages to indicate whether programmers or network operators control placement opportunities, allowing network operators to transfer and fill unused programmer ad inventory, thereby augmenting their own ad inventory through ad inventory rules and messaging protocols like VAST and SCTE 130.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If programmers control advertising inventory separately from network operators, then programmers can maintain control over their content inventory, but network operators cannot utilize unused programmer inventory leading to lost advertising opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvead inventory utilizationVSAvoidinventory ownership indication

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where ad request and response messages include indicators of inventory ownership and usage status. Network operators receive feedback about which ad opportunities are controlled by programmers versus operators, and which programmer inventory slots remain unfilled, enabling intelligent inventory transfer decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary message structures (ad request/response messages with ownership indicators) that mediate between programmers and network operators. These standardized messages carry inventory ownership information, enabling automated inventory transfer without requiring direct coordination between the two parties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If ad request and response messages do not indicate ownership of placement opportunities, then message formats remain simple and backward compatible, but network operators cannot identify and fill unused ad slots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvead placement efficiencyVSAvoidmessage protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies existing message parameters by adding ownership indicator fields to ad request and response messages. These parameter changes enable the messages to carry inventory ownership information while maintaining compatibility with existing message structures and protocols like VAST and SCTE 130.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments ad inventory into distinct categories (programmer-controlled inventory vs. operator-controlled inventory) and segments ad opportunities into filled and unfilled slots. This segmentation is communicated through message indicators, enabling network operators to process and act on inventory information systematically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If programmers do not transfer unused inventory to network operators, then programmers retain full control over their advertising inventory, but advertising revenue is lost when programmers do not fully utilize their allotted ad opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvead opportunity wasteVSAvoidinventory transfer mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service inventory transfer where network operators automatically identify and fill unused programmer inventory slots based on standardized message indicators. The ad decision service autonomously processes inventory ownership information and executes transfers without requiring manual intervention from programmers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary identification of unused inventory through message indicators that mark unfilled ad opportunities before the ad playback occurs. This advance identification allows network operators to prepare and execute inventory transfers in advance, ensuring ad slots are filled without delaying content delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20220070509A1Augmenting Dynamic Ad Insertion Inventory with Unused Inventory

Publication Date: 2022.03.03 CHARTER COMM OPERATING LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may provide for dynamic ad insertion. Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may enable Video-On-Demand (VOD) dynamic ad inventory handling by a network operator. Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may enable augmenting network operator VOD ad inventory in a VOD session.