Scheduling content insertion opportunities in a broadcast network
First Claim
1. A method for use in connection with delivering selected content to users of a broadcast network, said broadcast network primarily involving synchronized distribution of broadcast content to multiple users, said method comprising the steps of:
- procuring status information regarding a current status of a programming channel;
identifying a plurality of asset options based on said status information;
developing an asset insertion schedule for at least one subsequent programming break of said programming channel involving at least a portion of said asset options; and
upon identifying a beginning of said at least one subsequent programming break, inserting assets into a content stream associated with said programming channel, wherein said assets are inserted according to said asset insertion schedule.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method is provided to dynamically insert content into programming breaks of at least a first programming channel. In order to dynamically insert such content, status information regarding a current status of a programming channel is procured. Based on the status information, a plurality of available insertion options (e.g., assets) may be identified. Using the identified asset options, an asset insertion schedule is developed for least one subsequent programming break of the programming channel. Upon identifying the beginning of the at least one subsequent programming break, the selected assets may be inserted into a content stream (e.g., associated with the programming channel) according to the insertion schedule. Generally, to provide such dynamic insertion, the status of the programming channel may be monitored periodically and/or continuously such that assets that are suited for current network conditions may be selected and inserted into one or more programming breaks.
421 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method for use in connection with delivering selected content to users of a broadcast network, said broadcast network primarily involving synchronized distribution of broadcast content to multiple users, said method comprising the steps of:
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procuring status information regarding a current status of a programming channel;
identifying a plurality of asset options based on said status information;
developing an asset insertion schedule for at least one subsequent programming break of said programming channel involving at least a portion of said asset options; and
upon identifying a beginning of said at least one subsequent programming break, inserting assets into a content stream associated with said programming channel, wherein said assets are inserted according to said asset insertion schedule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for use in connection with delivering selected content to users of a broadcast network, said broadcast network primarily involving synchronized distribution of broadcast content to multiple users, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing asset option information to equipment of broadcast network users;
receiving selection information at the broadcast network from at least a portion of the equipment of broadcast network users;
processing said selection information at the broadcast network to determine assets for transmission via the broadcast network; and
developing an asset insertion schedule for at least a portion of said assets. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23-42. -42. (canceled)
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43. A system for use in connection with delivery of selected content to users of a broadcast network, wherein the broadcast network primarily involves synchronized distribution of broadcast content to multiple users, the system comprising:
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a receiver for receiving status information from customer premise equipment devices (CPEs) of users of the broadcast network;
a content selection processor in operative communication with said receiver and being operative to;
process said status information originating from said CPEs; and
identify asset options based at least in part on the processed status information; and
a scheduler for generating an asset insertion schedule for a subsequent programming break, wherein said asset insertion schedule utilizes at least a portion of said identified assets options. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51-54. -54. (canceled)
Specification