NATIONAL INSERTION OF TARGETED ADVERTISEMENT

• US 20100037253A1
• Filed: 08/05/2009
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invidi Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Invidi Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: WILSON, Daniel C., SHEEHAN, Patrick, ANDERSON, Bruce J., CRISTOFALO, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,776,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/31
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/10 Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/103 Transmitter-side switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23424 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25883 being end-user demographical data, e.g. age, family status or address arrangements for identifying locations of users in broadcast systems H04H60/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/262 Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists scheduling strategies for dispatcher in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/4881; arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/06; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; establishing a time schedule or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4302 Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed that allow for providing targeted asset/advertisements for broadcast-wide programming feeds. The systems and methods allow network platforms to select among asset options provided with a content stream and/or replace assets in the content stream. In one arrangement, after selecting an asset, the asset is inserted into the content stream and the content stream is disseminated to subsequent network platforms (e.g., local platforms). At this time, the local platforms may insert local assets into the content stream in predetermined local asset insertion spots.

Claims

12-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method for use in connection with delivering assets to users of a broadcast network, said broadcast network primarily involving synchronized distribution of broadcast content to multiple users, said method comprising:

receiving a content stream from a content provider;

identifying a first cue type and a second cue type in the content stream received from the content provider, wherein said first cue type identifies a first asset insertion spot in said programming stream for a first asset type;

inserting a first asset into said first asset insertion spot;

erasing the first cue type from the content stream; and

broadcasting the content stream and first asset to a downstream network platform for subsequent dissemination to network users, wherein the content stream and first asset are broadcast free of the first cue type.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving is performed at a network affiliate platform.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein broadcasting comprises broadcasting the content stream and first asset to a network operator.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

replacing the first cue type with the second cue type, wherein the downstream network platform is operative to identify said second cue type.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said second cue type identifies a second asset insertion spot in said programming stream for a second asset type, further comprising:

inserting a second asset into said second asset insertion spot;

broadcasting the content stream, said first and said second asset, wherein said second cue type is broadcast with the content stream.

26. A method for use in connection with delivering assets to users of a broadcast network, said broadcast network primarily involving synchronized distribution of broadcast content to multiple users, said method comprising:

receiving a content stream from a content provider having at least a first restricted cue and a second unrestricted cue that identify a first asset insertion spot and second asset insertion spot, respectively, in the content stream;

identifying the first restricted cue in the content stream;

modifying the content stream based on identification of the first restricted cue to generate a modified content stream;

broadcasting the modified content stream and at least the second unrestricted cue to at least one downstream network platform for subsequent dissemination to network users.

1. A method for use in connection with delivering assets to users of a broadcast network, said broadcast network primarily involving synchronized distribution of broadcast content to multiple users, said method comprising:

generating a content stream including programming segments and at least first and second asset insertion spots having a first cue and a second cue, respectively;

delivering said content stream to a plurality of first level network platforms of said broadcast network, wherein said first level network platforms are operative to disseminate said content stream to second level network platforms that disseminate said content stream to a plurality of network regions;

providing at least two asset options for said first asset delivery spot of said content stream, wherein at least a portion of said first level network platforms are operative to;

identify said first cue;

independently select one of said asset options for insertion into said first asset delivery spot to generate a modified content stream; and

disseminate the modified content stream including said selected asset to one or more of said second level network platforms, wherein said modified content stream includes said second asset insertion spot and said second cue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first level network platforms are further operative to erase said first cue, wherein said modified content stream is disseminated free of said first cue.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing at least one targeting criteria for each asset option, wherein said first level network platform select between said asset options based at least in part on said targeting criteria.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing said at least two asset options comprises providing said asset options in synchrony with said content stream.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein at least one of said asset options is provided in a parallel transmission band to said content stream.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing said at least two asset options comprises:

forwarding said asset options to said first level network platforms prior to said delivering of said content stream to said first level network platforms.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said first level network platforms comprise affiliates.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said second level network platforms are network operators that receive the modified content stream from affiliates.

9. The method of claim 1,

encrypting said first cue prior to delivery to the first level network platforms.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said second level network platforms are operative to insert content into said second asset delivery spot in said content stream.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving network user information from at least one of said first or second level network platforms; and

using said network user information to select said asset options.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein modifying the content stream based on identification of the first restricted cue comprises:

decrypting the first restricted cue to identify timing in said content stream of said first asset insertion spot; and

inserting a first asset into the first insertion spot, wherein the first asset is broadcast with the modified content stream and the second unrestricted cue.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein modifying the content stream based on identification of the first restricted cue comprises:

inserting a first asset into the first insertion spot; and

erasing the first restricted cue, wherein the first asset is broadcast with the modified content stream and second unrestricted cue, wherein the modified content stream is broadcast free of the first restricted cue.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein modifying the first restricted cue comprises:

replacing the first restricted cue with an unrestricted cue that is broadcast with the modified content stream, wherein said at least one downstream platform may utilize the unrestricted cue to insert an asset in said first asset insertion spot.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said asset insertion instructions are delivered via a communications link that is separate from a communications link utilized to deliver said content stream.

30. A method for use in connection with delivering assets to users of a broadcast network, said broadcast network primarily involving synchronized distribution of broadcast content to multiple users, said method comprising:

generating a content stream having at least a first restricted asset delivery spot and a second unrestricted asset delivery spot, wherein said asset delivery spots are interleaved with programming;

delivering said content stream to a plurality of network affiliates of said broadcast network, wherein said network affiliates are operative to disseminate said content stream to network operators, which disseminate said content stream to a plurality of network regions;

delivering asset insertion instructions with said content stream, wherein said asset insertion instructions provide information regarding the first restricted asset delivery spot, wherein at least a portion of said affiliates are operative to utilize said asset insertion instructions to select an asset from a set of predetermined assets for insertion in said first restricted asset delivery spot.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said content stream includes a default network-wide asset in said first restricted asset delivery spot when delivered to said plurality of affiliates.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said asset insertion instructions are delivered in conjunction with said content stream.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein said asset insertion instructions are delivered in a common transmission band with said content stream.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein said asset insertion instructions comprise an encryption key.

34-1. The method of claim 28, wherein said asset insertion instructions provide a geographical constraint, wherein affiliates having a geographic location matching the geographical constraint utilize said asset insertion instructions.