Advertisement insertion techniques for digital video streams
First Claim
1. A method for inserting advertisements into one or more digital program streams within a multiplexed digital stream, the method comprising:
- receiving a multiplexed digital stream having a plurality of digital program streams, wherein the multiplexed digital stream is allocated a multiplex bandwidth and the multiplex bandwidth is divided among the plurality of digital program streams into program bandwidths, the program bandwidth allocated based on bit rate associated with program contents, and wherein the digital program streams include advertisements opportunities;
accessing a plurality of advertisements and associated advertisement information, wherein the advertisement information includes advertisement bandwidth requirements;
selecting advertisements from the plurality of advertisements to be inserted in the digital program streams, wherein the advertisements are selected based at least in part on the program bandwidth and the advertisement bandwidth; and
inserting the advertisements into the advertisement opportunities within the digital program streams.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the insertion and transport of advertisements in a digital environment, including methods for directing advertisements (ads) at subscribers and substituting advertisements in a program stream with targeted advertisements. The insertion methods are based on synchronous, plesiochronous, or asynchronous techniques. These methods may operate at constant bit rates or at available bit rates. An ad manager is used to select targeted advertisements, and dynamic ad linking is used to substitute an advertisement in a program stream with an alternative targeted advertisement.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for inserting advertisements into one or more digital program streams within a multiplexed digital stream, the method comprising:
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receiving a multiplexed digital stream having a plurality of digital program streams, wherein the multiplexed digital stream is allocated a multiplex bandwidth and the multiplex bandwidth is divided among the plurality of digital program streams into program bandwidths, the program bandwidth allocated based on bit rate associated with program contents, and wherein the digital program streams include advertisements opportunities;
accessing a plurality of advertisements and associated advertisement information, wherein the advertisement information includes advertisement bandwidth requirements;
selecting advertisements from the plurality of advertisements to be inserted in the digital program streams, wherein the advertisements are selected based at least in part on the program bandwidth and the advertisement bandwidth; and
inserting the advertisements into the advertisement opportunities within the digital program streams. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for inserting advertisements into one or more digital program streams within a multiplexed digital stream, the system comprising:
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a receiver to receive a multiplexed digital stream having a plurality of digital program streams, wherein the multiplexed digital stream is allocated a multiplex bandwidth and the multiplex bandwidth is divided among the plurality of digital program streams into program bandwidths, the program bandwidth allocated based on bit rate associated with program contents, and wherein the digital program streams include advertisements opportunities;
an interface to access a plurality of advertisements and associated advertisement information, wherein the advertisement information includes advertisement bandwidth requirements;
an advertisement manager to select advertisements from the plurality of advertisements to be inserted in the digital program streams, wherein the advertisements are selected based at least in part on the program bandwidth and the advertisement bandwidth; and
a multiplexer to insert the advertisements. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for inserting advertisements into one or more digital program streams within a multiplexed digital stream, the method comprising:
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receiving a multiplexed digital stream having a plurality of digital program streams, wherein the multiplexed digital stream has a maximum bit rate it can support and the digital program streams have a fluctuating bit rate based on program contents;
accessing a plurality of advertisements; and
inserting selective ones of the advertisements into the digital program streams, wherein the bit rate of the digital program streams may be dynamically adjusted at point of insertion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
determining available bandwidth within the multiplexed digital stream for an advertisement; - and
preventing insertion of advertisements exceeding the available bandwidth.
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21. The method of claim 17, further comprising
determining available bit rate within the multiplexed digital stream for an advertisement; - and
preventing insertion of advertisements exceeding the available bit rate.
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22. The method of claim 17, further comprising
determining a minimum bit rate for an advertisement; - and
determining available bit rate within the multiplexed digital stream for an advertisement; and
selecting an advertisement for insertion that has a minimum bit rate that is less than or equal to the available bit rate.
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23. The method of claim 17, further comprising adjusting the bit rate of the digital program stream to a predetermined bit rate prior to said inserting.
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24. The method of claim 23, wherein the predetermined bit rate is a minimum advertisement bit rate.
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25. The method of claim 23, wherein the predetermined bit rate is bit rate of the selected advertisement.
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26. A system for inserting advertisements into one or more digital program streams within a multiplexed digital stream, the system comprising:
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a receiver to receive a multiplexed digital stream having a plurality of digital program streams, wherein the multiplexed digital stream has a maximum bit rate it can support and the digital program streams have a fluctuating bit rate based on program contents;
an advertisement manager to access a plurality of advertisements; and
a statistical multiplexer to insert selective ones of the advertisements into the digital program streams, wherein the bit rate of the digital program streams may be dynamically adjusted at point of insertion. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A computer based method for controlling insertion of advertisements into a digitally multiplexed video stream, the method comprising:
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receiving a digitally multiplexed video signal containing a plurality of digital program streams, wherein the program streams have a time varying bit rate and at least one advertisement insertion opportunity, and wherein the at least one advertisement insertion opportunity has an advertisement insertion opportunity bit rate;
selecting a digitally compressed advertisement for insertion into the digitally multiplexed video signal, wherein the digitally compressed advertisement has a minimum acceptable bit rate;
determining if the minimum acceptable bit rate is greater than or less than the advertisement insertion opportunity bit rate; and
inserting the digitally compressed advertisement when the minimum acceptable bit rate is less than the advertisement insertion opportunity bit rate. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. An apparatus for controlling insertion of advertisements into a digitally multiplexed video stream, the apparatus comprising:
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a receiver for receiving a digitally multiplexed video signal containing a plurality of digital program streams, wherein the program streams have a time varying bit rate and at least one advertisement insertion opportunity, and wherein the at least one advertisement insertion opportunity has an advertisement insertion opportunity bit rate;
an advertisement spooler for selecting a digitally compressed advertisement for insertion into the digitally multiplexed video signal, wherein the digitally compressed advertisement has a minimum acceptable bit rate; and
a statistical multiplexer for determining if the minimum acceptable bit rate is greater than or less than the advertisement insertion opportunity bit rate and inserting the digitally compressed advertisement when the minimum acceptable bit rate is less than the advertisement insertion opportunity bit rate. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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Specification