National insertion of targeted advertisement

• US 9,124,915 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invidi Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Invidi Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Sheenan, Patrick, Cristofalo, Michael, Anderson, Bruce J., Wilson, Daniel C.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALAM, MUSHFIKH I
• Application Number:
  US14/226,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20150067720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 725 32- 36
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

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 a first asset delivery spot and first cue for use by first level delivery systems of the broadcast network, wherein said first level delivery systems comprise network platforms for broadcast of delivery of content to user equipment devices within one or more subdivisions of said broadcast network, said first level delivery systems being controlled by one or more first stakeholders authorized to control one or more first assets that are inserted in said first asset delivery spot so as to provide a modified content including said one or more first assets, and at least a second asset delivery spot and second cue for use with second level delivery systems, wherein said second level delivery systems are operative for delivery of content to user equipment devices both within and outside of said one or more subdivisions at said broadcast network, said second level delivery systems being controlled by one or more second stakeholders, different than said first stakeholders who are authorized to control one or more second assets that are delivered in said second asset delivery spot;

providing a mechanism for securing access to at least one of said first cue and said second cue such that said first stakeholders control delivery with respect to said first asset delivery spot and said second stakeholder controls delivery with respect to said second asset delivery spot;

providing an authorization to at least one of said first and second stakeholders, in connection with acquiring rights to insert one or more assets in at least one of said first and second asset delivery spots, said authorization allowing use of at least one of said first and second cues;

transmitting said content stream in said broadcast network such that said first level delivery systems can control asset delivery for said first asset delivery spot and said second level delivery systems can control asset delivery for said second asset delivery spot;

second 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 delivery systems is operative to;

a) identify said first cue for use with said first level delivery systems; and

b) in response to said first cue, provide at least one of said first assets for delivery in said first asset delivery spot; and

providing at least two asset options for said second asset delivery spot of said content stream, wherein at least one of said second level delivery systems is operative to;

a) identify said second cue for use with said second level delivery systems;

b) select one of said second assets based on information specific to a particular subscriber of said broadcast network; and

c) deliver said selected one of said second assets to said particular subscriber of said broadcast network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first level delivery systems 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, wherein said step of second providing comprises providing said asset options in synchrony with said content stream.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of said asset options is provided in a parallel transmission band to said content stream.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of second providing comprises:

forwarding said asset options to said first level delivery systems prior to said delivery of said content stream to said first level delivery systems.

6. The method of claim 4, encrypting said first cue prior to delivery to the first level delivery systems.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of said second level delivery systems is operative to insert content into said second asset insertion spot in said content stream.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

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

using said network user information to select said asset options.

9. A method of claim 4, further comprising receiving, at a platform of said broadcast network, report information reporting delivery of at least one of said first and second assets.

10. An apparatus 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, comprising:

first level delivery systems, of the broadcast network, for receiving a content stream including programming segments and at least a first asset delivery spot and first cue, wherein said first level delivery systems comprise network platforms for broadcast delivery of content to user equipment devices within one or more subdivisions of said broadcast network, said first level delivery systems being controlled by one or more first stakeholders authorized to control one or more first assets that are inserted in said first asset delivery spot so as to provide a modified content including said one or more first assets;

second level delivery systems for receiving at least a second asset delivery spot and second cue, wherein said second level delivery systems are operative for delivery of content to user equipment devices both within and outside of said one or more subdivisions at said broadcast network, said second level delivery systems being controlled by one or more second stakeholders, different than said first stakeholders, who are authorized to control one or more second assets that are delivered in said second asset delivery spot; and

one or more processors operative for;

providing a mechanism for securing access to at least one of said first cue and said second cue such that said first stakeholders control delivery with respect to said first asset delivery spot and said second stakeholder controls delivery with respect to said second asset delivery spot;

providing an authorization to at least one of said first and second stakeholders, in connection with acquiring rights to insert one or more assets in at least one of said first and second asset delivery spots, said authorization allowing use of at least one of said first and second cues;

transmitting said content stream in said broadcast network such that said first level delivery systems can control asset delivery for said first asset delivery spot and said second level delivery systems can control asset delivery for said second asset delivery spot;

second providing at least two asset options for said first asset delivery spot of said content stream; and

providing at least two asset options for said second asset delivery spot of said content stream; and

wherein at least a portion of said first level delivery systems is operative to;

a) identify said first cue for use with said first level delivery systems; and

b) in response to said first cue, provide at least one of said first assets for delivery in said first asset delivery spot; and

wherein at least one of said second level delivery systems is operative to;

a) identify said second cue for use with said second level delivery systems;

b) select one of said second assets based on information specific to a particular subscriber of said broadcast network; and

c) deliver said selected one of said second assets to said particular subscriber of said broadcast network.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first level delivery systems are further operative to erase said first cue, wherein said modified content stream is disseminated free of said first cue.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second providing comprises providing said asset options in synchrony with said content stream.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein at least one of said asset options is provided in a parallel transmission band to said content stream.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said second providing comprises:

forwarding said asset options to said first level delivery systems prior to said delivery of said content stream to said first level delivery systems.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said one or more processors are operative for encrypting said first cue prior to delivery to the first level delivery systems.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said second level delivery systems is operative to insert content into said second asset insertion spot in said content stream.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said one or more processors are further operative for:

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

using said network user information to select said asset options.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said one or more processors are further operative for receiving, at a platform of said broadcast network, report information reporting delivery of at least one of said first and second assets.