U.S. patent application number 12/766433 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-27 for apparatus and methods for dynamic secondary content and data insertion and delivery.
Invention is credited to Bryan Santangelo, Justin Tidwell.
Application Number | 20110264530 12/766433 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44816595 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110264530 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Santangelo; Bryan ; et
al. |
October 27, 2011 |
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMIC SECONDARY CONTENT AND DATA
INSERTION AND DELIVERY
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for providing primary and secondary
content and data to users. In one embodiment, management entities
at a content delivery network core cooperate to provide primary
content with contextually related or germane inserted secondary
content to user devices. Inserted secondary content may include
e.g., advertisements, multimedia applications, interactive
programming, and scheduled programming. A network entity monitors
user-specific data such as demographics, geographic location, and
viewing patterns, and facilitates content selection and delivery
based thereon. Content insertion may further be managed by a
campaign manager according to business rules. In another
embodiment, the primary and secondary content is pushed to a device
at or near the network edge based on the applicability thereof to
devices serviced by the edge device.
Inventors: |
Santangelo; Bryan; (Tulsa,
OK) ; Tidwell; Justin; (Waxhaw, NC) |
Family ID: |
44816595 |
Appl. No.: |
12/766433 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.64 ;
370/352; 705/14.4; 705/14.49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0241 20130101;
G06Q 30/0251 20130101; H04L 65/4076 20130101; H04L 65/4084
20130101; H04L 67/22 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04L 67/20
20130101; H04L 67/306 20130101; G06Q 30/0267 20130101; H04L 65/605
20130101; H04N 21/44016 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.64 ;
370/352; 705/14.4; 705/14.49 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; H04L 12/66 20060101 H04L012/66 |
Claims
1. A method for providing targeted secondary content to a
subscriber of a content-delivery network, the method comprising:
receiving a request for on-demand content from said subscriber;
determining whether said subscriber is entitled to receive said
requested on-demand content; and if said subscriber is entitled to
receive said requested content: evaluating the requested on-demand
content to identify an insertion opportunity; identifying at least
one secondary content element targeted to said insertion
opportunity; inserting said at least one secondary content element
into said requested on-demand content at said opportunity; and
delivering said on-demand content and said at least one secondary
content element inserted therein via an on-demand session.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said request is received from a
mobile client device in data communication with a packet-switched
network, the packet-switched network being in data communication
with the content-delivery network, and said method further
comprises determining an association of said mobile client device
to said subscriber via a subscriber account within said
content-delivery network.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said requested on-demand content
and said inserted at least one secondary content element are
delivered to said client device over at least said packet-switched
network according to the Internet Protocol (IP).
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a plurality
of information relating to one or more activities of said
subscriber, and said secondary content element targeted to said
opportunity comprises secondary content selected at least in part
based on said one or more activities.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of inserting said at
least one secondary content element comprises removing at least a
portion of said requested on-demand content, and replacing said at
least portion with said at least one secondary content element.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least portion of said
requested content comprises advertisement content.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of inserting at least
one secondary content element comprises inserting said secondary
content at regular intervals within said requested on-demand
content.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of inserting at least
one secondary content element is performed dynamically upon a
user-initiated event.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said user-initiated event
comprises an on-demand "pause" or "stop" event.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one campaign management
entity is configured to mange said act of identifying said at least
one secondary content element according to one or more business
rules.
11. A method for providing on-demand content to a personal mobile
device (PMD), the method comprising: providing a listing of a
plurality of available on-demand content to said PMD; receiving a
request for a selected one of said available on-demand content from
said PMD, said request including information identifying said PMD
and information identifying said selected content; and identifying,
based at least in part on said information identifying said PMD,
one or more secondary content elements for insertion into said
selected one of said plurality of on-demand content; wherein said
on-demand content comprises content not originally intended to have
secondary content inserted therein.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating a
playlist of said identified one or more secondary content
elements.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: utilizing said
playlist to selectively insert one or more of said secondary
content elements into said selected one of said available on-demand
content; and transmitting said selected one of said available
on-demand content having said one or more secondary content
elements inserted therein to said PMD.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: transmitting said
playlist and said selected one of said available on-demand content
to said PMD; wherein said PMD is configured to utilize said
playlist to select one or more secondary content elements for
insertion into said selected one of said available on-demand
content.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: inserting said
identified one or more secondary content elements into said
selected one of said plurality of on-demand content; and
transmitting said selected one of said plurality of on-demand
content having said one or more secondary content elements inserted
therein to said PMD.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said act of inserting said
identified one or more secondary content elements into said
selected one of said plurality of on-demand content comprises
inserting upon the occurrence of a user-initiated event.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said user-initiated event
comprises one of: (i) a command to begin playback of said selected
one of said plurality of on-demand content, (ii) a stop command,
and (iii) a pause command.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein said act of identifying
comprises: using said information identifying said PMD to associate
said PMD to a user account; determining a geographic area
associated with said user account; and identifying content targeted
to said geographic area.
19. In a content delivery network, apparatus configured to deliver
content to a plurality of user devices, said apparatus comprising:
at least one interface for receiving a plurality of primary and
secondary content; a storage apparatus configured to at least
temporarily store said plurality of primary and secondary content;
at least one interface for transmitting selected ones of said
plurality of primary and secondary content to said plurality of
user devices; and a processor, said processor configured to run at
least one computer program thereon, said computer program
configured to: receive a request for an individual one of said
plurality of primary content from at least one of said plurality of
user devices; select one or more of said plurality of secondary
content for insertion into said individual one of said primary
content; and cause transmission of said selected one or more of
said plurality of secondary content and said individual one of said
plurality of primary content in a substantially coordinated
fashion.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said apparatus comprises a
server entity located at local service node of said network and
configured to service a portion of a plurality of network
subscribers.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: said apparatus comprises an
on-demand server; said primary content comprises on-demand content;
said secondary content comprises advertisement content; and said
transmission of said selected one or more of said plurality of
secondary content and said individual one of said plurality of
primary content comprises a session-based transmission thereof.
22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said transmission of said
selected one or more of said plurality of secondary content and
said individual one of said plurality of primary content in a
substantially coordinated fashion comprises transmission of said
individual one of said plurality of primary content having said
selected one or more of said plurality of secondary content
inserted therein.
23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said insertion of said
secondary content comprises dynamic insertion substantially in
response to a user command relating to control of said primary
content.
24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said apparatus is configured
to communicate with at least one entity for the management of said
insertion of said secondary content.
25. The server apparatus of claim 19, wherein: said at least one
computer program is further configured to determine a subscriber
account to which said request is associated; and said selection of
said one or more of said plurality of secondary content comprises
selection based at least in part on said determined subscriber
account.
26. A method of opportunistically providing contextually relevant
advertising content along with requested primary content over a
content delivery network, the method comprising: receiving a
request from a user of the network for the primary content;
determining context-specific information relating to the user based
at least in part on the request; identifying at least one
advertising content element based at least in part on said
context-specific information; transmitting at least a portion of
the requested primary content to the user; dynamically identifying
an insertion opportunity within said requested primary content for
said at least one advertising content element; and delivering the
at least one advertising content element to the user at the
identified insertion opportunity.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said identifying at least one
advertising content element based at least in part on said
context-specific information comprises identifying based at least
in part on at least one of user-specific: (i) demographic
information; (ii) psychographic information; and/or (iii)
historical use information.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein said identifying at least one
advertising content element based at least in part on said
context-specific information comprises identifying based at least
in part on user-specific operational context information.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein said identifying at least one
advertising content element based at least in part on said
context-specific information comprises identifying based at least
in part on information identifying one or more attributes or
topical contexts of the requested primary content.
30. The method of claim 26, wherein said identifying at least one
advertising content element based at least in part on said
context-specific information comprises identifying based at least
in part on information identifying at least one of the type or
configuration of a device which will be used to play the requested
primary content.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein said dynamic identification of
an insertion opportunity within said requested primary content for
said at least one advertising content element comprises: receiving
a user-invoked content control command; and immediately initiating
said delivery of said at least one advertising content element to
said user.
32. The method of claim 26, wherein said dynamic identification of
an insertion opportunity within said requested primary content for
said at least one advertising content element comprises: receiving
a user-invoked content control command; and initiating said
delivery of said at least one advertising content element to said
user when said user invokes a second content control command.
33. A method for providing on-demand content to a client device via
a content delivery network, the method comprising: receiving a
plurality of primary and secondary content at an entity of a local
service node of said network, said local service node servicing
requests from a plurality of client device in communication
therewith; receiving a request for a selected one of said plurality
of primary content from at least one of said plurality of client
devices serviced by said local service node; inserting one or more
of said secondary content into said selected one of said plurality
of primary content; and transmitting said selected one of said
plurality of primary content having said one or more secondary
content inserted therein to said at least one of said plurality of
client devices; wherein said plurality of secondary content
comprises content specifically targeted, based at least in part on
information obtained from said local service node, to said one or
more of said plurality of client devices serviced by said node.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein said primary content comprises
on-demand content not originally intended to have secondary content
inserted therein, and said method further comprises processing said
primary content to create one or more insertion opportunities
therein.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein said act of inserting said one
or more of said secondary content into said selected one of said
plurality of primary content comprises insertion occurring at
operator-defined intervals.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein said secondary content
comprises advertisement content, and said specific targeting of
said secondary content comprises targeting to an advertisement zone
associated said local service node.
37. The method of claim 33, wherein said primary content received
at said entity of said local service node comprises content having
first secondary content inserted therein, and said act of inserting
said one or more of said secondary content comprises replacing said
first secondary content with said secondary content received at
said entity of said local service node.
38. The method of claim 33, wherein said act of inserting said one
or more of said secondary content into said selected one of said
plurality of primary content comprises inserting upon receipt of at
least one user-initiated interrupt request.
39. The method of claim 33, further comprising storing said
received plurality of primary and secondary content at a storage
device associated with said local service node, said local storage
obviating use of at least downstream bandwidth between a core
element of said network and said local service node.
40. An on-demand network apparatus configured to deliver on-demand
content to a plurality of subscribers to a content delivery
network, said apparatus comprising: at least one interface for
receiving a plurality of on-demand content; at least one interface
for receiving a plurality of advertisement content; a storage
apparatus configured to store said plurality of on-demand content
and said plurality of advertisement content; apparatus configured
to establish an on-demand session to transmit at least portions of
said plurality of on-demand content and said plurality of
advertisement content to said plurality of subscribers; and a
processor, said processor in data communication with said storage
apparatus and configured to run at least one computer program
thereon, said computer program configured to: receive a request for
an individual one of said plurality of on-demand content from a
client device associated with at least one of said plurality of
subscribers; utilize information regarding at least one of (i) said
client device, and/or (ii) said at least one of said plurality of
subscribers, in order to dynamically select one or more of said
plurality of advertisement content for insertion; insert said
selected one or more of said plurality of advertisement content
into said individual one of said plurality of on-demand content;
and cause transmission of said individual one of said plurality of
on-demand content having said one or more of said plurality of
advertisement content inserted therein.
41. The server apparatus of claim 40, wherein said server apparatus
is configured to communicate with at least one advertisement
campaign management entity for the management of said insertion of
said advertisement content.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to co-owned, co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/536,724 filed on Aug. 6, 2009 and
entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING ENTITLEMENTS TO DATA OVER
A NETWORK", and to co-owned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
61/256,903 filed on Oct. 30, 2009 and entitled "METHODS AND
APPARATUS FOR PACKETIZED CONTENT DELIVERY OVER A CONTENT DELIVERY
NETWORK", each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
COPYRIGHT
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to the field of
content and/or data delivery over a network. More particularly, the
present invention is related in one exemplary aspect to apparatus
and methods for the selection and insertion of secondary
content.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Technology
[0006] In the context of network services, it is often highly
desirable to provide users of the network with ready and instant
access to a variety of different types of content, accessible at
different locations, and on different platforms. In many cases, it
is also desirable to provide the same user with "secondary" content
(such as e.g., advertisements, promotions or "info-mercials",
related shorts, telescoping information/advertisements, etc.). The
secondary content may be directly or indirectly related to the
"primary" content which the user selected in the first place (such
as via a common theme or context, common persons of interest,
common demographic factors, etc.), or can be totally unrelated.
[0007] Secondary content insertion may comprise a major source of
revenue for commercial television distributors, and for the network
operator. For example, where the secondary content comprises
advertisements, it may be a main source of income for national
television broadcasters and their local over-the-air affiliates.
Cable, satellite, and other content distribution networks, as well
as Internet content providers, also derive income from the sale of
advertising time.
[0008] Hence, an advertiser may seek to maximize the return on
their advertising investment by targeting specific subscribers
which are likely to be most receptive to the commercial message
embodied in the advertisements. One of the most widespread and
simplest ways of targeting viewers involves identifying what types
of viewers generally watch specific television programs. For
example, it may be found that sports programming is overwhelmingly
viewed by men ages 18-32; if it is also true that this segment of
the population includes a number of persons who are likely to
purchase automobiles, an advertiser may take advantage of this
information and provide automobile advertisements during e.g.,
football games, or advertisements logically coupling the two topics
(e.g., an automobile advertisement involving a well recognized
sports figure).
[0009] Another method of targeting specific viewers involves
selecting advertisements based on a geographical region in which
the advertisement is to be broadcast. In other words, it is
advantageous to provide certain advertising content to viewers in
one local or regional area which is different than that provided to
the viewers in a different local or regional area. For example, the
advertisements may be limited by the geographic area in which the
business operates. Hence, it would typically only make financial
sense for an advertisement for that business to be provided in
geographical areas where the business is operated.
[0010] Currently, the aforementioned mechanisms are limited with
respect to providing secondary content insertion into programming,
such as that requested "on demand". Examples of on-demand content
include e.g., video on-demand or VOD, subscription video-on-demand
(SVOD), which gives customers on-demand access to the content for a
flat monthly fee, free video-on-demand (FVOD), which gives
customers free on-demand access to some content, and movies
on-demand (MOD), which provides on-demand access to movie content
only.
[0011] The aforementioned on-demand services may be provided to
customers without secondary content inserted therein, or having
secondary content which is not targeted or applicable to all
viewers. In the first instance, prior art approaches fail to
provide an effective mechanism for the insertion of secondary
content into on-demand (or other content such as previously
recorded content) that did not originally have secondary content
inserted therein.
[0012] With respect to the second instance, on-demand (or other
content) having secondary content inserted therein under the prior
art approaches may only be provided to customers "as is". For
example, under the previous methods, when content is recorded the
secondary content therein cannot be easily modified to be targeted
to a subsequent group of viewers or updated to insert more
temporally relevant content.
[0013] Just as different varieties of VOD service offerings have
evolved over time, several different network architectures have
also evolved for deploying these services. These architectures
range from fully centralized (e.g., VOD servers at a central
location) to fully distributed (e.g., multiple copies of content
distributed on servers or other "edge" devices very close to
customer premises), as well as various other network architectures
enabling distribution of on-demand (and other) content to devices
outside the traditional home network. Since most cable television
networks today consist of optical fiber towards the "core" of the
network which are connected to coaxial cable or copper wire
networks towards the edge, VOD transmission network architectures
also consist of a mixture of optical fiber and coaxial/wire
portions. As these technologies emerge, there has been a noticeable
lag in the ability of the network operator to ensure the content
delivered to the remote devices also includes secondary content
targeted to these subscribers, their locations, and/or to the
capabilities of the requesting devices.
[0014] Hence, apparatus and methods for providing primary content
having secondary content inserted therein to a plurality of users
are desired. Ideally, these apparatus and methods would be
monitored and controlled by various management entities of the
network, and may be used to provide content to users no matter
where they are located (and regardless of their hardware/software
context). Efficient delivery of the primary and secondary content
is also desired. Secondary content insertion which targets the
user, the device, and/or is related to the context of the primary
content, would also ideally be provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention addresses the foregoing needs by
disclosing apparatus and methods for the selection and insertion of
secondary content.
[0016] In a first aspect of the invention, a method for providing
targeted secondary content to a subscriber of a content-delivery
network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises:
receiving a request for on-demand content from the subscriber;
determining whether the subscriber is entitled to receive the
requested on-demand content. If the subscriber is entitled to
receive the requested content: evaluating the requested on-demand
content to identify an insertion opportunity; identifying at least
one secondary content element targeted to the insertion
opportunity; inserting the at least one secondary content element
into the requested on-demand content at the opportunity; and
delivering the on-demand content and the at least one secondary
content element inserted therein via an on-demand session.
[0017] In a second aspect of the invention, a method for providing
on-demand content to a personal mobile device (PMD) is disclosed.
In one embodiment, the method comprises: providing a listing of a
plurality of available on-demand content to the PMD; receiving a
request for a selected one of the available on-demand content from
the PMD, the request including information identifying the PMD and
information identifying the selected content; and identifying,
based at least in part on the information identifying the PMD, one
or more secondary content elements for insertion into the selected
one of the plurality of on-demand content; wherein the on-demand
content comprises content not originally intended to have secondary
content inserted therein.
[0018] In a third aspect of the invention, apparatus configured to
deliver content to a plurality of user devices of a content
delivery network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus
comprises: at least one interface for receiving a plurality of
primary and secondary content; a storage apparatus configured to at
least temporarily store the plurality of primary and secondary
content; at least one interface for transmitting selected ones of
the plurality of primary and secondary content to the plurality of
user devices; and a processor, the processor configured to run at
least one computer program thereon. The computer program is
configured to: receive a request for an individual one of the
plurality of primary content from at least one of the plurality of
user devices; select one or more of the plurality of secondary
content for insertion into the individual one of the primary
content; and cause transmission of the selected one or more of the
plurality of secondary content and the individual one of the
plurality of primary content in a substantially coordinated
fashion.
[0019] In a fourth aspect of the invention, a method of
opportunistically providing contextually relevant advertising
content along with requested primary content over a content
delivery network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method
comprises: receiving a request from a user of the network for the
primary content; determining context-specific information relating
to the user based at least in part on the request; identifying at
least one advertising content element based at least in part on the
context-specific information; transmitting at least a portion of
the requested primary content to the user; dynamically identifying
an insertion opportunity within the requested primary content for
the at least one advertising content element; and delivering the at
least one advertising content element to the user at the identified
insertion opportunity.
[0020] In a fifth aspect of the invention, a method for providing
on-demand content to a client device via a content delivery network
is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a
plurality of primary and secondary content at an entity of a local
service node of the network, the local service node servicing
requests from a plurality of client device in communication
therewith; receiving a request for a selected one of the plurality
of primary content from at least one of the plurality of client
devices serviced by the local service node; inserting one or more
of the secondary content into the selected one of the plurality of
primary content; and transmitting the selected one of the plurality
of primary content having the one or more secondary content
inserted therein to the at least one of the plurality of client
devices. The plurality of secondary content comprises content
specifically targeted, based at least in part on information
obtained from the local service node, to the one or more of the
plurality of client devices serviced by the node.
[0021] In a sixth aspect of the invention, an on-demand network
apparatus configured to deliver on-demand content to a plurality of
subscribers to a content delivery network is disclosed. In one
embodiment, the apparatus comprises: at least one interface for
receiving a plurality of on-demand content; at least one interface
for receiving a plurality of advertisement content; a storage
apparatus configured to store the plurality of on-demand content
and the plurality of advertisement content; apparatus configured to
establish an on-demand session to transmit at least portions of the
plurality of on-demand content and the plurality of advertisement
content to the plurality of subscribers; and a processor, the
processor in data communication with the storage apparatus and
configured to run at least one computer program thereon. The
computer program is configured to: receive a request for an
individual one of the plurality of on-demand content from a client
device associated with at least one of the plurality of
subscribers; utilize information regarding at least one of (i) the
client device, and/or (ii) the at least one of the plurality of
subscribers, in order to dynamically select one or more of the
plurality of advertisement content for insertion; insert the
selected one or more of the plurality of advertisement content into
the individual one of the plurality of on-demand content; and cause
transmission of the individual one of the plurality of on-demand
content having the one or more of the plurality of advertisement
content inserted therein.
[0022] In a seventh aspect of the invention, methods for content
insertion via (i) replacement of extant content; (ii) fill of
unfilled placement opportunities, and/or (iii) addition of content,
are described.
[0023] In an eight aspect of the invention, a business and
operation "rules" engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, the
engine comprises one or more computer programs adapted to control
various aspects of secondary content selection and insertion so as
to achieve desired business or operation goals (or obey certain
rules).
[0024] These and other aspects of the invention shall become
apparent when considered in light of the disclosure provided
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an
exemplary hybrid fiber network configuration useful with the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 1a is a functional block diagram illustrating one
exemplary network headend configuration useful with the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 1b is a functional block diagram illustrating one
exemplary local service node configuration useful with the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 1c is a functional block diagram illustrating one
exemplary broadcast switched architecture (BSA) network useful with
the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 1d is a functional block diagram illustrating one
exemplary packetized content delivery network architecture useful
with the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a high-level functional block diagram of a content
and data distribution network configured in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 2a is a detailed functional block diagram of the
exemplary content and data distribution network of FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
method for providing primary and secondary content to a plurality
of user devices according to the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3a is a logical flow diagram illustrating one detailed
implementation of the method of FIG. 3 for providing primary and
secondary content to a plurality of user devices according to the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 is graphical representation illustrating one
embodiment of a "replacement" model for providing secondary content
insertion according to the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 4a is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
method of providing secondary content insertion using the
replacement model of FIG. 4.
[0036] FIG. 5 is graphical representation illustrating one
embodiment of a "fill" model for providing secondary content
insertion according to the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 5a is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
method of providing secondary content insertion using the fill
model of FIG. 5.
[0038] FIG. 6 is graphical representation illustrating one
embodiment of an "additive" model for providing secondary content
insertion according to the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 6a is a logical flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
method of providing secondary content insertion using the additive
model of FIG. 6.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an
exemplary content server apparatus for use with the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating an
exemplary client device for use with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals
refer to like parts throughout.
[0043] As used herein, the term "application" refers generally to a
unit of executable software that implements a certain functionality
or theme. The themes of applications vary broadly across any number
of disciplines and functions (such as on-demand content management,
e-commerce transactions, brokerage transactions, home
entertainment, calculator etc.), and one application may have more
than one theme. The unit of executable software generally runs in a
predetermined environment; for example, the unit could comprise a
downloadable Java Xlet.TM. that runs within the JavaTV.TM.
environment.
[0044] As used herein, the terms "client device" and "end user
device" include, but are not limited to, set-top boxes (e.g.,
DSTBs), personal computers (PCs), and minicomputers, whether
desktop, laptop, or otherwise, and mobile devices such as handheld
computers, PDAs, personal media devices (PMDs), and
smartphones.
[0045] As used herein, the term "codec" refers to a video, audio,
or other data coding and/or decoding algorithm, process or
apparatus including, without limitation, those of the MPEG (e.g.,
MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, etc.), Real (RealVideo, etc.), AC-3
(audio), DiVX, XViD/ViDX, Windows Media Video (e.g., WMV 7, 8, or
9), ATI Video codec, or VC-1 (SMPTE standard 421M) families.
[0046] As used herein, the term "computer program" or "software" is
meant to include any sequence or human or machine cognizable steps
which perform a function. Such program may be rendered in virtually
any programming language or environment including, for example,
C/C++, Fortran, COBOL, PASCAL, assembly language, markup languages
(e.g., HTML, SGML, XML, VoXML), and the like, as well as
object-oriented environments such as the Common Object Request
Broker Architecture (CORBA), Java.TM. (including J2ME, Java Beans,
etc.) and the like.
[0047] As used herein, the term "conditional access" refers to any
access control scheme, whether implemented in hardware, software,
or firmware (or combinations thereof), including without limitation
members of the "Powerkey" family (Powerkey Book 2, Powerkey Book 3,
etc.), NDS (including VideoGuard, mVideoGuard, etc.), ANSI/SCTE
Standard 52 2003 (DVS-042), incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety, and Motorola/General Instrument DigiCipher.RTM. family
(DigiCipher II, etc.). These can be implemented using, for example,
the so-called "CableCard" plug-in security module access
technology, a downloadable CA system (DCAS), or otherwise.
[0048] The terms "Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)" and "host
device" refer to any type of electronic equipment located within a
customer's or user's premises and connected to a network. The term
"host device" refers generally to a terminal device that has access
to digital television content via a satellite, cable, or
terrestrial network. The host device functionality may be
integrated into a digital television (DTV) set. The term "customer
premises equipment" (CPE) includes such electronic equipment such
as set-top boxes (e.g., DSTBs), televisions, cable modems (CMs),
embedded multimedia terminal adapters (eMTAs), whether stand-alone
or integrated with other devices, Digital Video Recorders (DVR),
gateway storage devices (Furnace), and ITV Personal Computers.
[0049] As used herein, the term "display" means any type of device
adapted to display information, including without limitation CRTs,
LCDs, TFTs, plasma displays, LEDs, incandescent and fluorescent
devices. Display devices may also include less dynamic devices such
as, for example, printers, e-ink devices, and the like.
[0050] As used herein, the term "DOCSIS" refers to any of the
existing or planned variants of the Data Over Cable Services
Interface Specification, including for example DOCSIS versions 1.0,
1.1, 2.0 and 3.0. DOCSIS (version 1.0) is a standard and protocol
for internet access using a "digital" cable network.
[0051] As used herein, the term "headend" refers generally to a
networked system controlled by an operator (e.g., an MSO) that
distributes programming to MSO clientele using client devices. Such
programming may include literally any information source/receiver
including, inter alia, free-to-air TV channels, pay TV channels,
interactive TV, and the Internet.
[0052] As used herein, the terms "Internet" and "internet" are used
interchangeably to refer to inter-networks including, without
limitation, the Internet.
[0053] As used herein, the terms "microprocessor" and "digital
processor" are meant generally to include all types of digital
processing devices including, without limitation, digital signal
processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computers (RISC),
general-purpose (CISC) processors, microprocessors, gate arrays
(e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable compute fabrics (RCFs), array
processors, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).
Such digital processors may be contained on a single unitary IC
die, or distributed across multiple components. As used herein, the
terms "MSO" or "multiple systems operator" refer to a cable,
satellite, or terrestrial network provider having infrastructure
required to deliver services including programming and data over
those mediums.
[0054] As used herein, the terms "network" and "bearer network"
refer generally to any type of telecommunications or data network
including, without limitation, hybrid fiber coax (HFC) networks,
satellite networks, telco networks, and data networks (including
MANs, WANs, LANs, WLANs, internets, and intranets). Such networks
or portions thereof may utilize any one or more different
topologies (e.g., ring, bus, star, loop, etc.), transmission media
(e.g., wired/RF cable, RF wireless, millimeter wave, optical, etc.)
and/or communications or networking protocols (e.g., SONET, DOCSIS,
IEEE Std. 802.3, ATM, X.25, Frame Relay, 3GPP, 3GPP2, WAP, SIP,
UDP, FTP, RTP/RTCP, H.323, etc.).
[0055] As used herein, the term "network interface" refers to any
signal or data interface with a component or network including,
without limitation, those of the FireWire (e.g., FW400, FW800,
etc.), USB (e.g., USB2), Ethernet (e.g., 10/100, 10/100/1000
(Gigabit Ethernet), 10-Gig-E, etc.), MoCA, Serial ATA (e.g., SATA,
e-SATA, SATAII), Ultra-ATA/DMA, Coaxsys (e.g., TVnet.TM.), radio
frequency tuner (e.g., in-band or OOB, cable modem, etc.), Wi-Fi
(802.11a, b, g, n), WiMAX (802.16), PAN (e.g., 802.15), or IrDA
families.
[0056] As used herein, the term "QAM" refers to modulation schemes
used for sending signals over cable networks. Such modulation
scheme might use any constellation level (e.g. QPSK, 16-QAM,
64-QAM, 256-QAM, etc.) depending on details of a cable network. A
QAM may also refer to a physical channel modulated according to the
schemes.
[0057] As used herein, the term "server" refers to any computerized
component, system or entity regardless of form which is adapted to
provide data, files, applications, content, or other services to
one or more other devices or entities on a computer network.
[0058] As used herein, the term "storage device" refers to without
limitation computer hard drives, DVR device, memory, RAID devices
or arrays, optical media (e.g., CD-ROMs, Laserdiscs, Blu-Ray,
etc.), or any other devices or media capable of storing content or
other information.
[0059] As used herein, the term "Wi-Fi" refers to, without
limitation, any of the variants of IEEE-Std. 802.11 or related
standards including 802.11a/b/g/n/v.
[0060] As used herein, the term "wireless" means any wireless
signal, data, communication, or other interface including without
limitation Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA, CDMA (e.g.,
IS-95A, WCDMA, etc.), FHSS, DSSS, GSM, PAN/802.15, WiMAX (802.16),
802.20, narrowband/FDMA, OFDM, PCS/DCS, analog cellular, CDPD,
satellite systems, millimeter wave or microwave systems, acoustic,
and infrared (i.e., IrDA).
Overview
[0061] The present invention discloses, inter alia, methods and
apparatus for providing primary content to network users, the
primary content having secondary content (e.g., targeted
advertisements or promotions, info-mercials, telescoping
advertisements, etc.) inserted therein, or otherwise associated
therewith.
[0062] In one exemplary aspect, a network operator's on-demand
product portfolio (e.g., single selection/purchase VOD, SVOD, FVOD,
etc.) is leveraged as a platform for multiple different types of
targeted secondary content insertion, offered as placement
opportunities to prospective or existing advertisers. This approach
also advantageously provides the opportunity for generating a new
revenue stream for the network operator by creating placement
opportunities where none existed before.
[0063] In one variant, an "upfront" secondary content insertion
model is provided, which takes advantage of non-advertising
supported on-demand platforms (e.g., FVOD, NDVR, etc.) to provide
placement opportunities to advertisers before the start of the
primary content event. This approach is also extensible to general
VOD paradigms, such as with a subscriber opt-in.
[0064] In another variant, a "pause" secondary content insertion
model is utilized which provides a dynamic placement opportunity
for additional secondary content (e.g., advertising) when the
subscriber returns to an on-demand content element (e.g., FVOD,
Startover, Lookback, or NDVR content element) already being viewed,
after having been paused for a time. Other variants for stopped
content, and content played to completion, are also described.
[0065] In another aspect of the invention, a "network promotion"
product or model is disclosed which allows clients of an MSO (e.g.,
studios, networks, advertisers, etc.) to utilize the foregoing
upfront and/or pause tools to specifically target advertising or
other secondary content based on the characteristics of the
subscriber and/or the particular on-demand asset being viewed.
[0066] In one implementation of the foregoing, a content and data
distribution network comprising primary content sources and
secondary content sources, at least one content server, and
management entities which cooperate to provide content (including
secondary content) to various CPE and portable media devices (PMD)
in communication with the network (including via a non-MSO network)
is utilized. Various management entities are given which cooperate
to provide VOD content having advertising or other secondary
content inserted therein to the CPE and PMD. The inserted secondary
content may include for example targeted advertisements, multimedia
applications, interactive programming, scheduled programming (e.g.,
"live") content, etc. The primary content may include for instance
long form content (i.e., content into which secondary content has
not yet been inserted) or short form content (i.e., content having
secondary content inserted therein).
[0067] In another embodiment, viewing patters of the CPE are
monitored at the headend of the network and the selection of
secondary content is based in part on the monitored viewing
patterns. Secondary content insertion is further managed in one
variant by a "campaign manager", in accordance with various
business rules.
[0068] In another embodiment, the apparatus is configured so that
all of the available primary and secondary content may be pushed to
the edge of the network if desired, in order to facilitate more
efficient transmission thereof to the client. In addition, the
content may be pushed to edge devices (such as local service nodes)
based on the applicability of the content to the group of devices
serviced by the edge device (e.g., the service group associated
with the node), thereby making content which is specific to a
certain group of users available to the server or node which
services these users.
[0069] Several methods are discussed for the insertion of secondary
content including e.g., a replacement model, a fill model and an
additive model for content insertion. According to one
implementation of the replacement model, one or more segments of
secondary content are used to replace one or more segments of
secondary content currently resident within a primary content
element. For example, the segments may be replaced "one-for-one",
"one-for-N", or "N-for-one".
[0070] The fill model is used to insert secondary content into
primary content which does not otherwise have secondary content
inserted therein, and/or may be used to increase the frequency of
inserted secondary content therein.
[0071] Lastly, the additive model is used to insert secondary
content in a non-disruptive fashion into primary content which does
not otherwise have secondary content inserted therein, and/or
non-disruptively increase the frequency of inserted secondary
content. In one example, the fill model may insert secondary
content according to user-initiated interruptions, thereby
appearing non-disruptive to the viewer.
[0072] The foregoing secondary content insertion models may be
utilized for example to replace secondary content targeted to a
particular geographic area designated by a network operator (a
so-called "advertisement zone") with: (i) secondary content
targeted to another (different) advertisement zone, (ii) national
advertisements, and/or (iii) more specifically targeted
advertisements (discussed below). These models may further be
advantageously used to replace secondary content so that a given
user will receive the same secondary content no matter the device,
location, or network/device context from which the request
originates. For example, a user request originating from a mobile
device for content to be delivered from an IP network will receive
the exact same secondary content which that user would receive if
the request had originated from the user's CPE (e.g., STB) at
home.
[0073] In one variant, a client application is run on the
microprocessor of the CPE to facilitate the secondary content
insertion of the invention by providing information regarding the
subscriber/user (and/or device) to headend entities charged with
inserting secondary content (e.g., the management entities
discussed above). For example, the client application may provide
subscriber, account, or other information upstream in order for the
insertion entities to identify the subscriber, and provide content
based on what is known about that particular subscriber. In
addition, the client application may be configured to collect
information regarding the user's actions with respect to content.
For example, the client application may log or record button
presses, playback events, power up/down events, trick mode events,
etc., and pass this information to the headend entities.
[0074] In yet another embodiment, the aforementioned headend
entities charged with inserting secondary content may provide the
playlist of available secondary content, and/or the secondary
content itself, directly to the CPE for storage thereon. The client
application in this embodiment dynamically causes insertion of the
provided secondary content. A proxy store (e.g., network store, web
server, etc.) may also provide the secondary content directly to
the CPE.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0075] Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and methods of the
present invention are now described in detail. While these
exemplary embodiments are described in the context of the
aforementioned hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable system or satellite
network architecture having an multiple systems operator (MSO),
digital networking capability, IP delivery capability, and
plurality of client devices/CPE, the general principles and
advantages of the invention may be extended to other types of
networks and architectures, whether broadband, narrowband, wired or
wireless, or otherwise, the following therefore being merely
exemplary in nature. For instance, the invention may be adapted for
use on so-called hybrid fiber copper (HFCu) networks, or WiMAX
(IEEE Std. 802.16) wireless networks.
[0076] It will also be appreciated that while described generally
in the context of a consumer (i.e., home) end user domain, the
present invention may be readily adapted to other types of
environments (e.g., commercial/enterprise, government/military,
etc.) as well. Myriad other applications are possible.
[0077] It is further noted that while described primarily in the
context of a cable system with 6 MHz RF channels, the present
invention is applicable to literally any network topology or
paradigm, and any frequency/bandwidth, such as for example 8 MHz
channels. Furthermore, as referenced above, the invention is in no
way limited to traditional cable system frequencies (i.e., below 1
GHz), and in fact may be used with systems that operate above 1 GHz
band in center frequency or bandwidth, to include without
limitation so-called ultra-wideband systems.
[0078] Also, while certain aspects are described primarily in the
context of the well-known Internet Protocol (described in, inter
alia, RFC 791 and 2460) and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), it
will be appreciated that the present invention may utilize other
types of protocols (and in fact bearer networks to include other
internets and intranets) to implement the described
functionality.
[0079] Moreover, while many aspects of the invention are described
within the context of traditional "on demand" services provided
over e.g., a cable, satellite, of HFCu network (e.g., FVOD, SVOD,
MOD, etc.), it will be appreciated that the concepts and apparatus
described herein are readily extensible to other content delivery
paradigms which provide content "on demand", including without
limitation: (i) "pay per view"; (ii) content rental or purchase via
mail or other tangible delivery platform (e.g., the prior art
"Netflix.RTM." service); and (iii) selection of a video for play
via the Internet, such as via the "YouTube.RTM." website. See the
discussion regarding alternate on-demand delivery paradigms
provided subsequently herein.
[0080] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
immediately be recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art
with reference to the attached drawings and detailed description of
exemplary embodiments as given below.
Network--
[0081] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical content delivery network
configuration with which the apparatus and methods of the present
invention may be used. The various components of the network 100
include (i) one or more data and application origination points
102; (ii) one or more content sources 103, (iii) one or more
application distribution servers 104; (iv) one or more VOD servers
105, and (v) customer premises equipment (CPE) 106. The
distribution server(s) 104, VOD servers 105 and CPE(s) 106 are
connected via a bearer (e.g., HFC) network 101. A simple
architecture comprising one of each of the aforementioned
components 102, 104, 105, 106 is shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity,
although it will be recognized that comparable architectures with
multiple origination points, distribution servers, VOD servers,
and/or CPE devices (as well as different network topologies) may be
utilized consistent with the invention. For example, the headend
architecture of FIG. 1a (described in greater detail below) may be
used.
[0082] The data/application origination point 102 comprises any
medium that allows data and/or applications (such as a VOD-based or
"Watch TV" application) to be transferred to a distribution server
104. This can include for example a third party data source,
application vendor website, CD-ROM, external network interface,
mass storage device (e.g., RAID system), etc. Such transference may
be automatic, initiated upon the occurrence of one or more
specified events (such as the receipt of a request packet or ACK),
performed manually, or accomplished in any number of other modes
readily recognized by those of ordinary skill.
[0083] The application distribution server 104 comprises a computer
system where such applications can enter the network system.
Distribution servers are well known in the networking arts, and
accordingly not described further herein.
[0084] The VOD server 105 comprises a computer system where
on-demand content can be received from one or more of the
aforementioned data sources 102 and enter the network system. These
servers may generate the content locally, or alternatively act as a
gateway or intermediary from a distant source.
[0085] The CPE 106 includes any equipment in the "customers'
premises" (or other locations, whether local or remote to the
distribution server 104) that can be accessed by a distribution
server 104.
[0086] Referring now to FIG. 1a, one exemplary embodiment of a
headend architecture useful with the present invention is
described. As shown in FIG. 1a, the headend architecture 150
comprises typical headend components and services including billing
module 152, subscriber management system (SMS) and CPE
configuration management module 154, cable-modem termination system
(CMTS) and OOB system 156, as well as LAN(s) 158, 160 placing the
various components in data communication with one another. It will
be appreciated that while a bar or bus LAN topology is illustrated,
any number of other arrangements as previously referenced (e.g.,
ring, star, etc.) may be used consistent with the invention. It
will also be appreciated that the headend configuration depicted in
FIG. 1a is high-level, conceptual architecture and that each MSO
may have multiple headends deployed using custom architectures.
[0087] The exemplary architecture 150 of FIG. 1a further includes a
multiplexer-encrypter-modulator (MEM) 162 coupled to the HFC
network 101 adapted to process or condition content for
transmission over the network. The distribution servers 164 are
coupled to the LAN 160, which provides access to the MEM 162 and
network 101 via one or more file servers 170. The VOD servers 105
are coupled to the LAN 160 as well, although other architectures
may be employed (such as for example where the VOD servers are
associated with a core switching device such as an 802.3z Gigabit
Ethernet device). As previously described, information is carried
across multiple channels. Thus, the headend must be adapted to
acquire the information for the carried channels from various
sources. Typically, the channels being delivered from, the headend
150 to the CPE 106 ("downstream") are multiplexed together in the
headend, as previously described and sent to neighborhood hubs
(FIG. 1b) via a variety of interposed network components.
[0088] It will also be recognized, however, that the multiplexing
operation(s) need not necessarily occur at the headend 150 (e.g.,
in the aforementioned MEM 162). For example, in one variant, at
least a portion of the multiplexing is conducted at a BSA switching
node or hub (see discussion of FIG. 1c provided subsequently
herein). As yet another alternative, a multi-location or
multi-stage approach can be used, such as that described in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,602,820, entitled "APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MULTI-STAGE
MULTIPLEXING IN A NETWORK" incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety, which discloses inter alia improved multiplexing
apparatus and methods that allow such systems to dynamically
compensate for content (e.g., advertisements, promotions, or other
programs) that is inserted at a downstream network node such as a
local hub, as well as "feed-back" and "feed forward" mechanisms for
transferring information between multiplexing stages.
[0089] Content (e.g., audio, video, data, files, etc.) is provided
in each downstream (in-band) channel associated with the relevant
service group. To communicate with the headend or intermediary node
(e.g., hub server), the CPE 106 may use the out-of-band (OOB) or
DOCSIS channels and associated protocols. The OCAP 1.0, 2.0, 3.0
(and subsequent) specification provides for exemplary networking
protocols both downstream and upstream, although the invention is
in no way limited to these approaches.
[0090] It will also be recognized that the multiple servers
(broadcast, VOD, or otherwise) can be used, and disposed at two or
more different locations if desired, such as being part of
different server "farms". These multiple servers can be used to
feed one service group, or alternatively different service groups.
In a simple architecture, a single server is used to feed one or
more service groups. In another variant, multiple servers located
at the same location are used to feed one or more service groups.
In yet another variant, multiple servers disposed at different
location are used to feed one or more service groups.
"Switched" Networks--
[0091] FIG. 1c illustrates an exemplary "switched" network
architecture also useful with the present invention. While a
so-called "broadcast switched architecture" or BSA network is
illustrated in this exemplary embodiment, it will be recognized
that the present invention is in no way limited to such
architectures.
[0092] Switching architectures allow improved efficiency of
bandwidth use for ordinary digital broadcast programs. Ideally, the
subscriber is unaware of any difference between programs delivered
using a switched network and ordinary streaming broadcast
delivery.
[0093] FIG. 1c shows the implementation details of one exemplary
embodiment of this broadcast switched network architecture.
Specifically, the headend 150 contains switched broadcast control
and media path functions 190, 192; these element cooperating to
control and feed, respectively, downstream or edge switching
devices 194 at the hub site which are used to selectively switch
broadcast streams to various service groups. A BSA server 196 is
also disposed at the hub site, and implements functions related to
switching and bandwidth conservation (in conjunction with a
management entity 198 disposed at the headend). An optical
transport ring 197 is utilized to distribute the dense
wave-division multiplexed (DWDM) optical signals to each hub in an
efficient fashion.
[0094] Co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/956,688 filed Sep. 20, 2001 and entitled "TECHNIQUE FOR
EFFECTIVELY PROVIDING PROGRAM MATERIAL IN A CABLE TELEVISION
SYSTEM", incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,
describes one exemplary broadcast switched digital architecture
useful with the present invention, although it will be recognized
by those of ordinary skill that other approaches and architectures
may be substituted.
[0095] In addition to "broadcast" content (e.g., video
programming), the systems of FIGS. 1a and 1c (and 1d discussed
below) also deliver Internet data services using the Internet
protocol (IP), although other protocols and transport mechanisms of
the type well known in the digital communication art may be
substituted. One exemplary delivery paradigm comprises delivering
MPEG-based video content, with the video transported to user PCs
(or IP-based STBs) over the aforementioned DOCSIS channels
comprising MPEG (or other video codec such as H.264 or AVC) over IP
over MPEG. That is, the higher layer MPEG- or other encoded content
is encapsulated using an IP protocol, which then utilizes an MPEG
packetization of the type well known in the art for delivery over
the RF channels. In this fashion, a parallel delivery mode to the
normal broadcast delivery exists; i.e., delivery of video content
both over traditional downstream QAMs to the tuner of the user's
STB or other receiver device for viewing on the television, and
also as packetized IP data over the DOCSIS QAMs to the user's PC or
other IP-enabled device via the user's cable modem. Delivery in
such packetized modes may be unicast, multicast, or broadcast.
[0096] Referring again to FIG. 1c, the IP packets associated with
Internet services are received by edge switch 194, and in one
embodiment forwarded to the cable modem termination system (CMTS)
199. The CMTS examines the packets, and forwards packets intended
for the local network to the edge switch 194. Other packets are
discarded or routed to another component.
[0097] The edge switch 194 forwards the packets receive from the
CMTS 199 to the QAM modulator 189, which transmits the packets on
one or more physical (QAM-modulated RF) channels to the CPE. The IP
packets are typically transmitted on RF channels (e.g., DOCSIS
QAMs) that are different that the RF channels used for the
broadcast video and audio programming, although this is not a
requirement. The CPE 106 are each configured to monitor the
particular assigned RF channel (such as via a port or socket
ID/address, or other such mechanism) for IP packets intended for
the subscriber premises/address that they serve.
"Packetized" Networks--
[0098] While the foregoing network architectures described herein
can (and in fact do) carry packetized content (e.g., IP over MPEG
for high-speed data or Internet TV, MPEG2 packet content over QAM
for MPTS, etc.), they are often not optimized for such delivery.
Hence, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a "packet optimized" delivery network is used for
carriage of the packet content (e.g., IPTV content). FIG. 1d
illustrates one exemplary implementation of such a network, in the
context of a 3GPP IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) network with common
control plane and service delivery platform (SDP), as described in
co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/256,903
entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PACKETIZED CONTENT DELIVERY
OVER A CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK", previously incorporated herein.
Such a network provides significant enhancements in terms of common
control of different services, implementation and management of
content delivery sessions according to unicast or multicast models,
etc.; however, it is appreciated that the various features of the
present invention are in no way limited to any of the foregoing
architectures.
Dynamic Insertion Network--
[0099] FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram of a content and data
distribution network 200 configured in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention and for use in dynamic secondary
content insertion or dynamic advertisement insertion (DAI) as
discussed herein. As illustrated, the network 200 generally
comprises a plurality of CPE 106 adapted to receive content and
data via a content delivery network 101, which in turn receives
content and data from a content and data distribution network 200.
In one embodiment, the content and data distribution network 200
comprises a plurality of entities located at a network headend 150.
As shown, the distribution network 200 comprises primary content
sources 202 and secondary content sources 208, at least one content
server 206 (e.g., a VoD server 105 such as that shown in FIG. 1),
and management entities which cooperate to provide content
(including secondary content) to various CPE 106 and portable media
devices (PMD) 107 in communication with the network 101 (including
via a non-MSO network 103). The management entities include e.g.,
an advertisement management system, advertisement delivery manager,
or advertisement decision manager (collectively and individually
referred to as "ADM") 220, an advertisement decision service (ADS)
222, and a campaign manager (CM) 224.
[0100] In one embodiment, communication between the content and
data distribution network 200 and CPE 106 and/or PMD 107 occurs as
discussed in previously incorporated co-owned U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/256,903 filed on Oct. 30, 2009 and entitled
"Methods and Apparatus for Packetized Content Delivery Over a
Content Delivery Network". As discussed therein, a substantially
session-based and packetized content delivery approach (e.g., using
the well-known Internet Protocol) which allows for temporal,
device, and location flexibility in the delivery of the content,
and transportability/migration of user sessions (i.e., allows a
user to receive any content they desire, delivered at any time and
at any location, and on any device they choose), as well as
service/content personalization (e.g., on a per-session/user basis)
and blending (integration). This approach uses a common or unified
delivery architecture in providing what were heretofore
heterogeneous services supplied by substantially different, and
often vendor-specific, networks.
[0101] Moreover, the foregoing apparatus and methods provide for
enhanced content access, reproduction, and distribution control
(via e.g., a DRM-based approach and other security and content
control measures), as well as quality-of-service (QoS) guarantees
which maintain high media quality and user experience, especially
when compared to prior art "Internet TV" paradigms. In one
exemplary implementation, the network may be based on an IMS (IP
Multimedia System, such as e.g., that defined in relevant 3GPP
standards) which includes SIP session protocols, as well as a
Service Delivery Platform (SDP). In another implementation, the
network comprises both "managed" and "unmanaged" (or off-network)
services, so that a network operator can utilize both its own and
external infrastructure to provide content delivery to its
subscribers in various locations and use cases.
[0102] In one variant of this approach, network services are sent
"over the top" of other provider's infrastructure, thereby making
the service network substantially network-agnostic. In another
variant, a cooperative approach between providers is utilized, so
that features or capabilities present in one provider's network
(e.g., authentication of mobile devices) can be leveraged by
another provider operating in cooperation therewith.
[0103] In another embodiment, content may be provided from the
content and data distribution network 200 to the CPE 106 and/or PMD
107 as described in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/258,229 filed on Oct. 24, 2005 and entitled "METHOD AND
APPARATUS FOR ON-DEMAND CONTENT TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL OVER
NETWORKS", which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. As discussed therein, data may be provided according to
download or "on demand" paradigms. In one embodiment, the network
comprises a cable television network connected with a CSP (cellular
service provider) or wireless service provider (WSP), and on-demand
content delivery is accomplished via a "point-to-point" approach
wherein a session is established between a content receiving entity
(such as a cellular telephone) and a distributing entity (e.g., a
VOD server). Session establishment and data flow control are
advantageously implemented using protocols and bandwidth that are
typically used for (i) providing on-demand services to subscribers
within the cable network, and (ii) delivery and control of
streaming multimedia to client mobile devices.
[0104] In yet another embodiment, content may be purchased and/or
received at a device in a remote network as discussed in co-owned,
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/440,490 filed on May
24, 2006 and entitled "PERSONAL CONTENT SERVER APPARATUS AND
METHODS", which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. As discussed therein, access to content (e.g., program
viewing) delivered over a content-based network via other networks
or communication channels outside of the content-based network are
provided. For example, in the context of a cable television
network, programming or other content delivered to a subscriber
over the cable network can be accessed via other (secondary)
networks such as the Internet, LANs/WANs/MANs, a wireless service
provider (WSP) network, cellular service provider (CSP) network, or
even a satellite network. In one embodiment, a personal content
server located, e.g., at the head-end of the bearer (cable) network
may be used to distribute content to the remote requesting
location(s), thereby eliminating repetitious traffic to and from
subscriber's premises to fulfill the requests for remote content
delivery. Information relating to the requesting subscriber's prior
activity for the requested content may be used as a basis for
authorizing delivery of the remote content. A "network DVR" or
"virtual DVR" may be used to provide remote access privileges to
content to a subscriber at a location outside the bearer network
and/or who does not have a DVR on his premises. In one variant, the
network DVR may be web-based, thereby allowing subscribers to
request and access content from a website. Broadcast or "live"
content can also be accessed via the secondary network approach
discussed.
[0105] Yet other mechanisms and architectures for providing content
to PMDs or CPE located in or out of a managed network may be used
consistent with the invention as well, the foregoing being merely
exemplary of the broader principles.
[0106] Referring now to FIG. 2a, a detailed block diagram
illustrating one embodiment of the content and data distribution
network 200 of FIG. 2 is shown. As illustrated, the network 200
generally comprises primary content (e.g., VOD content) sources 202
and secondary content (e.g., advertisement content) sources 208, at
least one VOD content server 206 an application server 214, and
various management entities including e.g., an advertisement
management system (ADM) 220, an advertisement decision service
(ADS) 222, a campaign manager (CM) 224, a package media gateway
(PMG) 210, and a business management system (BMS) 212. The PMG 210
in the illustrated embodiment performs content packaging and
movement throughout the network. The PMG 210 also acts as a storage
and forwarding device, allowing the content to be "manipulated".
The BMS 212 is a VOD back office component including metadata
management and package/entitlement management functions. The
aforementioned components, similar to those discussed above with
respect to FIG. 2, cooperate to provide VOD content having
advertisement content inserted therein to the CPE 106 and PMD 107
in communication via the network 101 (and/or via a non-MSO network
(not shown) in communication with the network 101).
[0107] Although discussed herein with respect to advertisement
insertion into VOD content, it is appreciated that the foregoing
may be utilized in conjunction with the provision of various types
of primary and secondary content. For example, multimedia
applications, interactive programming, linear or scheduled
programming (e.g., "live") content, etc. may be provided.
[0108] Additional headend entities are provided in the detailed
embodiment of FIG. 2a whose function will be discussed subsequently
herein. These entities also work in conjunction with the
aforementioned content sources (202, 208), management entities
(220, 222, 224, 210, 212), and content server (206, 214), in order
to provide authorization and content to the CPE 106 and/or PMD
107.
[0109] It is further appreciated that one or more of the
aforementioned components may be disposed at various other
locations as desired consistent with the architecture implemented
(e.g., closer to the network edge, such as at the BSA hub in a BSA
network).
[0110] In the illustrated embodiment, long form content is received
at one or more content catchers 204 from a plurality of content
sources 202. The long form content comprises content which into
which secondary content has not yet been inserted. In one
embodiment, long form content is not formatted for secondary
content insertion. The long form content is presented to the users,
in one embodiment, as on-demand content. Content retrieved via the
catchers 204 is transmitted to a video on-demand (VOD) server 206
for storage. In this model, the VOD platform effectively acts as a
splicer from the "streamer" at session playout. Alternatively,
short form content may be received at one or more content catchers
204 from a plurality of content sources 202, as discussed elsewhere
herein.
[0111] Metadata regarding the assets stored at the VOD server 206
is maintained, and utilized to catalogue and carousel the offerings
by the broadcast file system (BFS) 216. The BFS 216 performs the
basic function of a data carousel. In the illustrated embodiment, a
switched digital video manager (SDV/M) 234 is consulted to see if
there is available bandwidth to support the playout of additional
stream in a shared bandwidth model. In another embodiment, a global
resource session manager or GSM (not shown) may be used to manage
the resources in the network.
[0112] One or more advertisement content sources 208 are also
illustrated. Advertisement content is received from the
advertisement content sources 208 and via the PMG 210. The
secondary content is transmitted to the enhanced TV application
gateway (ETAG) 238 and HTA 240. The ETAG 238 is responsible for the
"spooling"/streaming of interactive content (EBIF) and receiving
any responses from the clients. The secondary content is also
delivered from the PMG 210 to the VOD server 206. In this manner,
the advertisement content may be inserted into other VOD content
prior to delivery to the users.
[0113] FIG. 2 further illustrates that the advertisement content is
provided as short form content to the VOD server 206. The campaign
manager (CM) 224, advertisement decision service (ADS) 222, and
advertisement management system (ADM) 220 cooperate to manage
insertion of the secondary content (e.g., advertisements) into the
primary content (e.g., VOD content).
[0114] Communication between the CM 224 and ADS 222 occurs via the
traffic and billing interface (T&B) 236. The T&B system 236
traffics linear advertising insertion, and is responsible for
producing affidavits for billing purposes. The interface between
the CM 224 and may comprise e.g., any number of CCMS (Content and
Campaign Management System) schedule files, or other appropriate
interface/file transfer mechanisms. The ADM 220 communicates with
the CM 224 via an entity providing a centralized view of all the
advanced advertising systems in network (MSSV 234) and business
intelligence (BI) 226 entities.
[0115] In one embodiment, the ADM 220 and ADS 222 are of the type
discussed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/503,749 filed on Jul. 15, 2009 and entitled "METHODS AND
APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING AN AUDIENCE IN A CONTENT-BASED NETWORK",
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0116] In another embodiment, the ADM 220 and ADS 222 are adapted
to comply with the requirements set forth in the Society of Cable
Telecommunications Engineers SCTE 130-1, 130-2, and SCTE 130-3
Digital Program Insertion--Advertising Systems Interfaces
standards, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0117] The ADM 220 is utilized to select individual ones of a
plurality of secondary content for delivery to individual ones of
the CPE 106 via an application server (AS) 214. The ADM 220 is in
communication with the ADS 222; the ADS 222 determines individual
ones of the plurality of secondary content from the content store
to deliver to the CPE 106 based in part on data collected from a
headend collecting entity.
[0118] The AS 214 is the headend entity responsible for monitoring
viewing patterns of the various CPE 106, and providing content
thereto based on the information collected by the monitored viewing
patterns. The AS 214 may further enable dynamic insertion of
secondary content prior to distribution, in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention.
[0119] In one embodiment, the application server 214 comprises an
application server (AS) such as that discussed in co-owned,
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/263,015 filed Oct.
2, 2002 and entitled "NETWORK BASED DIGITAL INFORMATION AND
ENTERTAINMENT STORAGE AND DELIVERY SYSTEM", now published as U.S.
Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0208767, each of the
foregoing incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In one
variant, the AS 214 is a Mystro.TM. server device of the type
utilized by the Assignee hereof, although it will be appreciated
that other configurations may be utilized with equal success. With
respect to the aforementioned exemplary embodiment utilizing the
Mystro server, it is appreciated that the present invention may
take advantage of the start-over acquisition process to capture
broadcast linear television after local advertisement insertion has
occurred. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the network feed
may be captured, and have the local advertisements inserted back
into the stream from the VOD system. As discussed therein, the AS
214 monitors the content reserved and viewed by a user, and thus
can create a profile relating to the user's interests. This
information may then be used to assist (the ADM 220 and ADS 222) in
providing targeted advertising that would be of most use and
interest to the user (and therefore most effectiveness to
advertisers). Further, because reserved programs are recorded prior
to distribution to a user, the AS 214 may provide the ability to
vary advertising content prior to distributing a program to the CPE
106 (e.g., dynamically, in response to changing events or
conditions).
[0120] The aforementioned concepts may be applied in the context of
VOD programming presentation as well. In other words, since VOD
programming is pre-stored at the VOD server, the AS 214 may perform
one or more of the steps necessary for VOD session setup. Further,
the ADM portion of the MAS backoffice may be responsible obtaining
an advertisement decision and working with the VOD system to create
a stream. The VOD system is responsible for the actual content
splicing, multiplexing and transmitting to the user.
[0121] The dynamic insertion of secondary content is further
monitored and controlled by the business management system (BMS)
212 of FIG. 2.
[0122] The ADM 220 and ADS 222 may be further utilized for
reporting purposes. For example, the ADM 220 and ADS 222 may
cooperate to transmit secondary content to CPE 106 (discussed
above) and simultaneously send metadata regarding the secondary
content to a collecting entity 230 and report generating entity
228. In one embodiment, the collecting entity 230 and report
generating entities comprise e.g., Everstream.TM. products, such as
the interactive data gateway (EV-IDG) product, and/or the
interactive data warehouse (EV-IDW) product.
[0123] In another embodiment, a content information service (CIS),
subscriber information service (SIS) and/or placement opportunity
information service (POIS) communicate with the ADM 220 and/or ADS
222 to provide metadata and other information thereto. The CIS is
an interface which describes a logical service, it may be run on
any entity managing metadata or on an entity in communication with
a second entity containing metadata describing the content. The CIS
sources metadata to consumers (via the ADM and ADS). The CIS does
not define how to move the content around, however a separate CIS
implementation may be given to provide such functionality.
[0124] A campaign manager 224 is utilized in the illustrated
embodiment to manage the insertion of secondary content as
discussed herein. In one embodiment, the campaign manager is of the
type disclosed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/503,772 filed on Jul. 15, 2009 and entitled "METHODS AND
APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING AN AUDIENCE IN A CONTENT-BASED NETWORK"
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, although
other approaches may be used with equal success. As discussed
therein, the campaign manger may comprise multiple components or
processes which are either co-located or distributed across two or
more entities (CM 224) within the content and data distribution
network 200. The campaign manager (CM 224) enables an operator
associated with MSO (or another entity) to control one or more
aspects of secondary content selection and insertion, therefore
enabling an operator to ensure that the goals of the secondary
content providers (e.g., advertisers) are accomplished. The CM 224
further allows the MSO to create and maintain billing schema for
the various secondary content providers. The CM 224 may further be
adapted to manage conflicts, and optimize business value or other
business-related parameters such as profit and/or revenue.
[0125] Further, the CM 224 provides a user interface which enables
the operator associated with the MSO to perform the campaign
management functions described herein, whether in whole or part, as
well as make adjustments to settings, or simply monitor
activity.
[0126] In one model, in order for content to be provided to a CPE
106 (or PMD), it must be determined that the CPE 106 or PMD 107 is
"entitled" to the content. In one approach, this is accomplished
via the methods and apparatus disclosed in co-owned, co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/536,724 filed on Aug. 6, 2009
and entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING ENTITLEMENTS TO DATA
OVER A NETWORK", which has been previously incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0127] As illustrated, the present system supports advertisement
sales operations performed at both the regional and national
levels. The centralized view of the entire footprint 11 is provided
to monitor system activity and performance. CCMS schedule files or
other transfer files 9A are obtained for planned or scheduled
linear insertion. The campaign management to campaign management
interface 5D allows CM's from different entities to "exchange"
campaigns and/or "placement opportunity" and inventory
information.
[0128] The various entities of the content and data distribution
network 200 are responsible for providing data and/or content to
the CPE 106. These entities may comprise functionality located at
one or more of the headend entities discussed above with respect to
FIGS. 1-1d, or may comprise additional entities discussed herein.
In one embodiment, the network 200 utilizes information obtained
from or stored at an authorization server (not shown) to determine
whether a CPE 106 requesting content is authorized to receive the
content. In another embodiment, restrictions to the provision of
content to a user at a display device associated with the CPE 106
are determined by the CPE 106 itself, as discussed in co-owned,
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/716,131 filed on
Mar. 2, 2010 and entitled "APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR RIGHTS-MANAGED
CONTENT AND DATA DELIVERY", which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. As discussed therein, a downloadable or
transferrable rights profile coupled with a "smart" media player
application are given. The rights profile contains information
regarding the specific rights of a device and/or a subscriber to
access content. It is via the rights profile that the device (via
the media player, and its associated rights management application)
determines whether to provide content to a subscriber.
[0129] Still further, the content server 206 and/or the AS 214 of
the CPS 204 may in one embodiment be adapted to utilize information
regarding the CPE 106 (or PMD 107) capabilities (e.g., such as in
the event a capabilities profile is received from these devices) to
perform de-encapsulation/re-encapsulation of content where
necessary as is disclosed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/582,619 filed on Oct. 20, 2009 and entitled
"GATEWAY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DIGITAL CONTENT DELIVERY IN A
NETWORK", which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. As discussed therein, the content server 206 of the
present invention may be configured to process content including
de-encapsulating the content from a first media file container
format and subsequently re-encapsulating the content to a second
media file container format which is known to be compatible with
the requesting CPE 106. For example, content which is delivered
from a host server or other content source may be encapsulated in
e.g., MP4, if the receiving CPE 106 is not capable of reading the
MP4 files, the content server 206 may re-encapsulate the content to
e.g., MPEG-2 or to another format that the receiving CPE 106 is
capable of reading. Other exemplary network architectures may be
useful with the present invention as well. For example, the content
server 206 may provide data and/or content to a plurality of user
devices via the network 101, including e.g., a converged premises
device (CPD) and/or a media bridge. The CPD may for example be of
the type described in co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/378,129 filed Mar. 16, 2006 and entitled
"METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRALIZED CONTENT AND DATA DELIVERY",
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As discussed
therein, the CPD comprises a WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) and/or PAN (e.g.,
Bluetooth or 802.15) wireless interface. Packetized (e.g., IP)
traffic may be exchanged between the CPD and a PMD 107 via, e.g.
the WLAN/PAN interface. Hence, in one embodiment, the PMD 107 may
request content from the CPD.
[0130] The media bridge apparatus may be for example of the type
disclosed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/480,597 filed Jun. 8, 2009 and entitled "MEDIA BRIDGE APPARATUS
AND METHODS", incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As
discussed therein, the media bridging apparatus acts as a
connection between a PMD 107 (which may include e.g., an iPod.TM.,
handheld computer, smartphone, PDA, etc.) and a user's home
network. This bridging apparatus may be used, for example, to
convert content stored on the PMD 205 to a format capable of being
presented on a user's set-top box or other client device. The
bridging apparatus may also be utilized for transmitting content to
the PMD 107 (such as by converting the content to a format capable
of being stored/presented on the PMD 107) provided the user of the
PMD 107 is authorized to receive the content.
[0131] In another embodiment, all (or portions of) of the available
primary and secondary content may be pushed to the edge of the
network in order to facilitate more efficient transmission thereof
to the client. In addition, the content may be pushed to edge
devices, such as local service nodes, based on the applicability of
the content to the group of devices serviced by the edge device
(e.g., the service group associated with the node). For example, it
may be determined that the CPE serviced by a particular local node
are all within a given advertisement zone. Hence, secondary content
specific to that advertisement zone may be pushed to the node which
services that zone for more efficient delivery thereof.
Methodology--
[0132] Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary method for providing
primary and secondary content to a plurality of user devices (e.g.,
CPE 106 and/or PMD 107) according to the present invention is
described. As shown, per step 302, primary content is ingested. In
the illustrated embodiment, the primary content comprises on-demand
content of the type previously referenced herein.
[0133] Alternatively, other types or forms of content may be
ingested, and hence the method of FIG. 3 can be readily applied and
adapted to non-OD content delivery models. For example, so called
"quick clips" content (described in co-owned U.S. Pat. No.
7,174,126 issued Feb. 6, 2007 and entitled "TECHNIQUE FOR
EFFECTIVELY ACCESSING PROGRAMMING LISTING INFORMATION IN AN
ENTERTAINMENT DELIVERY SYSTEM" incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety), so-called "start-over" content (described in
co-owned, co-pending U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0034171
entitled "TECHNIQUE FOR DELIVERING PROGRAMMING CONTENT BASED ON A
MODIFIED NETWORK PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDER SERVICE" incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety), so-called "lookback" content
(as described in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/913,064 filed Aug. 6, 2004 and entitled "TECHNIQUE FOR
DELIVERING PROGRAMMING CONTENT BASED ON A MODIFIED NETWORK PERSONAL
VIDEO RECORDER SERVICE" incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety), and/or so-called "remote DVR" content (as discussed in
co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,457,520 issued Nov. 25, 2008 and entitled
"TECHNIQUE FOR PROVIDING A VIRTUAL DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER SERVICE
THROUGH A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK" incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety) may be ingested. Other types of content may be
utilized consistent with the invention as well.
[0134] In another embodiment, the types or forms of content
ingested at step 302 may comprise long form and/or short form
on-demand content.
[0135] Next, per step 304, secondary content is ingested. In one
embodiment, secondary content is obtained from one or more
secondary content sources via a PMG 210. The PMG 210 communicates
the secondary content to the content server 206 (which is monitored
by the BMS 212).
[0136] At step 306, a catalog of primary content offerings is
created from metadata generated regarding the primary content
received (at step 302). In one embodiment, the catalog comprises a
user readable listing of content which is presented to the user via
a user interface displayed on the CPE 106 (and/or PMD 107). The
catalog may bear substantial similarity to an electronic
programming guide (EPG). In other words, the catalog presented to
the user may comprise a series of selectable titles (or other
program identifying information). A user may view the titles by
using e.g., one or more menu functions/buttons on the CPE 106, PMD
107, or a remote control device. A user may select a particular one
of the presented programs; the user's selection is then received at
the DNCS 218, and communicated to the BMS 212 (step 308).
[0137] In response to the user selection, a stream is set up (step
310). In the case where the content comprises on-demand content (or
other content requiring a unicast delivery), the stream set up may
comprise a resource negotiation.
[0138] As will be discussed in greater detail herein below, one or
more methods are implemented to provide for the insertion of
secondary content into the requested primary content. Hence, the
ADM 220 is contacted to set up a stream as well (step 310). The ADM
220 and ADS 222 cooperate to select one or more pieces of secondary
content for insertion into the selected primary content (step 312).
Selection of targeted secondary content, as well as methods for the
insertion of secondary content, are described subsequently
herein.
[0139] Per step 314, campaigns are entered and managed centrally.
In other words, the campaign manager (CM) 224 is consulted to
ensure that the secondary content is inserted according to one or
more management rules. The CM 224 as discussed above is configured
to manage advertising campaigns for one or more
advertisement/promotional providers in order to, for example, (i)
increase advertising or associated sales revenue for an MSO, as
well as to (ii) increase the likelihood a particular advertiser
will reach its targeted audience as precisely as possible (and
within any limitations of an advertiser-MSO defined relationship).
As discussed below, these CM "rules" may also be overlaid with
other logical rule sets or constructs (e.g., MSO operational and/or
business goals, which may not always be compatible with the CM
goals of precision targeting under (ii) above).
[0140] Finally, per step 316, the selected primary content is
provided to the user having the secondary content inserted
therein.
[0141] Referring now to FIG. 3a, a detailed implementation of the
method of FIG. 3 is given. As shown, per step 322, long form
content is ingested into the VOD server 206. As noted previously,
long form content comprises content which does not have secondary
content inserted therein and/or which is not formatted to have such
secondary content inserted. In one embodiment, the long form
content comprises content which does not have secondary content
splice indicators.
[0142] Next, per step 324, advertisements are received from one or
more secondary content sources via e.g., the PMG 210.
[0143] At step 326, the primary content offerings are cataloged and
carouseled by the BFS 216. The catalog of content is then presented
to the client, which selects at least one offering to play (step
330). In response to the selection, VOD resources are negotiated,
and a stream is set up for delivery of the selected asset (step
332).
[0144] At step 334, The VOD server 206 calls the ADM 220 to set up
a stream for delivery of the selected asset. In order to fulfill
the session setup, the ADM 220 requests an advertisement decision
from the ADS (step 336). The ADS 222 determines individual ones of
the plurality of secondary content from the content store to
deliver to the requesting client.
[0145] In one variant, the secondary content is selected based in
part on data collected from a headend collecting entity regarding
the requesting client or subscriber, the requesting device, or
other factor. As will be discussed below, advertisement decisions
may be based on an advertisement zone (as determined by e.g., zip
code, area code, or other indicator assigned to a subscriber and/or
device), unique characteristics of the requesting subscriber
(demographics, psychographics, firmographics, and/or behavioral
variables), or other factor.
[0146] Next, at step 338, campaigns are entered and centrally
managed. It is the CM 224 which enters and manages the
advertisement campaigns in the illustrated embodiment. The CM 224
permits the control of advertisement selection by an operator
associated with the MSO. It is via the CM 224 campaign management
that the goals of the advertisers and/or the MSO are
accomplished.
[0147] Lastly, per step 340, the VOD asset having one or more
secondary content elements (e.g., targeted advertisements) disposed
therein is streamed to the client.
Secondary Content Insertion--
[0148] As discussed previously, when a user selects content for
delivery, the CM 224, ADM 220, and ADS 222 cooperate to select and
insert secondary content into the requested primary content.
Several methods are discussed herein for the insertion of secondary
content, although the invention should in no way be considered
limited to these described methods.
[0149] When a CPE or PMD (e.g., set top box) establishes a session,
a request is sent to the components at the headend that support
dynamic secondary content insertion (e.g., CM 224, ADM 220 and ADS
222). In response to the request, a presentation stream is
assembled by combining primary content and secondary content assets
(also referred to elsewhere herein as "entertainment content assets
(EC)" and "advertisement content assets (AC)", respectively). The
presentation stream is then delivered back to the set top box,
where it plays out as an uninterrupted session.
[0150] In one embodiment, secondary content may be inserted into
any type of on-demand or on-demand-like programming. For example,
secondary content may be inserted according to the present
invention into video on-demand (VOD), free on-demand (FOD),
subscription video on-demand (SVOD), movies on-demand (MOD),
start-over, lookback etc. Although discussed herein with respect to
secondary content insertion into session-based (on-demand) content,
it is appreciated that the apparatus and methods discussed herein
may also be utilized for dynamic secondary content insertion into
linear (e.g., broadcast) or other non-session-based content with
proper adaptation, such adaptation being readily within the skill
of the ordinary artisan given the present disclosure.
[0151] The models of secondary content insertion discussed herein
provide for insertion: (i) prior to the start of the primary
content, (ii) when primary content is paused, (iii) when primary
content is stopped prior to completion, and/or (iv) when primary
content plays to completion. It will be appreciated, however, that
the invention is not limited to these four instances or scenarios.
For example, it may be that a "rewind" or "FF" model is used, so
that an advertisement or placement opportunity is created when
these functions are invoked. Moreover, if the same primary content
is replayed (e.g., a movie watched twice within a prescribed
availability window), the secondary content inserted at the second
play might be made to be different or the same same as that for the
first play, depending on the advertiser/MSO (or even user)
preference.
[0152] In one embodiment, high definition (HD) content segments are
down-converted prior to insertion into or being appended to
standard definition (SD) content segments. In other words, a
mechanism is given to determine whether the primary content is
standard or high definition content, and whether the secondary
content to be inserted or appended thereto is standard or high
definition content. If the primary content is standard definition
content, the secondary content which will be presented therewith
(e.g., is inserted therein) is down-converted to standard
definition if necessary. As is well known, traditional SD content
consumes about 1/4 the bitrate/bandwidth of HD content, and hence
the video resolution/clarity of the HD content versus the SD may be
an undesirable artifact of mixing the two; resolution matching is
useful in providing a satisfying user experience. For example, if
the user is watching programming in SD, and HD advertisements are
available, the HD advertisements are down-converted automatically.
Resolution mismatches often result in problems such as
macroblocking or audio drops. Alternatively, if the user is
watching programming in HD, and SD advertisements are available,
then the advertisements can be up-converted. As yet another
alternative, SD programming can be upconverted to HD (or near-HD)
in order to better match available HD advertising. These approaches
may be applied to H.264/AVC, 3D, Silverlight, Apple, or any other
media formats.
Replace Model--
[0153] A first model for providing secondary content insertion is
illustrated at FIG. 4. According to this model, a first segment of
secondary content is used to replace another extant segment of
secondary content. For example, the segments may be replaced
one-for-one. Alternatively, the segments of inserted secondary
content may be longer or shorter in length than those being
replaced. Further, the number of secondary content segments
inserted may be greater than or fewer than the number of replaced
segments.
[0154] The present secondary content segment replacement model may
be utilized, in one embodiment, to replace secondary content
targeted to a particular advertisement zone with secondary content
targeted to another advertisement zone, national advertisements,
and/or more specifically targeted advertisements (discussed below),
although other purposes will be recognized by those of ordinary
skill given this disclosure.
[0155] The content segment replacement model may also
advantageously be used to replace secondary content so that a user
will receive the same secondary content no matter the device,
location, or network from which the request originates. For
example, a user requesting content from a mobile device to be
delivered from an IP network will receive the exact same secondary
content that the same user would receive if the request had
originated from the user's STB at their home. In this manner, the
MSO can ensure that demographic, psychographic, geographic, etc.
information known about a subscriber is translated and utilized for
the provision of content to the subscriber via any network and/or
device in a consistent and predictable manner.
[0156] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a primary content asset having
secondary content inserted therein is generated for delivery to a
first set of users. The asset is comprised of a first content block
402 comprised of a first primary content program (program A) 406
divided into segments. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary
content 406 is divided into three segments (406a, 406b, 406c), but
other numbers and division schemes may be used. The primary content
406 is separated by secondary content segments (Content Asset B 408
and Content Asset C 410). As shown, the first segment of primary
content 406a and the second segment of primary content 406b are
separated by the first secondary content asset (Content Asset B)
408; the second segment of primary content 406b is separated from
the third segment of primary content 406c by the second secondary
content asset (Content Asset C) 410. The content block 402 is
specifically generated to be provided to the first set of users.
That is to say, the secondary content asset B and content asset C
are specific to the first set of users according to e.g.,
demographics, geography (such as by advertisement zones, zip code,
area code, etc.), psychographics, etc.
[0157] When a user not belonging to the first set of users requests
program A, the secondary content inserted therein is evaluated by a
dynamic secondary content insertion application (e.g., an
application running on one of the aforementioned management
entities such as the ADM 220, ADS 222, and/or CM 224) to determine
whether it is appropriate for transmission to the requesting user.
The determination may be based on at least one of: (i) user
demographics, (ii) user geographic location, (iii) advertisement
zone, (iv) user psychographics, or (v) other information known
about the requesting user, their present context, or the requesting
device. This may be accomplished by comparing metadata or other
descriptive information relating to the secondary content to
information known about the requesting user (information obtained
from the headend), or the requesting device. From a VOD
perspective, the information about the subscriber is in the
illustrated embodiment sent with the advertisement decision
request. The advertisement decision manager can use that
information to best determine what secondary content to insert
(e.g., what advertisement to play). If the secondary content assets
B and C are both appropriate for delivery to the requesting user,
the asset it provided "as is" (with no changes).
[0158] If it is determined that one or more of the secondary
content assets (Content Asset B 408 and/or Content Asset C 410)
provided in the content block 402 are not targeted or otherwise
suitable for delivery to a subsequent requesting user, the
unsuitable secondary content is removed (such as by "ranging out"
the segment of content in question), and new secondary content is
placed in the content block in its place, thereby creating a second
content block 404 comprising the original primary content 406,
having one or more new secondary content assets (such as Content
Asset L 412 and/or Content Asset M 414) inserted therein. The
process of ranging out may include for instance commands indicating
"play from here-to-here in content X but not from there-to-there",
"play this part of content Y instead in the there-to-there part of
X", and so forth. These instructions may be performed by e.g., the
ADM as part of an advertisement decision. In one embodiment, the
secondary content is chosen for insertion by the ADS 222 and CM
224. The dynamic secondary content insertion application (discussed
below) running at the ADM 220 is responsible for removal of the
unsuitable secondary content assets 408, 410 and/or for insertion
of the secondary content assets selected for replacement by the ADS
222 and CM 224. Alternatively, the computer application(s) required
for secondary content removal and/or insertion may be run at e.g.,
an entity of the BMS 212, the content server 206, or other headend
entity discussed herein.
[0159] The VOD system is responsible for preparing content for
delivery (e.g., making the content appear acceptable). The VOD
system functions as a splicer in an on-demand fashion. The ADM
(which may be part of the VOD platform) is functionally responsible
for knowing detecting a "trigger", such as a session setup, and
obtaining a decision or set of decisions about what advertisement
or set of advertisements to play and where they go. Once the
decision set is established the ADM can work with the VOD system to
make the stream appear as it is supposed to by playing segments of
one or more pieces of content out as a continuous stream.
[0160] If the replacement secondary content segment (such as
Content Asset L 412 and/or Content Asset M 414 of FIG. 4) is
shorter than the original secondary segment which it replaces,
(such as Content Asset B 408 and/or Content Asset C 410,
respectively), the primary content segment scheduled to follow the
secondary content will play immediately following completion of the
replacement content. Suppose for example Content Asset B 408 is to
begin at 1:30:00 and run to 1:33:15 relative the beginning of the
first content block 402. Suppose then, that the dynamic secondary
content insertion computer application determines that Content
Asset B 408 (having a total running time of 00:03:15), is to be
replaced by Content Asset L 412 (having a total running time of
00:02:54). When Content Asset B 408 is replaced, Content Asset L
412 begins at 1:30:00 and runs to 1:32:54. In this instance, the
second segment 406b of the primary content 406 as presented in the
second content block 404 will begin immediately after Content Asset
L 412 ends e.g. at 1:32:54 (as opposed to starting at 1:33:15 as it
would in the first content bock 402). Subsequent content blocks or
segments are therefore shifted forward in time so as to make them
contiguous with any inserted secondary content.
[0161] If the replacement secondary content (such as Content Asset
L 412 and/or Content Asset M 414 of FIG. 4) is longer than the
original secondary content segment which it replaces, (such as
Content Asset B 408 and/or Content Asset C 410, respectively), the
primary content segment scheduled to follow the secondary content
will play immediately following completion of the replacement
content. Suppose for example Content Asset C 410 is to begin at
1:30:00 and run to 1:33:15 relative the beginning of the first
content block 402. Suppose then, that the dynamic secondary content
insertion computer application determines that Content Asset C 410
(having a total running time of 00:03:15), is to be replaced by
Content Asset M 414 (having a total running time of 00:03:30). When
Content Asset C 410 is replaced, Content Asset M 414 begins at
1:30:00 and runs to 1:33:30. In this instance, the second segment
406b of the primary content 406 as presented in the second content
block 404 will begin immediately after Content Asset M 414 ends
e.g. at 1:33:30 (as opposed to starting at 1:33:15 as it would in
the first content bock 402).
[0162] Referring now to FIG. 4a, a method 420 is given for
performing the content replacement such as that discussed above
with respect to FIG. 4. As illustrated, per step 422, a first
content block 402 is provided to at least one first user. In one
example, the first content block 402 comprises primary content
(Program A) 406 having secondary content assets A 408 and B 410
inserted therein.
[0163] Next, per step 424, a request is received from a second user
for the primary content (Program A) 406 at the DNCS 218. Per step
426, the user must be authenticated in order to receive content. In
one embodiment, the entitlements of the user to receive requested
content are determined utilizing the systems and methods discussed
in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/536,724
filed on Aug. 6, 2009 and entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING
ENTITLEMENTS TO DATA OVER A NETWORK", previously incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
[0164] In response to receiving the request, the dynamic secondary
content insertion application determines whether the secondary
content residing within the first content block 402 should be
replaced (step 428). The determination of whether the secondary
content should be replaced is based on, in one embodiment, the
extent to which the secondary content is appropriate for the
specific requesting subscriber and/or device. For example,
secondary content advertising ski equipment may not be necessary
and/or suitable for playback to devices located in e.g., Miami,
Florida. In another embodiment, the determination may be based on
whether the secondary content has "expired". For example, certain
secondary content may be directly related to a current event, a
time of year, or may be otherwise in appropriate if not viewed by
users within a given time frame. Such secondary content will
therefore be replaced according to the methods discussed
herein.
[0165] The determination of whether the secondary content is
appropriate may also be based on the context of the primary content
with which it is associated. For example, the methods and apparatus
discussed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/441,476 filed on May 24, 2006 and entitled "SECONDARY CONTENT
INSERTION APPARATUS AND METHODS", which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, may be utilized to provide dynamic
secondary content insertion (e.g., replacement of dated or
geographically inappropriate advertisements or promotions), and
thereby allow the MSO or other network operator to adjust the
secondary content to make it more applicable to the remote user's
context (e.g., location, hardware/software environment, date/time,
etc.).
[0166] If the dynamic secondary content insertion application
determines that the secondary content does not need to be replaced,
the first content block 402 is provided to the second user (step
430). However, if the dynamic secondary content insertion
application determines that the secondary content in the first
content block 402 should be replaced, then, per step 432, the
secondary content is identified and replaced. In one embodiment,
the secondary content is identified by the aforementioned dynamic
secondary content insertion application via a header or metadata
associated with the content. Once identified, the secondary content
may be removed, and replaced by other secondary content.
[0167] The CM 224, ADS 222 and ADM 220 cooperate to select
secondary content for insertion. In one embodiment, the content is
selected from a playlist of available secondary content targeted
specifically to the user and/or the device. The playlist may be
created by the ADM 220 in response to receiving a message from the
primary content server 206 that includes information identifying a
subscriber (such as by subscriber account, device identification,
etc.), and which may be made anonymous (i.e., specific to that
user, but the identity of the user being unknown). The information
identifying the subscriber may then be correlated to records in a
data warehouse (not shown) which indicate various demographic
(e.g., age and gender), psychographic (e.g., personality, values,
attitudes, interests, or lifestyles), firmographic (e.g., industry,
seniority or functional area), geographic (e.g., zip code, area
code, or advertisement zone), and/or behavioral (e.g., usage rate
or loyalty) variables associated with the given subscriber or group
of subscribers. Information regarding the device from which the
subscriber request was received (e.g., MAC address, IP address,
configuration data, etc.) may also be collected and utilized. The
ADM 220, ADS 222, and/or CM 224 may then use the information to
select appropriate (e.g., targeted) secondary content for the
playlist, and then make insertion decisions from the playlist.
Various business-related rules for this determination are discussed
herein below. For example, which one(s) of the secondary content
are inserted may be dependent on one or more factors relating to
the primary content, the subscriber, the type of delivery
requested, etc. The insertion of the selected secondary content (as
replacement content) creates a second content block 404 (comprising
the new secondary content and previously referenced primary content
(Program A) 406).
[0168] Next, per step 434, the second content block 404 is provided
to the second user.
Fill Model--
[0169] FIG. 5 illustrates another model for secondary content
insertion according to the present invention.
[0170] The secondary segment fill insertion model may
advantageously be used to insert secondary content into primary
content which might not otherwise have secondary content inserted
therein, and/or to increase the frequency of inserted secondary
content (or move secondary content around within the primary
content). In this manner, a user receiving primary content (such as
via a network other than the traditional HFC network) at devices
located within the user's home may additionally receive secondary
content, including secondary content specifically directed to the
user and/or device. For example, a user requesting a movie
on-demand to be delivered over an IP network to their laptop
computer will, according to the insertion methods discussed herein,
receive the movie with secondary content inserted therein or
associated therewith. In one variant, the secondary content is the
same secondary content that user would receive if the request had
originated from the user's STB at their premises. In this manner,
the MSO can ensure that demographic, psychographic, geographic,
etc. information known about a subscriber is translated and
utilized for the provision of any content to the subscriber via any
network and/or device. The fill insertion model further allows for
secondary content insertion into long form content.
[0171] In the model of FIG. 5, one or more segmented secondary
content assets (e.g., Content Asset B 510 and/or Content Asset C
512) are inserted at splice points 506a, 506b in the primary
content (Program A 508) stream.
[0172] A splice point is a location in a bitstream that provides an
opportunity to splice. It is an attribute of an individual PID
stream, not of a program; each PID of a program has a splice point
which corresponds to each splice point in the PCR_PID. A splice
point is marked by syntax in a transport packet. The "point" refers
to an imaginary point between two packets of a PID stream. The
splice points may be seamless, therefore requiring the program
stream be encoded with buffer delay at the splice point, or
non-seamless.
[0173] The splice points may be predetermined by the primary
content provider, or may be determined by the MSO or other network
controller according to one or more business rules. Splice points
may be correlated to events within the program itself (e.g., at
logical pauses, breaks, or changes of scene), or have no
correlation whatsoever. Splice Points may also occur at irregular
intervals, or alternatively, at constant intervals. For example,
secondary content (such as Content Asset B) may have a splice point
at both its beginning and end. Since splice points merely represent
opportunities to splice, the dynamic content insertion application
of the present invention may insert splice points regularly (e.g.,
once every second, or once every GOP), thereby enabling the CM 224,
ADS 222 and ADM 220 to insert secondary content at any of the
splice points which are determined to be appropriate.
[0174] In the illustrated example, an uninterrupted primary content
asset (Program A) 508 is provided as a first content block 502. The
uninterrupted block comprises primary content only and does not
have secondary content inserted therein. However, it is appreciated
that in an alternative embodiment, the content block may be
received as an interrupted block (i.e., a content block having one
or more secondary content insertion points therein). If the dynamic
secondary content insertion application determines that secondary
content should be inserted, as illustrated in FIG. 5, secondary
content assets (e.g., Content Asset B 510 and/or Content Asset C
512) are inserted therein. As shown, Content Asset B 510 is
inserted into Program A 508 at a first splice point 506a, thereby
creating first and second program segments 508a, 508b. A third
program segment 508e is created by the insertion of Content Asset C
512 at a second splice point 506b. In this manner, the programming
content of Program A 508a will play out to a user, followed by
Content Asset B 510; immediately following the termination of
Content Asset B 510, Program A 508b will continue where it left off
prior to the switch.
[0175] FIG. 5a illustrates an exemplary method 520 for secondary
content insertion according to the fill model discussed herein. As
shown, per step 522, a request for primary content is received from
a user at the DNCS 218. Next, at step 524, it is determined whether
the user is entitled to receive the content requested. In one
embodiment, step 524 is determined utilizing the systems and
methods discussed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/536,724 filed on Aug. 6, 2009 and entitled "SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR MANAGING ENTITLEMENTS TO DATA OVER A NETWORK",
previously incorporated herein by reference, although other
approaches may be used as well.
[0176] At step 526, the dynamic secondary content insertion
application determines whether secondary content should be inserted
into the requested primary content. If it is determined that
secondary content does not need to be inserted, per step 528, the
uninterrupted primary content block (first content block 502) is
provided to the user. Alternatively, if it is determined that
secondary content should be inserted, then, per step 530, secondary
content is identified and inserted at one or more splice points 506
in the primary content.
[0177] In one embodiment, secondary content for insertion is
identified via cooperation of the CM 224, ADS 222, and ADM 220
(discussed elsewhere herein). The dynamic secondary content
insertion application provides information to the aforementioned
entities regarding the number of available splice points (506a,
506b) in the requested primary content. In one embodiment, these
splice points are created by the dynamic content insertion
application. For example, the application may create splice points
506a, 506b at half hour intervals in the primary content, Program A
406. The CM 224, ADS 222, and ADM 220 may then use individual ones
of these splice points to insert one or more secondary content
assets.
[0178] Secondary content may be selected from a playlist of
available secondary content targeted specifically to the user
and/or the device. The playlist, in this embodiment, is created by
the ADM 220 in response to receiving a message from the primary
content server 206 having information identifying the requesting
subscriber (such as by subscriber account, device identification,
etc.) contained therein, and which may be made anonymous as
previously described. The information identifying the subscriber is
correlated to data warehouse (not shown) records which indicate
various demographic, psychographic, firmographic, geographic and/or
behavioral variables, etc. attributed with the given subscriber;
other information regarding the devices may also be derived and
utilized, as well as context information relating to the user (or
the primary content itself). For instance, the user may have
different usage models (e.g., "Work", "Home", etc.) corresponding
to different contexts; the secondary content selected for insertion
in these different use contexts may be different.
[0179] The ADM 220, ADS 222, and/or CM 224 use the subscriber
(and/or device or context) specific information to select
appropriate (e.g., targeted) secondary content for the playlist,
and then make insertion decisions from the playlist. The insertion
decisions may be based on various business-related rules as will be
discussed elsewhere herein. For example, which one(s) of the
secondary content are inserted may be dependent on one or more
factors relating to the primary content, the subscriber, the type
of delivery requested, the target device, etc.
[0180] Insertion of the secondary content (step 530) results in the
formation of a second content block which is, per step 532,
provided to the requesting user.
Additive Model--
[0181] FIG. 6 provides yet another model for secondary content
insertion according to the present invention.
[0182] The secondary content additive insertion model may
advantageously be used to add or insert secondary content as
needed. The additive insertion model can be used to insert
secondary content in a non-disruptive fashion into primary content
which might not otherwise have secondary content inserted therein,
and/or to increase the frequency of inserted secondary content such
as according to user initiated interruptions. In this manner, a
user receiving any content, on any device, in any network via and
from any location may receive secondary content, including
secondary content specifically directed to the user and/or device,
at various points during the playback of content without disrupting
the playback of the requested content in the manner the user
intended. For example, a user requesting a movie on-demand over an
IP network for delivery to their laptop computer may receive the
movie with secondary content being inserted ahead of and behind the
movie playback. Additionally, secondary content may be provided at
one or more instances where that user pauses, stops, fast-forwards,
and/or rewinds the playback of the movie content.
[0183] In one variant, the secondary content is the same secondary
content that user would receive if the request had originated from
the user's premises STB. In this manner, the MSO can ensure that
demographic, psychographic, geographic, etc. information known
about a subscriber is translated and utilized for the provision of
any content to the subscriber via any network and/or device in a
consistent and predictable manner.
[0184] As illustrated in FIG. 6, one or more segmented content
assets are combined dynamically. New secondary content is placed at
the beginning (such as Content Asset P 608) or at the end (such as
Content Asset Q 610 and Content Asset Z 612) of a segment of
primary content (such as Program A 606).
[0185] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the determination to insert
secondary content is made "on the fly". For example, a user viewing
primary content may elect to pause or otherwise stop the program
midstream (including for fast-forwarding, rewinding, or otherwise
manipulating the content). In such a situation, the dynamic
secondary content insertion application (and headend entities in
association therewith) immediately determines whether to insert one
or more secondary content assets therein.
[0186] According to one embodiment of the additive model, secondary
content assets are placed into a playlist. For example, a single
playlist can be created which is utilized for secondary content
insertion regardless of the primary content and/or requesting
devices. Alternatively, various playlists may be created;
individual ones of the playlists may be created (e.g., as primary
content is requested), based on information contained in the
request and/or information regarding the requested content or
requesting user/device, or their context. For example, the genre of
the selected primary content may be used as a basis for selecting
secondary content to add to a playlist. Alternatively (or in
conjunction), metadata associated with the requested content may
include descriptions of various aspects or attributes of the
requested content, various segments thereof (akin to a "scene"
approach in prior art DVDs), etc. For instance, metadata may
indicate that a given requested movie has: (i) one or more car
chase scenes; (ii) one or more romantic scenes; (iii) one or more
airport-related scenes, and so forth. A playlist incorporating
secondary content (e.g., advertising) relating to one or more of
these topics (i)-(iii) could then be generated. Where contextual
synchronization is possible (e.g., content references or splice
points exist within the primary content associated with the various
scenes having the aforementioned topical content), the playlist may
be structured so that only certain advertisements are placed at
certain points, so as to have contextual relevance. For instance,
the aforementioned car chase scene may begin at a first time, and
end at a second time, and have 3 splice points or content
references associated therewith. Only advertisements contextually
related to car chases (e.g., for sports cars, high performance
tires, fuel, etc.) would be inserted at any of those three points
(or any time coordinates between the start and end points) if the
opportunity arose, such as a user pausing during the car chase
scene and then restarting play.
[0187] The playlist, in another embodiment, is arranged according
to a hierarchy. In other words, secondary content associated with
certain sources is prioritized over other secondary content, in
order to e.g., effect one or more business goals. For example,
secondary content sources having paid higher premiums may have the
secondary content associated therewith favored in the playlist
(such as by being prioritized and/or placed more often therein)
over those associated with other secondary content sources. As
another option, the performance history of a given advertisement
may be considered when ranking for the hierarchy; e.g., an
advertisement that has experienced less pauses or tune-away events
than another may be placed higher up within the hierarchy than the
other advertisement.
[0188] The playlist may comprise metadata enabling the dynamic
secondary content insertion application to locate and insert the
identified secondary content assets. Alternatively, the playlist
may comprise links to the content associated therewith.
[0189] In another embodiment, the asset playlist comprises an
ordered list of segments, with each segment describing a range
within a piece of content. The playlist according to this
embodiment comprises both primary and secondary content. As will be
discussed in greater detail below, in the instance the insertion of
a particular secondary content asset fails, the entire playlist
does not fail, but rather proceeds to display the next asset
(whether primary or secondary content).
[0190] According to the present invention, the aforementioned
playlists may be created on-the-fly, based on the settings of the
on-demand service and addressability parameters. Once the
addressability parameters are created they are assigned they
quickly associated with a session at session setup time in order to
assist in the decision making of an advertisement decision.
[0191] There are often adverse effects to the end-user if there are
significantly different bit rates. Further, from a resource
management perspective, it is difficult to have predictive
knowledge of available bandwidth if the streams are constantly
varying. In one embodiment, these adverse effects are avoided by
capping the bitrates of the segments of a playlist at the highest
bit rate so that from a planning perspective, it can be managed
effectively.
[0192] Additionally, secondary content may be inserted at the
beginning and/or ending of the playback of the selected primary
content according to the additive model. Thus, the dynamic
secondary content insertion application supports dynamic insertion
of content segments at the beginning and/or at the end of another
segment (including other secondary content segments). The secondary
content may be inserted immediately, or when the user resumes
playback of the primary content.
[0193] Referring now to FIG. 6a, one exemplary method 620 for
secondary content insertion using the additive model is given. As
shown, per step 622, a request for primary content is received. In
one embodiment, the request comprises a request for VOD content
from a user terminal. The request may be received at the primary
content server 206 via the DNCS 218.
[0194] The DNCS 218 receives a message indicating the entitlements
of the requesting subscriber to view the requested content in order
for the content to be provided thereto. In one embodiment, this is
accomplished via the "entitlements" approaches discussed previously
herein.
[0195] As discussed previously, the primary content server 206 may,
in response to receiving the request, send a message to the ADM 220
thereby triggering the creation of a playlist of secondary content
(step 624). The message identifies the subscriber (such as by
subscriber account, device identification, etc.), e.g., anonymously
in order to enable the entities charged with identifying secondary
content (e.g., the ADM 220, ADS 222, and/or CM 224) perform the
selection based on what is known about the subscriber (such as by
querying a data warehouse having records indicating demographic,
psychographic, firmographic, geographic and/or behavioral
variables) and/or the requesting device.
[0196] Per step 626 of the method, the dynamic secondary content
insertion application determines whether content will be inserted
at the beginning of play out of the requested primary content.
Various business-related rules for this determination are discussed
below. For example, whether secondary content is inserted may be
dependent on one or more factors relating to the primary content,
the subscriber, the type of delivery requested, the requesting
device, the user context, etc. The secondary content may comprise
for example advertisements, which are inserted at the beginning of
the primary content. If it is determined that secondary content
should be inserted at the beginning of play out of the requested
content, then per step 628, at least one of the secondary content
assets from said playlist is added ahead of the beginning of the
primary content and, per step 630, the secondary and primary
content are provided to the requesting user (the secondary content
being inserted so as to play out prior to play out of the primary
content). Alternatively, if it is determined that secondary content
will not be inserted at the beginning of play out of the primary
content, the primary content is merely provided to the user (step
632).
[0197] In either instance, during the playback of the primary
content, a pause or stop command is received. The pause or stop
command may be received from a user, such as for example by the
user pressing a "pause" or "stop" button or function key on the
user's remote control device associated with the display device for
playing out the primary (and secondary) content, and/or on the
display device itself.
[0198] A pause or a stop command may also be embedded within the
primary content, such as at the end of the content or elsewhere
therein (e.g., for a preprogrammed intermission). Hence, when the
embedded command is reached, a signal is automatically generated
and sent to the dynamic secondary content insertion application
(e.g., running on one or more of the management entities 220, 222,
224, 210, 212). When the pause or stop command is received, the
dynamic secondary content insertion application determines whether
secondary content should be inserted (step 636).
[0199] If it is determined that secondary content is not to be
inserted, then per step 642, the primary content will resume play
out if any portion of the primary content remains to be played. In
one embodiment, the play out of the remaining portion of the
primary content does not begin until a signal is received to do so.
For example, the user may select a "play" button or function key on
his remote control device or display device, thereby indicating
that the user is ready to resume viewing the primary content.
[0200] Per step 638, secondary content from the playlist is
inserted at the pause/stop command if the dynamic secondary content
insertion application determines that content should be inserted.
Then, at step 640, the secondary content is presented to the user.
Per step 642, subsequent to the presentation of the secondary
content (step 640), the primary content resumes play if there is
any portion of the primary content which remains to be played. As
discussed above, the primary content may resume upon user selection
(such as via a "play" button on the user's remote control or
display device). In another embodiment, the primary content may
resume playback after a predetermined number of secondary content
assets have completed play, or a prescribed time period has
elapsed.
[0201] Alongside the determination of whether secondary content
will be inserted, the dynamic secondary content insertion
application (or other entity in communication therewith) may also
determine the number, types, and length of secondary content assets
to be inserted. If a pause signal is received, the secondary
content inserted may be a shortened form e.g., "clip" or in the
form of a so-called "quick clip" (as discussed in previously
incorporated co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,126 entitled "Technique
for effectively accessing programming listing information in an
entertainment delivery system"). If, on the other hand, a stop
signal is received and/or if the program ends (and an automatic
stop signal is received), the secondary content inserted may be
longer format, and/or more than one secondary content asset may be
inserted.
[0202] Additional models for secondary content insertion may be
utilized in conjunction with the present invention as well, the
foregoing being merely illustrative of broader principles.
User-Based Selection
[0203] In another variant of the invention, the aforementioned
playlist of secondary content may be provided directly to the user.
The user may then select the specific secondary content to receive
from among the available secondary content. The playlist may be
presented for example when a user selects a primary content element
for viewing, or at some other time (e.g., when a user first starts
up their CPE or display device). The selected secondary content
will be displayed throughout the playback of the selected primary
content at the appropriate secondary content insertion points
(e.g., at the beginning, end, upon user-initiated interruption, or
throughout according to splice points). Alternatively, the playlist
may be presented at each instance of possible secondary content
insertion, thereby ensuring that the viewer is present to view the
presentation of the secondary content. In other words, when it is
determined that secondary content should be inserted (either due to
reaching one or more identified points in the content, or in
response to the user's inputted commands), the user must physically
select one of a plurality of possible advertisements. Optionally,
the system may be configured to select an advertisement for the
user if he/she does not make a selection within a prescribed time
period.
Server--
[0204] FIG. 7 illustrates and exemplary content server 206
apparatus for use with the present invention. As illustrated, the
server 206 generally comprises a network interface 702 for
interfacing with the content delivery network 101, a processor 704,
a storage apparatus 706 and a plurality of interfaces 708 for
communication with other entities of the content and data
distribution network 200. The other entities with which the content
server 206 may be in communication as well as the content server
206 itself with may be located at a network headend 150. In one
embodiment, as discussed above, the content server 206 comprises a
VOD content server.
[0205] In the illustrated embodiment, the server comprises at least
a dynamic secondary content insertion application 710 running
thereon. Although illustrated as a single application running on
the server 206, it is appreciated that the foregoing dynamic
secondary content insertion functionality may comprise a
distributed application running on a plurality of entities in data
communication.
[0206] When a user establishes an on-demand session, or resumes a
previous session, the server checks for updated content to place
into the presentation stream. For instance, primary or secondary
content may have a prescribed lifetime due to e.g., topical
relevancy, and hence must be replaced periodically.
[0207] Appropriate permissions may be required for the dynamic
secondary content insertion application 710 to assert controlling
or management aspects with respect to the selection, insertion,
and/or provision of secondary content to a client device. For
example, the aforementioned management or control may require that
the dynamic secondary content insertion application 710 be given
appropriate permissions from the MSO.
[0208] In one example, the privileged or trusted application is
configured to have appropriate permissions set up in the
configuration tool to display playlist reports. In other words, the
application 710 is a privileged or trusted application which is
able to access the configuration tool and direct the display of the
playlist reports. The configuration tool is used to register
primary content (such as on-demand content) for the
herein-described dynamic content insertion. In one embodiment, the
configuration tool is run at (or associated with) the ADM 220. The
configuration tool allows or controls which decision services can
make decisions for a given OD service. Accordingly, the dynamic
secondary content insertion capabilities may be controlled or
managed at the ADM 220 via the configuration tool. Playlist reports
show what activity (sessions, session composition, playout results,
performance characteristics etc.).
[0209] The dynamic secondary content insertion application 710 may
also have appropriate permissions to set up the ADS 222, ADM 220
and/or CM 224, and direct the ADS 222, ADM 220 and/or CM 224 to
select secondary content for insertion.
[0210] The secondary content insertion application 710 may use the
configuration method specified on the AS 214. In one embodiment,
the AS 214 specifies whether the ADM 220 will determine secondary
content insertion, or whether metadata of the primary content will
determine secondary content insertion.
[0211] In operation, the dynamic content insertion application 710
at the server 206 is in communication with the AS 214 and ADS 222.
When a user attempts to set up a session to receive primary content
(such as on-demand content) from the content server 206, the AS 214
receives the user request and informs the application 710. In
response, the application 710 queries the ADS 222 to determine the
correct secondary content to associate with the requested primary
content. The ADS 222 returns at least one appropriate secondary
content asset and/or a playlist of appropriate secondary content
assets as discussed above to the application 710. When the
application 710 receives at least information identifying
appropriate secondary content for insertion, the application 710
passes this information to back to the AS 214. The ADS 222 is the
illustrated embodiment the "brains" for what secondary should be
inserted; hence, it incorporates logic for making secondary content
insertion decisions, although these may also be made in whole or
part by other entities. In another embodiment, the insertion
application 710 inserts the secondary content as appropriate, and
transmits a content stream comprising the primary and secondary
content to the AS 214 for subsequent delivery to the user.
[0212] Alternatively, the selection of secondary content for
insertion may not be based on the primary content, but instead may
be based on one or more other factors such as e.g., the subscriber
or device identity, the advertisement zone, a time of day or time
of year, or other business consideration as described elsewhere
herein. Hybrids of the foregoing (i.e., considering both primary
content and other factors) are also contemplated.
[0213] Thus, in the case of an on-demand session, prior to setting
up the session, the AS 214 queries the dynamic secondary content
insertion application 710 to determine the correct secondary
content asset(s) to associate with that session (e.g., based on the
selected primary content, and/or other factor). The ADS 222 then
informs the application 710 of the correct secondary content
asset(s) for insertion at the beginning of playout of the selected
primary content.
[0214] Furthering the example, when a paused or stopped session is
resumed (or when the pause signal is received), the AS 214 queries
the dynamic secondary content insertion application 710 to
determine the correct secondary content asset(s) to associate with
that session. The ADS 222 then informs the application 710 of the
correct secondary content asset(s) for insertion prior to resuming
playback of the primary content after the pause or stop.
[0215] In another embodiment, as discussed above, a playlist of one
or more secondary content assets may be generated and distributed
to the content server 206 from which the content server 206 or the
ADM 220 may select secondary content for insertion. The playlist
may be delivered at e.g., the initiation of the on-demand session
(thereby obviating the need for multiple messages to be sent
between these entities as the user pauses/stops playback of the
primary content). Alternatively, upon each instance of resuming
playback of paused or stopped primary content, a new playlist may
be provided.
[0216] An asset playlist of the types discussed herein above may
include an ordered list of segments. The playlists may be created
"on the fly" based on the settings of the on demand service and
various addressability parameters. Exemplary addressability
parameters may include e.g., demographics, geographies, or
psychographies or basic attributes, such as "has internet" or
"subscribes to HBO". These parameters are weighted as part of an
advertisement decision (and/or complex campaign management system).
The addressability parameters are typically assigned to the
subscriber and "picked up" at session setup time and used to
embellish or enhance the request to place an advertisement. In one
embodiment, the playlists may comprise only secondary content.
Alternatively, the playlists may include both entertainment content
(EC) and non-entertainment content (such as advertisements). In the
instance both EC and non-EC are listed in a playlist, certain steps
must be taken to avoid the entire playlist to fail if there is a
failure of any one of the non-EC content elements fails. In one
embodiment, this may be accomplished by utilizing at least one
mechanism to ensure the bitrate of the content remains
substantially constant (allowing for a reasonable level variation).
The bitrate may be capped at the highest bitrate of the segments.
In another embodiment, this is accomplished by validating each of
the segments placed into a playlist and if any non-critical
segments fail or do not validate, they are omitted from the
playlist.
[0217] It is appreciated that in some instances, secondary content
may not be available for insertion at the time it is required. In
one embodiment, if a secondary content segment is not available for
insertion for any reason (e.g., it may have to be
transrated/transcoded, may be damaged, the retrieval latency is too
high, etc.), the primary content continues playing uninterrupted.
Alternatively, a blank screen or frozen screen may be displayed, as
in the case of secondary content insertion attempts at a pause/stop
signal. If insertion of a secondary content segment is
unsuccessful, the dynamic secondary content insertion application
710 may reattempt the insertion a prescribed number of times or
over a prescribed time interval. Alternatively, the application 710
may forego reattempts, and default back to the aforementioned blank
or frozen screen, or continue playback of the primary content. As
yet another option, another secondary content element which is
available may be substituted. Unsuccessful attempts to insert
secondary content may be logged by the secondary content insertion
application 710, and reports generated from the failure logs if
desired. Similarly, the application 710 may be configured so that
it will not attempt a reinsertion of the "failed" secondary content
again without further operator intervention (i.e., sequester the
failed content).
[0218] In one implementation, the ADS 222 is able to process at
least 100,000 queries per second from the secondary content
insertion application 710. Likewise, the application 710 is also
able to process at least 100,000 queries per second from the AS
214, and process at least 100,000 responses per second from the ADS
222. This assumes that the AS 214 can support 100,000 session
set-up requests per second, and process at least 100,000 responses
per second from the secondary content insertion application 710.
This capability allows the ADS/AS to service large portions of an
MSO or other content distribution network from a single,
centralized location if desired, and make secondary content
selection and insertion effectively transparent to the user in
terms of latency.
[0219] In another implementation, when the ADS 222 receives a
request for secondary content information, the ADS 222 responds to
the request within 10 milliseconds and when the application 710
receives a request from the AS 214, it responds within 20
milliseconds. The expectation is that there will be minimal impact
to the overall session setup process (i.e., little or no additional
delay). Hence, these times are selected as the upper bounds of what
would be considered "end-user impacting".
[0220] The secondary content insertion application 710 is further
responsible for directing the insertion of secondary content at
user-invoked pauses. In one embodiment, the application 710
establishes a time frame within which a secondary content asset
should be output to a user after the user initiates the pause (such
as via a remote control or display device). When the viewer
re-initiates playback of the primary content, display of the
inserted secondary content is terminated, and display of the
primary content resumes. Alternatively, in another implementation
of the invention, the secondary content is not inserted and played
until the user initiates playback of the primary content.
[0221] As noted above, the primary content may also be used in
conjunction with so-called "start over" content (as described in
previously incorporated co-owned, co-pending U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2005/0034171 entitled "Technique for delivering
programming content based on a modified network personal video
recorder service"). As discussed therein, the start-over content
may comprise primary content which was originally broadcast "live"
to users with secondary content inserted therein. Start-over
content uses local advertising zones (so called "ad zones") to
allow for targeted advertising to reach a specific, limited
geographic area. Hence in the original broadcast, there are several
defined breaks in the programming where local advertisements were
inserted into the content stream. According to the present
invention, these breaks may be reused for insertion of alternate
secondary content by the dynamic secondary content insertion
application 710. The alternate secondary content assets may be
selected for instance based on the aforementioned ad zones. For
example, when the real time acquisition (RTA) entity starts, it
determines the ad zone associated with the correct service group of
the requesting user. This allows the correct zoned version of the
recording to be played back, so the viewer sees the correct local
secondary content. In this manner, national start-over content may
be collected and distributed to users with local advertisements. In
one embodiment, the RTA entity is disposed within the Mystro
acquisition platform (such as the AS or Mystro entity) and is
advantageously utilized to enable delivery of start-over and
look-back content. The RTA schedules and creates content objects,
and manages the content on the video platform as it relates to
products like start over.
[0222] A so called "parent zone" for each of the ad zones may be
given to replace the ad zone of a request in instances where
secondary content is not found for the ad zone from which a request
for start-over content is received.
[0223] A portion of the dynamic secondary content insertion
application 710 may be utilized for generating and delivering
information to the users regarding the primary and secondary
content. In one embodiment, this information is presented in the
form of a banner which is displayed on the user's display device.
The banner may e.g., be displayed across the bottom of the user's
screen and/or may be opaque so as to avoid substantial disruption
to the user's viewing experience. The banner may display the length
of the session including all inserted or appended content segments.
In other words, the secondary content insertion decisions may be
made prior to any content is provided to the user; in this manner,
the dynamic secondary content insertion application 710 can
calculate the total running time and, at time of presentation,
present the running time in the banner. This embodiment may be
useful, for example, to correct inaccuracies in the progress banner
which result from the addition of secondary content to the
entertainment content. Additionally, the method would be useful if
the overall duration of what was communicated as part of the
primary content is shortened. For example, suppose primary content
is 1 hour in duration, and 2 minutes of "pre-roll" advertising are
added and 5 minutes of "mid-roll" advertising are added, so that
the total duration is 1 hour and 7 minutes. Unless the banner is
updated, the user may mistakenly believe the content is 1 hour in
duration (based on the primary content).
Exemplary Trick Mode Operation--
[0224] The dynamic secondary content insertion application 710
further cooperates with per-segment trick mode operations. In other
words, the application 710 uses a navigator application (e.g., a
version of the Mystro Digital Navigator (MDN) and OCAP Digital
Navigator (ODN) provided by the Assignee hereof) which supports
trick modes within individual content segments. The secondary
content inserted via the insertion application 710 also complies
with the aforementioned trick mode requirements.
[0225] Optionally, trick mode operation may be limited to certain
times within each of the primary and/or secondary content segments.
Accordingly, the primary and secondary content may include metadata
describing time periods within the primary and secondary content
during which trick modes are allowed. For example, one or more
trick modes may be disabled throughout the entirety of secondary
content playback, so as to prevent a user from fast-forwarding
through commercials. One or more time-based segments may be
associated with a single content asset. Time-based segment
descriptors may then be used to determine which trick modes are
allowed in each time segment associated with the asset.
Alternatively, the content assets may not be associated with any
time-based segments and/or descriptors. In one embodiment, the
per-segment trick mode control information is made available to the
client application (discussed below) in the CPE 106 on a
per-session basis. In other words, when a session is established
for transmitting primary and secondary content to the user, the
content insertion application gathers the trick mode control
information, and provides this information to the CPE 106. The user
may also be informed of the trick mode control information
associated with that session, such as via an information screen,
window or banner display, which may be initiated with the user's
input (e.g., only shows when the user attempts a prohibited
function).
[0226] The time-based segments associated with the content assets,
in one embodiment, also include information describing the
segments. For example, the descriptive information may include
information indicating the segment type, segment controls (e.g.,
trick mode permissions), segment normal play time (NPT), start time
(in milliseconds), and the segment duration (in milliseconds). The
NPT is a time code in the MPEG stream that allows for
synchronization.
[0227] The segment types may be identified for example as primary
content (e.g., entertainment content), secondary content (e.g.,
advertisement content), "pause advertisement" and/or other trick
mode type (e.g., "trick mode enabled advertisement", "trick mode
disabled advertisement", etc.). The aforementioned segment controls
specify whether fast forward, rewind, pause, etc. functions are
enabled or disabled for each time based segment. In one embodiment,
certain trick mode operations are disabled or enabled depending on
one or more characteristics of the requesting subscriber and/or
device. For example, a subscriber having a lower tier or "basic"
level subscription may be disallowed to invoke any trick mode
operations (such as during primary and/or secondary content play).
Alternatively, if a device is unable to perform the trick mode, the
trick mode operation will be specified as disabled in the segment
controls. However, it is appreciated that the stop function may be
constantly enabled; i.e., there will be no disabling of the stop
function for any segment.
[0228] For on-demand assets, certain segment controls are not
available; hence, they are listed as disabled in the segment
controls. These include: "frame-by-frame forward", "slow motion
forward", and "instant replay".
[0229] As discussed above, the segment control descriptors are
configured to assign per-segment trick mode controls based on
service level. Any asset associated with a given service that has
not been assigned trick mode controls will have the trick mode
controls of the service level applied thereto. Thus, unless an
asset's trick modes are defined elsewhere, the trick mode
functionality will be defined based on the service level of the
requesting subscriber.
[0230] In another embodiment, segment trick modes are assigned on a
per-product basis. All the assets associated with a given product
(such as MOD, SVOD, FOD, etc.) are given the same trick mode
control profile (e.g., the set of trick modes enabled and/or
disabled).
[0231] The segment trick modes may also be applied on a
per-provider basis. All assets from a given provider may be given
the same trick mode control profile.
[0232] In yet another alternative, the trick mode controls may be
established on a per-asset (e.g., per primary content element, such
as a movie) basis. That is to say, each asset may have a different
set of enabled/disabled trick modes regardless of the product,
provider, etc. In this manner, different assets associated with the
same service, product, or provider may have different trick modes
enabled for different assets associated with that service.
[0233] A hierarchy may also be established, by which it is
determined which trick mode profile will control for a given asset.
In other words, in certain instances, a set of trick modes may be
associated with the requesting subscriber's subscriber level,
further trick mode controls may be established based on the
provider, type, service or other characteristic of the asset. In
one embodiment, the asset-based trick mode controls take precedence
over the service level controls. If no asset-based trick mode
controls have been applied to a particular asset, the service level
segment trick mode controls are utilized. If no service level
segment trick mode controls have been assigned to the asset, then
all trick modes may be enabled for example, or a default profile
having some restrictions may be applied. This hierarchy can also be
applied only for restrictions; i.e., if no trick mode function
restrictions are applied at the asset level, the service level is
checked. If no segment trick mode controls have been assigned to an
asset, then a default profile enabling all trick modes is utilized.
It is appreciated that other default profiles may be utilized as
well, including profile having one or more disabled trick modes. If
an asset is associated with a per-segment trick mode descriptor
which has been assigned by the ADS 222, then this descriptor will
in one variant take precedence over any asset- or service-level
descriptors.
[0234] A "forced service level override" function may be assigned
per-asset, and defined in the asset level trick mode controls. The
forced service level override function identifies whether the asset
level trick mode controls are able to take precedence over the
service level controls.
[0235] As will be discussed in greater detail below, an application
running at the client device is configured to receive and honor the
per-segment trick mode controls. As noted previously, if a
particular asset is not associated with any time base segment
descriptors, then a default trick mode profile is utilized (in one
embodiment enabling all trick modes).
[0236] A given session may utilize more than one time-based
segment. In such an instance, it is appreciated that if a given
trick mode is disabled in any one of the time base segment
descriptors in the session, the trick mode may be disabled for the
all of the segments in that session. For example, a session is
associated with three time based segment descriptors, and fast
forward is disabled in one of those segments then fast forward is
disabled for the entire session. Hence, a "most restrictive" type
of model is applied, wherein the most restrictive policies
associated with one segment are applied to all segments, so as to
maintain a consistent user experience. It is noted, however, that a
"least restrictive" model may also be applied if desired (i.e., if
one of the three aforementioned segments is not restricted compared
to the other two, the least restrictive policy may be extended to
the other two segments, again maintaining consistent user
experience.
[0237] If fast-forward is enabled for a given segment (which may
include various levels or speeds of FF, such as "slow FF", "fast
FF", and "skip FF" which provide progressively faster
capabilities), the user is able to fast-forward the content
associated with that segment, and/or jump forward through the
content associated with that segment. If fast-forward is disabled
for a given segment, then the user is not provided such
capability.
[0238] If rewind is enabled for a given segment (which again may
have multiple levels or speeds), the user is able to rewind the
content associated with that segment, and/or jump backwards through
the content associated with that segment. If rewind is disabled,
then the user is not provided these capabilities.
[0239] If pause has been enabled for a given segment, then the user
is allowed to pause the playback of that session during the segment
where pause is enabled. If pause is disabled, the user is not able
to pause the playback of the session. If the user invokes the pause
function during playback of the session, the user is presented in
one embodiment with several options including at least the ability
to (i) resume playback of the session from the pause location, (ii)
exit the session, and/or (iii) re-start the session from the
beginning (where possible).
[0240] The stop function enables a user to stop the playback of a
session. In one embodiment, the stop function is always enabled.
When the stop function is invoked by the user, the user is in one
embodiment presented with several options including the at least
the ability to (i) resume the playback of the session (if
possible), (ii) exit the session, and/or (iii) re-start the session
(where possible). If a user has stopped the playback of a session
during a segment that has the pause function disabled, then the
user is not presented with an option to resume the playback of that
session. This requirement ensures that the stop/resume combination
cannot be used as an alternate way to access the pause
functionality during segments when pause has been disabled.
[0241] If the user attempts to invoke a trick mode (such as fast
forward, forward jump, rewind, backward jump, etc.) which is
disabled, the user will be presented an on-screen indication that
the selected trick mode is not allowed. In one embodiment, the on
screen indicator is presented as a banner display or window.
Alternatively, the indicator maybe displayed apart from the banner,
but for the duration of the channel banner display timeout. There
is no on-screen indication when a user invokes a trick mode which
is enabled, although such display can be included if desired.
[0242] If the user tunes away from an in-progress on-demand session
playing on a dedicated on-demand channel (e.g., selects another
numerical program channel via the EPG/remote), then the session is
paused, and the standard on-demand session pause timeout parameters
are applied. The pause timeout parameters are configurable, and in
one embodiment are set to 20 minutes. If the user then returns to
the dedicated on-demand channel while the session is still paused,
the user is presented with the option to resume playback of the
session. If the session pause has timed out, then if the user
returns to the dedicated on-demand channel, the user is presented
with a standard entry screen for that dedicated on-demand
channel.
Data Collection
[0243] As viewers interact with on-demand programming, events such
as remote or CPE button presses or function invocations are
captured. To accomplish this, the end-user's interactions with the
CPE client software are communicated to the VOD system; the VOD
system reports on a per-session basis these user events. Each user
event is in one embodiment referred to as a placement status events
(PSN).
[0244] The captured information is transmitted to one or more of
the above-referenced data collection entities, and may be used
later in report generation, and/or to assist in selecting content
for insertion. For example, one or more patterns regarding a user
or device may be "learned" from the users' button presses and other
actions taken with respect to content as discussed in co-owned,
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/414,576 filed on
Apr. 30, 2009 and entitled "RECOMMENDATION ENGINE APPARATUS AND
METHODS", which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. As discussed therein, the learned patterns can be used to
identify and recommend content targeted to a particular user (or
group of users) within a content-based network, such as a cable
television or satellite network. Content may then be selected to
align with a user's preferences (the latter which the viewer need
not enter manually). In another aspect, the client applications
discussed above are implemented by a network-based entity such as a
hub or headend server adapted to perform the above-described
functions for a variety of user profiles (e.g., individual user
profiles, or user accounts) simultaneously.
[0245] In one example, if it appears that the user often fast
forwards through sports-related advertisements, but will view
advertisements for family programming, a recommendation engine (not
shown) will assist the ADS 222 in selecting content for insertion
that is related to family programming and/or family related events
(such as theme parks, children's or family movie trailers,
etc.).
Targeted Secondary Content Insertion--
[0246] As noted above, in one embodiment, inserted secondary
content may be specifically targeted to the user, context, and/or
device from which a request is received, as well as the primary
content requested. Information may be obtained, for example,
relating to the geographic location, advertisement zone,
demographics, or psychographics of the subscriber. Information may
be obtained regarding the geographic location, capabilities, etc.
of the device as well. Still further, the secondary content may be
logically related to the context of the primary content. For
example, sports-related primary content may invoke the insertion of
sports related advertisements. The user context may also be
exploited; i.e., knowing that a user is at work or their primary
home or their vacation home may each trigger selection of different
secondary content.
[0247] For example, the apparatus and methods discussed in
co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/198,620
filed on Aug. 4, 2005 and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
CONTEXT-SPECIFIC CONTENT DELIVERY", which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, may be utilized consistent with the
present invention. As discussed therein, contextually-related
"secondary" content (e.g., advertising messages, useful
informational links, etc.) may be provided in association with
other primary content selected by the user. In one exemplary
embodiment, the secondary content is selected at least in part
based on metadata associated with the primary content. The metadata
may be provided by, e.g., the content originator or the network
operator, and is sent to a network entity (e.g., advertising
server) which returns contextually specific advertising matching
the search terms. In one variant, the search term is simply one or
more keywords drawn from the metadata and used as an input to a
search engine. In another variant, more sophisticated analysis of
the metadata is performed so as to ostensibly reduce the number of
irrelevant or marginally relevant "hits" returned by the search
engine/advertising server.
[0248] The apparatus and methods discussed in co-owned, co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/441,476 entitled "SECONDARY
CONTENT INSERTION APPARATUS AND METHODS", previously incorporated
herein, may be utilized to further provide secondary content
insertion. As discussed therein, secondary content may be inserted
dynamically (e.g., replacement of dated or geographically
inappropriate advertisements or promotions), thereby allowing the
MSO or other network operator to adjust the secondary content to
make it more applicable to the remote user's context (e.g.,
location, hardware/software environment, date/time, etc.).
[0249] Still further, the methods and apparatus discussed in
co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/503,710
filed Jul. 15, 2009 and entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
TARGETED SECONDARY CONTENT INSERTION", which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety, may be utilized as well. This
embodiment is particularly useful in targeting content to a set of
subscribers, such as those serviced by a local service node. As
discussed therein, content targeted to a particular audience within
a content-based network may be identified and inserted. For
instance, the content is identified by analyzing audience or viewer
qualities (i.e., psychographic, geographic, or demographic,
characteristic or classifications) at a particular insertion
opportunity using an advertisement management system (and
associated advertisement decision maker process). The audience
information can in one embodiment be gathered in real-time directly
from users' CPE (i.e., set top boxes, cable modems, PC, etc.),
thereby allowing information to be gathered which is specific to
actual content viewers. Historical or other information relating to
particular subscribers (or subscribers in general, or even the
broader general population) may also be utilized in characterizing
an audience. The advertisement management system then uses the
gathered audience information to correlate particular
advertisements or other content thereto. In one variant, an
algorithm is used to analyze audience qualifiers (i.e., attributes
of an audience or its behavior), and determine the "proximity" of a
given audience (e.g., that currently viewing a program where an
impending placement opportunity will occur) to a set of audience
qualifiers of a target audience of an advertisement. The placement
opportunity can then be optimized for one or more variables (e.g.,
proximity, revenue, impressions, etc.) by selecting the best
fitting advertisement for that opportunity.
[0250] The aforementioned methods and apparatus can advantageously
provide content across multiple delivery platforms utilizing
substantially extant network infrastructure and components
compatible with a number of different client device and delivery
systems including both wired and wireless technologies.
[0251] Subscriber privacy and anonymity is also optionally
maintained via e.g., hashing or encrypting data relating to the CPE
and/or subscriber (as discussed below), thus ensuring that stored
data is not traceable to a specific user account. In alternative
embodiments, only information designated by a consumer is eligible
for content collection and/or analysis. In this manner, subscriber
privacy is effectively safeguarded, and user control of their
private information (including for example preferences or user
profile) is protected as well.
[0252] The primary and secondary content can also be manipulated to
perform all relevant advertising formats and schemes (e.g.,
bookends, replacement, pause, telescoping, etc.) on the content
transferred by the network or from other content source. See, e.g.,
co-pending and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/662,776
filed Sep. 15, 2003 and entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
ADVERTISEMENT DELIVERY WITHIN A VIDEO TIME SHIFTING ARCHITECTURE",
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which describes
exemplary methods and apparatus for implementing the foregoing (and
other) schemes and formats within the context of a content-based
network.
Enhancement Model--
[0253] In another embodiment, the primary content and/or secondary
content discussed herein may comprise so-called "enhanced content"
as discussed in co-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/582,653 filed Oct. 20, 2009 and entitled "METHODS AND
APPARATUS FOR ENABLING MEDIA FUNCTIONALITY IN A CONTENT-BASED
NETWORK", which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. As discussed therein, the secondary content and/or
primary content may comprise one or more user-interactive media
features or applications. In one particular implementation, various
of the foregoing interactive "media" applications are disposed at
one or more headend entities; also provided is a servlet
application which facilitates communication between the various
applications and one or more client applications resident on the
user's premises system. In this manner, a user at his/her premises
or client device, may access and interact with various ones of the
applications in an integrated fashion.
[0254] In another implementation, individual ones of the
interactive applications are in communication with an internet
(e.g., Internet) host server in order to obtain data therefrom via
a gateway device located at e.g., the headend of the network. In
other words, the gateway device requests and receives internet data
and/or content from the host servers on behalf of the media
application(s). The data and/or content is then processed as
required and, via the servlet, delivered to one or more client
devices. For example, the content may be de-encapsulated from a
first container format, and re-encapsulated into a second format
for delivery to the client device. The content may also optionally
be transcoded and/or transrated if desired. The servlet application
may serve as a proxy for various ones of the applications which
utilize a different content format than the client device. The
servlet application will refer the client device (such as by the
SIP REFER method) to a media application which utilizes the same
content format as the client device. For example, if the media
application provides standard HTTP APIs, then the client device may
communicate directly therewith.
[0255] In another embodiment, one or more of the interactive media
applications is configured to utilize the Enhanced TV Binary
Interchange Format (EBIF). Further, the client application running
on the client device(s) may comprise an EBIF user agent. The user
agent enables a user of the client device to view and interact with
various EBIF pages of the particular media application(s) of
interest.
[0256] One of the exemplary interactive media applications is a
search application, which enables a user to search the internet for
data relating to displayed program or advertising content. For
example, the user may use the search application simultaneous with
the playing of a commercial for a restaurant to find the nearest
location and/or directions, or other information about the
restaurant (such as reviews, Zagat.TM. rating, etc.).
[0257] Another media application useful in various embodiments of
the present invention is a real-time web-based micro-blogging
application, which enables a user to post, view and navigate
micro-blogs from the user's CPE (e.g., set top box or converged
media device) simultaneously with viewing programming and
advertising content.
[0258] Yet another media application useful with the invention is a
so-called "request for information" or RFI application. In one
embodiment, the RFI application enables the user to select to
receive additional information about a product or service, such as
via a "telescoping" function discussed in co-owned, co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/284,757 filed on Sep. 24, 2008 and
entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USER-BASED TARGETED CONTENT
DELIVERY", which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. As discussed therein, exemplary methods and apparatus are
configured to correlate the content of the secondary content and
the content of the contemporaneous primary content via metadata,
thereby placing the advertisement or promotion "in context".
Additionally, the correlation may be "fine tuned", such as based on
the subscriber demographic data. At yet a further level of
precision, the metadata in the primary content and/or secondary
content can be provided with a timing index or other reference and
further information (e.g., descriptive codes) that allow for
precise placement of the secondary content within a program stream
for maximum efficacy.
Anonymity--
[0259] As noted above, certain collected data may be particular to
or identified with a particular subscriber, user, or user device.
Accordingly, such data may be anonymized by inter alia, the use of
a cryptographic hash to protect the privacy of the identified
subscriber, user, and/or device. In one embodiment, the techniques
for providing anonymity utilizing a cryptographic hash described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/186,452 filed Jul. 20, 2005 and
entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BOUNDARY-BASED NETWORK
OPERATION", which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety, may be utilized in conjunction with the present
invention. As disclosed therein, the identity of a CPE or
subscriber is anonymized by using a cryptographic hash coupled with
an optional "opaque" variable which carries information relating to
the CPE of the hash with which it is associated. The hash and
opaque variable frustrate de-encryption or reverse-engineering of
the individual subscriber's identity or specific location.
Alternative methods of providing anonymization may also be utilized
consistent with the present invention.
Exemplary CPE--
[0260] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of the
CPE 106 discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment, the
exemplary CPE 106 includes a network interface 802, a processor 804
and associated storage 806, and a plurality of back end interfaces
808 for communication with other devices.
[0261] The illustrated CPE 106 can assume literally any discrete
form factor, including those adapted for settop/desktop, hand-held,
or wall-mounted use, or alternatively may be integrated in whole or
part (e.g., on a common functional basis) with other devices if
desired.
[0262] It will also be recognized that the CPE configuration shown
is essentially for illustrative purposes, and various other
configurations of the CPE 106 are consistent with other embodiments
of the invention. For example, the CPE 106 in FIG. 8 may not
include all of the elements shown, and/or may include additional
elements and interfaces such as for example an interface for the
HomePlug A/V standard which transmits digital data over power
lines, a PAN (e.g., 802.15), Bluetooth, or other short-range
wireless interface for localized data communication, etc.
[0263] The network interface 802 of the illustrated CPE 106
receives content and/or data. In one embodiment, the network
interface may comprise one or more RF tuners configured to receive
content from an HFC network 101. The RF tuner(s) may comprise
traditional video RF tuner(s) adapted to receive video signals
over, e.g., a QAM. For example, the RF tuner(s) may comprise one or
more tuners, a demodulator, decryption module, and demultiplexer of
the type well known in the art, although other configurations may
be used. A wideband tuner arrangement such as that described in
co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/013,671
entitled "Method and Apparatus for Wideband Distribution of
Content" filed Dec. 15, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety, may also be utilized, such as where the content
associated with one or more program streams is distributed across
two or more QAMs. Additionally, the RF tuner(s) may incorporate
functionality to modulate, encrypt/multiplex as required, and
transmit digital information for receipt by upstream entities such
as the CMTS.
[0264] Alternatively, the network interface 802 may comprise any
other means for receiving content from a network. Digital data
received via the network interface 802 may include for example
MPEG-2 encoded programming data that is forwarded to a television
monitor via a video interface. Programming data may also be stored
on the CPE storage unit 806 for later distribution by way of the
video interface, or using a Wi-Fi interface, Ethernet interface,
Firewire (IEEE Std 1394), USB/USB2, or any number of other such
options.
[0265] In another embodiment, the CPE 106 may further comprise a
cable modem (CM) of the type known in the art, including one or
more tuners configured to tune to DOCSIS QAMs. In this fashion, and
content or data normally streamed over the CM can be received and
distributed by the CPE 106, such as for example packetized video
(e.g., IPTV). In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the
invention, the DOCSIS cable modem may also be utilized for delivery
of traditional broadband Internet services. As discussed elsewhere
herein, content and/or data sent to the CPE 106 will only be
presented to those subscribers having appropriate rights to receive
the data/content.
[0266] Programming and other types of data including pictures,
video, music or MP3 files, software applications, metadata files,
etc. may also be received by way of the various digital interfaces
in the CPE 106. These data may be stored locally (e.g., in the CPE
storage unit 806) or even on a device or network agent in
communication with the CPE 106, for later use by a user as is
discussed in co-owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/378,129 entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRALIZED CONTENT
AND DATA DELIVERY", previously incorporated herein.
[0267] The CPE 106 mass storage device 806 of the illustrated
embodiment comprises a Serial-ATA (SATA) or Ultra-ATA (also known
as Ultra-DMA, or ATA-4/5/6/7) hard disk drive for the operating
system and content storage of at least 500 GB, although higher
capacities and even RAID arrays may be used for this purpose. The
CPE 106 hard disk is preferably removable without the need for
tools, and the CPE 106 is also configured allow for an external USB
(e.g., USB 2.0) drive or other easily removable storage device to
be attached and automatically added to the existing storage. It
will also be appreciated that USB keys of the type well known in
the art can be used consistent with the USB port(s) of the CPE 106,
so as to make the data storage device highly mobile and of very
small size.
[0268] During operation of the CPE 106, a client application 810
(located in the storage unit 806) is run on the microprocessor 804.
The client application 810 facilitates the secondary content
insertion discussed herein by providing information regarding the
subscriber/user and/or device to the insertion entities discussed
above. For example, the client application 810 may provide
subscriber account information upstream in order for the ADS 22
(and other entities) to identify the subscriber and provide content
based on what is known (at the headend) about the subscriber. In
addition, the client application 810 may be configured to collect
information regarding the user's actions with respect to content.
For example, the client application 810 may record button presses,
playback events, trick mode events, etc. and pass this information
to the ADS 222 and other headend entities.
[0269] In another embodiment, the aforementioned secondary content
insertion entities (e.g., ADS 222, etc.) may provide the playlist
of available secondary content and/or the secondary content itself
directly to the CPE 106 for storage thereon. The client application
810 in this embodiment may be configured to dynamically cause
insertion of the provided secondary content upon the occurrence of
a particular event. For example, the client application 810 may
insert secondary content when the user pauses or otherwise stops
playback of requested content. Such mechanisms may utilize the
methods discussed above with respect to FIGS. 6 and 6a above. The
client application 810 may insert secondary content from the
provided secondary content. Alternatively, the client application
810 may utilize metadata of the provided playlist to request
secondary content for insertion from the headend; once received,
the client application 810 may insert the content as discussed
above.
[0270] In one embodiment, the CPE 106 may be further adapted to
perform de-encapsulation/re-encapsulation of content where
necessary as is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/582,619 entitled "GATEWAY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DIGITAL
CONTENT DELIVERY IN A NETWORK", previously incorporated herein. In
this embodiment, the CPE 106 is adapted to processes content from a
first media file container format to one or more second media file
container formats which are compatible with the CPE 106
capabilities or with the capabilities of other CPE 106 in
communication therewith.
[0271] In another aspect, the CPE 106 of the present invention may
be also compatible with the methods and apparatus disclosed in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/363,578 filed Feb. 27, 2006 and
entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING DIGITAL ACCESS
TECHNOLOGY FOR PROGRAMMING AND DATA DELIVERY", which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Specifically, a
plurality of CPE 106 (electronic devices such as set-top boxes,
PMDs, etc.) containing one or more hardware and software functions
or modules are used; the hardware and software functions/modules of
the different CPE 106 on the network contain various capabilities
and options, including conditional access capabilities, video
coding or compression capabilities, encryption schema, and network
interfaces. These capabilities may be utilized by the content
server 206 as a basis for determining which conditional access,
coding, encryption, and/or network interfaces to utilize for
delivery of content to each particular CPE 106. The CPE 106 of the
present invention can accordingly be equipped with such capability
if desired in order to, inter alia, profile the CPE 106 for
tailoring content or other functions (e.g., CA) to that specific
CPE 106 environment. For example, if the CPE 106 (or any of its
connected "client devices") has only an MPEG-2 decoder, only MPEG-2
encoded content would be sent to that CPE 106 (or passed on to the
client devices), or alternatively the CPE or devices would obtain
the necessary codec (e.g., MPEG-4 or Real) from another source,
such as an MSO or third party.
Business/Operational Rules Engine--
[0272] In another aspect of the invention, a so-called "rules"
engine may be disposed at e.g., the ADM 220, ADS 222, CM 224, CPE
106, or other location (e.g., rendered as one or more computer
programs disposed thereon). This engine comprises, in an exemplary
embodiment, one or more software routines adapted to control the
secondary content insertion process in order to achieve one or more
goals relating to operations or business (e.g., profit). Included
within these areas are network optimization and reliability goals,
increased maintenance intervals, increased subscriber or user
satisfaction, increased subscription base, higher profit (e.g.,
from increased advertising revenues, more subscriber "views" of
given content, higher data download speed, increased bandwidth and
responsiveness to changing demands for bandwidth, reduction of
undue QAM replication, and so forth.
[0273] These rules may comprise a separate entity or process, and
may also be fully integrated within other processing entities (such
as the applications running on the aforementioned entities and/or
the client application 810), and controlled via e.g., a GUI
displayed on a device connected to the relevant server or CPE. In
effect, the rules engine comprises a supervisory entity which
monitors and selectively controls secondary content insertion
operation at a higher level, so as to implement desired operational
or business rules. The rules engine can be considered an overlay of
sorts to the more fundamental algorithms used to accomplish
required network operation, such as IP address assignment,
secondary content selection and insertion, statistical
multiplexing, BSA switching, and so forth.
[0274] For example, the ADM 220, ADS 222, CM 224 or CPE 106 may
invoke certain operational protocols or decision processes based on
information or requests received from the CPE 106, conditions
existing within the network, demographic data, geographic data,
etc. However, these processes may not always be compatible with
higher-level business or operational goals, such as maximizing
profit or system reliability. Hence, when imposed, the
business/operational rules can be used to dynamically (or manually)
control the selection and/or insertion of secondary content. The
rules may be, e.g., operational or business-oriented in nature, and
may also be applied selectively in terms of time of day, duration,
specific local areas, or even at the individual user level (e.g.,
via specific identification of the CPE or client device via
TUNER_ID, IP address, MAC address, or the like, or via a user-based
login or "entitlements" profile).
[0275] For example, one rule implemented by the rules engine may
comprise providing secondary content from certain secondary content
sources according to a tiered system. Secondary content under such
an approach might be selected in part on the revenue such insertion
will bring to the MSO based on the secondary content source.
[0276] Alternatively, historical "performance" of a given secondary
content element may be considered, irrespective of source. For
instance, each of a plurality of secondary content sources may have
playlists comprising several advertisements. However, the selection
of a given advertisement from the playlist may also consider
whether an advertisement has historically received a
disproportionate number of tune-away or pause events during the
playout thereof (i.e., indicating users are not interested in the
advertisement).
[0277] Other metrics of performance may be used as well, such as
one relating to MSO revenue or profit per unit time of play. For
instance, it may be that insertion of two (2) advertisements of 15
seconds each would (based on historical data) produce a greater
revenue or profit for the MSO (or content source) than a single
advertisement of 30 seconds.
[0278] Two or more secondary content elements may also be selected
in coordinated or "ganged" fashion so as to meet one or more
desired business goals. For instance, in the case of the previous
example of a primary content element (e.g., movie) having a car
chase scene, it may be that there are splice points or insertion
opportunities at either end of the segment containing the car chase
scene. Hence, one secondary content selection model might comprise
selection of two car-related advertisements for these two insertion
opportunities, thereby sotensibly enhancing the contextual
relevance of the advertisements to the primary content.
[0279] As another example, the selection algorithms may be
configured to purposely select, or purposely avoid, placement of
two advertisements having a given commonality, proximate to one
another in "advertisement space". For example, the commonality may
comprise a common actor or personality advertising different
goods/services for a common source or advertiser. The commonality
may also comprise the same goods and services from competing
advertisers (e.g., the MSO way wish to avoid placing advertisements
for competing cellular service providers one after the other).
[0280] Moreover, it is appreciated that the "user" and "device"
specific data previously referenced herein may also apply to
multiple individuals, or organizations. For example, a device
identification may relate to a DSTB or other CPE within a family
premises having several individual family members associated
therewith. Each of these family members may have different
demographics, psychographics, etc., and hence the present invention
contemplates that the CM or other supervisory/selection entity can
be configured to construct advertising or promotional campaigns
based on (i) two or more person as individuals, or (ii) on the
entity in the aggregate. For example, a "family" or "company"
profile may be constructed, which considers the various attributes,
demographics, psychographics, etc. of the entity as a whole, or
multiple sub-profiles for each of the individuals may be used.
User-specific logins such as those described in co-owned,
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/414,554 filed on
Mar. 30, 2009 and entitled "PERSONAL MEDIA CHANNEL APPARATUS AND
METHODS", which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety, may be used for this purpose; i.e., to specifically
identify an individual within an entity, so as to tailor the
secondary content for that individual (as opposed to the larger
entity as a whole).
[0281] It is also appreciated that the enhanced opportunities for
targeted secondary content insertion described herein may be
exploited by network operators or advertisers via a "network
promotion" product or model. For example, clients of an MSO (e.g.,
studios, networks, advertisers, etc.) can utilize the foregoing
content insertion tools (e.g., replacement, fill, and/or addition)
to specifically target advertising or other secondary content based
on the characteristics of the subscriber and/or the particular
on-demand asset being viewed.
[0282] Moreover, individual user devices associated with a common
account may be used as the basis for selection and insertion. That
is, knowledge of a particular requesting device may tell the CM,
ADM, etc. what the context of a user is at the time of request. For
example, a given subscriber account may have three (3) separate
devices registered therein or associated therewith, such as (i) a
DSTB; (ii) a 3G or 4G (e.g., WiMAX or LTE enabled) mobile
smartphone; and (ii) a WiFi-enabled PMD. Origination of an OD
content request via the smartphone or PMD (e.g., over a WiFi WLAN
in communication with the subscriber's "home" cable or satellite
network) may be used to determine that the subscriber has a
"mobile" context (i.e., is not at their premises), and therefore
may wish to receive, or can make best use of, a certain class of
secondary content (e.g., advertisements related to mobility-related
topics, such as on-line sources for directions, things having an
"on-the-go" theme, travel topics, etc.). Conversely, where the
request originates from that user's DSTB, the context may indicate
that premises-related advertisements (e.g., home repair or upgrade,
real estate purchase, major appliances, etc.) are more suitable or
effective.
[0283] The types or formats of secondary content to be inserted may
also vary according to the status of the requesting subscriber
and/or device (e.g., certain subscribers or classes of subscribers
may receive upgraded content formats). As noted previously, these
rules may be implemented at the device level (e.g., CPE 106) or at
the ADM 220, ADS 222, or CM 224. The CPE 106 may possess high
definition (HD) decoding capability, for example, but programs
rendered in HD would not be made available to such subscribers
unless they met certain criteria (e.g., "premium" subscription,
etc.). Similarly, if the subscriber did not possess a required
codec, CA keys, or network interface, the download of this missing
component could be controlled to only subscribers meeting certain
criteria. In one embodiment, the business rules engine running on a
processor 804 of the CPE 106 and/or at the aforementioned ADM 220,
ADS 222, or CM 224 implements these criteria.
[0284] Many other approaches and combinations of various
operational and business paradigms are envisaged consistent with
the invention, as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill
when provided this disclosure.
Alternate Delivery Paradigms--
[0285] As previously noted, the concepts and apparatus described
herein are readily extensible to other content delivery paradigms
which provide content "on demand", including without limitation:
(i) "pay per view (PPV)"; (ii) content rental or purchase via mail
or other tangible delivery platform (e.g., the prior art
"Netflix.RTM." service); and (iii) selection of a video for play
via the Internet, such as via the "YouTube.RTM." website.
[0286] For example, typical PPV services offer customers the
ability to tune into existing linear content broadcasts which begin
at staggered times across various different program channels
offered by the MSO. The user does not "demand" the content per se,
but rather demands access to an existing asset stream. Since the
content stream is ubiquitous and delivered identically and
simultaneously to a plurality of different subscribers, the
opportunities for targeted insertion of secondary content before or
during the primary content stream play are limited; however, at the
completion of the PPV stream, an insertion opportunity exists. In
one approach, the user, content, or device-specific data is sent
upstream to the ADM 220, ADS 222, or CM 224 upon PPV request. At a
subsequent time, the ADM 220, ADS 222, or CM 224 uses the
user-specific data to identify a targeted advertisement for
delivery to the user immediately upon completion of the PPV movie
(or even upon detection of a tune-away event received before
completion of the PPV event, e.g., within one minute of the end of
the program, when people normally tune away while the credits are
being played). A brief user-specific "on demand" session is
instantiated automatically, and the short advertisement played, but
the session may be terminated if the user tunes away (or
alternatively, the user may be "held captive" for the duration of
the advertisement by preventing user termination of the session or
tune-away, and then control subsequently restored when the
advertisement has been completed).
[0287] In terms is of content rental or purchase, user, context, or
device-specific data may be used to select secondary content for
inclusion within purchased or leased media delivered to the user.
For example, in one such variant, user- (or premises) specific DVD
or other physical media is dynamically generated and sent to a
user. For instance, a user might access a media provider's Internet
website via their cable or satellite modem (whether interactively,
such as in the context of an IPTV scenario, or via traditional data
channels), and select a title for delivery via "hard" media. The
request may include information regarding the user, which can be
used to access demographic, psychographic, etc. data relating
thereto. Targeted secondary content can then be dynamically
selected and inserted ("burned") onto the DVD before shipment
(e.g., in a just-in-time fashion), so that each DVD delivered to
each customer is uniquely tailored to them in terms of secondary
content (e.g., trailers, previews, advertisements, etc.).
[0288] In another variant, the methods and apparatus described in
co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/080,693
filed on Mar. 14, 2005 and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
NETWORK CONTENT DOWNLOAD AND RECORDING", which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety, may be used consistent with
the present invention. As described therein, extant high-speed
network download and data recording technologies may be used to
provide the network subscriber or other user the ability to timely
and rapidly download new content such as a new-release movie or
game, along with the ability to promptly reduce the downloaded
content onto a desired medium (e.g., DVD). The downloaded content
may include e.g., targeted secondary content selected and inserted
according to the methods and apparatus discussed elsewhere herein.
The provision of the new content for viewing can also be tied to a
purchase of the content (or other commerce-based event), such as
where the content is only delivered after the user agrees to
purchase the content and record it onto a DVD or similar media.
This capability provides a number of distinct advantages,
including, inter alia: (i) the ability to sell the subscriber a
movie or other title in an earlier window than would otherwise be
available under prior art network content distribution paradigms;
(ii) the ability to download a disk image to the customer's DVR
hard disk or other storage device at a very high speed; and (iii)
the customer's ability to run the downloaded content directly from
their hard disk and also produce a fixed or erasable medium copy
(e.g., DVD, memory stick, USB key, etc.), as desired.
[0289] In terms of online (Internet) content demands, the MSO may
utilize knowledge regarding a particular subscriber, account,
device, use or content context, etc. to selectively insert
advertising or other secondary content into the requested video.
For instance, a user requesting to watch a YouTube video on their
PC (or television monitor via, e.g., the methods and apparatus of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/256,903 entitled
"METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PACKETIZED CONTENT DELIVERY OVER A
CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK" previously referenced herein) will be
identified as being a particular MSO network subscriber, and hence
demographic, device, context, etc. information can be used to
populate one or more insertion opportunities with targeted
secondary content within the delivered IP transport of the primary
content. For instance, in one variant, the secondary content is
appended contiguously to the front or back of the requested video,
akin to prior art video delivery windows now ubiquitous on the
network. One salient distinction over these prior art approaches,
however, is an explicit association between the requesting
subscriber and particular demographics, psychographics, device
contexts, etc. and the inserted advertising.
[0290] In yet another embodiment, content providers which provide
the content fixed a physical medium (such as the aforementioned
Netflix system) may generate and re-use user-customized versions of
the content. In other words, the content may be placed on a DVD or
other fixed or transitory medium with secondary content inserted
therein which is specific to (e.g., targeted to) a first user. Once
the DVD is returned, the targeted DVD may be categorized based on
e.g., demographics, psychographics, etc. and subsequently provided
to a second user requesting the content who shares the demographic,
psychographic, etc. of the first user. In this manner, multiple
uniquely targeted content versions may be created and shared among
a plurality of users.
[0291] It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the
invention are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of
a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader
methods of the invention, and may be modified as required by the
particular application. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary
or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain
steps or functionality may be added to the disclosed embodiments,
or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such
variations are considered to be encompassed within the invention
disclosed and claimed herein.
[0292] While the above detailed description has shown, described,
and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to
various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions,
substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or
process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the invention. The foregoing description is of the
best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.
This description is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather
should be taken as illustrative of the general principles of the
invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with
reference to the claims.
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