U.S. patent application number 16/843539 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-14 for relative prominence of elements within an advertisement.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.. The applicant listed for this patent is AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.. Invention is credited to James Carlton Bedingfield, SR., Nigel Bradley, Ari Craine, Robert Koch, Anna Lidzba, Alexander MacDougall.
Application Number | 20210321170 16/843539 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004798286 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210321170 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MacDougall; Alexander ; et
al. |
October 14, 2021 |
RELATIVE PROMINENCE OF ELEMENTS WITHIN AN ADVERTISEMENT
Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example,
providing to a user device a video content item including at least
one scene which includes a plurality of advertisement placement
opportunities and determining a preference profile for an
individual associated with the user device. Aspects further include
selecting a group of matching advertisements having advertisement
profiles that match the preference profile for the individual and
determining a relative prominence score for each advertisement
placement opportunity. Aspects further include ordering the
matching advertisements according to prominence information
specified for each matching advertisement, wherein the prominence
information corresponds to a relative desired prominence specified
by an advertiser associated with the matching advertisement.
Aspects further include providing the ordered matching
advertisements to the user device according to the respective
prominence information so that a matching advertisement having a
greatest desired prominence is displayed in the video content item
at an advertisement placement opportunity having a highest relative
prominence score. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Inventors: |
MacDougall; Alexander;
(Newnan, GA) ; Lidzba; Anna; (Atlanta, GA)
; Bradley; Nigel; (Canton, GA) ; Bedingfield, SR.;
James Carlton; (Gainesville, GA) ; Koch; Robert;
(Norcross, GA) ; Craine; Ari; (Marietta,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AT&T Intellectual Property I,
L.P.
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
1000004798286 |
Appl. No.: |
16/843539 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/44016 20130101;
H04N 21/4532 20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; G06Q 30/0254 20130101;
H04N 21/439 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/81 20060101
H04N021/81; H04N 21/44 20060101 H04N021/44; H04N 21/45 20060101
H04N021/45; H04N 21/439 20060101 H04N021/439; G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02 |
Claims
1. A device, comprising: a processing system including a processor;
and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when
executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of
operations, the operations comprising: receiving, over a network, a
request to deliver media content to a media display device;
detecting a plurality of content placement opportunities in the
media content; determining, for each respective content placement
opportunity of the plurality of content placement opportunities, a
respective relative prominence score, wherein the determining the
respective relative prominence score comprises determining the
respective relative prominence score based on a relative importance
in a scene of the respective content placement opportunity;
delivering the media content over the network to the media display
device; selecting a plurality of content items, wherein the
selecting comprises selecting a respective content item for each
respective content placement opportunity of the plurality of
content placement opportunities according to the respective
relative prominence score for the respective content placement
opportunity; and delivering the respective content item over the
network to the media display device.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the detecting a plurality of
content placement opportunities in the media content comprises
detecting one or more of a still image placement opportunity, a
video image placement opportunity, and an audio placement
opportunity.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the detecting a plurality of
content placement opportunities in the media content comprises
detecting a background audio placement opportunity and a foreground
audio placement opportunity.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the delivering the respective
content item over the network to the media display device comprises
delivering with the media content a content tag, the content tag
comprising a time stamp and metadata, the metadata comprising a
prominence indicator.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:
detecting a viewing opportunity in the media content while
delivering the media content over the network to the media display
device; determining a respective relative prominence score for the
viewing opportunity; selecting a content item for the viewing
opportunity according to the respective relative prominence score
for the viewing opportunity; and providing the selected content
item to the media display device.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving a call for a content item from the media display device
while delivering the media content over the network to the media
display device, the call for the content item corresponding to a
viewing opportunity in the media content; determining a respective
relative prominence score for the viewing opportunity; selecting a
content item for the viewing opportunity according to the
respective relative prominence score for the viewing opportunity;
and providing the selected content item to the media display
device.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:
determining profile information for an audience viewing the media
content; and selecting the plurality of content items based, at
least in part, on the profile information.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the determining the profile
information for the audience comprises determining aggregate
profile information for a plurality of audience members of the
audience, and wherein selecting the plurality of content items
comprises selecting content items based, at least in part, on the
aggregate profile information.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the detecting a plurality of
content placement opportunities in the media content comprises
detecting audio content placement opportunities and wherein the
delivering the respective content item over the network to the
media display device comprises delivering an audio clip to the
media display device for playback.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the delivering an audio clip to
the media display device for playback comprises delivering a
segment of prerecorded audio containing dialogue including a
product name in place of other audio content of the media
content.
11. A method, comprising: providing, by a processing system
including a processor, a content item to a media display device;
detecting, by the processing system, a plurality of content
placement opportunities in a scene of the content item, each
respective content placement opportunity of the plurality of
content placement opportunities having a relative prominence in the
scene of the content item; detecting, by the processing system, a
preference profile for a user of the media display device;
identifying, by the processing system, a first plurality of
matching advertising items, wherein the matching advertising items
match the preference profile for the user; selecting, by the
processing system, a second plurality of matching advertising items
according to respective prominence information of the first
plurality of matching advertising items; and providing, by the
processing system, the second plurality of matching advertising
items to the media display device, each respective matching
advertising item of the second plurality of matching advertising
items associated with a respective content placement opportunity of
the plurality of content placement opportunities.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining, by the
processing system, a respective relative prominence score for each
respective content placement opportunity of the plurality of
content placement opportunities; and selecting the second plurality
of matching advertising opportunities according to advertiser bid
amounts, wherein the selecting comprises selecting a matching
advertisement having a highest bid amount for a content placement
opportunity having a highest relative prominence score and
selecting a matching advertisement having a next-highest bid amount
for a content placement opportunity have a next-highest relative
prominence score.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining a respective
relative prominence score for each respective content placement
opportunity of the plurality of content placement opportunities
comprises determining the respective relative prominence score
based on one or more of a size, an importance, a degree of motion
and a duration of the each respective content placement
opportunity, wherein the each respective content placement
opportunity comprises a video or still image placement
opportunity.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining a respective
relative prominence score for each respective content placement
opportunity of the plurality of content placement opportunities
comprises determining the respective relative prominence score
based on one or more of a volume, a relevance, a degree of
musicality and a duration of each respective content placement
opportunity, wherein each respective content placement opportunity
comprises an audio placement opportunity.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the selecting the second
plurality of matching advertising items comprises selecting, by the
processing system, a product jingle for playing as background music
in the scene of the content item.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the selecting the second
plurality of matching advertising items comprises generating, by
the processing system, a portion of audio dialogue that contains a
product name for playing as background sound in the scene of the
content item.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the providing the second
plurality of matching advertising items to the media display device
comprises providing the second plurality of matching items with the
content item to an audience comprising a plurality of individuals,
and further comprising; receiving, by the processing system, user
information for the plurality of individuals; aggregating, by the
processing system, audience features based on the user information
for the plurality of individuals to produce aggregated audience
features; and identifying, by the processing system, the first
plurality of matching advertising items, wherein the matching
advertising items match the aggregated audience features.
18. A non-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising
executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system
including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the
operations comprising: providing to a user device a video content
item, the video content item including a plurality of scenes, at
least one scene of the plurality of scenes including a plurality of
advertisement placement opportunities; determining a preference
profile for an individual associated with the user device;
selecting a group of matching advertisements having advertisement
profiles that match the preference profile for the individual;
determining a respective relative prominence score for each
respective advertisement placement opportunity of the plurality of
advertisement placement opportunities; ordering matching
advertisements of the group of matching advertisements according to
respective prominence information specified for each respective
matching advertisement to produce ordered matching assignments,
wherein the respective prominence information corresponds to a
relative desired prominence specified by an advertiser associated
with the matching advertisements; and providing the ordered
matching advertisements to the user device according to the
respective prominence information so that a matching advertisement
having a greatest respective desired prominence is displayed in the
video content item at an advertisement placement opportunity having
a highest relative prominence score.
19. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 18,
wherein the determining the respective relative prominence score
for each respective advertisement placement opportunity of the
plurality of advertisement placement opportunities comprises
determining the respective relative prominence score based on one
or more of a size, an importance, a degree of motion and a duration
of the each respective advertisement placement opportunity, wherein
the each respective advertisement placement opportunity comprises a
video or still image placement opportunity.
20. The non-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 18,
wherein the operations further comprise selecting one or more audio
advertisements according to respective audio desired prominence
information for a plurality of audio advertisements so that an
audio advertisement having highest respective desired audio
prominence is played in the at least one scene of the video content
item.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The subject disclosure relates to relative prominence of
elements within an advertisement within a displayed video item.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Display of content items such as advertising within a video
or other content is known, for example for targeting the content
items to specific audiences or viewers. Such display has been used
to insert product placement into content such as films or to modify
product placement from one product to another.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary,
non-limiting embodiment of a communications network in accordance
with various aspects described herein.
[0005] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a system functioning within the
communication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects
described herein.
[0006] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a system for displaying a content item
while delivering media content to a media display device such as
user device and functioning within the communication network of
FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0007] FIG. 2C depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0008] FIG. 2D is a block diagram showing an exemplary user device
displaying a content item in which other content items have been
inserted in content delivery opportunities in accordance with the
method of FIG. 2C.
[0009] FIG. 2E is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a system for displaying a content item
while delivering media content to a media display device such as
user device and functioning within the communication network of
FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication network in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a computing environment in accordance with various
aspects described herein.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a mobile network platform in accordance with various
aspects described herein.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting
embodiment of a communication device in accordance with various
aspects described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The subject disclosure describes, among other things,
illustrative embodiments for determining how to present content
elements within a combined content item with varying relative
levels of prominence among the content elements. Presentation may
be based on aggregate viewership of content elements or based on a
specific viewer. Other embodiments are described in the subject
disclosure.
[0015] One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include
receiving, over a network, a request to deliver media content to a
media display device and detecting a plurality of content placement
opportunities in the media content. Aspects further include
determining, for each content placement opportunity, a relative
prominence score, including determining the relative prominence
score based on a relative importance in a scene of the respective
content placement opportunity. Aspects further include delivering
the media content over the network to the media display device and
selecting a plurality of content items to include in the media
content. Selecting the content items includes selecting a
respective content item for each respective content placement
opportunity of the plurality of content placement opportunities
according to the respective relative prominence score for the
respective content placement opportunity. Each respective content
item is delivered over the network to the media display device.
[0016] One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include
providing a content item to a media display device and detecting a
plurality of content placement opportunities in a scene of the
content item, where each respective content placement opportunity
of the plurality of content placement opportunities has a relative
prominence in the scene of the content item. Aspects further
include detecting a preference profile for a user of the media
display device and identifying a first plurality of matching
advertising items that match the preference profile for the user.
Aspects further include selecting a second plurality of matching
advertising items according to respective prominence information of
the first plurality of matching advertising items and providing the
second plurality of matching advertising items to the media display
device. Each respective matching advertising item of the second
plurality of matching advertising items is associated with a
respective content placement opportunity of the plurality of
content placement opportunities.
[0017] One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, for
example, providing to a user device a video content item including
at least one scene which includes a plurality of advertisement
placement opportunities and determining a preference profile for an
individual associated with the user device. Aspects further include
selecting a group of matching advertisements having advertisement
profiles that match the preference profile for the individual and
determining a relative prominence score for each advertisement
placement opportunity. Aspects further include ordering the
matching advertisements according to prominence information
specified for each matching advertisement, wherein the prominence
information corresponds to a relative desired prominence specified
by an advertiser associated with the matching advertisement.
Aspects further include providing the ordered matching
advertisements to the user device according to the respective
prominence information so that a matching advertisement having a
greatest desired prominence is displayed in the video content item
at an advertisement placement opportunity having a highest relative
prominence score.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown
illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a
communications network 100 in accordance with various aspects
described herein. For example, communications network 100 can
facilitate in whole or in part providing a content item such as a
video or other media content item to audio/video display devices
144, data terminals 114, or other network elements 150, 152, 154,
156 wherein the content item includes a plurality of content
placement opportunities which each have a relative prominence in a
scene or portion of the content item, and providing advertisements
or other content items according to desired prominence so that, for
example, an advertisement having a highest desired prominence by an
advertiser is placed most prominently in the content item.
[0019] In particular, a communications network 125 is presented for
providing broadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114
via access terminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of
mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station or access point
122, voice access 130 to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via
switching device 132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality of
audio/video display devices 144 via media terminal 142. In
addition, communication network 125 is coupled to one or more
content sources 175 of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other
media. While broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice
access 130 and media access 140 are shown separately, one or more
of these forms of access can be combined to provide multiple access
services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 can
receive media content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can
be provided voice access via switching device 132, and so on).
[0020] The communications network 125 includes a plurality of
network elements (NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the
broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130, media
access 140 and/or the distribution of content from content sources
175. The communications network 125 can include a circuit switched
or packet switched network, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP)
network, Internet protocol (IP) network, a cable network, a passive
or active optical network, a 4G, 5G, or higher generation wireless
access network, WIMAX network, UltraWideband network, personal area
network or other wireless access network, a broadcast satellite
network and/or other communications network.
[0021] In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include
a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem
termination system (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other
access terminal. The data terminals 114 can include personal
computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, tablets or other
computing devices along with digital subscriber line (DSL) modems,
data over coax service interface specification (DOCSIS) modems or
other cable modems, a wireless modem such as a 4G, 5G, or higher
generation modem, an optical modem and/or other access devices.
[0022] In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122
can include a 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access
point that operates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.1
lac or other wireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can
include mobile phones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless
modems, and/or other mobile computing devices.
[0023] In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include
a private branch exchange or central office switch, a media
services gateway, VoIP gateway or other gateway device and/or other
switching device. The telephony devices 134 can include traditional
telephones (with or without a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones
and/or other telephony devices.
[0024] In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a
cable head-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway
or other media terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include
televisions with or without a set top box, personal computers
and/or other display devices.
[0025] In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include
broadcast television and radio sources, video on demand platforms
and streaming video and audio services platforms, one or more
content data networks, data servers, web servers and other content
servers, and/or other sources of media.
[0026] In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can
include wired, optical and/or wireless links and the network
elements 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. can include service switching
points, signal transfer points, service control points, network
gateways, media distribution hubs, servers, firewalls, routers,
edge devices, switches and other network nodes for routing and
controlling communications traffic over wired, optical and wireless
links as part of the Internet and other public networks as well as
one or more private networks, for managing subscriber access, for
billing and network management and for supporting other network
functions.
[0027] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of displaying a content item while
delivering media content to a media display device in a system
functioning within the communication network of FIG. 1 in
accordance with various aspects described herein. In FIG. 2A, a
user device 200 is displaying a first image 202 of a content item
204. Also in FIG. 2A, by way of contrast, the user device 200
displays a second image 206 including the same content item 204.
The user device 200 in the illustrated example is a portable device
such as a mobile telephone. The user device 200 includes a display
screen suitable to display content items such as the images 202,
206 and the content item 204. The user device 200 may further
include a connection to a remote network for receiving content
items such as the images 202, 206 and the content item 204.
Further, the user device 200 may further include a memory for
storing content items such as the images 202, 206 and the content
item 204.
[0028] The content item 204 in the example includes an image of a
man and a woman dressed in casual clothes. He wears an open shirt
with a collar over a t-shirt. They stand facing the camera in front
of a grassy area populated by other people who generally have their
backs to the camera. Some of the other people appear to be in
motion, either toward the camera or away from the camera. The man
and the woman appear to be talking. He looks past the camera, she
looks at him. The content item 204 may be a still image or may be a
frame or image from a motion picture, television program, video
game or other similar content. The details of the content item are
important primarily as an illustrative example. The details and
various aspects of the embodiments discussed herein may be extended
to the widest variety of content items including video, still
images, audio, text and other content types as well.
[0029] In the first image 202 of FIG. 2A, the front of the man's
t-shirt is partially visible. It bears a first logo 208 and name of
a first restaurant chain. In one embodiment, the first logo is part
of the content of the first image 202 and the content item 204.
That is, for example, in a film incorporating the first image 202,
the man is wearing a shirt that actually includes the first logo
208. The first logo 208 is part of the content of the first image
202 or of the content item 204 such as the video incorporating the
image 202. In another embodiment, the first logo 208 is located in
an area 210 of the first image 202 that has been marked for
insertion of one or more content items. The area 210 may be added
to the first image 202 or content item 204 in order to receive the
one or more content items. In the second image 206 of FIG. 2A, a
second logo 212 of a second restaurant chain appears in the area
210. The second logo 212 may be superimposed on the first logo 208
in the second image of the content item 204. The second image 206
may be altered relative to the first image 202, for example, by
altering the content of the first image 202 to produce the second
image 206. This may be done in various examples my modifying pixels
or frames or other encoded elements of the first image 202 to
produce the second image 206.
[0030] Substitution of a content element such as the second logo
212 for another content element such as the first logo 208 may be
done for any suitable reason. In one example, the substitution may
be done to target advertising to specific audiences or specific
viewers. The substitution may be made to change a product placement
in a movie or other video content. The substitution may be made by
defining one or more screen areas such as area 210 that may be
digitally changed. The change may be done either in advance or in
real-time as the viewer is viewing the content including the
advertising. When the change is done in advance, the content
including the modified frames with image 206 may be communicated to
the user device 200 or another location for storage and subsequent
playback. When the change is done in real time, the substitution of
the second logo 212 for the first logo 208 may be made according to
a bidding process among advertisers for the opportunity to place a
content item such as the second logo 212 in the area 210. The
bidding process may match aspects of a viewer of the content item
with aspects of a product or service being advertised or marketed
by the advertiser. Selection of a particular content item to target
advertising to specific audiences or specific viewers may be based,
for example, on the advertiser's willingness to have an
advertisement appear in the area 210, either by paying more to
appear in the area 210 or in some other way. The bidding process
may occur substantially in real time as the content is conveyed to
the user device 200 and viewer. In other examples, other than
substantially in real time, a user device such as a mobile begins
streaming a movie which is know to have a predetermined number of
content insertion opportunities to receive advertising or other
content. In such an example, bidding may begin at the time of
initiating the streaming and if the scene is eventually streamed
then the object is added and the winning bidder is charged for the
impression.
[0031] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a system 216 for displaying a content
item while delivering media content to a media display device such
as user device 200 and functioning within the communication network
of FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein. In
FIG. 2B, the user device 200 is associated with a user 218 and may
be any device for displaying content including media for
interaction by the user 218. Interaction by the user 218 may
include seeing visual content and hearing audio content, as well as
any other sensory perception such as response to a motion detection
function of the user device or a motion creation device such as a
vibrator of the user device. Interaction may also include
manipulation of a user interface of the user device 200 to control
the user device 200. The manipulation of the user interface of the
user device may occur in any suitable fashion, such actuation of a
touch-sensitive display screen or one or more buttons or switches
of the user device 200, voice control of the user interface, or
other techniques that may be developed.
[0032] Moreover in other embodiments, the user 218 may have other
user devices in addition to the user device 200. The user device
200 in the illustrated embodiment includes a mobile device such as
a mobile telephone adapted for viewing content. The user device may
be adapted for other functions as well, such as internet access and
web page browsing, making radiotelephone calls, etc. In addition or
instead, the user 218 may interact with content on other user
devices such as a tablet computer, a laptop or desktop computer, a
media player, a smart television, etc. The techniques described
herein may be extended to the widest range of user devices or
groups of user devices.
[0033] The system 216 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2B
includes a media content server 220 in communication with a media
content database 222, an advertisement engine 224 in communication
with an advertisement database 226. In other embodiments, the
system 216 may include any suitable components in addition to or in
place of those shown in FIG. 2B. In typical embodiments, the user
218 and the user device 200 represent one user of many users that
may access the media content server 220 and the advertisement
engine over the network 228.
[0034] The media content server 220 provides content to the network
228 for access by users such as the user 218. Access my include
downloading an entire file or a partial file of content. Access may
include streaming of content, in which the content is sent in
portions from the media content server 220. The media content
server 220 is in data communication with the media content database
222 to retrieve content and provide the content to the user device
200. Media content provided by the media content server 220 may
include the widest variety of content, including video content and
audio content. Video content may include video items such as films,
television programs, animated items, for example, of any duration.
Audio content may include music, voice or conversations or other
captured sounds. Media content may include live items, such as
items currently broadcast or narrowcast to an audience, or recorded
items. Moreover, media content may include combinations of any of
these, such as a transmission of a prerecorded sporting event with
live voice-over commentary and music. The media content items may
be conveyed over the network 228 to a single user, such as user
218, or be conveyed to an audience of users at specific network
addresses, or may be broadcast to a broad audience over
commercially available licensed broadcast channels.
[0035] The media content database 222 includes memory to store
content such as video, audio and other content items. The media
content database 222 may include any suitable number of disk drives
and other data storage for storing content. Moreover, the media
content database 222 or the media content server 220 may have
access over networks such as the network 228 or other networks or
devices to additional content that may be available for retrieval
and storage at the media content database 222 for communication by
the media content server 220 to an audience.
[0036] The advertisement engine 224 operates in conjunction with
the advertisement database 226 to provide content items including
advertisements to user devices such as the user device 200. The
advertisement engine 224 in some embodiments operates in
conjunction with the media content server 220 to provide the
content items. For example, as the media content server 220
provides content to the user device 200, the media content server
220 may prompt the advertisement engine 224 to provide one or more
advertisements or other content items to user devices such as the
user device 200 in conjunction with the content. The advertisement
engine 224 may retrieve the advertisement or other content item
from the advertisement database 226. The advertisement database
226, similar to the media content database 222, may include any
suitable combination of storage elements such as disk drives to
store data including content items such as advertisements. The
retrieved content item may be in the form of a data file or other
data structure containing instructions and data to cause an
advertisement or other content item to be produced on the user
device 200. The advertisement or other content item may include one
or more still images or video images. The advertisement or other
content item may include audio such as music, speech or a
combination.
[0037] In FIG. 2B, the first image 202 displays the content item
204. In the illustrated embodiment, the content item 204 includes a
plurality of content placement points 227. The plurality of content
placement points 227 in this example includes the area 210, an area
230 and an area 232 in the image 202 and an audio point 234 in
which a content items may be placed dynamically. The plurality of
content placement points 227 may include other defined boundaries
as well, for audible, visual or other content item insertion.
[0038] The plurality of content placement points 227 represent
content placement opportunities in the content item 204. As
indicated, the content placement opportunities in this example may
be visual or audible in nature. Visual opportunities may be a
portion of the screen of the user device 200 that is prominent and
part of a viewer's main attention or may be a background portion of
the screen scene. Prominence may be relative and may have many
factors. In the example of FIG. 2B, area 210 is in the foreground
of the image 202 whereas area 230 and area 232 are in the
background, and are therefore less prominent to a viewer of the
content item 204. Further, area 210 is located on or near, or
otherwise associated with, a character who is the focus of the
viewer's attention, in this example because the man is speaking.
Thus, area 210 has a higher relative prominence in the image 202.
Area 230 is a relatively static area in the background of the image
202 while, in contrast, area 232 is a dynamic area in that the area
232 is on or associated with a moving object, a woman in the
background if the image 202. Because movement or a moving object is
more likely to command a viewer's attention, in some applications,
the area 232 may have a higher relative prominence than the area
230. Further, the area 230 is larger, or occupies a larger portion
of the image 202, than the area 232. Because of its larger relative
size, the area 230 may have a higher relative prominence than the
area 232.
[0039] Further, content items inserted into any of the plurality of
content placement points 227 such as area 210, area 230 and area
232, may be given an enhanced relative prominence upon insertion
into the image 202. For example, the color or appearance of the
content item may be selected to cause it to be more prominent than
surrounding areas of the image 202. In one example, if a content
item is to be placed in a blank area that is colored green, such as
a portion of lawn, the inserted content item may be colored red, or
given a blue background behind white text, to appear relatively
more prominent against the green background. In another example,
where a scene shown in the image 202 is substantially dark, as a
night scene, the inserted content item may be relatively brightly
illuminated to command the viewer's attention. In yet another
example, a content item may be presented with a dynamic sparkle or
dazzle aspect to enhance its ability to attract the attention of
the viewer. In yet another example, information known about a
specific viewer may be used to enhance the relative prominence of a
content placement point. For example, if it is known that a viewer
attended a particular college or university, or lives in a
particular town or neighborhood, the inserted content item may be
combined with a visual depiction of that viewer-specific
information. The enhancement of relative prominence for an inserted
content item, or a content placement point, may be managed in any
suitable way.
[0040] Further, each advertising or content placement opportunity
may use additional metadata to describe its nature and its degree
of prominence as a predictor of how much attention it may receive
from a viewer. The relative degree of prominence may relate to a
relative importance of an advertising or content placement
opportunity in a scene or image. In other embodiments, the relative
importance may relate to the degree of importance of an advertising
or content placement opportunity across multiple or different
scenes of the content item. A prominence score may be calculated
for each ad opportunity by the media content server and inserted as
metadata for the content. A prominence score for visual ad
opportunities may be based on size, degree of importance to the
scene, relative motion, and duration of time on screen, and other
factors. In the example shown, for instance, scores might be as
shown in the following Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Ad Opportunity Size Importance Motion
Duration Total 1 8 10 3 10 31 2 5 3 0 10 18 3 3 3 9 4 19
[0041] In Table 1, each of the visual content placement
opportunities is associated with a number shown in FIG. 2B. Thus,
area 210 is represented in Table 1 by number 1; area 230 is
represented in Table 1 as number 2; and area 232 is represented in
Table 1 as number 3. Each visual content placement opportunity is
given a relative prominence score for various aspects of
prominence. In this example, the aspects of prominence which are
scored include relative size of each opportunity, relative
importance in a scene of each opportunity, relative motion of each
opportunity, and duration of each opportunity. Thus, in the example
of FIG. 2B, ad opportunity 1, for area 210, has a relative large
size in the image 202 so it is give a size score of 2. Ad
opportunity 1 further has a high relative importance, since it is
in the foreground of the image 202 and associated with a character
who is speaking, so it is given a relatively high score of 10. The
ad opportunity 1 is not in motion, so it is given a relatively low
score of 3. The ad opportunity 1 remains in the image 202
throughout the entire duration of the scene so it is given a
relatively high duration score of 10. The other ad opportunities,
labeled 2 and 3 in FIG. 2B and Table 1, are scored in similar
fashion. A total score for each ad opportunity may be simple
addition, as shown. Thus, ad opportunity 1 has a total score of 31,
ad opportunity 2 has a total score of 18, and ad opportunity 3 has
a total score of 19. In other examples, the respective scores for
size, importance, motion and duration may be weighted or combined
in some fashion. Other features, in addition to or instead of size,
importance, motion and duration.
[0042] Audio insertion opportunities may be scored similarly.
Relative prominence for audio ad insertion opportunities may be
rated as peers of, or separately from, visual ad opportunities. In
Table 2, audio ad insertion opportunities are added to Table 1 and
are scored on factors including volume of the sounds, relevance to
the scene or image, musicality and duration during the scene. In
this example, audio ad insertion opportunity identified as number 4
in FIG. 2B is scored 4 for volume, 3 for relevance, 8 for
musicality and 10 for duration. Other factors for scoring audio ad
insertion opportunities may be used as well.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Ad Opportunity Size Importance Motion
Duration Total 1 8 10 3 10 31 2 5 3 0 10 18 3 3 3 9 4 19 Volume
Relevance Musicality Duration Total 4 4 3 8 10 25
[0043] In other examples, scores for audio ad insertion
opportunities may be determined and used as with the visual ad
insertion opportunities. Thus, factors for scoring an audio ad
insertion opportunity may include a relative importance of sound to
a scene or image, apparent motion of a sound in the sound design
for a scene, or duration of the sound or audio clip during a scene.
The result is that an audio ad from the advertisement database is
inserted, for instance, as background audio. In examples, this may
be a product jingle, prerecorded audio that contains dialogue
including a product name, or an artificial intelligence- or machine
learning-generated audio dialogue that may contain, for instance, a
product name or some known information about the viewer (as
knowingly shared by the viewer), such as the name of the college
the viewer attended.
[0044] As indicated, the system 216 may use artificial intelligence
or machine learning, or a combination of these, to generate
alternative visual or audible content items for insertion in
content placement opportunities, either visual or audible. For
example, a machine learning algorithm may be used to generate and
insert dialogue from a character to include, for instance, a
product name. This may be readily extended to other examples as
well.
[0045] In addition or instead, an operator of the media content
server 220 may desire to modify the selected content item for any
suitable reason by inserting particular content items, rather than
advertisements, in the identified content placement opportunities.
In one example, the requested content item may be targeted to
language learners and a content placement opportunity may include
inserting dialog in a particular language selected for particular
viewers choosing to learn a particular language. Any other suitable
reason for modifying visual, audible and other aspects of a
requested content item may prompt the use of content placement
opportunities in the requested content item.
[0046] Any number of means may be used to determine preferences for
an individual viewer and choosing the most appropriate ads to
insert. The degree of prominence to be used for each ad may also
include data from an advertisement engine, which may include
relative levels that advertisers are willing to pay for their ads
to be presented. For example, the highest paying advertiser whose
ad is a match for the user's preference profile may be presented in
Ad Opportunity 1 (the most prominent one). Accordingly, other
opportunities are filled and the content is presented with the ads
inserted.
[0047] Each of the plurality of content placement points 227,
including area 210, area 230 and area 232, may be defined by a
spatial location on the image 202 and a temporal location in the
content item 204. Spatial locations may be defined in any suitable
way, such as pixel location on the image 202, displacement from a
defined origin, etc. Temporal locations may be similarly defined in
any suitable fashion, such as start and stop times from a defined
origin time of the content item, a start time plus a duration, etc.
The media content may contain metadata such as timestamp tags that
are used to demark when advertising or other content placement
opportunities occur. Visual content placement may be done in any
suitable fashion, such as by superimposing one visual item over a
preexisting visual item in the image 202, such as substitution of
the second logo 212 for the first logo 208 in the image 202. In
another example, visual content placement may be done by
superimposing a content item in a relatively blank space of the
image 202, such as the area 230. Instead of superimposition, any
suitable way of inserting visual content into the image 202 may be
used. Any of the plurality of content placement points 227,
including area 210, area 230 and area 232, may be used for
insertion of a visual content item such as an advertisement.
[0048] Audible content placement opportunities may include
background music or background dialogue. For a content item that
represents an advertisement, audible content may be an advertiser's
jingle or other song portion, or other audio component that
provokes brand identification among listeners. In another example,
an audible content item may include spoken words which may, for
example, mention a product or brand by name in a way to attract the
viewer's attention.
[0049] Similar to visual content items, audible content items and
audio content points such as audio point 234 may be given an
enhanced relative prominence. For example, an inserted content item
at audio point may be presented at a higher volume relative to
other sounds or audible content in a scene. In another example, an
inserted content item at audio point 234 may be combined with
another audible item calculated to capture audience attention, such
as a tone or sound or portion of a well-known song. In yet another
example, information known about a specific audience member may be
used to enhance the relative prominence of an audible content
placement item at, for example, audio point 234. For example, if it
is known that an audience member attended a particular college or
university, or lives in a particular town or neighborhood, the
inserted content item may be a spoken mention of the college name
or neighborhood, or a portion of the college fight song or alma
mater. The enhancement of relative prominence for an audible
inserted content item, or audible content placement point, may be
managed in any suitable way.
[0050] Audible content placement points such as audio point 234 may
be defined in any suitable manner. In one example, an audible
content placement point may be defined by a start time and stop
time, or a start time plus a duration, from a predefined origin
time for the content item 204. The audible content placement points
such as audio point 234 may be defined by a spatial location as
well in some audio programming. For example, if a soundtrack for
the content item 204 is in stereo, or includes enhanced sonic
features, an audio content placement point such as audio point 234
may be inserted primarily in a left channel or a right channel of a
stereo or multi-channel soundtrack, or may be made to vary or move
between the channels in a dynamic fashion.
[0051] One way the human hearing mechanism (including the ears,
nerves and brain processing, subsequently referred to as "the ear")
detects placement of a speaker (or source of sound) is by detecting
the relative volume perceived by the listener's two ears. A sound
whose volume is stronger in the left ear appears to be coming from
a position to the left of the listener. This stereo effect is used
advantageously in nearly all modern music reproduction systems, and
allows the creator of the music to position instruments
left-to-right across the listener's virtual sound field. Another
way the placement of a sound source is determined is by relative
volume. A signal of lower volume sounds farther away than a signal
of higher volume. Combined with the stereo effect, volume settings
allow for, for example, near-left or far-right positioning of a
sound source. A third way the human ear detects the position of a
signal is a change in frequencies heard as a sound moves from the
front of a listener's ear, where most frequencies are received with
equal strength, to a position behind the listener's ear, where the
higher frequencies are attenuated and the lower frequencies seem
more apparent. In a virtual environment, this effect, combined with
a decrease in volume and left-right positioning, may give the
listener the impression that a sound source has moved behind the
listener, even with a two channel stereo system. Additionally,
changes to delay and echo may heighten this effect. Further, other
parameter changes may provide the sensation that one participant is
located behind another participant. Other enhancements or
modifications may be made as well. The contents of U.S. Pat. No.
8,085,920 Bi, issued Dec. 27, 2011, are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety. The sound design of the content item
204 may be adapted or modified to define audio content placement
points such as audio point 234.
[0052] The system 216 may be configured to deliver content items
such as content item 204 and placeable content items to the user
device 200. The media content server 220 may receive over the
network 228 a request for a content item, such as content item
204.
[0053] In an embodiment, the system 216 determines preferences of a
viewer such as user 218 for targeting advertisements and other
content to the viewer. FIG. 2C depicts an illustrative embodiment
of a method 240 in accordance with various aspects described
herein. The method 240 may be performed by a processing system
including a processor and memory of, for example, the media content
server 220 of FIG. 2B. In other embodiments, other components of a
system may perform the method 240, either locally or in conjunction
with other components accessible over a network such as network
228. In one example, some or all of the operations of method 240
may be performed by the user device 200 or by a smart television or
set top box or other media content device associated with a viewing
device. The method begins at block 242.
[0054] At block 244, the method 240 includes an operation of
receiving a request for a content item. The request may originate
at a user device such as user device 200, FIG. 2B, or any other
source. For example, a user such as user 218 of user device 200 may
operate a user interface of the user device 200 to locate and
select a content item of interest, such as a film or television
program or stored video item. The user interface may present a menu
of viewing options, for example, by accessing over the network 228
the media content server 220. The user 218 selects the content item
of interest using the menu and the selection is communicated over
the network 228 as a request for the content item to the media
content server 220. The request for the content item may include
any suitable information, such as identification information for
the content item, identification information for the user device
200, identification information for the user 218, identification
information for an account of the user 218 and identification
information for other viewers present with the user 218 who will
view the requested content item.
[0055] At block 246, the method 240 includes an operation to
determine if viewers such as the user 218 have agreed to use of
their personal or confidential information or data in a system and
process for providing content. This operation may be important to
protect and keep confidential such information for viewers who are
sensitive about the use of such information. Such an agreement may
be provided by the user agreeing to the use of confidential
information for purposes such as providing content items and the
agreement may be recorded at a network location accessible by
operations of the method 240. If the user 218 or viewers present
with the user, have not opted in to the service, the operation ends
at block 248. In such a case, the requested content item will be
provided to the user device without modification.
[0056] If the viewers or user have opted in to the service, at
block 250, the method 240 includes an operation of accessing the
requested content item. In one example, in the system 216 of FIG.
2B, the media content server 220 access the media content database
222 to locate the requested content item. If the media content
database 222 does not already store the requested content item, the
media content server 220 may access other locations to obtain the
requested content item.
[0057] At block 252, the method 240 includes an operation to
identify insertion opportunities in the requested content item. In
one example, the requested content item includes a number of
scenes, such as a scene including images 202, 206 of FIG. 2A. In
each respective scene, one or more content placement opportunities
is identified. For each respective content placement opportunity of
the one or more content placement opportunities, a prominence score
is determined. Examples of prominence scores are described in
conjunction with Table 1 and Table 2 and FIG. 2B. In some
embodiments, content placement opportunities may include
opportunities to insert advertisements for consumption by viewers
of the selected content items. The advertisements and other content
items may include visible content such as still images, video
segments, and others. The advertisements and other content items
may also include audible content items such as background sounds,
dialog of characters, background dialog, and others. An operator of
the media content server 220 may provide a paid service of
providing advertisements to viewers for advertisers.
[0058] At block 254, the method 240 includes an operation of
selecting content items such as advertisements for the scene.
Particular content items may be chosen for insertion into the
content placement opportunities for any suitable reason. Block 254
in some embodiments may include steps of accessing user data 256
and accessing advertiser data 258.
[0059] In order to target advertising to viewers of the selected
content item, the method 240 includes accessing user data 256. The
user data 256 may include any information provided by users or
other viewers or information collected about the viewers or users.
The user data 256 may be used to develop a preference profile for
the user. The preference profile includes information about likes
and desires and interests of the user, as well as dislikes of the
user. The preference profile for the user may be developed and
modified over time as more information about the user is gathered
and stored.
[0060] For example, a user's previous content selections from the
media content server 220 may be retrieved. In another example, the
user's previous purchase history of items, including media content
items and other items, from online sources or in other retail
locations, may be retrieved. Other information about the user may
be retrieved as well, including geographic information, demographic
information, psychographic information and behavioral information
of the user or other viewers of the requested media content. The
media content server 220 may have access to such information at the
media content database 222. In other examples, the media content
sever 220 may have access over networks such as the network 228 to
other stored information, including the noted information, about
the user or viewers. In still other examples, the media content
server 220 may access particular information of the user or viewers
and operate to draw inferences therefrom about interests of the
user or viewers. For example, a machine learning algorithm may be
used to develop a model for the user and user interests and to make
predictions about user preferences. The predictions and all other
information about the user and other viewers may be used to select
advertising or other content items at block 254. In some examples,
the user may be associated with one or more advertising targeting
segments. Such segment information may be accessed as well at block
254.
[0061] Also at block 254, the method may include accessing
advertiser data 258. In one example, the advertisement data 258 may
be received from the advertisement database 226 or the
advertisement engine 224, or a combination of these. Advertiser
data 258 may be received from respective advertisers about
advertisements of the advertiser to be placed or included in
content placement opportunities of the requested content item.
Advertiser data 258 may include data defining content and
advertisements including data files of visual advertising
components any suitable format such as JPEG, MPEG or others. The
advertiser data 258 may also include data defining content and
advertisements including data files of audible advertising
components in any suitable format, such as .wav, .aac and others.
Further, the advertiser data 258 may include targeting information
such as segments targeted by the advertiser for a particular
product or campaign. Further, the advertiser data 258 may include
information defining compensation the advertiser is willing to pay,
such as a money amount, for placement of a particular advertisement
in a content placement opportunity of the requested content
item.
[0062] The advertiser data 258 may be used to determine which
advertisement is selected for placement in a content placement
opportunity of the requested content item. In that regard,
information about one or more advertisements or advertisers from
the advertiser data 258 may be compared with information about the
user or viewers from the user data 256 at block 254. Based on the
comparison, one or more advertisements are selected for
presentation in content placement opportunities of the scene of the
requested content item.
[0063] Still further, the advertiser data 258 may include
prominence information defining a degree of prominence to be used
for each advertisement or content item of an advertiser. The
advertiser may specify the respective prominence information for a
respective advertisement. The degree of prominence may be expressed
in any suitable manner, such as an advertiser's prominence
designator or prominence score. The prominence designator or
prominence score may be used to determine how an advertisement
should be presented or which advertisement should be provided.
[0064] In some embodiments, block 254 includes operations of
determining, for each respective content placement opportunity of
the content item, a respective relative prominence score. In an
example, determining the respective relative prominence score may
include determining the relative prominence score based on a
relative importance in a scene of the respective content placement
opportunity. When the content item is delivered to the user device,
content items are selected to populate the content placement
opportunities. Selecting the content items, or advertisements in
some examples, may include selecting a respective content item for
each respective content placement opportunity according to the
respective relative prominence score for the respective content
placement opportunity. For a more prominent content placement
opportunity, a more prominent advertisement may be selected. In
some examples, relative prominence of an advertisement may be
determined by an amount an advertiser is willing to pay to have the
advertiser's advertisement placed in that content placement
opportunity.
[0065] As noted, the user data 256 may be used to develop a
preference profile for the user. Similarly, the advertiser data 258
may be used to develop and advertisement profile. The advertisement
profile may form an indication of the type of viewers or consumers
an advertiser is targeting for the advertisements of the
advertiser. The advertisement profile may be for the advertiser,
for individual advertisements, also referred to as campaigns or
line items, or for groups of advertisements. The preference profile
may be matched against advertisement profiles to select one or more
advertisements suitable to show to the user.
[0066] The profile matching may be done in any suitable manner. In
one example, the advertisement profile includes definitions of a
number of audience segments. The segments identify characteristics
of viewers of interest to the advertisers, such as Interested in
Purchasing a New Car, New Parent, and Interested in Vacations to
Tropical Destinations. Similarly, based on activities of the user,
including purchases, viewing patterns, online activity, and
information such as demographic, geographic, psychographic and
behavioral information, the user may be placed into a plurality of
audience segments. For example, if the viewer has requested and
watched a television program about Hawaiian resort vacations, the
view may be placed in the segment Interested in Vacations to
Tropical Destinations. Similarly, if the user has purchased new
baby clothes and other new baby items online, the user may be
placed in the segment New Parent. To match the user's preference
profile with the advertiser's advertisement profile then requires
finding common segments among the two. Any other suitable method of
matching users and advertisements may be used.
[0067] The prominence information may be used to select which
advertisement is selected for a particular content placement
opportunity or how the advertisement is presented. The prominence
information for an advertisement may include relative levels that
advertisers are willing to pay for their ads to be presented at
content placement opportunities in the requested media content
item. In one embodiment, advertisers may submit bids for
advertisement placement, where each bid corresponds to a desired
relative prominence in a scene. The advertiser may bid $1.00 to be
placed in the most prominent location in a scene, $0.50 for the
second most prominent location in the scene, $0.30 for the third
most prominent location, etc. Relative prominence of locations may
be determined based on a prominence score as illustrated in Table 1
and Table 2, for example. The bid amounts may be considered
respective prominence information of the advertisers associated
with the advertisements.
[0068] In an embodiment, an ad call is received to fill a group of
ad placement opportunities is received. Each ad placement
opportunity has a respective relative prominence as illustrated,
for example, in FIG. 2B. In response to the ad call for the scene,
an auction may be conducted, such as by the advertisement server,
to determine which advertisements should be selected to fill the ad
calls for the scene. For example, the highest paying advertiser
whose ad is a match for the user's preference profile may be
presented in Ad Opportunity 1, the most prominent advertisement
opportunity in the example of FIG. 2B. Other content placement
opportunities are filled according to bid amounts and the requested
content item is presented with the ads inserted.
[0069] Further, the prominence information may be used to adjust
the relative prominence of presentation of an advertisement other
content item. For example, if an advertiser desires heightened
prominence for an audio content item, the volume of the content
item, or its duration, may be increased when the content item is
inserted in the requested content item. In another embodiment, if
the advertiser pays a higher fee for heightened prominence, a
visual item may be modified to cause it to be more visually
arresting, such as with added dazzle or brighter colors or colors
selected with high contrast to background colors. Other types of
prominence modification or adaptation may be performed as well.
[0070] At block 260, the method 240 includes an operation of
presenting the requested content item in response to the request
received at block 244. The requested content item, with content
items selected at block 254, is provided in any suitable manner.
For example, the requested content item may be prepared by the
media content server 220 in full, with the selected content items
inserted at each content placement opportunity, and stored, for
example, at the media content database 222. The prepared content
item may then be communicated in full, as an entire file, to the
user device 200.
[0071] In another example, the prepared content item may be
streamed to the user device 200, with selected portions of video
content including inserted content items, sent in sequence. In such
an embodiment, as the video content is being presented at the user
device, the user device or other playback device may detect a
content placement opportunity. In response, the user device will
generate an ad call. The media content server or the advertisement
server will accordingly receive a call for a content item from the
display device while delivering the media content over the network
to the display device. The call for the content item corresponds to
a viewing opportunity in the media content. Responsive to the ad
call, the media content server or advertisement server may
determine a respective relative prominence score for the viewing
opportunity and select a content item or advertisement for the
viewing opportunity according to the respective relative prominence
score for the viewing opportunity. Based on relative prominence,
the media content server may provide the selected content item to
the display device. In this embodiment, each content placement
opportunity is filled in response to a series of ad calls. This
embodiment may reduce data processing and storage requirements of
the media content server and better regulate traffic on the network
228 by only sending content to the user device 200 when
required.
[0072] In another example, the operations of block 250, block 252,
block 254 and block 260 may be performed in a loop. In such an
embodiment, the requested content item is processed in portions,
such as scene by scene, to identify ad insertion opportunities of
each processed scene, block 252, and to select ads for the
processed scene, block 254, and then provide the content including
the processed scene to the user device 200. Operations are then
repeated for a next scene. In this manner, the ads are inserted
into the requested content on essentially a real time basis, as the
content is retrieved and presented to the user. Such an embodiment
may reduce processing time and storage requirements of the media
content server 220.
[0073] The content items delivered at block 260 may delivered with
any suitable data or other information. In one embodiment, in order
to ensure reliable placement of the content items or advertisements
in the media convent, the media content may be delivered with a
content tag. The content tag includes, for example, a time stamp
and metadata. The metadata may include a prominence indicator. The
prominence indicator may provide an indication of how prominently
the content item associated with the content tag should be
displayed. The metadata of the content tag may include any other
useful information for organizing and controlling how the content
or advertisement is presented, visually or audibly. The method ends
at block 262.
[0074] While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the
respective processes are shown and described as a series of blocks
in FIG. 2C, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed
subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, as some
blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other
blocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not
all illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods
described herein.
[0075] FIG. 2D is a block diagram showing user device 200
displaying image 206 of content item 204 in which advertisements
have been inserted in the content delivery opportunities of the
content item 204. By operation of the method 240 of FIG. 2C, for
example, or by any other suitable operation, suitable ads have been
selected and placed with relative prominence in the image 206.
Thus, second logo 212 has been placed in area 210 with a highest
relative prominence. The second logo 212 are area 210 has a highly
prominent position because, in this example, it is in the
foreground of the image 206 and it is associated with a main
character. In fact, in this example, the main character speaking in
the scene, heightening the prominence of the area 210 and second
logo 212 and the second logo 212 is placed on clothing of the
character, in intimate association with him.
[0076] A third logo 264 has been placed in area 230 of the image
206. This may be considered, in this example, to be an area of
relatively low prominence. First, the area 230 and the third logo
264 are located in the deep background of the image 202. Second,
the area 230 and the third logo 264 are static and not in motion.
Third, the area 230 and the third logo 264 are not associated with
the characters in any obvious way.
[0077] A fourth logo 266 has been placed in area 232 of the image
206. This may be considered, in this example, to be an area of
relatively moderate prominence, less prominent in the scene and
image 206 than are 210 but more prominent than are 230. First, the
area 232 and the fourth logo 266 are in the mid-background of the
scene. Second, the area 232 and the fourth logo 266, while not
associated with one of the two main characters of the scene are in
motion and attached to a background character. The factor of motion
enhances the relative prominence of the area 232 and the fourth
logo 266.
[0078] Audible advertisements may similarly be selected and placed
in accordance with the method 240 of FIG. 2C. The prominence of
audible advertisements may be matched with relative prominence of
the content placement opportunity associated with the sound design
of the scene depicted in image 206. If the primary characters in
the image 206 are talking in the scene, the background sound may be
of reduced prominence. However, if an advertising jingle is
selected as the content item to be placed as the background audio
for the scene, the content item of the advertising jingle may have
heightened prominence in the scene. Moreover, if an advertising
jingle or other audible content item is select to correlate with a
visible content item such as one of the second logo 212, the third
logo 264 or the fourth logo 266, the relative prominence of both
the audible content item and the visible content item may be
enhanced. The system and method in accordance with various aspects
disclosed herein may be adapted to particular circumstances to
modulate relative prominence of content items such as the second
logo 212, the third logo 264 or the fourth logo 266 and an audible
content item placed in a scene including image 206 of content item
204
[0079] FIG. 2E is a block diagram illustrating an example,
non-limiting embodiment of a system 216 for displaying a content
item 204 while delivering media content to a media display device
and functioning within the communication network of FIG. 1 in
accordance with various aspects described herein. In the embodiment
of FIG. 2E, the media display device is implemented in an
environment 270 for viewing by an audience of several or many
individuals 272. One example of an environment 270 is a theater
when the content item 204 is displayed on a screen such as by
projection on a movie screen or by display on a relatively large
electronic display.
[0080] In the embodiment of FIG. 2E, content placement
opportunities of the content item 204 have been filled with content
items such as advertisements, for example in accordance with the
method 240 of FIG. 2C. Thus, in the example of FIG. 2E, second logo
212 has been placed in area 210; fifth logo 268 has been placed in
area 232; and sixth logo 269 has been placed in area 232. Suitable
audible content has been provided as background audio at audio
point 234.
[0081] In the embodiment of FIG. 2E, each individual 272 of the
audience has a user device 200. However, instead of displaying
content item 204 on the user device 200, each user provides inputs
and other information to the system 216. For example, each
respective user device 200 may communicate with the media content
server 220 and the advertisement engine 224 to provide information
about each respective individual 272 associated with the respective
user device 200. Such information may include identification
information for the individual 272 or the user device 200 or
account associated with the individual. Such information may
include an opt-in indicator for the individual 272 to share the
individual's confidential information. Such information may
include, or be used to determine from the advertisement engine 224,
individual preference information for each respective individual
272. In this manner, the method 240 of FIG. 2C can be modified to
provide advertisements and other content items for consumption by
the individuals 272 in the environment 270. Consumption of
advertisements includes viewing visible advertisements and hearing
audible advertisements.
[0082] In this embodiment, the media content server 220 may develop
an aggregate audience score based on respective preference profiles
of the individuals 272. This may be done in any suitable fashion,
such as by averaging or otherwise aggregating user interests. The
media content server 220 may then use the aggregate audience score
to determine an aggregate preference profile of the audience as a
whole. The aggregate audience score, or the aggregate preference
profile, may be used by the media content server 220 to make
determinations of which ads to insert and at what level of
prominence. This might occur, for instance, in a movie theater or
other environment 270.
[0083] The user devices 200 may further be used to collect audience
feedback or other information from individuals 272 of the audience.
For example, each user device 200 may be equipped with an
application, or app, which collects information from the user
device 200 and communicates the information over the network 228 to
the media content server 220 and the advertisement engine 224. The
viewers may use the app on their respective user device 200, for
example, to vote for which products to see in the movie.
[0084] In another embodiment, the audience of individuals 272 may
act as a collective crowd before the movie begins to influence the
number of ads that get inserted. In an example, if the audience
contributes an amount to a charity by appropriate actuation of the
app on their user device 200, no ads or a reduced number of ads may
be inserted. The media content server 220 may prompt this
interaction by individuals 272, collect the responses and respond
accordingly. Other activities and modifications may be implemented
using the ability to aggregate audience information and responses
by the media content server 220 and advertising engine 224.
[0085] Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram is shown
illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized
communication network 300 in accordance with various aspects
described herein. In particular a virtualized communication network
is presented that can be used to implement some or all of the
subsystems and functions of communication network 100, the
subsystems and functions of system 216, and method 240 presented in
FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E and 3. For example, virtualized
communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part
providing a content item such as a video or other media content
item to virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, wherein the
content item includes a plurality of content placement
opportunities which each have a relative prominence in a scene or
portion of the content item, and providing advertisements or other
content items according to desired prominence so that, for example,
an advertisement having a highest desired prominence by an
advertiser is placed most prominently in the content item.
[0086] In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that
leverages cloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and
scalability via a transport layer 350, a virtualized network
function cloud 325 and/or one or more cloud computing environments
375. In various embodiments, this cloud networking architecture is
an open architecture that leverages application programming
interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity from services and operations;
supports more nimble business models; and rapidly and seamlessly
scales to meet evolving customer requirements including traffic
growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity of performance
and reliability expectations.
[0087] In contrast to traditional network elements--which are
typically integrated to perform a single function, the virtualized
communication network employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330,
332, 334, etc. that perform some or all of the functions of network
elements 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. For example, the network
architecture can provide a substrate of networking capability,
often called Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI)
or simply infrastructure that is capable of being directed with
software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocols to perform
a broad variety of network functions and services. This
infrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most
typical type of substrate being servers that support Network
Function Virtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding
capabilities based on generic computing resources, with specialized
network technologies brought to bear when general purpose
processors or general purpose integrated circuit devices offered by
merchants (referred to herein as merchant silicon) are not
appropriate. In this case, communication services can be
implemented as cloud-centric workloads.
[0088] As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in
FIG. 1), such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330
composed of NFV software modules, merchant silicon, and associated
controllers. The software can be written so that increasing
workload consumes incremental resources from a common resource
pool, and moreover so that it's elastic: so the resources are only
consumed when needed. In a similar fashion, other network elements
such as other routers, switches, edge caches, and middle-boxes are
instantiated from the common resource pool. Such sharing of
infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planning and
growing infrastructure easier to manage.
[0089] In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber,
cable, wired and/or wireless transport elements, network elements
and interfaces to provide broadband access 110, wireless access
120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or access to content
sources 175 for distribution of content to any or all of the access
technologies. In particular, in some cases a network element needs
to be positioned at a specific place, and this allows for less
sharing of common infrastructure. Other times, the network elements
have specific physical layer adapters that cannot be abstracted or
virtualized, and might require special DSP code and analog
front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementation as
VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included in
transport layer 350.
[0090] The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with
the transport layer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to
provide specific NFVs. In particular, the virtualized network
function cloud 325 leverages cloud operations, applications, and
architectures to support networking workloads. The virtualized
network elements 330, 332 and 334 can employ network function
software that provides either a one-for-one mapping of traditional
network element function or alternately some combination of network
functions designed for cloud computing. For example, VNEs 330, 332
and 334 can include route reflectors, domain name system (DNS)
servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers,
system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility management
entity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers
for IP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers,
distributers and other network elements. Because these elements
don't typically need to forward large amounts of traffic, their
workload can be distributed across a number of servers--each of
which adds a portion of the capability, and overall which creates
an elastic function with higher availability than its former
monolithic version. These virtual network elements 330, 332, 334,
etc. can be instantiated and managed using an orchestration
approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.
[0091] The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the
virtualized network function cloud 325 via APIs that expose
functional capabilities of the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide
the flexible and expanded capabilities to the virtualized network
function cloud 325. In particular, network workloads may have
applications distributed across the virtualized network function
cloud 325 and cloud computing environment 375 and in the commercial
cloud, or might simply orchestrate workloads supported entirely in
NFV infrastructure from these third party locations.
[0092] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram
of a computing environment in accordance with various aspects
described herein. In order to provide additional context for
various embodiments of the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and
the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general
description of a suitable computing environment 400 in which the
various embodiments of the subject disclosure can be implemented.
In particular, computing environment 400 can be used in the
implementation of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156, access
terminal 112, base station or access point 122, switching device
132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. Each of
these devices can be implemented via computer-executable
instructions that can run on one or more computers, and/or in
combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of
hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 can
facilitate in whole or in part providing a content item such as a
video or other media content item to implementations of audio/video
display devices 144, data terminals 114, or other network elements
150, 152, 154, 156, wherein the content item includes a plurality
of content placement opportunities which each have a relative
prominence in a scene or portion of the content item, and providing
advertisements or other content items according to desired
prominence so that, for example, an advertisement having a highest
desired prominence by an advertiser is placed most prominently in
the content item.
[0093] Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs,
components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or
implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the methods can be practiced with
other computer system configurations, comprising single-processor
or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe
computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing
devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,
and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled to one or
more associated devices.
[0094] As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more
processors as well as other application specific circuits such as
an application specific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit,
state machine, programmable gate array or other circuit that
processes input signals or data and that produces output signals or
data in response thereto. It should be noted that while any
functions and features described herein in association with the
operation of a processor could likewise be performed by a
processing circuit.
[0095] The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be
also practiced in distributed computing environments where certain
tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked
through a communications network. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules can be located in both local and
remote memory storage devices.
[0096] Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media,
which can comprise computer-readable storage media and/or
communications media, which two terms are used herein differently
from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media can be
any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer
and comprises both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and
non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation,
computer-readable storage media can be implemented in connection
with any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data or
unstructured data.
[0097] Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not
limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash
memory or other memory technology, compact disk read only memory
(CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk
storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or
non-transitory media which can be used to store desired
information. In this regard, the terms "tangible" or
"non-transitory" herein as applied to storage, memory or
computer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude only
propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not
relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or
computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory
signals per se.
[0098] Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or
more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,
queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of
operations with respect to the information stored by the
medium.
[0099] Communications media typically embody computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other structured
or unstructured data in a data signal such as a modulated data
signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and
comprises any information delivery or transport media. The term
"modulated data signal" or signals refers to a signal that has one
or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as
to encode information in one or more signals. By way of example,
and not limitation, communication media comprise wired media, such
as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media
such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.
[0100] With reference again to FIG. 4, the example environment can
comprise a computer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing
unit 404, a system memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus
408 couples system components including, but not limited to, the
system memory 406 to the processing unit 404. The processing unit
404 can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual
microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can also be
employed as the processing unit 404.
[0101] The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus
structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or
without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus
using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures.
The system memory 406 comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic
input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory
such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM),
EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to
transfer information between elements within the computer 402, such
as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAM
such as static RAM for caching data.
[0102] The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk
drive (HDD) 414 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also
be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a
magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write
to a removable diskette 418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g.,
reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or, to read from or write to other high
capacity optical media such as the DVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD
416 and optical disk drive 420 can be connected to the system bus
408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, a magnetic disk drive
interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428, respectively. The
hard disk drive interface 424 for external drive implementations
comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394
interface technologies. Other external drive connection
technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments described
herein.
[0103] The drives and their associated computer-readable storage
media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures,
computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer
402, the drives and storage media accommodate the storage of any
data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of
computer-readable storage media above refers to a hard disk drive
(HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media
such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that other types of storage media which are readable by a
computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory
cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the example
operating environment, and further, that any such storage media can
contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods
described herein.
[0104] A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and
RAM 412, comprising an operating system 430, one or more
application programs 432, other program modules 434 and program
data 436. All or portions of the operating system, applications,
modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 412. The systems
and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various
commercially available operating systems or combinations of
operating systems.
[0105] A user can enter commands and information into the computer
402 through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a
keyboard 438 and a pointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other
input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an infrared
(IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch
screen or the like. These and other input devices are often
connected to the processing unit 404 through an input device
interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408, but can be
connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE
1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,
an IR interface, etc.
[0106] A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also
connected to the system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video
adapter 446. It will also be appreciated that in alternative
embodiments, a monitor 444 can also be any display device (e.g.,
another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet
computer, etc.) for receiving display information associated with
computer 402 via any communication means, including via the
Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor 444,
a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not
shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.
[0107] The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment
using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications
to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448.
The remote computer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer,
a router, a personal computer, portable computer,
microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or
other common network node, and typically comprises many or all of
the elements described relative to the computer 402, although, for
purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storage device 450 is
illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprise
wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452
and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such
LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and
companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such
as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications
network, e.g., the Internet.
[0108] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402
can be connected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless
communication network interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can
facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 452, which
can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating
with the adapter 456.
[0109] When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402
can comprise a modem 458 or can be connected to a communications
server on the WAN 454 or has other means for establishing
communications over the WAN 454, such as by way of the Internet.
The modem 458, which can be internal or external and a wired or
wireless device, can be connected to the system bus 408 via the
input device interface 442. In a networked environment, program
modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portions thereof,
can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It will be
appreciated that the network connections shown are example and
other means of establishing a communications link between the
computers can be used.
[0110] The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any
wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless
communication, e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable
computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any
piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly
detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and
telephone. This can comprise Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and
BLUETOOTH.RTM. wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can
be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply
an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.
[0111] Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at
home, a bed in a hotel room or a conference room at work, without
wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in a
cell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send and
receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base
station. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11
(a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast
wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect
computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks
(which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in
the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with
products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can
provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired
Ethernet networks used in many offices.
[0112] Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment 500 of a mobile network
platform 510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150,
152, 154, 156, and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example,
platform 510 can facilitate in whole or in part providing a content
item such as a video or other media content item to user devices
such as user device 200 of FIG. 2B, wherein the content item
includes a plurality of content placement opportunities which each
have a relative prominence in a scene or portion of the content
item, and providing advertisements or other content items according
to desired prominence so that, for example, an advertisement having
a highest desired prominence by an advertiser is placed most
prominently in the content item.
[0113] In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510
can generate and receive signals transmitted and received by base
stations or access points such as base station or access point 122.
Generally, mobile network platform 510 can comprise components,
e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms,
that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol
(IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and
circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as
control generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As a
non-limiting example, mobile network platform 510 can be included
in telecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered
carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile
network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which can
interface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephony
network(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), or
public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)
network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticate
traffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS
gateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generated
through SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a
visited location register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530.
Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and
signaling and PS gateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS
network, CS gateway node(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in
gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that
functionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS
gateway node(s) 518, and serving node(s) 516, is provided and
dictated by radio technologies utilized by mobile network platform
510 for telecommunication over a radio access network 520 with
other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.
[0114] In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic
and signaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and
authenticate PS-based data sessions with served mobile devices.
Data sessions can comprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with
networks external to the mobile network platform 510, like wide
area network(s) (WANs) 550, enterprise network(s) 570, and service
network(s) 580, which can be embodied in local area network(s)
(LANs), can also be interfaced with mobile network platform 510
through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to be noted that WANs 550 and
enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at least in part, a service
network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Based on radio
technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) or radio
access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packet data
protocol contexts when a data session is established; other data
structures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can be
generated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 can
comprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG)
in 3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate
packetized communication with disparate wireless network(s), such
as Wi-Fi networks.
[0115] In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also
comprises serving node(s) 516 that, based upon available radio
technology layer(s) within technology resource(s) in the radio
access network 520, convey the various packetized flows of data
streams received through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to be noted
that for technology resource(s) that rely primarily on CS
communication, server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance
on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s) can embody
at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, in a
3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving
GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).
[0116] For radio technologies that exploit packetized
communication, server(s) 514 in mobile network platform 510 can
execute numerous applications that can generate multiple disparate
packetized data streams or flows, and manage (e.g., schedule,
queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such application(s) can comprise
add-on features to standard services (for example, provisioning,
billing, customer support . . . ) provided by mobile network
platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of a
voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s)
518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data
session, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter.
In addition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise
utility server(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning
server, an operations and maintenance server, a security server
that can implement at least in part a certificate authority and
firewalls as well as other security mechanisms, and the like. In an
aspect, security server(s) secure communication served through
mobile network platform 510 to ensure network's operation and data
integrity in addition to authorization and authentication
procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512 and PS gateway node(s) 518
can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provision services
from external network(s) like networks operated by a disparate
service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or Global Positioning
System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can
also provision coverage through networks associated to mobile
network platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same
service provider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown
in FIG. 1(s) that enhance wireless service coverage by providing
more network coverage.
[0117] It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or
more processors configured to confer at least in part the
functionality of mobile network platform 510. To that end, the one
or more processor can execute code instructions stored in memory
530, for example. It is should be appreciated that server(s) 514
can comprise a content manager, which operates in substantially the
same manner as described hereinbefore.
[0118] In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information
related to operation of mobile network platform 510. Other
operational information can comprise provisioning information of
mobile devices served through mobile network platform 510,
subscriber databases; application intelligence, pricing schemes,
e.g., promotional rates, flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns;
technical specification(s) consistent with telecommunication
protocols for operation of disparate radio, or wireless, technology
layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also store information from at
least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7 network 560, or
enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 can be, for
example, accessed as part of a data store component or as a
remotely connected memory store.
[0119] In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the
disclosed subject matter, FIG. 5, and the following discussion, are
intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable
environment in which the various aspects of the disclosed subject
matter can be implemented. While the subject matter has been
described above in the general context of computer-executable
instructions of a computer program that runs on a computer and/or
computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination
with other program modules. Generally, program modules comprise
routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform
particular tasks and/or implement particular abstract data
types.
[0120] Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a
communication device 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can
serve as an illustrative embodiment of devices such as data
terminals 114, mobile devices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144
or other client devices for communication via either communications
network 125. For example, computing device 600 receiving over a
network from a server a content item such as a video or other media
content item, wherein the content item includes a plurality of
content placement opportunities which each have a relative
prominence in a scene or portion of the content item, and receiving
advertisements or other content items according to desired
prominence so that, for example, an advertisement having a highest
desired prominence by an advertiser is placed most prominently in
the content item by the computing device.
[0121] The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or
wireless transceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface
(UI) 604, a power supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion
sensor 618, an orientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for
managing operations thereof. The transceiver 602 can support
short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such as
Bluetooth.RTM., ZigBee.RTM., WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication
technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth.RTM. and ZigBee.RTM.
are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth.RTM. Special Interest
Group and the ZigBee.RTM. Alliance, respectively). Cellular
technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA,
GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next
generation wireless communication technologies as they arise. The
transceiver 602 can also be adapted to support circuit-switched
wireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched
wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and
combinations thereof.
[0122] The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive
keypad 608 with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a
joystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations
of the communication device 600. The keypad 608 can be an integral
part of a housing assembly of the communication device 600 or an
independent device operably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline
interface (such as a USB cable) or a wireless interface supporting
for example Bluetooth.RTM.. The keypad 608 can represent a numeric
keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTY keypad with
alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display 610
such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED
(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology
for conveying images to an end user of the communication device
600. In an embodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a
portion or all of the keypad 608 can be presented by way of the
display 610 with navigation features.
[0123] The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also
serve as a user interface for detecting user input. As a touch
screen display, the communication device 600 can be adapted to
present a user interface having graphical user interface (GUI)
elements that can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger.
The display 610 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or other
forms of sensing technology to detect how much surface area of a
user's finger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen
display. This sensing information can be used to control the
manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the user
interface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housing
assembly of the communication device 600 or an independent device
communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface
(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.
[0124] The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that
utilizes audio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as
audio heard in proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio
(such as speakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system
612 can further include a microphone for receiving audible signals
of an end user. The audio system 612 can also be used for voice
recognition applications. The UI 604 can further include an image
sensor 613 such as a charged coupled device (CCD) camera for
capturing still or moving images.
[0125] The power supply 614 can utilize common power management
technologies such as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply
regulation technologies, and/or charging system technologies for
supplying energy to the components of the communication device 600
to facilitate long-range or short-range portable communications.
Alternatively, or in combination, the charging system can utilize
external power sources such as DC power supplied over a physical
interface such as a USB port or other suitable tethering
technologies.
[0126] The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology
such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of
assisted GPS for identifying a location of the communication device
600 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS
satellites, which can be used for facilitating location services
such as navigation. The motion sensor 618 can utilize motion
sensing technology such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other
suitable motion sensing technology to detect motion of the
communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. The
orientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology
such as a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the
communication device 600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as
combined orientations in degrees, minutes, or other suitable
orientation metrics).
[0127] The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to
also determine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth.RTM., or
other wireless access points by sensing techniques such as
utilizing a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal
time of arrival (TOA) or time of flight (TOF) measurements. The
controller 606 can utilize computing technologies such as a
microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gate
arrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a video
processor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM,
SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer
instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by the
aforementioned components of the communication device 600.
[0128] Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or
more embodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the
communication device 600 can include a slot for adding or removing
an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card
or Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can
be used for identifying subscriber services, executing programs,
storing subscriber data, and so on.
[0129] The terms "first," "second," "third," and so forth, as used
in the claims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity
only and doesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For
instance, "a first determination," "a second determination," and "a
third determination," does not indicate or imply that the first
determination is to be made before the second determination, or
vice versa, etc.
[0130] In the subject specification, terms such as "store,"
"storage," "data store," data storage," "database," and
substantially any other information storage component relevant to
operation and functionality of a component, refer to "memory
components," or entities embodied in a "memory" or components
comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memory
components described herein can be either volatile memory or
nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile and nonvolatile
memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatile
memory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage.
Further, nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory
(ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM
(EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory.
Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), which acts
as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not
limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM
(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data
rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM
(SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the
disclosed memory components of systems or methods herein are
intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising, these
and any other suitable types of memory.
[0131] Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter
can be practiced with other computer system configurations,
comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems,
mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, as well as personal
computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone,
smartphone, watch, tablet computers, netbook computers, etc.),
microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrial
electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be
practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are
performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a
communications network; however, some if not all aspects of the
subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a
distributed computing environment, program modules can be located
in both local and remote memory storage devices.
[0132] In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of
services can be generated including services being accessed, media
consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. This
information can be obtained by various methods including user
input, detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs.
audio content), analysis of content streams, sampling, and so
forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring of this
information can be responsive to an authorization provided by the
user. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be
subject to authorization from user(s) associated with the data,
such as an opt-in, an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements,
notifications, selective authorization based on types of data, and
so forth.
[0133] Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ
artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) or a
combination of these to facilitate automating one or more features
described herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection with
automatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a
maximum value/benefit after addition to an existing communication
network) can employ various AI-based schemes for carrying out
various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier can be
employed to determine a ranking or priority of each cell site of
the acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an input
attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence
that the input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence
(class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/or
statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis
utilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user
desires to be automatically performed. A support vector machine
(SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM
operates by finding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs,
which the hypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria
from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the
classification correct for testing data that is near, but not
identical to training data. Other directed and undirected model
classification approaches comprise, e.g., naive Bayes, Bayesian
networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and
probabilistic classification models providing different patterns of
independence can be employed. Classification as used herein also is
inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop
models of priority.
[0134] As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the
embodiments can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained
(e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained
(e.g., via observing UE behavior, operator preferences, historical
information, receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVMs
can be configured via a learning or training phase within a
classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, the
classifier(s) can be used to automatically learn and perform a
number of functions, including but not limited to determining
according to predetermined criteria which of the acquired cell
sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which of
the acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existing
communication network coverage, etc.
[0135] As used in some contexts in this application, in some
embodiments, the terms "component," "system" and the like are
intended to refer to, or comprise, a computer-related entity or an
entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more
specific functionalities, wherein the entity can be either
hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or
software in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is
not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a
processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,
computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By
way of illustration and not limitation, both an application running
on a server and the server can be a component. One or more
components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution
and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed
between two or more computers. In addition, these components can
execute from various computer readable media having various data
structures stored thereon. The components may communicate via local
and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having
one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting
with another component in a local system, distributed system,
and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems via
the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatus
with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated
by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a
software or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein
the processor can be internal or external to the apparatus and
executes at least a part of the software or firmware application.
As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that
provides specific functionality through electronic components
without mechanical parts, the electronic components can comprise a
processor therein to execute software or firmware that confers at
least in part the functionality of the electronic components. While
various components have been illustrated as separate components, it
will be appreciated that multiple components can be implemented as
a single component, or a single component can be implemented as
multiple components, without departing from example
embodiments.
[0136] Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a
method, apparatus or article of manufacture using standard
programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,
firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a computer
to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term "article of
manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a computer
program accessible from any computer-readable device or
computer-readable storage/communications media. For example,
computer readable storage media can include, but are not limited
to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,
magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital
versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,
card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art will
recognize many modifications can be made to this configuration
without departing from the scope or spirit of the various
embodiments.
[0137] In addition, the words "example" and "exemplary" are used
herein to mean serving as an instance or illustration. Any
embodiment or design described herein as "example" or "exemplary"
is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous
over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word example
or exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.
As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an
inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless
specified otherwise or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is
intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That
is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X
employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.
In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application
and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one
or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be
directed to a singular form.
[0138] Moreover, terms such as "user equipment," "mobile station,"
"mobile," subscriber station," "access terminal," "terminal,"
"handset," "mobile device" (and/or terms representing similar
terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by a
subscriber or user of a wireless communication service to receive
or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming or
substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing
terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the
related drawings.
[0139] Furthermore, the terms "user," "subscriber," "customer,"
"consumer" and the like are employed interchangeably throughout,
unless context warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It
should be appreciated that such terms can refer to human entities
or automated components supported through artificial intelligence
or machine learning or a combination of these (e.g., a capacity to
make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical
formalisms), which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition
and so forth.
[0140] As employed herein, the term "processor" can refer to
substantially any computing processing unit or device comprising,
but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;
single-processors with software multithread execution capability;
multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software
multithread execution capability; multi-core processors with
hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; and parallel
platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, a processor
can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a
field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic
controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a
discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or
any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described
herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures such as,
but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,
switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhance
performance of user equipment. A processor can also be implemented
as a combination of computing processing units.
[0141] As used herein, terms such as "data storage," data storage,"
"database," and substantially any other information storage
component relevant to operation and functionality of a component,
refer to "memory components," or entities embodied in a "memory" or
components comprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the
memory components or computer-readable storage media, described
herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory or can
include both volatile and nonvolatile memory.
[0142] What has been described above includes mere examples of
various embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe
every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for
purposes of describing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in
the art can recognize that many further combinations and
permutations of the present embodiments are possible. Accordingly,
the embodiments disclosed and/or claimed herein are intended to
embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that
fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes" is used in
either the detailed description or the claims, such term is
intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term
"comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when employed as a
transitional word in a claim.
[0143] In addition, a flow diagram may include a "start" and/or
"continue" indication. The "start" and "continue" indications
reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in
or otherwise used in conjunction with other routines. In this
context, "start" indicates the beginning of the first step
presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically
shown. Further, the "continue" indication reflects that the steps
presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded
by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow
diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings
are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are
maintained.
[0144] As may also be used herein, the term(s) "operably coupled
to", "coupled to", and/or "coupling" includes direct coupling
between items and/or indirect coupling between items via one or
more intervening items. Such items and intervening items include,
but are not limited to, junctions, communication paths, components,
circuit elements, circuits, functional blocks, and/or devices. As
an example of indirect coupling, a signal conveyed from a first
item to a second item may be modified by one or more intervening
items by modifying the form, nature or format of information in a
signal, while one or more elements of the information in the signal
are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can be recognized by the
second item. In a further example of indirect coupling, an action
in a first item can cause a reaction on the second item, as a
result of actions and/or reactions in one or more intervening
items.
[0145] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement
which achieves the same or similar purpose may be substituted for
the embodiments described or shown by the subject disclosure. The
subject disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or
variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above
embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described
herein, can be used in the subject disclosure. For instance, one or
more features from one or more embodiments can be combined with one
or more features of one or more other embodiments. In one or more
embodiments, features that are positively recited can also be
negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or without
replacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The
steps or functions described with respect to the embodiments of the
subject disclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or
functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subject
disclosure can be performed alone or in combination with other
steps or functions of the subject disclosure, as well as from other
embodiments or from other steps that have not been described in the
subject disclosure. Further, more than or less than all of the
features described with respect to an embodiment can also be
utilized.
* * * * *