Roku, Inc.

Stefanos Christakis Liassides

Steven Michael Cormie

Matthew George Grover

Brian Patrick Jentz

Andrew Laurence Ashbacher

Matthew Simon Pearce

John L Haynes, Iii

Alejandro Gutierrez

A method and system for controlling dynamic ad replacement. An example method involves a computing system detecting that first and second ad-replacement platforms are or will be in contention with each other for replacement of a replaceable ad in a media stream and, responsive to at least the detecting, the computing system (i) deciding that the first ad-replacement platform should replace the replaceable ad and that the second ad-replacement platform should not replace the replaceable ad, and (ii) based on the deciding, causing the first ad-replacement platform to replace the replaceable ad and the second ad-replacement platform to not replace the replaceable ad.

Centralized mediation between ad-replacement platforms

In one aspect, a method is disclosed for use with a content-presentation device that is scheduled to perform a first content-modification operation that comprises modifying a modifiable content-segment received by the content-presentation device. The method includes determining that the content-presentation device is unable to perform the first content-modification operation as scheduled. The method also includes responsive to the determining, performing an action that facilitates the content-presentation device performing a second content-modification operation instead of performing the first content-modification operation, where performing the second content-modification operation involves modifying the modifiable content-segment in a different way as compared to the first content-modification operation.

Content-modification system with issue detection and responsive action feature

In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by a content-management system and from a content-presentation device, a request for supplemental content, such as a replacement advertisement. The content-management system may then determine a technical characteristic of the content-presentation device and select supplemental content based at least in part on at least the determined technical characteristic of the content-presentation device. The content-management system may then cause the selected supplemental content to be transmitted to the content-presentation device to facilitate the content-presentation device performing a content modification operation.

Content modification system with technical characteristic-based selection feature

In one aspect, a method is disclosed. The method includes identifying, by a content-presentation device, an upcoming content modification opportunity on an identified channel, where the identified upcoming content modification opportunity relates to a modifiable content-segment. The method also includes receiving, by the content-presentation device, the modifiable content-segment. The method further includes performing, by the content-presentation device, a set of operations to prepare the content-presentation device to perform a content-modification operation in connection with the identified upcoming content modification opportunity on the identified channel. The method additionally includes receiving, by the content-presentation device, an instruction to operate in a test mode. The method also includes responsive to receiving the instruction, outputting, by the content-presentation device, for presentation the modifiable content-segment without a modification that relates to supplemental content. The method further includes transmitting, by the content-presentation device, reporting data related to the performed set of operations.

Content-modification system with testing and reporting feature

In one aspect, a method includes identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices that are tuned to the same channel and that are each scheduled to perform, at a modification start-time, a respective content-modification operation that comprises modifying a modifiable content-segment in connection with an upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel. The method also includes determining that, after the modification start-time, at least a subgroup of the group of content-presentation devices have detected a mismatch between reference fingerprint data representing the modifiable content-segment and query fingerprint data representing content received by at least the subgroup of content-presentation devices. The method also includes determining that at least the subgroup of content-presentation devices are connected to tuner devices associated with the same content distributor and, in response to determining that at least the subgroup of content-presentation devices are connected to tuner devices associated with the same content distributor, performing an action.

Content-modification system with feature for detecting and responding to content modifications by tuner devices

In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first request for first supplemental content for use by a content-presentation device in performing a first content-modification operation, receiving a second request for second supplemental content for use by a tuner device in performing a second content-modification operation. The method also includes determining that the content-presentation device is connected to the tuner device, and based at least in part on the first and second requests, determining that the first and second requests are associated with the same modifiable content-segment, and, in response to the determinations, using one or more parameters as a basis to select for performance an action from a set of actions including a first action that facilitates performance of the first content-modification operation and a second action that facilitates performance of the second content-modification operation.

Content-modification system with feature for managing multiple content-modification requests

In one aspect, a method includes receiving query fingerprint data representing content received by a content-presentation device. The method also includes comparing at least a first portion of the query fingerprint data with at least one first reference fingerprint data set, where each first reference fingerprint data set corresponds with a respective channel. The method also includes determining that the query fingerprint data does not match any of the at least one first reference fingerprint data sets. The method also includes responsive to the determining, comparing at least a second portion of the query fingerprint data with second reference fingerprint data representing a modifiable content-segment. The method also includes detecting a match between at least the second portion of the query fingerprint data and the second reference fingerprint data. The method also includes responsive to detecting the match, performing an action that facilitates the content-presentation device performing a content-modification operation.

Content-modification system with fingerprint data mismatch and responsive action feature

In one aspect, a method is for use in connection with a content-modification system that includes a content-distribution system and a content-presentation device. The method includes (i) identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on an identified channel, wherein the identifying is based on detecting a match between first reference fingerprint data representing an initial portion of a first modifiable content-segment and query fingerprint data representing content transmitted by the content-distribution system to the content-presentation device; and (ii) responsively: (a) using the first reference fingerprint data as a basis to select second reference fingerprint data representing more than an initial portion of a second modifiable content-segment, and (b) transmitting to the content-presentation device, third reference fingerprint data representing more than the initial portion of the first modifiable content-segment and the second reference fingerprint data, to facilitate the content-presentation device to, at a later time, perform an action.

Content-modification system with responsive transmission of reference fingerprint data feature

In one aspect, a method includes (i) accessing broadcast-schedule data associated with a channel; (ii) using the accessed broadcast-schedule data to identify an upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel; (iii) responsive to identifying the upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a content-presentation device tuned to the channel; and (iv) causing supplemental content to be transmitted to the identified content-presentation device, to facilitate the identified content-presentation device performing a content-modification operation related to the identified upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel.

Content-modification system with broadcast schedule utilization feature

In one aspect, a method includes receiving first content at a content-presentation device and presenting the first content, the first content comprising a first audio-content component. The content-presentation device may receive second content comprising a second audio-content component. The content-presentation device may determine a switch time at which to switch from presenting the first content to presenting the second content. During a first time interval prior to the switch time and ending at the switch time, the volume of the first audio-content component may be decreased to zero. At the switch time, the content-presentation device may switch from presenting the first content to presenting the second content. During a second time interval beginning at the switch time and ending at a second time after the switch time, the volume of the second audio-content component may be increased from zero to a non-zero volume level.

Content-modification system with volume level adjustment feature

In one aspect, a method is performed by a computing system that is in communication with a content-presentation device, where the content-presentation device is scheduled to perform, at a modification start-time, a content-modification operation that comprises modifying a modifiable content-segment that the content-presentation device is scheduled to receive. The method includes determining that the content-presentation device has detected, within a predefined time period after the modification start-time and during performance of the content-modification operation, a mismatch between reference fingerprint data representing the modifiable content-segment and query fingerprint data representing content received by the content-presentation device from a tuner device connected to the content-presentation device. The method also includes determining that the mismatch is due to the tuner device having modified the modifiable content-segment before the modification start-time and, in response to determining that the mismatch is due to the tuner device having modified the modifiable content-segment before the modification start-time, performing an action.

Content-modification system with feature for detecting and responding to a content modification by a tuner device

In one aspect, a method includes receiving from a content-presentation device a request for first supplemental content for presentation during first content-modification operation, and transmitting to the content-presentation device a link to a set of content items in a playlist including the first supplemental content. A request may be received from the content-presentation device for second supplemental content for presentation during a second content-modification operation. A determination may be made that the second content-modification operation is scheduled immediately after the first content-modification operation. Responsive to the determination, the playlist may be modified to include the second supplemental content positioned immediately after the first supplemental content. The link may be configured for retrieving the first and second supplemental content by the content-presentation device, and for performance of the first content-modification operation and the second content-modification operation immediately after performance of the first content-modification operation.

Growing community of inventors

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Stefanos Christakis Liassides