Abstract: A forecast for compatible advertisement opportunities, compatible with a class of advertisements, that will be available over a future time period is generated. For a content item associated with one or more advertisement opportunities, one or more compatible advertisement opportunities of the one or more advertisement opportunities are determined based on characteristics of the class of advertisements. Expected output of the content item over the future time period may be determined from historical data of output of other content items similar to the content item, and may be adjusted based on additional information, such as actual output of the content item. The forecast may be generated from the compatible advertisement opportunities associated with the content item and the expected output of the content item.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a media generation application that allows a user to create and customize a commercial based on microtrend information and/or feedback information is provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for compressing video content are presented. The methods and systems include analyzing a sequence of media frames stored in the memory device and calculating a displacement level of each of the media frames. The displacement level indicates how different each of the media frames is to a previous media frame. The sequence of media frames is divided into a plurality of cuts where each cut ends at a media frame having a substantially high displacement level. Frames to be removed from the sequence of media frames are identified in each cut based upon the frame's displacement level. The identified frames are then removed.

Abstract: Alternative approaches to the insertion of local commercials and messages into networks feeds are provided. Embodiments include digital commercial insertion for cable operators and others that not only offer more flexibility and features, but may also be significantly cheaper to implement. The actual “insert” of the local commercial or message into the digital program is performed by a standard set top box, with several methods of providing the local commercial to the set top box at the proper insertion time. Another embodiment allows a cable operator to significantly save on equipment in the form of splicers and ad inserters, by allowing easy and dynamic mapping of local commercials to insertion zones.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media for determining an outcome of a content promotional message are described. For example, a media network may be configured to transmit content to a plurality of content playback devices, such as a television or a computing device. The content may include a content promotion message configured to promote content, such as a television program or a website, available through the media network. The content promotion message and the content may be associated with network identifiers generated by the media network for tracked content. When the content is played by the content playback device, a device identifier may be generated for the content. The device identifiers may be compared with the network identifiers to determine which, if any, content tracked by the media network has been played by the plurality of content playback devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the optimized allocation of content on a content distribution system according to a content distribution plan are described. In some embodiments, a management system may be configured to generate an optimized schedule for content distribution, such as an advertising campaign. For a television distribution schedule, an impressions forecast may be generated based on the available inventory and historical audience measurement information, such as television ratings for a television advertising campaign. An optimized schedule may be generated based on the impressions forecast and content may be distributed according to the optimized schedule. Measurement information relating to the distribution according to the optimized schedule may be analyzed and used to generate a re-optimized schedule, for example, that may be used to schedule the advertising campaign on a subsequent day.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for identifying users, records, and/or devices using anonymous source data records associated with consumer activity are described. In general, the consumer activity may relate to consumer interactions with devices and/or content or data through devices. The source data records may be structured, such as associating the source data records with a sequential timeline. Behavioral markers may be generated by the matching system and associated with the source data records. Each behavioral marker may be analyzed across all of the source data records to determine the effectiveness of the behavioral marker to identify unique source data records. One or more of the behavioral markers may be used to generate a behavioral fingerprint. A behavioral fingerprint may be used to identify unique records, devices, and/or users, including identification based on different sets of source data records.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the optimized allocation of content within a universe of inventory are described. For example, a method may include receiving content comprising at least one characteristic and at least one goal. A universe of inventory may be accessed that comprises a plurality of targets which may be assigned into a plurality of segments based on at least one demographic vector. An allocation optimization model may be generated based on the at least one content characteristic, the at least one goal and the plurality of segments. The content may be presented to the targets based on the allocation optimization model. Viewing data may be received that comprises data associated with target consumption of the content and the allocation optimization module may be re-optimized based on the viewing data. Additional factors, such as resource constraints and/or filtering rules, may be used when re-optimizing the allocation optimization module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for cache-based management of non-linear content delivery are generally described. In some embodiments, content to be presented using consumer devices may be cached at a cache device of the consumer device. A cache policy server may transmit cache messages instruction the consumer devices which content to cache, which cache device to store the content, where to locate the content, and how much of the content to cache. When it is time to play the content at the consumer device, the content may be played back from the cache.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media for allocating content elements addressed for a content opportunity in a transport stream within a household-addressable media network. A content opportunity may include an advertising slot in a programming stream. The content elements may include advertising content configured to be run during the advertising slot. The advertising slot may be transmitted in a programming stream providing television programming and the advertising content may be provided in a commercial feed. The media network may be configured to transmit various content formats, such as high definition (HD), standard definition (SD), and variations thereof. Systems may be configured to allocate the highest profile corresponding content elements if there is sufficient resources available. If sufficient resources are not available, the system may allocate lower profile versions of the content elements.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for identifying users, records, and/or devices using anonymous source data records associated with consumer activity are described. In general, the consumer activity may relate to consumer interactions with devices and/or content or data through devices. The source data records may be structured, such as associating the source data records with a sequential timeline. Behavioral markers may be generated by the matching system and associated with the source data records. Each behavioral marker may be analyzed across all of the source data records to determine the effectiveness of the behavioral marker to identify unique source data records. One or more of the behavioral markers may be used to generate a behavioral fingerprint. A behavioral fingerprint may be used to identify unique records, devices, and/or users, including identification based on different sets of source data records.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for identifying users, records, and/or devices using anonymous source data records associated with consumer activity are described. In general, the consumer activity may relate to consumer interactions with devices and/or content or data through devices. The source data records may be structured, such as associating the source data records with a sequential timeline. Behavioral markers may be generated by the matching system and associated with the source data records. Each behavioral marker may be analyzed across all of the source data records to determine the effectiveness of the behavioral marker to identify unique source data records. One or more of the behavioral markers may be used to generate a behavioral fingerprint. A behavioral fingerprint may be used to identify unique records, devices, and/or users, including identification based on different sets of source data records.

Abstract: Systems and procedures which allow for the placement of advertisements in an optimized manner are presented. Systems may be provided which may be configured to optimize a media plan (either automatically or manually, or a combinations of both) using demographic vectors, and may display the optimization results in a quantifiable manner using terms and numbers.

Abstract: Alternative approaches to the insertion of local commercials and messages into networks feeds are provided. Embodiments include digital commercial insertion for cable operators and others that not only offer more flexibility and features, but may also be significantly cheaper to implement. The actual “insert” of the local commercial or message into the digital program is performed by a standard set top box, with several methods of providing the local commercial to the set top box at the proper insertion time. Another embodiment allows a cable operator to significantly save on equipment in the form of splicers and ad inserters, by allowing easy and dynamic mapping of local commercials to insertion zones.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining outcomes for promotional messages presented to viewers using digital on-screen graphics are described. A service provider may present digital on-screen graphics on content presentation devices, which may be detected by an outcome management system. The digital on-screen graphic may be displayed in association with a primary content offering, such as a television program. The outcome management system may monitor content presentation devices, including those exposed to the digital on-screen graphic, to determine the effectiveness of the digital on-screen graphic. For instance, the outcome management system may determine whether content presentation devices exposed to the digital on-screen graphic subsequently accessed a content offering promoted therein.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media for a decentralized application system that enables participating parties to automate the buying and selling of TV media units and/or aggregated TV and premium video audiences is described. The value-based TV/premium video media exchange application system allows the participants to interact with the system directly and/or automate transactions and execution between systems, while ensuring proper governance over each participants own rules and economics associated with the transactions, as well as individual campaign constraints and requirements. The decentralized application system significantly lowers current transaction and execution barriers, timing and costs, while providing a highly accountable and trusted system across all of the exchange participants.

Abstract: Methods and systems for compressing video content are presented. The methods and systems include analyzing a sequence of media frames stored in the memory device and calculating a displacement level of each of the media frames. The displacement level indicates how different each of the media frames is to a previous media frame. The sequence of media frames is divided into a plurality of cuts where each cut ends at a media frame having a substantially high displacement level. Frames to be removed from the sequence of media frames are identified in each cut based upon the frame's displacement level. The identified frames are then removed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a media generation application that allows a user to create and customize a commercial based on microtrend information and/or feedback information is provided.

Abstract: A computer-driven apparatus coupled to a network receives data from metadata sources and consumers' display devices. From the sources, the apparatus collects metadata concerning characteristics of a given item of host video and a proposed class of advertisements for web delivery proximate or embedded in the given item. The apparatus continually monitors actual delivery of the given item by receiving transmissions from consumers' display devices. The apparatus develops initial forecasting inputs based on historical data from similar host videos, and then adjusts the forecasting inputs based on the actual deliveries. These forecasting inputs are used to compute an interim supply of advertising opportunities associated with the given item, which is reduced by relevant factors to provide a net available supply forecast. The apparatus provides a human-readable display of information including the net available supply forecast.

Abstract: A method and system for authoring templates for personalized video message campaigns in general, and personalized TV commercial campaigns in particular. The invention allows for campaign templates to be authored and edited in such a way that commercials can be automatically generated later on in the process, when the target audience and context are known, while at the same time adhering to the existing (post) production workflows and tools. The invention maintains assembly information for messages in a format that allows easy assembly of variations of commercials at any point in the creation, editing, post-production and delivery process.