Delivery forecast computing apparatus for display and streaming video advertising

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a U.S. National Phase entry of International Patent Application No. PCT / US2009 / 057100, filed Sep. 16, 2009 and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 097,219, filed on Sep. 16, 2008 in the name of Heller and entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORECASTING THE AGGREGATE VOLUME OF FUTURE EVENTS FOR NUMEROUS ITEMS OF DIGITAL CONTENT AVAILABLE FOR CONSUMPTION FROM NUMEROUS DIFFERENT POINTS OF ACCESS. The entirety of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to digital data processing machines. More particularly, the invention concerns a digital data processing machine configured to gather machine-readable data relevant a given item of host video content and a proposed class of advertising opportunities provided by the host video, and to generate a forecast as to future viewing of advertisements of the proposed ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]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.

Problems solved by technology

This change renders historical trend projection inaccurate as a means of forecasting future events.

With content items with their own consumer identity, such as video, forecasting based solely off of past trends does not incorporate the key drivers of consumption and will not be an accurate forecast.

Because existing forecasting methods for events driven by digital content consumption are not aware of such drivers, they are not accurate forecasts for content where the item itself is the draw and it is syndicated across numerous partners.

Another shortcoming of existing forecasting methods is that they fail to adequately translate forecasted content consumption into advertising inventory available for sale.

If the slot does not fit the ad, then the ad is not truly available.

As discovered by the inventors then, the existing forecasting methods lack adequate practical use because they are not fully aware of such constraints, both physical and by business term, and show only those available ad inventory units that are capable of actually displaying the advertisement in question.

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