{
  "patent_number": "US 9721254",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Streaming Services Dynamically Insert Targeted Ads Into Videos",
  "original_title": "Method and apparatus for providing streaming media programs and targeted advertisements using multiple advertisement version segments",
  "summary": "A method for streaming services to stitch personalized advertisements into video content by dynamically generating playlists that match the user's profile and internet speed.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a system for delivering video content and advertisements that adapt to both a user's internet connection speed and their demographic profile. It works by breaking down both the main video and the ads into small, bitrate-specific segments. When a user requests a video, the system identifies the user and selects a specific ad tailored to them. It then creates a master playlist that includes addresses for both the video and the chosen ad, ensuring the ad matches the quality of the video stream without requiring the server to constantly track the ad's state during playback.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover ads that are hard-coded or 'burned' directly into the video file before streaming.",
    "Does not cover client-side ad insertion where the video player itself fetches ads from a separate server independently of the master playlist.",
    "Does not cover methods that rely on maintaining a persistent server-side session state for the advertisement throughout the entire viewing duration."
  ],
  "filed": "2010-11-19",
  "granted": "2017-08-01",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Hulu LLC",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/hulu-llc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "William Z. Holt",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/william-z-holt"
    },
    {
      "name": "Xinan Wu",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/xinan-wu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Alexander V. Gutarin",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/alexander-v-gutarin"
    },
    {
      "name": "Baptiste Coudurier",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/baptiste-coudurier"
    },
    {
      "name": "Eden S. Li",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/eden-s-li"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 1,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "software",
    "telecommunications",
    "ecommerce"
  ],
  "abstract": "A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user device are described. Different versions of a media program and advertisements are generated and segmented, and transmitted to a media player individually, allowing different advertisements to be selected for presentation to users according to user demographics and other factors.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9721254/uber-ride-hailing-platform",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9721254/uber-ride-hailing-platform/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US9721254",
  "relatedPatents": []
}