Stephen M Flaherty

US Patent:

8434104, Apr 30, 2013

Filed:

Dec 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/328441

Inventors:

Joseph Weihs - Arlington MA, US
Stephen B. Flaherty - Durham NH, US

Assignee:

SeaChange International, Inc. - Acton MA

International Classification:

H04N 7/025

US Classification:

725 34

Abstract:

Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for scheduling advertising content for dynamic insertion during play of video on demand assets. A virtual linear program channel is generated that is associated with a plurality of video on demand assets, the virtual linear program channel comprising data defining a plurality of predetermined time bins and a forecast number of views of the virtual channel assets within each of the time bins. The virtual linear program channel data is transmitted to a remote scheduling server. Advertising content and linear program channel scheduling instructions are received from the remote scheduling server, the linear program channel scheduling instructions identifying the virtual linear program channel and a selected time bin for insertion of the advertising content. The linear program channel scheduling instructions are translated into scheduling criteria for dynamically inserting the advertising content during playback of any of the virtual channel assets within the selected time bin.