Method and platform for automatic selection of video sequences to fill a break in a program

Abstract

A method for automatic selection of video sequences to fill a break in a broadcasted program, including determining an estimated duration of the break (b.sub.i) and selecting from a collection of videos, such as advertisements, a sequence of videos to be played out. The sequence has a second duration which is shorter than the estimated duration and the selection depends on broadcast priority criteria associated with at least some of said videos. The method also includes broadcasting the sequence of videos and broadcasting a fill-in video signal until the end of the break.

Claims

1. A method for automatic selection of a sequence of videos to fill a break in a video program, comprising: storing a plurality of editable templates in a collection of templates accessible from a platform, wherein each template defines a sequence of video types to be played out during the break, available video types including at least jingles, fill-in video content or advertising videos from one or more servers; selecting one template from said collection to apply to said break and applying one or more parameters to the said template; determining in the platform a first duration of a first series of advertising videos and a second duration of a second series of advertising videos from the one or more servers; sending from the platform a first request and a second request to the one or more servers for respectively the first series of advertising videos corresponding to the first duration, and the second series of advertising videos corresponding to the second duration; receiving in said platform the first series of advertising videos and the second series of advertising videos from the one or more servers; stitching in said platform a sequence including said first series, said second series, and at least one jingle or fill-in video content, according to the selected template; and sending said sequence to at least one device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining in the platform an estimated duration of the break; wherein the selected template requests fill-in video content to be played out until the end of the break, wherein the fill-in video content is a video without any speech which is appropriately interrupted at any time.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of said advertising videos are associated with video priorities, wherein advertising videos associated with a first priority are more likely to be played out than advertising videos associated with a second priority.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said platform sends the one or more parameters to the one or more servers, wherein the selection of the advertising videos made by the one or more servers depends on the one or more parameters.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more parameters include at least one among: a type of the device; a user profile; a category of advertising; an IP address; and a related video program.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected template to be applied, and/or the sequence of video types in one selected template, depends on at least one among: a type of the device; a user profile; a category of advertising; an IP address; and a related video program.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of inserting or editing one or more codes in said sequence for tracking a display of each advertising video on said device.

8. The method of claim 1, said step of sending said sequence comprises broadcasting said sequence.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving at said platform the video program; combining the received video program and said sequence to a new stream by replacing a portion of said received video program with said sequence; and broadcasting from said platform said new stream.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting at the platform a start time of the break; determining in the platform an estimated duration of the break; and inserting into said sequence a fill-in video content until the end of the break, wherein the fill-in video content is a video without any speech which is appropriately interrupted at any time.

11. The method of claim 1, said step of sending said sequence comprises sending said sequence to one specific IP address using an adaptive streaming technology.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said sequence comprises a list of links.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein said estimated duration is based on a TV schedule.

14. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving data in said platform indicating that the duration of the break has been changed, or that the break has been split, or broadcasted at a different time, and automatically adapting said selection.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said selection is made or adapted before the start of the break.

16. A platform for automatic selection of a sequence of videos to fill a break in a video program, comprising: a collection of editable templates, wherein each template defines a sequence of video types to be played out during the break; said video types comprising at least jingles or fill-in video content; advertising videos from one or more servers; a processor configured to: select one template from said collection to apply to said break and applying one or more parameters to the said template, the selected template requesting advertising videos and at least one jingle or fill-in video content using the selected template from the one or more servers; send from said platform a first request and a second request to the one or more servers for respectively a first series of advertising videos corresponding to a first duration, and a second request for a second series of advertising videos corresponding to the second duration; receive the first series of advertising videos and the second series of advertising videos from the one or more servers; stitch a sequence including said first series, said second series, and at least one jingle or fill-in video content, according to the selected template; and send said sequence to at least one device.

17. A method for automatic selection of videos to fill a break in a program, comprising: receiving at a platform the program; detecting at the platform a start time of the break; determining in the platform a first duration of the break, the first duration comprising an estimated duration; selecting in the platform from a collection of videos a sequence of videos to be played out, said sequence having a second duration which is shorter than said first duration, wherein the selection depends on one or more rules and on one or more priorities associated with at least a portion of said videos, and the one or more rules determine that the sequence of videos has to start with a video of a first type, to terminate with a video of a second type; combining the received program and the sequence of videos to a new stream by inserting into said break the sequence of videos and a fill-in video content until the end of the break, wherein the fill-in video content is a video without any speech which is appropriately interrupted at any time; and sending from the platform said new stream.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said estimated duration is based on a TV schedule.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of determining said end of the break when said estimated duration has expired.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of determining said end of the break when a program resume signal is received.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said videos are associated with one or more video categories, and wherein at least a portion of the one or more rules determine a sequence of the video categories during the break.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising defining a first rule of the one or more rules for a first break, and a second rule of the one or more rules for a second break.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising selecting a fill-in video content among a plurality of fill-in signals, and marking the fill-in video content as used.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving data indicating that the duration of the break has changed, or that the break has been split, or broadcasted at a different time, and automatically adapting said selection.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein said selection is made or adapted before the start of the break.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the program is broadcasted over a TV network.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the program is sent over Internet as a broadcast signal or as an adaptive stream.

28. A replacement platform for replacing the content of a break in a TV program, comprising: a collection of videos to be played out; a receiver for receiving a TV schedule and the TV program; and a processor configured to: detect the start time of the break; determine a first duration of said break, the first duration comprising an estimated duration; select from said collection a sequence of videos to be played out, said sequence having a second duration which is shorter than said first duration, wherein the selection depends on one or more rules and on one or more priorities associated with at least a portion of said videos, and the one or more rules determine that the sequence of videos has to start with a video of a first type, to terminate with a video of a second type; and combine the received program and the sequence of videos to a new stream by replacing the content of the break with the sequence of videos and with a fill-in video content until the end of the break and for broadcasting said new stream, wherein the fill-in video content is a video without any speech which is appropriately interrupted at any time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description of an embodiment given by way of example and illustrated by the figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a pictorial diagram of a system that could be used for selecting advertising videos to fill a break.

(3) FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example of method for automatic selection of advertising videos to fill a break.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a pictorial diagram of a system that could be used for carrying out the method of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a video stream where a main program is interrupted by a break, such as a commercial break.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates another portion of the video stream in which the content of this break has been replaced by a new content.

(7) FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of method for replacing a content of a break with a new content.

(8) FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for selecting videos to be played out in the method of FIG. 4.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates an example of template according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(10) Reference is made to FIG. 1 which illustrates an example of system that could be used for carrying out the methods of the present invention. This embodiment is well adapted to videos sent in streaming mode.

(11) The system comprises a video provider 10, for example a broadcaster such as a TV channel, a TV service provider or a provider of video content to be sent in streaming mode to users over the Internet.

(12) The video provider 10 transmits a video, for example a video program p, to an audience, for example over TV networks and/or over the Internet.

(13) Optionally, the video provider 10 may also publish using standard files or online service a TV schedule (updated in real time) pg which includes for example the estimated start times t0 and/or end times t1 of at least some of the breaks such as commercial breaks, in the program p. Other information might be included in the TV schedule, such as for example the content of actual programs, etc. This TV schedule may be available in any possible form, for example as a database, spreadsheet, XML-document, collection or e-mail, SOAP source, etc. It may be made available to the platform well in advance of the corresponding program, for example two weeks in advance, and updated until the last moment. The complete TV schedule, or at least the estimated start time and end time of the breaks, may be transmitted as digital data within the video signal, for example as a SCTE-35 or ESAM marker in the video signal.

(14) A platform 12 receives this video p, as well as the optional schedule pg.

(15) The platform 12 may be a relay for a video program p broadcasted in push mode, or act as a proxy for a video content p retrieved in pull mode by a user.

(16) The platform 12 includes a receiver 120 for receiving the video. The receiver might include a buffer memory for buffering this content.

(17) Processing means (not shown) are included in the platform 12. The processing means might include one or a plurality of processors in one or a plurality of servers, as well as one or a plurality of software modules that could be executed by those processors for carrying out some steps of the method.

(18) A first, optional module 124 estimates the minimal duration d.sub.i of each break b.sub.i for which a content needs to be prepared or replaced. This estimation might be based on indications of the TV schedule, on information otherwise transmitted by the video provider 10, and/or on other data. For example, if the start time t0 or end time t1 of a particular break is not mentioned in the TV schedule, or if it is marked as unreliable, the estimation made by the module 124 might be based on similar previous breaks, for example on average durations of breaks previously played at similar time of the day, day of the week or during the same or similar programs. The module may also comprise means for detecting the start time of a break, and/or means for detecting the end time of the break, and for adapting the duration d.sub.i depending on those values. The detection of start time and/or end time may be based on signal or messages transmitted from the video provider 10, and/or on an automatic or manual analysis of the audio or video content.

(19) A video selection module 126 selects a sequence s.sub.i of advertising videos ad.sub.j and of fill-in content to be played out during each break b.sub.i whose content needs to be replaced. The advertising videos are stored in a plurality of advertising video servers 130.sub.1, 130.sub.2, . . . , 130.sub.N, and optionally in the platform 12. The video servers may be accessible over a network 14, for example over the Internet.

(20) The video selection module 126 uses a collection of templates 1260. The templates may be edited, updated, created, copied and deleted by an operator of the platform 12, for example over an administration web page. Each template in the collection 1260 determines a sequence of video types to be played out. Examples of available video types includes at least jingles; fill-in video content; advertising video any of the video servers, etc. Other video types may define that the video is a pre-roll add, a bumper, a jingle, news etc.

(21) The templates thus define video play rules to apply generally for a specific TV channel, for each break, for each recipient, etc. For example, a video play rule may determine that a specific video is mandatory within one break. Another rule may define which type of video will be deleted first if the duration of the break is shorten.

(22) An example of template is illustrated on FIG. 8. In this example, the illustrated template 1261 defines that the sequence ID starts with a jingle J, and then comprises advertising videos SP1 from a first video server, then advertising videos SP2 from a second video server, advertising videos SP3 from a third video server, then a new jingle J, and finally a fill-in content F to adapt the length of the sequence to the duration d.sub.i of the break.

(23) The template may also define parameters (here P1, P2 and P3) to be sent to the advertising servers 130 supplying the content SP1, SP2 and SP3 respectively.

(24) The duration of some items may be fixed and determined in the template (for example a jingle of 15 seconds). The duration of other items in the template may be adaptable to the estimated duration of the break (for example, between 20 and 100 seconds from each video server).

(25) The video selection module 126 is arranged for selecting from the collection 1260 one specific template to apply for a specific break. This selection of template may be made manually, by an operator. Alternatively, this selection of template may be performed automatically, based for example on a schedule or on other rules. For example, the video selection module 126 may be programmed to apply automatically a “prime time” template to all breaks during 7 and 9 PM.

(26) Based on this template and on the estimated duration of the break to be filled, the platform 12 is further programed to determine the duration of series of advertising videos from each of the advertising video servers 130.sub.i to be used in the template. It is also arranged for sending a request to those advertising video servers for series of advertising videos corresponding to each duration.

(27) The requests may include parameters Pi from the template, and other parameters, for example parameters entered by an operator, parameters returned by other advertising video servers, and/or parameters determined or retrieved by the platform 12.

(28) The selection parameters sent to the video servers may for example include at least one among: the type of device for which the advertising video series should be prepared, for example the type of device used by a recipient requesting a video content. Examples of types of device may include desktop, tablet, smartphone, set-top-box, etc. a user profile. This user profile may be retrieved for example from a profile database accessible by the platform 12, and/or from cookies in the device of a requesting recipient. The profile may include for example previously visited web sites, the age of the user, his gender, interests, etc. an advertising category. Examples of categories may include for example drugs; foods; cars; etc. an IP address, or elements retrieved from the IP address, such as the localisation of the recipient. a related program, for example information about a video program played out immediately before or after the break. an external parameter, such as for example weather parameters (for promoting BBQ food if the weather forecasts are good, etc.). a channel for which the video advertising a time at which the series will be played.

(29) At least some of those parameters may also be used for selecting a template to use (in order for example to select a template “summer prime time advertising break” in order to fill a break during prime time in the summer). Moreover, the format of the template may be adapted as a function of those parameters.

(30) The video servers 130i can receive those requests, and are arranged for delivering series of advertising videos corresponding to the requested duration and parameters. The series include a plurality of advertising videos, selected by each of the selected servers 130.sub.i.

(31) Different videos in the video servers 130.sub.i may have different lengths. The selection of videos takes those different lengths into account, so as to fit the requested duration if possible.

(32) As will be seen, at least some of the videos ad.sub.j in the video servers 130.sub.i might be associated with priorities priority.sub.i. A video associated with a high priority is therefore more likely to be played out than a video associated with a low priority. In one example, the priorities may have a maximum value of priority.sub.max and a minimum value of priority.sub.min.

(33) Furthermore, some of the videos ad.sub.j in the servers 130.sub.i might be associated with a video category. For example, the video category may indicate that an ad is for a sport or food product, for example. Other categories may define that an advertising video is more adapted for children or for adults.

(34) The parameters Pi requested by the module 126 may specify a video category, for example food. If the video category is not specified and not implicit, the video server 130i freely selects one category and returns the selected category to the module 1261. This information may be used by the selection module 126 to avoid for example two advertising for products of a same category, for example two advertising videos for two different drinks, to be played one after the other in one sequence.

(35) The series returned to the platform 12 may include the advertising videos, or preferably links, such as URLs, to those advertising videos.

(36) A stitching module 1262 is arranged for aggregating those series returned by the different selected video servers with additional content, such as for example ingles, fill-in content, and for delivering a sequence m.sub.i according to the selected template.

(37) This sequence m.sub.i is sent to user devices 16.sub.i, in broadcast mode or, as illustrated in this example, in streaming mode to requesting devices such as PCs, set-top-boxes, tablets, smartphones, etc. The sequence m.sub.i may be sent in reply to a request r.sub.i from the device 16.sub.i.

(38) The user devices of the recipient 16.sub.i include a video player 160.sub.i for playing out the sequence to the recipient. An additional program may be used for detecting time codes in the sequence, and send messages to the advertising servers 130i to inform them that a specific video has been played, and to which extent (for example 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%).

(39) FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example of method according to one aspect of the invention.

(40) In step 51 (optional), a recipient with a user device 16 requests a specific program or video content. This request r.sub.i is sent to a platform 12 that acts as a proxy for the server delivering this content. This step may be omitted if the video program is sent in broadcast mode to all recipients.

(41) In step 52, the platform 12 stores templates 1261 in a collection 126, for example in a database or as a collection of files. Each template defines a format of a sequence of videos to be played during one break, for example a sequence of video types to be applied.

(42) In step 54, one template is selected from this collection. The selection may be automatic, for example based on predefined criteria such as the channel, the time of the break, the duration of the break, etc. As already mentioned, other template selection parameters may be used, including information from an electronic program guide, external events, etc.

(43) Parameters to be applied for this template may also be defined, for example the categories of videos that need to be included or excluded in the sequence.

(44) In step 56, the platform 56 estimates the duration of a plurality of series of advertising videos to be retrieved from advertising video servers 130. This duration depends on the selected template and on the estimated total duration of the break. For example, a template may define a minimal and/or a maximal duration for each series of videos to be retrieved from the advertising servers; the effective duration will then be adapted within those limits to fit the duration of the break.

(45) In step 58, the platform 12 sends a request for advertising video to a plurality of advertising video servers 130 indicated in the selected template. The request includes the estimated duration of the series, and, optionally, parameters from the templates or otherwise retrieved parameters.

(46) In step 60, each selected advertising video server 130 selects and returns a series of advertising videos corresponding to the requested duration and to the parameters, if any. Videos associated with a higher priority are more likely to be included in the series than videos associated with a lower priority. The video server 130 may also return parameters related to the selection, such as for example the categories of each advertising video included, and/or the duration of the selection.

(47) In step 62, a stitching module 1262 in the selection module 126 in platform 12 collects the series of advertising videos returned by the various selected video servers, and aggregates them with additional content (such as jingles, fill-in content, etc) according to the selected template.

(48) The platform 12 may also insert or edit or otherwise use time codes in the sequence for tracking the display of each advertising video on said device.

(49) In step 46, the sequence sending module 128 in the platform 12 sends the aggregated sequence to the user devices 16, either as a replacement of an existing portion of a program, or as an insertion to a requested video. The sequence may be for example a manifest file including a list of URLs to various pieces of video content to be played out. The sequence may be sent in streaming mode, for example according to the HLS or MPEG-Dash protocol.

(50) This sequence is then received by the user devices of the requesting recipient 16, and played out with a video player 160.sub.i.

(51) The player 160i may be modified in order to retrieve time codes inserted by the platform 12 and send a message to the advertising servers 130i that their advertising video has been played out, and to which extent.

(52) Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which illustrates another example of system according to one aspect of the present invention. This system is more adapted to the replacement of advertising breaks in broadcasted programs. All features of this embodiment may be combined with features of the embodiment previously described in relation with FIGS. 1 and 2, except when otherwise stated.

(53) The system comprises a program provider, here a broadcaster 10, for example a TV channel or TV service provider. The broadcaster 10 transmits a video program p to an audience, for example over TV networks and/or over the Internet.

(54) The broadcaster 10 may also publish using standard files or online service a TV schedule (updated in real time) pg which includes for example the estimated start times t0 and/or end times t1 of at least some of the breaks such as commercial breaks, in the program p. Other information might be included in the TV schedule, such as for example the content of actual programs, etc. This TV schedule may be available in any possible form, for example as a database, spreadsheet, XML-document, collection or e-mail, SOAP source, etc. It may be made available to the platform well in advance of the corresponding program, for example two weeks in advance, and updated until the last moment. The complete TV schedule, or at least the estimated start time and end time of the breaks, may be transmitted as digital data within the video signal, for example as a SCTE-35 or ESAM marker in the video signal.

(55) A content replacement platform 12 receives this program p, as well as the detailed TV schedule pg. The TV schedule might be received directly from the broadcaster 10, for example over the Internet, and/or retrieved from a repository, for example from a web site or database. It may be stored in a memory of the platform 12. The part of the TV schedule pg related to a break might be updated by the broadcaster at any time before the transmission of this break, or even during the break.

(56) The platform 12 includes a receiver 120 for receiving the program 120. The receiver might include a buffer memory for buffering this content.

(57) Processing means are included in the platform 12. The processing means might include one or a plurality of processors in one or a plurality of servers, as well as one or a plurality of software modules that could be executed by those processors for carrying out some steps of the method.

(58) A first module 124 estimates the minimal duration d.sub.i of each break b.sub.i whose content needs to be replaced. This estimation might be based on indications of the TV schedule, on information otherwise transmitted by the broadcaster, and/or on other data. For example, if the start time t0 or end time t1 of a particular break is not mentioned in the TV schedule, or if it is marked as unreliable, the estimation made by module 124 might be based on similar previous breaks, for example on average durations of breaks previously played at similar time of the day, day of the week or during the same or similar programs. The module may also comprise means for detecting the start time of a break, and/or means for detecting the end time of the break, and for adapting the duration d.sub.i depending on those values. The detection of start time and/or end time may be based on signal or messages transmitted from the broadcaster, and/or on an automatic or manual analysis of the audio or video content.

(59) A second module 126 selects a sequence s.sub.i of videos ad.sub.j (for example advertisings) and of fill-in content to be played out during each break b.sub.i whose content needs to be replaced. The selection is made from a collection of videos advertisings in a database 130. The database could be one or a plurality of advertising servers on the web or any kind of database containing videos. Different videos in the database may have different lengths. The selection is made in advance, as soon as the duration of the break d.sub.i is known, and can be adapted automatically when this duration is recomputed.

(60) As will be seen, at least some of the videos ad.sub.j in the advertising server 130 might be associated with priorities priority.sub.i. A video associated with a high priority is therefore more likely to be played out than a video associated with a low priority. In one example, the priorities may have a maximum value of priority.sub.max and a minimum value of priority.sub.min.

(61) Furthermore, some of the videos ad.sub.j in the advertising server 130 might be associated with a video category. For example, the video category may define whether the video is an ad is for a sport or food product, for example.

(62) Moreover, some video play rules may be defined. Those rules may apply generally for a specific TV channel or even for a platform; other rules may depend on each break. For example, a video play rule may determine that a break needs to start with a video of a first type (such as a jingle) and terminates with a video of a second type (for example another jingle). Another rule may determine that a specific video is mandatory within one break. A third rule may define which type of video will be deleted first if the duration of the break is shorten. Other video play rules may define the order of videos during a break. For example, a platform may enforce rules to start a commercial break with a 15-second jingle, then a bumper, then a series of ads in priority order, then an end-jingle and a fill-in content.

(63) In order to apply those video play rules, a collection of templates 1260 may be used, as previously explained. Each template defines for example a sequence of video types, and possibly other rules, that should be used for all breaks using this template.

(64) A broadcasting module as sequence sending module 128 receives the (possibly delayed) program p from receiver 120 as well as the sequence of replacement videos from the second module 126. The broadcasting module combines the two streams by replacing the content of the breaks b.sub.i with the new sequence and with a fill in video content.

(65) The broadcasting module then transmits the new stream in broadcast mode to a plurality of recipients' user devices 16, for example over a network 14 such as a TV network, a cable TV network and/or the Internet. The recipients might use TV-sets, computers, tablets, mobile phones and/or any other consumer equipment suitable for receiving and reproducing the video stream.

(66) FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a video stream including a program p and a break of duration di between the times t0 and ti. This break should be filled or replaced with a new video content selected by the platform 12.

(67) FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a video stream in which the content of a break b.sub.i (for example a commercial break) has been replaced by a sequence of n videos (for example advertisings) ad.sub.1 to ad.sub.n selected from the advertising servers 130. The total duration of the selected videos ad.sub.i is shorter than the actual duration d.sub.i of the break to fill. The difference, i.e. the duration between the end of the last video ad.sub.n and the instant t.sub.i (or t.sub.i+d if the replacement stream is delayed with a delay d) where the main program p is resumed, is filled in with a fill-in video content fiv.

(68) In case of bumpers inserted in this commercial break, the platform automatically inserts Start and Ending (if existing) bumpers at the location decided by the broadcaster (for example before and after a sequence of ads), and then adds promotion or extra content, or adds the start or at the end of the complete breaks, for example.

(69) The fill-in video content is a video whose length can be adapted, for example a video which can be appropriately interrupted at any time. In one embodiment, the fill-in video content includes an animated logo or picture without any speech or hard to interrupt audio or video content.

(70) FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of method for replacing a content of a break b.sub.i, such as a commercial break, with a new content. The method might be carried out by the processing means in the content replacement platform 12.

(71) The method starts at step 40. During step 42, the duration estimation module 124 estimates the minimum duration est_d.sub.i of a next break, as previously explained. This estimation is preferably made in advance, but can be updated at any time before and even during the break, depending for example on the detected start time and end time of the break. The transmission of the program may be deferred by a delay d in order to take into accounts last minute changes of the estimate.

(72) During step 44, the module 126 selects from a collection in selected advertising video servers 130 a list of videos ad.sub.j to be played out. The duration of the sequence is selected to be shorter or equal than the estimated minimal duration est_d.sub.i of the break in order to fit this duration as closely as possible but without exceeding it. This list is updated if the estimated duration is recomputed.

(73) During step 46, the broadcasting module 128 transmits in broadcast mode the program p with the replacement break to the recipients' user devices 16.

(74) During step 48, the broadcasting module 128 transmits a fill in video selected from database 130, until the end of the break at step 50.

(75) The end of the break may be determined from the TV schedule, with a signal transmitted by the broadcaster 10 (for example a SCTE-35 or ESAM marker), or by analysing the video stream received from this broadcaster with a suitable video analysis module able to detect the end of a break, or manually.

(76) The fill in video content may comprise for example an animated picture. The fill-in video content may be stored in the database 130.

(77) FIG. 7 is a flowchart which illustrates in more details and with pseudo code steps of a possible embodiment of the video selection step 44 in FIG. 6.

(78) The process starts at step 440, during which a variable seq of type video_stream is set to Null. The variable seq_duration of type real is set to 0. Seq_duration indicates the total duration of the selected videos ad.sub.j.

(79) A loop is then started at step 441 for decreasing successive values of priorities, from priority.sub.max to priority.sub.min.

(80) During step 442 within the loop, the module 44 selects the next video ad.sub.j from the collection of videos in database 130 with the current priority value priority.sub.i.

(81) The selection of the next video within step 442 may also depend on the predefined rules that apply to each break. For example, a rule may prevent two advertisings for the same category of products or from the same advertisers to be played consecutively. Another rule may force the category of advertising to be played at various positions during the break.

(82) The selection of videos may thus depend on those rules, and previously selected videos. Other videos/advertising may also depend on the content of the main program.

(83) Some video play rules may also be specific for a certain video, or for a category of video content. An advertiser may for example prevent his video to be played before 8 PM. Another video play rule may define that all ads for children toys have to be played in a commercial break during a children program.

(84) The selection of the next video to be played at step 442 thus depends on the priorities associated with the remaining videos in the advertising video server 130, and to video play rules associated with a channel, with a specific break or with a specific video or category of video.

(85) At step 443, the module 43 increases the value of the variable seq_duration by adding the duration of the just selected video ad.sub.j.

(86) During step 444, the module 44 verifies whether the total duration seq_duration of the list of selected videos exceeds the estimated duration est_d.sub.i of the break b.sub.i.

(87) If this is the case, the module goes further with step 46. If not, the module adds the previously selected video ad.sub.j to the sequence seq.

(88) During the following step 446, the module verifies if there are more videos in the selected advertising server 130 with the currently selected priority level priority.sub.i and which fulfil the video play rules. If yes, the program returns to step 442 and select the next video with the same priority. Otherwise the module returns to step 441 and starts searching for videos associated with a lower priority in advertising server 130 and which fulfil the video play rules for the next position.

(89) In a variant, a sorting may be made among videos with a same level of priority in order to select the video whose length best fit the rest duration until the estimated end of the break, and to reduce the duration of the fill in video content.

(90) In another embodiment, videos with a lower priority are selected even when video associated with a higher priority are still available, when those low priority videos have a duration which is better adapted for filling in the estimated duration d.sub.i.

(91) The various operations of methods described above may be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the operations, such as various hardware and/or software component(s), circuits, and/or module(s). Generally, any operations described in the application may be performed by corresponding functional means capable of performing the operations. The various means, platforms, logical blocks, and modules may include various hardware and/or software component(s) and/or module(s), including, but not limited to software, services, databases and/or applications executed by servers, computers, or systems comprising a plurality of servers or computers, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.

(92) As used herein, the term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, “determining” may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining, estimating and the like. Also, “determining” may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and the like.

(93) The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the present disclosure may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in any form of storage medium that is known in the art. Some examples of storage media that may be used include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM and so forth. A software module may comprise a single instruction, or many instructions, and may be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across multiple storage media. A software module may consist of an executable program, a portion or routine or library used in a complete program, a plurality of interconnected programs, an “apps” executed by many smartphones, tablets or computers, a widget, a Flash application, a portion of HTML code, etc. A storage medium may be coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. A database may be implemented as any structured collection of data, including a SQL database, a set of XML documents, a semantical database, or set of information available over an IP network, or any other suitable structure.

(94) It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated above.

(95) Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the methods and apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the claims.