Patent Publication Number: US-2022217449-A1

Title: Content management system and method for use of same

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT &amp; CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/158,573 entitled “Content Management System and Method for Use of Same”, filed on Jan. 26, 2021, in the names of Vanessa Ogle, et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 11,284,167 issued on Mar. 22, 2022; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/511,446 entitled “Content Management System and Method for Use of Same,” filed on Jul. 15, 2019 in the names of Vanessa Ogle, et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,904,640 issued on Jan. 26, 2021; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/194,587, entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced Content and System and Method for Use of Same” and filed on Nov. 19, 2018, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al.; which claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/587,795, entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced Content and System and Method for Use of Same” and filed on Nov. 17, 2017, in the name of William C. Fang; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference, in entirety, for all purposes. U.S. application Ser. No. 16/511,446 also claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/697,657, entitled “Content Management System and Method for Use of Same” and filed on Jul. 13, 2018, in the name of William C. Fang; both of which are hereby incorporated by reference, in entirety, for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates, in general, to content management and, in particular, to systems and methods for the operation, control, and oversight of content, such as advertising, for example, in environments such as hospitality environments and residential environments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Network programming on a television remains an effective advertising medium. To enhance effectiveness, advertisers seek to develop advertisements that target prospective consumers based on interests, behavior, demographics, or location, for example. A challenge that advertisers have with targeted advertising on traditional network programming on a television is being able to deliver targeted advertising to prospective consumers. Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods for advertisers that enable the delivery to prospective consumers of targeted advertising during traditional network programming on a television. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It would be advantageous to achieve a set-top box that would improve upon existing limitations in functionality with respect to targeted advertising during traditional network programming on a television. It would also be desirable to enable a computer-based electronics and software solution that would provide enhanced content delivery to prospective consumers with targeted advertising. To better address one or more of these concerns, a set-top box with enhanced content and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, the set-top box is configured to receive a source signal which includes a stream of network programming having time slots interposed therein. The set-top box detects signaling data indicative of a designated time slot within the network programming and responsive thereto, interposes content stored at the set-top box at the designated time slot within the network programming. The set-top box then forwards the interposed content to the display. Following the forwarding of the interposed content, the set-top box returns to receiving network programming and forwarding the network programming to the display. The set-top box also provides confirmation of the displayed interposed content to a server, which may map the confirmation information. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a system for providing a set-top box having enhanced content therein according to the teachings presented herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the set-top box splicing enhanced content into a network program stream; 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1  within a cloud-computing deployment; 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1  within an on-property deployment; 
         FIG. 3C  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1  within a cloud-computing deployment serving multiple properties; 
         FIG. 3D  is a schematic diagram depicting another embodiment of the system of  FIG. 1  within a cloud-computing deployment serving multiple properties; 
         FIG. 4A  is a wall-facing exterior elevation view of one embodiment of the set-top box depicted in  FIG. 1  in further detail; 
         FIG. 4B  is a television-facing exterior elevation view of the set-top box depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a front perspective view of a dongle depicted in  FIG. 1  in further detail; 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of the set-top box presented in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
         FIG. 6  is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of a server presented in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ; 
         FIG. 7  is a conceptual module diagram depicting a software architecture of an analytics application of some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is a conceptual module diagram depicting a software architecture of an analytics application of some embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  is a conceptual module diagram depicting a software architecture of an image viewing, editing, and organization application of some embodiments; 
         FIG. 10A  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a map representation of a hospitality lodging establishment utilizing one embodiment of a hospitality property management tool presented herein; 
         FIG. 10B  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a map representation of a floor of the hospitality lodging establishment presented in  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a map representation of residential communities utilizing one embodiment of a property management tool presented herein; 
         FIG. 11B  is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a map representation of a home within the residential communities presented in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method for providing a set-top box having enhanced content according to the teachings presented herein; and 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method for providing hospitality property management according to the teachings presented herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , therein is depicted one embodiment of a system for providing enhanced content, which is schematically illustrated and designated  10 . As shown, the system  10  includes a set-top box  12  and a display  14 , which is illustrated as a television having a screen  16 . It should be appreciated however, that the display  14  may also be any electronic visual display device, for example. The set-top box  12  includes a housing having a connection, which is depicted as an HDMI connection  20  that connects the set-top box  12  to the display  14 . Other connections include a power cable  22  coupling the set-top box  12  to a power source, a coaxial cable  24  coupling the set-top box  12  to an external cable source, and a category five (Cat  5 ) cable  26  coupling the set-top box  12  to an external pay-per-view source at a hotel or other lodging establishment, for example. As shown, the set-top box  12  may include a dongle  28  providing particular technology and functionality extensions thereto. That is, the set-top box  12  may be a set-top box-dongle combination in one embodiment. It should be appreciated that the cabling connected to the set-top box  12  will depend on the environment and application and the cabling connections presented in  FIG. 1  are depicted for illustrative purposes. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the positioning of the set-top box  12  will vary depending on environment and application and, with certain functionality, the set-top box  12  may be placed more discretely behind the display  14 . By way of further example, the set-top box  12  may be an in-wall mount as opposed to the illustrated free standing information appliance device. 
     In one implementation, the set-top box  12  is configured to receive a source signal at the coaxial cable which includes a stream of network programming having time slots interposed therein. As illustrated, channel  403 , as indicated by C 1 , is broadcasting a program, as indicated by P 1 , and this program P 1  is on the screen  16  of the display  14 . The set-top box  12  detects signaling data indicative of a designated time slot within the network programming and responsive thereto, interposes content stored at the set-top box  12  at the designated time slot within the network programming. The set-top box  12  then forwards the interposed content to the display  14  via the signal output. As illustrated, channel  403 , as indicated by C 1 , is broadcasting the content, as indicated by P 2 , and this content P 2  is on the screen  16  of the display  14 . Following the forwarding of the interposed content P 2 , the set-top box  12  returns to receiving network programming on the signal input and forwarding the network programming to the display  14  via the signal output on the HDMI connection  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the set-top box  12  is providing network programming  30  in an environment where scheduled content time slots, such as time slot  32 , are planned for content  34 , such as advertising content or promotional content, according to a schedule or schedules  36 . The network programming  30  may be audio media or audiovisual media and is depicted as audiovisual media to fully leverage the display  14 . As shown, the network programming  30  may include splice signaling data  37  indicating the available time slot by way of an opening  37 -O and a closing  37 -C. In one implementation, the set-top box  12  receives the schedule  36  from a server  38  indicating the time when the content  34  may be inserted into an available time slot  32 . Based on the schedule  36 , the set-top box  12  receives the content  34  and stores the received content  34  in a queue for insertion into the available time slot  32  within the network programming  30 . In one implementation, the set-top box  12  actively fetches the content  34  based on the schedule  36  and in another implementation, the server  38  sends the content  34  to the set-top box  12 . In another embodiment, the set-top box  12  may acquire the content  34  in real-time, when required for insertion into the network programming  30 . The content  34  may be an advertisement or non-advertising content. In an embodiment relating to hospitality establishments, the content  34  may be non-advertising content related to a hospitality establishment such as a furnished multi-family residences, dormitories, lodging establishments, hotels, hospitals, and multi-unit environments. Further, the content  34  may be advertising content that is replacing advertising content within the network programming  30 . 
     As mentioned, the network programming  30  includes splice signaling data  37  indicating the available time slot  32  by way of the opening  37 -O and the closing  37 -C. The splice signaling data  37  may be an audio indicator, such as a dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF), a visual indicator, or a digital indicator, for example. When the set-top box  12  detects the time slot  32  by way of the splice signaling data  37 , the set-top box  12  inserts the content  34  into the stream forwarded to the display  14  and then returns to the network programming  30 . It should be appreciated that the set-top box  12  audio and video decoding functions continue to decode the network programming stream and presenting video and audio to the display  14 . 
     Set-top box data  40  includes confirmation of the display of the interposed content  34  by the set-top box  12  on the display  14 . The set-top box data  40  is provided by the set-top box  12  to the server  38 . The set-top box data  40  may include information such as the identity of the set-top box, the identity of the guest, the identity of the interposed content, the scheduling of the interposed content, and the viewing of the displayed interposed content, such as fully viewed, partially viewed, or not viewed. As illustrated, the server  38  may process, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data  40 . In one embodiment, a map view  42  of the hospitality establishment may be depicted and include a graphical representation of the rooms annotated with at least a portion of the set-top box data  40 . 
     The server  38  may be remotely located to serve multiple set-top boxes and displays each located on different properties. It should also be appreciated that the server  38  may be located on a single property to serve one or more set-top boxes and displays thereon. Further, it should be appreciated that the server  38  may be remotely located to serve multiple properties having multiple televisions. Further, the server  38  may located to server a variety of residential properties, including, for example, single-family houses, duplexes, or townhomes, or to serve a variety of multi-unit properties, including, for example, multi-family residences, apartments, hospitals, and the like. Generally, the set-top boxes and systems presented herein may be utilized in any environment, which may be a single family residence such as a house, duplex, or townhome. Alternatively, the environment may be a hospitality lodging establishment or more generally, hospitality property, which may be a furnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodging establishment, hotel, hospital, or other multi-unit environment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , the system  10  may be deployed such that the server  38 , which includes a housing  43 , is remotely located in the cloud C to service disbursed set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n  and corresponding displays  14 - 1  . . .  14 - n , with, in one embodiment, network programming content sources  44  configured to provide sources of network programming  30 . The server  38  includes a signal output and other components therein. The server  38  has access to schedule and content databases  46 , which store the particular content  34  and the schedule  36 . It should be appreciated that the schedule and content databases may be partially or fully integrated into the server  38 . As mentioned, the server  38  may process, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , the system  10  may be deployed such that the server  38 , which includes the housing  43 , is co-located on the property P- 1  with the set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n  and the corresponding displays  14 - 1  . . .  14 - n , with, in one embodiment, network programming content sources  44  configured to provide sources of network programming  30 . The property P- 1  may have various rooms R and spaces S where the set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n  and the corresponding displays  14 - 1  . . .  14 - n  are displayed. The server  38  has access to the schedule  36  and content databases  46 , which store the particular content  34  and the schedule  36 . As mentioned, the server  38  may process, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3C , the system  10  may be deployed such that the server  38  is located remotely within cloud C relative to set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n , which are located at properties P- 1  through P-n. Each property P- 1  . . . P- n  has various rooms R and spaces S. In particular, the server  38 , which receives content from network programming content sources  44 , may be located remotely relative to the set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n  and displays  14 - 1  . . .  14 - n  such that a property headend  48 - 1  . . .  48 - n  is interposed between the server  38  and the set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n . As shown, in this implementation, the property headend  48 - 1  . . .  48 - n  is co-located with the set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n  at a respective property, P- 1  through P- n . As mentioned, the server  38  may process, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3D , the system  10  may be deployed such that the server  38  is located remotely within cloud C relative to set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n , which are located at residential communities  0 - 1  through  0 - n . Each residential community  0 - 1  . . .  0 - n  has various homes M. In particular, the server  38 , which receives content from network programming content sources  44 , may be located remotely relative to the set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n  and displays  14 - 1  . . .  14 - n  such that a distribution network  49 - 1  . . .  49 - n  is interposed between the server  38  and the set-top boxes  12 - 1  . . .  12 - n . As shown, in this implementation, the distribution networks  49 - 1  . . .  49 - n  may service various residential communities, which, in turn are servicing residences such as single family homes or multi-family homes or other living arrangements. As mentioned, the server  38  may process, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data  40 . 
     More and more streaming services are able to target advertisements directly to the subscriber. Network programming providers, however, have not been able to target advertisements directly to the subscriber or viewer due to the fact that all the television programs are delivered in the broadcasting methodology. Therefore, all the subscribers are receiving the same program and advertisements. Cable companies, for example, have advertising insertion equipment installed at various sub-stations, or sub-headends. The granularity of the subscriber is limited to a community or a city with this cable company methodology. The teachings presented herein provide greater granularity via the set-top box to the hotel environment or residential subscriber, for example, by providing, in one aspect, in-room advertising insertion technology. 
     As described herein, in some embodiments, the content and advertising delivery infrastructure from the server to the set-top boxes provides the set-top boxes with content and advertising insertion capability. As will be continued to be described hereinbelow, in addition to receiving the network programming signal and decoding the network programming signal, the set-top boxes are capable of receiving the content and advertising material as well as the necessary schedule, queue the content in local storage, and insert the content according to the schedule received by the server, which may be provided by a content management and publishing engine or the like. In some implementations, the network programming signal programming provides the splice signaling data or other slotting information that is leveraged by the set-top box for the granular content and advertising insertion. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 4C , and  FIG. 5 , as used herein, set-top boxes, back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed as set-top boxes. By way of example, the set-top box  12  may be a set-top unit that is an information appliance device that generally contains set-top box functionality including having a television-tuner input and displays output through a connection to a display or television set and an external source of signal, turning by way of tuning the source signal into content in a form that can then be displayed on the television screen or other display device. The information appliance device may include high speed internet access point capabilities. Such set-top boxes are used in cable television, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems, for example. 
     The set-top box  12  includes a housing  18  with a cover  50  and a rear wall  52 , front wall  54 , top wall  56 , bottom base  58 , and two sidewalls  60 ,  62 . It should be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wall are relative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation and the nomenclature of the walls may vary depending on application. The front wall includes various ports, ports  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80  that provide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputs and outputs. In one implementation, as illustrated, the ports  64  through  80  include inputs  82  and outputs  84  and, more particularly, an RF input  86 , a RJ-45 input  88 , universal serial bus (USB) input/outputs  90 , an Ethernet category 5 (Cat 5) coupling  92 , an internal reset  94 , an RS232 control  96 , an audio out  98 , an audio in  100 , and a debug/maintenance port  102 . The front wall  54  also includes various inputs  82  and outputs  84 . More particularly, ports  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116  include a 5V dc power connection  120 , USB inputs/outputs  122 , an RJ-45 coupling  124 , and an HDMI port  126 . It should be appreciated that the configuration of ports may vary with the set-top box  12  depending on application and context. As previously alluded to, the housing  18  may include a housing-dongle combination including, with respect to the dongle  28 , a unit  130  having a cable  134  with a set-top box connector  132  for selectively coupling with the set-top box  12 . 
     Within the housing  18 , a processor  150 , memory  152 , storage  154 , the inputs  82 , and the outputs  84  are interconnected by a bus architecture  156  within a mounting architecture. It should be understood that the processor  150 , memory  152 , storage  154 , the inputs  82 , and the outputs  84  may be entirely contained within the housing  18  or the housing-dongle combination. The processor  150  may process instructions for execution within the computing device, including instructions stored in the memory  152  or in storage  154 . The memory  152  stores information within the computing device. In one implementation, the memory  152  is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory  152  is a non-volatile memory unit or units. Storage  154  provides capacity that is capable of providing mass storage for the set-top box  12 . Various inputs  82  and outputs  84  provide connections to and from the computing device, wherein the inputs  82  are the signals or data received by the set-top box  12 , and the outputs  84  are the signals or data sent from the set-top box  12 . 
     A signal input  158  and a signal output  160  are also secured in the housing  18  in order to receive content from a source, such as a hospitality property, and forward the content, including external content such as cable and satellite and pay-per-view (PPV) programing and the content  34  to the display. More specifically, the signal input  158  receives a source signal from an external source. The source signal includes multiple channels. Each tuner  162  is configured to receive and tune a channel from the source signal as well as, in one embodiment, process the received content for insertion. As shown, each tuner  162  includes an RF receiver  164 , a demodulator  166 , and a content buffer  168  associated with a decryption device  170  and a decoder  172  in order to provide a tuned channel. The radio frequency (RF) receiver  164  is the portion of the tuner that receives RF transmissions and converts the selected carrier frequency and its associated bandwidth into a fixed frequency that is suitable for further processing. The demodulator  166  is an electronic circuit that is used to recover the information content from the modulated carrier wave provided by the RF receiver  164 . The content buffer  168  stores the signal and may be independent storage or associated with or form a portion of the memory  152  or the storage  154 . The decryption device  170  then decrypts the demodulated signal before decoding at the decoder  172 . It should be appreciated that although a particular architecture of tuner, RF receiver, demodulator, decryption device and decoder is depicted, other architectures are within the teachings presented herein. 
     A transceiver  174  is associated with the set-top box  12  and communicatively disposed with the bus architecture  156 . As shown the transceiver  174  may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing. Further, the transceiver  174  may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver, or an antenna for example. Communication between various amenities in a room with the set-top box  12  and the set-top box  12  may be enabled by a variety of wireless methodologies employed by the transceiver  174 , including 802.11, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized. 
     The memory  152  and storage  154  are accessible to the processor  150  and include processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor  150  to execute a series of operations. The processor-executable instructions cause the processor  150  to receive the schedule  36  from the server  38 . As previously discussed, the schedule  36  may include a listing of the time slots  32 . The processor-executable instructions then cause the processor  150  to store the schedule  36  at the set-top box  12 . According to the schedule  36 , the processor  150  is caused to receive content  34  relative to the designated time slot  32  from the server  38  and store the content  34  at the set-top box  12 . The processor-executable instructions may cause the processor  150  to receive the content  34  in advance or dynamically and substantially in real time. The processor-executable instructions then cause the processor  150  to receive network programming  30  on the signal input  158  and forward the network programming to the display  14  via the signal output  160 . By way of the processor-executable instructions, the processor  150  may detect signaling data indicative of the designated time slot  32  within the network programming  30 , and interpose, by way of splicing, for example, the content  34  at the designated time slot  32  within the network programming  30  and forward the interposed content to the display  14  via the signal output  160 . Following the forwarding of the interposed content, the set-top box  12  returns to receiving network programming on the signal input  158  and forwarding the network programming to the display  14  via the signal output  160 . The processor-executable instructions also cause the processor  150  to send set-top box data  40  to the server  38 . The set-top box data  40  may include information such as the identity of the set-top box, the identity of the guest, the identity of the interposed content, the scheduling of the interposed content, and the viewing of the displayed interposed content, such as fully viewed, partially viewed, or not viewed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , one embodiment of the server  38  as a computing device includes a processor  180 , memory  182 , storage  184 , inputs  186 , outputs  188 , and network interface  190  interconnected with various buses  192  in a common or distributed, for example, mounting architecture. In other implementations, in the computing device, multiple processors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memories and types of memory. Further still, in other implementations, multiple computing devices may be provided and operations distributed therebetween. The processor  180  may process instructions for execution within the server  38 , including instructions stored in the memory  182  or in storage  184 . The memory  182  stores information within the computing device. In one implementation, the memory  182  is a volatile memory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory  182  is a non-volatile memory unit or units. Storage  184  includes capacity that is capable of providing mass storage for the server  38 . Various inputs  186  and outputs  188  provide connections to and from the server  38 , wherein the inputs  186  are the signals or data received by the server  38 , and the outputs  188  are the signals or data sent from the server  38 . The network interface  190  provides the necessary device controller to connect the server  38  to one or more networks. 
     The memory  182  is accessible to the processor  180  and includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor  180  to execute a series of operations. The processor-executable instructions cause the processor  180  to update periodically or on-demand, depending on the operational configuration, a database which may be part of storage  184  of schedules of time slots on various channels of network programming and related content or update portion thereof, with current timeslot scheduling and content information. The processor-executable instructions cause the processor  180  to make this database or a portion thereof available to the set-top boxes  12  by way of the set-top boxes  12  receiving the information through fetching or the server  38  sending the requested information. Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein enable set-top boxes to have enhanced content offerings. Further, the systems and methods disclosed herein may enable advertisers to use set-top boxes as a solution to provide to prospective consumers targeted advertising, during network programming, for example, and confirmation of the viewing of the interposed content. 
     More particularly, the processor-executable instructions cause the server  38  to receive the set-top box data  40  from the various set-top boxes  12 . As mentioned, the set-top box data  40  may include information such as the identity of the set-top box, the identity of the guest, the identity of the interposed content, the scheduling of the interposed content, and the viewing of the displayed interposed content, such as fully viewed, partially viewed, or not viewed. In one embodiment, the processor-executable instructions cause the processor  180  to render a map view of the hospitality establishment based on obtained map data. The map view  42  may include a graphical representation of the room and a plurality of other room rooms at the hospitality establishment. The processor-executable instructions may also cause the processor  180  to annotate the graphical representation of the room with at least a portion of the set-top box data  40 . More generally, the processor-executable instructions may also cause the processor  180  to process, analyze, report, and depict, for example, the set-top box data  40  in various ways. 
       FIG. 7  conceptually illustrates the software architecture of an advertising application  200  of some embodiments that may select the content for insertion into the programming. In some embodiments, the advertising application  200  is a stand-alone application or is integrated into another application, while in other embodiments the application might be implemented within an operating system  230 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, the advertising application  200  is provided as part of a server-based solution or a cloud-based solution. In some such embodiments, the application is provided via a thin client. That is, the application runs on a server while a user interacts with the application via a separate machine remote from the server. In other such embodiments, the application is provided via a thick client. That is, the application is distributed from the server to the client machine and runs on the client machine. 
     The advertising application  200  includes a user interface (UI) interaction and generation module  202 , management (user) interface tools  204 , serving modules  206 , indexing modules  208 , targeting modules  210 , conversion modules  212 , content modules  214 , and an analytics application  216 . The advertising application  200  has access to non-ad content repositories  220 , ad repositories  222 , program repositories  223 , viewer repositories  224 , conversion of STB databases  225 , and presentation instructions  226 , which provide the data to the management (user) interface tools  204  for the utilization of the storages  220 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224 ,  225 ,  226 . In some embodiments, storages  220 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224 ,  225 ,  226  are all stored in one physical storage. In other embodiments, the storages  220 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224 ,  225   226  are in separate physical storages, or one of the storages is in one physical storage while the other is in a different physical storage. 
     The UI interaction and generation module  202  generates a user interface that allows the end user to specify parameters that may be utilized to generate content for insertion into programming. Prior to the generation of the content, the serving modules  206  may identify relative content from the non-ad content repository  220  and ad repository  222  based on information received from the indexing modules  208  and the targeting modules  210 , which may include algorithms designed to match advertising with the viewer&#39;s network programming based on viewer profiles and preferences. In one implementation, the serving modules may include an advertising content management and publishing engine that manage the content assigned by algorithms and specifically send the content to the targeted set-top box and viewer with a very specific insertion schedule and time. The indexing modules  208  generate an index based on various statistical processes and/or modeling for identifying content based on the planned programming in the program repository  223 . Similarly, the targeting modules generate factors based on various statistical processes and/or modeling for identifying content based on the planned guest viewers in the viewer repository  224 . The viewer repository  224  includes known information and data about the viewer or viewers of the particular set-top box, such as network programming choices, customer preferences, including goods and services purchased as well as details about subscription services. In an embodiment where the technology is deployed in a hospitality environment, a customer loyalty program may be included in the viewer repository as well as details such as personal preferences like linens, pillows, beds, beverages, foods, fitness, and network programming choices. The conversion modules  212  track the viewership (e.g., fully viewed, partially viewed, not viewed) of the content based on the received set-top box data stored in the conversion of set-top box data repository  225 . The content modules  214  furnish the content for insertion to the set-top boxes and various other network components. The analytics application  216  may be executed to call an analytics application  250  of  FIG. 8 , for example. 
     In the illustrated embodiment,  FIG. 7  also includes an operating system  230  that includes input device driver(s)  232  and a display module  234 . In some embodiments, as illustrated, the input device drivers  232  and display module  234  are part of the operating system  230  even when the advertising application  200  is an application separate from the operating system  230 . The input device drivers  232  may include drivers for translating signals from a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, tablet, touch screen, gyroscope or accelerometer, for example. A user interacts with one or more of these input devices, which send signals to their corresponding device driver. The device driver then translates the signals into user input data that is provided to the UI interaction and generation module  202 . 
       FIG. 8  conceptually illustrates the software architecture of the analytics application  250  of some embodiments that may render the map view  42  of the hospitality establishment. In some embodiments, the analytics application  250  is a stand-alone application or is integrated into another application, while in other embodiments the application might be implemented within an operating system  280 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, the analytics application  250  is provided as part of a server-based solution or a cloud-based solution. In some such embodiments, the application is provided via a thin client. That is, the application runs on a server while a user interacts with the application via a separate machine remote from the server. In other such embodiments, the application is provided via a thick client. That is, the application is distributed from the server to the client machine and runs on the client machine. 
     The analytics application  250  includes a user interface (UI) interaction and generation module  252 , management (user) interface tools  254 , aggregator modules  256 , filter modules  258 , numerical decomposer modules  260 , discrete decomposer modules  262 , assignment modules  264 , property access module  266 , and a map rendering application  268 . The analytics application  250  has access to historic property databases of set-top box data  270 , real-time property databases of set-top box data  272 , and presentation instructions  274 , which presents instructions from the operation of the analytics operation  250 . In some embodiments, storages  270 ,  272 , and  274  are all stored in one physical storage. In other embodiments, the storages  270 ,  272 ,  274  are in separate physical storages, or one of the storages is in one physical storage while the other is in a different physical storage. 
     The UI interaction and generation module  252  generates a user interface that allows the end user to specify parameters that may be utilized to generate an annotated map view of the hospitality establishment, which may include elements of a heat map. Prior to the generation of an annotated map view of the hospitality establishment, the aggregator modules  256  may be executed to obtain instances of set-top box data. In other instances, the set-top box data is continually provided to the analytics application  250  such that the aggregator modules  256  do not have to obtain instances of set-top box data proactively. The set-top box data may also be filtered by the filter modules  258 . The aggregator modules  256  and the filter modules  258  cooperate, in combination, to gather the desired set-top box data. 
     At this time, the parameters have been established for the annotated map view of the hospitality establishment by default or by an end user utilizing the management (user) interface tools  254 . The numerical decomposer modules  260  may be executed to numerically decompose instances or summaries of set-top box data gathered by the aggregator modules  256  and the filter modules  258  by applying the selected performance characteristic or selected performance characteristics to the instances of the set-top box data. The discrete decomposer modules  262  may be executed to containerize the decomposed set-top box data. In this manner, multiple containers may be defined that each have a range of values. The assignment modules  264  may be executed to assign a pre-map annotation element to each of the multiple containers. The property access module  266  may be executed to obtain data from the historic property databases of set-top box data  270  or the real-time property databases of set-top box data  272 . The map rendering application  268  may be executed to call a map rendering application  300  of  FIG. 9 , for example. 
     In the illustrated embodiment,  FIG. 8  also includes an operating system  280  that includes input device driver(s)  282  and a display module  284 . In some embodiments, as illustrated, the input device drivers  282  and display module  284  are part of the operating system  280  even when the analytics application  250  is an application separate from the operating system  280 . The input device drivers  282  may include drivers for translating signals from a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, tablet, touch screen, gyroscope or accelerometer, for example. A user interacts with one or more of these input devices  282 , which send signals to their corresponding device driver. The device driver then translates the signals into user input data that is provided to the UI interaction and generation module  252 . 
       FIG. 9  conceptually illustrates the software architecture of a map rendering application  300  of some embodiments that may render the map view  42  of the hospitality establishment. In some embodiments, the map rendering application  300  is a stand-alone application or is integrated into another application, while in other embodiments the application might be implemented within an operating system. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the map rendering application  300  is provided as part of a server-based solution or a cloud-based solution. In some such embodiments, the application is provided via a thin client. That is, the application runs on a server while a user interacts with the application via a separate machine remote from the server. In other such embodiments, the application is provided via a thick client. That is, the application is distributed from the server to the client machine and runs on the client machine. 
     The map rendering application  300  includes a UI interaction and generation module  302 , graphics data tools  304 , a cropping and straightening tool  306 , brush tools  308 , effect tools  310 , a tilt shift tool  312 , gradient tools  314 , a vignette tool  316 , and an activation manager  318 . The image editing application has access to map service files  320 , set-top box source files  322 , and editing instructions  324 . In some embodiments, the map service files  320  may be vector graphics data files with texture identifiers or two or three dimensional map image files specified in one or more map tiles that may be raster-based map tiles, for example. The map service files  320  create a virtual model of the physical body of the hospitality establishment based on definitions derived from any GIS resources, such as a geodatabase, address location map document or geoprocess model, or any two- or three-dimensional CAD-based drawings and plans. 
     The set-top box source files  322  store operational instructions for processing set-top box data. The editing instructions  324  store the image editing operations that the map rendering application  300  performs as a set of instructions. The map rendering application  300  uses these set of instructions to generate new images based on the original data stored in the source files. In some embodiments, the map image files and/or media content data are stored as .mov, .avi, .jpg, .png, .gif, pdf, .mp3, .bmp, .wav, .txt, .tiff, etc. files in the map service files  320  and set-top box source files  322 . In some embodiments, storages  320 ,  322 , and  324  are all stored in one physical storage. In other embodiments, the storages  320 ,  322 ,  324  are in separate physical storages, or one of the storages is in one physical storage while the other is in a different physical storage. 
     In the illustrated embodiment,  FIG. 9  also includes an operating system  330  that includes input device driver(s)  332  and a display module  334 . In some embodiments, as illustrated, the input device drivers  332  and display module  334  are part of the operating system  330  even when the image editing application is an application separate from the operating system. The input device drivers  332  may include drivers for translating signals from a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, tablet, touch screen, gyroscope, accelerometer, etc. A user interacts with one or more of these input devices, which send signals to their corresponding device driver. The device driver then translates the signals into user input data that is provided to the UI interaction and generation module  300 . 
     The present application describes a graphical user interface that provides users with numerous ways to perform different sets of operations and functionalities. By either executing a pre-determined series of editing instructions on a pre-determined set of media source files or receiving a selection of media processing operations, the present map rendering application  300  provides for a map view of the hospitality establishment with the appropriate annotations of set-top box data. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B , in one implementation, property monitoring and optimization is provided in the form of a database, or as shown, in the map view  42  of the hospitality establishment H including a graphical presentation  350  of a floor of the hospitality establishment H, wherein particular hotel rooms with set-top box data historically and in substantially real time permits a user or manager to select the desired information and make optimal content and advertising decisions. As previously mentioned, it should be appreciated that although a hospitality establishment is depicted, the teachings presented herein are applicable to residential environments as well. 
     In particular, color-coding and hue assignment adds additional understanding and visibility into housekeeping and maintenance conditions as well as use. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the hospitality establishment H is graphically depicted as having a lobby and ten floors, which are lobby, 2 n d floor, 3 rd  floor, etc. For each floor, such as the 4 th  floor, a floor layout is shown with rooms, such as rooms  401  through  407  and  411  through  417 . In  FIGS. 10A and 10B , by collecting the substantially real time and historic set-top box data from the field, a map may be shown depicting all rooms with television ON, for example. In particular, room  404  is highlighted to inspect the interposed content in terms of viewership. 
     As shown, by way of example, the status of television viewing of Room  404  is being examined as each highlighted room  352  has television ON. As shown, the graphical representation of Room  404  is annotated with information group  354 . For example, information  356  is based on identification data that details the model and serial number of the set-top box  12  associated with the Room  404 . Also, included in the annotation is information  358 , which provides details on the physical connection with the display  14  associated with the set-top box of Room  404 . Information  360  shows details on a particular recently viewed channel and commercial advertising content where viewership was not completed. Information  362  annotates the map view  42  with a commercial advertising content on the channel that is being viewed in full by the guest, based on the set-top box data  40  received from the set-top box  12  at the server  38 . That is, in some embodiments, once the set-top box data  40  is captured, the set-top box  12  is directly uploaded to the server  38  and a database and then associated with the rooms shown on the map view  42 . Management uses the map view  42  to gather real time information about the status of the rooms and properties and reports on content, such as advertising, viewership. To view the set-top box data  40  captured from each set-top box  12  in each room, the map view users can select a room from the map and appropriately click or tap on the rooms and then select the set-top box data  40  or other processing operations requested. 
     The system presented herein provides for the management of hospitality real estate and to the operation, control, and oversight of hospitality properties, such as lodging establishments, motels, or hotels, for example. In one embodiment, a web-hosted, cloud-based property monitoring and troubleshooting tool is furnished that provides a graphical presentation of the hospitality properties with historic and real time room and equipment status. As mentioned, historic set-top box data may be viewed by property or properties, room or room, with user selectable constraints such as data and time. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B , in one implementation, property monitoring and optimization is provided in the form of a database, or as shown, in the map view  42  of the residential community O including a graphical presentation  370  of multiple homes M, wherein particular homes with set-top box data historically and in substantially real time permits a user or manager to select the desired information and make optimal content and advertising decisions. The multiple homes in the residential community are labeled  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 , and  106  Prospect Ave. 
     In particular, color-coding and hue assignment adds additional understanding and visibility into viewer consumption preferences as well as use of the set-top box and network programming habits. In  FIGS. 11A and 11B , by collecting the substantially real time and historic set-top box data from the field, a map may be shown depicting all rooms with television ON, for example. In particular, living rooms at  101  Prospect Ave,  103  Prospect Ave, and  104  Prospect Ave are highlighted (element  372 ) to show the television is ON and to offer the opportunity to inspect the interposed content in terms of viewership. 
     As shown, by way of example, the status of television viewing is been shown, including a living room at  101  Prospect Ave, and is being examined as each highlighted room (see element  372 ) has television ON. As shown, the graphical representation of the home M at  101  Prospect Ave is annotated with the information group  354 . For example, as previously discussed, the information  356  is based on identification data that details the model and serial number of the set-top box  12  associated with the living room at  101  Prospect Ave. Also, included in the annotation is information  358 , which provides details on the physical connection with the display  14  associated with the set-top box  12  of living room at  101  Prospect Ave. Information  360  shows details on a particular recently viewed channel and commercial advertising content where viewership was not completed. Information  362  annotates the map view  42  with a commercial advertising content on the channel that is being viewed in full by the viewer or resident, based on the set-top box data  40  received from the set-top box  12  at the server  38 . That is, in some embodiments, once the set-top box data  40  is captured, the set-top box  12  is directly uploaded to the server  38  and a database and then associated with the rooms shown on the map view  42 . Management uses the map view  42  to gather real time information about the status of the rooms and properties and reports on content, such as advertising, viewership. To view the set-top box data  40  captured from each set-top box  12  in each room, the map view users can select a room from the map and appropriately click or tap on the rooms and then select the set-top box data  40  or other processing operations requested. 
     The system presented herein provides for the management of set-top box assets and accounts across residential communities. In one embodiment, a web-hosted, cloud-based property monitoring and troubleshooting tool is furnished that provides a graphical presentation of the properties with historic and real time room and equipment status. As mentioned, historic set-top box data may be viewed by property or properties, room or room, with user selectable constraints such as data and time. 
       FIG. 12  depicts one embodiment of a method for providing enhanced content, according to the teachings presented herein. The methodology starts at block  380  when the set-top box receives a schedule of the available time slots. In one embodiment, the schedule may also include the particular content to be displayed for each time slot. At decision block  382 , if the content is pre-stored at the set-top box, then the methodology advances to block  384 , where content that will be utilized within a certain period of time is received and stored at the set-top box. At block  386 , network programming is received at the set-top box and forwarded to the display. At decision block  388 , if the scheduled time slot has not been detected, then the methodology returns to block  386  and continues in a loop between decision block  388  and block  386  until the scheduled time slot is detected by way of signaling data. At block  390 , the stored content is forwarded to the display in the stream of the network programming prior to the network programming continuing at block  392  and confirmation of the content shown is forwarded from the set-top box to the server. 
     Returning to decision block  382 , if the content is not pre-stored, then in one implementation, the methodology advances to block  394  where network programming is received at the set-top box and forwarded to the display. At decision block  396 , if the scheduled time slot has not been detected, then the methodology returns to block  394  and continues in a loop between decision block  396  and block  394  until the scheduled time slot is detected by way of signaling data. At block  398 , the content to be inserted into the network programming, by way of splicing, for example, is forwarded to the display in the stream of the network programming prior to the network programming continuing at block  400 , where confirmation of content displayed is sent from the set-top box to the server. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , one embodiment of a method for utilizing property management tools for the operation, control, and oversight of hospitality properties, such as lodging establishments, motels, or hotels, for example, is depicted. The methodology starts at block  420  and progresses through block  422  and block  424  where, respectively set-top box data is aggregated from status inquiries from the server to the set-top boxes and aggregated from set-top boxes broadcasting the set-top box data. At block  426 , the server receives a request to generate a map view of a particular hospitality property. At block  428 , the server filters the aggregated set-top box data according to a characteristic or characteristics. At blocks  430  and  432 , the set-top box data is discretely decomposed and assigned annotation elements. At block  434 , the digital representation of the physical location, e.g., the hospitality property, is located and at block  436 , the data correlation of the map annotation elements to the digital representation occurs. 
     At decision block  438 , if the map processing including any applied annotations are based on a pre-selected or pre-stored or pre-defined criteria, then the methodology advances to block  440  where the appropriate map view is rendered prior to block  442 , the methodology ending. On the other hand, at decision block  338 , if user input will be sought on the map view and annotations, then the methodology displays the map view at block  444 . Then at block  446 , the server receives selection of media processing operations from the user and then applies the image processing operations at block  448 . The media processing operations may include, for example, selecting the media to be displayed and various luminance and color properties and such to provide further visibility into the map view. At block  450 , the map view with annotations is rendered prior to the methodology ending at block  442 . 
     The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flows illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution. 
     While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.