Automated Broadcast Content Scheduling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite television systems face inefficiencies in scheduling push and carousel content due to human error and time-consuming manual processes, leading to increased costs and suboptimal channel usage, which affects the availability and reliability of content delivery to user devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for scheduling push and carousel content using queues to store content metadata, forming channel blocks with associated time periods, and assigning content based on recurrence rates, which automates the scheduling process to improve channel efficiency and user device content delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual scheduling using spreadsheets is used to determine push and carousel content placement, then human operators can control content allocation, but human error increases and the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of spreadsheet-based scheduling with an automated electronic scheduling system. The system automatically generates schedules for push and carousel content by processing channel data and content metadata through computational algorithms, eliminating human operators from the direct scheduling process. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated electronic systems resolves the contradiction by simultaneously improving scheduling accuracy (reliability) and reducing the time required for content allocation.
2Ease of operation
If manual scheduling processes are used for push and carousel content, then operators can make scheduling decisions, but system costs increase due to time consumption and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduling system is designed to be self-service, automatically performing content allocation without requiring continuous human intervention. The system autonomously processes channel data, determines optimal placement for push and carousel content, and generates schedules based on predefined parameters and content metadata. This self-service capability maintains operational control while dramatically improving scheduling efficiency and reducing system costs associated with manual processes.
3Reliability
If channels are left unused due to content fluctuation, then content delivery reliability is maintained, but channel bandwidth utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduling system dynamically adapts to content fluctuations and channel availability by automatically adjusting content placement in real-time. When channels become available due to content changes or fluctuations, the system dynamically allocates push and carousel content to these channels, maximizing bandwidth utilization. This dynamic approach maintains content delivery reliability while efficiently utilizing available channel capacity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and resource utilization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If push and carousel content are manually assigned to channels, then content placement can be controlled, but the complexity of the scheduling process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduling system is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple content types (push content and carousel content) across multiple channels simultaneously. The system performs diverse functions including processing channel data, managing content metadata, generating schedules, and optimizing bandwidth utilization through a single integrated mechanism. This multi-functional design maintains content placement flexibility while reducing overall system complexity by consolidating scheduling operations into a unified automated process.
Data Source
AI summary
A push scheduler for communicating push and carousel content and method for operating the same includes a block manager that receives content channel data from the channel listing system and forming a channel block having a channel and a time period associated therewith based on the channel data. The scheduler further includes a schedule manager that forms an assignment by assigning push and carousel content data to the channel block with a predetermined recurrence rate within the block and a material manager that controls the communication of push and carousel content based on the channel block.