Programming Information Selection for Accurate Time Zone Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for providing programming information to users based on their time zone may include incorrect or inapplicable data due to inconsistent broadcast schedules across different locations within the same time zone, leading to inaccurate information being displayed to users.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that identifies programming for inclusion in informational displays by determining whether a program is local or national based on a comparison of content streams associated with a content distributor across the user's time zone, filtering out local programming to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If programming listings are provided based only on user's time zone, then the service can provide simplified time zone-based information, but incorrect or inapplicable programming information may be included due to inconsistent broadcast schedules across different locations within the same time zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments programming information into two distinct categories: national programming (consistently aired across all content streams in the time zone) and local programming (inconsistently aired). This segmentation allows the system to apply different inclusion rules to each category, resolving the contradiction by maintaining simplicity for national programming while ensuring accuracy through selective filtering of local programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of programming consistency across content streams before presenting information to users. By pre-determining which programs are nationally aired versus locally aired, the system prepares the information in advance, allowing it to provide accurate time zone-based listings without needing to perform complex real-time analysis when generating user displays.
2Quantity of substance
If all programming listings within a time zone are included, then comprehensive programming information is provided, but the display may include incorrect information for programs not consistently carried across the time zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and identifies national programming from the complete set of programming listings by analyzing consistency across content streams. It then separates national programming (which is included in user displays) from local programming (which is excluded or handled differently). This extraction process maintains completeness for nationally available programs while removing inaccurate local programming information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where programming information is analyzed against actual broadcast consistency data across multiple content streams. This feedback loop allows the system to determine which programs are reliably aired throughout the time zone and adjust the information provided to users accordingly, ensuring both completeness and accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and methods that select programming information for inclusion in informational displays. In one example, for a particular instance of content stream associated with a content distributor carrying a version of the program at a particular air time, the information retrieval system can determine whether such instance constitutes local programming or national programming. As one example, the system can determine whether a first version of a program is local programming or national programming based at least in part on a comparison of a first content stream that includes the first version of the program with at least one other content stream that is associated with a same content distributor and also associated with a time zone associated with a user.