Time Zone Specific Streaming Content Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack effective tools for scheduling video content that can be streamed on-demand across different time zones, failing to accommodate hybrid models of media consumption that combine traditional broadcast scheduling with on-demand services.
Innovation Solution
A networked, programmatic method for scheduling video content that allows clients to request and manage schedules for multiple time zones by sending and receiving schedule requests, responses, and updates, including episode attributes and time zone information, enabling users to create and modify schedules for various geographic locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional tape delays are used to synchronize content broadcast across time zones, then content can be viewed at reasonable hours in different time zones, but broadcasting costs increase and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copying of content to replace physical tape delays. Instead of creating and transporting physical tape copies to different locations for delayed broadcast, the system digitally copies content and stores it in a database, allowing any user to access the copied content on-demand at any time zone without complex physical distribution infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical tape delay system with an electronic database-based system. The mechanical process of physically transporting and playing back taped content is substituted with electronic storage and digital retrieval, eliminating the need for physical tape handling, storage facilities, and synchronized playback mechanisms across different locations.
2Ease of operation
If on-demand services are used to allow flexible content access, then users can view content at any time, but traditional scheduling models become irrelevant and a new hybrid model lacks supporting tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system that combines both traditional scheduling and on-demand access functionalities. The database stores content with metadata including scheduled broadcast times, while the interface allows users to either view content according to traditional schedules or access it on-demand, making the system adaptable to both viewing models without requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic scheduling system where content release times can be specified in one time zone and automatically adjusted for other time zones. The system dynamically determines whether to present scheduled content or on-demand content based on user location and preferences, allowing the scheduling model to adapt flexibly to different user needs and geographic contexts.
3Reliability
If content is scheduled for specific broadcast times in traditional models, then content can be viewed at reasonable hours across time zones, but users lose flexibility in accessing content on their own schedules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-storing content in the database with associated metadata including scheduled broadcast times and time zone information before users need to access it. This allows the system to have traditional broadcast schedules pre-established and available, while simultaneously allowing users to access the already-prepared content on-demand without waiting for scheduled broadcast times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables users to serve themselves by allowing direct access to content in the database without requiring adherence to traditional broadcast schedules. Users can independently choose when to view content based on their own convenience, while the system automatically handles the complexity of time zone conversions and schedule management in the background.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of content scheduling are disclosed in this application. Methods of the inventive subject matter facilitate scheduling of streaming content that is hosted on websites such as YouTube and Vimeo. Schedules can be different based on the time zone in which a client computer attempts to access the content on the schedule. Methods disclosed in this application make it easy to quickly schedule an entire season of a show to run during a time period based on time zone. Methods disclosed in this application also facilitate modifying, creating, or implementing channel schedules across one or more time zones, where the channel schedule includes episodes of video content.