TV Channel Scheduling via Abstract Time Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional TV channel scheduling systems struggle to accommodate cultural and time zone differences across regions, leading to scheduling conflicts and inefficiencies when broadcasting television programs globally.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable TV channel schedulers to map linear television programs to abstract viewing time periods and adjust them based on cultural knowledge, using a system with central and regional broadcasting facilities to generate concrete schedules for specific geographical areas by aligning abstract schedules with regional viewing time periods and resolving conflicts through weighting rules and filler content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional broadcast television program scheduling maps content to linear time based on peak viewing periods, then viewer exposure is maximized during high-demand periods, but scheduling conflicts arise when accommodating different time zones and cultural viewing habits across regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling system into abstract schedule creation (generic content sequencing) and concrete schedule generation (region-specific time mapping). This allows the system to handle multiple regions with different time zones and cultural habits independently while maintaining a unified content library, resolving the conflict between maximizing viewer exposure and accommodating regional differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary abstract schedule layer that acts as a mediator between content creation and regional distribution. This abstract schedule defines content sequences independently of specific times, allowing flexible adaptation to various time zones and cultural viewing periods without creating scheduling conflicts.
2Ease of operation
If a unified linear time schedule is used across all regions, then scheduling simplicity is maintained, but cultural differences and time zone variations cause scheduling conflicts and reduced effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduling process is segmented into two independent stages: abstract schedule creation (simple, unified) and concrete schedule generation (complex, region-specific). This segmentation maintains scheduling simplicity at the abstract level while ensuring reliability at the regional level through automated time zone and cultural habit adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the concrete schedule based on regional parameters such as time zone, cultural viewing habits, and local holidays. The abstract schedule remains static and simple, while the concrete schedule automatically adjusts to local conditions, maintaining both simplicity and effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If abstract schedules are mapped to local time based on cultural knowledge, then cultural sensitivity and local optimization are achieved, but system complexity increases due to multiple parameters and mapping rules
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments complexity management by separating abstract schedule definitions from concrete time mapping. Cultural knowledge and mapping rules are applied only in the concrete schedule generation phase, allowing the abstract schedule to remain simple while achieving cultural sensitivity through automated parameter-based adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes to manage complexity by defining regional characteristics (time zone, cultural viewing periods, holidays) as configurable parameters. These parameters automatically adjust the concrete schedule without requiring complex hard-coded rules, achieving cultural sensitivity through flexible parameter management.
4Measurement precision
If regional viewing time periods are identified by comparing regional parameters to channel parameters, then accurate local scheduling is achieved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of regional viewing time periods by comparing regional parameters to channel parameters during the concrete schedule generation phase. This preliminary action pre-processes and caches the mapping relationships, reducing computational overhead for actual schedule generation and minimizing processing time while maintaining high scheduling accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method implemented on a computing device includes: retrieving a set of channel parameters, the set of channel parameters defining a television channel schedule made of a plurality of viewing time periods; retrieving a set of regional parameters relevant to a geographical area, the set of regional parameters defining at least one regional viewing time period of a first duration; identifying a viewing time period from the plurality of viewing time periods relevant to the at least one regional viewing time period by comparing the regional parameters to the channel parameters; retrieving an abstract schedule associated with the identified viewing time period, where the abstract schedule is a pro forma schedule of programs having a second duration and comprising a set of program content items; and generating a concrete television schedule for the at least one regional viewing time period, where the concrete television schedule is a an instantiated finalized schedule produced by mapping the second duration to the first duration and rearranging the set of program content items of the retrieved abstract schedule.