Generating schedules for synchronizing bulk data transfers to end node devices in a multimedia network
First Claim
1. A promotion scheduling process for generating schedules notifying end node devices in advance of data transfer, comprising:
- selecting a set of promotion packages from a database, the selected set of promotion packages being sent as subsequent bulk data transfers;
generating transmission schedules for end node devices from the selected set of promotion packages prior to the subsequent bulk data transfers being sent, each transmission schedule customized for an individual end node device, the transmission schedules preparing each end node device on an individual basis for receiving the subsequent bulk data transfers in advance of the subsequent bulk data transfers being sent;
addressing each customized transmission schedule as an individual message to be received by an individual end node device; and
individually transmitting each of the customized transmission schedules as an individual message to each of the end node devices prior to the subsequent bulk data transfers being sent,wherein the step of generating transmission schedules further comprises;
selecting a promotion identified in a package;
determining the end node devices targeted for the promotion; and
adding a schedule entry for each device targeted for the promotion, the schedule entry specifying promotion control data, the promotion control data identifies the promotion and specifies transmission parameters for the promotion; and
wherein the transmission parameters specified in the schedule entry comprise a package transmission start time, transmission duration, and a network address for selectively receiving promotions from a data transmission.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Promotions may be targeted to one or more device groups. A promotion/device group set relation is maintained for each promotion indicating the device groups to which each promotion should be sent. A device group corresponds to a statistically categorized group of end node devices (e.g. set top boxes) based on demographics or viewership history. A device group may be further subcategorized to include one or more transmission groups corresponding to the physical characteristics of the end node devices (e.g. hardware, memory capacity). A promotion server creates a package containing the promotion for each transmission group of the device group. If a package for a particular transmission group is already created and has sufficient available space, the promotion is simply added to the package. Therefore, a package created for a transmission group may hold promotions intended for different device groups even though not all of the promotions are targeted for the same devices. A schedule process then analyzes a set of packages, building a schedule for each end node device, ultimately assigning promotion identification, transmission times, port numbers, and/or multicast IP addresses for specific device groups. Schedule messages are then send out individually to each end node, so that the expected broadcast (multicast) message time, port, and IP address information is known by each device for each of the promotions which are intended for it to receive. The packaged promotions are then sent via bulk data transmission to the end nodes which is initiated by the generation and delivery of transmission requests to bulk data servers on the network.
100 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A promotion scheduling process for generating schedules notifying end node devices in advance of data transfer, comprising:
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selecting a set of promotion packages from a database, the selected set of promotion packages being sent as subsequent bulk data transfers; generating transmission schedules for end node devices from the selected set of promotion packages prior to the subsequent bulk data transfers being sent, each transmission schedule customized for an individual end node device, the transmission schedules preparing each end node device on an individual basis for receiving the subsequent bulk data transfers in advance of the subsequent bulk data transfers being sent; addressing each customized transmission schedule as an individual message to be received by an individual end node device; and individually transmitting each of the customized transmission schedules as an individual message to each of the end node devices prior to the subsequent bulk data transfers being sent, wherein the step of generating transmission schedules further comprises; selecting a promotion identified in a package; determining the end node devices targeted for the promotion; and adding a schedule entry for each device targeted for the promotion, the schedule entry specifying promotion control data, the promotion control data identifies the promotion and specifies transmission parameters for the promotion; and wherein the transmission parameters specified in the schedule entry comprise a package transmission start time, transmission duration, and a network address for selectively receiving promotions from a data transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A promotion scheduling system for generating schedules notifying end node devices in advance of data transfer, comprising:
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a promotion manager server; the promotion manager server selecting a set of promotion packages from a database, the selected set of promotion packages being sent as subsequent bulk data transfers; the promotion manager server generating transmission schedules for end node devices from the selected set of promotions packages prior to the subsequent bulk data transfers being sent, each transmission schedule customized for an individual end node device, the transmission schedules preparing each end node device on an individual basis for receiving the subsequent bulk data transfers in advance of the subsequent bulk data transfers being sent; the promotion manager server addressing each customized transmission schedule as an individual message to be received by an individual end node device; and the promotion manager server individually transmitting each of the customized transmission schedules as an individual message to each of the end node devices prior to the subsequent bulk data transfers being sent, wherein generating transmission schedules further comprises; selecting a promotion identified in a package; determining the end node devices targeted for the promotion; and adding a schedule entry for each device for the promotion, the schedule entry specifying promotion control data, the promotion control data identifies the promotion and specifies transmission parameters for the promotion; and wherein the transmission parameters specified in the schedule entry comprise a package transmission start time, transmission duration, and a network address for selectively receiving promotion from a data transmission. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification