Distributed database management system

• US 9,552,383 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2014
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TiVo Solutions Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TiVo Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Beach, Brian, Platt, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIO, TAT CHI
• Application Number:
  US14/550,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20150106328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1417 Boot up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2094 Redundant storage or storage space G06F11/2056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2097 maintaining the standby controller/processing unit updated initialisation or re-synchronisation thereof G06F11/1658 and subgroups
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/219 Managing data history or versioning querying versioned data G06F16/2474; querying temporal data G06F16/2477
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2246 Trees, e.g. B+trees
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2471 Distributed queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/256 in federated or virtual databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/282 Hierarchical databases, e.g. IMS, LDAP data stores or Lotus Notes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/285 Clustering or classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/80 Database-specific techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/82 Solving problems relating to consistency
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/005 Reproducing at a different information rate from the information rate of recording for television signals H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/032 on tapes G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/036 Insert-editing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 : for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/108 : characterised by resources being split in blocks or fragments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2181 : comprising remotely distributed storage units, e.g. when movies are replicated over a plurality of video servers distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS], H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23109 : by placing content in organized collections, e.g. EPG data repository details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23113 : involving housekeeping operations for stored content, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; snloading stored programs G06F9/445; housekeeping operations in file systems, e.g. deletion policies G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2351 : involving encryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 : Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 : involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 : involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 : being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2625 : for delaying content or additional data distribution, e.g. because of an extended sport event
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26613 : for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 : Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 : PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42607 : for processing the incoming bitstream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 : by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4335 : Housekeeping operations, e.g. prioritizing content for deletion because of storage space restrictions storage management, e.g. defragmentation G06F3/0604; unloading stored programs G06F9/445; storage management in file systems G06F16/10; buffering arrangements in a network node or in an end terminal in packet networks H04L49/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4353 : involving decryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 : Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4583 : Automatically resolving scheduling conflicts, e.g. when a recording by reservation has been programmed for two programs in the same time slot
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 : on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 : on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/783 : Adaptations for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/79 : Processing of colour television signals in connection with recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 : for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 : involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8063 : using time division multiplex of the PCM audio and PCM video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 : Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A distributed database management system provides a central database resident on a server that contains database objects. Objects, e.g., program guide data, to be replicated are gathered together into distribution packages called “slices,” that are transmitted to client devices. A slice is a subset of the central database which is relevant to clients within a specific domain, such as a geographic region, or under the footprint of a satellite transmitter. The viewer selects television programs and Web content from displayed sections of the program guide data which are recorded to a storage device. The program guide data are used to determine when to start and end recordings. Client devices periodically connect to the server using a phone line and upload information of interest which is combined with information uploaded from other client devices for statistical, operational, or viewing models.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a database system configured to store a central database comprising database objects;

one or more server-side computing devices communicatively coupled to the database system and configured to;

access the central database;

divide the central database into slices, each of the slices comprising at least a portion of one or more of the database objects; and

transmit individual slices of the slices from the one or more server-side computing devices to client-side computing devices;

receive, from the client-side computing devices, data indicating inventories of slices that have been received by the client-side computing devices;

compare the inventories to lists of slices that should have been received by the client-side computing devices;

based on the comparing, identify, for a given client-side computing device, one or more of the slices that should have been received by the given client-side computing device, but have not been received by the given client-side computing device; and

retransmit the one or more of the slices from the server to the given client-side computing device;

said client-side computing devices, communicatively coupled to the one or more server-side computing devices via one or more networks, each client of the client-side computing devices configured to;

receive a set of the slices from the one or more server-side computing devices;

generate a local database of particular database objects from the central database based on the set of slices received by the client; and

transmit data indicating inventories of slices that have been received by the client.

2. The system of claim 1,

wherein the client-side computing devices are configured to generate different local databases based on receiving different combinations of the individual slices, the local databases constituting only portions of the central database, a first client-side computing device of the client-side computing devices storing a first local database of the local databases that comprises a different set of the database objects than found in a second local database of the local databases stored by a second client-side computing device of the client-side computing devices;

wherein the one or more server-side computing devices are further configured to determine which slices to transmit to which of the client-side computing devices.

3. A method comprising:

accessing, at a server, a central database comprising database objects;

dividing the central database into slices, each of the slices comprising at least a portion of one or more of the database objects;

transmitting individual slices of the slices from the server to clients;

receiving, from the clients, data indicating inventories of slices that have been received by the clients;

comparing the inventories to lists of slices that should have been received by the clients;

based on the comparing, identifying, for a given client, one or more of the slices that should have been received by the given client, but have not been received by the given client;

retransmitting the one or more of the slices from the server to the given client.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining which slices to transmit to which of the clients, wherein the clients are configured to generate local databases of objects from the central database based on different combinations of the individual slices, the local databases constituting only portions of the central database, a first client of the clients storing a first local database of the local databases that comprises a different set of the database objects than found in a second local database of the local databases stored by a second client of the clients.

5. The method of claim 3, the clients configured to add certain database objects received in the slices to local databases at the clients, and delete the certain database objects from the local databases based on expiration data and/or reference tracking data.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating updated versions of the slices on a recurring basis and transmitting the updated versions to the clients.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising dividing an individual slice into packets for transmission, the clients configured to rebuild the individual slice from the packets.

8. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining how to divide the database into slices based upon a transmission mechanism by which the slices are to be transmitted to the clients.

9. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmitting the slices in a repeating carousel over one or more broadcast mechanisms.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the database objects comprise objects representative of television programming data.

11. The method of claim 3, further comprising dividing the database objects into slices based on identifying database objects that are relevant to a specific geographic area, the geographic area corresponding to a geographic region or a footprint of a satellite transponder.

12. The method of claim 3, further comprising dividing the database objects into slices based on identifying database objects that are relevant to a specific event or interest group.

13. The method of claim 3, further comprising iteratively determining how to divide the database objects into slices based on feedback information from the clients.

14. The method of claim 3, further comprising encrypting each of the individual slices prior to transmission.

15. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause performance of:

accessing, at a server, a central database comprising database objects;

dividing the central database into slices, each of the slices comprising at least a portion of one or more of the database objects;

transmitting individual slices of the slices from the server to clients;

receiving, from the clients, data indicating inventories of slices that have been received by the clients;

comparing the inventories to lists of slices that should have been received by the clients;

based on the comparing, identifying, for a given client, one or more of the slices that should have been received by the given client, but have not been received by the given client;

retransmitting the one or more of the slices from the server to the given client.

16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15,

wherein the clients are configured to generate different local databases based on receiving different combinations of the individual slices, the local databases constituting only portions of the central database, a first client of the clients storing a first local database of the local databases that comprises a different set of the database objects than found in a second local database of the local databases stored by a second client of the clients;

wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause determining which slices to transmit to which of the clients.

17. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the clients are further configured to add certain database objects received in the slices to local databases at the clients, and delete the certain database objects from the local databases based on expiration data and/or reference tracking data.

18. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause generating updated versions of the slices on a recurring basis and transmitting the updated versions to the clients.

19. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause iteratively determining how to divide the database objects into slices based on feedback information from the clients.

20. A system comprising:

a subsystem, implemented at least partially by computing hardware, configured to access, at a server, a central database comprising database objects;

a subsystem, implemented at least partially by computing hardware, configured to divide the central database into slices, each of the slices comprising at least a portion of one or more of the database objects;

a subsystem, implemented at least partially by computing hardware, configured to transmit individual slices of the slices from the server to clients;

a subsystem, implemented at least partially by computing hardware, configured to receive, from the clients, data indicating inventories of slices that have been received by the clients;

a subsystem, implemented at least partially by computing hardware, configured to compare the inventories to lists of slices that should have been received by the clients;

a subsystem, implemented at least partially by computing hardware, configured to based on the comparing, identify, for a given client, one or more of the slices that should have been received by the given client, but have not been received by the given client;

a subsystem, implemented at least partially by computing hardware, configured to retransmit the one or more of the slices from the server to the given client.

21. The system of claim 20,

wherein the clients are configured to generate different local databases based on receiving different combinations of the individual slices, the local databases constituting only portions of the central database, a first client of the clients storing a first local database of the local databases that comprises a different set of the database objects than found in a second local database of the local databases stored by a second client of the clients;

further comprising a subsystem, implemented at least partially by computing hardware, configured to determine which slices to transmit to which of the clients.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the clients are further configured to add certain database objects received in the slices to local databases at the clients, and delete the certain database objects from the local databases based on expiration data and/or reference tracking data.

23. The system of claim 20, further comprising a subsystem, implemented at least partially by computing hardware, configured to generate updated versions of the slices on a recurring basis and transmit the updated versions to the clients.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the clients are digital video recorders, wherein the database objects comprise objects representative of television programming data.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the one or more server-side computing devices are further configured to iteratively determine how to divide the database objects into slices based on feedback information from the clients.