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US6437802B1
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Throttler for rapid start-up of a broadcast automation system
Assignee: NBCUniversal Media LLC
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Filing: 1999-07-14
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Granted: 2002-08-20
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Expires: 2019-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A throttler method for rapid start-up for use with broadcast automation systems. A throttler loads an initial playlist while also accepting editing commands. The throttler interleaves these events and commands and generates and modifies the playlist of scheduled events. The throttler sends the events to a broadcast automation system for execution which drives audio and video devices based on the scheduled events, allowing the editing commands to be interleaved with non-editing commands. For unprocessed editing command, a command pair of up to two pieces of information are maintained: one deletion command and one insertion command. Each command, or event, has a unique “event identifier” and is hashed into a rapidly accessible priority queue table, according to urgency.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin Bernard Kenny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H60/00; H04H60/02; H04H60/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A throttler used for rapid start-up of a broadcast automation system comprising: means for loading a playlist containing a schedule of events; means for accepting a plurality of editing and non-editing commands; means for interleaving the acceptance of said editing commands with said non-editing commands; and means for presenting said editing commands and non-editing commands and said playlist to said broadcast automation system, wherein said presenting means presents said editing commands, non-editing commands and playlist in a manner that permits said broadcast automation system to interleave the processing of said editing commands and non-editing commands with execution of the playlist.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A throttler used for rapid start-up of a broadcast automation system comprising: means for loading a playlist containing a schedule of events; means for accepting a plurality of editing and non-editing commands; means for interleaving the acceptance of said editing commands with said non-editing commands; and means for presenting said editing commands and non-editing commands and said playlist to said broadcast automation system, wherein said presenting means presents said editing commands, non-editing commands and playlist in a manner that permits said broadcast automation system to interleave the processing of said editing commands and non-editing commands with execution of the playlist.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A throttler as recited in claim 1 , wherein said editing commands are either insertion or deletion commands.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A throttler as recited in claim 2 , wherein each event in the playlist comprises a command pair of no more than one insertion command and no more than one deletion command and a unique event identifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A throttler as recited in claim 3 , wherein each of said command pairs is stored in a rapidly accessible priority queue ordered by urgency of each event in said playlist.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A throttler as recited in claim 4 , wherein each of said command pairs is addressable by either said event identifier or as a lead element in said priority queue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A throttler as. recited in claim 5 , wherein said priority queue allows deletion of a command pair identified by said event identifier anywhere within said priority queue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A throttler as recited in claim 1 , wherein said interleaving means comprises: means for accepting editing commands, and means for draining commands by mediating delivery of said accepted editing commands to said broadcast automation system.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for throttling commands for rapid start-up of a broadcast automation system, said method comprising the steps of: loading a playlist containing a schedule of events; receiving commands from external interfaces; determining whether said received commands are editing or non-editing commands; forwarding non-editing commands to said broadcast automation system; filling and rescheduling said playlist with said editing commands; and draining said rescheduled playlist of editing commands to said broadcast automation system in a manner that permits said broadcast automation system to interleave the processing of said editing commands and non-editing commands with execution of the playlist.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for throttling commands for rapid start-up of a broadcast automation system, said method comprising the steps of: loading a playlist containing a schedule of events; receiving commands from external interfaces; determining whether said received commands are editing or non-editing commands; forwarding non-editing commands to said broadcast automation system; filling and rescheduling said playlist with said editing commands; and draining said rescheduled playlist of editing commands to said broadcast automation system in a manner that permits said broadcast automation system to interleave the processing of said editing commands and non-editing commands with execution of the playlist.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method for throttling commands as recited in claim 8 , wherein said draining step may interrupt said filling step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for throttling commands as recited in claim 8 , wherein said filling step or said broadcast automation system enable said draining step.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for throttling commands as recited in claim 8 , wherein said editing commands are either insertion or deletion commands.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 11 , wherein each event in the playlist comprises a command pair of no more than one insertion command and no more than one deletion command and a unique event identifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 12 , wherein each of said command pairs is stored in a rapidly accessible priority queue ordered by urgency of each event in said playlist.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 13 , wherein each of said command pairs is addressable by either said event identifier or as a lead element in said priority queue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 14 , wherein said priority queue allows deletion of a command pair identified by said event identifier any where within said priority queue.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |