IP Library Granted Patent US 7,971,218
Granted Patent B2
US 7,971,218 · App. 10/265,564 · Granted Jun 28, 2011

Distribution of real-time entertainment scheduling data

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,971,218
App. No.
10/265,564
Granted
Jun 28, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method, system, and software for distributing entertainment scheduling data (e.g., television scheduling data, movie scheduling data, etc.) to end users. Entertainment scheduling data updates are entered into an editorial database and then used to rapidly update a real-time database. A subset of entertainment scheduling data from the real-time database may be transmitted from the real-time database to an end-user database of an end user. The subset may be transmitted across a communication interface (e.g., the Internet) from the real-time database to the end-user database. An intermediate destination (e.g., a File Transfer Protocol server) between the real-time database and the communication interface may be used for temporary parking of the subset.

Claims (17)

1. A method for distributing entertainment scheduling content in real-time from an editorial database to a real-time database, and then to a destination server, and then to an end-user database via a communication link, the distribution to the end-user database being based upon a plurality of end-user selection criteria, the method comprising the following steps:

entering the entertainment scheduling content into the editorial database, wherein the editorial database is recorded in a first computer-readable medium and wherein the entertainment scheduling content comprises new entertainment scheduling data not previously stored in the editorial database and correction entertainment scheduling data intended to replace existing data in the editorial database;

extracting the entertainment scheduling content from the editorial database wherein extraction of the content from the editorial database is based on factors other than a target environment context of any end users;

updating the real-time database with the extracted entertainment scheduling content by pushing via real-time software the entertainment scheduling content from the editorial database to the real-time database, wherein the real-time database is recorded in a second computer-readable medium;

adapting a portion of the entertainment scheduling content stored in the real-time database into an end-user specific dataset by applying a plurality of end-user selection criteria to the entertainment scheduling content stored in the real-time database;

pushing the end-user specific dataset to the destination server, wherein the destination server stores the dataset in a third computer-readable medium;

pulling the dataset from the destination server to the end-user database wherein the dataset is pulled to the end-user database via pull software running on the end user database, wherein the end-user database is recorded in a fourth computer-readable medium, the end-user database corresponds to the end-user selection criteria, and the dataset is adapted to be transmitted to the end-user database via the communication link between the destination server and the end-user database; and

updating the end-user database with the dataset without logical modification of the dataset.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein entering the entertainment scheduling content into the editorial database ends at time T 1 and updating the real-time database with the extracted entertainment scheduling content ends at time T 2 , wherein T 2 -T 1 does not exceed about 240 minutes.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating N times said updating the real-time database with additional entertainment scheduling content derived from the editorial database, wherein N is at least 1, wherein for each updating, ΔT indicates T 2 -T 1 for the respective updating, wherein ΔT AVE is the statistical average computed as Σ(ΔT)/N, and wherein ΔT AVE does not exceed about 10 minutes.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the statistical average is an arithmetic average.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said updating comprises multi-threaded updating of said real-time database with said content.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said entertainment scheduling data comprises television program scheduling data, and wherein said entertainment scheduling content comprises television program scheduling content.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said entertainment scheduling data comprises movie-theatre scheduling data, and wherein said entertainment scheduling content comprises movie-theatre scheduling content.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said entertainment scheduling data comprises scheduling data selected from the group consisting of sports events scheduling data, musical performance scheduling data, and live theatre scheduling data, and wherein said entertainment scheduling content comprises scheduling content selected from the group consisting of sports events scheduling content, musical performance scheduling content, and live theatre scheduling content.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the destination server is a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication link comprises the Internet.

Assignments (19)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2026
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 074516/0114 →
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063605/0001 →
RELEASE (REEL 053473 / FRAME 0001) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063603/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063574/0632 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063561/0381 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063560/0547 →
RELEASE (REEL 042262 / FRAME 0601) Recorded Oct 13, 2022
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 061748/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 RECORDED ON 6-9-2020 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053473 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 7, 2020
From: A.C. NIELSEN (ARGENTINA) S.A.; A.C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A
Reel/Frame 054066/0064 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2020
From: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NIELSEN UK FINANCE I, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053473/0001 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 13, 2017
From: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042262/0601 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 11, 2017
From: TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC
To: GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 042231/0174 →
CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION Recorded Apr 11, 2017
From: TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
To: TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 042228/0212 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Feb 8, 2017
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; CASTTV INC.; TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; TRIBUNE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 041656/0804 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST 029818/0180 Recorded Jan 24, 2014
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TRIBUNE COMPANY; BLUE LYNX MEDIA, LLC; CA-4655 FRUITRIDGE ROAD, LLC; CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY NEWS, LLC; CA-LOS ANGELES TIMES SQUARE, LLC; CA-OLYMPIC PLANT, LLC; CA-ORANGE COUNTY PLANT, LLC; CASTTV INC.; CHICAGO TRIBUNE COMPANY, LLC; CHICAGOLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC; CHICAGOLAND TELEVISION NEWS, LLC; CLASSIFIED VENTURES HOLDCO, LLC; CO-1006 LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN ROAD, LLC; CO-6160 SOUTH WABASH WAY, LLC; CT-121 WAWARME AVENUE, LLC; CT-285 BROAD STREET, LLC; CT-WTIC, LLC; FL-633 NORTH ORANGE AVENUE, LLC; FL-DEERFIELD PLANT, LLC; FL-ORLANDO SENTINEL, LLC; FORSALEBYOWNER.COM REFERRAL SERVICES, LLC; FORSALEBYOWNER.COM, LLC; HOY PUBLICATIONS, LLC; IL-11201 FRANKLIN AVENUE, LLC; IL-16400 SOUTH 105TH COURT, LLC; IL-2501 WEST BRADLEY PLACE, LLC; IL-3249 NORTH KILPATRICK, LLC; IL-3722 VENTURA DRIVE, LLC; IL-700 WEST CHICAGO AVENUE, LLC; IL-720 ROHLWING ROAD, LLC; IL-FREEDOM CENTER, LLC; IL-TRIBUNE TOWER, LLC; IN-2350 WESTLANE ROAD, LLC; IN-6910 NETWORK PLACE, LLC; INTERNET FORECLOSURE SERVICE, LLC; IN-TRAFALGAR WTTV, LLC; IN-WINDFALL WTTV, LLC; KDAF, LLC; KIAH, LLC; KPLR, INC.; KRCW, LLC; KSWB, LLC; KTLA, LLC; KTXL, LLC; KWGN, LLC; LOCAL PRO PLUS REALTY, LLC; LOS ANGELES TIMES COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; MAGIC T MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC; MD-10 HAYS STREET, LLC; MD-10750 LITTLE PATUXENT PARKWAY, LLC; MD-3400 CARLINS PARK DRIVE, LLC; MD-NORTH CALVERT STREET, LLC; MD-SUN PARK, LLC; MI-3117 PLAZA DRIVE, LLC; MI-DAVIS ROAD, LLC; OAK BROOK PRODUCTIONS, LLC; OR-10255 SW ARCTIC DRIVE, LLC; ORLANDO SENTINEL COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, LLC; PA-2005 SOUTH QUEEN STREET, LLC; PA-5001 WYNNEFIELD AVENUE, LLC; PA-550 EAST ROCK ROAD, LLC; PA-MORNING CALL, LLC; RIVERWALK CENTER I, JOINT VENTURE; RIVERWALK HOLDCO II, LLC; RIVERWALK HOLDCO, LLC; SUN-SENTINEL COMPANY, LLC; THE BALTIMORE SUN COMPANY, LLC; THE DAILY PRESS, LLC; THE HARTFORD COURANT COMPANY, LLC; THE MORNING CALL, LLC; TMS NEWS AND FEATURES, LLC; TOWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, LLC; TOWERING T MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE (FN) CABLE VENTURES, LLC; TRIBUNE 365, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING HARTFORD, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING INDIANAPOLIS, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING SEATTLE, LLC; TRIBUNE DIRECT MARKETING, LLC; TRIBUNE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE INTERACTIVE, LLC; TRIBUNE INVESTMENTS, LLC; TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES LONDON, LLC; TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; TRIBUNE NATIONAL MARKETING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS, LLC; TRIBUNE TELEVISION NEW ORLEANS, INC.; TRIBUNE WASHINGTON BUREAU, LLC; TX-7700 WESTPARK DRIVE, LLC; TX-8001 JOHN CARPENTER FREEWAY, LLC; VA-216 IRONBOUND ROAD, LLC; VA-DAILY PRESS, LLC; WA-1813 WESTLAKE AVENUE, LLC; WDCW, LLC; WGN CONTINENTAL BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC; WPHL, LLC; WPIX, LLC; WPMT, LLC; WSFL, LLC; WXMI, LLC
Reel/Frame 032121/0068 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST 029557/0903 Recorded Jan 24, 2014
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 032121/0147 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 23, 2014
From: TRIBUNE COMPANY; CASTTV INC.; CHICAGO TRIBUNE COMPANY, LLC; CHICAGOLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC; LOS ANGELES TIMES COMMUNICATIONS LLC; SUN-SENTINEL COMPANY, LLC; THE BALTIMORE SUN COMPANY, LLC; THE HARTFORD COURANT COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC; TRIBUNE INTERACTIVE, LLC; TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE TELEVISION NEW ORLEANS, INC.; WDCW, LLC; WGN CONTINENTAL BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032125/0204 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 15, 2013
From: TRIBUNE COMPANY; BLUE LYNX MEDIA, LLC; CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY NEWS, LLC; CASTTV INC.; CHICAGO TRIBUNE COMPANY, LLC; CHICAGOLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC; CHICAGOLAND TELEVISION NEWS, LLC; CLASSIFIED VENTURES HOLDCO, LLC; FORSALEBYOWNER.COM REFERRAL SERVICES, LLC; FORSALEBYOWNER.COM, LLC; HOY PUBLICATIONS, LLC; INTERNET FORECLOSURE SERVICE, LLC; KDAF, LLC; KIAH, LLC; KPLR, INC.; KRCW, LLC; KSWB, LLC; KTLA, LLC; KTXL, LLC; KWGN, LLC; LOCAL PRO PLUS REALTY, LLC; LOS ANGELES TIMES COMMUNICATIONS LLC; MAGIC T MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC; OAK BROOK PRODUCTIONS, LLC; ORLANDO SENTINEL COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, LLC; RIVERWALK CENTER I JOINT VENTURE; RIVERWALK HOLDCO, LLC; SUN-SENTINEL COMPANY, LLC; THE BALTIMORE SUN COMPANY, LLC; THE DAILY PRESS, LLC; THE HARTFORD COURANT COMPANY, LLC; THE MORNING CALL, LLC; TMS NEWS AND FEATURES, LLC; TOWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, LLC; TOWERING T MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE 365, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING HARTFORD, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING INDIANAPOLIS, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING SEATTLE, LLC; TRIBUNE DIRECT MARKETING, LLC; TRIBUNE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE (FN) CABLE VENTURES, LLC; TRIBUNE INTERACTIVE, LLC; TRIBUNE INVESTMENTS, LLC; TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES LONDON, LLC; TRIBUNE NATIONAL MARKETING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE TELEVISION NEW ORLEANS, INC.; TRIBUNE WASHINGTON BUREAU, LLC; WDCW, LLC; WGN CONTINENTAL BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC; WPHL, LLC; WPIX, LLC; WPMT, LLC; WSFL, LLC; WXMI, LLC; TRIBUNE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS, LLC; CA-4655 FRUITRIDGE ROAD, LLC; CA-LOS ANGELES TIMES SQUARE, LLC; CA-OLYMPIC PLANT, LLC; CA-ORANGE COUNTY PLANT, LLC; CO-1006 LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN ROAD, LLC; CO-6160 SOUTH WABASH WAY, LLC; CT-121 WAWARME AVENUE, LLC; CT-285 BROAD STREET, LLC; CT-WTIC, LLC; FL-633 NORTH ORANGE AVENUE, LLC; FL-DEERFIELD PLANT, LLC; FL-ORLANDO SENTINEL, LLC; IL-11201 FRANKLIN AVENUE, LLC; IL-16400 SOUTH 105TH COURT, LLC; IL-2501 WEST BRADLEY PLACE, LLC; IL-3249 NORTH KILPATRICK, LLC; IL-3722 VENTURA DRIVE, LLC; IL-700 WEST CHICAGO AVENUE, LLC; IL-720 ROHLWING ROAD, LLC; IL-FREEDOM CENTER, LLC; IL-TRIBUNE TOWER, LLC; IN-2350 WESTLANE ROAD, LLC; IN-6910 NETWORK PLACE, LLC; IN-TRAFALGAR WTTV, LLC; IN-WINDFALL WTTV, LLC; MD-10 HAYS STREET, LLC; MD-10750 LITTLE PATUXENT PARKWAY, LLC; MD-3400 CARLINS PARK DRIVE, LLC; MD-NORTH CALVERT STREET, LLC; MD-SUN PARK, LLC; MI-3117 PLAZA DRIVE, LLC; MI-DAVIS ROAD, LLC; OR-10255 SW ARCTIC DRIVE, LLC; PA-2005 SOUTH QUEEN STREET, LLC; PA-5001 WYNNEFIELD AVENUE, LLC; PA-550 EAST ROCK ROAD, LLC; PA-MORNING CALL, LLC; RIVERWALK HOLDCO II, LLC; TX-7700 WESTPARK DRIVE, LLC; TX-8001JOHN CARPENTER FREEWAY, LLC; VA-216 IRONBOUND ROAD, LLC; VA-DAILY PRESS, LLC; WA-1813 WESTLAKE AVENUE, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 029818/0180 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 31, 2012
From: TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 029557/0903 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2002
From: CUSHING, MICHAEL P.; EVANS, GARY L.; SHANNON, BRYAN A.; STRONG, KELLY A.; WARD, BRIAN J.; WHITE, MELISSA E.
To: TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 013373/0252 →