Patent ID: 8544036
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: G06Q,H04H,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for scheduling broadcast commercials prior to broadcast, the method comprising: via a computer processing circuit: receiving a listing of a plurality of commercials; receiving scheduling criteria; implementing a goal program for scheduling the plurality of commercials, wherein the goal program weights a first factor of the scheduling criteria greater than a second factor of the scheduling criteria; and automatically generating a schedule for the plurality of commercials within a list of commercial slots based on at least the goal program and the scheduling criteria, wherein the schedule reduces a plurality of conflicts, and wherein automatically generating the schedule comprises heuristically re-ordering commercials within the list of commercial slots; wherein the re-ordering comprises re-ordering the plurality of commercials such that a first subset of a client's commercials are in an initial position within a commercial break, a second subset of the client's commercials are in at least one middle position within a commercial break, and a third subset of the client's commercials are in a final position within a commercial break, such that an equitable rotation of the client's commercials from the plurality of commercials may be placed in the initial position, middle position, and the final position; and wherein the client is a purchaser of at least one commercial slot in the list of commercial slots.