Patent ID: 7523156

Claim:
A computer implemented method of scheduling for play of media contents, comprising: (a) accessing a content in a database; (b) generating schedule data by inputting preferences to a scheduling algorithm, the scheduling algorithm being based on predetermined methods of processing input preferences relating to at least two parameters selected from the group including frequency of play, interval, time of play, trigger events, and category filtering; (c) building an internal scheduling data structure from a schedule database that includes the schedule data; (d) processing external scheduling inputs; (e) selecting and playing the content by (e1) processing non-interrupting and non-standard items of the content to generate a priority queue including items that are not interrupting to get displayed; (e2) determining whether or not there is any item in the priority queue; and if the determination in step (e2) is negative, (e3) calculating scheduling priorities for standard items of the content; (e4) selecting one of the standard items; and (e5) playing the selected item, and if the determination in step (e2) is positive, (e6) selecting a first item in the priority queue and removing the first item from the priority queue; and (e7) playing the selected item; and (f) determining whether or not the schedule database has been updated, wherein, if the schedule database has been updated, further comprising the step of returning to step (c), and wherein, if the schedule database has not been updated, further comprising the step of returning to step (d).