초록 ▼

A method for assembling data by sorting and filtering new data records and old data records, such as data records that an Electronic Program Guide data provider typically transmits to a head end of a cable television system. New incoming data records are combined with existing stored data records to

A method for assembling data by sorting and filtering new data records and old data records, such as data records that an Electronic Program Guide data provider typically transmits to a head end of a cable television system. New incoming data records are combined with existing stored data records to form combined data records. Each of the data records is assigned an array index value. The combined data records are then sorted into one field of multiple fields. Within each field, each sorted data record is compared with other sorted data records and any conflicting data record is removed. The remaining non-conflicting data records are compared within each field and exact duplicate data records are removed from each corresponding field. The remaining processed data records are compared within each field and any older difference duplicate data record is removed. The filtered data records are then transmitted to a database. Because the filtered data records are purified and contain only current information, theoretically, the database will consume all data records. Reducing the number of data records transmitted to the database also reduces the time necessary to process the data records transmitted to the database.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for resolving conflicts among a combination of at least one incoming data record, based upon time, of each data window transmitted to a head end and any existing stored data record and thereby transmitting current information only to a database, the method comprising:(a) re

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for resolving conflicts among a combination of at least one incoming data record, based upon time, of each data window transmitted to a head end and any existing stored data record and thereby transmitting current information only to a database, the method comprising:(a) receiving from a data provider and combining said at least one incoming data record and any existing stored data record to form at least one combined data record;(b) assigning an array index value to at least one of said at least one incoming data record and any existing stored data record;(c) sorting each said combined data record into one of a plurality of fields to form at least one sorted data record;(d) within each of said fields comparing each said sorted data record and removing any conflicting sorted data record leaving at least one non-conflicting data record;(e) within each of said fields comparing each said non-conflicting data record and removing any exact duplicate data record leaving at least one non-conflicting unique data record;(f) within each of said fields comparing each said non-conflicting unique data record and removing any difference duplicate non-conflicting unique data record leaving any remaining non-conflicting unique data record or records;(g) within each of said fields removing any of said remaining non-conflicting unique data record with an array index value less than a lowest array index value of said at least one incoming data record; and(h) transmitting said at least one current non-conflicting unique data record to the database.