CLEAR CHANNEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150089016 | MEDIA ASSET DISTRIBUTION WITH PRIORITIZATION - Media items for broadcast or streaming can be created or otherwise obtained by a media distribution system. The media items can be transferred from the media distribution system to a media delivery system over a communications network, in an order determined by the media distribution system. The media delivery system decides how important the media items being transferred are, based for example, on a broadcast schedule known to the media delivery system; assigns a temporal priority to the media items; and provides feedback to the media distribution system regarding the temporal priority. The media distribution system adjusts the order in which media items are transferred based on the temporal priority feedback from the media delivery system. The media distribution system can provide a list of upcoming media item transfers, to allow the media delivery system to provide feedback before the media items are transmitted. | 03-26-2015 |
20140379427 | INTEGRATED INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MEDIA ADVERTISING - A computer-implemented yield management system and method for media advertising are provided. The system includes demand curve data associated with an availability of advertising time slots. The demand curve data is defined by a function P | 12-25-2014 |
20140358267 | Scheduling Advertising During Restricted Periods - When a request is received from an advertiser to prohibit scheduling advertisements during or near a restricted show, an order entry system can add the advertiser to a list of advertisers specifying prohibitions. An automated media scheduling system can implement rules to prevent advertisements linked to advertisers in the list from being scheduled in spot breaks during the restricted show, and instead schedule advertisements from other advertisers in those spot breaks. Buffers can be established around restricted shows, so that spot breaks near restricted shows can also be restricted. A playout system can perform validation checks to ensure that advertisements from advertisers included in the list are not improperly scheduled. Advertisers, advertisements, shows, or schedule portions can be tagged with blackout attributes to facilitate rule implementation. Subsequent manual changes to a broadcast log with restricted media items can be prevented. | 12-04-2014 |
20140330413 | Unordered Matching of Audio Fingerprints - A method includes receiving an audio fingerprint from a listening device. The method also includes, in response to determining that a portion of a stored audio fingerprint substantially matches a portion of the received audio fingerprint, identifying a longest unordered match between the received audio fingerprint and the stored audio fingerprint that satisfies a similarity threshold. The method further includes, in response to determining that the identified longest unordered match satisfies a length criterion, detecting a match between the received audio fingerprint and the stored audio fingerprint. | 11-06-2014 |
20140317712 | PROVIDING ACCESS TO REGISTERED-USER WEBSITE - A first interface is transmitted from the server computer system to a user computer system, the first interface having a field for entering a mobile telephone number. A mobile phone number entered into the field for the mobile phone number is received from the user computer system at the server computer system. A password is generated and transmitting from the server computer system to a mobile device having a mobile phone number corresponding to the mobile phone number received from the user computer system and a second interface is transmitted from the server computer system to the user computer system, the second interface including a field for entering the password. A follow-up message is transmitted from the server computer system to the mobile device if the password is not received from the user computer system at the server computer system within a predetermined period of time. | 10-23-2014 |
20140317095 | MEDIA BALANCER - One or more target schedules is generated based on a single master schedule. Replacement media items are inserted into a target schedule instead of the corresponding media items from the master schedule. The replacement media items are selected from a list of potential media replacement items scored using a scoring method used by a music scheduling system, as corresponding media items in the master schedule. The length of the media items in the list is checked to see if the length falls within a duration delta of the length of the media item being replaced in the master schedule, and to identify items that meet a minimum score threshold. The highest ranking item from the list that satisfies both the score threshold and the duration delta is selected for insertion in the target schedule. Music scheduling systems, such as GSelector®, can be leveraged to generate and score the list. | 10-23-2014 |
20140304364 | Segmented WANcasting - A content item can be produced at a first system in segments, and some or all of the content item can be transferred to second systems, via transfer of produced segments of the content item. Transfer of produced segments of the content item to second systems, prior to completion of production of the content item at a first processing system, can enable utilization of at least some of the content item by the second systems before production of the content item at the first system is completed. Transfer can be performed in response to determining a correlation between the content item being produced at the first system and a criterion associated with second systems, which can be accessed in response to initiation of production of the content item. Transfer can involve transferring content segments to the remote systems substantially in the order that they are produced at the first system. | 10-09-2014 |
20140304062 | ENTERPRISE DATA RE-MATCHING - A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner. | 10-09-2014 |
20140244655 | MULTI-SHOT SCHEDULING SYSTEM - A Multi-Shot Scheduling System chooses from multiple candidate playlists of positions to select a broadcast playlist. Candidate playlists are generated based upon scoring and selecting content items for the positions through the use of index values. Various embodiments of the Multi-Shot Scheduling System can select broadcast playlists for multiple groups of content and can provide different methods of controlling scheduling performance by restricting the range of candidate playlists from which the best playlist can be selected. | 08-28-2014 |
20140244390 | CUSTOMIZING PERISHABLE CONTENT OF A MEDIA CHANNEL - A user can specify particular news weather, traffic, or other perishable content received on a particular Internet radio station or other media channel. The user can customize the station so that wherever the user is currently located, he can receive perishable content related to a preferred geographic location or other category. In some embodiments, a user can specify that a customized station plays local news from one city at the top of the hour, traffic from another city at 10 minutes past the hour, and music or other content at other times. The user can also customize the station to select the perishable content, or other original content, from the personal libraries of specified users. Thus, a user can customize not only the genre of content or select a particular local station, but can also modify the perishable content provided by the customized station. | 08-28-2014 |
20140236739 | MEDIA DELIVERY TO LIMITED CAPABILITY PLATFORMS - An ad proxy generates a playback manifest for delivery to a destination platform via a content distribution network (CDN). The playback manifest provided to the destination device includes hosted locations, such as network addresses, of both primary media files and advertising content. The playback manifest can also include tracking-calls. The destination platform receives normalized media files associated with the network addresses included in the playback manifest, and plays out those normalized media files during execution of the playback manifest. Tracking-calls can be fired, in accordance with the playback manifest, when part or all of a normalized media file has been played out. The tracking-calls can be used to facilitate calculation of impressions. The destination device need not be capable of differentiating between primary media content and advertising content, thus allowing even limited capability platforms, e.g. integrated automotive platforms, to provide targeted advertising. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236567 | CONTEXTUAL, FOCUS-BASED TRANSLATION FOR BROADCAST AUTOMATION SOFTWARE - Contextual, focus-based language translation within a broadcast radio automation software application allows the user interface to enable interaction with users having various written or graphical language requirements. The software does not require special training or learning to enable the translation of text within the application. When the user enters a translation mode and selects a text string in the original language, the program displays a corresponding text string in a second language based on the specific display area, e.g., child window. The translated text string can be displayed proximate to original first text string within the specific display area, and can further be displayed as an entry in a table of a translation window which also displays additional text strings in the second language corresponding to additional text string fields for the specific display area. | 08-21-2014 |
20140215593 | LOGGING IN A USER MOBILE DEVICE AT A SERVER COMPUTER SYSTEM - The invention provides a computer-based method for logging a user mobile device onto a server computer system including registering a unique identifier of a user mobile device, receiving a first message from the user mobile device, detecting an Internet Protocol address associated with the user mobile device, receiving the unique identifier corresponding to the Internet Protocol address; and transmitting to the user mobile device a second message. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214917 | Custom Voice Track - Local stations can generate their station broadcast logs based on a master broadcast log. In some cases, local stations are allowed to edit some positions, or slots, in their local logs, so that the local logs do not match the master log. This can create complexity when voice tracks for empty voice track slots are provided to the local stations, because voice tracks often reference the media in slots on either side of the empty voice track slots. A display is presented that facilitates recording custom voice tracks by providing indications about which local stations have confirmed receipt of voice tracks, and whether the media items scheduled on either side of the voice track slot in the master log have been changed by the local stations. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214544 | CUSTOMIZED ADVERTISEMENT SCHEDULING - There is disclosed a computerized system and method for scheduling advertising Events which utilizes a set of configurable instructions regarding booking an order which iterates through a series of broadening, configurable criteria and also implements a configurable scoring system for the purpose of comparing multiple Events to determine if one Event is more valuable than the other. | 07-31-2014 |
20140195614 | Third Party Delivery of Preferred Perishable Content - A user can specify particular news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content received on a particular Internet radio station or other media channel. The user can customize the station so that wherever the user is currently located, he can receive perishable content related to a preferred geographic location or other category. In some embodiments, a user can specify that a customized station plays local news from one city at the top of the hour, traffic from another city at 10 minutes past the hour, and music or other content at other times. The user can also customize the station to select the perishable content, or other original content, from the personal libraries of specified users. Thus, a user can customize not only the genre of content or select a particular local station, but can also modify the perishable content provided by the customized station. | 07-10-2014 |
20140134941 | Broadcast Source Identification Based on Matching Broadcast Signal Fingerprints - An end user can sample a radio or television broadcast, generate a user representation of the broadcast sample, and send the user representation to a comparison system, which also receives known representations of content broadcast by multiple different stations. The known representations are stored in a continuous fashion, and represent actually broadcast content. The comparison system identifies the source of the broadcast sample by comparing the user representation to the known representations associated with each of the different stations. By comparing two representations of content that was actually broadcast, a broadcast source can be identified without requiring the use of watermarks, timestamps, or a database of discreet content items. | 05-15-2014 |
20140108141 | Dynamic Audio File Generation - A method of creating a dynamic audio file may comprise associating a tag with an audio file having audio content and the tag may comprise a location file path of a source of the audio content. A method of updating a dynamic audio file may comprise sending a dynamic audio file, receiving a request for updated audio content, and sending the updated audio content in response to the request. In various embodiments, the dynamic audio file may comprise a tag and initial audio content and the tag may comprise a location file path of the audio content. | 04-17-2014 |
20140096175 | Broadcast Synchronization - A first media server delivers content for broadcast via a first media channel, and a second media server delivers media content for broadcast via a second media channel. The first media server operates in a synchronized mode, under control of the second media server during some periods of time, and during other periods of time operates in an independent mode. When operating in the synchronized mode, content delivered by the first and second media servers can be synchronized, so that the timing of spot blocks played on the two servers generally coincides. When the first server operates in the independent mode, the timing of spot blocks and other content broadcast on the first media channel are not synchronized under control of the second media server. | 04-03-2014 |
20140095255 | RADIO STATION MARKET ANALYSIS - A radio station market analysis program extends Cume values for individual stations to multiple stations (for a particular geographic market, a particular demographic, and a particular daypart) according to the formula C=[1−Π | 04-03-2014 |
20140074591 | Automated Advertisement System - An end-to-end automated management system facilitates generation of advertisement proposals, and purchase orders, over one or many media outlets and stations. Once an advertisement proposal is purchased and inserted into a traffic management and billing system, near-real-time performance feedback about the advertisements can be obtained from media consumers through a media presentation application presenting the advertisement, via a social media service, or the like. The consumer feedback and other performance factors, which can be received concurrently with airing of an advertisement, can be considered in determining whether a particular advertisement or an advertising proposal as a whole, is effective in meeting purchaser requirements. Advertisement copy can be changed according to the proposal parameters, without purchaser intervention, to provide near-real-time responsiveness to consumer feedback. | 03-13-2014 |
20140067528 | Split Spot Breaks - Control of a single spot break (or all spot breaks within a predefined time period) can be dynamically split between different ad management servers, and between universal and targeted advertisements. Put another way, the particular type of process used to deliver advertisements (e.g. one-to-many or one-to-one) can be varied within a single spot break. Each portion of a split spot break can be dynamically adjusted in near-real time. If run time of advertisements inserted by an ad management server is either too long or not long enough, control can be passed to the next ad server late, or early, as appropriate. A single spot break (or group of spot breaks) can be split different ways for different stations, or for different tiers of spot breaks. Different spot breaks on the same station can be split differently. | 03-06-2014 |
20140006560 | UNIFYING CONFLICTING MEDIA IDENTIFIERS | 01-02-2014 |
20140006559 | Content Add-In for Media Service | 01-02-2014 |
20130316640 | SCHEDULE SUBSCRIPTION SYSTEM - A subscription system includes a national subscription server capable of tracking which local stations subscribe to particular radio station music formats, for example AC middays, Top 40 afternoons, morning programs, or overnight Contemporary AC. A local music scheduler can query the subscription server for a log of nationally scheduled content to fill one or more dayparts of a local broadcast schedule. The subscription system can determine where to obtain the requested log, and provide the log to the local scheduler for insertion into a particular daypart of the local clock, while leaving the remaining dayparts free for local scheduling. Trusted subscribers can also be permitted to alter portions of log of nationally scheduled items. Inserting the log of nationally scheduled items into the local clock provides local awareness of both local and national media items scheduled for broadcast. | 11-28-2013 |
20130290092 | PROCESSES TO LEARN ENTERPRISE DATA MATCHING - A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner. | 10-31-2013 |
20130254793 | Broadcast Source Identification Based on Matching Via Bit Count - An end user can sample a radio or television broadcast, generate a user representation of the broadcast sample, and send the user representation to a comparison system, which also receives known representations of content broadcast by multiple different stations. The known representations are stored in a continuous fashion, and represent actually broadcast content. The comparison system identifies the source of the broadcast sample by comparing the user representation to the known representations associated with each of the different stations using a bit count method, such as the Hamming distance. By comparing two representations of content that was actually broadcast, a broadcast source can be identified without requiring the use of watermarks, timestamps, or a database of discreet content items. | 09-26-2013 |
20130238754 | Automated content delivery to distributed media outlets - A method can include sending a request to a media content provider requesting media content and receiving the media content and instructions from the media provider. The instructions can be utilized by the media provider to broadcast the media content. The media provider can store the received media content in a database process the instructions then distribute the media content and the instructions to distributed media outlets. The media content provider can receive information indicating that the media content was broadcast by the distributed media outlets according to the instructions. | 09-12-2013 |
20130227578 | Method and System for Controlling a Scheduling Order Per Category in a Music Scheduling System - A system and method for controlling a scheduling order per category is disclosed. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. The scheduling order can be configured to include a forward order per category or a reverse order per category with respect to the playback of the multimedia content in order to control the scheduling order for the eventual airplay of the multimedia content over a radio station or network of associated radio stations. A reverse scheduling technique provides an ideal rotation of songs when a pre-programmed show interferes with a normal rotation. Any rotational compromises can be buried in off-peak audience listening hours of the programming day using the disclosed reverse scheduling technique. | 08-29-2013 |
20130212589 | Method and System for Controlling a Scheduling Order Per Category in a Music Scheduling System - A system and method for controlling a scheduling order per category is disclosed. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc.) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. The scheduling order can be configured to include a forward order per category or a reverse order per category with respect to the playback of the multimedia content in order to control the scheduling order for the eventual airplay of the multimedia content over a radio station or network of associated radio stations. A reverse scheduling technique provides an ideal rotation of songs when a pre-programmed show interferes with a normal rotation. Any rotational compromises can be buried in off-peak audience listening hours of the programming day using the disclosed reverse scheduling technique. | 08-15-2013 |
20130204957 | Method, System, and Graphic User Interface for Enabling a Customer to Access a Media File - A method, system, GUI, apparatus, and computer readable media for enabling a customer to access to a media file uploaded by a user are provided. A user profile may be generated using received login and profile information. The user profile may be hosted on, for example, a web site, SMS/MMS gateway, and a WAP site. A media file may be received from the user and may be upload to the user profile. The media file may be associated with a user account. A request to access the media file may be received from a customer. An account associated with the customer may be updated to indicate their requested access to the media file. The customer may then be enabled to access the media file. The user's account may be updated to indicate the transaction. | 08-08-2013 |
20130137362 | Managing Under-Filled Spot Blocks - Changes to spot blocks to be broadcast via terrestrial stations can cause paid spots to be removed from corresponding spot blocks on a streaming station. If the streaming station has other spot blocks that are under-filled, the bumped spots can be automatically placed in under-filled spot blocks, allowing the bumped to be placed in an under-filled spot block faster than if human intervention was required. A media traffic system can keep track of the bumped spots, and in response to a request by a media automation system, provide a list of potential spots available for inclusion in the under-filled spot blocks. The automation system selects desired spots for placement in under-filled spot blocks, and notifies the traffic system about which potential spots have been placed. The traffic system removes the spots from its list of available spots to prevent selected spots from being included in future responses. | 05-30-2013 |
20130132496 | COMPUTER BASED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOGGING IN A USER MOBILE DEVICE AT A SERVER COMPUTER SYSTEM - The invention provides a computer-based method for logging a user mobile device onto a server computer system including registering a unique identifier of a user mobile device, receiving a first message from the user mobile device, detecting an Internet Protocol address associated with the user mobile device, receiving the unique identifier corresponding to the Internet Protocol address; and transmitting to the user mobile device a second message. | 05-23-2013 |
20130130662 | COMPUTER BASED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOGGING IN A USER MOBILE DEVICE AT A SERVER COMPUTER SYSTEM - The invention provides a computer-based method for logging a user mobile device onto a server computer system including registering a unique identifier of a user mobile device, receiving a first message from the user mobile device, detecting an Internet Protocol address associated with the user mobile device, receiving the unique identifier corresponding to the Internet Protocol address; and transmitting to the user mobile device a second message. | 05-23-2013 |
20130117335 | Playlist-based content assembly - A method of and apparatus for content assembly is provided by which an automation playlist of media events is created, a relationship is defined between the media events, the media events are merged into a composite media event and published. | 05-09-2013 |
20130117101 | ENTERPRISE DATA MATCHING - A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner. | 05-09-2013 |
20130117068 | ENTERPRISE DATA MATCHING - A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner. | 05-09-2013 |
20130097160 | ENTERPRISE DATA MATCHING - A system and method for managing media advertising enterprise data including a process for learning enterprise data matching. An EDM (Enterprise Data Management) application module can be configured to include a set of rules at an enterprise level to manage disparate and disconnected records associated with an entity. A number of unmatched and enterprise entities that matches with respect to an active entity can be returned based on a fuzzy logic associated with various matching options stored in an EDM database. A matching process can then be performed to accurately match similar records regardless of manual input, location, and format of the records in a distributed system. Each unmatched record can then be assigned with a parent enterprise entity. Such an optimization mechanism can interactively manage and report records at the enterprise level in a simple and efficient manner. | 04-18-2013 |
20130091140 | Multi-Shot Scheduling System - A Multi-Shot Scheduling System chooses from multiple candidate playlists of positions to select a broadcast playlist. Candidate playlists are generated based upon scoring and selecting content items for the positions through the use of index values. Various embodiments of the Multi-Shot Scheduling System can select broadcast playlists for multiple groups of content and can provide different methods of controlling scheduling performance by restricting the range of candidate playlists from which the best playlist can be selected. | 04-11-2013 |
20130090752 | Song Replacement with Content Scheduling in Streaming Media - When a downstream radio station is streaming content being played on a main radio station, the streaming content can be altered to substitute a different song than the one being played on the main radio station, even if there is a significant difference between the length of the song being played on the main radio station and the substituted song being played on the downstream radio station. After the substituted song has been played, the downstream radio station can resume streaming content from the main radio station. Substitution of the song on the downstream radio station can be performed by using a variable buffer delay, which essentially allows the downstream radio station to substitute different length songs by increasing or decreasing a delay between the play-out of the main station and the play-out of the downstream station. | 04-11-2013 |
20130052939 | Broadcast Source Identification Based on Matching Broadcast Signal Fingerprints - An end user can sample a radio or television broadcast, generate a user representation of the broadcast sample, and send the user representation to a comparison system, which also receives known representations of content broadcast by multiple different stations. The known representations are stored in a continuous fashion, and represent actually broadcast content. The comparison system identifies the source of the broadcast sample by comparing the user representation to the known representations associated with each of the different stations. By comparing two representations of content that was actually broadcast, a broadcast source can be identified without requiring the use of watermarks, timestamps, or a database of discreet content items. | 02-28-2013 |
20130024271 | Promotion Using Geopositioning Technology - Promotional items can be geocached at desired locations as part of a geocaching promotion in which geocachers attempt to locate the promotional items using clues, solving puzzles, or otherwise obtaining GPS coordinates and other information used to determine the geolocation of the geocached promotional items. Some or all of the information needed to identify the geolocation can be encoded into an electronic format and delivered directly to mobile devices including GPS receivers via radio broadcasts or the Internet. GPS coordinates can also be pre-loaded into mobile devices awarded to particular geocachers. Additionally, tracking devices can be attached to the promotional items to permit evaluation of the marketing effort. | 01-24-2013 |
20130007017 | Rules Based Playlist Generation - A playlist can be generated based on a chart or list including ranked media items, e.g. songs, videos, etc., by automatically including the highest ranked media items to the playlist, but only adding some of the lower ranked media items to the playlist. A particular lower-ranked media item can be pseudo-randomly excluded from the playlist if that media item has a ranking in a current version of the chart that is lower than its ranking in a previous version. Once the desired number of media items has been added to an intermediate list, the intermediate list can be inverted, and station identifiers can be interspersed between the media items. | 01-03-2013 |
20120321098 | Providing broadcast listener participation - A listener participation interface allows listeners to generate playlists that include media elements selected from a library of available media elements. The playlists generated by the listener participation interface are automatically compatible with broadcast automation software used by a broadcaster, so that little, if any, modification of listener-submitted playlists is required before the broadcast automation software incorporates the playlists into an actual broadcast schedule. | 12-20-2012 |
20120310790 | Merging Contract Versions - Proposed revisions to a contract can be selectively merged with provisions included in a base version of a contract to generate a merged contract. To determine whether a particular provision in the merged contract should be selected from the base contract or the proposed revision to the contract, a check can be made to determine if an event affecting a provision in the base contract has occurred. If such an event has occurred, the contract provision from the base contract can be chosen for the merged contract. Otherwise, a provision from the proposed revision to the contract can be used in the merged contract. A graphical user interface (GUI) can be used to present various contract versions. | 12-06-2012 |
20120303427 | Real-time insertion and reporting of media content - A method can include receiving a plurality of unperfected logs via a network, storing the plurality of unperfected logs in a database based on the anticipated broadcast schedule, transmitting at least one unperfected log by the electronic hub, receiving an inquiry into one or more spots in the available inventory, transmitting data associated with the one or more spots the data to be displayed on a graphical user interface in response to the inquiry, receiving a selection of one or more spots in the available inventory in response, and requesting content related to the selected one or more spots. The method can include receiving and associating advertising content with the selection of the one or more spots, creating a perfected log based on the unperfected log and the received content, monitoring a broadcast of the media outlet, detecting a difference between the perfected log and the broadcast, and transmitting status information. | 11-29-2012 |
20120290532 | RADIO RECEIVER AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING AND PLAYING SIGNALS FROM MULTIPLE BROADCAST CHANNELS - A radio receiver may comprise a receiver adaptable for receiving a plurality of broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels, wherein the receiver will attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and if the selected broadcast stream is not receivable on the selected broadcast channel, the receiver will attempt to receive the selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel. A computer readable medium may allow a user of a receiver to create a composite stream comprising at least one portion selected from each of at least two of a plurality of broadcast streams. A method of open interface merge replication may involve comparing data between first and second databases, and if a conflict exists, updating one of the first and second databases with at least a portion of data from the other of the first and second databases to resolve the conflict. | 11-15-2012 |
20120289146 | RADIO RECEIVER AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING AND PLAYING SIGNALS FROM MULTIPLE BROADCAST CHANNELS - A radio receiver may comprise a receiver adaptable for receiving a plurality of broadcast streams over a plurality of broadcast channels, wherein the receiver will attempt to receive a selected broadcast stream on a selected broadcast channel, and if the selected broadcast stream is not receivable on the selected broadcast channel, the receiver will attempt to receive the selected broadcast stream on an alternative broadcast channel. A computer readable medium may allow a user of a receiver to create a composite stream comprising at least one portion selected from each of at least two of a plurality of broadcast streams. A method of open interface merge replication may involve comparing data between first and second databases, and if a conflict exists, updating one of the first and second databases with at least a portion of data from the other of the first and second databases to resolve the conflict. | 11-15-2012 |
20120266076 | CUSTOMIZING PERISHABLE CONTENT OF A MEDIA CHANNEL - A user can specify particular news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content received on a particular Internet radio station or other media channel. The user can customize the station so that wherever the user is currently located, he can receive perishable content related to a preferred geographic location or other category. In some embodiments, a user can specify that a customized station plays local news from one city at the top of the hour, traffic from another city at 10 minutes past the hour, and music or other content at other times. The user can also customize the station to select the perishable content, or other original content, from the personal libraries of specified users. Thus, a user can customize not only the genre of content or select a particular local station, but can also modify the perishable content provided by the customized station. | 10-18-2012 |
20120240065 | Dynamically Configured Graphical User Interface for a Software Application - A Graphical User Interface (GUI) Customization System provides users with applications that feature customized GUI configurations by applying one or more configuration parameters to common codebases in the applications without user intervention. Various embodiments of the GUI Customization System can provide different methods of acquiring, customizing, and providing applications and sets of configuration parameters to users. | 09-20-2012 |
20120173666 | CONTENT ENRICHMENT USING UNIFIED SYSTEM OF UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS - A unified system of unique identifiers is used to match enrichment content with primary content being delivered by subscribers, e.g. broadcasters, in different markets, market segments, etc. Songs, video, advertisements, or other content from multiple different content publishers or databases, each of which may be assigned identifiers using different identification systems, are assigned a unified, unique identifier. The unique identifiers are also mapped to content identifiers used by subscribers. When subscribers provide primary content, for example by broadcasting the content to end users, enrichment content is matched to the unified, unique identifier associated with the content, and appropriate enrichment data and content are sent to the subscriber for distribution along with the primary content. If subscribers or content publishers change their own identifiers associated with content, the content can be un-matched and re-matched with the same or a different unique identifier. | 07-05-2012 |
20120143998 | MODIFIED PLAYLISTS - A modified playlist can be generated by identifying gaps in a playlist, and modifying other content in the playlist to fill the gap. The gap can represent previously unfilled time, or time created by removing part or all of an item already in the playlist. One or more items of content in the playlist can be modified by lengthening or shortening one of the content items in various ways, including changing a rate of playback of some or all of the items of content in the playlist. In some instances the gap can be filled or partially filled by inserting content from another server at the time of broadcast. | 06-07-2012 |
20120109971 | Rules Based Playlist Generation - A playlist can be generated based on a chart or list including ranked media items, e.g. songs, videos, etc., by automatically including the highest ranked media items to the playlist, but only adding some of the lower ranked media items to the playlist. A particular lower-ranked media item can be pseudo-randomly excluded from the playlist if that media item has a ranking in a current version of the chart that is lower than its ranking in a previous version. Once the desired number of media items has been added to an intermediate list, the intermediate list can be inverted, and station identifiers can be interspersed between the media items. | 05-03-2012 |
20110271189 | System and Method for Providing Broadcast Listener Participation - A method of allowing listeners to participate in broadcast programming is provided, the method generally comprising one or more of providing a library of media elements accessible by a plurality of listeners; receiving from each of at least two of the listeners a playlist of media elements, wherein at least one of the media elements in each playlist is from the library of media elements; editing the playlists using broadcast scheduling software; providing the edited playlists to the plurality of listeners for playback, and for feedback regarding the playlists; and receiving feedback from at least one of the listeners regarding the playlists. A system and apparatus are similarly provided. | 11-03-2011 |
20110202410 | Inventory and Revenue Maximization Method and System - A method is provided for enterprise management and bundling of inventory to maximize revenue on perishable products. An electronic data-mart collects factors for the probability and price sensitivity of a buyer. The data-mart also collects rules for inventory scaling, available inventory to sell, budget (goal) information, advertiser payment history, and station performance data to feed to a scenario planner. Once three or more variables exist, algorithms create scenario plans to present the most profitable bundle of offerings. The scenarios are typically pre-approved although presented to local business units for an abnormality failsafe. Once processed by local business units, the scenarios are presented to the buyer. Negotiations typically cause the process to restart. The main systems that interact to build scenarios are: an enterprise data-mart, a scenario planner, a performance measurement system, a rate or yield management subsystem, a traffic and accounts receivable system, and a local inventory booking system. | 08-18-2011 |
20110202389 | Inventory and Revenue Maximization Method and System - A method is provided for enterprise management and bundling of inventory to maximize revenue on perishable products. An electronic data-mart collects factors for the probability and price sensitivity of a buyer. The data-mart also collects rules for inventory scaling, available inventory to sell, budget (goal) information, advertiser payment history, and station performance data to feed to a scenario planner. Once three or more variables exist, algorithms create scenario plans to present the most profitable bundle of offerings. The scenarios are typically pre-approved although presented to local business units for an abnormality failsafe. Once processed by local business units, the scenarios are presented to the buyer. Negotiations typically cause the process to restart. The main systems that interact to build scenarios are: an enterprise data-mart, a scenario planner, a performance measurement system, a rate or yield management subsystem, a traffic and accounts receivable system, and a local inventory booking system. | 08-18-2011 |
20110161513 | Media Stream Monitor - A stream monitor can request a streaming media server to send stream records associated with streams currently being served. The stream monitor uses the stream records to test streams being served by the streaming media server. The stream monitor can concurrently test multiple streams for connection errors, silence errors, metadata errors, and other errors. | 06-30-2011 |
20110153621 | Program and Syndicated Content Detection - Content from multiple different stations can be divided into segments based on time. Matched segments associated with each station can be identified by comparing content included in a first segment associated with a first station, to content included in a second segment associated with a second station. Syndicated content can be identified and tagged based, at least in part, on a relationship between sequences of matched segments on different stations. Various embodiments also include identifying main sequences associated with each station under consideration, removing some of the main sequences, and consolidating remaining main sequences based on various threshold criteria. | 06-23-2011 |
20110138411 | Broadcast Synchronization - A first media server delivers content for broadcast via a first media channel, and a second media server delivers media content for broadcast via a second media channel. The first media server operates in a synchronized mode, under control of the second media server during some periods of time, and during other periods of time operates in an independent mode. When operating in the synchronized mode, content delivered by the first and second media servers can be synchronized, so that the timing of spot blocks played on the two servers generally coincides. When the first server operates in the independent mode, the timing of spot blocks and other content broadcast on the first media channel are not synchronized under control of the second media server. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134129 | Presenting Listener Information - Listening information indicating a number of audience members who switched stations during each of the designated periods of time is displayed on a graph having a plot representing the listening information. The graph is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion about a normalized line representing an average number of audience members who listened during designated periods of time. Additional plots can also be presented, including plots arranged so that portions above the normalized line represent a greater than average number of listeners, and portions below the normalized line represent a lower than average number of listeners. | 06-09-2011 |
20110131272 | Technique of Providing Targeted Media Items - A first message from a client device, received at a server, can include a request to provide at least one media item matching at least one audience parameter. In response to the first message, the server can access a database storing media item information associated with multiple media items to be retrieved using servers other than the server receiving the first message. The media item information can include, a media item identifier, a media item location identifier, and description information. Media items are selected based on a comparison of the audience parameter with the description information and the server sends a reply to the first message, including a list of media items and their location identifiers. | 06-02-2011 |
20110126229 | Managing Under-Filled Spot Blocks - Changes to spot blocks to be broadcast via terrestrial stations can cause paid spots to be removed from corresponding spot blocks on a streaming station. If the streaming station has other spot blocks that are under-filled, the bumped spots can be automatically placed in under-filled spot blocks, allowing the bumped to be placed in an under-filled spot block faster than if human intervention was required. A media traffic system can keep track of the bumped spots, and in response to a request by a media automation system, provide a list of potential spots available for inclusion in the under-filled spot blocks. The automation system selects desired spots for placement in under-filled spot blocks, and notifies the traffic system about which potential spots have been placed. The traffic system removes the spots from its list of available spots to prevent selected spots from being included in future responses. | 05-26-2011 |
20110099250 | Method and System for Selectively Broadcasting Media - A method and apparatus for broadcasting media events, the method including the steps of providing a sequence of media events in a first server, the sequence of media events including at least one media event of a first type and a plurality of media events of a second type; playing the sequence from the first server to a content distribution network (CDN) server prior to a predetermined broadcast time; and storing at the CDN server at least a part of the sequence received from the first server. The method may further include the steps of inserting, at the first server, markers indicating where targeted media events are to be played in the sequence of media events and inserting, at the CDN server, targeted media events supplied by a third server in response to a request to provide media events targeted to information associated with at least one user. | 04-28-2011 |
20110099223 | Method and System for Selectively Broadcasting Media - A method and apparatus for broadcasting media events, the method including the steps of providing a sequence of media events in a first server, the sequence of media events including at least one media event of a first type and a plurality of media events of a second type; playing the sequence from the first server to a second server prior to a predetermined broadcast time; and storing at the second server at least a part of the sequence received from the first server. The method may further include the steps of broadcasting the sequence from the first server at the predetermined broadcast time; broadcasting the stored sequence from the second server at the predetermined broadcast time while continuing to play the sequence from the first server to the second server, the step of broadcasting from said second server further including the steps of skipping at least one media event of a first type, broadcasting a subsequent one of the plurality, and supplementing the stored sequence with media events stored in the second server separately identifiable from the stored sequence. | 04-28-2011 |
20110087796 | Method and System for Selectively Broadcasting Media During Dayparts - A method and apparatus for broadcasting media events, the method including the steps of providing a sequence of media events in a first server, the sequence of media events including at least one media event and a plurality of advertisement spots; playing the sequence from the first server to a second server prior to a predetermined broadcast time; and storing at the second server at least a part of the sequence received from the first server. The method may further include the steps of skipping, at the second server, spots during the broadcast of a sequence of media events during a spot-free daypart, inserting preferred content media events in the broadcast sequence, and inserting markers indicating whether a media event has been played during a spot-free daypart are to be played in the sequence of media events. | 04-14-2011 |
20110083074 | Graphical User Interface for Content Management - A Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows a user to control multiple media streams at the same time. A user can display and configure multiple regions of the GUI to display information about, and control broadcast properties of, multiple media streams being broadcast at the same time. Multiple display regions of the same type can be displayed at the same time. The GUI is also highly customizable, allowing a user to configure multiple different display regions, each displaying information and controls useful for performing functions related to the type of display region. The information displayed in each region can be selected from a single media stream, or from different media streams. | 04-07-2011 |
20110015956 | Merging Contract Versions - Proposed revisions to a contract can be selectively merged with provisions included in a base version of a contract to generate a merged contract. To determine whether a particular provision in the merged contract should be selected from the base contract or the proposed revision to the contract, a check can be made to determine if an event affecting a provision in the base contract has occurred. If such an event has occurred, the contract provision from the base contract can be chosen for the merged contract. Otherwise, a provision from the proposed revision to the contract can be used in the merged contract. A graphical user interface (GUI) can be used to present various contract versions. | 01-20-2011 |
20100306239 | ASSOCIATING WORKS WITH UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS - Multiple attempts can be made to match received information associated with a work and one of multiple identifiers stored in a database. Each of the identifiers in the database is uniquely associated with one of a plurality of specific works. A first search can be made to determine if an identifier in the received information includes an identifier that matches one of identifiers stored in the database. If the identifier in the received information does not match any of the identifiers in the database, a second matching attempt can be made to determine if the received attributes match attributes of a work associated with one of the identifiers in the database. Based on the results of the matching, various actions can be taken to associate or assign one of the unique identifiers with the work related to the received information. | 12-02-2010 |
20100306062 | TRACKING PUBLIC PERFORMANCES USING UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS - Identifiers for first and second works can be received, and associated with respective unique identifiers. The unique identifiers can then be utilized to track public performances of the works. One or both of the works can be a copyrighted work, and the unique identifiers can be used to assist in calculating royalty payments. Additionally, one or more of the works being tracked using the unique numbers can be an advertising spot, and an advertising rate can be calculated based on the tracking. | 12-02-2010 |
20100304664 | DELIVERING CONTENT ASSOCIATED WITH A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - A preference related to the broadcast of a work, for example a song or advertisement, is obtained from a subscriber. The work is associated with one of a plurality of unique identifiers, and the particular identifier with which the work is associated can be identified in some instances by using information included with the subscriber preference. In response to determining which unique identifier is associated with the work, content associated with that identifier can be delivered to the subscriber according to his preference. | 12-02-2010 |
20100275221 | Using Multi Media Players to Insert Data Items into a Media Stream of a Streaming Media - Playback of a tagged audio stream at a user's computer can be controlled using a first media player. When the first media player detects a tag in the tagged audio stream, it mutes the volume of the first media player, and transfers playback control to a second media player operating at the same computer. The second media player controls playback of untagged media content, and in response to detecting completion of the untagged media content, returns playback control to the first media player. In this way, multiple media players in a client device can control the playback of audio content and the insertion of spots into that content. | 10-28-2010 |
20100251279 | DELIVERING CONTENT RELATED TO A COMMERCIAL MEDIA PROGRAM - A server retrieves user group data and information that indicates when a selected segment of a commercial media program is to be aired on a first medium. The server also receives content that is related to the selected segment of the commercial media program, and delivers it via a second medium. The server delivers the related content via the second medium based on the user group data, and at about the same time the selected segment is being aired on the first medium. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 09-30-2010 |
20100110079 | Measuring Audience Reaction - Audience migration information can include information about audience members who tuned to, or away from, a station at particular times, and can suggest a rate of change in the average number of audience members over a first time period, and a rate of change in the number of audience members over a second period. Normalized audience migration information, which can indicate a difference between the two rates of change can be generated and used as one of multiple graph plots. The normalized audience migration information can be generated at a server, at a networked computer running a browser, or the like. A graphical user interface (GUI) can be used to display a graphical representation of the audience migration information. Additional panes tied to the content displayed in the graphical representation can also be displayed in the GUI. | 05-06-2010 |
20100079338 | Promotion Using Geopositioning Technology - Promotional items can be geocached at desired locations as part of a geocaching promotion in which geocachers attempt to locate the promotional items using clues, solving puzzles, or otherwise obtaining GPS coordinates and other information used to determine the geolocation of the geocached promotional items. Some or all of the information needed to identify the geolocation can be encoded into an electronic format and delivered directly to mobile devices including GPS receivers via radio broadcasts or the Internet. GPS coordinates can also be pre-loaded into mobile devices awarded to particular geocachers. Additionally, tracking devices can be attached to the promotional items to permit evaluation of the marketing effort. | 04-01-2010 |
20100043021 | DETERMINING AUDIENCE RESPONSE TO BROADCAST CONTENT - Audience response to broadcast content can be gauged by determining how many audience members switched stations while particular programs were broadcast. Data indicating audience members' media consumption can be analyzed to determine the number of times audience members tuned to a station or tuned away from the station. Data related to media content broadcast on particular stations can be analyzed to determine what content was being broadcast at times corresponding to the times audience members switched stations. Performance factors can be assigned to particular programs based on this analysis. Determining how many audience members switched during any one program may include retrieving event records, each of which can represent an audience member that was tuned to a particular media station during a time a particular program was being aired. | 02-18-2010 |
20090254420 | Maximizing Advertising Performance - Multiple filtering criteria derived from consumer surveys can be used to adjust an advertising schedule to achieve improved performance. Historical performance data related to performance factors, such as gross rating points, can be filtered using the multiple filtering criteria. The filtered data can then be used as the basis for predicting future performance of an advertisement or advertising campaign. The historical data can be updated as new performance data becomes available, and the predicted future performance updated. An advertising schedule can be adjusted to maintain performance factors within designated upper and lower limits. | 10-08-2009 |