Patents Assigned to iHeartMedia Management Service, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11979445
    Abstract: A media distribution device receives media content including media items to be broadcast. the media items include common media items to be delivered to end users by each of multiple different media delivery devices. “Common” refers to the fact that the same media items are delivered by the media delivery devices, and does not mean “ordinary.” The common media items are processed into first chunks and second chunks. The sizes of the first chunks the second chunks are different, with the size of the first chunks determined based at least in part on a first media delivery schedule associated with a first media delivery device and the size of the second chunks determined based at least in part on a second media delivery schedule associated with a second media delivery device. The first chunks are transmitted to the first media delivery device, and the second chunks are delivered to the second media delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Jellison, Jr., Martin Blazek
  • Patent number: 11966946
    Abstract: An analytics module included in a processing system receives performance feedback related to a broadcast media item. The performance feedback includes metadata associated with the feedback. Based on the metadata, the analytics module distinguishes between first performance feedback provided by automated programs and second performance feedback provided by valid users. The second performance feedback is transmitted to a media proposal server, but the first performance feedback is not. The media proposal server determines, based on the second performance feedback, that the broadcast media item is to be replaced by a replacement broadcast media item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark R. Allen, Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn
  • Publication number: 20240129573
    Abstract: A processing system receives a user-generated media recording, and metadata associated with the user-generated feedback, from a first device. The user-generated media recording is a recording of the public end-user captured during a live media broadcast using a public-user interface on the first device. The metadata includes information linking the user-generated media recording to the live media broadcast. The system stores the user-generated media recording and the first metadata in one or more storage devices, and transmits a version of the user-generated media recording and at least a portion of the first metadata to a private-user interface on a second device. The private-user interface is configured to receive input from a private end-user selecting the version of the user-generated media recording for broadcast during the same live media broadcast during which the user-generated media recording was created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Curtis Mitchell, Michael Scott Woodruff, Adam Michael Roberts, Steven Douglas Wight, Siu Leung Chan, Jacob Earl Bolton, Stephen William Bain, Qian Chang, Davis Scott Harlan
  • Patent number: 11943504
    Abstract: An application programming interface (API) receives broadcast-related information from media automation applications. A traffic log is received from a first media automation application configured to generate a traffic log associated with a media station, and spot information associated with spots included in the traffic log is received from at least a second media automation application. The API stores the broadcast-related information, including the traffic log and the spot information, in one or more databases. The API also receives, from a media playout system, at least one request for the stored broadcast-related information. The media playout system is configured to insert media content into a media broadcast associated with the media station. The API provides the requested broadcast-related information to the media playout system, which inserts the media content into the media broadcast associated with the media station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Steve Mills, Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, David C. Jellison, Jr., Vijay Jayakumar, Riad Edelbi, Adam Zastawski, José Antonio Carbajal Orozco
  • Patent number: 11943312
    Abstract: A resource host transmits a payload to a client device. The payload includes a first asset hosted by the resource host, and the first asset is associated with a first reference tag indicating a versioning status of the first asset. The resource host receives an Add Ref Instruction, wherein the Add Ref Instruction, which includes a custom reference tag indicating a user-selected versioning status of the first asset. The resource host associates a second reference tag with the first asset based on the custom reference tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: James M. Long, III, Travis D. Terry, Thomas Dacre Drapeau
  • Patent number: 11941647
    Abstract: A data processing system includes a processor and associated memory implementing an enterprise data management (EDM) module configured to interact with an enterprise management system. A storage device coupled to the processor, implements an enterprise data management (EDM) database, which stores priority rules used to determine priority scores associated with a plurality of different entities associated with entity records. A communications interface coupled to the processor, transmits the priority rules, to an enterprise management system, and receives priority scores of individual entities, determined based on the priority rules, from the enterprise management system. The priority scores of the individual entities are stored in the EDM database in association with the priority rules, and the EDM module matches the entity records to entities based, at least in part, on the priority scores of the individual entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Kohinoor Basu, Angel Barnachea Chua, Matthew M. Ferry, Scott Arthur Roberts
  • Patent number: 11930061
    Abstract: An edge device operates in an online mode of operation during a first period of time, wherein during the online mode of operation, the edge device obtains broadcast-related information originating from media automation applications. The edge device operates in a local mode of operation during a second period of time, wherein during the local mode of operation the edge device obtains locally stored broadcast-related information, and emulates services provided by the media automation applications. The edge device operates in a disaster recovery mode of operation during recovery from the local mode of operation, wherein during the disaster recovery mode of operation the edge device obtains stored broadcast-related information from a content recovery database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Steve Mills, Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, David C. Jellison, Jr., Vijay Jayakumar, Riad Edelbi, Adam Zastawski, José Antonio Carbajal Orozco
  • Publication number: 20240020294
    Abstract: A method for use in a data processing system includes storing pass order information in a first data structure, wherein the pass order information stores settings associated with an order in which media items are to be scheduled for inclusion in a broadcast media schedule, and automatically generating the broadcast media schedule in accordance with the settings stored in the first data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, William Wallace Webber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11876792
    Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a wireless local Access Network (WLAN) module, a personal area network (PAN) module, a timing module, a memory, an authentication module operably coupled to the WLAN module, the PAN module, the timing module and the memory and a processing module operably coupled to the authentication module. The WLAN module is configured to transmit a licensing request message to an authentication server and receive a licensing request response from the authentication server, while the personal area network (PAN) module is configured to receive a time limited licensing request message from a client computer and transmit a licensing request response to the client computer. The processing module is configured to control at least a portion of an authentication process executed on the authentication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Jellison, Jr., Philippe Generali
  • Patent number: 11877223
    Abstract: An importer-exporter includes at least a first interface that receives channel packets and a stream of emergency action signal (EAS) packets. The channel packets include channel content for multiple media channels, and the stream of EAS packets include first EAS notification content from a first EAS encoder. The first EAS notification content is associated with one or more particular media channels. A processor and associated memory are configured to implement a switching module that includes a login module and a multiplexer. The login module monitors the stream of EAS packets, and selects either channel content or first notification content for inclusion in broadcasts of each of the media channels based on the monitored stream of EAS packets. Thea multiplexer transmits the content selected by the login module for inclusion in the broadcasts of each of the plurality of media channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Alan W. Jurison
  • Publication number: 20230401953
    Abstract: One or more traffic-data sets including traffic probes, which include one or more identifiable items of information obtained from one or more traffic probe devices, are obtained. A traffic flow prediction to be validated is selected. The selected traffic flow prediction is associated with a road segment and a time period. A list of traffic probes to be used in validating the traffic flow prediction is generated. The list of traffic probes includes information obtained from traffic probe devices that travelled an entire length of the road segment during the time period. Travel times of the traffic probe devices that travelled an entire length of the road segment during the time period are ordered, and outliers are removed from the list of traffic probes. A validated traffic-flow prediction is generated based on traffic probes remaining in the list of traffic probes, and the validated traffic-flow prediction is transmitted to an end-user processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn
  • Publication number: 20230396524
    Abstract: A stream monitor device includes at least one processor configured to implement a get stream module, which obtains, from a streaming server, stream records associated with media streams to be monitored. The at least one processor is further configured to implement a stream monitor module configured to perform event-driven monitoring of monitored media streams. The at least one processor is further configured to implement a graphical user interface (GUI) module that generates displays related to a status of the monitored media streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Curtis Viers
  • Patent number: 11823569
    Abstract: A method of validating traffic-flow predictions includes obtaining traffic-flow prediction, associated with a particular roadway segment and a particular time. Recorded traffic data corresponding to the particular roadway segment and the particular time, which includes data from traffic probe devices, is obtained. A subset of the recorded traffic data, limited to data obtained from a subset of the traffic probe devices, is obtained, and used to generate an estimated actual traffic-flow. At least a first quality index, which is based on a degree to which the traffic-flow prediction corresponds to the estimated actual traffic-flow, is generated. If the at least a first quality index satisfies at least a first quality threshold, the traffic-flow prediction is flagged for review.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn
  • Publication number: 20230370513
    Abstract: An edge device operates in an online mode of operation during a first period of time, wherein during the online mode of operation, the edge device obtains broadcast-related information originating from media automation applications. The edge device operates in a local mode of operation during a second period of time, wherein during the local mode of operation the edge device obtains locally stored broadcast-related information, and emulates services provided by the media automation applications. The edge device operates in a disaster recovery mode of operation during recovery from the local mode of operation, wherein during the disaster recovery mode of operation the edge device obtains stored broadcast-related information from a content recovery database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Mills, Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, David C. Jellison, JR., Vijay Jayakumar, Riad Edelbi, Adam Zastawski, José Antonio Carbajal Orozco
  • Patent number: 11818188
    Abstract: A device, which is part of a decentralized media playout system, is located at a destination location. The device includes a processor, memory, a network interface, and a jitter buffer implemented in the memory. The jitter buffer buffers programming content and control messages, which are received from a source location of the decentralized media playout system, before transmitting them to a mixer. A first relative timing relationship between the programming content and the control messages exists at the source location, and a second, altered relative timing relationship between the programming content and the control messages exists at the destination location. The processor restores the first relative timing relationship between the programming content and the control messages, as it existed at the source location, by instructing the jitter buffer to delay transmitting either the programming content or the control messages to the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Greenlee, Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn
  • Patent number: 11816705
    Abstract: A script creation system obtains both current user-specified attributes to be used in generating a new media creative, and historical data including historical user-specified attributes associated with previously generated media creatives. The script creation system generates a set of creative parameters specifying content characteristics of the new media creative based on the user-specified attributes and the historical data. The set of creative parameters are transmitted from the script creation system to a media creative generation system. The script creation system receives the new media creative generated by the media creative generation system, and provides the new media creative to an end user system associated with an end user. The script creation system receives feedback associated with the new media creative, and stores the feedback, the set of creative parameters, and the current user-specified attributes as historical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Tamala Edmonds, Brian Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 11816150
    Abstract: A syndicated-content recognition system retrieves, from at least one database, media broadcast files broadcast by a plurality of media broadcast sources, wherein individual media broadcast files are associated with stations, days of the week, and times. Based on historical data associated with the media broadcast files, the system determines whether a particular media broadcast file associated with a particular station and a particular time is likely to include syndicated content. In response to determining that the particular media broadcast file is likely to include syndicated content the particular media broadcast file is tagged to generate a tagged media broadcast file, and the tagged media broadcast file is exempted from syndicated-content-comparisons with other media broadcast files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Periklis Beltas, Philippe Generali, David C. Jellison, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230360520
    Abstract: Road vector definitions and incident data associated with a traffic incident are obtained from a traffic data source. A determination is made, based on the road vector definitions and the incident data, that the traffic incident affects travel on a particular road. A road classification of the road affected by the traffic incident is determined based on the road vector definitions. An updated version of a previous Transport Protocol Experts Group (TPEG) traffic is generated. Generating the updated version of the previous TPEG traffic frame includes conditionally inserting changed traffic data associated with the particular road into the previous TPEG traffic frame. The changed traffic data associated with the particular road includes at least a portion of the incident data. The updated version of the previous TPEG traffic frame is transmitted to a station importer for broadcast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, Charles Kirkendall, Amit Deshpande
  • Patent number: 11810570
    Abstract: A first speech audio file scheduled for transmission in a first position of a transmission schedule, a first transcript of the first speech audio file, and first metadata associated with a first content item scheduled for transmission in a second position of the transmission schedule are obtained. The first metadata is compared to at least a portion of the first transcript to determine whether any of the first metadata matches the at least a portion of the first transcript. In response to determining that at least a portion of the first metadata matches at least a portion of the first transcript, linkages are created between the first speech audio file and the first content item. A graphical user interface (GUI) is generated, and displays a list of items scheduled for transmission including: a first identifier representing the first speech audio file in the first position; and a second identifier representing the first content item in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Jellison, Jr., Philippe Generali
  • Publication number: 20230316330
    Abstract: A profiling system including one or more processing devices assigns a classification to a particular user based on anonymous on-line user activities engaged in by the particular user via a plurality of different on-line sites. The profiling system determines that the particular user is currently accessing a particular on-line site. In response to determining that the particular user is currently accessing the particular on-line site, the profiling system delivers selected content to the particular user, wherein the selected content is automatically selected based on the classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence B. Linietsky, Ralph C. Munsen