Abstract: A device manager includes a processor and memory, coupled to the processor, that stores a program of instructions. The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions to determine an availability of at least a portion of a cloud-based media management system configured to provide media automation services to a managed device, and in response to determining that the at least a portion of a cloud-based media management system is unavailable, transmit a status message to the managed device, wherein the status message indicates that the managed device is to emulate the at least a portion of a cloud-based media management system.

Abstract: A client computer includes at least one processor and memory storing computer-executable instructions and coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the client computer to generate a licensing message associated with verification of licensing permissions related to restricted functionality provided by the client computer. The licensing message includes a packet header including a source address associated with the client computer, and a destination address associated with an intermediary device. The licensing message also includes a licensing body, which further includes license authentication information used by an authentication server. The licensing body further includes an endpoint address specifying an address of the authentication server on a first network. The client computer transmits the licensing message to the intermediary device via a second network different than the first network.

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.

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.

Abstract: Multiple main sequences of media items played by a plurality of different media stations are identified. Each main sequence includes one or more content items, and potentially includes syndicated content. At least one main sequence is removed from further consideration, leaving a plurality of remaining main sequences. The at least one main sequence is removed from consideration based, at least in part, on a number of content items included in the at least one main sequence. Consolidated main sequences are generated by merging one or more remaining main sequences satisfying a consolidation criterion. Each consolidated main sequence includes two or more remaining main sequences. The consolidated main sequences are compared to determine whether syndicated content was played on a particular media station.

Abstract: A plurality of media files to be broadcast is stored in accordance with a broadcast schedule, wherein the plurality of media files include media content. A speech audio file, including speech content, is obtained, and a determination is made regarding whether the speech content included in the speech audio file includes a reference to particular media content included in a particular media file of the plurality of media files. A linkage is created between the speech audio file and the particular media file, and the speech audio file is inserted in a position within the broadcast schedule based on the linkage between the speech audio file and the particular media file.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A media playout system receives a broadcast log transmitted from a media scheduling system. The broadcast log includes a restricted show, and the media playout system makes a first determination a blackout period assigned to the restricted show. The blackout period indicates a period of time associated with the restricted show during which at least one media item is prohibited from being scheduled. The media player also determines that the broadcast log indicates that the at least one media item has been improperly scheduled during the blackout period. In response to determining that the at least one media item has been improperly scheduled during the blackout period, the media playout system transmits, to the media scheduling system, a message requesting a replacement media item to replace the at least one media item that has been improperly scheduled during the blackout period.

Abstract: A streaming server generates a media stream, and delivers it to an end user. The streaming server receives media items and an item schedule, and assembles the media items into the media stream based on timing relationships specified by the item schedule. The media stream includes an advertising spot block including advertising media content, and an adjacent spot block including other media content. The streaming server inserts a contextual marker into the advertising spot block. The contextual marker includes information identifying the other media content in the adjacent spot bloc. The streaming server transmits the media stream to an end-user media player, which is configured to process the contextual marker.

Abstract: An edge device remotely accesses cloud-based media automation services by pointing an interface of the edge device to a cloud-based sequencer. Broadcast logs defining a broadcast schedule and media files specified in the broadcast logs are obtained from the cloud-based sequencer, and local versions are stored in a storage device locally accessible to the edge device. Availability of the cloud-based sequencer is monitored, and if the cloud-based sequencer becomes unavailable, the interface of the edge device is pointed to a local sequencer instead of the cloud-based sequencer. The local sequencer emulates one or more media automation services normally provided by the cloud-based sequencer. In response to determining that availability of the cloud-based sequencer has been restored, the edge device's interface is re-pointed to the cloud-based sequencer.

Abstract: Inputs configuring a GUI to concurrently display a first On-Air display region (FOADR) and a second On-Air display region (SOADR) are received. The FOADR and SOADR each include: a station selector; a media ID area; and at least one play control associated with corresponding media ID areas. The station selectors in the FOADR and SOADR receive input specifying selected media stations. The media ID areas in the FOADR and SOADR are populated with IDs of media items to be aired on the selected media stations. Airing of media items by the selected media stations is controlled using the play controls included in the FOADR and SOADR.

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.

Abstract: An edge device remotely accesses cloud-based media automation services by pointing an interface of the edge device to a cloud-based sequencer. Broadcast logs defining a broadcast schedule and media files specified in the broadcast logs are obtained from the cloud-based sequencer, and local versions are stored in a storage device locally accessible to the edge device. Availability of the cloud-based sequencer is monitored, and if the cloud-based sequencer becomes unavailable, the interface of the edge device is pointed to a local sequencer instead of the cloud-based sequencer. The local sequencer emulates one or more media automation services normally provided by the cloud-based sequencer. In response to determining that availability of the cloud-based sequencer has been restored, the edge device's interface is re-pointed to the cloud-based sequencer.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) includes a first display region including a first Station Selector object and multiple first sub-regions displayed within the first display region. First user input, entered using the first Station Selector object is received, where the first user input identifies a first media station. In response to receiving the first user input, the first sub-regions are automatically populated with first information associated with first media provided by the first media station. At some later time, second user input is received via the same Station Selector object, where the second user input identifies a second media station, and the first information displayed in the first sub-regions is automatically replaced with second information associated with second media presented via the second media station in response to receiving the second user input identifying the second media station.

Abstract: First information associating a first unique master identifier with multiple different aliases is obtained from a first database accessible to an enrichment-content delivery system. The first unique master identifier is assigned to a first primary content item. Second information, which links the first unique master identifier to first enrichment content is obtained from a second database accessible to the enrichment-content delivery system. First playout information, which includes a first alias identifying a first media item scheduled for playout by a first media station is received from the first media station. A determination is made based on the first information and the second information, that the first alias is associated with the first unique master identifier assigned to the first primary content item. In response to that determination, the first enrichment content is transmitted to the first media station.

Abstract: A media stream includes multiple spot blocks representing portions of time assigned to particular media content, where some of the plurality of spot blocks include primary media content, and others include advertising content. The media stream also includes a contextual marker embedded in at least one of the spot blocks. The contextual marker includes information used by a media player to transmit a tracking call in response to reading the contextual marker.

Abstract: A media distribution system includes an enterprise hub, which in turn includes a processor and memory, multiple media outlets, and multiple integrated services layers (ISLs) acting as intermediaries between the enterprise hub to the media outlets. A first media outlet is served by a single ISL, while a second media outlet is served redundantly by at least two ISLs.