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: 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.

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: A sequence of media items is obtained obtaining, at a first distribution site. Local media content to be inserted into the sequence of media items, which is transmitted by a second distribution site, is received at the first distribution site. The first distribution site also receives a control signal transmitted by the second distribution site. The control signal controls playout of the local media content in relation to the sequence of media items. The first distribution site transmits the local media content and the control signal to one or more dispersed transmission sites.

Abstract: A broadcast order placed by a requestor is received at a first processing device configured to implement an automated media scheduling system. The broadcast order includes a request to prohibit placement of at least one media item within a threshold proximity of a restricted media show. In response to receiving the broadcast order, the automated media scheduling system modifies at least one record associated with the requestor to indicate the request. During automated schedule generation, the automated media scheduling system prevents the at least one media item from being scheduled within the threshold proximity of the restricted media show.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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: 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: Transport Protocol Experts Group (TPEG) traffic messages, which include traffic information associated with road vector definitions, are generated. Bounding area definitions associating the road vector definitions with bounding areas are obtained, and automatically adjusted based on a time associated with broadcast of the TPEG traffic messages. TPEG traffic messages to be included in a TPEG frame associated with a particular bounding area are selected based on the bounding area definitions. The TPEG frame is generated, and transmitted for broadcast in the particular bounding area.

Abstract: A traffic-and-billing system imports a chronological schedule from a media automation system. The schedule includes media and advertisement spots allocated in accordance with a content allocation prediction, which allocates a portion of the advertisement spots to general content and a portion to local content. The traffic-and-billing system stores information associated with general advertisement content and generates a content listing based on the content allocation prediction. A general advertisement system receives, an update request that indicates at least one item of the general advertisement content is to be removed from the content listing. The general advertisement system plays out general advertisement content items included in the general advertisement content listing in response to receiving a playout request from the media automation system.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receives a media broadcast including media items and embedded watermarks. A watermark detection module included in the RF receiver operates in a low-power state, during which the watermark detection module does not attempt to detect the embedded watermarks. The watermark detection circuitry is activated, thereby transitioning from the low-power state to an active state, in response to receiving an attention marker. during the active state the watermark detection circuitry attempts to detect the embedded watermarks in the media broadcast, and continues to do so until an indication that watermark detection is to be discontinued is received. In response to receiving the indication that the watermark detection is to be discontinued, the watermark detection module is again placed in the low-power state.

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.