Abstract: A traffic-prediction validation module includes memory storing a program of computer instructions, and at least a first processor. The at least a first processor is configured to execute the program of instructions to obtain first traffic related information gathered from a plurality of traffic probe devices, receive a traffic-flow prediction, determine a selected subset of the plurality of traffic probe devices based on characteristics of the plurality of traffic probe devices, generate a ground truth based on a subset of the first traffic related information, wherein the subset of the first traffic related information is obtained from the selected subset of the plurality of traffic probe devices, and determine whether the traffic-flow prediction is valid based on the ground truth.

Abstract: A boundary specifying a bounded geographic area for which travel information is to be reported is generated. Flow section information associated with flow sections located within the boundary is obtained. The flow sections represent portions of one or more roadways assigned relevant functional road classes (FRCs). The flow section information includes information about traffic flow associated with the flow sections. FRC current traffic messages, which include non-predictive traffic information associated with roadway portions that are in the bounded geographic area and are assigned relevant FRCs, are combined with the flow section information to generate a first data group. The first data group is streamed to a first traffic message service.

Abstract: A communications network includes a plurality of in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers coupled together in a mesh configuration to form a mesh network. The plurality of IBOC transceivers includes a first IBOC transceiver, a second IBOC transceiver, and an edge transceiver coupled to one or more of the plurality of IBOC transceivers. The edge transceiver is configured to transmit first broadcast content to the second IBOC transceiver via a communication path including the first IBOC transceiver; and receive feedback related to the first broadcast content, wherein the feedback is transmitted from a user device via a communication path that includes the second IBOC transceiver and the first IBOC transceiver.

Abstract: A method includes beginning to broadcast primary media content at a primary media server. Concurrently with beginning to broadcast the primary media content, beginning to stream the primary media content into a primary media queue at a secondary media server. At the secondary media server, broadcasting secondary media content from a secondary media queue until the primary media queue includes sufficient content to satisfy a fill threshold. In response to determining that the fill threshold has been satisfied, switching from broadcasting the secondary media content from the secondary media queue to broadcasting the primary media content from the primary media queue.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a requesting device, a broadcast station identifier associated with an over-the-air broadcast station. In response to receiving the station identifier, returning to the requesting device an address of a streaming station corresponding to the over-the-air broadcast station. A determination is made regarding whether the requesting device will insert advertisements locally. In response to determining that the requesting will insert advertisements locally, custom advertisements are transmitted to the requesting device for insertion into the streaming station corresponding to the over-the-air broadcast station.

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 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: 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: 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 voice track (VT) device obtains a talent-to-master schedule and a station-to-master schedule. A master broadcast log, which includes an empty master VT associated with a user, is identified based on the talent-to-master schedule. The master broadcast log is displayed in a GUI on the VT recording device. User input selecting the empty master VT is received. Subscribing stations that use the identified master broadcast log as a basis for generating station broadcast logs are identified based on the station-to-master schedule, and obtained from the stations. For each station broadcast log that includes a station VT corresponding to the empty master VT, a match status is determined. The match status indicates whether media items scheduled for broadcast in slots adjacent to the station VT differ from media items scheduled for broadcast in slots adjacent to the empty master VT. Match statuses of station VTs corresponding to the empty master VT are displayed on a child window of the GUI.

Abstract: A mesh network includes multiple in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers, connected in a mesh configuration. A first IBOC transceiver receives first broadcast content for IBOC transmission, and transmits the first broadcast content to a second IBOC transceiver, which broadcasts the first broadcast content within a first IBOC broadcast area. the second IBOC transceiver receives feedback related to the first broadcast content from a user device within the first IBOC broadcast area, and transmits the feedback to an edge transceiver via a communication path including the first IBOC transceiver.

Abstract: A transfer time, at which control of automatically inserting advertisements into a broadcast is to be passed from a first advertisement management system to a second advertisement management system, is scheduled to occur within a spot break. During a first portion of the spot break controlled by the first advertisement management system, a determination is made that playout of a final advertisement scheduled for broadcast during the first portion of the spot break cannot be completed prior to the transfer time. A run-last-spot parameter indicating whether the first advertisement management system is permitted to pass control of automatically inserting advertisements into the broadcast prior to the transfer time is obtained. Control of automatically inserting advertisements into the broadcast is conditionally passed from the first advertisement management system to the second advertisement management system based on the run-last-spot parameter.

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.