Abstract: According to a method disclosed herein, 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: An advertisement proxy obtains a playlist associated with a destination platform. The playlist includes information identifying media items scheduled for delivery to the destination platform, an empty spot block, and metadata associated with the empty spot block. A playback manifest is generated based on the playlist, and includes the information identifying the media items scheduled for delivery to the destination platform, and spot information identifying an additional media item selected for inclusion in the empty spot block based on the metadata, format information identifying a media format associated with the destination platform, and location information specifying locations from which the media items and the additional media item can be obtained.

Abstract: Total advertising inventory of a broadcast station can be dynamically allocated between local, or station-sold, inventory and general, or network, inventory. The portion of total inventory allocated to local inventory or network inventory can be adjusted based on feedback from an advertising service, and a broadcast log can be generated based on the adjusted allocation. The broadcast log can be delivered to a media automation system associated with a media station which plays out local inventory in accordance with the broadcast log. When the broadcast log indicates that general/network inventory is to be broadcast, the media automation system stops playing-out local inventory, and allows the advertisement system to broadcast network inventory for a period of time indicated by the broadcast log. Broadcast of local inventory can be resumed early, before the time period indicated in the broadcast log has expired.

Abstract: A mesh network includes multiple in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers, connected in a mesh configuration. A first IBOC transceiver communicates directly with a second IBOC transceiver, and an edge transceiver communicates directly with the second IBOC transceiver, but indirectly with the first IBOC transceiver via the second IBOC transceiver. The first IBOC transceiver includes a first network interface, an IBOC radio frequency (RF) transmitter, and a wireless network interface. The first network interface receives broadcast content for IBOC transmission from the edge transceiver. The IBOC RF transmitter transmits the broadcast content within an IBOC broadcast area. The wireless network interface receives feedback, related to the broadcast content, from an IBOC user device within the IBOC broadcast area, and transmits the feedback indirectly to the edge transceiver.

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: Traffic probe devices, for validating traffic flow information, are selected by determining if a traffic probe device has a driver associated therewith traveling on an entire roadway segment of interest and whether the traffic probe device travelled continuously on the entire roadway segment of interest. The method continues by adding the traffic probe device to a list of traffic probe devices. The method continues by receiving measurements, during a particular time, from one or more of the traffic probe devices on the list of traffic probe devices, validating traffic-flow information for the roadway segment of interest, the traffic-flow information associated with the one or more of the traffic probe devices on the list of traffic probe devices and the particular time, and disseminating traffic messages including at least the validated traffic-flow prediction to users.

Abstract: A method includes assigning different unique identifiers to each of a plurality of different instances of a content item, wherein the different unique identifiers have values included in different ranges of unique identifier values. First information linking particular subscriber identifiers used by particular subscribers to refer to particular instances of the content items is stored. Second information associating an enrichment identifier with a collection of enrichment content is stored. Third information associating the enrichment identifier with a particular range of unique identifier values is stored. Enhanced content is delivered to subscribers based on the first information, the second information, and the third information.

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 traffic information system generates a traffic information frame for selected roads within a broadcast area by receiving traffic information from a traffic data source, obtaining road vector definitions for one or more roads identified in the traffic information, associating the road vector definitions with longitude and latitude to link the traffic information to particular roads, creating a Transport Protocol Experts Group (TPEG) traffic message, including the traffic information and the one or more roads associated with the traffic information, obtaining bounding area definitions of bounding areas associated with the particular traffic incident, combining cached TPEG messages into a composite TPEG frame using the bounding area definitions and broadcasting the TPEG frame to at least a primary bounding area.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A hybrid media device includes an over-the-air radio tuner, processing circuitry that includes an extraction module and an association module, and a network interface. the media device is tuned to an initial station, which provides providing a broadcast having embedded information. The embedded information is extracted, and used to identify a streaming media station corresponding to the broadcast station. The hybrid media device receives and stores the network address of the corresponding streaming media station, so the next time the device is instructed to tune to the initial broadcast station, the device instead connects to the streaming station at the stored address.

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: A first advertisement management system assumes control of inserting advertisements into a spot break for a first, pre-allocated portion of the spot break, which has a duration and a scheduled conclusion. The first advertisement management system makes a first determination, based at least in part on a number of advertisements available for insertion into the first pre-allocated portion of the spot break by the first advertisement management system. The first determination indicates whether control of inserting advertisements into the spot break is to be passed to a second advertisement management system at the scheduled conclusion of the first pre-allocated portion of the spot break, prior to the scheduled conclusion of the first pre-allocated portion of the spot break, or later than the scheduled conclusion of the first pre-allocated portion of the spot break. The first advertisement management system passes control to the second advertisement management system in accordance with the first determination.

Abstract: A processing system obtains first subscriber preferences associated with a first subscriber. Those preferences specify first additional content preferences associated with a particular media item. The processing system obtains second subscriber preferences associated with a second subscriber, and specifying second additional content preferences associated with the same media item. A broadcast status of the media item is determined, and in response to the broadcast status indicating that the media item is currently being broadcast, the processing system delivers first additional content to the first subscriber, and delivering second additional content, different from the first additional content, to the second subscriber.

Abstract: A cloud-based application is implemented on a processing system in communication with a media automation system via a communications network. The cloud-based application includes instructions to obtain user information associated with a user of the cloud-based application, to transmit the user information through the communications network to the media automation system, and to transmit a request for available media items through the communications network to the media automation system, which selects available media items in accordance with the user information. In response to its request for available media items, the cloud-based application receives from the media automation system a message identifying at least one media item to be delivered to the user. The cloud-based application transmits the at least one media item to the user of the cloud-based application via the communications network.

Abstract: A radio receiver includes a tuner and processing circuitry, which in turn includes watermark detection circuitry and local playout control circuitry. The tuner receives an over-the-air radio broadcast on a tuned frequency. The over-the-air radio broadcast includes broadcast content. The processing circuitry, which is coupled to the tuner, is used to implement the watermark detection circuitry and local playout control circuitry. The watermark detection circuitry detects an actionable watermark included in the broadcast content, and transmits a watermark-detected signal to the local playout control circuitry in response to detecting the actionable watermark. In response to receiving the watermark-detected signal, the local playout control circuitry initiates retrieval of replacement content.

Abstract: The same sequence of media items is pre-distributed to storage devices at multiple locations. A local program component, including content not in the pre-distributed sequence of media items, is obtained at a first media mixer at a first location. A control signal associated with playout of the pre-distributed media items is obtained at a first processing device co-located with the first media mixer. The local program component is transmitted to a second media mixer located at a second location. Separately from the local program component, the control signal is transmitted from the first processing device to a second processing device, co-located with the second media mixer. The control signal is synchronized to the local program component at the second location to generate a synchronized media program control. The pre-distributed sequence of media items is mixed with the local program component as directed by the synchronized media program control.

Abstract: In a media automation system, a database server transmits a request to a traffic and billing system to identify both an advertisement for potential inclusion in a content block, and a first primary programming item to be scheduled adjacent to the advertisement in a broadcast log, i.e. a paired advertisement and primary programming item, and receives a message identifying the advertisement and the first primary programming item from the traffic and billing system in response to that request. The database server responds to the message from the traffic and billing system by inserting the advertisement into the broadcast log adjacent to the first primary programming item, transmitting a signal notifying the traffic and billing system that the advertisement and the first primary programming item have been inserted into the broadcast log, and delivering the broadcast log to a media server.

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 method includes obtaining a master broadcast log and multiple station broadcast logs. The master log includes: a master voice track slot; a master prior slot adjacent to and preceding the master voice track slot; and a master subsequent slot adjacent to and following the master voice track slot. The station broadcast logs include corresponding voice tracks, preceding slots, and subsequent slots. Prior and subsequent slots specify media items. One, but not both, of the media items in the prior and subsequent slots of a first station log match corresponding slots in the master log. A partial-match indicator is generated. Media items in both the prior and subsequent slots of a second station log match corresponding slots in the master log. A full-match indicator is generated. A graphical user interface displays the partial-match indicator and the full-match indicator in different display areas.