Abstract: Digital content can be broadcast in a sideband of an analog broadcast channel using multiple digital in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers connected in a mesh configuration to form an IBOC mesh network. The digital IBOC transceivers are positioned at various geographic locations, so that unlike traditional “HD” radio broadcasts, the IBOC broadcast transmission is spread out over a wide area, using multiple low power digital IBOC transceivers rather than being broadcast from the same location as the analog signal. An edge transceiver can limit IBOC transmission power of the IBOC transceivers to a desired portion of the power used to broadcast the analog signal. The edge server can make this determination based on measurements taken at the geographically distributed digital IBOC transceivers. The IBOC mesh network provides bi-directional communication between a mesh transceiver and a user device, and can be used to deliver user feedback.

Abstract: Digital content can be broadcast in a sideband of an analog broadcast channel using multiple digital in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers connected in a mesh configuration to form an IBOC mesh network. The digital IBOC transceivers are positioned at various geographic locations, so that unlike traditional “HD” radio broadcasts, the IBOC broadcast transmission is spread out over a wide area, using multiple low power digital IBOC transceivers rather than being broadcast from the same location as the analog signal. An edge transceiver associated with the mesh network can deliver different broadcast content to different transceivers, or nodes, within the mesh network, by delivering content to an intermediate node and relying on the intermediate node to propagate the content through the mesh network. The mesh network provides bi-directional communication between a mesh transceiver and a user device.

Abstract: The amount of traffic information included in traffic message frames broadcast to users, for example via a Transport Protocol Experts Group (TPEG) frame, can be reduced by using configurable bounding areas for different road classes (types). A broadcast area associated with a primary bounding area can be divided into sub-bounding areas. Rather than broadcasting information for all roads of all classes in the broadcast area, each road class is associated with a particular bounding area. Traffic information pertaining to roads located within a bounding area that have road classifications matching bounding area road classifications is included in a TPEG frame. For example, if a class 4 road is located within a sub-bounding area associated only with road classifications 0-3, information about that particular road can be excluded from the broadcast traffic information, even if it is located within the primary bounding area.

Abstract: A media balancer can assist in selecting replacement media items to be used in generating one or more target schedules from a single master schedule. The media balancer can receive option parameters indicating preferences related to generation of the target schedule. Based on these option parameters, the media balancer can select one of multiple different media schedulers to assist in evaluating potential replacement media items. The media balancer can transmit to the media scheduler selected, information associated with the option parameters, and a request to perform an evaluation of potential replacement media items based on those option parameters. The media balancer can receive the results of the evaluation performed by the selected media scheduler, and use those results to generate target schedules by replacing at least one original media item included in the master schedule with a replacement media item.

Abstract: An automotive radio receiver includes an over-the-air radio tuner and a network interface. When a broadcast received at the radio receiver, it includes embedded information that can be used to identify the radio station providing the broadcast. The radio receiver uses the embedded information to identify a streaming station that corresponds to the broadcast station. The radio receiver transmits information associated with the streaming station to a web service, which returns an address at which the radio receiver can access the streaming station. The address of the streaming station is stored in a memory accessible to the radio receiver for later use. The next time the radio receiver is tuned to the same broadcast station, the radio receiver instead connects to the streaming station at the stored address.

Abstract: Digital content can be broadcast in a sideband of an analog broadcast channel using multiple digital in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers connected in a mesh configuration to form an IBOC mesh network. The digital IBOC transceivers are positioned at various geographic locations, so that unlike traditional “HD” radio broadcasts, the IBOC broadcast transmission is spread out over a wide area, using multiple low power digital IBOC transceivers rather than being broadcast from the same location as the analog signal. IBOC transmission power can be limited to a desired portion of the power used to broadcast the analog signal, based on measurements taken at the geographically distributed digital IBOC transceivers. The IBOC mesh network provides bi-directional communication between a mesh transceiver and a user device, and delivers user feedback received at one mesh transceiver to a feedback server by moving the user feedback through the IBOC mesh network.

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: One or more target schedules is generated based on a single master schedule. Replacement media items are inserted into a target schedule instead of the corresponding media items from the master schedule. The replacement media items are selected from a list of potential media replacement items scored using a scoring method used by a music scheduling system, as corresponding media items in the master schedule. The length of the media items in the list is checked to see if the length falls within a duration delta of the length of the media item being replaced in the master schedule, and to identify items that meet a minimum score threshold. The highest ranking item from the list that satisfies both the score threshold and the duration delta is selected for insertion in the target schedule. Music scheduling systems, such as GSelector®, can be leveraged to generate and score the list.

Abstract: Digital content can be broadcast in a sideband of an analog broadcast channel using multiple digital in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers connected in a mesh configuration to form an IBOC mesh network. The digital IBOC transceivers are positioned at various geographic locations, so that unlike traditional “HD” radio broadcasts, the IBOC broadcast transmission is spread out over a wide area, using multiple low power digital IBOC transceivers rather than being broadcast from the same location as the analog signal. IBOC transmission power can be limited to a desired portion of the power used to broadcast the analog signal, based on measurements taken at the geographically distributed digital IBOC transceivers. The IBOC mesh network provides bi-directional communication between a mesh transceiver and a user device, and delivers user feedback received at one mesh transceiver to a feedback server by moving the user feedback through the IBOC mesh network.

Abstract: A subscription system includes a national subscription server capable of tracking which local stations subscribe to particular radio station music formats, for example AC middays, Top 40 afternoons, morning programs, or overnight Contemporary AC. A local music scheduler can query the subscription server for a log of nationally scheduled content to fill one or more dayparts of a local broadcast schedule. The subscription system can determine where to obtain the requested log, and provide the log to the local scheduler for insertion into a particular daypart of the local clock, while leaving the remaining dayparts free for local scheduling. Trusted subscribers can also be permitted to alter portions of log of nationally scheduled items. Inserting the log of nationally scheduled items into the local clock provides local awareness of both local and national media items scheduled for broadcast.

Abstract: A subscription system includes a national subscription server capable of tracking which local stations subscribe to particular radio station music formats, for example AC middays, Top 40 afternoons, morning programs, or overnight Contemporary AC. A local music scheduler can query the subscription server for a log of nationally scheduled content to fill one or more dayparts of a local broadcast schedule. The subscription system can determine where to obtain the requested log, and provide the log to the local scheduler for insertion into a particular daypart of the local clock, while leaving the remaining dayparts free for local scheduling. Trusted subscribers can also be permitted to alter portions of log of nationally scheduled items. Inserting the log of nationally scheduled items into the local clock provides local awareness of both local and national media items scheduled for broadcast.

Abstract: A media receiver identifies attributes of a media station to which the media receiver is currently tuned. The media receiver monitors the signal quality of the media station. If the signal quality of the media station drops below a quality threshold, the receiver chooses an alternate station having similar content, and then tunes to the alternate station until the signal quality of the original station improves. When the signal quality of the original station rises above a re-tune threshold, the receiver can switch back to the original station. The receiver can monitor and record user listening patterns, station-switching patterns, and situational parameters, to identify times or locations at which station switches occur. This information can be used to select appropriate alternative stations, to perform pre-emptive station switches, and to determine when a station's content will be buffered with the expectation that a station's signal will drop below the quality threshold.

Abstract: A unified system of unique identifiers is used to match enrichment content with primary content being delivered by subscribers, e.g. broadcasters, in different markets, market segments, etc. Requests for available enrichment content can be granted or denied based on whether or not a station override is active. A station override can be used to specify whether or not enriching content is transmitted to, or withheld from, particular stations, and in some cases the station override can be used to prevent some or all slave stations associated with particular master stations from receiving enrichment content if the station override is associated with a master station.

Abstract: A unified system of unique identifiers is used to match enrichment content with primary content being delivered by subscribers, e.g. broadcasters, in different markets, market segments, etc. Songs, video, advertisements, or other content from multiple different content publishers or databases, each of which may be assigned identifiers using different identification systems, are assigned a unified, unique identifier. The unique identifiers are also mapped to content identifiers used by subscribers. When subscribers provide primary content, for example by broadcasting the content to end users, enrichment content is matched to the unified, unique identifier associated with the content, and appropriate enrichment data and content are sent to the subscriber for distribution along with the primary content.

Abstract: A media automation system can provide a common program to multiple different servers, for example a terrestrial broadcast radio server and a streaming radio server. Each of the different servers can receive different content blocks to be inserted during breaks in the common program. Media items from existing content blocks can be removed, and different items inserted. If a content block is under-filled, media items can be inserted without removing existing media items. When items are removed or added to a content block, the removal can be reported to a traffic and billing system for appropriate action. Content blocks can be customized by removing or inserting items based on information obtained from a cloud-based application, or some other source.

Abstract: A history of user listening patterns associating geographic locations with media stations is stored and used to aid in selecting a media station. If a media station associated with a current geographical location is available, that station can be automatically tuned by a wireless media receiver. If a media station associated with the current location is not available, an alternate media station that is available at the current geographical location can be selected, and the receiver tuned to the alternate station. The alternate station can be an over-the-air (OTA) station or an Internet Protocol (IP) station. A user can be allowed to select between alternate stations having comparable content, or the user can designate a default alternate station. User listening patterns can be used to determine whether a media station is associated a particular geographic location.

Abstract: A media automation system can provide a common program to multiple different servers, for example a terrestrial broadcast radio server and a streaming radio server. Each of the different servers can receive different content blocks to be inserted during breaks in the common program. Media items from existing content blocks can be removed, and different items inserted. If a content block is under-filled, media items can be inserted without removing existing media items. When items are removed or added to a content block, the removal can be reported to a traffic and billing system for appropriate action. Content blocks can be customized by removing or inserting items based on information obtained from a cloud-based application, or some other source.

Abstract: A media receiver identifies attributes of a media station to which the media receiver is currently tuned. The media receiver monitors the signal quality of the media station. If the signal quality of the media station drops below a quality threshold, the receiver chooses an alternate station having similar content, and then tunes to the alternate station until the signal quality of the original station improves. When the signal quality of the original station rises above a re-tune threshold, the receiver can switch back to the original station. The receiver can monitor and record user listening patterns, station-switching patterns, and situational parameters, to identify times or locations at which station switches occur. This information can be used to select appropriate alternative stations, to perform pre-emptive station switches, and to determine when a station's content will be buffered with the expectation that a station's signal will drop below the quality threshold.

Abstract: A media receiver identifies attributes of a media station to which the media receiver is currently tuned. The media receiver monitors the signal quality of the media station. If the signal quality of the media station drops below a quality threshold, the receiver chooses an alternate station having similar content, and then tunes to the alternate station until the signal quality of the original station improves. When the signal quality of the original station rises above a re-tune threshold, the receiver can switch back to the original station. The receiver can monitor and record user listening patterns, station-switching patterns, and situational parameters, to identify times or locations at which station switches occur. This information can be used to select appropriate alternative stations, to perform pre-emptive station switches, and to determine when a station's content will be buffered with the expectation that a station's signal will drop below the quality threshold.

Abstract: A media receiver identifies attributes of a media station to which the media receiver is currently tuned. The media receiver monitors the signal quality of the media station. If the signal quality of the media station drops below a quality threshold, the receiver chooses an alternate station having similar content, and then tunes to the alternate station until the signal quality of the original station improves. When the signal quality of the original station rises above a re-tune threshold, the receiver can switch back to the original station. The receiver can monitor and record user listening patterns, station-switching patterns, and situational parameters, to identify times or locations at which station switches occur. This information can be used to select appropriate alternative stations, to perform pre-emptive station switches, and to determine when a station's content will be buffered with the expectation that a station's signal will drop below the quality threshold.