Patents by Inventor Nigel Attwell

Nigel Attwell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12222927
    Abstract: A method for use in a data processing system includes storing pass order information in a first data structure, wherein the pass order information stores settings associated with an order in which media items are to be scheduled for inclusion in a broadcast media schedule, and automatically generating the broadcast media schedule in accordance with the settings stored in the first data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: iHeart Media Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, William Wallace Webber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12001473
    Abstract: A method for use in an automated media scheduling system includes generating a shots representing potential playlists of media items. Each of the shots includes multiple shot positions. A shot-position-dependent score of a current content item being considered for insertion into a particular shot position of a particular shot is generated, and indicates how closely the current content item conforms to a predetermined set of factors associated with the particular shot position of the particular shot. The current content item is inserted into the particular shot position of the particular shot based, at least in part on a comparison of the shot-position-dependent score of the current content item with shot-position-dependent scores of other content items, and the shot positions of each of the shots are populated with eligible content items. One of the shots is selected for scheduling based on aggregate scores of eligible content associated with each individual shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, Chris Bean
  • Publication number: 20240020294
    Abstract: A method for use in a data processing system includes storing pass order information in a first data structure, wherein the pass order information stores settings associated with an order in which media items are to be scheduled for inclusion in a broadcast media schedule, and automatically generating the broadcast media schedule in accordance with the settings stored in the first data structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, William Wallace Webber, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220156306
    Abstract: A method for use in an automated media scheduling system includes generating a shots representing potential playlists of media items. Each of the shots includes multiple shot positions. A shot-position-dependent score of a current content item being considered for insertion into a particular shot position of a particular shot is generated, and indicates how closely the current content item conforms to a predetermined set of factors associated with the particular shot position of the particular shot. The current content item is inserted into the particular shot position of the particular shot based, at least in part on a comparison of the shot-position-dependent score of the current content item with shot-position-dependent scores of other content items, and the shot positions of each of the shots are populated with eligible content items. One of the shots is selected for scheduling based on aggregate scores of eligible content associated with each individual shot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, Chris Bean
  • Patent number: 11238086
    Abstract: Multiple shots representing potential playlists of content items are generated. Each shot includes multiple shot positions into which potential content items are placed. The shot positions are individually assigned position index values. The position index values assigned to positions in a particular shot form a unique sequences of index values. Eligible content items are identified for insertion into a first shot position. The eligible content items are scored relative to each other, and associated with content index values. Selected eligible content items are placed into particular shot positions based on a comparison of content index values associated with the selected eligible content items to a position index value assigned to the particular shot positions. Shot scores are determined based on aggregate scores of eligible content items placed in shot positions associated with each individual shot, and the shot scores are compared. A broadcast schedule is generated based on the shot-score comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, Chris Bean
  • Publication number: 20210173551
    Abstract: A method for use in an automated media scheduling system including a processor and associated memory includes inserting media items from a first category into broadcast schedule positions of a first daypart of a broadcast media schedule, and determining that a second daypart, adjacent to the first daypart, is to be scheduled. A first position within the second daypart is selected, and a determination is made regarding whether the first position is a transition position. In response to determining that the first position is not a transition position, a first media item is selected in accordance with a user-specified order. The broadcast media schedule is automatically modified by inserting the first media item into the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Attwell
  • Patent number: 10908794
    Abstract: An automated media scheduling system selects a media item from a first category of media items to be scheduled during a transition period included in a first daypart of a first day by determining that a media item from the first category of media items is to be scheduled. The system selects a media item using a strict rotation performed in a first order, but then determines that scheduling item results in an adjacency conflict. The system establishes a second, different order of media items from the same category. Each media item in the category is tested in the second order, until an item with an adjacency conflict is found. That media item is scheduled in place of the previously selected media item. The system then schedules remaining time periods in the first daypart of the first day by performing the strict rotation in the first order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Attwell
  • Publication number: 20200286128
    Abstract: An automated media scheduling system maintains information associating multiple different content triggers with multiple different content adjustment parameters. The content adjustment parameters include a first content trigger associated with a first adjustment parameter specifying a first media channel to be used to deliver first triggered content associated with the first content trigger. The media scheduling system monitors media delivered via a second media channel, different than the first media channel, to determine whether the first content trigger was delivered via the second media channel. In response to determining that the first content trigger was delivered via the second media channel, the media schedule of the first media channel is automatically adjusted in accordance with content adjustment parameters associated with the first content trigger, wherein automatically adjusting includes altering the media schedule of the first media channel to include the first triggered content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lincoln Albl, David C. Jellison, JR., Nigel Attwell
  • Publication number: 20200201841
    Abstract: A method for a data processing system includes retrieving a first set of multimedia content identifiers having a first sequential order and a first category, retrieving a second set of multimedia content identifiers having a second sequential order and a second category and combining the first and second set of the multimedia content identifiers to produce a chronological scheduling order. The method continues with the data processing system determining whether one or more conflicts exist in the chronological scheduling order and based on a determination that one or more conflicts exist, exchanging a slot position of either of the one of the first set and the one of the second set with another corresponding one of either of the first set and the second set of the multimedia content identifiers based upon a predetermined number of slot value to resolve the conflict and to modify the chronological scheduling order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, William Wallace Webber, JR.
  • Patent number: 10614060
    Abstract: A device and method for using carry forward conflict resolution in a constant order schema for multimedia airplay scheduling. A reusable multimedia content set (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc.) can be combined with a secondary multimedia content set for playback of multimedia content to create a scheduling order. Conflicts in the scheduling order resulting from the combination can be resolved by exchanging slot positions in the reusable multimedia content set, which can then be reused for combination with subsequent secondary multimedia content sets while maintaining the previous conflict resolved scheduling order, thereby adhering to a substantially constant order for the multimedia content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, William Wallace Webber, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200042948
    Abstract: Multiple shots representing potential playlists of content items are generated. Each shot includes multiple shot positions into which potential content items are placed. The shot positions are individually assigned position index values. The position index values assigned to positions in a particular shot form a unique sequences of index values. Eligible content items are identified for insertion into a first shot position. The eligible content items are scored relative to each other, and associated with content index values. Selected eligible content items are placed into particular shot positions based on a comparison of content index values associated with the selected eligible content items to a position index value assigned to the particular shot positions. Shot scores are determined based on aggregate scores of eligible content items placed in shot positions associated with each individual shot, and the shot scores are compared. A broadcast schedule is generated based on the shot-score comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, Chris Bean
  • Patent number: 10482430
    Abstract: A Multi-Shot Scheduling System chooses from multiple candidate playlists of positions to select a broadcast playlist. Candidate playlists are generated based upon scoring and selecting content items for the positions through the use of index values. Various embodiments of the Multi-Shot Scheduling System can select broadcast playlists for multiple groups of content and can provide different methods of controlling scheduling performance by restricting the range of candidate playlists from which the best playlist can be selected. the number of candidate playlists to be considered can be determined based on the number of positions in each playlist and a restriction requirement that sets a maximum index value assignable to playlist positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, Chris Bean
  • Publication number: 20190332252
    Abstract: An automated media scheduling system selects a media item from a first category of media items to be scheduled during a transition period included in a first daypart of a first day by determining that a media item from the first category of media items is to be scheduled. The system selects a media item using a strict rotation performed in a first order, but then determines that scheduling item results in an adjacency conflict. The system establishes a second, different order of media items from the same category. Each media item in the category is tested in the second order, until an item with an adjacency conflict is found. That media item is scheduled in place of the previously selected media item. The system then schedules remaining time periods in the first daypart of the first day by performing the strict rotation in the first order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Attwell
  • Patent number: 10372309
    Abstract: A scheduling order can be designated for the broadcast and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to slots within the scheduling order. The broadcast day is divided into dayparts having blocks of time and including multiple time slots. One of those time slots, a transition period, is adjacent to another daypart. The transition period may be scheduled using a different algorithm for adjacency scheduling to satisfy both horizontal and vertical adjacency requirements. The remaining slots for the schedule can be scheduled from one or more categories of media items associated with the block being scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Attwell
  • Patent number: 10331735
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a scheduling order per category is disclosed. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc.) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. The scheduling order can be configured to include a forward order per category or a reverse order per category with respect to the playback of the multimedia content in order to control the scheduling order for the eventual airplay of the multimedia content over a radio station or network of associated radio stations. A reverse scheduling technique provides an ideal rotation of songs when a pre-programmed show interferes with a normal rotation. Any rotational compromises can be buried in off-peak audience listening hours of the programming day using the disclosed reverse scheduling technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Attwell
  • Publication number: 20180285410
    Abstract: A device and method for using carry forward conflict resolution in a constant order schema for multimedia airplay scheduling. A reusable multimedia content set (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc.) can be combined with a secondary multimedia content set for playback of multimedia content to create a scheduling order. Conflicts in the scheduling order resulting from the combination can be resolved by exchanging slot positions in the reusable multimedia content set, which can then be reused for combination with subsequent secondary multimedia content sets while maintaining the previous conflict resolved scheduling order, thereby adhering to a substantially constant order for the multimedia content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, William Wallace Webber, JR.
  • Patent number: 9898499
    Abstract: A device and method for resolving a conflict in a chronological scheduling order for airplay while with constant order of the multimedia. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. Conflict resolution between multimedia content is based upon exchanging a slot position of either of one of a first set and one of a second set of a category of multimedia content identifiers with another corresponding one of either of the first set and the second set of the multimedia content identifiers based upon a predetermined number of slot value to resolve the conflict and to modify at least the portion of the chronological scheduling order while adhering to constant order for the multimedia content. Modified portions of the chronological scheduling order are produced for eventual airplay of multimedia content corresponding to the multimedia content identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, Wiliam Wallace Webber, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170039595
    Abstract: A media programming log is evaluated, and a determination is made that the media programming log includes an ad song scheduled for broadcast within a proximity threshold of a commercial set. The ad song is associated with an advertiser. An evaluation of spot inventory associated with the commercial set is performed, and a determination is made that at least one spot in the commercial set can be used for insertion of an ad-song advertisement. The ad-song advertisement contains at least a portion of a version of the ad song. The ad-song advertisement can then be inserted into at least one spot of a broadcast log, which can be delivered to an audio server for broadcast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lincoln Albl, David C. Jellison, JR., Nigel Attwell
  • Publication number: 20170039596
    Abstract: An automated media scheduling system maintains information associating multiple different content triggers with multiple different content adjustment parameters. The media scheduling system monitors media content across multiple media platforms for a content trigger. In response to detecting a particular content trigger, the media scheduling system adjusts playout of scheduled media content based on a content adjustment parameter associated with the detected content trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lincoln Albl, David C. Jellison, JR., Nigel Attwell
  • Publication number: 20170011347
    Abstract: A Multi-Shot Scheduling System chooses from multiple candidate playlists of positions to select a broadcast playlist. Candidate playlists are generated based upon scoring and selecting content items for the positions through the use of index values. Various embodiments of the Multi-Shot Scheduling System can select broadcast playlists for multiple groups of content and can provide different methods of controlling scheduling performance by restricting the range of candidate playlists from which the best playlist can be selected. the number of candidate playlists to be considered can be determined based on the number of positions in each playlist and a restriction requirement that sets a maximum index value assignable to playlist positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Attwell, Chris Bean