Abstract: First account information associated with a media delivery platform account is associated with second account information associated a third-party service provider account. Both the media delivery platform account and the third-party service provider account are associated with a particular consumer, and the first account information includes information indicating whether insertion of converted text-based notifications are enabled for a particular broadcast media stream. A text-based notification, which originates from the third-party service provider account and is directed to the particular consumer, is received. In response to determining, based on the first account information, that insertion of converted text-based notifications is enabled for the particular broadcast media stream: 1) the text-based notification into a converted text-based notification including personalized audio content; and 2) the converted-text-based notification is inserted into the particular broadcast media stream.

Abstract: A method for execution by one or more computing devices includes receiving, by a mobile device, a mobile device instance of a customized station. The method further includes initiating playback of the customized station via the mobile device. The method further includes automatically synchronizing the mobile device instance of the customized station with a non-mobile device instance of the customized station in accordance with synchronization settings associated with the customized station to produce a synchronized mobile device instance of the customized station and a synchronized non-mobile device instance of the customized station, where when the synchronized mobile device instance is switched to the synchronized non-mobile device instance, the playback of the customized station from the synchronized mobile device instance continues uninterrupted via the synchronized non-mobile device instance.

Abstract: A first server controls insertion of media content into a media stream, and transmits the media stream from the first server to a media player. The first server also transmits, to a second server, information linking a particular consumer to both a third-party service and to the media player. Control of inserting media content into the media stream is passed from the first server to the second server. The second server receives consumer-specific content associated with the particular consumer from the third-party service, and maps the consumer-specific content to the media player based, at least in part, on the information linking the particular consumer to both the third-party service and to the media player. The second server then inserts the consumer-specific content into the media stream during a time period the second server is in control of inserting media content into the media stream.

Abstract: A user of a mobile device can specify particular news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content received on a particular Internet radio station or other media channel received by the mobile device. The user can customize the station so that wherever the user is currently located, they can receive on their mobile device perishable content related to a preferred geographic location or other category. In some embodiments, a user can specify that a customized station plays local news from one city at the top of the hour, traffic from another city at 10 minutes past the hour, and music or other content at other times. The user can also customize original content from the personal libraries of specified users. Thus, a user can customize not only the genre of content or select a particular local station, but can also modify the perishable content provided by the customized station.

Abstract: A processing device implementing a streaming media service determines that a user has logged-in to the streaming media service, and retrieves, from a storage device, a user-specified location preference. The user-specified location preference indicates that a user has selected between receiving perishable content associated with a specified static location and perishable content associated with a current user location. a processing device included in a media delivery platform, obtains perishable content items selected in accordance with the user-specified location preference, assembles the perishable content items into an add-in block, and delivers the add-in block to the streaming media service. The streaming media service inserts the add-in block into a media stream associated with the user, and delivers the media stream to a user device.

Abstract: A streaming server receives a request to provide a requested media stream to a client-side media player. The client-side media player is capable of assembling portions of different media streams into a single playout stream and outputting the single playout stream to a user interface. In response to receiving the request, the streaming server transmits the requested media stream to the client-side media player. The streaming server also transmits a stream provider rule, which constrains assembly of the single playout stream by the client-side media player.

Abstract: An internet radio player provides more personalized streaming audio content by assigning play amounts to different streaming media stations, and then playing streams from the different media stations at a playback device for play times corresponding to the respective play amounts. The play time for a given stream is calculated as a user-defined percentage for the associated stream source multiplied by an expected listening period. The different stream sources can include different musical genres and formats, news, sports, weather, or traffic. Play amounts can be automatically adjusted based on user selection of the currently-playing stream source for increased or decreased play. A particular stream can also be played at a predetermined clock time, and the streams can further be ordered for play according to user preference.

Abstract: A first server controls insertion of media content into a media stream, and transmits the media stream from the first server to a media player. The first server also transmits, to a second server, information linking a particular consumer to both a third-party service and to the media player. Control of inserting media content into the media stream is passed from the first server to the second server. The second server receives consumer-specific content associated with the particular consumer from the third-party service, and maps the consumer-specific content to the media player based, at least in part, on the information linking the particular consumer to both the third-party service and to the media player. The second server then inserts the consumer-specific content into the media stream during a time period the second server is in control of inserting media content into the media stream.

Abstract: A media automation system generates multiple instances of a media broadcast stream, which includes core content common to each of the instances of the media broadcast stream, and multiple spot blocks interspersed within the media broadcast stream. Each stream instance is associated with a particular media playout device. A user notification is received and a packaged user notification is generated for inclusion in a particular instance of the media broadcast stream. Packaging the user notification includes obtaining first account information associated with a media delivery platform account of a user associated with a particular media playout device, and second account information associated with a consumer notification service account of the user. The user notification is mapped to the particular media playout device based on the first and second account information, and the packaged user notification is inserted into a first available spot block of the particular instance of the media broadcast stream.

Abstract: A user of a mobile device can specify particular news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content received on a particular Internet radio station or other media channel received by the mobile device. The user can customize the station so that wherever the user is currently located, they can receive on their mobile device perishable content related to a preferred geographic location or other category. In some embodiments, a user can specify that a customized station plays local news from one city at the top of the hour, traffic from another city at 10 minutes past the hour, and music or other content at other times. The user can also customize original content from the personal libraries of specified users. Thus, a user can customize not only the genre of content or select a particular local station, but can also modify the perishable content provided by the customized station.

Abstract: Information associated with a geographic location is encoded, in a format readable by a mobile device including a GPS receiver, into a sideband channel of a first transmission medium. The information includes first partial global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, which are insufficient by themselves to completely identify the geographic location. The first partial GPS coordinates are transmitted via the sideband channel of the first transmission medium. Second partial GPS coordinates are transmitted to the mobile device via a second transmission medium. The first and second partial GPS coordinates are sufficient, when combined, to fully identify the geographic location.

Abstract: A user can specify particular news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content received on a particular Internet radio station or other media channel. The user can customize the station so that wherever the user is currently located, he can receive perishable content related to a preferred geographic location or other category. In some embodiments, a user can specify that a customized station plays local news from one city at the top of the hour, traffic from another city at 10 minutes past the hour, and music or other content at other times. The user can also customize original content from the personal libraries of specified users. Thus, a user can customize not only the genre of content or select a particular local station, but can also modify the perishable content provided by the customized station.

Abstract: A method for time-sensitive data files in continuously generated data streams by a server computer comprises receiving user profile information associated with a plurality of different users and generating a dynamic data file that includes a plurality of user-selected metadata attributes, including a source link address to link with content via a universal resource locator file path. The method continues with the server computer receiving a request for a continuous data stream, generating the continuous data stream, inserting the dynamic data file in the continuous data stream and transmitting different content to a computing device associated with each of the plurality of different users.

Abstract: A processing device implementing a streaming media service determines that a user has logged-in to the streaming media service, and retrieves, from a storage device, a user-specified location preference. The user-specified location preference indicates that a user has selected between receiving perishable content associated with a specified static location and perishable content associated with a current user location. a processing device included in a media delivery platform, obtains perishable content items selected in accordance with the user-specified location preference, assembles the perishable content items into an add-in block, and delivers the add-in block to the streaming media service. The streaming media service inserts the add-in block into a media stream associated with the user, and delivers the media stream to a user device.

Abstract: Media consumers can elect to have local news, weather, traffic, or other perishable content inserted into customized media streams. The perishable content is inserted into the media stream as an add-in block containing items associated with a particular locale that matches a user location source preference. The user can specify a static location source preference, or a follow-me, or roaming preference, in which the user's current location is used. The perishable content is selected for inclusion in an add-in block by matching a user's location preference to a locale associated with the perishable content.

Abstract: Information associated with a geographic location is encoded, in a format readable by a mobile device including a GPS receiver, into a sideband channel of a first transmission medium. The information includes first partial global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, which are insufficient by themselves to completely identify the geographic location. The first partial GPS coordinates are transmitted via the sideband channel of the first transmission medium. Second partial GPS coordinates are transmitted to the mobile device via a second transmission medium. The first and second partial GPS coordinates are sufficient, when combined, to fully identify the geographic location.

Abstract: A method includes generating a dynamic audio file configured to be added to a conventional media library as a static asset, but including dynamic primary content. Generating the file includes inserting audio content formatted for processing and playout by conventional media players. The audio content includes an audible preamble at a beginning of the audio content, and primary content. Generating the file also includes inserting a tag associated with the dynamic portion of the primary content and a content start indicator. The tag specifies a source address used by an updater application to retrieve updated primary audio content. The content start indicator specifies a starting point of the primary content within the dynamic audio file, and is used by the updater application to strip the audible preamble from the dynamic audio file during the update process.

Abstract: A media automation system generates multiple instances of a media broadcast stream, which includes core content common to each of the instances of the media broadcast stream, and multiple spot blocks interspersed within the media broadcast stream. Each stream instance is associated with a particular media playout device. A user notification is received and a packaged user notification is generated for inclusion in a particular instance of the media broadcast stream. Packaging the user notification includes obtaining first account information associated with a media delivery platform account of a user associated with a particular media playout device, and second account information associated with a consumer notification service account of the user. The user notification is mapped to the particular media playout device based on the first and second account information, and the packaged user notification is inserted into a first available spot block of the particular instance of the media broadcast stream.

Abstract: An internet radio player provides more personalized streaming audio content by assigning play amounts to different streaming media stations, and then playing streams from the different media stations at a playback device for play times corresponding to the respective play amounts. The play time for a given stream is calculated as a user-defined percentage for the associated stream source multiplied by an expected listening period. The different stream sources can include different musical genres and formats, news, sports, weather, or traffic. Play amounts can be automatically adjusted based on user selection of the currently-playing stream source for increased or decreased play. A particular stream can also be played at a predetermined clock time, and the streams can further be ordered for play according to user preference.

Abstract: A method includes a media services system maintaining user preference data, including historical listening patterns associated with situational parameters user preference data from a first wireless receiver in memory. The method continues with the media service system receiving current situational parameters from a second wireless receiver and comparing the situation parameters to the historical listening patterns with situation parameters from the first wireless receiver. The method continues by selecting media selection data for the second wireless receiver and then transmitting the media selection data to the second wireless receiver.