Patents by Inventor Richard D. Wooden
Richard D. Wooden 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).
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Patent number: 9990655Abstract: A live media broadcast includes core content streamed to multiple users. While all consumers can be presented with the same core content, each individual consumer can be provided with individually customized content from various notification services during commercial breaks. For example, while one consumer can be provided with customized banking updates from her bank account during part of a commercial break, during that same commercial break another user might be provided with social media notifications or reminders from his calendar. Notifications or updates can be received in a text format and converted to an audio or other suitable format at an ad server, and delivered to a media automation system for insertion into a media stream in a way that integrates notifications into the listening or viewing experience without interrupting presentation of the core content.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20180109575Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Patent number: 9918200Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: iHeartMedia Mangement Services, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, Michael Lincoln Albl, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart, Theodore N. Myers, Evan A. Hill, Tanya R. Jellison
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Patent number: 9860288Abstract: 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 the station to select the perishable content, or other 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20170272486Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Patent number: 9699232Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Thomas Drapeau, Lasse Hamre, Pablo Calamera, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Patent number: 9549293Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, Michael Lincoln Albl, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart, Theodore N. Myers, Evan A. Hill, Tanya R. Jellison
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Publication number: 20160191583Abstract: 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 the station to select the perishable content, or other 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Patent number: 9361372Abstract: A method of allowing listeners to participate in broadcast programming is provided, the method generally comprising one or more of providing a library of media elements accessible by a plurality of listeners; receiving from each of at least two of the listeners a playlist of media elements, wherein at least one of the media elements in each playlist is from the library of media elements; editing the playlists using broadcast scheduling software; providing the edited playlists to the plurality of listeners for playback, and for feedback regarding the playlists; and receiving feedback from at least one of the listeners regarding the playlists. A system and apparatus are similarly provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Theodore N. Myers, Kevin R. Lockhart, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Alan L. Sledge, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20160157061Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, Michael Lincoln Albl, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart, Theodore N. Myers, Evan A. Hill, Tanya R. Jellison
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Patent number: 9300618Abstract: 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 the station to select the perishable content, or other 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20160044370Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicant: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, Michael Lincoln Albl, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart, Theodore N. Myers, Evan A. Hill, Tanya R. Jellison
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Publication number: 20160043747Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicant: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, Michael Lincoln Albl, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart, Theodore N. Myers, Evan A. Hill, Tanya R. Jellison
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Patent number: 9218415Abstract: A method of allowing listeners to participate in broadcast programming is provided, the method generally comprising one or more of providing a library of media elements accessible by a plurality of listeners; receiving from each of at least two of the listeners a playlist of media elements, wherein at least one of the media elements in each playlist is from the library of media elements; editing the playlists using broadcast scheduling software; providing the edited playlists to the plurality of listeners for playback, and for feedback regarding the playlists; and receiving feedback from at least one of the listeners regarding the playlists. A system and apparatus are similarly provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Theodore A. Myers, Kevin R. Lockhart, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Alan L. Sledge, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Patent number: 9203445Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn, Michael Lincoln Albl, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart, Theodore N. Myers, Evan A. Hill, Tanya R. Jellison
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Publication number: 20150319122Abstract: 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 the station to select the perishable content, or other 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20150213121Abstract: A method of allowing listeners to participate in broadcast programming is provided, the method generally comprising one or more of providing a library of media elements accessible by a plurality of listeners; receiving from each of at least two of the listeners a playlist of media elements, wherein at least one of the media elements in each playlist is from the library of media elements; editing the playlists using broadcast scheduling software; providing the edited playlists to the plurality of listeners for playback, and for feedback regarding the playlists; and receiving feedback from at least one of the listeners regarding the playlists. A system and apparatus are similarly provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Theodore N. Myers, Kevin R. Lockhart, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Alan L. Sledge, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Patent number: 9082135Abstract: 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 the station to select the perishable content, or other 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Kevin R. Lockhart, Richard D. Wooden, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Jacqueline J. Lockhart
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Patent number: 9047256Abstract: A system and method for monitoring media viewing activity by one or more individuals is disclosed. In general, the location of a sign can be identified, a human eye can be located and tracked and vectoring module and a projection module can determine if the individual's eyes are directed towards the sign. The content of the signage can be coordinated with the direction of the eye in real time to determine what content the individual viewed. An audience reaction module can acquire audience reaction data such as how long eyes are engaged on the sign and can determine other reactions such as a smile a frown or a gesture of interest or disinterest based on the change of content on the signage. The system allows for an advertiser to acquire and evaluate audience feedback related to presentation and content displayed on media (e.g., billboards, digital signage, window displays, etc.).Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Alan Carlson, Richard D. Wooden
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Patent number: 9003286Abstract: A method of allowing listeners to participate in broadcast programming is provided, the method generally comprising one or more of providing a library of media elements accessible by a plurality of listeners; receiving from each of at least two of the listeners a playlist of media elements, wherein at least one of the media elements in each playlist is from the library of media elements; editing the playlists using broadcast scheduling software; providing the edited playlists to the plurality of listeners for playback, and for feedback regarding the playlists; and receiving feedback from at least one of the listeners regarding the playlists. A system and apparatus are similarly provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.Inventors: Theodore N. Myers, Kevin R. Lockhart, Jeffrey D. Zigler, Alan L. Sledge, Richard D. Wooden, Jacqueline J. Lockhart