Iheartmedia Management Services, Inc.

Clear Channel Management Services, Inc.

Jeffrey D Zigler

Richard D Wooden

Jacqueline J Lockhart

Kevin R Lockhart

Theodore N Myers

Lasse Hamre

Thomas Dacre Drapeau

Pablo Calamera

Evan A Hill

Tanya R Jellison

Jeffrey Lee Littlejohn

Daniel N MacTiernan

Michael Lincoln Albl

Alan L Sledge

Theodore A Myers

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.

Passing control of inserting third-party content into a media stream

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.

Mobile device selection of preferred content

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.

Customized perishable media content based on user-specified preference for static or variable location

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.

Mapping user notifications to specific media streams

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.

Divided transmission of GPS coordinates

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.

Selection of preferred content

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.

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.

Live media stream including personalized notifications

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.

Tuning based on historical geographic location

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.

Synchronization of preferred perishable content

Adding perishable content to media stream based on user location preference

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.

Preemptive tuning

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.

System and method for providing broadcast listener participation

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.

Growing community of inventors

Omaha, NE, United States of America

Jeffrey D Zigler