Iheartmedia Management Services, Inc.

The Nielson Company (US), LLC

Clear Channel Management Sevices, Inc.

Philippe Generali

Dyon Anniballi

David C Jellison, Jr

Brice Kirkendall-Rodriguez

Periklis Beltas

Gary Marince

A plurality of media files to be broadcast is stored in accordance with a broadcast schedule, wherein the plurality of media files include media content. A speech audio file, including speech content, is obtained, and a determination is made regarding whether the speech content included in the speech audio file includes a reference to particular media content included in a particular media file of the plurality of media files. A linkage is created between the speech audio file and the particular media file, and the speech audio file is inserted in a position within the broadcast schedule based on the linkage between the speech audio file and the particular media file.

Inserting speech audio file into schedule based on linkage to a media item

A media item included in a broadcast is identified by receiving, at a processing device including a processor, a first recorded representation of a first media broadcast, which includes a recording of at least a portion of a first media item, via a known media station. The first recorded representation. An identity of the first media item is determined based on a broadcast schedule associated with the known media station. A second recorded representation of a second media broadcast transmitted via an unknown media station, which includes a recording of at least a portion of a media-item-of-interest is also received at the processing device. The media-item-of-interest is identified by the processing device based on a block-by-block comparison of the first recorded representation to the second recorded representation. The comparison includes comparing first blocks included in the first recorded representation against second blocks included in the second recorded representation on a frame by frame basis.

Automated media identification using block comparisons of different recorded representations

Multiple main sequences of media items played by a plurality of different media stations are identified. Each main sequence includes one or more content items, and potentially includes syndicated content. At least one main sequence is removed from further consideration, leaving a plurality of remaining main sequences. The at least one main sequence is removed from consideration based, at least in part, on a number of content items included in the at least one main sequence. Consolidated main sequences are generated by merging one or more remaining main sequences satisfying a consolidation criterion. Each consolidated main sequence includes two or more remaining main sequences. The consolidated main sequences are compared to determine whether syndicated content was played on a particular media station.

Manipulation of sequences to identify stations playing syndicated content

A mobile communication device includes a wireless local Access Network (WLAN) module, a personal area network (PAN) module, a timing module, a memory, an authentication module operably coupled to the WLAN module, the PAN module, the timing module and the memory and a processing module operably coupled to the authentication module. The WLAN module is configured to transmit a licensing request message to an authentication server and receive a licensing request response from the authentication server, while the personal area network (PAN) module is configured to receive a time limited licensing request message from a client computer and transmit a licensing request response to the client computer. The processing module is configured to control at least a portion of an authentication process executed on the authentication module.

Mobile licensing verification intermediary

A syndicated-content recognition system retrieves, from at least one database, media broadcast files broadcast by a plurality of media broadcast sources, wherein individual media broadcast files are associated with stations, days of the week, and times. Based on historical data associated with the media broadcast files, the system determines whether a particular media broadcast file associated with a particular station and a particular time is likely to include syndicated content. In response to determining that the particular media broadcast file is likely to include syndicated content the particular media broadcast file is tagged to generate a tagged media broadcast file, and the tagged media broadcast file is exempted from syndicated-content-comparisons with other media broadcast files.

Syndicated content detection using historical data

A first speech audio file scheduled for transmission in a first position of a transmission schedule, a first transcript of the first speech audio file, and first metadata associated with a first content item scheduled for transmission in a second position of the transmission schedule are obtained. The first metadata is compared to at least a portion of the first transcript to determine whether any of the first metadata matches the at least a portion of the first transcript. In response to determining that at least a portion of the first metadata matches at least a portion of the first transcript, linkages are created between the first speech audio file and the first content item. A graphical user interface (GUI) is generated, and displays a list of items scheduled for transmission including: a first identifier representing the first speech audio file in the first position; and a second identifier representing the first content item in the second position.

Graphical user interface displaying linked schedule items

Automated data-matching includes obtaining first and second stored fingerprints generated from first and second data. The stored fingerprints are divided into frames, and grouped into first blocks and second blocks including an equal number of frames. Each frame included in a current first block is compared to each frame included in a current second block to determine a number of matching frames, and a hamming distance between the current first block and the current second block is determined, based at least in part on the number of matching frames. A determination is made, based at least in part on the hamming distance, whether the current first block and the current second block match.

Automated data-matching based on fingerprints

Broadcast signatures (fingerprints) from different sources are compared to distinguish between a known base media item and unknown versions of the known base media item, without prior storage of the unknown altered versions of the known base media item. Field recorders collect and store in buffers signatures found within portions of sequential broadcast content. Mobile devices (users) collect unknown signatures while recording broadcast content. Using a cloud callout routine, the mobile device requests a comparison between the collected unknown signatures and the field recorded signatures. Potential matches can be loose matches, strict matches or comparisons between failed loose comparisons.

Cloud callout identification of unknown broadcast signatures based on previously recorded broadcast signatures

Content from multiple different sources can be divided into segments based on time. Matched segments associated with each source can be identified by comparing content included in a first segment associated with a first source, to content included in a second segment associated with a second source. Syndicated content can be identified and tagged based, at least in part, on a relationship between sequences of matched segments on different stations. Various embodiments also include identifying main sequences associated with each source under consideration, removing some of the main sequences, and consolidating remaining main sequences based on various threshold criteria.

Program and syndicated content detection

First fingerprint data is accumulated in a first fingerprint buffer of a channel identification server in parallel with accumulation of second fingerprint data in a second fingerprint buffer of the channel identification server. The first and second fingerprint data include multiple fingerprints representing broadcast content broadcast by corresponding broadcast sources during contiguous time periods, and accumulating the fingerprints includes appending newly received first fingerprints to previously received first fingerprints to generate continuous fingerprints. The channel identification server also receives an unmatched fingerprint representing broadcast content received from an unknown broadcast source by the end-user device. The unmatched fingerprint into probes, which are scrubbed against both first and second continuous fingerprints in an attempt to determine a match between the unmatched fingerprint and either the first or second continuous fingerprint. The unknown broadcast source is identified based on that determination.

Source identification using parallel accumulation and comparison of broadcast fingerprints

A graphical user interface (GUI) is implemented on a computing device that includes a processor and associated memory. The GUI includes a graphical presentation pane configured to display a graph including at least one plot representing listenership information along a Y axis of the graph, and a period of time along an X axis of the graph. The listenership information is associated with at least one selected station, and the period of time is determined based on a user-selection of the period of time. The GUI also includes a marker that can be positioned over different portions of the plot in response to user input, and a media log pane linked to a current portion of the plot over which the marker is positioned. the media log pane displays media items corresponding to both the at least one selected station and a time indicated by the current portion of the plot.

Graphical user interface (GUI) with linked panes

A method includes generating, at a device, text based on speech content of an audio file that is identified in a transmission schedule. The method also includes comparing, at the device, the text to metadata of a content item identified in the transmission schedule. The method further includes, based on determining that at least a portion of the text matches at least a portion of the metadata, storing a data record associated with the transmission schedule. The data record indicates that the audio file is associated with the content item. Other aspects are also disclosed.

Transmission schedule analysis and display

An application client receives an open window event from an intermediary device before transmitting a licensing request to the intermediary device. The intermediary device transmits the licensing request to an authentication server, which responds by transmitting a message indicating approval status of the request back to the intermediary device. If the intermediary device is not within a predetermined proximity of the application client, the intermediary can wait predetermined amount of time for the intermediary device to return to the predetermined proximity of the application client before transmitting a second message indicating approval status to the application client. The application client receives, from the intermediary device, a licensing response reporting the approval status indicated by the message from the authentication server.

Licensing authentication via intermediary using time and proximity

Small changes in a broadcast version of a base media item can be identified by performing a multi-level comparison of digital fingerprints. A fingerprint of a base media item is compared to a fingerprint of a media broadcast to determine whether a media item embedded in a broadcast is likely, to a first level of certainty, to be the base media item. A second, more stringent, match between the fingerprint of the base media item and loosely matched items can be used to identify potentially-altered versions of the base media item. Potentially-altered versions can be compared against each other, and resulting matches are flagged as altered base media items, which can be fingerprinted and tested against broadcast fingerprints in the same manner as the base media item. Comparisons are made in parallel between two fingerprints to distinguish between a known base media item and unknown altered versions of the known base media item without prior storage of the unknown altered versions of the known base media item.

Identification of unknown altered versions of a known base media item

Content from multiple different stations can be divided into segments based on time. Matched segments associated with each station can be identified by comparing content included in a first segment associated with a first station, to content included in a second segment associated with a second station. Syndicated content can be identified and tagged based, at least in part, on a relationship between sequences of matched segments on different stations. Various embodiments also include identifying main sequences associated with each station under consideration, removing some of the main sequences, and consolidating remaining main sequences based on various threshold criteria.

Growing community of inventors

Scarsdale, NY, United States of America

Philippe Generali