Method and system for controlling a scheduling order per category in a music scheduling system

• US 8,418,182 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2010
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc. (iHeartMedia, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Clear Channel Management Services LP (iHeartMedia, Inc.)
• Inventors: Attwell, Nigel
• Primary Examiner(s): Puente, Emerson
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Adam
• Application Number:
  US12/856,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20120042315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 718/102
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4881 Scheduling strategies for dispatcher, e.g. round robin, multi-level priority queues
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4887 involving deadlines, e.g. rate based, periodic
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/47 for recognising genres

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.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a scheduling order, said method comprising:

designating a scheduling order for the delivery and playback of multimedia content with respect to particular time slots within said scheduling order, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus;

configuring said scheduling order to include a forward order per at least one first category and a reverse order per said at least one second category with respect to said playback of said multimedia content to control said scheduling order for the eventual airplay of said multimedia content, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus;

initiating reverse scheduling of said scheduling order in a time slot immediately preceding a pre-programmed multimedia content, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus;

completing reverse scheduling of said scheduling order throughout time slots of a programming day, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus; and

restricting a scheduling compromise to an off-peak time slot of said programming day, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus, wherein said scheduling compromise allows the playback of multimedia content to occur, in at least a portion of off-peak time slots, in a pattern that interrupts said scheduling order.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

associating at least one unslotted position with said at least one second category, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus;

scheduling said unslotted position in said reverse order with respect to said at least one second category over a particular time period, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus; and

designating said at least one second category as reverse scheduled, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

associating at least one unslotted position with at least one theme position, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus;

scheduling said unslotted position in said reverse order with respect to said at least one theme position over a particular time period, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus; and

designating said at least one theme position as reverse scheduled, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

associating at least one unslotted position with at least one twofer position, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus;

scheduling said unslotted position in said reverse order with respect to said at least one twofer position over a particular time period, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus; and

designating said at least one twofer position as reverse scheduled, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

designating said at least one second category in a context of a daypart, wherein each position in a particular time range is scheduled in said reverse order, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus; and

maintaining a priority with respect to said daypart, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

initiating reverse scheduling of said scheduling order in a last time slot of a programming day, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus.

7. A system for controlling a scheduling order, said system comprising:

a processor;

a data bus coupled to said processor; and

a computer-usable medium embodying computer code, said computer-usable medium being coupled to said data bus, said computer program code comprising instructions executable by said processor and configured for;

designating a scheduling order for the delivery and playback of multimedia content with respect to particular time slots within said scheduling order;

configuring said scheduling order to include a forward order per at least one first category and a reverse order per at least one second category with respect to said playback of said multimedia content to control said scheduling order for the eventual airplay of said multimedia content;

initiating reverse scheduling of said scheduling order in a time slot immediately preceding a pre-programmed multimedia content;

completing reverse scheduling of said scheduling order throughout time slots of a programming day; and

restricting a scheduling compromise to an off-peak time slot of said programming day, wherein said scheduling compromise allows the playback of multimedia content to occur, in at least a portion of off-peak time slots, in a pattern that interrupts said scheduling order.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said instructions are further configured for:

associating at least one unslotted position with said at least one second category;

scheduling said unslotted position in said reverse order with respect to said at least one second category over a particular time period; and

designating said at least one second category as reverse scheduled.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said instructions are further configured for:

associating at least one unslotted position with at least one theme position;

scheduling said unslotted position in said reverse order with respect to said at least one theme position over a particular time period; and

designating said at least one theme position as reverse scheduled.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said instructions are further configured for:

associating at least one unslotted position with at least one twofer position;

scheduling said unslotted position in said reverse order with respect to said at least one twofer position over a particular time period; and

designating said at least one twofer position as reverse scheduled.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein said instructions are further configured for:

designating said at least one second category in a context of a daypart, wherein each position in a particular time range is scheduled in said reverse order; and

maintaining a priority with respect to said daypart.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein said instructions are further configured for:

initiating reverse scheduling of said scheduling order in a last time slot of a programming day, by executing a program instruction in a data processing apparatus.

13. A non-transitory computer-usable medium for controlling a scheduling order, said computer-usable medium embodying computer program code, said computer program code comprising computer executable instructions configured for:

designating a scheduling order for the delivery and playback of multimedia content with respect to particular time slots within said scheduling order;

configuring said scheduling order to include a forward order per at least one first category and a reverse order per at least one second category with respect to said playback multimedia content to control said scheduling order for the eventual airplay of said multimedia content;

initiating reverse scheduling of said scheduling order in a time slot immediately preceding a pre-programmed multimedia content;

completing reverse scheduling of said scheduling order throughout time slots of a programming day; and

restricting a scheduling compromise to an off-peak time slot of said programming day, wherein said scheduling compromise allows the playback of multimedia content to occur, in at least a portion of off-peak time slots, in a pattern that interrupts said scheduling order.

14. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 13 wherein said embodied computer program code further comprises computer executable instructions configured for:

associating at least one unslotted position with said at least one second category;

scheduling said unslotted position in said reverse order with respect to said at least one second category over a particular time period; and

designating said at least one second category as reverse scheduled.

15. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 13 wherein said embodied computer program code further comprises computer executable instructions configured for:

associating at least one unslotted position with at least one theme position;

scheduling said unslotted position in said reverse order with respect to said at least one theme position over a particular time period; and

designating said at least one theme position as reverse scheduled.

16. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 13 wherein said embodied computer program code further comprises computer executable instructions configured for:

associating at least one unslotted position with at least one twofer position;

scheduling said unslotted position in said reverse order with respect to said at least one twofer position over a particular time period; and

designating said at least one twofer position as reverse scheduled.

17. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 13 wherein said embodied computer program code further comprises computer executable instructions configured for:

initiating reverse scheduling of said scheduling order in a last time slot of a programming day.