Graphical user interface for content management

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9442690-B2
Application number	US-57183109-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 1, 2009
Priority date	Oct 1, 2009
Publication date	Sep 13, 2016
Grant date	Sep 13, 2016

Abstract

A Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows a user to control multiple media streams at the same time. A user can display and configure multiple regions of the GUI to display information about, and control broadcast properties of, multiple media streams being broadcast at the same time. Multiple display regions of the same type can be displayed at the same time. The GUI is also highly customizable, allowing a user to configure multiple different display regions, each displaying information and controls useful for performing functions related to the type of display region. The information displayed in each region can be selected from a single media stream, or from different media streams.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for implementing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for use with broadcast automation software, comprising:
at least one processor;
memory coupled to said at least one processor, said memory storing a program of instructions configured to be executed by said at least one processor to implement a GUI, the GUI comprising:
at least one display region configurable to display information and playback controls associated with a plurality of different media streams each being contemporaneously aired on a respective one of a plurality of different media stations, the at least one display region configurable for a user to control multiple media streams corresponding to the plurality of different media stations at the same time, the at least one display region comprising:
a first display region to display a first visual representation depicting a playback timeline of a first media asset included in at least one of the plurality of media streams and a second visual representation depicting a playback timeline of a second media asset included in at least one of the plurality of media streams, wherein the first display region is configured to enable a user to view and manipulate a visual indication representing a timing relationship between the playback timelines of the first and second media assets; and
concurrently displayed second and third display regions, the concurrently displayed second and third display regions each including functionally duplicate display regions, one for each of the plurality of different media stations, each of the functionally duplicate display regions displaying duplicate categories of information from the plurality of different media streams each being contemporaneously aired and including duplicate user selectable controls; and
wherein the second display region is configured to display the information and playback controls associated with a media stream being aired on a first media station of the plurality of different media stations, and the third display region is configured to display the information and playback controls associated with a media stream being aired on a second media station of the plurality of different media stations.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the second and third display regions is configured to display:
a first media identifier associated with the first media asset;
a user selectable object operable to select among an automatic mode, a manual mode, and a live assist mode of operation; and
at least one user selectable play control, positioned proximate to the first media identifier, and operable in the live assist mode to control whether individual media assets are to be started automatically.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first media asset is a first audio program;
the first display region is configurable to display a visual representation of the first audio program; and
the first display region includes a user selectable control operable to receive user input establishing at least one fade point of the first audio program.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one user selectable object operable to assign each of the plurality of media streams to separate audio outputs in response to selection by a user.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the second and third display regions is configured to display content stored in an audio library, and at least one user selectable object operable to import audio files of different formats directly into the audio library.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the second and third display regions is configured to display at least one user selectable object operable to export information associated with at least one of the plurality of media streams to a designated network address.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the second and third display regions comprises a hotkey display region including a plurality of user selectable objects capable of being independently configured to execute different user-assigned actions related to playback of a broadcast media stream.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
at least one of the second and third display regions includes a user selectable object operable to fire an event not programmed into a station log.

9. The system of claim 1 , at least one of the second and third display regions further comprising a plurality of user selectable objects, the plurality of user selectable objects operable to display a plurality of different regions in response to being selected by a user, the plurality of different regions including:
a log display region displaying a collection of content identifiers associated with a selected station of the plurality of different media stations, and a plurality of air-time indicators, each air time indicator associated with one of the content identifiers;
a play region comprising a plurality of media players, each of the media players displaying metadata pertaining to a media item to be broadcast, and a plurality of play controls associated with the metadata; and
a stack display region operable to display at least one media event identifier associated with a selected channel.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable to implement a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for use with broadcast automation software, the program of instructions comprising:
at least one instruction to display a plurality of display regions, configurable to display information and playback controls associated with a plurality of different media streams each being contemporaneously aired on a respective one of a plurality of different media stations, at least one of the plurality of display regions configurable for a user to control multiple media streams corresponding to the plurality of different media stations at the same time;
at least one instruction to display, in a first display region, a first visual representation depicting a playback timeline of a first media-asset included in at least one of the plurality of media streams;
at least one instruction to display, in a first display region, a second visual representation depicting a playback timeline of a second media asset included in at least one of the plurality of media streams;
at least one instruction to enable a user to view and manipulate, in the first display region, a visual indication representing a timing relationship between the playback timelines of the first and second media assets; and
at least one instruction to concurrently display second and third display regions including at least one instruction to display at least two functionally duplicate display regions, one for each of the plurality of different media stations;
at least one instruction to display duplicate categories of information from the plurality of different media streams each being contemporaneously aired and duplicate user selectable controls in each of the functionally duplicate display regions; and
at least one instruction to display information from different media stations of the plurality of different media stations in each of the functionally duplicate display regions; and
wherein the second display region is configured to display the information and playback controls associated with a media stream being aired on a first media station of the plurality of different media stations, and the third display region is configured to display the information and playback controls associated with a media stream being aired on a second media station of the plurality of different media stations.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium

Assignees

• Jellison Jr David C
• Kannan Koushik
• Douglas Dwight
• Iheartmedia Man Services Inc

Inventors

• Jellison Jr David C
• Kannan Koushik
• Douglas Dwight

Classifications

• G11B27/105

  of operating discs · CPC title

• G06F3/16 Primary

  Sound input; Sound output (speech processing G10L) · CPC title

• G11B27/34

  Indicating arrangements  {(indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D)} · CPC title

• G11B27/038

  Cross-faders therefor · CPC title

• G06Q10/101

  Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services · CPC title