U.S. patent application number 12/317481 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-23 for social broadcasting.
This patent application is currently assigned to Jelli, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael S. Dougherty, Jateen P. Parekh.
Application Number | 20090187936 12/317481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40801518 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090187936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parekh; Jateen P. ; et
al. |
July 23, 2009 |
Social broadcasting
Abstract
A method of providing a broadcast is disclosed. One or more
network communications is received via a network from each of a
plurality of users of a broadcast provided at least in part other
than via the network, each indicating a preference of the sending
user with respect to a content of the broadcast. The network
communications is processed to determine and update dynamically,
and to provide for possible inclusion in the broadcast, a broadcast
stream that reflects at least in part the network communications
received from the plurality of users.
Inventors: |
Parekh; Jateen P.; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Dougherty; Michael S.; (Burlingame,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VAN PELT, YI & JAMES LLP
10050 N. FOOTHILL BLVD #200
CUPERTINO
CA
95014
US
|
Assignee: |
Jelli, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40801518 |
Appl. No.: |
12/317481 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61009024 |
Dec 21, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 65/4084 20130101;
H04H 20/38 20130101; H04H 60/46 20130101; H04L 67/306 20130101;
H04N 21/2668 20130101; H04N 21/4756 20130101; G06Q 30/0246
20130101; H04L 67/20 20130101; H04N 7/173 20130101; G06Q 30/0271
20130101; H04N 21/2743 20130101; H04N 21/252 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/25 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/16 20060101
H04N007/16 |
Claims
1. A method of providing a broadcast, comprising: receiving via a
network from each of a plurality of users of a broadcast provided
at least in part other than via the network one or more network
communications each indicating a preference of the sending user
with respect to a content of the broadcast; and processing the
network communications to determine and update dynamically, and to
provide for possible inclusion in the broadcast, a broadcast stream
that reflects at least in part the network communications received
from the plurality of users.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing the
broadcast based at least in part on the broadcast stream.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the broadcast includes
one or more of: a radio broadcast, a terrestrial radio broadcast, a
satellite radio broadcast, a cable radio broadcast, and a digital
radio broadcast.
4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the broadcast includes
one or more of: a television broadcast, a terrestrial television
broadcast, a satellite television broadcast, a cable television
broadcast, and a digital television broadcast.
5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the preference relates
to content that is currently being broadcasted.
6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the preference relates
to content desired to be included or not included in the broadcast
in the future.
7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein indicating a preference
of the sending user with respect to a content of the broadcast
comprises indicating that the sending user likes the content.
8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein indicating a preference
of the sending user with respect to a content of the broadcast
comprises indicating that the sending user dislikes the
content.
9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein updating a broadcast
stream dynamically includes removing content from the broadcast
stream.
10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein updating a broadcast
stream dynamically includes removing content that is currently
being broadcasted.
11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of users
includes one or more of: a consumer of the broadcast, a listener of
the broadcast, an advertiser, and a business partner.
12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the broadcast stream is
provided via the network.
13. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein processing the network
communications comprises applying one or more business rules or
other constraints.
14. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein processing the network
communications comprises applying one or more business rules or
other constraints, including one or more of: social broadcasting
server rules, regulator rules, advertiser rules, station affiliate
rules, audio library constraints, playlist constraints, and format
constraints.
15. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the broadcast is one of
a plurality of broadcasts for which respective broadcast streams
are provided, each determined by an associated body of users.
16. A system for providing a broadcast, comprising: a user
interface configured to receive via a network from each of a
plurality of users of the broadcast provided at least in part other
than via the network one or more network communications each
indicating a preference of the sending user with respect to a
content of the broadcast; a social broadcasting server configured
to process the network communications to determine and update
dynamically, and to provide for inclusion in the broadcast, a
broadcast stream that reflects at least in part the network
communications received from the plurality of users.
17. A system as recited in claim 16, further comprising a broadcast
platform configured to provide a broadcast based at least in part
on the broadcast stream.
18. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the social
broadcasting server comprises a gaming platform server configured
to process the network communications based at least in part on
voting dynamics.
19. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the broadcast includes
one or more of: a radio broadcast, a terrestrial radio broadcast, a
satellite radio broadcast, a cable radio broadcast, and a digital
radio broadcast.
20. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the broadcast includes
one or more of: a television broadcast, a terrestrial television
broadcast, a satellite television broadcast, a cable television
broadcast, and a digital television broadcast.
21. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the preference relates
to content that is currently being broadcasted.
22. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the preference relates
to content desired to be included or not included in the broadcast
in the future.
23. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein indicating a
preference of the sending user with respect to a content of the
broadcast comprises indicating that the sending user likes the
content.
24. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein indicating a
preference of the sending user with respect to a content of the
broadcast comprises indicating that the sending user dislikes the
is content.
25. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein to update a broadcast
stream dynamically includes removing content from the broadcast
stream.
26. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein to update a broadcast
stream dynamically includes removing content that is currently
being broadcasted.
27. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the social
broadcasting server comprises a rules engine configured to process
the network communications by applying one or more business rules
or other constraints.
28. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the social
broadcasting server comprises a rules engine configured to process
the network communications by applying one or more business rules
or other constraints, including one or more of: social broadcasting
server rules, regulator rules, advertiser rules, station affiliate
rules, audio library constraints, playlist constraints, and format
constraints.
29. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the social broadcast
server is configured to provide the broadcast stream to the
broadcast platform via the network.
30. A computer program product for providing a broadcast, the
computer program product being embodied in a computer readable
storage medium and comprising computer instructions for: receiving
via a network from each of a plurality of users of the broadcast
provided at least in part other than via the network one or more
network communications each indicating a preference of the sending
user with respect to a content of the broadcast; and processing the
network communications to determine and update dynamically, and to
provide for inclusion in the broadcast, a broadcast stream that
reflects at least in part the network communications received from
the plurality of users.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/009,024 (Attorney Docket No. JELLP001+) entitled
SOCIAL BROADCASTING filed Dec. 21, 2007 which is incorporated
herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Traditionally the content broadcast by media outlets has
been determined virtually without direct input from consumers of
the content. Throughout this specification, "media" may refer to
any form of information transmission, for example radio,
television, other communication using electromagnetic waves, cable,
and/or computer transmissions. Throughout this specification,
"users" refer to any consumers of the content, including listeners
and viewers of the content.
[0003] As a consequence, users typically have been presented with
homogeneous programming dictated by others. In addition, users have
had only limited interactive options, typically functioning as
passive consumers of the broadcast. For example, in a typical media
outlet there is no or little transparency in terms of how content
is selected and sequenced or how the format is determined.
Furthermore, there typically have been no or very limited
opportunities for users or groups of users to personalize and/or
directly influence their broadcast media consumption experience.
Traditional broadcast has become unpopular amongst younger
demographics who may consider it irrelevant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
system for social broadcasting.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
system for interfacing users with social broadcasting.
[0007] FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
system for a social broadcasting server.
[0008] FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a
process for commercial track uploading.
[0009] FIG. 3C is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a
process for user-generated content uploading.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
broadcast interface for interfacing social broadcasting with a
media or broadcast station.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a
process to provide social broadcasting.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a state diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
process to determine a program stream reflective of the users'
preference.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a state diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
process to remove a track dynamically from inclusion in a
broadcast.
[0014] FIG. 8A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
signal flow model for an audio application.
[0015] FIG. 8B is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
sample stream excerpt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including
as a process; an apparatus; a system; a composition of matter; a
computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage
medium; and/or a processor, such as a processor configured to
execute instructions stored on and/or provided by a memory coupled
to the processor. In this specification, these implementations, or
any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as
techniques. In general, the order of the steps of disclosed
processes may be altered within the scope of the invention. Unless
stated otherwise, a component such as a processor or a memory
described as being configured to perform a task may be implemented
as a general component that is temporarily configured to perform
the task at a given time or a specific component that is
manufactured to perform the task. As used herein, the term
`processor` refers to one or more devices, circuits, and/or
processing cores configured to process data, such as computer
program instructions.
[0017] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the
invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that
illustrate the principles of the invention. The invention is
described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is
not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention is
limited only by the claims and the invention encompasses numerous
alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Numerous specific
details are set forth in the following description in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the invention. These details
are provided for the purpose of example and the invention may be
practiced according to the claims without some or all of these
specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material
that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has
not been described in detail so that the invention is not
unnecessarily obscured.
[0018] A new social media service based on the concept of "social
broadcasting" is disclosed. In various embodiments, a social web is
connected directly to a broadcast infrastructure, enabling the
broadcast to evolve. The traditional broadcast model is inverted
and opened by enabling users and communities to control and dictate
programming via a simple web and/or mobile user experience and in
some embodiments an open web services platform. The collective
interest and participation of a community are automatically
aggregated on a real-time basis and the result broadcast. In some
embodiments, users can share their favorite content with a broad
community, and content owners, artists and individuals can directly
promote their works on air. In some embodiments, a scalable method
for user generated content to be broadcast widely is provided. An
open platform for third party communities, web sites and affinity
groups to directly participate is provided in some embodiments.
[0019] In various embodiments, content is processed dynamically to
provide a content stream that is ready for broadcast, for example,
by adjusting audio levels and managing transitions between content,
and downloaded to the broadcast infrastructure. Interactive
features, integrated into the broadcast, drive user participation
and loyalty.
[0020] Users or groups can search for, nominate, vote for and
contribute their favorite content for broadcast and content owners
can promote their content driving their fans and communities to
participate in the process. Groups and websites can integrate with
open APIs to further participate.
[0021] In various embodiments, a user centric website and mobile
interface facilitate community participation in determining
broadcast content. Widget and voting tools for third party sites
are provided in some embodiments. "Widget" is defined throughout
this specification as an object on a site that a user interacts
with, for example a component of a graphical user interface
("GUI"), or a set of virtual buttons. A real-time, dynamically
changing play list combined with real-time download and intelligent
caching of candidate and/or selected content are used to provide a
community-driven broadcast stream. In some embodiments, an
extensible, modular web services architecture supporting open APIs
is used to facilitate participation of broadcast station and/or
social broadcast service partners (content, advertising,
application) in the social broadcast service and/or experience.
[0022] A method of providing a broadcast is disclosed. Throughout
this specification, "broadcast" may refer to any one-to-many
communication, including: radio broadcast, terrestrial radio
broadcast, satellite radio broadcast, cable radio broadcast,
digital radio broadcast, television broadcast, terrestrial
television broadcast, satellite television broadcast, cable
television broadcast, digital television broadcast, broadcast over
electromagnetic waves, broadcast over electromagnetic signals,
broadcast over coaxial cable, and broadcast over twisted pair
cable. One or more network communications are received from each of
a plurality of users of the broadcast. Each network communications
indicates a sending user's preference with respect to content of
the broadcast. The network communications are processed to
determine, update dynamically and provide for inclusion in the
broadcast a broadcast stream that reflects at least in part the
network communications received from a plurality of users. The
broadcast is provided based at least in part on the broadcast
stream.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
system for social broadcasting. In the example shown, users
interact with social broadcasting using a user interface 102. There
may be more than one user and/or user interface, for example a
second user interface as shown in the figure. These user
interface(s) are coupled to social broadcasting server 104, which
includes one or more database(s) 106. Social broadcasting server
104 may be coupled other third parties, such as content provider(s)
108, regulator(s) 110, promoter(s) 112, and/or advertiser(s) 114.
Social broadcasting server 104 is coupled to one or more media
outlets, for example a broadcast platform 116 and broadcast station
and/or infrastructure 118. Throughout this specification, a
"broadcast outlet" refers to a media outlet. There may be more than
one media outlet, for example a second broadcast interface and
second broadcast station as shown in the figure. The program
streams to multiple broadcast outlets may be the same program
streams or they may be different program streams. Throughout this
specification, "coupling" may refer to a connection through any
public or private network and/or combination thereof, for example
the Internet, an Ethernet, serial/parallel bus, intranet, Local
Area Network ("LAN"), Wide Area Network ("WAN"), and other forms of
connecting multiple systems and/or groups of systems together.
[0024] Users through user interface(s) 102 provide input that
directly influences the content of a broadcast stream to broadcast
station(s) 118, as described more fully below. These user
interfaces include any method to provide input to a station
including a telephone; voice input; voice mail; web browser; public
Web API services; mobile message, for example simple messaging
service ("SMS") or multimedia messaging service ("MMS"); or
email.
[0025] Social broadcasting server 104 provides servers for services
that coordinate the influence from the user interface(s) 102 to
broadcast station(s) 118, and database management for database 106.
In some embodiments the database 106 may be used to store user
profiles and/or media outlet profiles. User profiles may contain
user preference information, data reflecting user participation,
user group or other affiliations, and/or demographic data. Media
outlet profiles may include format information, rules governing
content, constraints on and/or other preference regarding the
degree, manner, terms, etc. of user participations, etc. In some
embodiments the database 106 may be used to store
downloaded/uploaded content, content received from content owners
or distributors other than via download (or upload), user provided
content, advertiser owned and/or provided content, system tones,
internet content formatted into audio clips, and user audio "tags"
or signatures.
[0026] Social broadcasting server 104 couples with content
providers 108, including content providers, content owners, content
distributors, or syndicators, for content to be considered for
broadcast on broadcast station(s) 118. Regulators 110 include
non-governmental and governmental bodies, commissions or agencies
such as the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), or enablers
of laws such as the Digital Millenium Copyright Act ("DMCA") which
provide regulatory and legal requirements to social broadcasting
server 104 for consideration when broadcasting on broadcast
station(s) 118. Regulators 110 also include enablers of rules or
policies for the broadcast station 118 itself, or for the rules or
policies of the social broadcasting service. Promoters 112 include
content stakeholders such as promoters, publishers, artists,
groups, agents, enthusiasts, or any third party interested in
promoting content from or not from content providers 108.
Advertisers 114 include advertisers, ad networks, sales teams and
any nonprofessional or professional third party interested in
advertising a message on broadcast station(s) 118.
[0027] In some embodiments, social broadcasting server 104
determines dynamically, based at least in part on user and/or other
input, a play list of content to be played on a broadcast station.
In the example shown the play list and/or updates is sent to a
broadcast platform 116, located in some embodiments at the media
outlet's premises. The broadcast interface receives content from
server 104 and/or directly from one or more other sources. In some
embodiments content is cached at the broadcast interface and
updated as or if the play list changes, for example in response to
user community input. The broadcast platform 116 provides as output
to broadcast station 118 a content stream that is ready for
broadcast by broadcast infrastructure. Broadcast station 118
includes any broadcast infrastructure including infrastructure for
radio frequency transmission between 3 Hz and 300 GHz, satellite
infrastructure and computer network infrastructure. The broadcast
is received and consumed by users such as a user associated or not
associated with user interface 102 via a radio, television, phone,
computer, or other suitable receiving and/or rendering device.
[0028] In some embodiments, social broadcasting server 104 provides
a server for web service for interface 102, to influence directly
the content broadcast by a media outlet 116/118. Candidate content
is displayed in some embodiments, and users given the opportunity
to vote for which content should or should not be broadcast. For
example users and/or groups of users may vote to promote content
they would like to be included and/or to demote or block content
they do not prefer. In some embodiments users may create, supply,
and/or identify candidate content to be voted on by others. Web
services may also be used to interface with 108, 112 and 114.
[0029] In some embodiments, social broadcasting server 104 includes
one or more of the following:
[0030] a voting engine configured to: receive user votes and
determine which content is to be included in a broadcast stream;
track votes by members of a defined group of users, for example one
set up with an interest in mind, such as fans of a particular band,
or users in a particular demographic; and administer weighted
voting, in which the votes of some users are weighted more heavily
than others, such as users who have participated more than other,
contributed content received well by others, and/or have
participated in other ways deemed to be advantageous, helpful,
and/or well received;
[0031] a play list generation logic configured to: determine what
content will be included; and link content items together to create
an integrated and well synchronized content stream that is ready to
broadcast, for example, linking a content item with a clip or
content used to attribute the inclusion of the content item to a
particular user or group. The output of 104 would be a content
playlist, audio syntax, and links to content (for download);
[0032] a reporting/analytics logic, module, and/or engine
configured to: gather and analyze user participation data to
provide, for example to advertisers and ad networks, content
owners, and/or others, information regarding how certain content
has been received, which users and/or demographics have been and/or
could be reached, etc.;
[0033] an audio application configured to: process content and
stitch together content items of a variety of types and/or source
formats and/or from a variety of sources in a way that provides a
desired listening experience (or create a playlist with rules on
how the broadcast platform can generate the stream); and
[0034] an ad relevancy engine configured to select ad content items
dynamically, for example by matching ad content to non-ad content
items so that the two can be broadcast at the same time and/or
matching ad content to a demographic determined based at least in
part on user participation and associated profiles to be consuming
or anticipated to be consuming the broadcast at a particular time,
including by determining how many ads will be broadcast, in what
order and placement, etc (even if consumer feedback is provided to
advertisers.)
[0035] In some cases, content receiving the highest vote may not
necessarily be the content included in a broadcast. In some
embodiments a selection algorithm is configured and/or tuned to
include to at least some degree content popular with a defined or
other minority of users, for example users who like a particular
sub-genre, flavor, or interpretation of content within a genre. In
some embodiments, greater weight may be given to input from users
whose input has proven valuable and/or popular or otherwise useful
in the past. For example, a user who in the past provided and/or
suggested content that proved to be popular with others may be
given greater weight. In some embodiments, this is done through
power-ups and tools rather than giving an individual more power, or
this is done by users banding together as a group to vote up
content.
[0036] "Power" users, defined as those who have participated and/or
contributed a lot to the community; users who have engaged in
desired behavior, for example by responding to a promotion and/or
participating in a contest and/or navigating to particular
locations on the community and/or social broadcaster web service,
etc., may in various embodiments receive super-votes that enable
them to guarantee that certain content will or will not be
included. Furthermore, business requirements from content providers
108, promoters 112, advertisers 114, or the social broadcasting
server 104, and/or regulatory requirements from regulators 110, may
limit the broadcast period/frequency/timing of certain content, or
even restrict content from broadcast inclusion. In some
embodiments, a user may simply be provided tools to give more
power.
[0037] In some embodiments, user participation that enables the
broadcast and/or associated web page or other off-broadcast content
to reflect the natural geographic affinity of a typical community
of broadcast consumers is encouraged. For example, users are
encouraged to post photos or other content from a local performance
by a performer whose content has been included and/or is being
promoted for potential inclusion in a broadcast. The local
community is also encouraged to be heard and be active in the
broadcast using one or more of: audio signature/avatar tones, vote
activity, "shout outs" where users/groups grant attribution to
other users/groups publically, internet feeds, Really Simple
Syndication ("RSS") feeds, micro-blogging feeds, SMS/MMS feeds, and
social networking feeds.
[0038] Content may include studio recordings, independent releases,
user generated content, advertisements, operational content: for
example, station identification; audio cues; and attribution as
described below, and/or other content. Examples of user created
and/or supplied content include audio and/or video recording of
users performing music; user dialog or commentary; and content a
user found on the Internet at a site that allows users to post
media clips or other content. Users, artists, and content
stakeholders like promoters 112, authenticate content ownership
rights and provide permission to broadcast the content as part of
the content upload process. In some embodiments, users must be able
to provide credentials as part of the content upload process.
Examples of credentials include one or more of: a manual or
automatic method of validating content ownership rights, a result
from a digital file identification service, a result from an
electronic media identification service, a result from a copyright
management solution, an audible fingerprint, an acoustic
fingerprint, a visible fingerprint, a video fingerprint, a
signature, and a digital signature (or certification that the user
owns the right to content and is allowing broadcast of the
content.)
[0039] In some embodiments, content owners/providers 108 and/or
third party promoters 112 have the opportunity to participate, for
example to rally users to support the inclusion of certain content
in the broadcast. In some embodiments, a voting button or other
widget is the user interface 102 made available to be included in
third party sites, such as content owner 108 sites, fanzines, other
online media sites, pages associated with online communities and/or
online social networking, to enable viewers of such pages to cast
votes that influence the broadcast directly from the third party
page, without navigating to a page associated with social
broadcasting server 104. In some embodiments an application
programmers interface ("API") is used from the third party page
that may or may not interface with social broadcasting server 104.
Groups and third party websites in some embodiments can integrate
with open APIs to further participate. Advertisers and/or
advertising networks 114 may participate in a variety of ways,
including by providing ad content. In some embodiments, ad content
is or may be voted on, enabling advertisers to obtain feedback
regarding which advertising content is preferred by which
users.
[0040] In some embodiments, lightweight audio cues, for example a
gong, buzz, or other tone or short clip, may be included in a
broadcast, for example to alert the user community to an
opportunity to provide input and/or view or otherwise access
content on an associated website. For example, a particular tone
may be broadcast between content items such as advertising content,
to drive users to a website or other interface to vote on what
non-advertising content should lead off the next segment, to
participate in a real time contest or other competition, etc. In
some embodiment an audio tone is played on the air to indicate a
real-time user or community driven event.
[0041] In some embodiments, a user may receive acknowledgement
and/or achieve status within the community by having his/her audio
signature or "tag" included in a broadcast. For example, a user who
created, provided, suggested, promoted, and/or was the last to vote
for a content item selected by the community to be included in the
broadcast may have his/her audio signature included in the
broadcast immediately before or after the content item. Examples of
such an audio signature or tag include a short clip of the user's
voice; a tone or other content created, designed, provided, and/or
selected by the user; a clip excerpted by the user from another
source; an audio, audiovisual, or other avatar or clip selected by
the user from a library of avatars or other clips; etc. In some
embodiments, users sign up and create a user profile and for at
least those users who choose to have an audio signature the
signature or a pointer thereto is included in their user profile.
The signature or pointer is retrieved from the profile for use, for
example when the user participates in a manner that earns the user
the right to receive attribution in the broadcast. Throughout this
specification "avatar" describes a media representation of a user.
In some embodiments, an audio avatar is an audio clip, song,
signature, tag or recording used to represent a user. Participation
by others may be encouraged simply by hearing/seeing content being
attributed to other users and/or explicitly via the broadcast
and/or website. In some embodiments a user's screen name is read
out on the air via a text-to-speech engine conversion.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
system for interfacing users with social broadcasting. In some
embodiments, the user interface 102 in FIG. 1 is included in the
system shown in FIG. 2. In the example shown, users 202 and
group(s) of users 204 interact with one or more of: social
broadcasting portal 206, third party website 208, widget 210, and
mobile gateway 212. Each user interface 206-212 is coupled with
social broadcasting server 104.
[0043] In some embodiments a social broadcasting portal 206
includes a web server that is hosted by the social broadcasting
service owners, for example from or on social broadcasting server
104. The social broadcasting portal 206 allows users 202 to see
what is currently playing on the associated broadcast and to
indicate their opinions with real-time comments and voting with
regards to currently rendering/playing and pending media content.
Another example is using the social broadcasting portal 202 to
determine a playlist for the associated media station, where
content includes media, user contributions, and feeds from networks
such as the Internet. Another example is using the social
broadcasting portal 202 to allow users to create a playlist in a
real-time style similar to a massive multiplayer game, allowing
users to not only vote, but to use "power-ups". In some
embodiments, super-votes include power-ups. An example of power-up
is a "bomb", which reduces or eliminates users' votes for a certain
piece of media content ("piece") and/or interrupts a broadcast to
remove that currently playing piece. Another example of a power-up
is a "rocket", which enhances or adds to users' votes for a certain
piece and/or moves that piece to be next played on the
broadcast.
[0044] In some embodiments, social broadcast portal 206 fosters an
active community to power the selection of the broadcast. Social
features may include instant messaging ("IM"), forums, messaging
boards, bulletin boards, and a facility to form and maintain groups
of users, for example group 204. Social broadcast portal 206
encourages community activity and also may provide visualization of
community activity including publication of user generated content,
avatars to represent users, and analysis of community activity. In
some embodiments, social broadcast portal 206 allows a user to
interface to existing social networks for more seamless user
registration, growth of the overall community, and community
promotion capability.
[0045] In some embodiments, third party website 208 uses a web
services platform to integrate social broadcast portal 206 and/or
social broadcast server 104. In some embodiments, a third party
website 208 is a partner site where users can vote on content or
interact with it using a power-up. In some embodiments, a social
network site may be integrated with the social broadcasting system
using an application, for example a Facebook application. In some
embodiments, third party sites may use a widget 210 for smoother
integration in an existing site. The functionality of a widget may
be as simple as a set of voting buttons.
[0046] In some embodiments, mobile gateway 212 enables interaction
from user 202 and group 204 via mobile devices, for example mobile
phones, mobile computers and mobile personal data assistants
("PDAs"). A mobile gateway 212 may permit interaction with the
social broadcast system using messaging services, for example IM,
TFN, SMS or MMS, web services, for example Wireless Application
Protocol ("WAP"), proprietary network services, for example Binary
Runtime Environment for Wireless ("BREW"), open network services,
for example, Java (2) Platform Micro Edition ("JME" or "J2ME"),
hardware services, for example Bluetooth, or email services. A user
using a mobile device with mobile gateway 212 may be connected to
the social broadcast system from anywhere and vote or game, track
favorite pieces, by alerted about upcoming broadcasts and gaming,
and upload content with the mobile device. In some embodiments
networks from Wide Area 2G (GPRS, Edge), Wide Area 3G (CDMA, HSPA,
UMTS, WiMAX), Local Area (WiFi, Ethernet, etc.), and Personal Area
(BlueTooth) are used to interface with mobile gateway 212 and/or
user interface 102.
[0047] In some embodiments, user profiles and/or identifiers may be
shared with other third parties, to provide identification or other
details/transactions/data of a user from user interface 102 who has
not authenticated through the social broadcasting service and/or
social broadcasting portal 206. For example, a user using a third
party website 208 called Faceboon and/or a widget 210 on Faceboon
may use/share Faceboon's user authentication to identify the user
for the social broadcasting service.
[0048] FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
system for a social broadcasting server. In some embodiments, the
system in FIG. 3A is included in social broadcasting server 104 in
FIG. 1, and the user profile database 338 and media database 340 is
included in database 108 in FIG. 1. The social broadcasting server
in FIG. 3A may be in a single machine or span a plurality of
machines, server farms or virtual data centers ("VDC") such as
Amazon S3/EC2. User network interface 304 is coupled with user
interface 102. Broadcast platform network interface 336 is coupled
with broadcast platform 116. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the
interfaces and servers shown are coupled with every other interface
and server shown, profile server 330 is coupled with profile
database 338, and media ingestion and metadata server 332 is
coupled with media database 340. In the example shown, the social
broadcasting server 300 in FIG. 3A comprises a plurality of servers
and databases including:
[0049] Web server and framework 302, in part to service social
broadcasting portal 206, and to expose communications interfaces
configured to enable broadcast affiliates, users, and ad partners,
for example, to interact with and participate in social
broadcasting;
[0050] User network interface 304, in part to interface with user
interface 102, including a network interface for processing network
communications between the rest of the servers in FIG. 3A with one
or more of: social broadcasting portal 206, third party website
208, widget 210, and mobile gateway 212;
[0051] Media processing and filtering server 306, in part to
provide digital signal processing and filtering of content and
media, for example volume normalization for audio media, brightness
normalization for video media, or filtering content into alternate
forms;
[0052] Playlist generator and rules engine 308, in part to provide
coordination between APIs from users 202/groups 204/networks
108/affiliates 108 and requirements from regulators 110 and
broadcast partners to form a playlist for broadcast station
118;
[0053] Notification server 310, in part to provide notification to
users 202 and groups 204 about upcoming "alerts" and provide the
user community an opportunity to vote, provide input, and/or view
or otherwise access content on an associated website;
[0054] Authentication and payment transaction server 312, in part
to facilitate economic exchanges between users 202, groups 204,
network 108, affiliates 108 and/or the social broadcast system;
[0055] Administration server 314, in part to perform reporting,
logging, internal moderation, financial, accounting, and
distribution of royalties within the social broadcast system;
[0056] Moderation server 316, in part to provide moderation tools
to ensure broadcasts are consistent in theme (e.g. jazz on jazz
station), legal in form (e.g. comply with the FCC), and legal in
ownership (e.g. preserves content ownership or license);
[0057] Ad integration server 318, in part to determine an estimate
of the listening demographic and/or ad relevancy for a period of
time, integrate with ad networks to provide near-in-time and/or
just-in-time serving of ads, provide real-time ad measurement and
analysis, and allow users 202 and/or groups 204 to vote on ads;
[0058] Media application 320, in part to output the integrated
media experience from the playlist generated in rules engine 308,
for example an audio application to provide facilities for multiple
tracks/pieces/content, mixing and sequencing;
[0059] Gaming platform server 322, in part to provide a system of
participation economics, voting dynamics and gaming dynamics for
users 202 and/or groups 204 to determine broadcast content, and for
alternate entertainment related or unrelated to the broadcast
content;
[0060] Messaging server 324, in part to coordinate real-time or
delayed messaging between users 202 and/or groups 204, generate
"social noise", defined throughout this specification as
visualization/audiolization of current community activity and/or a
sense perceptible indication of a current level of user
participation in the social broadcast environment; facilitate
"messaging" as directed communication between users, sets of users,
or groups; and facilitate other communication between users 202
and/or groups 204;
[0061] Services API 326, in part to enable interfacing with sites,
web sites, portals, mobile technologies, web applications, and/or
widgets, including third party website 208, widget 210, and mobile
gateway 212, and using for example open APIs;
[0062] Analysis, reporting, analytics and metrics server 328, in
part to analyze station statistics with information equal to or
superior to Arbitron or Nielsen ratings based in part on user
community information, analyze demographics statistics of the user
community for a given period of time, and report statistical
information;
[0063] Profile server 330, in part to generate, facilitate and
maintain profiles for users and/or media outlets/stations as
described above, and provide an interface and/or database
management for profile database 338;
[0064] Media ingestion and metadata server 332, in part to take
content from disparate sources and "ingest" or normalize format and
content for a consistent broadcast, add, modify or delete metadata
about each content piece, user 202 and/or group 204, and provide an
interface and/or database management for media database 340. Media
ingestion and metadata server 332 may in some embodiments also
include an affiliate data and content server, in part to service
data, such as programming and metadata, and content for broadcast
network affiliates 108, where throughout this specification
"affiliates" includes network affiliated stations 108,
network-owned stations 108 and any content providers 108. In some
embodiments the media ingestion and metadata server 332 processes
cross media indexing or connections, for example enabling the song
to play "off-line", or on the air, linking to lyrics on a web site,
linking song content about products or services to ads, etc.;
[0065] Text to media server 334, in part to take text or other
forms of input from users and/or user profiles, for example
gestures or strokes, and upconvert them to alternate forms of
media/communication, for example speech (text-to-speech), voice,
music, visualization patterns, and/or video;
[0066] Broadcast platform network interface 336, in part to
interface content/data from the rest of the servers in FIG. 3A to
broadcast platform 116 and broadcast station 118, and in some
embodiments using a language and/or program stream, for example
eXtensible Markup Language ("XML") to couple with the broadcast
interface;
[0067] Profile database 338, in part to facilitate storage of
profiles for users 202, groups 204, and media outlet 116/118,
including preference information, participation information,
affiliations, demographic data, format information, rules,
constraints, etc.;
[0068] Media database 340, in part to facilitate storage of media
and other content, for example music, audiobooks, video,
user-generated content, network feeds, Internet feeds, audio
libraries, ads, station audio clips, social broadcasting audio
clips, chrome, bumpers, playlists, logs, gaming data, and
messaging.
[0069] Media Ingestion. In some embodiments, a content upload
workflow for media ingestion and metadata server 332 includes
providing at least two options: one for commercial track uploading
and one for user-generated content uploading.
[0070] FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a
process for commercial track uploading. The process may be
implemented by media ingestion and metadata server 332 and/or
social broadcasting server 104.
[0071] The track is checked against a commercial database (362),
for example an electronic media identification service. If (364) it
is not recognized, it is rejected (376), otherwise the track is
checked against business rules using metadata provided by the
uploader and/or the commercial database (366). Examples of business
rules include those interpreted and/or provided for by moderation
server 316. If (368) it does not clear all rules, it is rejected
(376), otherwise the track is reviewed by a screener to find any
problems missed by automated testing (370). If (372) it fails the
review, it is rejected (376), otherwise it is added to the media
database 340 with the appropriate metadata (374).
[0072] FIG. 3C is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a
process for user-generated content uploading. The process may be
implemented by media ingestion and metadata server 332 and/or
social broadcasting server 104.
[0073] The content is checked against a commercial database (382),
for example an electronic media identification service. If (384)
the content is recognized as a commercial track, in one embodiment
(not shown) the system may offer to submit it as a commercial
track, and if the offer is accepted, follow the workflow in FIG.
3B, step 366, and otherwise reject it (396). In another embodiment
(shown by the dotted line) the system may simply reject any
recognized commercial track (396). The content is analyzed for
"airability" (386), analogous to rules interpreted and/or provided
for by moderation server 316. This may involve automated,
semi-automated and/or manual ways of rendering the content to
analyze for airability. If (388) problems are detected, the content
is rejected (396), otherwise the content is reviewed by a screener
to find any content issues (390), such as illegal recordings or
profanity. If (392) it fails the review, it is rejected (396),
otherwise it is added to the media database 340 with the
appropriate metadata (394).
[0074] Rules Engine. In some embodiments, rules engine 308 is used
to temper the indication of control from the user community with
regards to what tracks are played on-air and in what order from
gaming platform server 322 with a combination of guidelines and
rules, such as station policies and regulations from regulators
110. Throughout this specification, a "track" refers without loss
of generality to any piece of media content, including a song,
audiobook, sound bite, audio clip, video clip, video, music video,
movie or game.
[0075] For example, tracks elected by the users may be deferred, or
other tracks may be inserted, based on business rules. These rules
may be static which apply at all times or dynamic which apply only
under certain conditions, such as time of day or size of online
audience.
[0076] Examples of business rules include FCC regulations for
content, including: that indecent and/or profane material may not
be broadcast outside the FCC Safe Harbor; three songs from the same
recording, or four songs from the same artist or anthology, may not
be played within a three-hour period; and two songs from the same
recording, or three songs from the same artist or anthology, may
not be played in a row. Throughout this specification "anthology"
includes a boxed set.
[0077] Another example of business rules include FCC regulation
policies, including: that a station identifier must be played at
the beginning and end of each time of operation, hourly, or as
close to the hour as possible, for example at a natural break in
program content.
[0078] Another example of business rules include station policies,
including that: tracks may be limited to certain genres or track
lengths; genre changes, also known as "drift" may be limited or
slowed; and vote contributions from affiliated stations may be
included in the score calculation.
[0079] Another example of business rules include discretionary
control, including that; certain tracks may be banned; high-score
criteria for play may be suspended temporarily, for example to give
low-scoring new releases some exposure; and other criteria may be
used to determine track play, for example low scoring but
fast-moving tracks.
[0080] User Experience Effects. In some embodiments, to support the
business rules described above, a number of user-experience effects
may be defined.
[0081] For example, for tracks that are not allowed to be played
within a specified period of time, for example based on FCC
regulations, or are currently disallowed, for example from an
undesired genre, effects include: blocking those tracks from a
"Coming Next" candidate list or "carousel", including providing an
on-screen explanation for why the track cannot play, for example a
popup window on item rollover; removing such items from the "Coming
Next" candidate list, including providing an on-screen explanation
when the items are removed; bombing such items if they are
currently playing, including providing an on-screen and/or on-air
explanation when they are bombed; disabling rockets for those
tracks, including provide an on-screen explanation for why the
rocket is disabled, for example a popup window on a Rocket tool
rollover.
[0082] For example, for an already rocketed track that is deferred
indefinitely, effects include: clearing the rocket, including
notifying the user that applied the rocket and/or refunding the
rocket to that user. An alternate policy may be considered,
including deferring the track, but playing it as soon as it is
allowed and notifying the user that applied the rocket.
[0083] Moderation Server. In some embodiments, moderation server
316 includes moderating by removing media or portions of media
because: Material is obscene (contains graphic sexual descriptions,
sounds or imagery, contains suggestive sexual content, or other
sexual content); Material is indecent (contains sexual or excretory
sounds or imagery, descriptions or depictions, contains
descriptions or depictions of sexual or excretory organs, contains
material appearing to pander or is used to titillate or shock, or
contains profane language); Material is violent or repulsive
(contains graphic descriptions of violence, contains material
describing animal abuse, or contains shocking or disturbing
material); Material is hateful or abusive (promotes hatred or
violence, or promotes bullying tendencies); Material infringes
rights (infringes copyright or infringes privacy); or Material is
not relevant for broadcast, for example spam.
[0084] Gaming Platform Server. Examples for voting dynamics for
gaming platform server 322 include the social broadcasting
community participating through a collection of connected services
and devices. The following paragraphs [0069]-[0093] describe
features included in various embodiments of "voting dynamics" as
embodied throughout this specification.
[0085] The economy of the service may be point-based, with a
variety of income sources and expense types, including Income,
Expenses and Tokens.
[0086] "Income" refers to points received by participating in, or
contributing to, the community. This can be further broken down as
follows:
[0087] Awards, as points granted as a result of active
participation, for example being an active voter. These can be
thought of as "thank-you" points, or a kind of "allowance" for
being an active part of the community;
[0088] Earnings, as points granted as a result of explicit
contributions to the community, for example for each vote, or for
content uploads. This can be thought of as payment or compensation
for those contributions;
[0089] Gifts, as points granted unrelated to a user's activity, for
example bonus points as part of a promotion; and [0090] Cash
Purchases, as points purchased with cash.
[0091] "Expenses" refer to points spent to acquire something of
value within the community. These fall into the following
categories:
[0092] Assets, as items that users can collect, view, and share,
for example custom icons for their profile;
[0093] Level, wherein a user's influence in the community may be a
function of their level, for example the power of their votes;
[0094] Access, wherein users can pay to gain access to the station
for a period of time. This is defined throughout this specification
as a "shout-out";
[0095] Actions, wherein users can force a specific event to occur,
for example a bomb or rocket; and
[0096] Products, wherein users can spend points to buy tangible
products, for example merchandise, memorabilia, t-shirts, and/or
music downloads.
[0097] Tokens. Points can be granted in the form of "tokens" that
can be redeemed for specific Expense categories described above.
They can be received as any of the listed Income categories. There
are two kinds of tokens: Bankable tokens, that can be saved for use
at a later time. For example, a bomb is an "action" token; and
Immediate use tokens, that are used/spent as soon as they are
granted. For example, a user may receive a "level" token to
increase their power level.
[0098] Expense categories may refer to items that are in either
limited or unlimited supply. This may be based on physical
constraints, for example the limited amount of airtime available,
or artificial constraints, for example only a limited supply of
"bombs" are available each day. Supply of all items will be managed
to ensure the community and its economy remain healthy and/or
reasonable.
[0099] The support of user-to-user exchanges of points or other
expensed items between members of the community may be supported.
This may take the form of: Discretionary transfers from one user to
another, for example, as a means for users with large point
balances to help a new user get started; and Thefts from a user,
for example as part of the gaming dynamics, for example, by
offering a power-up that allows a user to "steal" points from
another. Income. The ways in which users can receive income may be
tabulated as follows:
TABLE-US-00001 Income Type Token? Description Sign-Up Award
"Starter" balance when first signing up. Vote Cast Earning Each
vote cast. Frequent Award Achieved "frequent voter" status. May be
granted Voter on a recurring basis as long as this status is
maintained. First Mover Award First voter on a track. Influencer
Award Early voter on tracks that achieve a certain level of
popularity. Promotion Gift Optional Result of a promotion. May be
in the form of a Token. Item Uploaded Earning Uploaded an item.
Value is a function of type of item uploaded. Group Host Earning
Formed a Group. May be granted on a recurring basis as long as host
role continues. Evangelist Earning Brought a number of users into
the Jelli community. Profile Award Added additional information to
their user profile. Updated
[0100] The value of each income type may be tuned to support a
fair, fun and vibrant community. Income sources may be in the form
of tokens, as appropriate.
[0101] The ways in expenses are found in the community may be
tabulated as follows:
TABLE-US-00002 Expense Type Token? Description Custom Icon Asset
Optional A custom decorative icon that can be shown in a user's
profile. Custom Stinger Asset Optional A custom audio "stinger"
that can be associated with a user's profile. (An "audio icon")
Level Bump Level Y An increase in level. Shout-Out Audio Access Y
Buy time on-air to play a personal recording. Shout-Out Text Access
Y Buy space on the site for a personal message. Bomb Track Action Y
Apply a Bomb to any track. Bomb On-Air Action Y Apply a Bomb to the
currently playing track. Rocket Track Action Y Apply a Rocket to
any track Catalog Item Product Purchase a catalog item (such as a
t-shirt). MP3 Download Product Purchase a music track for
download.
[0102] The point cost of each expense may be tuned to support a
fair, fun and vibrant community. The expense may be in the form of
tokens, as appropriate.
[0103] Voting. Tracks may be added to the broadcast stream based on
their score. At any given time, the next track to be played is the
highest scoring one, unless overridden by business rules or any
unexpected events. The score of a given track can be expressed as:
Track Score=f(Votes, Power-Ups, Time, User Activity, Number of
Active Users). One example to relate scores to tracks is: a "Yes"
vote contributes a score of 1 to a track; a "No" vote contributes a
score of -1 to a track; and "Abstain" (i.e. neither a "Yes" nor
"No" vote) contributes a score of 0 to a track.
[0104] A given user's vote may have a limited lifetime. One example
of how a value of a given vote decays over time is: a vote retains
its full value until t1, then linearly approaches a value of 0 at
t2, passing through threshold v. If a track gets on air, users may
continue to vote on it, but if enough users vote an on-air item
down, such that its score is reduced by g % of its "winning score"
then that track is immediately treated as if it were bombed, or
taken off air immediately. An example of a winning score would be
the score at the time it went on air.
[0105] After a track gets on-air and finishes playing without
getting bombed, the decay for all votes applied to that track may
be accelerated such that they drop by p % of their current value;
normal decay may then resume. This helps prevent the track from
remaining a top-scorer indefinitely, but still keeps users' votes
active.
[0106] The vote tools shown for each track may indicate the age of
a cast vote. Users may be kept informed of the status of their
votes, via system messages. For example, a user may receive a
warning message when absolute value of their vote drops below the
threshold, v, inviting them to "recast" their vote. Another example
is that a user may receive a message when their vote value reaches
0, inviting them to "recast" their vote, and re-add the item to
their active list.
[0107] Example values for the decay and threshold parameters
are:
TABLE-US-00003 Parameter Definition Value t1 Time for which vote
retains its full value 1 day t2 Time at which vote value is
linearly 1 week approaches 0 v Vote value (+ or -) at which user is
0.2 sent a warning message p Percentage drop in vote value when
track 75% finishes playing on-air g Percentage drop in score of an
on-air track 25% that will cause track to be bombed
[0108] Power-ups. Power-ups may be earned based on business rules,
and a user may earn any number of each kind of power-up, wherein
earned power-ups are stored on the user's account. Power-ups may be
of single-use or multi-use and a power-up is deducted from the
user's account once it's used. The score contributions of power-ups
do not decay, unlike votes, but they are removed once the intended
outcome of a power-up is achieved. For example the score
contribution of a rocket is removed once a track is played on-air,
or the track is bombed.
[0109] Bomb. When a bomb is applied to a track, its score may be
adjusted by setting its track score to zero. This also means that
all votes cast for that item by other users are cleared. In
contrast, if users vote down an on-air track such that its score is
reduced by g % of its winning score, that track is treated as if it
was bombed but in that case, users' votes for this item are not
cleared.
[0110] If a bombed track has an active rocket applied, the user who
applied the rocket may be compensated by refunding the rocket or
automatically reapplying the rocket to the track at the next
opportunity.
[0111] Rocket. When a rocket is applied to a track to ensure that
it gets into a "Coming Next" carousel, its score may be adjusted by
setting its track score to the score of the highest scoring track
at that moment added to the carousel vote flow for half of the time
remaining before the next play.
[0112] In some embodiments, a given track may only have one rocket
applied at a time. If a given song has already been rocketed, but
not yet played or bombed, its rocket tool may be disabled, and a
track's rocket is cleared once its played or bombed.
[0113] The "carousel vote flow" may include votes collected for any
items while they are in the "Coming Next" carousel. Votes collected
for items before they appear in the carousel are not counted in
this vote flow.
[0114] Virus. A virus may be applied to the entire social
broadcasting service or associated station. Examples of these
include: a "Decay Virus", wherein the decay rate of all votes is
adjusted for a length of time; a "Genre Virus", wherein scores of
tracks in a given genre are adjusted by a specified amount or
percentage; and a "Neutron Bomb" or "Atomic Bomb", wherein vote
values for all tracks are reduced by a specified amount or
percentage.
[0115] Levels. A user's level may be a measure of their degree of
participation for example, Level=f(User Activity, Length of
Membership), where User Activity includes both routine actions such
as voting, and special actions such as participation in contests or
other directed activities. Each level may include certain benefits,
such as increased income, increased strength of votes and
power-ups, and various kinds of social recognition. Users may
increase their level in a number of ways, for example when their
gross point income reaches certain thresholds, or when they
participate in a particular activity, or complete a particular
task. There may be a plurality of levels defined, different
criteria for moving between them and benefits associated with each
level.
[0116] Status. A user's status may be a way of recognizing and
indicating their value to the community. It may be based on a
number of factors, for example: their voting frequency, their
length of membership, their record of voting for winning aired
tracks, and their explicit approval by the community. Status may be
used just as a social recognition with no tangible benefits, or it
may include specific rewards and benefits.
[0117] Scheduled Events. Certain events, including changes in
system behavior, may be scheduled to occur at various times, for
example: at particular times of the broadcast day, or on special
days as specified by the service or station operators. Examples of
such events include: vote resets, wherein the station may decide to
reset all votes to 0 periodically, in order, for example, to
provoke a genre shift, or to clear out a stale playlist; active
listener filtering, wherein the station may decide to only count
the votes of online listeners during certain parts of the day (for
example, to give late-night listeners more control over the
playlist, by ignoring votes from daytime-only listeners.)
[0118] Broadcast Platform Network Interface. In some embodiments,
broadcast platform network interface 336 interfaces with broadcast
platform 116 using a broadcast compliant program stream comprising
content, playlists, metadata, and playback syntax. In some
embodiments in lieu of content, a link to content or an identifier
to content is used in order for the content to be directly sent to,
received by, or downloaded by the broadcast platform 116 using the
link or the identifier. In some embodiments the program stream is
written in XML.
[0119] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
broadcast interface for interfacing social broadcasting with a
media or broadcast station. In some embodiments, the broadcast
platform 116 in FIG. 1 is included in the system shown in FIG.
4.
[0120] Server interface and interpreter 402 couples the social
broadcasting server 104 with dynamic playlist 404 and media cache
406, both of which are coupled with playback engine 408. Server
interface and interpreter 402 is also coupled to emergency
override/station interface 410 and webstream interpreter 412. The
emergency override 410 is coupled to a media or broadcast station
118.
[0121] In some embodiments, the social broadcasting system includes
a server interface 402 to connect to a network, such as the
Internet. A dynamic playlist 404 and updates thereto are received
via the server interface 402, for example from social broadcast
server 104. In some embodiments, interpreter 402 includes a
language interpreter or an XML interpreter to parse the content and
data from broadcast platform network interface 336 and/or social
broadcast server 104. In some embodiments, a link or identifier is
used to download content directly from the server interface or from
another network. A media cache 406 is used to cache downloaded
content received via server interface 402 which content may be
included in the broadcast, if included and if so at a time/slot
indicated by dynamic playlist 404, as updated.
[0122] In some embodiments, candidate content may be cached at
media cache 406 prior to a final determination being made as to
whether such content will be included in the broadcast and if so
when, so that content that ultimately is determined to be included
in the broadcast is available when it is required. Throughout this
specification, a dynamic playlist 404 may include a program stream
or an interpreted program stream. In some embodiments, the cache is
temporarily or permanently in line with content license guidelines,
i.e. statutory licenses, etc. The dynamic playlist 404 and
downloaded content in cache 406 are used by playback engine 408 to
generate and provide via station interface 410 for broadcast a
broadcast stream. The webstream interpreter 412 provides an
interpreter for the broadcast stream for webstream output, to
substitute or supplement a broadcast output through station
interface 410.
[0123] In some embodiments playback engine 408 is an audio playback
engine. In some embodiments playback engine 408 is a video playback
engine. In some embodiments, audio playback engine 408 performs
audio processing on content to be included in the broadcast, for
example by adjusting levels, generating fade ins/outs and/or other
transitions, etc., as required to provide a content stream that is
ready for broadcast without further processing. In some embodiments
media cache 406 stores static content such as bumpers, chrome or
media clips. Throughout this specification "bumpers" refer to any
segue between pieces that may include liners, bumpers, chrome,
teasers, IDs, sweeps, sweepers, dry sweepers, station imaging,
stingers, identifiers, promos, shotguns, voice overs, and intros.
In some embodiments media cache 406 stores content management
logic. In some embodiments playback engine 408 provides programmed
delay or contingent delay to synchronize external constraints
and/or programs.
[0124] In some embodiments, an administrative and/or web interface
(not shown) is provided to enable settings on broadcast interface
in FIG. 4 to be adjusted or tuned, for example, by adjusting an
audio level, by adjusting video brightness, adding or removing
audio/video effects, controlling the manner and timing of
transitions, setting or tuning content, user participation, or
other filters and/or rules, etc.
[0125] In some embodiments, the social broadcasting server 104
and/or broadcast interface in FIG. 4 include(s) dynamic and
automated play list generation logic, which combines user input,
business requirements, regulatory requirements, broadcast quality
logic, advertising requirements, gaming requirements and user
attributions to generate dynamically a playlist that results in a
broadcast that satisfies all requirements.
[0126] In some embodiments, web services and tools binding the web
interfaces directly to the broadcast device, agnostic to broadcast
technology, mediums or protocols, are provided. In some
embodiments, time and scheduling synchronization, play list
updates, device monitoring and status, playback status, etc. are
provided. In some embodiments, real-time or near rear-time events
may be coordinate with a broadcast, included in real-time or near
real-time in a broadcast, and/or are otherwise supported.
[0127] In some embodiments the emergency override stage 410 handles
emergency events, for example an Emergency Broadcast System cut-in,
that occur outside the control of the social broadcasting system.
When such events occur, the social broadcasting system may be
notified so that the program stream and/or broadcast stream can be
adjusted accordingly.
[0128] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a
process to provide social broadcasting. The process may be
implemented by user interface 102, social broadcasting server 104,
and/or broadcast platform 116.
[0129] In step 502, one or more network communications are received
from a plurality of users of the broadcast. The network
communications are received via a network other than a broadcast
medium via which the broadcast is received by the plurality of
users of the broadcast. In some embodiments, the network
communications are received via the Internet and/or another public
or private computer network and the broadcast is provided via radio
frequency transmission, e.g., a terrestrial or satellite radio or
television broadcast. Each network communication indicates a
preference of the sending user with respect to inclusion or
non-inclusion of a content of the broadcast. In some embodiments,
the network communications are received using user interface 102
via the Internet and associated networks. In some embodiments, the
preference includes a vote as described for gaming platform server
322. In some embodiments, the users include media consumers 202,
groups 204, content providers 108, promoters 112, advertisers 114,
and other business partners.
[0130] In step 504, the social broadcasting server 104 processes
the network communications to determine a broadcast stream
reflective of the users' preference. As subsequent input is
received, e.g., from additional users, the broadcast stream is
dynamically updated to reflect such subsequent input. For example,
a song A may be slated initially for inclusion in the broadcast at
an anticipated time t1, based on user input received as of a
particular playlist generation time. Subsequently, input received
from additional users, e.g., if a surge of users expressed a
preference for (or against) the song A subsequent to the time the
initial playlist was generated, in some embodiments the playlist
would be updated dynamically to reflect such subsequent input by
moving the anticipated broadcast time for song A up (or back). As a
particular piece of content approaches a time for inclusion in the
broadcast, the program stream is provided to broadcast platform
116. In some embodiments, an algorithm in the gaming platform
server 322 or other servers in social broadcasting server 104 is
used to select content for broadcast. The program stream may also
be determined by other inputs/constraints such as network-owned
stations 108, network affiliates 108, content providers 108,
regulators 110, promoters 112, advertisers 114, owners, the
providers of social broadcasting server 104, formats of content, an
audio library 340, and playlist constraints.
[0131] FIG. 6 is a state diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
process to determine a program stream reflective of the users'
preference. This process may be implemented in social broadcasting
server 104 or gaming platform server 322. In some embodiments, the
process of FIG. 6 is included in step 504 of FIG. 5.
[0132] In state 602, the server waits for a vote, or for a "next
track" update request. In some embodiments the vote is sent by user
interface 102, user 202, and/or group 204. In some embodiments the
update request is requested by social broadcasting server 104
and/or broadcast platform 116. In some embodiments the update
request is sent when the current track being broadcast begins,
ends, or is at a threshold of time before ending. In some
embodiments the update request is sent when the program stream is
at a threshold of total tracks left in a cache, for example media
cache 406. In one example the update request may be initiated when
media cache 406 is empty or nearly empty. In another example the
update request may be initiated when media cache 406 is not
full.
[0133] State transition from state 602 to state 604 occurs if a
vote is received. In some embodiments, the vote would be received
as a "Yes", "No" or "Abstain". In some embodiments, facilities are
provided to receive simultaneous votes without deadlock or
miscalculation.
[0134] In state 604, a "leaderboard" keeping track of the top voted
tracks is updated. In some embodiments the leaderboard is the same
as a program stream. In some embodiments, the leaderboard is a
cache stored on the social broadcasting server 104 reflecting the
program stream play list. In some embodiments the leaderboard is
updated using a sorting architecture and/or algorithm, for example
a priority heap or quicksort. In some embodiments updating the
leaderboard comprises recalculating one or more votes that delay
over time, for example votes that retain full value until t1, then
linearly approaches a value of 0 at t2. After the leaderboard is
updated, control returns to state 602.
[0135] State transition from state 602 to state 606 occurs if a
"next track" update request is received. In some embodiments, users
are given an indication before a "next track" update request is
initiated, for example a countdown or timer. In some embodiments,
the timing of a "next track" update request is based at least in
part on the program stream.
[0136] In state 606, the leaderboard is updated another time,
similar to the process in state 604. After the leaderboard is
updated, control is transferred to state 608. In state 608, the
updated leaderboard/program stream is transmitted to broadcast
platform 116. In some embodiments, the top track on the updated
program stream will play shortly or immediately on the broadcast
platform 116.
[0137] FIG. 7 is a state diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
process to remove a track dynamically from inclusion in a
broadcast. This process may be implemented in broadcast platform
116. In some embodiments, the process of FIG. 7 is included in step
504 of FIG. 5.
[0138] In state 702, the broadcast platform 116 is currently
playing a track at broadcast station 118. In some embodiments the
track was previously the top track in the leaderboard and/or
program stream from the process described in FIG. 6. In some
embodiments, voting continues even as the track is currently
playing at broadcast station 118.
[0139] State transition from state 702 to state 704 occurs if the
track receives a "bomb". In some embodiments, the track is
preempted by a user using exercising special, single use right to
preempt a content the user strongly dislikes, e.g., a right earned
through participation in a contest or game. In some embodiments a
"bomb" is the power-up bomb applied to a track, such that its score
is adjusted by setting its track score to zero, and in some
embodiments all votes cast for that item by other users are
cleared. In some embodiments a bomb may include a scenario where
users vote down an on-air track such that its score is reduced by g
% of its winning score, and in some embodiments in this scenario
users' votes for this item are not cleared. For example, if g % is
75%, users vote down an on-air track when its score is reduced by
75% of its winning score, but the votes for the track will still
retain approximately 25% of its winning score for future
processing.
[0140] In state 704, the track is removed immediately from the
broadcast, even if the track has not completed playing. In some
embodiments, a bumper and/or chrome is used to announce that the
track was bombed off the air, to provide attribution to a user or
group responsible at least in part for the bombing, and/or to play
an audio avatar or user generated content from the responsible user
or group. Control is then passed to state 702.
[0141] FIG. 8A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
signal flow model for an audio application. In some embodiments,
the audio application associated with signal flow model 802 is the
media application 320 in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the audio
application associated with signal flow model 802 is the playback
engine 408 in FIG. 4.
[0142] The following terminology is used for the example of an
audio application without loss of generality for other forms of
media: [0143] a "stream" is the program the listener hears on air,
[0144] an "element" is an item that is part of the stream (e.g.
song, user-clip, segue clip), [0145] a "transition" is the change
heard between elements (e.g. cut, dissolve), [0146] a "track" is an
element, such as a song or joke, that is experienced as primary
content, [0147] a "clip" is an element, such as a shout-out or
signature, that is inserted by the system based on business rules,
wherein clips may be attached to other elements, or inserted
between them, [0148] a "stream group" is an ordered collection of
elements and transitions, defined by business rules or other core
principles, and [0149] a "channel" is an audio layer within a
stream, wherein a stream may consist of one or more channels.
[0150] The following definitions are used for element types, for
the example of an audio application without loss of generality for
other forms of media: [0151] a "library track" is a track intended
as primary content (usually a song), typically contributed by
content owners 108, or by users if approved by a content owner 108
and/or regulators 110, [0152] a "station clip" is non-song content
contributed by a station or affiliate (e.g. ads, public service
announcements ("PSAs"), station identifications, and/or local
promos), [0153] an "ad clip" is an advertisement or other similar
content (e.g. PSAs), contributed by a station or advertisers 114,
[0154] a "social broadcasting service clip" is contributed by the
social broadcasting service of non-song content (e.g. a clip of a
bomb explosion for a bomb power-up, a call tone to encourage users
to contribute, etc), [0155] a "user track" is contributed by users
through user interface 102, for example songs or jokes, [0156] a
"user clip" is user-contributed content meant to be attached to a
particular song (e.g. shout-outs), [0157] a "signature", "audio
icon" or "audio avatar" is user-contributed and/or selected clip
meant to identify a listener, not necessarily targeted for any
particular song, and [0158] a "segue clip" is a clip heard between
two other elements, serving to bridge them. For example, in the
following sequence:
TABLE-US-00004 [0158] {SONG | <Cut> | BOMB_EFFECT |
<Cut> | BOMB_EXPLAIN | <Crossfade> | SONG},
[0159] BOMB_EFFECT is a segue clip, <Crossfade> is a
transition, and a segue group may also be defined, combining segue
clips and transitions.
[0160] In some embodiments, a stream is assembled from three
"buckets": [0161] Tracks: These are the items the listeners vote
on. They include library tracks and user tracks, [0162] Clips:
These are the items inserted into the stream based on business
rules. They include station clips, add clips, social broadcasting
service clips, user clips, signatures and segue clips, [0163]
Transitions: These are the audio experiences heard between tracks
and/or clips. They include cuts and cross-fades.
[0164] In some embodiments, the rules for assembly are based on the
following principles: [0165] The tracks are inserted into the
stream based on user activity (such as voting), but may be adjusted
or overridden based on business rules (such as restrictions from
regulators 110 or FCC regulations), and [0166] Clips and
transitions are inserted into the stream based on business rules,
addressing at least: Audio design principles (e.g. beat-matching or
beat-mismatch masking), regulations from regulators 110, and
station policies.
[0167] In some embodiments, the stream may consist of one or more
channels. The primary channel contains the main program content,
such as songs and user tracks. Additional channels may be added to
support elements, such as sound effects, that would be heard
mixed-in with the primary channel.
[0168] In the example shown in FIG. 8A, [0169] E_n is an audio
element, provided by a library, [0170] G_n is a gain controller, to
control the volume of the associated element, for example to
control cross-fades, [0171] FX_n is an effects processor, to apply
audio effects to the associated element, [0172] G_mix is a gain
controller applied to the output stream, and [0173] FX_mix is an
effects processor applied to the output stream.
[0174] The gain and effects modules may be treated as a single
processing module if that is convenient. The modules shown are in
turn controlled by a master audio sequencer/controller, which is
responsible for controlling the order of elements played, and the
processing applied to them over time, based on business rules.
[0175] In some embodiments, a partial list of audio effects
includes: graphic equalization, pan/expand, dynamics (frequency
specific gain), noise gate/snipper, pitch, envelope, reverb,
chorus, flange (wah-wah), distortion, delay/echo, and vibrato.
[0176] FIG. 8B is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
sample stream excerpt. The sample stream excerpt 852 is based on
the signal flow model for the audio application in FIG. 8A. In some
embodiments, the audio application is the media application 320 in
FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the audio application is the playback
engine 408 in FIG. 4.
[0177] In this example, a song from the library is followed by a
sound effect on E.sub.--2 (with a cut transition), which is then
cross-faded (see G.sub.--1, G.sub.--2) to the next song. A flanging
effect FX.sub.--1 is applied to the end of the first song, and
graphic equalization FX.sub.--2 is applied to the sound effect to
make it sound like it's coming over a phone line. The second song
is heard with no effects applied.
[0178] Social broadcasting as described herein empowers users to
control broadcast content to an extent and in a manner not known
before, e.g., by promoting, demoting, preempting, contributing, and
otherwise directly influencing the content of a broadcast.
Techniques described above may be used to encourage and reward
participation by members of a community of consumers of a
broadcast, e.g., listeners to a particular terrestrial or other
radio station, leading to a broadcast media experience that
satisfies and reflects more fully the desires of the community of
listeners.
[0179] Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in
some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention
is not limited to the details provided. There are many alternative
ways of implementing the invention. The disclosed embodiments are
illustrative and not restrictive.
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