Patent ID: 9639536
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: G06F

Claim:
1. A method for use in a media automation system used to control and automate media broadcast functions, the method comprising: automatically generating a first playlist using a computing device included in the media automation system, the first playlist is generated for inclusion in a particular time period corresponding to a target playout length, and automatically generating the first playlist includes: automatically generating a second playlist using the computing device, the second playlist is generated for inclusion in a following time period, and automatically generating the second playlist includes: automatically determining an aggregate difference representing a difference between an aggregate playout length of the first and second playlist and the target playout length; in response to the aggregate difference exceeding a difference threshold, automatically reducing a subsequent time period, for which a subsequent playlist is to be generated, by an amount corresponding to an amount by which the aggregate difference exceeds the difference threshold; and skipping generation of the subsequent playlist in response to determining that the amount by which the aggregate difference exceeds the difference threshold is equal to or greater than the subsequent time period.