Abstract:
A method for producing a programming element for a broadcast station entails generating an order in a database to produce a recorded announcement and identifying the script for the order. The script and an order are stored at a first location in the database by the salesman. The method continues by recalling the order from the database by a traffic director, assigning a cart number to the order, and storing the script and cart number at a second location in the database. The stored script, order and cart number are recalled from the second location by a producer at the broadcast station. The producer locates elements required in the script and produces the recorded announcement. The recorded announcement is stored at a third location with the order in the database. The method ends by retrieving the stored recorded announcement for use by the broadcast station.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/602,104, filed on Aug. 17, 2004. 

   FIELD 
   The present embodiments relate to handling production orders and making commercials, traffic reports, and similar short programs for radio stations. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Commercials have long been an integral part of entertainment programming. From the major television networks to the local radio station operators, they all rely on advertisers for their revenues. As a result, the large majority of entertainment programming, whether it is television or radio, whether it is news, sports, soap operas or talk shows, they are all interposed with commercials at selective breakpoints of the programs. Even for video tapes, CDs, or DVDs, more and more commercials are placed at the beginning as well as the end of the feature presentations. 
   A need exists for an easy, automated method to handle production orders and the associated producing of commercials and other recorded announcements for radio stations making and broadcasting commercials which includes a salesman, producer and traffic director. 
   A need exists for a method to produce recorded spots at radio and television stations that is more environmentally friendly, saving paper over methods that currently exist. 
   A need exists for a method for radio stations and television stations to easily comply with the Sarbanes/Oxley suggested rules for corporate accountability. The record keeping now required under these new rules will be improved using this new method. 
   The present embodiments meet these needs. 
   SUMMARY 
   Methods for producing a programming element for a broadcast station entails a salesman generating an order in a database to produce a recorded announcement at the broadcast station with a script and traffic instructions. The script is copy and instructions for audio. The order and attached script are stored at a first location in the database by the salesman. The methods continue by recalling the order from the database by a traffic director at the broadcast station using the traffic instructions, assigning a cart number to the order, and storing the order with attached script and cart number at a second location in the database. The stored order is recalled from the second location by a producer at the broadcast station. The producer locates elements required in the script and produces the recorded announcement. The recorded announcement is attached to the order and stored at a third location in the database. The methods end by retrieving the stored recorded announcement for use by the broadcast station. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: 
       FIG. 1  is a basic schematic of an embodiment of a method for automated order production for a broadcast station. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an example of an embodiment of a sales module of the method for automated order production for a broadcast station. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an example of an embodiment of a traffic director module of the method for automated order production for a broadcast station. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an example of an embodiment of a production module of the method for automated order production for a broadcast station. 
       FIG. 5  depicts examples customer and order information used in the sales module. 
   

   The present method is detailed below with reference to the listed Figures. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the present method in detail, it is to be understood that the method is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways. 
   The embodied methods provide fast, computer assisted methods to increase radio and broadcast station commercial production. The methods enable a station to track salesman production, as well as team production and team efficiency at the station. 
   The method for producing a programming element for a broadcast station enables a faster, more efficient, computer based system to track and store easily searchable items, such as scripts, customer information, audio files, and scheduling information, and for retrieval and report generation. 
   When used in conjunction with a broadcast station, the embodied methods provide more efficient methods for running a radio station or other broadcast station, such as a television station for higher profitability. The methods reduce the amount of research time needed to produce similar commercials or recorded announcements for existing clients using similar material. 
   The embodied methods provide environmentally friendly, potentially paperless methods for handling the production of commercials, and other recorded spots. Currently, commercial spots and the associated production generate reams and reams of paper. These embodied methods reduce the amount paper used by the over 10,000 radio stations currently operating in the United States. Even if just a small station utilizes the embodied method and saves at least one ream of paper per day, 365 reams a year of paper; the savings to the forests and paper consumption will be enormous. 
   Embodied herein are methods for automated order production and broadcast for a broadcast station, such as a radio station. The methods can be used by entities that run commercials during broadcasts. Examples of on-air workstations include broadcast radio stations, broadcast television stations, satellite radio stations, satellite television stations, internet radio stations, internet television stations, cable radio stations, networks (such as, NBC or ESPN), or cable television stations. The methods can be used on wireless services to produce commercials over a wireless network. 
   With references to the figures,  FIG. 1  depicts an embodied method  7  composed of three or more modules integrated together to create a method for automated order production for a broadcast station. The three modules utilize a salesman  10 , a producer  12 , and a traffic director  14 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the method initially requires the salesman  10  to generate an order and spot information in a database to produce a recorded announcement (Step  110 ). The salesman  10  can be resident at the broadcast station, such as the radio station, or in communication via the internet or by a phone system that communicates with a computer linked to the database. The computer, in turn, communicates to the broadcast station  8 . Alternatively, the salesman  10  can be the employee of the station, such as the account executive, an assistant to the salesman, an advertising agency representative to the broadcast station, a programming staff member of the radio, television or other broadcast station, or an agent or other third party contractor to the station. The tasks performed by the salesmen can be automatically processed, such as by a computer or other automated means. 
   The order generated by the salesman can include a script and/or a produced spot. The order generated by the salesman can also include a traffic instruction. The script can be copy plus instructions for audio. The copy can be generated by the salesman; a staff script writer of the broadcast station; a third party contractor; a programming staff member; or the producer. The audio instruction can be instructions to obtain an audio file, instructions to record voiceovers, or instructions to obtain special effects, such as a squeaking door, gun shot, tire squeals. The audio instructions can be a combination of these instructions. The audio file comprises an MP3 audio file, a Wav audio file, an AIF audio file, a WMA audio file, or an MP2, or other audio file. The audio file can be music, sound effects, voice recordings, or a combination of these. The audio file can be original, live, or recorded digital or analog. 
   If the salesman  10  has the copy for a spot, the salesman  10  can use an import function in the program to import the copy into the order for storage in the database (Step  120 ). The copy can be linked to the spot in the database and saved in a file, such as an .rtf file. 
   If the salesman  10  does not have the copy for a spot, the salesman  10  can write the copy and attach the copy or script to the order for storage in the database (Step  130 ). The copy can be linked to the spot in the database and saved in a file, such as an .rtf file. If the salesman  10  does not have the copy and cannot write the script, the salesmen  10  attached instruction to the order concerning the script (Step  135 ). 
   If the salesman  10  has audio for the spot, the salesman  10  can attach the audio and import the completed spot into the order (Step  140 ). The copy can be linked to the spot in the database and saved in a file, such as an .mp3 file. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the salesman  10  can be asked to verify if the audio is properly licensed such as from ASCAP, BMI, or Harry Fox. The database can be used to verify licensing automatically of all imported audio files and would provide a significant savings to the radio station. 
   Continuing with  FIG. 2 , once the copy, script and audio, as necessary, has been entered in to the database, the salesman  10  enters traffic instructions (Step  150 ) and enters the information into the database. If another spot exists, the salesman  10  repeats the steps involved with incorporated script and any audio into the next spot. 
   The salesman  10  submits the completed order or orders to the traffic director for scheduling with an order number (Step  160 ). An order number is assigned either manually or automatically. The module ends by assigning the order a first location that is termed here “traffic queue” (Step  170 ). 
     FIG. 3  depicts an example of the traffic module usable in the method. The traffic director  14  reviews a traffic queue populated by the salesman  10  in the sales module for spots to be scheduled and produced for air play. The traffic director  14  selects an order from the traffic queue produced by the software associated with the database. (Step  210 ). The traffic director  14  opens a production order. The actions performed by the traffic director  14  can be done manually or automatically, wherein the traffic director  14  can be a person, a computer, or other automated means. 
   If the order includes a cart number, the traffic director  14  selects a cart number from the cart number table (Step  220 ). The cart table can be the software&#39;s cart table or the traffic director&#39;s external cart table. The cart number can be assigned manually or automatically. The traffic director  14  saves the cart number, order, and script. Once a cart number has been assigned to the order, the traffic director  14  submits the order to production (Step  230 ). The saved production order with attached cart number and script are linked to a second location, hereafter referred to as the “production queue” (Step  240 ). The traffic direction  14  moves the order from the traffic queue to the production queue. 
     FIG. 4  depicts an example shows the production module usable in the method. A producer  12  can call up or retrieve the order from the second location, the “production queue” (Step  300 ). The producer begins production of the recorded announcement. To produce the recorded announcement, the producer  12  determines whether the audio and copy exists for the order. The actions performed by the producer  12  can be done manually or automatically, wherein the producer  12  can be a person, a computer, or other automated means. 
   If the completed audio exists in the database, the producer  12  transfers the audio file into the station&#39;s playback system (Step  310 ). If the completed audio does not exist in the database, the producer  12  can create the audio (Step  320 ). The producer  12  can create the audio by locating needed audio and optionally hiring actors to perform in order to complete production. The producer  12  can create a soundtrack by finding desired music on the Internet, finding musicians to make the music, or locating the music from another source. The audio can be imported using an audio function in the software. Alternatively, the audio can be recorded to the database using an audio function in the software. The imported or recorded audio file is typically linked to the spot in the database and saved in a file, such as an MP3 file. The step of importing the audio file by the producer  12  is similar to the importing the audio file by the salesmen in the sales module. 
   If the order does not include a script, the producer  12  can create copy by writing and, optionally, reading the copy himself (Step  315 ). If the producer is a computer, the computer can use voice recognition and response software to produce words for recording. If special effects are required, the producer  12  can include the effects into the audio. 
   Special effects are identified by the producer to enhance the script. Special effects can include noises, such as door closings, squeaks, echoes, or the sound of thunder. The producer  12  records the assembled elements to form the recorded announcement. The final recorder product is transferred to the playback system (Step  310 ). The recorded announcement can be a commercial, a traffic report, an infomercial broadcast, a public service announcement, a station promotional announcement, station imaging element, or a combination of these. 
   The producer  12  is responsible to alter the status of the order by updating the database (Step  330 ). If multiple recorded announcements are present on the order, the producer  12  produces the announcements and updates the status of each recorded announcement. For example, the producer  12  sends or “reads” the recorded announcement to broadcast station equipment and changes the recorded announcement status from “to be produced” to the status of “produced”. 
   If another copy exists on the order, the producer  12  repeats the steps involved with producing the spot and transferring the audio to the playback system. When entire order is completed, the producer  12  closes the order and marks the order, for example, as “completed”, in the database (Step  340 ). 
   The recorded announcement is saved in the database at a third location, wherein the announcement can be called up for review or broadcast. The broadcast can be live or a delayed later broadcast. The producer  12  can provide a list of all recorded announcements to be produced on a given date in order to facilitate the efficient operation of the broadcast station. 
   The broadcast of the recorded announcement is managed by the station&#39;s playback system, typically a computer. The signal is automatically transmitted to a transmitter for broadcast over airwaves via the internet, via cable, via satellite, or other common means. The defined time can be a delayed broadcast of the recorded announcement, an immediate broadcast of the recorded announcement, or combinations thereof. 
   If another spot needs to be produced, the producer  12  selects the next spot to produce from the same order. Individual recorded announcements are produced and marked as “produced” in the status field until the entire order is complete. The entire order is then marked “complete”. 
   Returning to the sales module depicted in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5  depicts a detailed segment of the sales module used in the method to allow a salesman, his assistant or other party to enter production orders and submit the production orders to traffic department for scheduling. 
   The salesman  10  typically receives an order. The salesman  10  can be a self-service kiosk in which a customer can enter order information. If the salesman  10  is a kiosk, the kiosk can include a computer that is linked to the database at the broadcast station. The self-service kiosk can include a credit card swipe system to pay for the commercial. 
   Once the salesman  10  has received the order, the salesman  10  generates an order in the database (Step  110 ) and enters information into the database. An order number is generated when the salesman  10  submits the order to the traffic queue. The generated order number  31  as well as the customer name  30  is included in the database. The salesman  10  can enter other information, such as the broadcast station name  48 , a contract number  50 , and a start date  52  for the entire order. One or more individual start dates  53  can be added for individual recorded announcements. The start dates can be later than the start date for the entire order. The start date can include the time, the day, the month and the year that the order is to be started at a broadcast station. An order end date  54  can be entered. The end date is the date that all individual recorded announcements are completed airing at the broadcast station. Similar to the individual start dates  53 , the individual end dates  55  can be entered by the salesman  10  for individual end airing dates for individual recorded announcements. 
   The salesman  10  can enter into the order an advertiser&#39;s name  56 , which can optionally appear on the recorded announcement. The salesman  10  can enter the name of the account executive  58 , typically the salesman&#39;s name. Alternatively, an order type  60  can be inserted in the recorded announcement order. The order type  60  indicates the usage of the finished recorded announcement, such as broadcast over airwave or broadcast via the Internet. Additionally, the source  62  of one or more of the script elements or the ordered recorded announcement can be included in the order. 
   The salesman  10  can enter additional terms, such as sponsorship  64 , dubbing instructions  66 , and an estimate number  68 . Special instructions  69  can be input into the order, such as use a female voice or use acoustic guitar music. Dubbing instructions can include instructions to make a CD or DVD of the recorded announcement for the client, to make a cassette, to make an MP3 version of the recorded announcement, or similar dubbings or copying instructions. The dubbing instructions can indicate if the dubbing is to be a digital or analog recording or a “gold master” of the recorded announcement. 
   Continuing with the  FIG. 5 , the salesmen  10  can enter other information, such as an ISCI code  72  for the order, a recorded announcement title  74 , or a length for the recorded announcement  76 , such as fifteen seconds, thirty seconds, or sixty seconds. The rotation of the recorded announcement  78  can be entered as well. A rotation can be 100% if only one recorded announcement is in the order. If multiple announcements exist on the order, their total rotation should equal 100%. The rotation can be indicated as 20% for a first recorded announcement in an order and 80% for a second recorded announcement in the same order. 
   The customer information, order information, spot information, any address, and the other loaded information are stored in a database in a computer, a server, a website, over a LAN or WAN, or combinations of these. 
   Other fields that can be entered into the database described above for the order. Examples of these fields include a contact agency, such as the name of the advertising agency that provided the order; a contact phone number, a contact cell phone number, a contact fax number, a web address, and an E-mail address. 
   The audio file and/or the script can be e-mailed to the client for pre-approval prior to finalizing the recorded announcement. The emailing prior to final production and optional emailing a second time prior to broadcast saves postage saves paper and ensures station compliance with customer requests. This cost saving benefit of the method makes radio station more profitable. 
   While this method has been described with emphasis on the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the method might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.