Method and system for tracking actual channel content output

A system and method includes a first automation system generating a first run log a first on air status and a second automation system generating a second run log having a second on-air status. A billing module receives a consolidated run log corresponding to the first on-air status from the first run log and the second on-air status from the second run log.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to television broadcasting, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for tracking content played including inserted material in a broadcast television signal.

BACKGROUND

Satellite broadcasting of television signals has increased in popularity. Satellite television providers continually offer more and unique services to their subscribers to enhance the viewing experience. Providing reliability in a satellite broadcasting system is therefore an important goal of satellite broadcast providers. Providing reliable signals reduces the overall cost of the system by reducing the number of received calls at a customer call center.

Television providers often insert promotional material or commercials into various portions of a program. For cable television provider this is done locally. Oftentimes, this is a manual process. Providing a convenient and reliable method is desirable. Tracking the material is typically a manual process. However, a number of channels increases tracking contented broadcast becomes cumbersome.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a means for tracking the actual content broadcast including inserted material. The means is suitable for many types of systems including satellite television systems.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a method includes generating a first run log at a first automation system, generating a second run log a second automation system and generating a consolidated run log corresponding to an on-air status from the first run log and the second run log.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, a method includes generating a content signal, monitoring a switch having a primary position and a back-up position and generating a switch position signal, inserting insert material into the content signal at an automation system and generating a consolidated run log corresponding to the insert material, the content signal and the switch position signal.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a system includes a first automation system generating a first run log a first on air status and a second automation system generating a second run log having a second on-air status. A billing module receives a consolidated run log corresponding to the first on-air status from the first run log and the second on-air status from the second run log.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term module, circuit and/or device refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is described with respect to a satellite television system. However, the present disclosure may have various uses including satellite transmission and data transmission and reception for home or business uses. The system may also be used in a cable system or wireless terrestrial communication system for generating an output signal.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a communication system10includes a satellite12that includes at least one transponder13. Typically, multiple transponders are in a satellite. The communication system10includes a central facility14and a plurality of regional facilities16A,16B,16C,16D,16E and16F. Although only one satellite is shown, more than one is possible. The regional facilities16A-16F may be located at various locations throughout a landmass18such as the continental United States, including more or less than those illustrated. The regional facilities16A-16F uplink various uplink signals17to satellite12. The satellites downlink downlink signals19to various users20that may be located in different areas of the landmass18. The users20may be mobile or fixed users. The uplink signals17may be digital signals such as digital television signals or digital data signals. The digital television signals may be high definition television signals. Uplinking may be performed at various frequencies including Ka band. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to Ka band. However, Ka band is a suitable frequency example used throughout this disclosure. The central facility14may also receive downlink signals19corresponding to the uplink signals17from the various regional facilities and from itself for monitoring purposes. The central facility14may monitor the quality of all the signals broadcast from the system10.

The central facility14may also be coupled to the regional facilities through a network such as a computer network having associated communication lines24A-24F. Each communication line24A-F is associated with a respective regional site16. Communication lines24A-24F are terrestrial-based lines. As will be further described below, all of the functions performed at the regional facilities may be controlled centrally at the central facility14as long as the associated communication line24A-F is not interrupted. When a communication line24A-F is interrupted, each regional site16A-F may operate autonomously so that uplink signals may continually be provided to the satellite12. Each of the regional and central facilities includes a transmitting and receiving antenna which is not shown for simplicity inFIG. 1.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the regional facilities16A-16F ofFIG. 1are illustrated collectively as reference numeral16. The regional facilities16may actually comprise two facilities that include a primary site40and a diverse site42. The primary site40may be referred to as a primary broadcast center (PBC). As will be described below, the central site14may also include a primary site and diverse site as is set forth herein. The primary site40and diverse site42of both the central and regional sites may be separated by at least 25 miles, or, more even more such as, at least 40 miles. In one constructed embodiment, 50 miles was used. The primary site40includes a first antenna44for transmitting and receiving signals to and from satellite12. Diverse site42also includes an antenna46for transmitting and receiving signals from satellite12.

Primary site40and diverse site42may also receive signals from GPS satellites50. GPS satellites50generate signals corresponding to the location and a precision timed signal that may be provided to the primary site40through an antenna52and to the diverse site42through an antenna54. It should be noted that redundant GPS antennas (52A,B) for each site may be provided. In some configurations, antennas44and46may also be used to receive GPS signals.

A precision time source56may also be coupled to the primary site40and to the diverse site42for providing a precision time source. The precision time source56may include various sources such as coupling to a central atomic clock. The precision time source may be used to trigger certain events such as advertising insertions and the like.

The primary site40and the diverse site42may be coupled through a communication line60. Communication line60may be a dedicated communication line. The primary site40and the diverse site42may communicate over the communication line using a video over internet protocol (IP).

Various signal sources64such as an optical fiber line, copper line or satellites may provide incoming signals66from the primary site40to the diverse site42. Incoming signal66, as mentioned above, may be television signals. The television signals may be high-definition signals. The incoming signals66such as the television signal may be routed from the primary site40through the communication line60to the diverse site42in the event of a switchover whether the switchover is manual or a weather-related automatic switchover. A manual switchover, for example, may be used during a maintenance condition.

In a terrestrial system, the satellites may be eliminated or replaced by transmission towers that use terrestrial antennas in place of antennas46. In a cable system, the antennas46may be replaced with optical fibers or copper wires.

Users20receive downlink signals70corresponding to the television signals. Users20may include home-based systems or business-based systems. As illustrated, a user20has a receiving antenna72coupled to an integrated receiver decoder (IRD)74that processes the signals and generates audio and video signals corresponding to the received downlink signal70for display on the television or monitor76. It should also be noted that satellite radio receiving systems may also be used in place of the IRD74. The integrated receiver decoder may be incorporated into or may be referred to as a set top box.

The user20may also be a mobile user. The user20may therefore be implemented in a mobile device or portable device. The portable device80may include but are not limited to various types of devices such as a laptop computer82, a personal digital assistant84, a cellular telephone86or a portable media player88.

Referring now toFIGS. 3A and 3B, a ground segment system100for processing content and forming an output signal is illustrated. One method for providing content is using file-based content102. The file-based content102may be in various standard formats such as CableLabs® content, digital video disks or the like. The file-based content102is provided to a content repository104that stores the various file-based content. If needed, a content processing system106processes the content and converts the format of the file-based content. The content processing system106may convert the video compression format, the resolution, the audio compression format and audio bit rates to match the target broadcast path. The content from the content repository104may be provided to various systems as will be described below. The content repository104may also receive tape-based content108. The tape-based content108may be processed in the content processing system106into various formats including a first format such as high-definition, serial digital interface (HD-SDI) format. The content repository104may provide content to baseband video servers114. The (P) and the (B) in the Fig. denote a primary and secondary or back-up baseband video server. The content repository104may also provide signals to various service access processing systems116. As illustrated, several service access processing systems (SAPS) are illustrated. Both primary and back-up service access processing systems116may be provided in the various chains.

An automation system120may control the insertion of various advertising into file-based and live streams. The SAPS116may function as an advertising insertion module. The SAPS116may also include a digital video effects insertion module described below. The function of the automation system120will be further described below.

Content repository104may also be coupled to a compressed video server (CVS)122and an advertising-insertion server (AIS)124. The compressed video server122uses content that is retrieved from the content repository104. The content repository104stores the content well in advance of use by the compressed video server122. Likewise, advertising may be also drawn from the content repository104. Both the content video server122and ad-insertion server124provide content in a compressed manner. This is in contrast to the baseband video server114that is provided content in a baseband. The output of the content video server may be in an IP transport stream. The content output of the compressed video server122and the ad-insertion server124may be provided to a local area network130.

A traffic scheduling system (TSS)132schedules the content throughout the ground segment100. The traffic scheduling system132generates broadcast schedules utilized by the baseband video servers114, the service access processing system116, the automation system120, the compressed video server122and the ad-insertion server124. The traffic and scheduling system132provides program-associated data (PAD) to a scheduled PAD server (SPS)134. The SPS134delivers the program-associated data to an advanced broadcast controller (ABC)136. As will be described below, an advanced broadcast management system (ABMS)500illustrated inFIG. 5is used to monitor and control the content.

The traffic and scheduling system132may also be in communication with an advanced program guide system138.

A live content source40delivered by way of a satellite optical fiber or copper wires couple live content to an L-band distribution and routing system142. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize various other frequencies may be used for the L-band. The output of the routing system42may be provided to ingest channels150, turnaround channels152, occasional channels154, and continental United States local collection facility channels156. Each of the various channels150-156may represent a number of channels. Each of the channels has primary and secondary or back-up circuitry for processing the data stream.

The output of the L-band distribution and routing system142provide signals to receivers160. As mentioned above, the paths may be in primary or secondary paths. The receivers160receive the feed signal from the L-band distribution and routing system142and demodulate the feed signal. The receiver may also provide decryption. The feed signal may be in an ATSC-compliant transport stream from terrestrial fiber or satellite sources. The feed signal may also be a DVD-compliant transport stream delivered via satellite or fiber. The signal may also include a digicipher-compliant transport stream, a JPEG 2000 transport stream or various proprietary formats from various content providers. The output of the receiver may be provided via an ASI or MPEG IP interface.

Should the content from the content provider be provided in a format that can be immediately used by the system, the receiver may be replaced with a pass-through connector such as a barrel connector.

The receive signal from the receiver160is provided to decoders162. The decoders162decode the receive signal to provide decoded signals. The receive signal may still be compressed and, thus, the decoder may be used for decoding the live compressed video and audio content. The receive signal may be an ATSC-compliant transport stream, a DVD-compliant transport stream, a digicipher-compliant transport stream, a JPEG 2000 transport stream or various proprietary formats that may be delivered via ASI or MPEG/IP. The output of the decoder is a baseband signal that may be in a variety of formats such as a high definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI) format. The decoders162may also include a general purpose interface used to convey add trigger events via contact closures. The input may be delivered directly from an upstream receiver, a conversion box that converts dual-tone multi-frequency tones from the upstream receiver into the general purpose interface. The audio format may carry various types of audio streams including Dolby digital, Dolby E or PCM audio. More than one type of audio stream may be included for a signal. The house signal may also include Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers (SCTE) standard 104 and 35 messages. The house signal may also include closed captioning and vertical interval time code (VITC). It is possible that the decoder may not be required if the content provided from the live content sources is in the proper format. Therefore, the decoder is an optional piece of equipment.

For the occasional channels154, the output of the decoders162may be provided to an occasional HD-SDI routing system164. Of course, the output of the receiver152may be routed rather than the output of the decoder152. An occasional channel is a live turnaround channel that only exists long enough to carry one or more events, typically sporting events such as those in the NFL or NBA. The type of receiver formatting or authorizations may vary depending on the type of event. Only a small number of receivers are used for these types of events. The routing system164allows a proper allocation of downstream equipment in proportion to the number of active broadcast channels rather than the number of content providers.

The output of the decoders162in the ingest channels150, the turnaround channels152, and the CONUS local collection facility channels156are each provided to the SAPS116. The SAPS116provide baseband processing which may include conversion to a house format and ad-insertion. The SAPS116receives a single HD-SDI signal from each decoder162. It is possible that the decoder and the SAPS may be combined in one unit. The service access processing system SAPS116may extract and reinsert various audio streams, such as PCM, Dolby digital, or Dolby E audio. The SAPS116may also transcode the signals in the case where a different coding scheme is required. Various operational modes may also be incorporated into the SAPS116including frame synchronization, error concealment, and the use of variable incoming bit rates. The SAPS116may also support real time changes in the video format. The video format may, for example, be 1080p, 1080i, 720p, and 480p.

Server-based channels170may also be included in the system. Server-based channels170include a baseband video server114that receives content from the content repository104.

The primary and back-up baseband video servers114of the server-based channels170may be coupled to a receiver transfer unit (RTU)176which acts as a switch-to-switch between primary and back-up signals. The primary and back-up service access processing system of the turnaround channels152, the occasional channels154, and the remote collection facility channels156may all be coupled to a receiver transfer unit176. The receiver transfer unit176performs various functions including redundancy switching or selection for choosing between the primary and the back-up outputs of the baseband video server114or the service access processing system116and providing the chosen signal to an encoder182. The receiver transfer units176may also route the signals for monitoring and redundancy to an HD-SDI monitoring system186. The receiver transfer units176may provide an automatic redundancy mode in which the unit fails to a back-up input upon loss of a primary input signal. The RTU176may also be implemented so that a switch back from the back-up to the primary unit may not be automatically performed without manual intervention. The receiver transfer unit176may be a switch that is controlled by the advanced broadcast management system300(ofFIG. 5) to generate an output signal. In the case of a failure of one of the encoders182, a routing system186may be used to route the signal through a back-up encoder190.

The HD-SDI routing system186may provide a plurality of back-up encoders for the various channels. A number of back-up encoders may be provided based on the number of primary encoders. In one example, three back-up encoders for every primary encoder were provided.

The encoders182and the encoders190encode the video audio closed-captioned data VITC and SCTE35data associated within a single chain. The output of the encoder is a single program transport stream that is provided by way of an MPEG-IP interface. The single program transport stream (SPTS) is coupled to a local area network130. The local area network130may include a plurality of routers192that are used to route the single port transport streams to an uplink signal processing system (USPS)200. Several uplink signal processing systems200may be provided. This may include a secondary or back-up USPS that will be referred to as an engineering USPS200′. The single program transport stream includes identification of the signal so that it may be properly routed to the proper uplink signal processing system. The uplink signal processing system200generates an output to an uplink RF system (URFS)202that includes a power amplifier. The uplink signal processing system200may also provide redundant pairs to increase the reliability of the output signal.

The uplink signal processing system200may include a multiplexing splicing system (MSS)210, an advance transport processing system (ATPS)212, and a modulator214. Pairs of multiplexing splicing systems210, advance transport processing systems212, and modulators214may be provided for redundancy. The multiplexing splicing system210multiplexes the single program transport stream from the local area network130into a multiplexed transport stream (MPTS). The MSS210may also act to insert advertising into the signal. Thus, the MSS210acts as a multiplexing module and as an ad insertion module. Various numbers of single-program transport streams may be multiplexed. In one constructed embodiment, eight single program transport streams were multiplexed at each MSS210. The ads to be inserted at the MSS210may be formatted in a particular format such as MPEG 4 format and have various types of digital including Dolby digital audio streams. The MSS210may identify insertion points based on SCTE35in the incoming stream. The advance transport processing system212converts the DVB-compliant transport stream from the MSS210into an advanced transport stream such as the DIRECTV A3 transport stream. The ATPS212may support either ASI or MPEG output interface for the broadcast path. Thus, the ATPS212acts as an encryption module. The ATPS212may accept data from the advanced broadcast controller136and the advanced program guide system138. The ATPS212may also be coupled to a data broadcast system226. The data from the ABC136, the APGS138, and the DBS226are multiplexed into the output transport stream. Thus, the ATPS212acts as a data encryption module. As will be described below, the ATPS may also be coupled to the advanced broadcast management system described below inFIG. 4. Error reporting to the advanced broadcast management system (300inFIG. 5) may include transport level errors, video outages, audio outages, loss of connection from a redundancy controller or a data source, or a compression system controller.

The modulators214modulate the transport stream from the ATPS212and generate an RF signal at a frequency such as an L-band frequency.

An RF switch216is coupled to the primary modulator and back-up modulator214. The RF switch provides one output signal to the uplink RF system202.

The ATPS212may also receive information or data from a DBS234. The DBS234provides various types of data to be inserted into the broadcast. The data information is provided to the ATPS212to be inserted into the program stream. A content distribution system236may also be used to couple information to the ATPS. The content distribution system may provide various information such as scheduling information, or the like. The content repository104may also be directly coupled to the ATPS for providing various types of information or data.

Referring back to the front end of the ground segment100, a CONUS local collection facility (CLCF)226may be used to collect live content represented by box228at a content-provider site or delivered to the CLCF226by way of a fiber. A plurality of encoders230may be used to encode the signals in a useable format by the system. The encoder signals may be provided to a backhaul internet protocol network232and provided to a decoder162within the CLCF channels156or to a receiver160in the CLCF. As mentioned above, if the content is formatted in a usable format, the receiver160may not be required. Should the receiver function be required, a receiver may be used in the system.

Several uplink signal processing systems200may be provided for any one system. Each of the uplink signal processing systems may correspond to a single transponder on a single satellite. Thus, the combined single program transport streams received at the multiplex splicing system210are combined to fit on a single transponder.

A back-up or engineering uplink system processing system200′ may also be provided. The engineering uplink signal processing system200′ may have the same components as the USPS200. The engineering USPS200′ may be used as a substitute for a particular transponder should one of the primary USPS fail for any reason.

The ABMS system324may be used to monitor various portions of the system including the each of the components of the USPS200, the RTU and BVS or automation system. Monitor may be generated from the various component and control signals generated to the components. As mentioned above, the USPS200may include a multiplexer. The multiplexer may be used for inserting a slide due to technical difficulty at a component such as the encoders330. A slide insertion signal may be generated in response. This will also be described further below.

The ABMS system324may also be in communication with the RTU switch176. The switch176may be monitored to determine whether the primary or back-up automation system is broadcasting.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a block diagrammatic view of a triggering insertion system formed according to the present disclosure is set forth. In this embodiment, elements ofFIGS. 3A and 3Bare labeled the same. Also, the automation system120inFIG. 3has been incorporated in the place of the baseband video server (BVS)114illustrated inFIG. 3Asince the automation system and the BVS may function together. The system illustrated inFIG. 4includes further details for inserting insertion material and monitoring insertion material such as commercials, promotional materials and slides. The system set forth inFIG. 4is particularly suitable for insertion of material into live channel streams.

An encoder300such as an MPEG2 encoder may be used to receive material from outside sources into an export producer302. The export producer302communicates insert content such as commercial spots, slides or promotional material to a workflow system304. The workflow system304communicates the content to the content repository104where it is stored therein. The workflow system304may generate an insert material identifier such as an ISCI (Industry Standard Commercial Identifier) for commercial or promotional spots. A typical ISCI identifier format includes an alphabetic identifier identifying the source and a numeric identifier identifying the spot number. The workflow system304may also receive content such as pay-per-view content which is assigned a material ID at the workflow system304. The material ID and the ISCI may be assigned by the traffic scheduling system132.

The traffic scheduling system132may also set schedules for insertion of various insert materials into broadcast programming. Programming or break windows may be assigned for the insertion of the insertion material. The break windows may also be manually inserted by a system operator. Thus, the schedules may include the time window and the insert material identification.

The schedules may be communicated through a web services server310to the automation system120. Both the back-up and primary automation system120may receive the web services' command or schedule. The web services server310may be used to assign the automation servers to a particular channel. For example, a control channel identifier CCID may be assigned to a particular automation system120that has an automation system address such as “1000.” Both an “a” and “b” address may be used for the primary and back-up automation systems120.

A router320may be used to route various material through the system. The router320may be used to communicate content and insert material to the automation system120. The automation system120may communicate video information through a video LAN connection (VLAN)322to the router320where it may be monitored through an advanced baseband monitoring system (ABMS)324. The ABMS system324may include displays for displaying various signals and controlling various signals.

The automation system120may receive triggers such as a general purpose interface (GPI) trigger, a Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE)104trigger or a digital program insertion interface (DPI) trigger. Such triggers may be included in the vertical ancillary portion (VANC) data portion of the received signal. The trigger data may include metadata regarding the timing and length of the break. A pre-roll time may be included in the trigger metadata. The pre-roll time is a time corresponding to the time until a break occurs. By communicating the pre-roll time to the automation system the insert material may be retrieved and used.

A remote monitor326may also be coupled to the router320. The remote monitor326may be used to receive monitoring signals that may be monitored from a remote site. For example, the remote monitor326may be located in the home of a supervisor or the like. The remote monitor, as will be further described below, may be accessed through the internet upon a proper authentication.

The above-specified system may be used for both pay-per-view and live content signal streams. In a live content signal stream, content is received through the content sources140and received at receiver160. The received signals are decoded at the decoders162which are then provided to the automation system120. For a pay-per-view content stream, the content is retrieved from the content repository104and provided to the automation system120without the need for receiving and decoding. As will be described below, the automation system120may then be used to insert insertion material into a channel signal stream. As will be described below, the monitoring system may be used to monitor the signals. The automation system120may be used to monitor the channel signals and the channel signals with the insertion information or insertion insert material.

The automation system120provides these signals through the remote transfer units176, through the encoders330, through the LAN192through the uplink signal processing system200and through the uplink RF system202which generates an uplink signal. Components176,192,200and202were described thoroughly above.

The system may also include a billing module350. The billing module350is shown in communication with the traffic scheduling system132. However, the billing module350may also be in direct communication with the workflow system304, the router320or the automation system120. The billing system is used to bill insert material providers such as clients352for inserting their insert material into the content signal.

As will be described below, the insert material provider, such as advertisers, pay to have insert material inserted into the content stream. The clients may receive deviation messages if an insert was unplayed. In response to the deviation message, an authorization reschedule signal may be generated so the insert is rescheduled.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a method of operating the system illustrated inFIG. 4is set forth. In this embodiment, insertion material is received at box410. Insert material may be received through the export producer302illustrated inFIG. 4.

In step412, an insert material identification is provided. If the insert material is a commercial, the ISCI standard may be used for assigning the insert material identification prior to receiving the insert material or after receiving the insert material. In step414, the insert material is stored in the content repository104.

In step416, the traffic scheduling system132ofFIG. 4generates an insertion schedule. As mentioned above, the insertion schedule may include a window for inserting the particular insert material based on the identification. In step418, the insertion material is communicated to the automation server120ofFIG. 4.

In step420, content is received either through the receiver and decoder or from the content repository in the instance of pay-per-view. The content may include triggers that are used to trigger the insertion of the insertion material. Examples of triggers include Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE)104compliant, a digital program insertion (DPI) trigger or a general purpose interface (GPI) trigger. In step422, the content may be monitored through the ABMS324or remote monitor326illustrated inFIG. 4.

Based upon the insert schedule in the automation server, insert material may be retrieved by the automation server and stored therein. This may be performed a certain length of time before the insert material is required for insertion into the channel stream. This may occur minutes or hours before the insert material is required. Retrieving may be performed in response to the pre-roll time in the metadata of the trigger.

In step426, if a trigger has not been reached, the system continues to play out the channel signal. In step426, if a trigger has been reached, the insert material is inserted in step428.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a first system for monitoring live signals is illustrated. In this configuration, the receiver160and the decoder162are common toFIG. 4. Likewise, the ABMS system324and the remote monitor326are also common. In this embodiment, one method for monitoring the live signal may be I-frame capture.

The live signal is received by the receiver160and the decoder162to form a decoded signal. The signal may then be communicated to the automation system120where it is demultiplexer at demultiplexer510. The signal may also undergo a digital-to-analog conversion after the demultiplexing of the signal at the demultiplexer510. The digital-to-analog conversion may be used since the signal from the decoder162may be a serial digital interface signal. More specifically, the signal from the decoder may be a high-definition serial digital interface signal. The digital-to-analog converter512converts the digital signal to an analog signal and provides the analog signal to a decoder514. The decoder514may be coupled or in communication with an I-frame capture module516that captures an I-frame of the analog signal. The I-frame capture module516may process the I-frame signal and routes the signal through the router320to a display520. The display520may display the live channel signal522and the insertion material or clip524.

The automation system120may also include an insertion module530used for inserting the insertion material into the channel stream. The insertion module530may also provide a signal to the I-frame capture module516so that both the inserted material and the channel signal may be provided and displayed on the display520.

After the decoder and if insertion is performed at the insertion module530, the channel signal may be multiplexed in the multiplexer540. The multiplex signal is then provided to the encoder330described above. After the encoding at the encoder330, the signal is ultimately passed to the uplink RF system202as described above inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

An authentication module542may also be provided to allow the remote monitor326to access the system from a remote location. The authentication module542may require a password or other identification to allow access to the system for monitoring or controlling various functions.

Referring now toFIG. 7, the automation system120may also be used to convert the channel signal to an MPEG encoded signal through the MPEG encoder560. The MPEG encoder560replaces the I-frame capture module516illustrated inFIG. 6. Thus, the remaining portions of the circuitry act in a similar manner and thus will not be described further. The MPEG encoder560may MPEG encode the channel signals and the modified channel signals. A multicast address may be assigned to the signals and routed through the router320. In a similar manner to that described above, the display520may be used to display both the channel signal and the modified channel signal on the display portions522and524, respectively. The router320may route the signals to the decoder566. The decoder566may provide the signals to a display572that includes a display which displays the signals from the primary automation system574, the back-up automation system576, the channel signal580and a downlinked signal corresponding to the channel signal at the downlink display582. The display572may be part of the ABMS system.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a method of monitoring a live signal and returning to the live signal should the event return early is set forth. This may be suitable when a station has a break for a live sporting event but returns prior to the end of the break to capture or display part of the event. This method may be used to avoid not broadcasting part of the event. In step610, insert material may be inserted into a live event during a break. The break may be triggered by an SCTE104signal, a DPI signal or a GPI signal. However, the break may be manually inserted as well. Manual insertion may be likely for live events. In step612, the modified content signal is broadcast over the air. In step612, the modified channel signal and the unmodified channel signal may be monitored in step612. If the break does not end prior to the insertion, step612continues to monitor the system. In step614, if the break ends prior to the end of the insertion material, step616is performed which communicates a termination message to the automation system. This may be performed automatically using the ABMS system or the monitoring system. This may also be performed manually by selecting a button or the like on a control terminal under the control of a system operator. In step618, the insertion material is discontinued. Thereafter, the channel signal or unmodified channel signal is communicated so that it is broadcast through the system in step620.

Referring now toFIG. 9, a method for operating the automation systems120ofFIG. 4is illustrated. The method sets forth a method for tracking content within the automation system.

In step710, a traffic schedule that is channel-based is generated at the traffic scheduling system. The traffic schedule may be an original schedule or may be a delta schedule communicating a difference or variation in the traffic schedule. The traffic schedule may be delivered to the automation system independent of the schedule of the content channel. In step712the schedule is appended to the schedule in the automation system. If only a partial schedule has been received in step714, the different portions of the schedule are replaced in step716. In step714, if a partial schedule has not been received, or after step716, an as-run log for the automation servers for each channel is generated in step718. It should be noted that the traffic schedules may be communicated well in advance of the actual air times. For example, the schedules may be sent 24-48 hours in advance. The generation of the as-run logs at the automation servers will be further described below inFIGS. 10-12. The as-run logs track the actual content communicated through the automation system. Both the primary and the back-up automation system may include an as-run log. Ultimately, a consolidated as-run log may be communicated to the billing system so that proper billing for a particular client may be performed.

The as-run logs may be stored at the automation system in step720.

In step722, the as-run logs may be communicated to the traffic scheduling system (TSS) and ultimately to the billing system as mentioned above. In step724, if a failure of communication of the as-run logs is provided, step726sends an alarm to the monitoring system.

After step726and if no failure is generated at step724, step728may be used to clear the automation system. In step728, the traffic scheduling system may generate a wipe-list and communicate the wipe-list to the automation system. The wipe-list may be used to purge metadata and the content cache within the automation system. Before the various content is deleted, step730determines whether a clip is in the schedule. If a clip is not in the schedule, the metadata and content cache is purged in step732. Step734then ends the process.

Referring back to step730, if the clip is in a schedule, an invalid wipe-list message is generated in step736. This prevents the metadata, content cache and any clips stored therein from being deleted.

Referring now toFIG. 10, a consolidated as-run log is illustrated. The as-run log contains a number of rows812-820. Each row is an entry corresponding to an event. It should be noted that the as-run log is only a small portion of a potential as-run log that may span for hours or days. Each row may contain various types of information. The information may include more or less information as is set forth in the example ofFIG. 10.

The consolidated as-run log810may include various columns that include the user channel number or other type of channel identifier such as the content channel identifier (CCID). The output channel may also be part of this information.

The scheduled start time and the scheduled end time may also be part of the as-run log. Acknowledgments and other information may also be provided. A description of the channel may also be provided in the as-run log.

An event type corresponding to the type of event in the as-run log may be set forth. For example, the primary A channel may be set forth. Other information, such as advertising information, logos, stills, captions, voiceovers, conditional access or crawl information may be provided. Another column in the as-run log may be an actual start time. The actual start time and the scheduled start time may not correspond exactly due to transmission variances. A material ID may also be provided. An actual duration of the content may also be provided. The actual duration may illustrate that a particular piece of content, although starting on time, did not finish due to another event. A status message such as success or failure may also be provided. A pair status may also be provided to convey which of the primary or back-up automation systems were used for the on-air signal. As mentioned above, this will allow the billing for the various content to be reconciled.

Referring now toFIG. 11A, a simplified primary log900is illustrated having various times and illustrating on-air and off-air portions. A back-up log902illustrated inFIG. 11Bhas the same times; however, at the off-air times, the primary log is on-line.

The combination ofFIGS. 11A and 11Bare illustrated inFIG. 11C.FIG. 11Cillustrates a consolidated log formed from the primary log900and the back-up log902. The consolidated log904has various time frames with a notation of whether the primary or back-up automation system was used in the process. It should be noted thatFIGS. 11A-11Chave been simplified. Various other types of data may be provided as mentioned above inFIG. 10.

Referring now toFIG. 12, a method for generating the as-run logs is illustrated. The method set forth inFIG. 12corresponds generally to step718ofFIG. 9.

In step1010, the status of the RTU switch is monitored. If the switch status has been changed in step1012, a switch message to the automation system to update the as-run log is generated. The monitoring may take place at the advance broadcast management system324. The message may be transmitted from the ABMS system to the automation system through the router320. By monitoring a change in the switch status, the proper automation system may ultimately identified in the consolidated as-run log.

Another change to the run log may be performed by monitoring the encoder in step1016. If an encoder is not operating properly, the automation system, without anything further, would not know. Therefore, the ABMS system324monitors the encoder and generates a message to the automation system. The ABMS system may be used to insert a slide at the multiplexer of the USPS200upon a problem or error at the encoder330. When a slide is inserted, a slide insertion signal may be generated. In step1018, if a slide has been inserted, a message is generated to the automation system to update the run log in step1020. If a slide has not been inserted in step1018or after step1020, step1022updates the as-run log. After the as-run log is generated for both the primary and back-up automation systems, a consolidated run log may be generated in step1024. The consolidated run log may contain only the on-air portions of the content signal. The run log will contain which automation system was used and whether or not the encoder was operating properly. By knowing when the encoder is not operating properly, a proper determination as to whether a client should be billed for the particular advertising may be made.

Referring now toFIG. 13, a method for real time reconciliation is illustrated. The present method for real time reconciliation may be used for various types of material including on-line material, in addition to the satellite television broadcasting example set forth above. In step1110, a pre-break window and a post-break window are generated in a scheduling system. In step1112, if a trigger is not received within the pre-break window (pre and post), step1116is performed which generates a schedule deviation message. In step1112, if the trigger was received within the break window, the run log is updated in step1114as described above. A manual skip or bypass generated by an operator may also be used to skip a trigger. Therefore, in step1118, if a manual skip is generated, step1116is performed.

In step1116, a schedule deviation message or signal is generated. Thereafter, if the business rules allow for a rescheduling, the business rules reschedule the insert material in step1112. The rescheduling of the insert material may take place at the scheduling system. The updated schedule is then conveyed to the automation system where the automation system is updated. If a business rule does not allow for the reschedule in step1120, step1126may be performed. In step1126a deviation message may be communicated to a client through the billing module350described above. The client352ofFIG. 4may be given an opportunity to immediately respond to the missed opportunity caused by the lack of a trigger within the break window. In step1128, if the client responds positively with an authorization to schedule signal, a reschedule of the insert material is provided in step1122. If the client does not respond positively, the insert material is not rescheduled and thus the system ends in step1124. As mentioned above, this embodiment may be used for the rescheduling of commercial or other promotional material into a content or channel stream. This may be performed for a satellite television broadcasting system. However, this same method applies to the internet or other forms of advertising. If, during a particular time, such as the time window, a pop-up ad or other type of advertising has not been displayed, a system similar to that described above may perform real time reconciliation to reschedule the insert based upon business rules or based upon an authorization from the client.