Abstract:
This document describes, among other things, systems and methods for streamlining communications to media stations. A method comprises an agent of a radio station group ownership entity using a website to access one or more of advertising data, scheduling data, or rewards data corresponding to at least some radio stations in the radio station group, wherein the at least some radio stations receive services from a service entity; displaying on the website to the radio station agent a simulated radio dial with an indication of which radio stations in the group of radio stations are receiving services from the service entity, and which radio stations in the group are not receiving services from the service entity; and providing on the web site to the agent an aggregate view of the advertising data, scheduling data, or rewards data for the stations receiving services from the service entity.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This patent document pertains generally to networked communication systems, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a system for, and a method of, streamlining communications to media stations by providing a single networked platform to distribute relevant information based on log-in identity. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Media stations include entities that broadcast programs and advertisements, such as radio and television stations. Management of a media station involves tasks, such as evaluating advertising, scheduling programming, generating reports, accounting, and maintaining billing information. Typically, management tasks include communication between the media station and external agencies, such as advertising agencies, accounting firms, or production houses. Management may also involve various personnel with differing responsibilities. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates a functional block diagram of a media communications system in accordance with an example embodiment. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of communicating to media stations by use of a media communications system in accordance with an example embodiment. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of communicating to media stations by use of a media communications system in accordance with an example embodiment. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  illustrates a login screen in accordance with an example embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  illustrates a display of a list of links in accordance with an example embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  illustrates an advertisement list in accordance with an example embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  illustrates an advertisement interface that displays an advertisement contained in an advertisement file in accordance with an example embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  illustrates a schedule interface that displays the contents of a schedule file in accordance with an example embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  illustrates a rewards interface that displays the contents of a rewards file in accordance with an example embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    In the following detailed description of example embodiments of the invention, reference is made to specific example embodiments of the invention by way of drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and serve to illustrate how the invention may be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments of the invention exist and are within the scope of the invention, and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the subject or scope of the present invention. Features or limitations of various embodiments of the invention described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit other embodiments of the invention or the invention as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application do not limit the invention as a whole but serve only to define these example embodiments. The following detailed description does not, therefore, limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0013]    Typically, media station management is organized into several levels. For example, individual media stations may be owned by a single parent company. In an embodiment, the parent company may have a manager responsible for the management of all the individual media stations that the parent company owns. In another embodiment, a group of commonly-owned or affiliated media stations may be described as a “cluster,” with a “cluster manager” responsible for management of the cluster. Cluster management may include, for example, communication between an advertising agency and media stations within the cluster. At a different level of organization, individual media stations may have several levels of management, in some embodiments. For example, a media station manager may be responsible for all advertising and scheduling within an individual media station. In another example, advertising and scheduling may be performed by subordinate employees while the media station manager handles billing or other administrative tasks. Thus, media station managers and other employees may have different needs and responsibilities defined by their roles in the organization. 
         [0014]    The present invention includes a system for and method of streamlining communications to media station. In particular, a media communications system provides a platform by which relevant information is distributed based on log-in identity. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a functional block diagram of a media communications system  100  in accordance with an example embodiment. In an embodiment, media communications system  100  includes a management computer  110 , a network  112 , and a user computer  114 , which further includes a web browser  128 . Management computer  110  further includes database  116  and management software  126 . Database  116  further includes an access file  118 , an advertisement file  120 , a schedule file  122 , and a rewards file  124 . 
         [0016]    In embodiments, management computer  110  includes a networked computer server used to store and distribute information relevant to media stations. Management computer  110  may contain components including databases, such as database  116 , and software, such as management software  126 . 
         [0017]    Network  112  includes a communications or data network, such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. In some embodiments, network  112  includes one or more wired or wireless networks. 
         [0018]    User computer  114  includes laptops, desktops, or networked computers. User computer  114  may be used to access management computer  110  via network  112 . Web browser  128  of user computer  114  is a graphical user interface (GUI) based hypertext client application, such as Internet Explorer, Mosaic, and Netscape Navigator. Web browser  128  allows the user thereof to navigate, for example, web pages on the Internet. In various embodiments, user computer  114  is used by, for example, a cluster manager (not shown), a media station manager (not shown), or other authorized user (not shown). 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, database  116  includes a commercial database system, such as those available from Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores, Calif.), Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, Wash.), or IBM Corporation (Armonk, N.Y.). Database  116  may be a relational database and contain a collection of related data. Database  116  includes one or more files (e.g., tables), such as access file  118 , advertisement file  120 , schedule file  122 , and rewards file  124 . Access file  118  includes, for example, data describing users, user permissions, user roles, user organizations, and other information used to control access to information in media communications system  100 . Advertisement file  120  includes, for example, advertisement data, such as who reviewed, broadcasted, or accessed the advertisement, the cost of an advertisement, a copy of the advertisement or a link to the advertisement&#39;s location, and the like. Schedule file  122  includes, for example, information related to a schedule of advertisement broadcasts, information related to the advertisement broadcasts, and information related to the media station that is associated with the advertisement broadcasts. Rewards file  124  includes, for example, data related to rewards programs, such as rewards points balance, amount of points earned, and the amount of points redeemed. In an embodiment, rewards are granted to a radio station based on the amount of advertising sold to an advertiser. For example, if a radio station sells $2,000 worth of broadcast time to an advertiser, the radio station may accumulate a certain number of “rewards points” using a formula, such as two points for each dollar sold. The radio station may then use the accumulated reward points to redeem for prizes or other rewards. 
         [0020]    Management software  126  includes a software program that determines access rights of a user by cross referencing log-in information with access information from access file  118 . For example, management software  126  cross-references access file  118  with a user&#39;s log-in information, then permits or denies access to all or part of advertisements file  120 , schedule file  122 , or rewards file  124 . 
         [0021]    In an example embodiment, during operation, a user interfaces with web browser  128  of user computer  114  to log-in and access management computer  110  via network  112 . Management software  126  uses access file  118  to determine what information the user has access to. Under the control of management software  126 , the appropriate advertisement files  120 , schedule files  122 , or rewards files  124  are provided, such as via links in web browser  128  of user computer  114 . 
         [0022]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment, user computer  114  may be associated with a user  138  at a media station  132 , a station manager  136  at the media station  132 , or a cluster manager  134  at a media station cluster  130 . In additional embodiments, users  138  at an agency  140  may interface with management computer  110  via network  112  to access data. In some embodiment, an independent media station  132 c may also access data. In a further embodiment, users  138  who are unassociated with media stations, media station clusters, or agencies may access the management computer  110  using user computer  114 , such as administrative users or the like. 
         [0023]    Media station cluster  130  may include, in various embodiments, two or more commonly-owned or otherwise affiliated media stations  132 . In addition, in some embodiments, cluster manager  134  includes one or more persons who are responsible for management of the media stations  132  in the media station cluster  130 . In an embodiment, two or more roles may overlap in responsibility or access levels, such as cluster manager  134  being a station manager  136  of one media station  132  in the media station cluster  130 . 
         [0024]    Cluster manager  134  may use user computer  114  to access data related to media stations  132  within the corresponding media station cluster  130 . For example, the functions of cluster manager  134  may include reviewing advertisements, schedules, and rewards information for each media station  132  within media station cluster  130 . 
         [0025]    Station manager  136  includes one or more persons that are responsible for the management of an individual media station  132 . Station manager  136  may use user computer  114  to access data related to a particular media station  132 . For example, the functions of station manager  136  may include reviewing advertisements, schedules, and rewards information for an individual media station  132 . 
         [0026]    User  138  includes other personnel associated with media station  132  or agency  140 . User  138  may access data relevant to media station  132  or agency  140  via user computer  114 . In one example, user  138  is responsible for monitoring rewards information for a media station  132 . In another example, user  138  is responsible for organizing, presenting or managing advertising. 
         [0027]    In an example operation, a user, (e.g., cluster manager  134 , station manager  136 , or user  138 ), interfaces with web browser  128  of the associated user computer  114  in order to log-in and access database  116  of management computer  110  via network  112 . Management software  126  cross-references the user log-in data with the access file  118  to determine which file (e.g., advertisement files  120 , schedule files  122 , reward files  124 ) the user is authorized to access. The appropriate advertisement files  120 , schedule files  122 , and/or rewards files  124  links are made accessible to the user with management software  126  via web browser  128  of user computer  114 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram of a method  200  of communicating to media stations by use of a media communications system  100  in accordance with an example embodiment. At  202 , authorization information is received. In an embodiment, authorization information includes a username and a password. In an alternative embodiment, other authorization information is used, either in place or in conjunction with, a username and password, such as biometric information, keycards, or the like. 
         [0029]    At  204 , the authorization information is verified. If the authorization fails, then at  206 , access to data is denied. On the other hand, if authorization is successful, then the method  200  proceeds to block  208 . 
         [0030]    At  208 , access rights are determined. Access rights may be dependent on the user&#39;s identity, role, position, or other characteristic. For example, a cluster manager  134  may have access to more files or a different scope of information than a user  138  in a media station  132 . As another example, user  138  at agency  140  may have a completely different view of data in database  116  than that of media station users (e.g., station manager  136  or cluster manager  134 ). 
         [0031]    At  210 , one or more links to information are presented to the user depending on the access rights determined at block  208 . For example, portions or all of advertisement file  120 , schedule file  122 , or rewards file  124  are presented via hyperlinks to the authorized user. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram of a method  300  of communicating to media stations by use of a media communications system  100  in accordance with an example embodiment. At  302 , a user logs into management computer  110  to access database  116 . For example, cluster manager  134 , station manager  136 , or user  138  log into management computer  110  via network  112  using web browser  128  of user computer  114 . 
         [0033]    At  304 , the access level of the user is determined. In an embodiment, management software  126  determines whether the user logging in is a cluster manager  134 , a station manager  136 , or other authorized user  138  by cross-referencing the login ID data with access file  118  of database  116 . Management software  126  may correlate a login ID from access file  118  with a corresponding cluster manager  134 , station manager  136 , or user  138 . 
         [0034]    At  306 , whether a user is a cluster manager is determined. One or more fields or other data in access file  118  may be used to indicate whether an authorized user is a cluster manager or is associated with another role. 
         [0035]    At  308 , if the user is a cluster manager, then one or more links to authorized information is displayed, such as on web browser  128 . Subsequently, at  310 , the authorized cluster manager user may access the links to read or modify the information. 
         [0036]    At  312 , if the user is not a cluster manager, then whether the user is a station manager is determined. One or more fields or other data in access file  118  may be used to indicate whether an authorized user is a station manager or is associated with another role. 
         [0037]    At  314 , if the user is a station manager, then one or more links to authorized information is displayed, such as on web browser  128 . In some embodiments, a cluster manager may also be a station manager. In such an embodiment, links related to one or the other roles may be displayed in separate areas of a display screen, or with different presentation (e.g., font, color, etc.) to indicate which links are related to the cluster manager role and which links are related to the station manager role. Subsequently, at  316 , the authorized station manager user may access the links to read or modify the information. 
         [0038]    At  318 , if the user is not a cluster manager or a station manager, then whether the user is another authorized user is determined. One or more fields or other data in access file  118  may be used to indicate whether a user is an authorized user. At  320 , if the user is not an authorized user, then access is denied. 
         [0039]    At  322 , if the user is an authorized user, such as a user associated with an agency, then one or more links to authorized information is displayed, such as on web browser  128 . Subsequently, at  324 , the authorized user may access the links to read or modify the information. 
         [0040]    While method  300  depicts an example with three levels of management (e.g., cluster manager  234 , station manager  236 , and user  238 ), it is understood that there may be any number of management levels and, consequently, method  300  is not limited to three management levels. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  illustrates a login screen  400  in accordance with an example embodiment. In an embodiment, a user  138  is presented with one or more input controls to submit authorization information to access the system  100 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  illustrates a display  500  of a list of links in accordance with an example embodiment. In an embodiment, after being authorized by management computer  110 , based on the user&#39;s role or identity, one or more links are presented in a display, such as on a web browser  128 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the authorized links to database  116  are links to files related to advertisements, schedules, and rewards. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  illustrates an advertisement list  600  in accordance with an example embodiment. Advertisement list  600  includes one or more advertisements, which may be contained in advertisement file  120 . In an embodiment, advertisement list  600  presents identifying information of the advertisements with hyperlinks to more detailed views of each advertisement. For example, the advertisement fields may include a product description, a length, and a spot name. Links may also be provided by which the user may listen to or view each advertisement. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  illustrates an advertisement interface  700  that displays an advertisement contained in an advertisement file  120  in accordance with an example embodiment. Advertisement interface  700  may include one or more playback controls, textual description of the advertisement, or textual or audio copy. In an embodiment, authorized users may use advertisement interface  700  to add or revise comments, revise the copy, or otherwise manage the advertisement. In an embodiment, advertisement interface  700  includes annotation controls such as those described in commonly assigned patent application entitled “SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF VISUAL REPRESENTATION AND REVIEW OF MEDIA FILES,” Attorney Docket 2011.002US1, filed on ______. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  illustrates a schedule interface  800  that displays the contents of a schedule file  122  in accordance with an example embodiment. In various embodiments, displayed fields include station  802 , frequency  804 , direct revenue  806 , power revenue  808 , sponsor revenue  810 , “advertainment” revenue  812 , and status  814 . Schedule interface  800  may be used to review the volume of advertisements aired through the particular advertising agency or advertiser, such as by a radio station user or a cluster manager. 
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , one or more stations are indicated in the station  802  column. For each station  802 , the corresponding broadcasting frequency  804  is provided. In a particular period, in this example from “ 11 -28-2005” to “12-25-2005,” various aspects of revenue  806 - 812  are displayed. The status  814  field provides an indication of whether the listed station  802  is a participant. In addition, in embodiments, a graphical radio dial  816  is provided. The graphical radio dial  816  indicates in an embodiment the participating radio stations&#39; position in the broadcasting frequency range. In another embodiment, the graphical radio dial  816  provides an indication of a state of a particular radio station. For example, radio stations that use common tools or services may be presented using the same color, font, or other visual indication. In another example, multiple colors may be used to represent a radio station&#39;s status. For example, a station may have a “gold,” “silver,” or “bronze” status based on their performance, activity, or other state. Using such a color-coded display may be advantageous, for example, to allow a cluster manager to quickly determine the state or status of radio stations in their radio station cluster. 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  illustrates a rewards interface  900  that displays the contents of a rewards file  124  in accordance with an example embodiment. In embodiments, displayed fields include station, frequency, earned, redeemed, balance, last update, status, and administrator. In various embodiments, rewards interface  900  may be used to review rewards data received as a result of participating in airing advertisements for the particular advertising agency or advertiser. 
         [0048]    Various embodiments may provide one or more advantages, including efficient communication between multiple organizational levels of a media organization. 
         [0049]    It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. 
         [0050]    For the purposes of this specification, the term “machine-readable medium” or “computer-readable medium” shall be taken to include any medium which is capable of storing or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one of the methodologies of the inventive subject matter. The terms “machine-readable medium” or “computer-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic disks, and carrier wave signals. Further, it will be appreciated that the software could be distributed across multiple machines or storage media, which may include the machine-readable medium. 
         [0051]    Method embodiments described herein may be computer-implemented. Some embodiments may include computer-readable media encoded with a computer program (e.g., software), which includes instructions operable to cause an electronic device to perform methods of various embodiments. A software implementation (or computer-implemented method) may include microcode, assembly language code, or a higher-level language code, which further may include computer-readable instructions for performing various methods. The code may form portions of computer program products. Further, the code may be tangibly stored on one or more volatile or non-volatile computer-readable media during execution or at other times. These computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like. 
         [0052]    The foregoing description of specific embodiments reveals the general nature of the inventive subject matter sufficiently that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt it for various applications without departing from the generic concept. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. The phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Accordingly, the inventive subject matter embraces all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. 
         [0053]    The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), which requires that it allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.