Avail Comparator for Broadcast Tone Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional validation mechanisms in broadcast systems are unable to detect inadvertent errors in the insertion and transmission of avail tones, leading to potential revenue loss due to missed avail tone triggers.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an avail comparator device and method that receives an automation playlist indicating scheduled avail tones, correlates this with a broadcast feed and corresponding signaling, and determines whether the scheduled avail tones were triggered in the broadcast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional validation mechanisms are used to check avail tone insertion and transmission, then basic transmission verification is achieved, but inadvertent errors such as missed avail tone triggers remain undetectable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system receives a return feed containing actual avail tone triggers from the broadcast, compares them against the expected triggers from the automation playlist, and generates validation results. This closed-loop feedback enables detection of missed triggers and other errors that conventional one-way validation cannot detect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation system that sits between the broadcast transmission and the distributor, using a return feed pathway to carry validation information. This intermediary layer compares expected vs. actual avail tones without disrupting the primary broadcast flow, enabling error detection while maintaining system operation.
2Reliability
If manual confirmation methods are used to verify avail tone triggers, then error detection is possible, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-validation by automatically comparing its own broadcast output (return feed) against its planned schedule (automation playlist). This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual verification while maintaining high accuracy, as the system autonomously detects discrepancies between expected and actual avail tone triggers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual confirmation processes with an automated electronic validation system. The mechanical/manual process of reviewing and confirming avail tones is substituted with an automated comparison algorithm that processes return feeds and generates validation results, dramatically improving efficiency while maintaining or enhancing accuracy.
3Reliability
If upstream validation of avail tones is implemented, then missed triggers are reduced and revenue loss is minimized, but additional validation infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The validation system is designed to be multi-functional, serving multiple purposes: it validates avail tone triggers, generates validation reports, and can potentially trigger alerts or notifications. By consolidating these functions into a single system that leverages existing return feed infrastructure, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated validation components, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the existing return feed infrastructure as an intermediary pathway for validation, rather than requiring a completely separate validation transmission channel. This approach leverages already-deployed communication pathways, reducing the need for new infrastructure and minimizing the addition of complex validation components.
Data Source
AI summary
An avail comparator and method validates scheduled avail tones. The method includes receiving an automation playlist indicating at least one scheduled avail tone configured to be included in a broadcast. The method includes receiving a feed corresponding to the broadcast. The method includes receiving a signaling for each of the at least one scheduled avail tone based upon the automation playlist. The method includes determining whether the at least one scheduled avail tone was triggered in the broadcast based upon the corresponding signaling.