Multi-Station Broadcast GUI With Segmented Stream Controls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for radio automation software are complex and limited in functionality, often allowing control of only a single station and restricting information display across sections.

Innovation Solution

A customizable GUI that allows simultaneous control and display of multiple media streams, with configurable display regions and user selectable objects for managing multiple broadcast stations, enabling flexible configuration and control of different media streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a GUI displays information for controlling broadcast content of only a single station, then the interface remains simple and focused, but the user cannot control multiple stations simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-station control capabilityVSAvoidGUI complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The GUI is divided into multiple display regions, with each region dedicated to displaying and controlling a specific media stream or station. This segmentation allows users to monitor and control multiple stations simultaneously while maintaining a clean, organized interface where each region can be independently configured and managed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the GUI is highly customizable with multiple display regions, then users can control multiple streams, but the interface becomes more complex to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay configuration flexibilityVSAvoidGUI operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The GUI allows dynamic configuration where users can add, remove, resize, and reposition display regions based on their specific needs. The interface adapts to user preferences and operational requirements, allowing simple configurations for basic use and complex configurations for advanced multi-stream control, thus maintaining ease of operation while providing high versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If multiple display regions are configured to show different media streams, then comprehensive control is achieved, but information display in one section is limited by other sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation display completenessVSAvoiddisplay region management

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each display region is designed to be universally configurable, capable of displaying various types of information (media identifiers, playback controls, visual representations) regardless of which media stream is being monitored. This universal design ensures that each region can independently display complete information for its assigned stream without being constrained by the configuration or content of other regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12461707B2Controlling multiple media stations or streams using a single graphical user interface

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 IHEARTMEDIA MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC

AI summary

Inputs configuring a GUI to concurrently display a first On-Air display region (FOADR) and a second On-Air display region (SOADR) are received. The FOADR and SOADR each include: a station selector; a media ID area; and at least one play control associated with corresponding media ID areas. The station selectors in the FOADR and SOADR receive input specifying selected media stations. The media ID areas in the FOADR and SOADR are populated with IDs of media items to be aired on the selected media stations. Airing of media items by the selected media stations is controlled using the play controls included in the FOADR and SOADR.