Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Remote data accessing – Accessing a remote server
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-22
2001-09-25
Harrell, Robert B. (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Remote data accessing
Accessing a remote server
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295555
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a digital audio system for radio stations, and more particularly pertains to a programmable digital audio system for radio stations wherein the music to be played and broadcast over the radio station is stored in a digital database from which it is recalled pursuant to prior programming of the operation of the radio station.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Recording of audio music has progressed significantly over the past decade. The introduction of digital audio music has created a revolution in the quality of sound available for home users and for radio stations nationwide. The compact disk has become the standard for high quality digital audio, and has had a high acceptance rate in the marketplace.
In a typical prior art radio station environment, the disks to be played and broadcast are located and retrieved from a CD musical library. The disks are then loaded into a CD player, the music cued to play, and subsequently the disks are returned to the library after play, actions which require time, labor, money and space. With the latest developments in computer technology, many of these steps can be eliminated to result in bottom-line savings to a commercial radio station.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a digital audio system for radio stations wherein the broadcast music is stored in a digital database to provide a programmable radio station.
The concept of the present invention is relatively straightforward; instead of having the music exist on compact disks, the music is stored in a common digital database which is present in a computer system. The operator only needs to point an arrow at the name of the desired song to be played, press a button and the music is then immediately played in full digital sound. The order of the songs can be programmed in advance and played without staff intervention. Commercials and station promotions can be inserted as needed.
The database is created by loading desired CD tracks from the station CD library once, and additional songs can be loaded as necessary. Once the database is created, the compact disks need not be used again; all music is played directly from the database.
Another feature of the present invention improves the system operation and performance even more. If a song is not available in the radio station's database, it can be transmitted to the system upon request over a telecommunications link that provides music from a master library database to the station's system.
Each system can be customized to the station's operational procedures. The system can adapt current forms and provide any reports that the station currently requires, and station logs can be maintained automatically. All required FCC logs can be automatically recorded, summarized, and printed as required.
The present invention provides substantial cost savings in the operation of a commercial radio station in the following areas:
In staffing, fewer people are required for the station operation. Compact disks no longer need to be taken from the library and returned after each play. People are not needed to cue songs to play, as it is automatically handled by the system of the present invention.
In space savings, large music libraries are no longer necessary. Music is loaded once in advance into the system, and the source of the music (e.g., CD) need not be stored or saved.
In equipment savings, fewer tape/CD players are necessary, resulting in dramatic maintenance cost savings.
In efficiency, the system of the present invention is very easy to operate. The person in charge of programming selects the music to be played and places the music in a desired program order. A prior day's program can be used as a guide in planning future programming. The system then validates the selections and requests the loading of any material not present either by tapes/CD's or by downloading if available. Work station consoles are available throughout the station for use by engineers, DJ's and others responsible for station operation.
In reliability, a backup computer system automatically takes over for the primary computer system in case of failure. All music in the database can have a second standby copy available and backup power to take over in an emergency, to operate the system in a fail-safe mode.
Listener response can also be implemented into the digital audio system for radio stations of the present invention. A listener call-in number can be tied into the system so that requested songs can be automatically played. Songs can be selected by a touch-tone phone without involving station personnel. A connection can also be made available to local interactive cable TV networks such that subscribers can have the same capabilities via the television set. Listener demographic information can be easily collected, which can be used for advertising, promotional, or programming purposes.
The system of the present invention revolutionizes the way that radio stations operate. Ease of use, cost savings, and increased station efficiency provide a quick return to the station. Additional features and options such as user call-in via telephone or interactive cable television provide tremendous marketing opportunities resulting in more listeners and higher advertising revenues.
In accordance with the teachings herein, the present invention provides a digital radio broadcast station which includes a common digital database having stored therein a plurality of at least several hundred different selections of music to be played and broadcast by the radio station. A processor system is provided for programming the digital radio broadcast station with a sequence of music selections, which are subsequently retrieved in order from the common digital database and played over the digital radio broadcast station.
In greater detail, the processor system includes a main computer system for operating the radio station, and also a backup computer system for operating the radio station in the event of a failure of the main computer system. In that regard, a fiber optic cable connects the main computer system with the backup computer system for switching between the main and backup computer systems. The processor system is preferably based upon Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture. The processor system preferably comprises an IBM RS/6000 system with an AIX operating system, and also includes first and second disk drive controllers. The common digital database comprises a disk array storage, preferably a dual port RAID disk array. The digital radio broadcast station also includes a plurality of work station consoles for use by personnel responsible for operating the radio station such as disc jockeys and engineers. A bridged network which may include a modem is also provided for connecting the radio station to a further digital database for music selections not stored in the common digital database. The processor system is provided with a connection to a telephone network, such that radio station callers can communicate with the radio station by a touch tone telephone. The processor system is also provided with a connection to an interactive cable television network, such that cable television viewers can communicate with the radio station over the interactive cable television network.
The present invention also provides a method for operating a radio station which includes digitally storing in a common digital database, of a computer system, a plurality of at least several hundred different selections of music which is to be played and broadcast by the radio station. Pursuant to the method, the computer system is programmed with a sequence of music selections to be played by the radio station, and the programmed sequence of music selections is subsequently retrieved from the common digital database and broadcast over the radio station.
The method of operation preferably utilizes a main computer syste
Goldman Robert
Gray Cary Wade & Freidenrich
Harrell Robert B.
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