# US 2021/0243486 A1 · Streaming server sharing media source locations with over-air server > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0243486 A1 - Document ID: US20210243486A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/218,433 - Filed: 2021-03-31 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2009-12-08 - Assignees: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc. - Applicants: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc. - Inventors: John D. Koontz, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210243486A1 ## CPC - H04N 21/242: Synchronisation processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Programme Clock References] {(arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18)} - H04H 20/18: Arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems - H04N 21/2221: {being a cable television head-end (CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78)} - H04N 21/2665: Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite - H04N 21/6175: {involving transmission via Internet (broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82)} - H04N 21/812: {involving advertisement data (advertising per se G06Q30/02)} - G06F 16/40: of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data (retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H04H: BROADCAST COMMUNICATION (multiplex communication H04J; pictorial communication aspects of broadcast systems H04N) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract An over-air media server obtains first media content, including external content stored in a location external to the over-air media server, and delivers it for broadcast via on-air broadcast chain. A streaming media server is in communication with the over-air media server and a streaming broadcast chain. The streaming media server operates in a synchronized mode, during which it delivers, under control of the over-air media server, second media content to a streaming broadcast chain. The streaming server transitions from the synchronized mode to an independent mode, during which it delivers the second media content to the streaming broadcast chain independent of control by over-air media server. While operating in the independent mode the streaming media server obtains the second media content, including obtaining external content, from the same location from which over-air media server obtains its external content. The second media content is delivered to the streaming broadcast chain independent of control by the over-air media server. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: an over-air media server coupled via a first communications network to an on-air broadcast chain, the over-air media server configured to: obtain first media content, wherein obtaining the first media content includes obtaining external content stored in a location external to the over-air media server; deliver the first media content for broadcast via the on-air broadcast chain; a streaming media server coupled to the over-air media server, and coupled to a streaming broadcast chain via a second communications network, the streaming media server configured to: operate in a synchronized mode, wherein operating in the synchronized mode includes delivering second media content to the streaming broadcast chain under control of the over-air media server; transition from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode, wherein operating in the independent mode includes delivering the second media content to the streaming broadcast chain independent of control by over-air media server; and operate in the independent mode subsequent to the transition from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode, wherein during operation in the independent mode the streaming media server is further configured to: obtain the second media content, wherein obtaining the second media content includes obtaining the external content from a same location external to the over-air media server used by the over-air media server to obtain the external content; and deliver the second media content to the streaming broadcast chain under control of the over-air media server. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the location external to the over-air media server includes a folder mapped using an Internet protocol. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the external content includes voice tracks. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the external content includes music logs stored in a load folder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the streaming media server is further configured to: transition from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode in response to a floating even included in a station log. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the streaming media server is further configured to: transition from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode in response to occurrence of a programming event. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the streaming media server is further configured to: obtain a copy of a clock shell used by the over-air media server as part of the transition from in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode. ### Claim 8 A method comprising: at an over-air media server coupled via a first communications network to an on-air broadcast chain: obtaining first media content, wherein obtaining the first media content includes obtaining external content stored in a location external to the over-air media server; delivering the first media content for broadcast via the on-air broadcast chain; at a streaming media server coupled to the over-air media server, and coupled to a streaming broadcast chain via a second communications network: operating in a synchronized mode, wherein operating in the synchronized mode includes delivering second media content to the streaming broadcast chain under control of the over-air media server; transitioning from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode, wherein operating in the independent mode includes delivering the second media content to the streaming broadcast chain independent of control by over-air media server; and operating in the independent mode subsequent to the transition from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode, wherein operating in the independent mode includes: obtaining the second media content, wherein obtaining the second media content includes obtaining the external content from a same location external to the over-air media server used by the over-air media server to obtain the external content; and delivering the second media content to the streaming broadcast chain under control of the over-air media server. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein: the location external to the over-air media server includes a folder mapped using an Internet protocol. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein: the external content includes voice tracks. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein: the external content includes music logs stored in a load folder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein transitioning from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode includes: transitioning in response to a floating even included in a station log. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein transitioning from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode includes: transitioning in response to occurrence of a programming event. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein transitioning from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode includes: obtaining a copy of a clock shell used by the over-air media server. ### Claim 15 A streaming media server comprising: a processor; memory coupled to the processor; at least one communications interface coupled to the processor and the memory, the communications interface configured to: couple the streaming media server to an over-air media server, the over-air media server configured to obtain first media content including external content stored in a location external to the over-air media server, and to deliver the first media content for broadcast via an on-air broadcast chain; couple the streaming media server to a streaming broadcast chain; the processor programmed to: configure the streaming media server to operate in a synchronized mode, wherein operating in the synchronized mode includes delivering second media content to the streaming broadcast chain under control of the over-air media server; configure the streaming media server to transition from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode, wherein operating in the independent mode includes delivering the second media content to the streaming broadcast chain independent of control by over-air media server; and configure the streaming media server to operate in the independent mode subsequent to the transition from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode, wherein during operation in the independent mode the streaming media server is further configured to: obtain the second media content, wherein obtaining the second media content includes obtaining the external content from a same location external to the over-air media server used by the over-air media server to obtain the external content; and deliver the second media content to the streaming broadcast chain under control of the over-air media server. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The streaming media server of claim 15, wherein: the location external to the over-air media server includes a folder mapped using an Internet protocol. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The streaming media server of claim 15, wherein: the external content includes voice tracks. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The streaming media server of claim 15, wherein: the external content includes music logs stored in a load folder. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The streaming media server of claim 15, wherein the streaming media server is further configured to: transition from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode in response to a floating even included in a station log. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The streaming media server of claim 15, wherein the streaming media server is further configured to: transition from operating in the synchronized mode to operating in an independent mode in response to occurrence of a programming event.