Device, System, and Method for Scheduled Avail Tone Validation

Abstract

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.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a return feed corresponding to a broadcast;   comparing the return feed to a schedule of avail tones for the broadcast; and   based on the comparing, determining whether the scheduled avail tones were properly triggered during the broadcast.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 receiving a notification signaling when a scheduled avail tone has played.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed from receiving the signaling; and   determining the scheduled avail tone was triggered properly when the signaling was received within the predetermined time.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 generating an alert when a scheduled avail tone was not properly triggered.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 generating a log including events corresponding to the presence or absence of properly triggered avail tones.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the return feed includes a plurality of aggregated feeds. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the avail tone is one of a cue tone, a Society of Cable Television Engineers (SCTE) 104 generated event, an application for a general purpose interface (GPI) signaling, an application for an AC3 encoder, an application for active format description (AFD) signaling, and an application for a V-Chip signaling. 
     
     
         28 . A method, comprising:
 receiving an automation playlist comprising at least one scheduled avail tone for a broadcast; and   determining whether the at least one scheduled avail tone was played during a predetermined time span in the broadcast.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 signaling a triggering of the at least one avail tone based on the automation playlist.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 receiving a notification indicating the triggering of the at least one avail tone.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 generating an alert when the at least one scheduled avail tone was not played during the predetermined time span.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 generating a log including events corresponding to the presence or absence of properly triggered avail tones.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 receiving a return feed corresponding to the broadcast, wherein the return feed includes a plurality of aggregated feeds.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the avail tone is one of a cue tone, a Society of Cable Television Engineers (SCTE) 104 generated event, an application for a general purpose interface (GPI) signaling, an application for an AC3 encoder, an application for active format description (AFD) signaling, and an application for a V-Chip signaling. 
     
     
         35 . A method, comprising:
 monitoring a return feed of a broadcast;   signaling a playing of at least one avail tone in the broadcast;   comparing the playing of the at least one avail tone to a predetermined schedule of avail tones for the broadcast; and   determining whether the at least one avail tone was triggered properly.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one avail tone was triggered properly when the signaling was received within a predetermined time. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 generating an alert when a scheduled avail tone was not properly triggered.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 generating a log including events corresponding to the presence or absence of properly triggered avail tones.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the return feed includes a plurality of aggregated feeds. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the avail tone is one of a cue tone, a Society of Cable Television Engineers (SCTE) 104 generated event, an application for a general purpose interface (GPI) signaling, an application for an AC3 encoder, an application for active format description (AFD) signaling, and an application for a V-Chip signaling.