Automated digital broadcast system

Claim 1

An automated digital broadcast system, comprising: a playlist of desired music and information selections, said playlist containing information relating to the play time of each music selection in said playlist, said playlist further comprising a plurality of time gaps, of predetermined length, between each of said selections; a plurality of means for playing selections contained in said playlist; programmable means for controlling the operation of said plurality of means for playing said selections; a plurality of means for monitoring the operation of said means for playing selections to detect and correct errors in cueing, starting and stopping selections; means for recording errors detected by said means for monitoring said players, said means for recording being operable to notify a system operator of the need for system maintenance; timing means for maintaining operation of said system in accordance with a time schedule to allow unattended operation of said system for long periods of time, said timing means being operable to compare the actual play time of each music selection with the corresponding anticipated play time for said selection, said timing means being operable to alter the length of said time gaps between said selections in said playlist, as needed, to maintain operation of said system in accordance with said schedule.