Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring transmissions of media content (such as audio and audiovisual content) in order to obtain independent and objective data regarding the use of specific media content recordings or works within the transmissions. Processing and reporting of such data is provided in various ways to serve a variety of business needs. Methods for employing content identification technology to efficiently and automatically obtain reliable, accurate, and precise monitoring data are also disclosed. Various information products and services based on such monitoring systems are proposed.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a solution to ensure that the content sent by the IRD is the content effectively displayed on the screen. It is then proposed a system to prevent manipulation of transmitted video data comprising an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) receiving audio/video data, a display device (TV), said IRD comprising means to transmit an HDMI compliant audio/video data stream toward the display device. This system comprising: means to define a variable area at a location of the image displayed on the display device, means to store reference data corresponding to video data of said area which are sent to the display device.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an ad extraction and reconciliation system for a broadcast system includes an extraction manager module that receives an advertisement schedule for an advertisement from an ad sales module. The system also includes a controller module that receives broadcast channel schedule data for broadcast channel signal from a broadcast channel system and generating an advertising content data request signal for advertising content data including an advertisement content identifier for the advertisement. The ad extraction manager module forms an advertisement insertion schedule having advertisement content identifier and an advertising insertion spot associated with the advertising content identifier. The controller communicates the advertisement insertion schedule to a broadcast scheduling system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing latency times associated with sessionizing log events from streaming logs are disclosed herein. In an aspect, event data related to user consumption of media content items can be monitored. Further, respective event data based at least in part on user playback of the media content items can be analyzed. In another aspect, pending and finalized event data can be summarized into a finalized playback record. In yet another aspect, the size of a time window can be adjusted based in part on observed logsaver latency. Further, in an aspect, watch time data can be integrated into a de-spamming pipeline.

Abstract: An audio channel of a time-based media presentation provides a basis for synchronizing to the presentation across a variety of platforms independent of when and where the presentation is being viewed. By pre-processing the media into a series of non-unique hashes, and similarly processing an audio stream of the media captured at a client device, a comparison can be made that yields an accurate time offset within the presentation. The comparison may usefully be performed over a data network using a server that hosts data from the pre-processed media, and a variety of applications may be deployed on the client device based on the resulting synchronization.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product provide the ability to recommend, to a first viewer, alternative programming during playback of a first media program. The first media program is played. A second media program of potential interest to the user is identified. During an advertising break, an interface is presented to the user that identifies the second media program. An indication of interest in the second media program is received from the user. If the indication indicates that the user is interested in the second media program, a reference to the second media program is saved as a viewer recommendation for later playback. If not interested, additional input may be received from the user indicating why the user is not interested.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing segment boundary notifications in a digital media receiver are disclosed. One such method includes the step of registering for notification of segment boundary events associated with a first service provided to the digital media receiver. The method further includes receiving a notification of one of the segment boundary events, while tuned to a second service different than the first service; and tuning to the first service responsive to the received notification.

Abstract: A closed caption tagging system provides a mechanism for inserting tags into an audio or video television broadcast stream prior to or at the time of transmission. The tags contain command and control information that the receiver translates and acts upon. The receiver receives the broadcast stream and detects and processes the tags within the broadcast stream which is stored on a storage device that resides on the receiver. Program material from the broadcast stream is played back to the viewer from the storage device. Tags indicate the start and end points of a program segment. Program segments such as commercials are automatically replaced by the receiver with new program segments that are selected based on various criteria.

Abstract: Digital signature generation apparatus, comprising an envelope generator operable to generate an envelope representation, of only one polarity, of a sampled data segment, and operable for each of successive portions comprising a predetermined plurality of samples to provide a portion sum value as the sum the values of the samples in the portion, thereby to provide said envelope representation; a threshold value generator operable to determine a threshold value for each portion of the envelope representation; an event detector operable to detect, as an event, a transition of a portion sum value across the threshold value for the portion concerned; and a signature generator operable in response a detected event to generate a digital signature characteristic of the sampled data segment.

Abstract: A set top box includes a processor configured to detect a commercial and analyze the commercial to identify an advertised video content. The processor is further configured to search an electronic programming guide for availability of the video content and record the video content in response to a user input.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, the steps of transmitting media content to a group of set top boxes for presentation with an overlay superimposed onto the media content, receiving a first comment from a first set top box of the group of set top boxes where the first comment is presentable with the overlay and the media content by the group of set top boxes, determining a first advertisement based on the first comment, and transmitting the first advertisement to the first set top box for presentation with the overlay and the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for managing and controlling a store and a system for the same are disclosed. The system includes a digital display shelf being provided with a recognition unit configured to recognize a product displayed on the shelf and an output unit configured to output information on the recognized product, a digital signage display configured to output data respective to the recognized product, and a managing system configured to communicate with the digital display shelf and the digital signage display so as to transmit control data and to receive processing data. Herein, the data respective to the recognized product may include at least one of audio data, video data, and text data configured to advertise and promote the corresponding product. And, the managing system may include a database related to the data respective to the recognized product.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gathering research data that includes information pertaining to audio signals received on a portable device, such as a cell phone. Frequency domain data is received or produced, a signature is extracted from the frequency domain data and an ancillary code is read from the frequency domain data.

Abstract: An electronic advertisement system is provided by which, when an advertisement effect that corresponds to billing conditions is not obtained, an advertiser is free from an obligation to pay advertisement fee so that the advertiser can run an advertisement without having an economic risk. An electronic advertisement sending side computer has a billing tag addition means for adding, to electronic advertisement data, a tag composed of information describing billing conditions. A receiving side computer includes: a display unit that outputs, as output data, video and audio of received electronic advertisement data; and an electronic device that acquires the circumstance around the display unit as input data. A program of the receiving side computer has an input video analysis means that determines whether billing conditions for outputted electronic advertisement data are achieved or not by analyzing input data from the electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for content management and delivery. Embodiments of the invention may include receiving a plurality of content items from a plurality of content providers, organizing the plurality of content items in a hierarchy, receiving a request for at least one content item among the plurality of content items; and providing the at least one content item subsequent to receiving the request. The content items may be organized on a server. An end user on a client device that communicates, directly or indirectly, with the server, such as a mobile device, for example, may browse the content, preview it, and purchase it, all in a consistent manner from content item to content item.

Abstract: A portable device includes solid-state memory, an Ethernet and/or wireless network connection, and an HDMI. The portable device receives content guide data from a first server and displays a content guide on a display. In response to a user's selection of a content item, the portable device requests the content item over the Internet from a second server. The portable device receives the content item, stores the content item in solid-state memory, generates display signals that represent the content item, and sends the display signals to a display. The second server may match the content item with relevant advertisements based on keywords associated with the content item and the advertisements. The second server may send selected advertisement URLs to the portable device. Using the URLs, the portable device may obtain the advertisements over the Internet and cause the display to display the advertisements in conjunction with the content item.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify exposure to three dimensional media presentations are disclosed. An example method includes detecting a first brightness level with a first sensor and a second brightness level with a second sensor at a first time. A third brightness level is detected with the first sensor and a fourth brightness level is detected with the second sensor at a second time later than the first time. A 3D media counter is incremented when either: the first brightness is greater than the second brightness and the third brightness is less than the fourth brightness, or the first brightness is less than the second brightness and the third brightness is greater than the fourth brightness. The media is identified as 3D media when the 3D media counter exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the referencing data in triggers from applications, a device can store multiple triggers for media content. For each of these triggers, a check is made as to whether a presentation of media content satisfies a criteria portion of the trigger. When the presentation satisfies the criteria portion, one or more actions in a payload portion of the trigger are performed. Additionally, data in the triggers can be referenced by applications executing on the device. These applications include applications that are launched as part of the one or more actions when the criteria portion of a trigger is satisfied, as well as other applications executing on the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor, verify, and rate the performance of airings of commercials are disclosed. An example method includes receiving an identification of an advertisement that was presented on a media presentation channel at a time, receiving ratings information for the media presentation channel associated with the time period, identifying a buy order for the received identification, receiving a purchased ratings value associated with the buy order, comparing the purchased ratings value to the ratings information, and displaying an indication of whether the ratings information is less than the purchased ratings value.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method for managing rebroadcast of a previously broadcast video. The method includes a computer determining popularity of the previously broadcast video based, at least in part, on a number of requests to rebroadcast the previously broadcast video. The method includes the computer determining a popularity threshold based in part on demographics of viewers sending the number of requests to rebroadcast the previously broadcast video. The method includes the computer determining that the popularity of the previously broadcast video exceeds the popularity threshold, and in response, the computer determining a day of week and time of day to rebroadcast the previously broadcast video based in part on days of the week and times of day in which the requests were sent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to verify consumption of content are described herein. In an example method, a content library is generated within a data structure. The content library includes at least one content identifier associated with programming content. The programming content is insertable into content stream. A content stream including content for broadcasting on a broadcast device is received. To verify consumption of the programming content, a broadcast content identifier associated with the content for broadcasting is compared to the at least one content identifier of the content library.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the exemplary embodiments provide for bookmarking of content in IPTV systems. An IPTV control server can subscribe to receive notifications associated with the insertion of advertisements into other content. Upon receipt of a bookmark storing request, the IPTV control server can determine whether the bookmark storing request is associated with an advertisement or with the other content. A bookmark can then be stored by the IPTV control server including a content identifier based on the determination.

Abstract: When a viewer views content, it is reproduced by a reproduction procedure depending on a dynamic condition set in the content. Here, a content object data input unit obtains an externally-input content object. The content object is stored in a content object data retention unit, if necessary. The content object includes a reproduction rule and a content data. A reproduction rule evaluation and execution unit obtains the reproduction rule in the content object and performs processing in accordance with the reproduction rule. The reproduction unit reproduces a reproducible data specified by the reproduction rule evaluation and execution unit. An identifier management unit retains an identifier of a content object reproduction device and provides the identifier upon request. It is thus possible to reproduce in accordance with the reproduction rule set in the content object data and to control the reproduction procedure depending on the dynamic condition.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to a method and system for end-to-end proof of display. A method for according to an embodiment includes: generating a unique identifier (UID) for a triplet including an item of digital content, an identity of a playlist that includes the item of digital content, and an identity of a player on which the item of digital content is to be rendered; generating a visual identifier based on the UID and a timecode; rendering the item of digital content on a display screen; overlaying the visual identifier on the rendered item of digital content on the display screen; capturing the visual identifier on the display screen; and extracting the UID and timecode from the captured visual identifier. A match test is performed using the extracted UID to populate a match list, which is reported to a content manager to provide end-to-end proof of display.

Abstract: The system provides an Internet-based site accessible by customers and broadcasters for tracking the airing of their advertisements. The system includes a software package for creating a database of all events occurring on a broadcast station, which may comprise, for example, a radio or television station, although these are not intended as limitations. The software package receives a recording of a station's output, which contains metadata on each broadcast element that includes time, date, and content information. As the broadcast proceeds, the start and stop time of each element are stored in a table in the database. This database can then be subsequently queried via the website by a customer or media personnel to ascertain that the spot has aired as intended.

Abstract: A system for determining the authenticity of a received channel via an Internet port of a smart TV having (a) a first streamer for receiving a channel A via said Internet port, and forwarding a respective video stream of the channel to a synchronizer; (b) a second streamer for receiving a same channel A via a traditional port, and forwarding a respective video stream of the channel to said synchronizer; (c) said synchronizer synchronizing between the two streams, and outputting the two synchronized streams respectively to a correlator; and (d) said correlator correlating between corresponding frames of the stream, and when a similarity above a predefined threshold is determined, declaring channel A as received via the Internet port as authentic; otherwise, if a similarity below a predefined threshold is determined, declaring by the correlator that channel A as received via the Internet port is non-authentic.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a playback experience for one or more videos is disclosed. Actions are specified in control documents for the one or more videos. The actions specify start time and duration for each action, optional introductory or confirmation messages or interface controls, optional gestures, and/or intents that are triggered by the actions. The various control documents are compiled into a single control document that includes a link to the one or more videos and the actions various. Multiple parties can control the playback experience with multiple control documents to provide a multi-layered control experience.

Abstract: A method for controlling a control station (H1) includes the steps of performing wireless connection processing (204) with a terminal station (D1) and when a wireless connection is established, sending, to the wirelessly-connected terminal station (D1), a capture request signal (205) for causing the terminal station to capture a control signal (202) sent by another station (H2) and to return (207) information regarding the captured control signal.

Abstract: A process for verifying the playback of media content on a display includes receiving a digital representation of at least a portion of media content playing on the display, comparing the received digital representation to media content that was scheduled to play on the display from which the digital representation was captured and verifying the playback of the received digital representation if the received digital representation matches the compared media content. The process can further include soliciting a viewer of the display to capture a digital representation of at least a portion of the media content being presented on the display and to communicate the captured digital representation to an advertised location.

Abstract: The present invention is an in-train information display apparatus that displays advertisement content to a passenger. The in-train information display apparatus includes a display unit configured to display the advertisement content, a display monitoring unit configured to photograph a video screen which is displayed on the display unit and actually seen from the passenger, and a display-result determining unit configured to calculate color-related information, which is information concerning a color of the video screen, based on an image photographed by the display monitoring unit and determine, based on the calculated color-related information and reference information for display result determination, which is information concerning a color of the advertisement content normally displayed on the display unit, whether the display of the advertisement content has been normally performed.

Abstract: A particular method includes determining estimated popularity scores for programs identified in an electronic program guide for a time interval. The programs identified in the electronic program guide for the time interval include programs being aired. One or more estimated popularity scores are based on viewing trends of the programs being aired. The method also includes determining a voice search vocabulary based on the estimated popularity scores. The voice search vocabulary includes one or more keywords usable for a keyword search of the electronic program guide during the time interval based on a received voice search request.

Abstract: An opportunity can arise while a user is engaging a first multimedia service, commonly when the service is engaged upon a personal electronic device. A trigger can have the first multimedia service changed to an alternative service based upon the opportunity. Upon completion of the opportunity, there can be an automatic return to the first service or a request to the user on how to leave the opportunity. In addition, a notice can transfer to the user that the opportunity is coming to an end and a request can be made for the user to determine how to proceed from the opportunity or that the opportunity is ending.

Abstract: In an interactive broadcasting system, television programming may be broadcast with interleaved web content information. The progress in broadcasting the web content information over one or more transports and over one or more channels within those transports, may be monitored to provide a time based indication of what content has been broadcast. In one embodiment, markers may be inserted into the data transmission flow and a method may be utilized to associate a handle with a particular marker. A method may be called which obtains the handle and another method may be utilized to invoke the handle to obtain current information about broadcast transmissions. This information may be used within a broadcast encoder or may be provided to a content provider, for example, through a log-in server.

Abstract: In a content supply system, content data is supplied from a content supply apparatus to a content playback apparatus via a network. The content playback apparatus includes a request device for requesting a recovery process; an obtaining device for obtaining a start-up file; and a download device for downloading the content data. The content supply apparatus includes a customer information management device for managing customer information; a notification device for notifying the recovery information to the content playback apparatus; a start-up file generation device for generating a start-up file; a storage device for storing the start-up file; a content data supply device for allowing the content data to be downloaded; and a license data supply device for allowing the license data to be downloaded.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes switching, by a media content access subsystem, from a program stream to an advertisement stream in response to a switching instruction received by the media content access subsystem, detecting, by the media content access subsystem, a predetermined number of markers included within the advertisement stream, the predetermined number of markers indicative of an error associated with the advertisement stream, and switching, by the media content access subsystem, from the advertisement stream to another media content stream in response to the detecting of the predetermined number of markers. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying and/or measuring usage of media data gathered at a user location using remote decoding and/or pattern matching techniques. A data set is formed based on the media data, which includes some, but not all, of the information represented by the media data. The data set is communicated to a remotely located processing system for detecting a code based on the data set and/or conducting a pattern matching process based on the data set.

Abstract: Automatically matching local broadcast station copies of commercial content to previously identified content that is centrally attributed to a unique identification code is provided. A local broadcast station receives digital audio and processes the contents into a data profile of 1,024 bits. The data profile is compared with a master database of other content data profiles until an identical match is found. A corresponding commercial identifier is employed to identify the subject content digital audio file to the station's Broadcast Production System. The determined commercial identifier is injected as a digital artifact into the carrier of the content digital audio file, and associatively stored with the content digital audio file. During the performance process, the appropriate commercial content digital audio file is sequenced by matching the commercial identifier associated with the digital audio file.

Abstract: A verification system that injects a inaudible identification code into a broadcast advertisement immediately prior to its radio frequency transmission is disclosed. An amplitude modulated sample sequence called a “digital artifact” containing, for example, a date and time code, is generated and inserted into the audio or video or composite audio and video data stream called a content “carrier.” The combined data signal is converted from a digital stream to an analog signal and processed by standard broadcast transmission and transmitted in the radio frequency spectrum in the conventional manner. A radio frequency spectrum radio or television receiver receives the broadcast signal and converts to a digital data stream. A decoder processes the transmitted content carrier and extracts the digital artifact from the data stream. The derived information is evaluated, quantified, and transmitted to a central control point where it is compared with original reference and identification data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system for confirming that a viewer viewed multimedia content on a client device. A multimedia content owner uploads multimedia content on a server. The client device receives the multimedia content from the server and plays the multimedia content on a display screen of the client device. A random challenge is presented to the viewer by overlaying the random challenge on the multimedia content. A response for the presented random challenge is invoked from the viewer. A correct or partially correct response from the viewer confirms that the multimedia content has been viewed by the viewer. A response report is generated based on the response from the viewer. The viewer is credited with an item of value and the multimedia content owner is debited a fee, if the response report confirms the multimedia content was viewed by the viewer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for motivating a user to watch a television channel for a predetermined period of time and enabling access to a media asset related to a program provided on the channel. A tuner is tuned to a transmission channel and a program is received concurrently with a portion of a media asset. The viewing behavior is monitored to determine whether the user tunes to a different transmission channel before a predetermined time period elapses. When the user tunes to a different transmission channel before the predetermined time period elapses, access to the media asset is prevented. When the user stays tuned to the particular transmission channel for the predetermined time period, access to the media asset is enabled. The media asset may be transmitted to a portable user device, such as a mobile phone.

Abstract: A way to modify a media file to include an advertisement is described herein. A media includes, but is not limited to, broadcast television, video, or music. The content of the media is analyzed to determine an appropriate advertisement to be inserted into the media content. For example, the advertisement may be a pizza commercial inserted into media that is popular among college age individuals. The content of the media may be further analyzed to determine an appropriate position within the media to insert the advertisement. For example, the pizza commercial may be inserted after a scene in which the characters are eating. Another example may be the insertion of a dating service commercial in a movie immediately following a dating scene in the movie.

Abstract: A game for increasing viewership of television commercials is provided. The game provides a game card having a plurality of spaces arranged in multiple rows and columns. A player receives a game card associated with a particular participating program. The plurality of spaces on the game card are individually assigned icons representing commercials that may air during the program or special icons having special game-related attributes. During viewing of the program, a player is discouraged from switching channels or fast-forwarding during commercial breaks by requiring the player to match airing commercials with representative icons on the game card. If all spaces of a rank (i.e., row, column, or diagonal) on the game card contain icons representing aired commercials, the player wins. A game card verification process is provided as well to ensure that the player has in fact viewed the commercials while watching the program.

Abstract: Providing a reward as an incentive for a person to become an audience member of at least one program being performed by reproduction equipment. A programming signal used for broadcasting the program with a programming signal source is encoded with discrete code signals, such that a preset number of the code signals occur within a given period of time, to produce an output signal which is broadcast. The broadcast output signal is received, and the code signals therein are detected. The number of the code signals detected while the person is an audience member of the at least one program is compared with predetermined reward issuance criteria. A reward is issued when the reward issuance criteria are met by the number of detected code signals.

Abstract: A method for scheduling broadcast commercials includes receiving a plurality of scheduling criteria, and automatically scheduling a plurality of commercials based on the received criteria.

Abstract: A user request to watch a program is received in response to a promotion for the program. One or both of recording the program and playback of the program is performed. Information regarding one or both of the recording and the playback is output, this information including an identifier of the promotion. Additionally, a report can be generated from this information output by multiple devices, the report describing the recording of the program and the playback of the program on the multiple device in response to the promotion.

Abstract: An audience measurement system generates signatures of unknown pieces of content viewed by panel members, and generates multiplexed reference signatures of known pieces of content. The signatures of the unknown pieces of content are stored and transmitted to a central processing site, where they are compared with the reference signatures for their identification. A signature comparator finds matches between the signatures of the unknown and the known contents.

Abstract: A method, which comprises identifying a television program whose start time falls within a time window of acceptable viewability relative to a promotional time slot appearing within a first content stream, the television program being carried by a second content stream; causing conveyance during the promotional time slot of an advertisement for the television program; and causing an indication of the second content stream to be transmitted to customer equipment in the form of a marker sent with the first content stream.

Abstract: Firmware is installed in a cable modem, enabling detection of the presence or absence of a cable trap in the feed of a customer location. Such a cable modem includes a trap-detection module and a trap-detection object. The trap-detection module is configured to determine whether a video signal is present at a cable-television frequency. The trap-detection object is configured to store data as to whether the video signal is present. For example, a first piece of data is stored if the video signal is present, indicating absence of a properly functioning cable trap between a cable head-end and the cable modem. A second piece of data is stored if the video signal is absent, indicating presence of a properly functioning cable trap between the cable head-end and the cable modem.

Abstract: This application discloses a system and method for the delivery of television programming comprising of: a video source connected to a subscriber network to transport a primary video signal; a message source connected to said subscriber network to transport a supplemental video signal; wherein the primary and supplemental video signals are combined to display the primary and supplemental video signals concurrently. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the subscriber receives discounts relative to the amount of supplemental video signal that is viewed by the subscriber.

Abstract: Advertising is marked with a code in a way which makes it difficult to fool the system. The advertising is marked with a code at the time the advertising is produced. Then, when the advertising is broadcast, the code on the advertising is analyzed. Different security measures can be used, including producing the code in the closed captioning so that many different people can see the code, or comparing codes in one part of the signal with a code in another part of the signal. Measures are taken to prevent the code from being used to detect commercials. According to another part of this system, a paradigm for a clearinghouse is disclosed in which the user signs up with the clearinghouse, obtains a line of credit, and the advertiser, the agency, and the ad producer also subscribe to the service. When the ad is actually aired, the payment can be automatically transferred.