Commercial Or Program Airing Verification System Patents (Class 725/22)
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Patent number: 7937723Abstract: One embodiment of a system and method may include communicating visual content via a visual content signal to an electronic visual display for displaying between a start time and an end time. The visual content signal may be displayed between the start and end times, and an operational parameter (e.g., voltage or current) of the electronic visual display may be sensed between the start and end times. An indicator indicative of the sensed operational parameter may be recorded. The recorded indicator provides for verification of the visual content being displayed by the electronic visual display. Signature analysis may be performed on the sensed operational parameter to determine that the visual content signal was properly displayed. In addition, a visual content signal may be uniquely identified based on the signature analysis.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Automated Media Services, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Weissmueller, Jr., Ernest Lawrence Tell
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Patent number: 7934228Abstract: An apparatus for generating an output signal includes a receiving system 160 generating a plurality of signals having a first format, an insertion module 166 inserting a source identifier into the plurality of signals, an encoder 182 encoding the plurality of signals into a plurality of transport streams and a multiplexer 210. A local area network 130 routes the plurality of transport streams to the multiplexer 210 to form a combined signal. A processing system 200 compares the source identifier to an expected source. When the source identifier corresponds to the expected source, the processing system 200 modulates the combined signal to form a modulated signal. When the source identifier does not correspond to the expected source, the processing system 200 changes the combined signal. A modulator 214 modulates the combined signal to form a modulated signal. A system 202 forms the output signal from the modulated signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: Daniel M. Miner
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Patent number: 7913276Abstract: A data-providing system comprising a first data-transmitting section (control unit 1), a control section (control unit 3), and a second data-transmitting section (control unit 3). The first data-transmitting section transmits a continuous stream of content data that consists of multimedia content groups, each composed of program data and auxiliary data items. The control section processes data items obtained by dividing each program data, attribute data of the auxiliary data items and user profile data, thereby to automatically assemble new data. The second data-transmitting section changes the order in which to transmit the auxiliary data items inserted in a program, in accordance with the new data assembled by the control section.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Tomoshi Hirayama
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Patent number: 7908616Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring an audience viewership of an online live broadcast are provided. Code information included in live broadcast data is received from the encoding server or the media server, transmission information of the live broadcast data to the client is received from the media server, the transmission information is compensated using the code information, and the audience viewership of the online live broadcast is computed using the compensated transmission information. It is possible to obtain the accurate viewership of an online live broadcast and to obtain the accurate viewership of the online live broadcast even when users erroneously access a web page or intentionally access the web page to increase the number of page views.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: CDNetworks Co., Ltd.Inventor: Woo-Jin Jeong
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Publication number: 20110055861Abstract: A system and method for selective recording of information uses sequential pattern matching of statistical vectors which characterize incoming time-based information to identify previously marked information within an incoming information stream. The system and method generate a signal to control a recording device to either elide the previously marked information from the recording, or to begin recording once the previously marked information is identified, depending upon the current mode of operation. The system and method may be utilized to omit recording of unwanted information, such as commercials in a television broadcast, or to automatically locate desired information on any of a number of available information channels without a priori knowledge of the occurrence time or channel of the information.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Michele Mae Covell, M. Margaret Withgott
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Patent number: 7877766Abstract: A method and system of providing a non-skippable sub-advertisement stream. The general idea of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention is that when a user of an electronic digital recording/play back device causes it to fast forward through or skip over a recorded television advertisement, an overlay screen corresponding to the skipped advertisement is displayed on a portion of a television screen once the user resumes watching the recorded television show in normal play back mode. As such, the user is exposed to content of the skipped advertisement while viewing the recorded television show. In this manner, the user of the electronic digital recording/play back device is unable to easily avoid viewing content corresponding to the skipped advertisement.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2000Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Enreach Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bo Wu, Bin Lu
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Patent number: 7872692Abstract: A design structure for systems for switching a displayed signal for a display between a plurality of signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, the design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, and includes: a system for switching a displayed signal for a display between a plurality of signals, the system including: a microcontroller; a chooser for setting a primary signal from a plurality of program-variable signals; a monitor tuner coupled to the microcontroller for tuning the primary signal during switching of the displayed signal from the primary signal to a secondary signal; a detector coupled to the monitor tuner and the microcontroller for detecting a predetermined condition in the primary signal; and a selector coupled to the microcontroller for switching the displayed signal from the secondary signal to the primary signal upon occurrence of the predetermined condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ahmed Y. Ginawi, Casey J. Grant, Christopher Ro, Sebastian T. Ventrone
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Patent number: 7870574Abstract: A method and system for the automatic identification of audio, video, multimedia, and/or data recordings based on immutable characteristics of these works. The invention does not require the insertion of identifying codes or signals into the recording. This allows the system to be used to identify existing recordings that have not been through a coding process at the time that they were generated. Instead, each work to be recognized is “played” into the system where it is subjected to an automatic signal analysis process that locates salient features and computes a statistical representation of these properties. These features are then stored as patterns for later recognition of live input signal streams. A different set of features is derived for each audio or video work to be identified and stored. During real-time monitoring of a signal stream, a similar automatic signal analysis process is carried out, and many features are computed for comparison with the patterns stored in a large feature database.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Inventors: Stephen C. Kenyon, Laura Simkins
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Patent number: 7853969Abstract: Set top box logs are received from a television provider and processed to compensate for broadcast latency and generate normalized log data, e.g., log data that are indexed to a relative time. Channel tunes and the channel tune times of the normalized log data can be compared to expected air times of television advertisements on channels, and an impression values, e.g., projected viewers, can be generated for each television advertisement.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey R. Smith, Iain Merrick, Michael A. Killianey, John Alastair Hawkins, Greg Hecht, Simon Rowe
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Patent number: 7853968Abstract: A method for processing a video signal, comprising the steps of (A) receiving the video signal comprising (i) a first segment having a series of frames each having a first region and a second region defining a first signature and (ii) a second segment having a series of frames each having a first region and a second region defining a second signature, (B) modifying each of the frames of the first segment from the first signature to a third signature and (C) modifying each of the frames of the second segment from the second signature to a fourth signature.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: LSI CorporationInventor: Elliot N. Linzer
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Patent number: 7849477Abstract: The present invention provides targeted asset system implementations in contexts where there is limited or no ability to use a real-time return channel for communications from user equipment devices (e.g., STB) to the network. In one arrangement, a household classifier is generated and delivered to user equipment devices. The household classifiers are generated based on third party data and/or network usage information associated with the household. The system and method allow for generating highly accurate household classifications that may be forwarded to individual households where the user equipment device may implant the classifiers to select appropriate assets for delivery to the household.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Invidi Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael Cristofalo, Patrick M. Sheehan
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Patent number: 7849475Abstract: A system and method for selective recording of information uses sequential pattern matching of statistical vectors which characterize incoming time-based information to identify previously marked information within an incoming information stream. The system and method generate a signal to control a recording device to either elide the previously marked information from the recording, or to begin recording once the previously marked information is identified, depending upon the current mode of operation. The system and method may be utilized to omit recording of unwanted information, such as commercials in a television broadcast, or to automatically locate desired information on any of a number of available information channels without a priori knowledge of the occurrence time or channel of the information.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Interval Licensing LLCInventors: Michele Mae Covell, M. Margaret Withgott
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Patent number: 7818761Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLCInventors: John Christopher Harvey, James William Cuddihy
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Patent number: 7818765Abstract: The present invention provides a system and computer readable medium for object retransmission in an asynchronous environment without a continuous network connection in a digital media distributor (DMD) system. The system and computer readable medium include receiving objects in a receiver from a central site, generating a response document in the receiver, and sending the response document asynchronously to the central site. The received response documents are then utilized in the central site to determine which object to retransmit to the receiver. In another aspect of the present invention, the central site manages the inventory of objects in the receiver by instructing the receiver to delete objects not needed.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jennie Ching, Eric Hsiao, Peter S. Lee, Warren R. Vollinger, Cris Sandoval
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Patent number: 7813957Abstract: A system and method for delivering a plurality of payloads such as ads in response to a plurality of requests. The system comprises a data structure defining a target profile for each ad which target profile specifies characteristics of a request to which the ad may be provided in response and an ad server for delivering one or more of the plurality of payloads in response to a request from a target. The number of times each payload is delivered to a target is tracked. A payload priority is assigned for each of the payloads as a function of a delivery goal of the payload and as a function of the number of times the payload has been delivered to a target. A particular request is received from a particular target having particular characteristics. A particular payload is selected for delivery to the particular target as a function of the particular characteristics and as a function of the payload priorities.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Alexander Porte
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Patent number: 7814523Abstract: A method for allowing television viewers to express their interest in goods or services advertised on television. The present invention is comprised of a Viewer Preference Program, a Viewer Interest Program, and a Viewer Expression Program. The Viewer Expression Program interfaces with the viewer database, the advertiser database, and the cable provider program and runs the cable provider program, the Viewer Preference Program, and the Viewer Interest Program. The Viewer Preference Program allows the viewer to input the method by which he/she desires to be contacted and the type of information he/she desires to receive from the advertiser. The viewer may indicate an interest during any commercial or program and the Viewer Interest Program records the time and channel of interest. The Viewer Interest Program then cross-references the advertisement with the advertiser responsible for the advertisement and sends the requested information to the viewer.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Craig William Fellenstein, Doreen Lynn Galli, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, James Wesley Seaman
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Patent number: 7805738Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLCInventors: John Christopher Harvey, James William Cuddihy
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Patent number: 7801303Abstract: The present invention is a video on demand service enabled from a near video on demand service. A desired program is split into portions, or clips. The first clip is delivered a priori to the customer's Digital Video Recorder (DVR) using a hidden channel and it is made available for purchase on demand. The remaining portion is broadcast regularly using the start time of the Near Video On Demand service, for as long as the program is available for Video On Demand purchase. Upon purchase, the remaining portion is authorized for capture by the DVR. The clips are spliced together upon playback to form a complete program.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: Stephen P. Dulac
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Patent number: 7802276Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for reporting a subscriber's content access selections to marketers. One such method stores when content is provided to a subscriber and when that content is displayed by the subscriber. The method then reports when the content is provided and when the content is viewed, thus describing the subscriber's content selections.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Scott R. Swix, Robert A. Koch
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Patent number: 7800701Abstract: A primary broadcast receiver is automatically tuned by a secondary broadcast receiver receiving a first broadcast signal corresponding to a source of an origin program by program transition detectors detecting monochrome interprogram dead frame or closed captioning for the hearing impaired text words according to user-specified tune conditions; by a tuner controller enabling the secondary broadcast receiver and a program transition detector to begin monitoring a first broadcast signal currently tuned by the primary broadcast receiver, while allowing tuning of the primary broadcast receiver by a user, and by automatically tuning the primary broadcast receiver to the first broadcast signal upon signal by the program transition detector that one or more of the user-specific tune conditions have been met.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Yen-Fu Chen, John Hans Handy-Bosma, Nancy T. Sun, Keith Raymond Walker
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Patent number: 7802280Abstract: Advertising parameters and associated television advertisements are received from advertisers. The television advertisements can be designated as pending approval. An automated approval process and a television provider approval process can be utilized to approve or disapprove of the television advertisements pending approval. Approved television advertisements can be provided to the television provider, e.g., by a download process over a network.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Zigmond, Jason Bayer, Greg Hecht, Bryan McQuade
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Patent number: 7788684Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Verance CorporationInventors: Rade Petrovic, Babak Tehranchi, Kanaan Jemili, Joseph M. Winograd, Dean Angelico
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Patent number: 7783489Abstract: A method and system for direct audio capture and identification of the captured audio. A user may then be offered the opportunity to purchase recordings directly over the Internet or similar outlet. The system preferably includes one or more user-carried portable audio capture devices that employ a microphone, analog to digital converter, signal processor, and memory to store samples of ambient audio or audio features calculated from the audio. Users activate their capture devices when they hear a recording that they would like to identify or purchase. Later, the user may connect the capture device to a personal computer to transfer the audio samples or audio feature samples to an Internet site for identification. The Internet site preferably uses automatic pattern recognition techniques to identify the captured samples from a library of recordings offered for sale. The user can then verify that the sample is from the desired recording and place an order online.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Inventors: Stephen C. Kenyon, Laura Simkins
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Patent number: 7773159Abstract: Systems for switching a displayed signal for a display between a plurality of signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a microcontroller; a chooser for choosing a primary signal from a plurality of program-variable signals at the microcontroller; a monitor tuner coupled to the microcontroller for tuning the primary signal during switching of the displayed signal from the primary signal to a secondary signal; a detector coupled to the monitor tuner and the microcontroller for detecting a predetermined condition in the primary signal; and a selector coupled to the microcontroller for switching the displayed signal from the secondary signal to the primary signal upon occurrence of the predetermined condition. A user can switch between signals such as television channels or other dedicated functions without the risk of missing a portion of the program material.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ahmed Y. Ginawi, Casey J. Grant, Christopher Ro, Sebastian T. Ventrone
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Patent number: 7770194Abstract: The present invention makes viewers surely view commercial programs. When a commercial program is broadcasted and displayed on a display (7A), a viewer is requested a response. The viewer operates a prescribed key in the ten key (32) of a remote controller (31) for response. If the viewer responds to the response request of the commercial program, points are added to a smart card (10). The viewer can view a pay program using the points recorded in the smart card (10).Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Peter Shintani
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Patent number: 7757248Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a tuner tuned to the program and a meter coupled to the tuner and arranged to detect content ancillary information from the program tuned by the tuner. The content ancillary information may be a media link, closed captioning information, or the like. The meter may also be arranged to extract a broadcast signature from the program. A comparator compares the broadcast signature to a reference signature selected from a library of reference signatures based upon the content ancillary information. Broadcast signatures from unknown programs may be clustered at least partially on the basis of the content ancillary information.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventors: David H. Harkness, Daozheng Lu, William A. Feininger, Craig M. Smithpeters
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Publication number: 20100162288Abstract: A method is disclosed for logging triggers in a video data stream the method including but not limited to monitoring a video data stream at an multimedia processor end user device; receiving from a data distribution server, the video data stream at the multimedia processor end user device; detecting a trigger in the video data stream at the multimedia processor end user device; logging a time for the trigger detected in the video data stream in a trigger log at the multimedia processor end user device; and sending the trigger log an advertising verification system in the data distribution system for correlating the time the trigger occurred with an Advertising Schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: JAMES HUFFMAN, Jon D. Heath, Christopher R. Heck
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Patent number: 7742111Abstract: A highlight detecting circuit for detecting a highlight segment within a video signal includes a pitch-tracking module for estimating a plurality of pitch values for an audio signal; a pitch difference detecting module coupled to the pitch-tracking module for computing a plurality of pitch difference values according to the pitch values; and a highlight detecting module coupled to the pitch difference detecting module for determining a starting point and a stopping point of the highlight segment according to the pitch difference values.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: MAVs Lab. Inc.Inventors: Yu Shiu, Chia-Hung Yeh, Hsuan-Huei Shih, Chung-Chieh Kuo
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Publication number: 20100146533Abstract: [Problems] To provide a technique of fusing advertisement through broadcasting with that through a network out of advertisement media, especially a technique of producing a high advertisement effect by automatically synchronizing the advertisement timing and by optimizing the display form. [Means for Solving Problems] A listing advertisement transmitting device connected to a user terminal through a network and adapted for displaying a listing advertisement the setting of the advertisement charge of which is different with the display form of the user terminal is set.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: DENTSU INC.Inventors: Hisashi Matsunaga, Hideaki Haruta, Hiroki Noda
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Patent number: 7716698Abstract: A method of analyzing multi-market broadcasts of commercial advertisements, has unique identifiers are assigned to a plurality of expected commercial advertisements, information regarding the plurality of expected commercial advertisements and respective unique identifiers is recorded in a computer database, electronic detections of a plurality of actual market-broadcast instances of a commercial advertisement are received, which comprise a plurality of broadcast markets, information regarding the detections is recorded in a computer database, related ones of the plurality of actual market-broadcast instances of the commercial advertisement is recorded in a computer database, which comprising a plurality of broadcast markets, information regarding a plurality of multi-market broadcast orders of commercial advertisements is recorded in a computer database, and related ones of the actual market-broadcast instances of the commercial advertisement are associated with a related multi-market broadcast order for saiType: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC.Inventor: Thomas J Whymark
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Patent number: 7707600Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Ramanathan Ramanathan
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Patent number: 7689236Abstract: A media device, a network element and a method of enhancing use of a media device are provided. The media device is configured to receive a broadcast media stream transmitted by a broadcast system at a given frequency and a service transmission over a radio interface of a cellular telecommunication system, the transmission being associated with the media stream and comprising information about frequencies used to transmit the media stream in different locations. The media device measures signal strength of the media transmission at the frequency the transmission is received and at least at one other frequency used for transmission of the transmission, compares the measured signal strengths and switches the reception of the media transmission to another frequency if the signal strength at said frequency is greater than the signal strength at the current frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Juha Matero, Jyrki Matero
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Patent number: 7685625Abstract: Disclosed is an image reproducing apparatus for updating a channel map, and a method thereof. The image reproducing apparatus includes an identification (ID) detector for detecting the ID of a broadcast information card when a broadcast information card is mounted, a comparing unit for comparing the ID of the broadcast information card detected by the detector with the ID of a existing broadcast information card, the ID being received from a broadcast station and stored in a storage unit, a deleting unit for deleting an existing first channel map when the ID of the detected broadcast information card is different from the ID of the existing broadcast information card, and a receiving unit for receiving data including a new second channel map from the broadcast station in place of the first channel map deleted by the deleting unit. Accordingly, accurate update conditions are proposed, thereby enhancing user convenience and increasing accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Do-young Kim, Eun-kyung Kang
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Patent number: 7681213Abstract: A content distribution system, content distribution control apparatus, content distribution control method, content distribution control program and content distribution control program storage medium realizes the distribution of content to much more clients.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Shigehiko Nishizawa, Katsushi Fujii
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Patent number: 7676821Abstract: Method and related system for detecting advertising sections of video signal. The invention is capable of integrating detecting results based on different detecting rules, which includes detecting discontinuity of frame images in the video signals, detecting occurrences of frames with specific images, detecting occurrences of repeated frames, and detecting audio divisions in the video signal. Detecting results of these detecting rules are integrated by weighting them according to their accuracy, such that occurrence of advertising can be located.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: VIA Technologies Inc.Inventor: Andy Chiu
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Patent number: 7672337Abstract: A method for capturing a broadcast is disclosed. The method for capturing a broadcast includes detecting an approximate start time of the broadcast, wherein said detecting includes monitoring for a broadcast trigger, identifying the broadcast and a timed length thereof, such that, based on the timed length and the approximate start time, an approximate end time may be calculated, and recording the broadcast from the trigger to the approximate end time, wherein said recording has captured the broadcast of radio advertising.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Ryan Steelberg, Chad Steelberg
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Publication number: 20100050203Abstract: An advertisement-section detecting apparatus includes: a captioned-section acquisition unit (12) configured to acquire a captioned section including a caption generated by caption data, on the basis of a temporal position of the caption data; a non-captioned-section acquisition unit (13) configured to acquire a pattern of a non-captioned section that do not include the caption, on the basis of the captioned section; a memory (14) configured to store a broadcasting-program template which is a template corresponding to a broadcasting-program format including a main-section format and a peripheral-section format, and which is used for identifying a pattern of a non-captioned section format including the peripheral-section format; an identifying unit (15) configured to compare the pattern of the non-captioned section and the pattern of the non-captioned section format, and thus to identify the non-captioned section corresponding to the non-captioned section format; and a detector (16) configured to detect a sectiType: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: Buffalo Inc.Inventor: Yoshikazu Yamagishi
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Patent number: 7661116Abstract: Displaying personalized content to content observers by content providers (e.g., advertisers) who disseminate content over a network is disclosed. In particular, enabling the display of targeted content to television viewers is disclosed. Identification of the content observer(s) observing a content display device at a particular time (and/or identification of the content display site) is made, and targeted content for display is selected based on a determination of content appropriate for display to those content observer(s) in accordance with a criterion based on the identity and/or a characteristic of the content observer(s) (and/or the content display site). The attention of each content observer can be sold to the content provider that places the highest value on that content observer's attention. In particular, the value paid by content providers over time can be maximized.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Vulcan Patents LLCInventors: Malcolm Slaney, Bonnie M. Johnson, Annarosa Tomasi, Matthew B. Humphries
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Publication number: 20100023961Abstract: The present invention relates to a target image detecting apparatus and a method thereof. According to the present invention, the target video detecting apparatus calculates a video index for each frame of an input broadcasting signal, and compares a video index of an advertisement signal to be detected with the calculated video index of each frame of the broadcasting signal. In addition, the target video detecting apparatus detects a predetermined sequence of frames having video indexes that match a sequence of video indexes of the advertisement signal from the broadcasting signal. In addition, the target video detecting apparatus compares video indexes from a start frame of the detected plurality of frames and the corresponding frame of the advertisement signal in order to detect an advertisement signal from the broadcasting signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2008Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: KoruTec Ltd.Inventor: Yury Kim
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Patent number: 7640561Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are described in which a plurality of mediums are selectively programmed with media content to provide an integrated entertainment experience to consumers. The content that is provided on different mediums is synchronized to provide different events, perspectives or experiences associated with a common storyline. Additional embodiments of the present invention are described in which commercial sponsorship of a program is provided within a storyline, such that sponsors are identified for purposes of brand recognition, or products and services from the sponsor are advertised/marketed or otherwise made directly available for purchase by consumers through synchronized programming of media content among a plurality of mediums.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: IntEnt Media VenturesInventors: Richard P. Halke, Philip R. Needles
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Publication number: 20090320056Abstract: A system of using a set-top box to obtain ad information includes a remote control, a set-top box, a program system server, and an advertising server. A first ad request corresponding to a target ad is transmitted to the set-top box via the remote control so as to obtain ad information of the target ad. A second ad request corresponding to the first ad request received is produced and transmitted to the program system server by the set-top box. A third ad request corresponding to the second ad request received is produced and transmitted to the advertising server by the program system server. The advertising server obtains a user's contact information and the ad information of the target ad according to the third ad request and transmits the ad information to the user. Hence, the user obtains the ad information of the target ad conveniently by the set-top box.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: Chi-Bin Wu, Yi-Chuan Lu
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Publication number: 20090320059Abstract: A system and method may include providing a media stream via a network, the media stream comprising one or more advertisement content segments, identifying aggregate information associated with a viewer, assigning the one or more advertisement content segments to one or more categories and a category score associated with the one or more categories, filtering the one or more advertisement content segments based at least in part on the one or more categories, the category score associated with the one or more categories and the aggregate information associated with the viewer, and outputting the filtered one or more advertisement content segments to the viewer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: VERIZON DATA SERVICES INC.Inventor: Yuriy Bolyukh
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Patent number: 7627878Abstract: The timing and placement of advertising on TV, radio or other broadcast media can be automatically verified or audited by monitoring and recording channels of TV, radio or broadcast media by storing and tagging discrete portions of segments of the broadcast signals in a database. A controller, or “dispatcher” server, dispatches the files to an analysis server for performing various mathematical comparisons and statistical correlations on the audio and video signals for positively identifying one or more advertisements of interest. A report is generated, providing particulars about the airing times of the advertisement of interest and whether its content exactly matches the content of a reference advertisement used as the basis for the mathematical comparisons and correlations.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Eloda Inc.Inventors: Jean-Francois Pouliot, Jean Charles Dupuis, Geoffrey Bastien
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Patent number: 7624409Abstract: A method for confirming and reporting on fulfilled and unfulfilled advertising orders includes assigning unique identifiers to a plurality of commercial advertisements, recording information regarding the plurality of commercial advertisements and the respective unique identifiers in a computer database, receiving electronic detections of a plurality of actual market-broadcast instances of a commercial advertisement from a plurality of broadcast markets, recording information regarding the detections in a computer database, associating related ones of the plurality of actual market-broadcast instances of the commercial advertisement in a computer database, the related ones of the actual market-broadcast instances being from a plurality of broadcast markets and being related to a common featured program broadcast in the plurality of broadcast markets, recording information regarding a plurality of multi-market broadcast orders of commercial advertisements in a computer database, and associating the associatedType: GrantFiled: October 18, 2002Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventor: Thomas J. Whymark
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Patent number: 7614065Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple levels of verification of content displayed on an electronic display. A verification code signal representative of a verification code may be displayed with the visual content. The verification code may be sensed and determined to verify that the visual content was displayed. A timestamp may be generated to indicate time of day that the visual content is displayed. In one embodiment, the verification code signal may be displayed in one or more colors and sensed. Verification that the visual content was displayed with correct colors may be made based on the sensed visual verification code signal. Verification that the visual content was displayed at a certain time and with the correct colors may be provided to an owner of the visual content, such as an advertiser.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Automated Media Services, Inc.Inventors: William Robert Weissmueller, Jr., Ernest Lawrence Tell
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Patent number: 7607148Abstract: Techniques to monitor operation of an information distribution system and delivery of programming, guide data, and other information by the system. These techniques may be used for diagnostics, quality control, and other purposes, and for various types of systems. In accordance with one method, a directive is received to monitor a particular channel at a particular terminal. In response to the received directive, a command is sent (e.g., via a remote control unit) to the terminal. Contents are then received from the terminal, captured, and reported. The reported contents may be used to visually verify the contents being delivered to the terminals, check what the viewers may observe, mimic and test interactive experiences of the viewers, observe actual viewing conditions at the terminals, and perform other tests and diagnostics. The received contents may be captured as one or more video frames, as a video sequence, or in some other format.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.Inventors: Brian Feinberg, Eugene Gershtein, Donald F Gordon, Yong Ho Son, Sadik Bayrakeri
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Patent number: 7587729Abstract: Promoted listing are generated and transmitted to client devices where they are displayed prominently in relation to non-promoted listings. The client devices record tracking data that indicates that a particular promoted listing has been displayed to and/or selected by a user. The tracking data is sent from the client device to a content distribution system that aggregates tracking data from multiple client devices, generates reports and/or bills based on the tracking data, and supplies the reports and/or bills to content providers associated with the promoted listings.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: David L. de Heer
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Patent number: 7577715Abstract: The present invention relates to a content providing system, a receiving apparatus and method, a storage medium, and a program, which enable to perform a variety of contents provisions. An operational terminal 21 can obtain, from a storage terminal 1, contents corresponding to utilization information sent from an operational terminal 11 that is receiving provision of predetermined contents from a storage terminal 1. That is, if a user 23 is interested in contents that a user 13 is watching and listening to on the operational terminal 11, and desires to watch and listen to it, the user 23 can watch and listen to on the operational terminal 21, the contents that the user 13 is watching and listening to, by holding the operational terminal 21 very close to the operational terminal 11, or holding the operational terminal 11 very close to the operational terminal 21.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yoriko Komatsuzaki, Makoto Sato, Takuro Noda
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Patent number: 7577841Abstract: A method of placing a watermark in a video stream estimates motion between frames in the video stream, and computes a representative motion for a frame. Before embedding the watermark in that frame, the method spatially adjusts a digital watermark by the representative motion. This method is particularly suited for embedding a watermark in a video stream compressed using motion estimation. In this case, the method uses the motion vectors in the video stream to compute a dominant motion for a frame, and then shifts the watermark by this dominant motion before embedding it in the frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Digimarc CorporationInventor: Mehmet U. Celik
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Patent number: 7565016Abstract: Systems and methods for learning-based automatic commercial content detection are described. In one aspect, the systems and methods include a training component and an analyzing component. The training component trains a commercial content classification model using a kernel support vector machine. The analyzing component analyzes program data such as video and audio data using the commercial content classification model and one or more of single-side left neighborhood(s) and right neighborhood(s) of program data segments. Based on this analysis, each of the program data segments are classified as being commercial or non-commercial segments.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Xian-Sheng Hua, Lie Lu, Mingjing Li, Hong-Jiang Zhang