Commercial Identification (e.g., Video And/or Audio Detectors, Etc.) Patents (Class 386/249)
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Patent number: 8763024Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LPInventors: Scott White, James L. Cansler, Charles Scott
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Publication number: 20140169761Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes analyzing characteristics of a media program to label parts of the media program with a plurality of labels where parts of the media program that are determined to be substantially similar are labeled with a same label. The method then analyzes different partitionings of a sequence of the labels to determine partitions for the media program based on a weighting function that is configured to weight the different partitionings based on portions created from the partitions in the different partitionings. Then, a partitioning for the media program is outputted based on comparing the different partitionings of the sequence of labels using the weighting function. The outputted partitioning partitions the media program into a set of portions and provides points for insertion of information for a service in the media program.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Hulu, LLCInventors: Ravi Khadiwala, Baptiste Coudurier
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Patent number: 8755669Abstract: A system for switching from a first (14) to a second (16) audio/video sequence, the second sequence (16) including a splice point time stamp (12), the system including a disk (18) to store the first sequence (14), a receiver to receive the second sequence as live audio/video, a demultiplexer arrangement (24) to demultiplex at least some of the first sequence (14) from the disk (18) and the second sequence (16) from the receiver, demultiplex the first sequence fast enough so that the demultiplexing of the second sequence (16) can commence a number of frames prior to the splice point time stamp (12), a buffer (28,30) to receive for storage from the demultiplexer arrangement (24), the demultiplexed audio/video of the first sequence (14) and at least part of the second sequence (16), and a decoder (34,36) to decode the demultiplexed audio/video stored in the buffer (28,30) including decoding the first sequence (14) and then the second sequence (16) from the splice point time stamp (12).Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc.Inventors: Len Sundy, Yair Mirsky, Ariel Zentner, Yael Weinbach
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Patent number: 8752115Abstract: The present invention provides for gathering and aggregating data related to the functionality of digital video recorders (DVRs) and transmitting updated instructions to the DVRs. During its operation, a DVR gathers data that is relevant to the detection of commercials such as luminance values, commercial patterns, and user input and stores this information in its internal storage. A central server receives updated instructions from administrators and generates new instructions in response to data aggregated from individual DVRs. The central server transmits the updated instructions to remote DVRs.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Dow, Philippe Pignon
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Patent number: 8739205Abstract: An ad in a movie can be a static ad having a position in the movie that cannot be moved, or a dynamic ad having a position in the movie that can be changed. When a viewer of the movie wishes to skip a portion of the movie containing the ad, the playback system determines whether the ad is static or dynamic. If the ad is static, then only the portion of the movie preceding the static ad can be skipped, that is, the ad is unskippable; this technique is referred to as “bounceback” since the end of the skip bounces back to the start of the static ad. If the ad is dynamic, then the ad is moved to after the end of the skip; this technique is referred to as “slipad” since the ad slips to later in the movie. When a movie has multiple ads, some can be static and some can be dynamic.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Open Text S.A.Inventors: Thomas S. Gilley, Eric Hoffert, Rabih Nassar, Brenda Pomerance
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Patent number: 8731372Abstract: An electronic point of purchase (POP) advertising apparatus presents a predetermined POP advertisement. A sensor unit includes a sensor for detecting a person. A storing unit stores a plurality of different POP advertisements. Each of the plurality of different POP advertisements has at least one of (i) moving images or (ii) music. A selection unit selects a particular POP advertisement from the plurality of stored POP advertisements. An output unit outputs the particular POP advertisement in response to a detection signal output from the sensor unit such that the output unit start a presentation of the particular POP advertisement when the sensor detects the person.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yoshio Ochiai, Yasufumi Shinagawa, Koni Saito
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Patent number: 8724967Abstract: Identification of starting and ending times of commercial breaks and commercials within those commercial breaks found in audiovisual content is disclosed. A solution to a “batch optimization” problem is used in which commercial locations within a set of audiovisual content are detected as a group by choosing a set of commercial locations which optimizes a cost function which can include considerations of, for example, 1) one or more cues, 2) relative locations of commercials within the audiovisual content, and/or 3) probability models based on statistics obtained regarding characteristics of typical commercial and commercial breaks. Optimization can be done over the total set of commercial location decisions, rather than on a per-commercial basis. Additionally, the cost function can be iteratively evaluated and many more types of cues and combinations of cues can be used in detection of commercials.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Interval Licensing LLCInventor: Michael L. Harville
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Patent number: 8718445Abstract: Among other things, videos and commercials are downloaded to a mobile device for storage on the mobile device and later playout on the mobile device. The downloading includes downloading of metadata associated with the commercials and based on which the mobile device can select commercials for insertion into videos being played back to the user of the mobile device. The commercials to be downloaded are selected based on one or a combination of any two or more of the location of the user, the type of mobile device, and personally-identifiable information about a user of the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Penthera Partners, Inc.Inventors: Adam L. Berger, Joshua Pressnell, Richard David Jackson
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Patent number: 8699855Abstract: Presented herein is a method of recording user-selected interstitial media content, such as a television commercial. In the method, a media content stream is presented to a user. The media content stream includes an interstitial segment within a media content segment, such as a television program. In a media content segment listing, such as an electronic program guide, the media content segment is listed, but the interstitial segment is not. While the media content stream is presented, the stream is buffered. During or after the interstitial segment is being presented to the user, a command is received from the user to record the interstitial segment. In response to the command, beginning and ending points of the buffered interstitial segment are identified. The buffered interstitial segment is stored as a persistent recording based on the starting and ending points, and the persistent recording is distinguished from the media content segment.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Leslie Harper, John A. Card, II
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Patent number: 8670647Abstract: Speed of commercial playing is detected and used for determining whether program information can be played.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Harris Technology, LLCInventor: Scott C. Harris
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Patent number: 8660407Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for altering a presentation of recorded content. More specifically, embodiments provide an accurate and efficient mechanism for suppressing advertisements by using downloaded templates to identify advertisements before suppression for a duration indicated by information downloaded about the advertisement, where the suppression is effectuated by controlling a display, set-top box or personal video recorder using remote-control functionality. In one embodiment, a digital signal representing the recorded content is accessed. Thereafter, a plurality of templates are received and stored, wherein each template represents a known portion of the recorded content. The digital signal is then compared against a portion of the plurality of stored templates. Upon a match, a control signal operable to alter a component of a presentation of the recorded content is generated.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventor: Brant L. Candelore
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Patent number: 8660408Abstract: A method and system for altering a presentation of broadcast content is disclosed. Embodiments provide an accurate and efficient mechanism for suppressing advertisements by using downloaded templates to identify advertisements before suppression for a duration indicated by information downloaded about the advertisement, where the suppression is effectuated by controlling a display or set-top box using remote-control functionality. In one embodiment, a digital signal comprising broadcast content is accessed. A plurality of templates are received and stored, wherein each template represents a known portion of the broadcast content. The digital signal is then compared against a portion of the plurality of stored templates. Upon a match, a control signal operable to alter a component of a presentation of the known portion of the broadcast content is generated.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventor: Brant L. Candelore
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Patent number: 8644679Abstract: An approach provides control of digital media. A stream of digital media that includes an advertisement is received. The stream is selectively skipped to avoid the advertisement. In addition, the amount of advertisement played back is tracked. Further, tracking information is generated based on the tracking.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Knapp Investment Company LimitedInventors: Maxime G. G. Haot, Richard G. Moore, Sreenivas Rachamadugu
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Patent number: 8645989Abstract: A method for enhancing digital video recorder television advertising viewership provides a method wherein the first or last number of seconds of a commercial break are carefully authored to provide a “teaser” to entice the viewer to watch multiple commercials during the commercial break instead of skipping the commercial break using the fast forward or jump functions of the DVR. A bookending function displays an advertisement before and/or after a program that has been recorded on the DVR's storage device is played to the viewer. The viewer selects a recorded program from the DVR's storage device to playback. Before the program is played back, an advertisement is retrieved from the storage device and is displayed before the program is run. Another advertisement is retrieved and then played after the program is over.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventor: James M. Barton
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Patent number: 8639091Abstract: An advertisement based bidding scheme enables users of data recording devices to bid on the quantity of advertisements they are willing to observe in exchange for recording quality. According to an exemplary embodiment, a data recording device (11, 21, 31) includes a processor (206) operative to receive and process a user bid indicating a quantity of advertisements the user is willing to observe in exchange for a given level of recording quality. A storage medium (203) is operative to record program data in accordance with the given level of recording quality indicated by the user bid. A decoder (204) is operative to decode and enable playback of the recorded program data including the quantity of advertisements indicated by the user bid.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventor: Mike Arthur Derrenberger
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Patent number: 8620139Abstract: Processing video for utilization in second language learning is described herein. A video file includes spoken words in a source language, subtitles in the source language, and subtitles in a native language of an end user (a target language). The subtitles in the source language are synchronized with the spoken words in the video, and the subtitles in the source language are mapped to the subtitles in the target language. Both sets of subtitles are displayed simultaneously as the video is played by the end user.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Chi Ho Li, Matthew Robert Scott
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Patent number: 8620144Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: Jim Barton, Kevin Smith, David Chamberlin, Howard Look
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Patent number: 8615161Abstract: Recording television programs for future playback by enabling the user to record a plurality of programs that have sequential units of commercial content. There is sequential sensing for commercial content units. When a commercial content unit is reached, it is removed for separate storage. A determination is made as to whether the removed commercial content unit is the same as a previous commercial content unit that has been removed. Any previous commercial unit that has been removed has been stored in a file and a pointer to the file inserted in place of the commercial in the sequential stream of the television program being recorded. Thus, if the removed commercial unit has the same content, i.e. is a repeat of a previous commercial, the inserted pointer will point to the file of the previous commercial.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin M Corry, Mark A Peloquin, Steven L Pratt, Karl M Rister, Andrew M Theurer
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Patent number: 8582954Abstract: A media player may include a media reader to read media content from a recording medium inserted into the media reader. The media player may also include a media analysis component to identify one or more valid portions of the recording medium containing media content and one or more invalid portions of the recording medium without media content. In one embodiment, the media player includes an archival component to store the media content from the one or more valid portions in a storage medium and a playback component to play back the one or more valid portions of the media content from the storage medium concurrently with the identification of the one or more valid portions by the media analysis component and the storage of the media content by the archival component.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: David J. Watson, James Bielman, Phillip L. Barrett, Nicole A. Hamilton
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Patent number: 8549556Abstract: A contextual advertising system and method receives video data and multiple advertisements associated with the video data. The system and method identify object content in the received video data and generates a video signal representing the video data. The video signal is communicated to a display device which displays a video image. User interaction with the displayed video image is monitored by the system and method. An advertisement is selected from the multiple received advertisements for display to the user. The advertisement is selected based on the user interaction with the displayed video image and the identified object content in the video data.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Inventors: Shlomo Selim Rakib, Gilles Bruno Marie Devictor
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Patent number: 8532465Abstract: There is provided a moving image recording apparatus including a feature amount extracting unit which extracts plural types of feature amount data relating to feature amounts characterizing moving image data from the moving image data, a memory unit at which the plural types of feature amount data extracted by the feature amount extracting unit and the moving image data are recorded being mutually associated, and a duplicate content searching unit which searches duplicate contents being mutually duplicated moving image data out of a plurality of the moving image data stored in the memory unit based on the plural types of feature amount data.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Inventor: Toru Okazaki
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Patent number: 8526784Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for performing actions with media information using a digital video recorder is provided. In one embodiment, a user may mark a media segment in media using a digital video recorder. Characteristics for the media segment are then determined. A second media segment in second media may then be determined. For example, the second media segment may have similar characteristics to the first media segment. In one example, an advertisement that is similar to the advertisement marked as the first media segment may be determined. An action may then be performed with the second media segment. For example, the second media segment may be removed from the second media.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mukul Jain, Shmuel Shaffer
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Publication number: 20130223816Abstract: In an embodiment, the playing of an advertisement may be detected by identifying the persons associated with the faces in the advertisement portion of the media content and determining that the identified persons are not actors listed for the media content. In an embodiment, the advertisement may be enhanced with additional content pertaining to the product or service being advertised. In an embodiment, the advertisement may be automatically fast-forwarded, muted, or replaced with an alternate advertisement. In an embodiment, only a non-advertisement portion of the media content may be recorded by skipping over the detected advertisement portion of the media content.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: TiVo Inc.Inventor: TiVo Inc.
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Patent number: 8521009Abstract: Systems and methods to modify playout/playback include responding to a trick mode request (e.g., fast forward, rewind). First, a transmission is received at a receiving device. The transmission includes primary content and a secondary information identifier and is stored on a storage device. Next, primary content is rendered to an output device at the receiving device at a normal speed for the primary content. Next, a request is received to render the primary content to an output device at the receiving device at an accelerated speed of the primary content. Next, the primary content is associated to secondary derivative content based on the secondary information identifier. Finally, the secondary derivative content is rendered instead of the primary content, to the output device at the receiving device at a normal speed for the secondary derivative content.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: OpenTV, Inc.Inventor: Esteban Sardera
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Publication number: 20130209067Abstract: A media player enables insertion of advertising content during playback of received content. This facilitates targeted product placement, advertisements, and the like. The media player identifies an advertising insertion event, which may be based on a viewer profile. Upon identification of an advertising insertion event, the media player varies playback of the received content to add advertising information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventor: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
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Patent number: 8483546Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for receiving recording or other commands are provided. In operation, a command is received during the display of a commercial for a media program, the media program and a date and time for the media program are identified, and the command is executed based on the date and time. The command may be to record the program or send a reminder to the display regarding the media program. A viewer is allowed to send the command during the commercial without requiring the user to go to a second screen, such as a recording screen, or to enter additional commands. The date and time of the media program may be identified through metadata associated with the commercial or through the review of an interactive programming guide.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Linda I. Borghesani, David Philbin
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Patent number: 8483547Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a recording section configured to record a personal content created by an individual on a predetermined recording medium, a meta data generating section configured to generate meta data for the personal content by analyzing details of the personal content, an advertisement content obtaining section configured to obtain an advertisement content corresponding to the meta data from a predetermined advertisement content providing server, and a controller configured to control the personal content and the advertisement content to be recorded on the recording medium via the recording section.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Naohiro Yokoo
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Patent number: 8463108Abstract: A device plays back programming content in a trick mode while an advertising segment record is monitored. When an advertising segment beginning identified by the advertising segment record is encountered, playback of the programming content temporarily ceases. One or more advertisements are played back during the advertising segment, and then playback of the programming content in the trick mode resumes after an ending of the advertising segment is encountered.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Victor S. Lee, Pradip K. Fatehpuria
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Publication number: 20130142498Abstract: Recording television programs for future playback by enabling the user to record a plurality of programs that have sequential units of commercial content. There is sequential sensing for commercial content units. When a commercial content unit is reached, it is removed for separate storage. A determination is made as to whether the removed commercial content unit is the same as a previous commercial content unit that has been removed. Any previous commercial unit that has been removed has been stored in a file and a pointer to the file inserted in place of the commercial in the sequential stream of the television program being recorded. Thus, if the removed commercial unit has the same content, i.e. is a repeat of a previous commercial, the inserted pointer will point to the file of the previous commercial.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Corry, Mark A. Peloquin, Steven L. Pratt, Karl M. Rister, Andrew M. Theurer
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Patent number: 8437617Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for the identification of locations in a presentation stream based on metadata associated with the presentation stream. Locations within a presentation stream are identified using location information and/or signature data associated with the presentation stream. The identified locations within a presentation stream may be utilized to identify boundaries of segments within the presentation stream, such as segments of a show. The boundaries of the segments may then be utilized to change the volume of segments or playback a segment at a non-real time presentation rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Steven Michael Casagrande
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Publication number: 20130101272Abstract: Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Michael A. Plotnick, Robert F. Deitrich, Charles A. Eldering, Douglas J. Ryder, Herbert M. Lustig
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Patent number: 8422859Abstract: A multimedia processing system identifies chapter breaks in a program represented by multimedia data through an analysis of audio content of a portion of the multimedia data so as to identify an interval that potentially represents a chapter break. This audio analysis can include an analysis to identify changes in high frequency edges in the audio content, an analysis to identify changes in the total energy in a central frequency band of the audio content, an analysis to identify patterns of sequentially repeating values in the audio content, an analysis to identify changes in bitrate, or some combination thereof. One or more variances in the audio information at (e.g., before) the start of the interval and the audio information at (e.g., after) the end of the interval then may be used to identify or otherwise characterize the interval as representing an actual chapter break.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: VIXS Systems Inc.Inventor: Hong Zeng
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Patent number: 8417096Abstract: A method for determining a playing position of media content based on media content fingerprints is described. In an embodiment, the playing of an advertisement may be detected by determining that one or more fingerprints of media content being played are associated with an advertisement portion of the media content. In an embodiment, an advertisement may be detected by identifying the persons associated with the faces in the advertisement portion of the media content and determining that the identified persons are not actors listed for the media content. In an embodiment, the advertisement may be enhanced with additional content pertaining to the product or service being advertised. In an embodiment, the advertisement may be automatically fast-forwarded, muted, or replaced with an alternate advertisement. In an embodiment, only a non-advertisement portion of the media content may be recorded by skipping over the detected advertisement portion of the media content.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventors: Amir H. Gharaat, James M. Barton, Mukesh K. Patel
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Publication number: 20130077940Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for tracking presentation of content. In one aspect, a method includes segmenting a video into two or more segments. Each segment of the video can be a variably selected disjoint subset of the video. A client-side video player determines that playback of the video has reached the end of one of the segments. A presentation type for the video is determined, where the presentation type being one of an advertisement presentation or a non-advertisement presentation. The playback data is provided to a server-side data processing apparatus that stores the playback data in a data store. The playback data indicate the presentation type for the video and that playback of the video reached the end of the one of the segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Lane P. Shackleton, Jamieson R. Kerns, Matthew S. Marzilli, Mauricio Zuluaga
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Patent number: 8401366Abstract: A method and apparatus for downloading ancillary program data to a DVR. An embodiment allows multimedia device users to select programs to record or download movie or music over a network, such as the Internet, from a content provider. The system automatically downloads and stores ancillary program data that is directly related to, and associated with, a program that has been selected for recording or content requested for download. When a user selects a program to view the user is offered the opportunity to browse ancillary program data associated with the program and view an ancillary program data. The service can charge the content provider or an advertiser for each time their ancillary program data is viewed by a user. The ancillary programming is deleted when the associated recorded program is deleted.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: TiVo Inc.Inventor: James M. Barton
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Patent number: 8397255Abstract: A digital television recording method comprising: broadcasting a television program associated with a broadcaster set of parameters enabling access to a first set of predetermined portions of the program; operating an agent for determining whether to record the program and for associating with the program, upon recording of the program, an agent set of parameters enabling access to a second set of predetermined portions of the program; storing the program together with the broadcaster set of parameters and the agent set of parameters to generate an addressable program; retrieving at least a portion of the addressable program; displaying the at least a portion of the addressable program to a user; receiving from the user a user set of parameters enabling access to a third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program; editing the addressable program to include the user set of parameters enabling access to the third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program thereby generating an editedType: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: NDS LimitedInventors: Reuven Wachtfogel, David Richardson, Shlomo Kipnis, Jonathan Maissel, Yossef Tsuria, Yonatan Silver
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Publication number: 20130058629Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which reduces or removes the effectiveness of commercial skip systems such as presently found in VCRs, PVRs, etc. which are designed to delete commercials from signal material upon playback of a previously recorded version of the signal material. In an embodiment, the effectiveness of the commercial skip system is reduced or removed by adding a flat field of selected signal level to active line portions of video lines of the signal material. Other embodiments modify the normal fade to black signal indicative of a commercial to provide a fade to non-black signal. In further embodiments, a fade to non-black signal is inserted in an overscan area of the signal picture. Still further embodiments modify audio signals or selected signals in the horizontal blanking interval which may be used in commercial skip systems to detect the presence of commercials.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Inventors: Ronald Quan, John O. Ryan, Peter Wonfor
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Patent number: 8369686Abstract: Video advertising overlay technique embodiments are presented that generally detect a set of spatio-temporal nonintrusive positions within a series of consecutive video frames in shots of a digital video and then overlay contextually relevant ads on these positions. In one general embodiment, this is accomplished by decomposing the video into a series of shots, and then identifying a video advertisement for each of a selected set of the shots. The identified video advertisement is one that is determined to be the most relevant to the content of the shot. An overlay area is also identified in each of the shots, where the selected overlay area is the least intrusive among a plurality of prescribed areas to a viewer of the video. The video advertisements identified for the shots are then respectively scheduled to be overlaid in the identified overlay area of a shot, whenever the shot is played.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Tao Mei, Xian-Sheng Hua, Shipeng Li, Jinlian Guo
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Patent number: 8369687Abstract: A method embeds product information in videos with product placements using an electronic device. The electronic device defines product information of one or more products that are embedded in a video, and embeds the product information in an image file having a file format that is compatible with the video, the embedding according to appearance times of the one or more products. During display of the video on the display device, the electronic device determines whether the image file includes product information about a product that is presented during display of the video. If the image file includes product information about the product, the electronic device displays a prompt on the display device concurrently with the product. After receiving a selection operation to select the prompt, the electronic device displays the product information on the display device.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chung-I Lee, Chien-Fa Yeh, Ho-I Sun, Shan-Chuan Jeng
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Patent number: 8364021Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to manage previously recorded programs. In at least one embodiment identifies a plurality of previously recorded programs, categorizes each one of the plurality of previously recorded programs into one of a plurality of recorded program categories, and generates a recorded program category-based graphical user interface (GUI). The recorded program category-based GUI graphically depicts the plurality of recorded program categories and graphically depicts an amount of memory capacity utilized by each of the plurality of recorded program categories based upon an amount of memory capacity utilized by the previously recorded programs.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: Richard Kuhn
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Patent number: 8358910Abstract: An information signal is received, which includes a main information content signal carrying the contents of the information, a CM portion signal carrying commercial messages (CM) and an information mode discriminating signal used for discriminating information modes of the main information content signal and the CM signal from each other according to the contents. A video signal is encoded per plurality of several video frames, the video signal including the main information content signal and the CM portion signal. The encoded video signal is recorded in a storage medium. The video signal is reproduced, during the recording, from the storage medium while the CM portion signal is skipped. The received main information content signal and CM portion signal are recorded in the storage medium. The information mode discriminating signal is recorded in the storage medium or another temporary storage medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: JVC Kenwood CorporationInventors: Daisaku Kato, Kazuya Tanabe
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Patent number: 8351761Abstract: Specified video segments within a video stream are identified. The identified video can represent commercials or can represent portions within the program information. The user can identify these undesired portions of the video. A signature generation unit produces a signature that indicates information about the undesirable video. The signatures are stored. Current video is compared with the signatures to identify portions of the video that correspond to the specified video segments. The identified portions are handled in a different way, for example, they can be played less prominently, or skipped. The signal indicative of the video stream can be produced at a different time than the signature generation. In addition, the signature generation can use biometric techniques.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Harris Technology, LLCInventor: Scott C. Harris
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Patent number: 8331763Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for synchronizing a reproduction time of a time-shifted content with a reproduction time of a real-time content. The apparatus includes a tuner/demodulator which tunes broadcasting signals and demodulates the tuned digital broadcasting signals so as to output the broadcasting signals in forms of transport streams, a demultiplexer which demultiplexes the output transport streams so as to divide the transport streams into video data, audio data, and supplementary information and output the video data, audio data, and supplementary information, a data refining unit which removes unnecessary frames from the video data and the audio data, and an HDD which stores the video data and the audio data, from which the unnecessary frames are removed.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jang-seok Seo, Sung-hwan Min
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Publication number: 20120308208Abstract: A personal video recorder (PVR) enabled set-top box (STB) may be operable to store an advertisement and associated playback control information received from a media provider into a storage device in the PVR enabled STB, schedule the stored advertisement for viewing based on the associated playback control information. The PVR enabled STB may be operable to insert the stored advertisement into media content for one or more times based on the scheduling. The PVR enabled STB may be operable to cause display of the stored advertisement and the media content in different transport formats. At a forward/reverse playback position during a PVR playback, the PVR enabled STB may be operable to cause display of the stored advertisement when a play count associated with the stored advertisement is less than a count threshold at the forward/reverse playback position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATIONInventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Xuemin Chen
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Patent number: 8326122Abstract: Apparatus which records and reproduces signals includes a unit which receives signals, a first recorder which records the signals received by the unit on a first recording medium, and a first reproducer which reproduces the signals recorded on the first recording medium. A second recorder is provided which records the signals reproduced by the first reproducer on a second recording medium, a detector is provided which detects a commercial message portion from the signals recorded on the second recording medium, and a second reproducer is provided which reproduces the signals recorded on the second recording medium while excluding the commercial message portion detected by the detector.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kouji Fujita, Hideo Nishijima, Motoyoshi Sasaki
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Signal discriminating device, signal processing device, image display device, and reproducing device
Patent number: 8315505Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a signal discriminating device realizing signal discrimination which enables a more appropriate signal process to be performed according to a signal source and a state of an input video signal. The signal discriminating device includes: a comparing section comparing a motion magnitude between two fields of an input video signal with one or more predetermined motion magnitude patterns which are provided in correspondence with one or more signal sources, so as to determine one or more degrees of match or mismatch between the motion magnitude and the motion magnitude patterns; and a discriminating section discriminating a signal source of the input video signal in consideration of the degree of certainty or uncertainty of discrimination, the degree of certainty or uncertainty being determined on the basis of the degrees of match or mismatch determined in the comparing section.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Koji Miyata, Nobuyuki Sudou -
Patent number: 8311390Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for identifying advertisement breaks in digital video files. Generally, an advertisement break identification module receives a digital video file and generates an edge response for each of one or more frames extracted from the video file. If one of the generated edge responses for a particular frame is less than a predefined threshold, then the module identifies the particular frame as the start of an advertisement break. The module then generates further edge responses for frames subsequent to the identified particular frame. Once an edge response is generated for a particular subsequent frame that is greater than the threshold, it is identified as the end of the advertisement break. The video file may then be manipulated or transformed, such as by associating metadata with the advertisement break for a variety of uses, removing the advertisement break from the video file, etc.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Digitalsmiths, Inc.Inventor: Matthew G. Berry
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Patent number: 8306391Abstract: A method for operating a data reproduction device enables users to resume reproduction of audio and/or video content across different devices of the same or different type. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of receiving first index data from a different data reproduction device wherein the first index data indicates a first position in content in a first format and the content includes at least one of audio and video data, determining a second position in the content in a second format using the first index data, and enabling reproduction of the content in the second format beginning from the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Manoj Viswambharan, Louis Robert Litwin
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Patent number: 8306392Abstract: Problem: It is to automatically recognize CM-broadcast periods, while video-recording television broadcast, without interfering with simultaneous access action to the medium for video-recording the television broadcast. Means to Solve the Problem: By detecting transition points in an audio video signal of a television broadcast, recognizing a CM broadcast period when the points occur at intervals specific to CM-broadcast periods, and controlling to record into a recording medium at a predetermined timing, time information of plural CM-broadcast periods determined to be continuous, the frequency to access the recording medium can be reduced, which results in simultaneously recording inputted video images and time information of CM-broadcast periods into the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Hidetsugu Suginohara, Isao Otsuka
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Patent number: 8290344Abstract: In a television receiver including a video recording/reproducing apparatus therein, since reduction is quick in a recording space thereof if recording the high-definition television broadcast signal as it is, even including a recording medium, such as, a HDD of large capacity, for example, video, audio and caption data are extracted within a video extract portion 3, an audio extract portion 4, a caption extract portion 5 from a MPEG2-TS (Transport Stream) signal (TS=video+audio+caption data+BML (Broadcast Markup Language)+other data), but except for the BML data. And, those data extracted are recorded in a recording/reproducing portion 7.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Katsunobu Kimura, Yasushi Naito, Satoshi Takahashi, Satoshi Iimuro