Abstract: A method of identifying target video content is provided. The method includes accessing content metadata of a video content item at a content storage. The method also includes determining at least one content signature based on the video content item and determining whether the video content item includes target content based at least partially on the content signature and the content metadata.

Abstract: Many media streams contain “objects” that repeat. Repeating objects in a media stream are defined as any section of non-negligible duration, i.e., a song, video, advertisement, jingle, etc., which would be considered to be a logical unit by a human listener or viewer. An “object controller” identifies such repeating objects as they occur, and provides an interactive user interface for allowing users to specify how individual repeating objects are to be handled either in real time, or upon subsequent occurrences of particular repeating objects. In general, the object controller includes a mechanism for identifying repeating objects, a mechanism for identifying temporal endpoints of those objects, a user interface for specifying actions to be taken when a particular object repeats within a media stream, and, in one embodiment, a buffer having sufficient length to allow for real-time deletion of objects from the media stream without obvious interruption in the stream.

Abstract: In an interactive method for restoring messages in an automated message broadcast system, the automated message broadcast system comprises at least a message storage system (10) storing messages and a message restoring device (13), the message storage system (10) being capable of transmitting stored messages to the message restoring device (13), the message storage system (10) capable of carrying out a number of operations on a message during transmission. The message storage system (10) accepts to perform the operations on the message during transmission only after expiry of a minimum delay as from the beginning of the transmission of the message to the message restoring device (13).

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods to associate related market broadcast detections with a multi-market media broadcast are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for classifying a first video type and a second video type in a digital video signal having a series of frames is disclosed. The method generally includes a first step of (A) reading a first set of parameters defining an active portion of a first of the frames. A second step may involve (B) reading a second set of parameters defining an active portion of a second of the frames. A third step includes (C) comparing the first set of the parameters with the second set of parameters to generate a comparison value. As such, (D) if the comparison value is above a predetermined threshold, indicating the first video type and (E) if the comparison value is not above the predetermined value, indicating the second video type.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a plurality of digital video recorders to a plurality of video transmitters via first transmission lines and for connecting the plurality of digital video recorders to a playback receiver via second transmission lines. The playback receiver incorporates an external synchronizing generator for externally synchronizing the plurality of the digital video recorders and the video transmitters. The recorders receiving the video signals generate and inject into the output signals a signal corresponding to identification codes allotted to each video signals. The playback receiver has a selection control circuit receiving selectively and synchronously any individually coded playback or monitored signal, or multiple playback or monitored signals which are displayed individually or in a split screen, respectively.

Abstract: A networked system is disclosed for presenting advertising during on-line interactions between a user and a service of a network (e.g., the Internet, interactive cable, and/or a LAN). Advertisements (ads) are presented to a networked user unrequestedly during user interactions with the service. The user can activate the ads (via hyperlinks) for receiving additional advertising. The system gathers user data and/or develops user profiles for selectively presenting ads, promotionals, discounts, etc. targeted to receptive users. In exchange for viewing such selective presentations, on-line access to the service is provided, the service including, e.g., (a) playing on-line interactive games (e.g., blackjack and poker), (b) providing access to the network itself (e.g., an Internet service provider), and/or (c) providing access to substantially any interactive service accessible via (b). The system can provide free/reduced cost network services to the user for viewing unrequested advertising.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for correlating a cost of receiving media to a user's exposure to advertising. A media display system including a media recorder detects and reports that a media display system user has skipped over an advertising program without watching or listening to the advertising program. A fee is calculated and charged to the user in lieu of the user's watching or listening to the advertising program. Alternatively, a user may subscribe to a service that allows the user to skip over some or all advertising programs displayed on the media display system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for object retransmission in an asynchronous environment without a continuous network connection in a digital media distributor (DMD) system. The method includes 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.

Abstract: A method for scheduling and transmitting messages is disclosed. The method comprises storing a plurality of audio files in an audio database, generating a schedule of queued messages via the plurality of audio files, transmitting the queued messages based on the schedule, reconfiguring the schedule based on a user interaction delivering the queued messages in accordance with the reconfigured schedule. Through the use of the method in accordance with the present invention, a scheduled plurality of messages can be transmitted in a clear and professional manner. Additionally, “ad hoc” messages can be incorporated into the schedule without significantly disrupting the other messages.

Abstract: Verifying dynamically generated operations on a data store includes carrying out setup actions for access to the data store, the setup actions being based at least in part on a request for which the dynamically generated operations will be generated. The carrying out of setup actions includes permissions being set for portions of the data store to establish a restricted portion of the data store and an unrestricted portion of the data store, as well as using one or more additional techniques to check whether any unexpected changes were made to the unrestricted portion or to lock access to parts of the unrestricted portion. After the dynamically generated operations are performed, a verification is made that no unexpected work was performed by the dynamically generated operations. If unexpected work was performed then the operations are determined to be not correct for the request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing media are described. In one example, a method of characterizing media includes capturing a block of audio; converting at least a portion of the block of audio into a frequency domain representation; dividing the frequency domain representation into a plurality of bands; determining a characteristic difference of a first band of the plurality of bands based on a comparison of a characteristic of the first band and a characteristic of a second band different from the first band, wherein the characteristic of the first band occurs at a time that is different than a time at which the characteristic of the second band takes place; and determining a signature bit based on a characteristic difference. Other examples are shown and described.

Abstract: Methods, and apparatuses for optimizing advertisements for an end user during are provided. More specifically, a Television signal may be broadcast to the end user with commercial segments inserted therein. The commercial segments may be transmitted with meta tags that identify information related to the commercial segment. Data from the meta tag for a commercial segment may be compared to local parameters associated with the end user to identify a commercial that should be played during the commercial segment.

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

Abstract: A method and system for providing television programming content and interactive data services is provided. In one embodiment, the interactive content is displayed on the television concurrently with television programming content and facilitates game play between viewers. The game may be scored for each viewer based on selection data from the viewer and event data that is determined by events occurring in the television programming content. In addition, the interactive content may present a message that conveys an incentive to the viewer to take some action such as actuating a button when a particular commercial is presented thereby allowing the service provider and advertisers to determine how many, and which, viewers watched a particular commercial.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein generally provide for the compensation of asset providers and/or communications network providers for the non-consumption of assets provided with programming In this regard when users elect not to consume the assets associated with the programming, the asset provider loses the opportunity to present their assets to such non-consuming users and is thereby injured in relation to the price they have paid for the delivery of their assets. In one arrangement, a reporting module at a customer device is operative to identify when a user skips an asset and report that skip event to the network. This information may then be utilized to adjust the bill of the asset provider and/or to bill the user associated with the skip event.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for sending targeted advertising data, the method including monitoring in a plurality of data communications networks, single sign on (SSO) subscriber event data from a first SSO subscriber end user device and a second SSO subscriber end user device, calculating product interest correlation scores in a plurality of advertising categories for an SSO subscriber advertising profile based on the monitoring SSO subscriber event data, selecting advertising data in at least one of the advertising categories from an advertiser database based on the SSO subscriber advertising profile, selecting a format to deliver the selected advertising data to a third SSO subscriber end user device and sending the targeted advertising data to the third SSO subscriber end user device. A system and a computer program are disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for providing an interrelationship between a processor and data structure data.

Abstract: A Logic Analyzer has an intuitive and informative analog presentation of signal activity and threshold settings formed by gathering a collection of factors pertaining to the measurement to be performed, such as information about which channels are members of labeled collections. A scan of signal activity is performed for each assigned channel as its threshold is briefly swept. This produces a range of voltage that describes that signal's signal activity. For each Probe Pod these ranges are then displayed in columns as adjacent vertical segments of a voltage swing Y axis along a channels-within-a-probe-pod X axis. The Y axis is labeled with actual voltage values. Superimposed upon this analog style display is a horizontal line indicating the associated threshold for that Probe Pod. Further annotations include channel identifiers and signal activity indicators whose shapes connote recurring transitions and signals that appear to be ‘stuck’ either HIGH or LOW.

Abstract: A method in a television broadcasting system in which a transmission unit controls the presentation of items of enhanced content during a running program and the presentation of the items of enhanced content is triggered in response to receipt by the transmission unit of periodic indications embedded in the running program, the method comprising: measuring for each periodic indication, a criterion indicative of the quality of that periodic indication; storing the measured criteria as quality data; and, during the running program, if no indication is received by the transmission unit for a predetermined time, accessing the quality date to determine an expected indication quality, and: if the expected indication quality is above a threshold quality level, suspending the triggering of enhanced content, and if the expected indication quality is below the threshold triggering the presentation of enhanced content

Abstract: Declarative page view and click tracking systems and methods are described. To utilize page view and/or click tracking, a web page developer includes a link identifier in a function call or build anchor tag call of a web page. A tracking server identifies links that include the link identifier and replaces the links with modified links that include a tracking identifier for use with a tracking system. When a modified link is selected, tracking is initiated for the link. If the tracking cannot be initiated within a specified timeout period, a client is redirected to the site identified in the link without waiting for the tracking to occur.

Abstract: A system for automatically tuning a primary broadcast receiver using a secondary broadcast receiver to receive a first broadcast signal corresponding to a source of an origin program, one or more program transition detectors to monitor first broadcast signal tuned by the secondary broadcast receiver to determine and signal a transition from a non-original program content to origin program content while a user views or hears alternate programming from a primary broadcast receiver, and automatically tuning of the primary broadcast receiver to the first broadcast signal upon detection by the program transition detector that one or more of user-specific tune conditions have been met.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Recordings of broadcast audio content often contain errors (e.g., noise, signal loss, interference, talkover). A method and apparatus are provided for improving the quality of such a recording. Multiple recordings of a broadcast audio program are identified, and are aligned according to some time index of the program, such as the beginning, midpoint or end of one of the recordings. Samples of each recording are taken and compared. If a majority (or plurality) of the samples agree (e.g., they match within an allowable threshold of variance), one of them is used to generate or populate a new recording. If there is no majority (or plurality), one of the samples may be chosen at random, on the basis of which recording has most often been in the majority (or plurality), or on some other basis. Or, the method may be repeated or extended to obtain samples of other recordings.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing targeted video promotional material is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a promotional item for display on a video terminal, determining whether the promotional item was skipped, and updating a profile corresponding to the promotional item or a viewer of the promotional item based on whether or not the promotional item was skipped.

Abstract: A system for delivering contents includes a center system which delivers the contents, a plurality of terminal systems which receive the contents from the center system and displays the contents, and communication lines connecting the center system to the plurality of terminal systems. The center system includes a delivery-schedule setting unit which sets a schedule of delivery, and a contents-delivery unit which delivers the contents to the terminal systems according to the schedule of delivery during a time period when a load on the terminal systems is lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A viewer of an interactive video casting system can be presented with promotions having purchase offers or offers of credits toward future purchases. These promotions can be provided by correlating a program being viewed with user profile information and product information. If presented with the promotion while viewing a program, the viewer can buy products/services offered in the promotion, or defer the promotion for future viewing or as a credit. Credits toward a future purchase can be maintained in a storage area for the user and applied to a later purchase. Promotions can also be correlated to other interactive video casting tools or interfaces, such as the user's calendar, so that promotions relevant to calendar entries can be presented to the user.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, database structures, and reports for informing consumers of changes in times and channels at which episodes of a television (TV) series are aired on television each week. Based on prior TV listings, an expected time-channel (i.e., day-of-week, time, and channel) for airing a TV series is derived. Actual time-channels for a given week are compared with the expected time-channels to determine whether a deviation from the expected time-channel has occurred. If the deviation has occurred, then the deviation is classified, stored in a database, and transferred to a report that shows a list of such deviations for various TV series.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver and a method for processing broadcast data are disclosed. A method for processing a broadcast signal including a table of a Program Specific Information (PSI) or Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) includes: receiving a broadcast signal including identifier (ID) information for identifying broadcast advertisement data; detecting the ID information from the received broadcast signal; and controlling the broadcast advertisement data whether or not to be stored in a memory the base on the detected ID information.

Abstract: In a content display system 100, a control unit 210 of a controller 200 performs a display control process. During the display control process, moreover, a reproduction monitoring process is performed, to thereby monitor whether or not content is displayed as scheduled. In the reproduction monitoring process, a pattern corresponding to the content is laid over the content in a display period corresponding to the display period of the content, and is used for the display performed by a display device 300. On the other hand, on a detection device 400, a pattern through the display performed by the display device 300 is detected. The detected pattern is compared with the pattern laid over the content by a comparison unit 240. The control unit 210 judges that the content is displayed as scheduled, if the both patterns match as a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Idle Video-On-Demand (VOD) channel capacity is used to deliver promotional content to selected set-top boxes (STBs) in a cable television network. Commercial segment cues are used to instruct a set-top box to switch away from a broadcast program to the VOD channel during a commercial segment, and then switch back again to the original broadcast program at the end of the segment. More particularly, a promotion server determines an asset to be distributed such as a targeted promotion item (e.g., a commercial), and a list of STBs that are to receive it. The promotion server causes the video promotion content to be stored in VOD servers located at the head ends. A scheduler process then delivers schedule messages to head end message servers which identify each promotion asset, and an STB which is to receive it. The head end message server notifies its associated VOD server which then cues the asset by loading the asset, starting the asset, but pausing it.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for gathering audience measurement data relating to receipt of and/or exposure to audio data by an audience member. Audio data is monitored to detect a monitoring code. Based on detection of the monitoring code, a signature characterizing the audio data is extracted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for facilitating video test screening on an electronic visual communications network. One step is to establish a database for a video test screening audience. The database contains audience member information and ID numbers for the audience members. A further step is establishing a test screening audience database. Audience members are selected without regard to the time a person was added to the database, or in a sequence according to the time a person volunteered to serve, or by a combination involving both techniques. Members of the audience are given a special access code to be entered with the member's identification number in order to gain access to the test video for test screening on the network. Verification codes and quizzing of the members may also be used for viewing verification.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In a broadband communications system, e.g., a cable system, programming content can be readily reserved and accessed for viewing using an interactive program guide, a network home graphic user interface (GUI), Quick View Guide, etc., in accordance with the invention. Such programming content may include in-progress programs, future programs and previously broadcast programs which are recorded at a headend in the cable system, and which may or may not have overlapping broadcast times. In addition, the user may reserve programs at a set-top terminal, and may also do so remotely from the terminal through a communications network such as, the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a wireless telephone network, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for learning-based automatic commercial content detection are described. In one aspect, program data is divided into multiple segments. The segments are analyzed to determine visual, audio, and context-based feature sets that differentiate commercial content from non-commercial content. The context-based features are a function of single-side left and/or right neighborhoods of segments of the multiple segments.

Abstract: A system that inserts subscriber identification information includes, in a preferred embodiment, a system with a memory for storing subscriber identification information and a processor configured to insert the subscriber identification information into a media presentation to improve traceability of copied presentations to a subscriber.

Abstract: A time-dependent hyperlink is associated with a video of a content server. The time dependent link is cross-referenced with coordinates and time that it appears in the video. A user may select the time-dependent hyperlink by selecting the hyperlink when is displayed by the video. The coordinates of the selection, including time, are used to determine the hyperlink that was selected. The browser being used can then be switched to a new session indicated by the hyperlink.

Abstract: Advertisers want to deliver their message in a relatively short period of time. This leads to the product name, company name and other identifying features being repeated frequently during a commercial broadcast. Transcript information can be used to detect commercials by detecting frequently occurring words in the commercials. This can also be used to identify an individual commercial from other commercials. Once the individual commercials have been identified, the transcript information corresponding to each commercial can be stored in a database to identify the commercial in subsequent broadcasts, or to provide a search mechanism for searching a particular commercial in the database.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring audio content in a video broadcast. According to the method, an audio datastream from the video broadcast is received, and audio identifying information is generated for audio content from the audio datastream. It is determined whether the audio identifying information generated for the received audio content matches audio identifying information in an audio content database. In one preferred embodiment, the audio identifying information is an audio feature signature that is based on audio content. Also provided is a system for monitoring audio content in a video broadcast.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting segments from a broadcast television signal uses a mean display attribute value of pixels of each successive frame of a video component of the signal to identify segment transitions. Elapsed times between the identified segment transitions are compared with expected durations of segments, in order to detect intervals that are likely to constitute segments. Groups of the detected intervals are subjected to tests to see if they are temporally arranged in an expected distribution typical of segments in broadcast signals. The mean display attribute values concurrent with each detected segment are then used to form a statistical profile for the segment. These statistical profiles may be used to identify re-broadcast segments. Further a stream of mean audio amplitudes is preferably used to supply further segment transitions, to improve segment detection, and to provide more statistical values.

Abstract: An advertising content redelivery system for use with real-time broadcasting and time shift recording includes a confirmation component detecting skipping of advertising content by a user. An input is receptive of user preferences relating to redelivery of skipped advertising content, and a redelivery module redelivers skipped advertising content to the user in accordance with the user preferences. In another aspect, skipped advertising content is redelivered to the user in a non-intrusive manner that does not interfere with user enjoyment of primary media content.

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

Abstract: 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 sai

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a client application for enabling access to an online service and displaying advertisements while the user is accessing the online service. The client application receives play lists from the online service provider. The play lists include information about advertisements to be played and the order of play. The client application also receives match lists from the online service provider. The match lists include information about advertisements to be played when the user performs certain actions. The client application also displays a wide variety of sponsorship information in connection with the online service. The sponsorship information is displayed in hypertext format. The client application provides the user with information related to a sponsor when the user clicks on hypertext associated with the sponsor.

Abstract: A broadcast system provides consumers with inducement to consume portions in which they may not have an active interest, such as commercials. To dissuade consumers from leaving the vicinity of the broadcast receiver or from switching to other broadcasts while a first broadcast airs such a portion, the first broadcast is augmented by a second content entity calculated to be of interest to the consumer. Interaction is required of the consumer in order for him to receive the second content entity, which necessitates his presence and attention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting time compression of broadcast content that has been encoded with time data, includes a processor for comparing encoded time data with broadcast time data to determine whether the content has been time compressed. The method and apparatus additionally detect commercial advertisements inserted between segments and exclude when detecting time compression of the content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for compensating a viewer for viewing of a designated channel with reduction of telephone charges. The system comprises a signal input port to which image signals from a plurality of channels are accessed; a signal output port for supplying the image signals to a picture receiving device for displaying them; a telephone network port to which an external telephone network is accessed; a telephone connection port accessed to a telephone set; a channel filtering unit connected between the signal input port and the signal output port, for outputting only the image signals from a single channel among the plurality of channels to the signal output port; and a controller for controlling the channel filtering unit so that the designated channel is output when making a phone call. With this configuration, an audience rating of the designated channel can increase and the telephone charges of the user can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of limiting the number of presentations or observations of information items, such as advertising images, that are repetitively distributed among a plurality of transmitted materials is presented. In accordance with the principles of the invention, information items are compared, using identifiable properties, to similarly identified information items that have been previously received and stored in a dynamically created and updated data base of information items. When a count of number of the occurrences of a selected information item with same, or substantially similar, identifiable properties achieves a selectively set threshold value, the selected information item is precluded from being presented or observed in subsequent transmissions or broadcasts.

Abstract: A system for accessing a remote processor on a network The system includes a data set relating to a commercial event, embedded in a broadcast. A receiving device responsive to a non-video portion of said broadcast is operable to detect the data set and extracting received data therefrom. A local processor, having an input for receiving the received data, a first memory for storing the received data and an output is operable for accessing a program stored in a second memory for processing the received data. A communication device is coupled to the output and responsive to the program and the received data for facilitating connection of the local processor with the remote processor via said network.