The PTO publishes new pending patent applications on Thursdays. Both of today's Spotlight Applications concern aspects of digital fingerprinting. Assigned to Dish Digital, the first application discloses techniques for pre-distribution identification of broadcast television content using audio fingerprints. Apparently assigned to Cognitive Media Networks, Inc., the second application discloses techniques for real-time television ad detection using an automated content recognition database.
20140282662, "Pre-distribution identification of broadcast television content using audio fingerprints," assigned to Dish Digital LLC.
Abstract
Systems, devices and methods are provided to automatically identify advertisements or other portions of a broadcast television stream before the stream is distributed via a cable, DBS, IPTV or other medium. The television broadcast is received at the data processing system, and audio content of the television broadcast is analyzed to generate an audio fingerprint of a portion of the audio content. The identified audio fingerprint are compared to audio fingerprints stored in a database to thereby identify the portion of the television broadcast based on the generated audio fingerprint. By identifying the contents of an actual broadcast prior to redistribution of the broadcast, additional actions may be taken that are unique to the identified content.20140282673, "Systems and methods for real-time television ad detection using an automated content recognition database," apparently assigned to Cognitive Media Networks, Inc.
Abstract
A system and method for the automated real-time detection and processing of commercial messages, public service announcements or similar short-duration, repeated TV programming segments occurring in one or more broadcast video steams is described. A process is utilized that identifies possible commercial segments by identifying discrete video segments that have specific short durations among other attributes. Video segments that appear to have these characteristics are considered likely to be television commercials, promotions, or public service announcements and are stored in a TV Ad database which is separate from the primary television content database. Incoming video from a plurality of television programming sources is process into fingerprints and placed in a master TV content database. At the same time, said incoming programming is tested for matches in a TV ad database. If a match is found, then the presumed TV ad is removed from the master content database.
