Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080276325 | Method and apparatus for providing content control via detection of modifications to a signal - A method and apparatus is provided for generating or providing any of various types of modifications purposely made to generally known signals, waveforms, conditions, functions, etc. The modifications are sensed, read, detected or interpreted to provide a content control command indicative of the difference between the original signal, waveform, condition, functions, etc., and the modified signal, waveform, condition, function, etc. The content control command may be used to provide content control for a content control system, which in turn may provide control of a selected compliant device. | 11-06-2008 |
20080292269 | MEHTOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING COPY PROTECTION INFORMATION SEPARATELY FROM PROTECTED CONTENT - A copy protection apparatus and method enabling storage of copy protection information separately from protected content is disclosed. One embodiment includes a digital data signal receiver to receive a digital data signal, the digital data signal receiver also to receive a copy protection signal produced from a copy protection information file being storable on a copy protection information storage device, a digital to analog converter operatively connected to the digital data signal receiver for converting the digital data signal to an analog signal, and a signal modifier connected to the digital to analog converter and the digital data signal receiver to produce a viewable copy protected analog signal from the analog signal and the copy protection signal, the copy protection signal specifying a modification to the analog signal to change video lines of the analog signal. | 11-27-2008 |
20080309816 | TELEVISION CONTENT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH CROSS-PLATFORM CAPABILITY - Method and apparatus for content control of television signals which operate over multiple television standards and include flags, control bits, data copy, copy protection signals and/or video modification signals. Content control for high definition television signals is provided operative with television-type devices, such as television transmitters, signal translators, recorders, players and others. This approach to content control is intended to operate both with the legacy analog television standards and new higher definition television standards, including the various HDTV standards to convert and detect content control information for use across standards. Thus this provides a multiple standard definition television content control apparatus and method with cross-platform capabilities | 12-18-2008 |
20090052866 | Method and apparatus for synthesizing a copy protection or content control signal with improved playability of a TV set - Playability of a copy protected video signal is improved by reducing the darkening and or venetian blind effects which tend to cause artifacts in a video signal display. To this end, the copy protection signal includes automatic gain control (AGC) signals or pulses in video lines in a portion of the active or viewable video field or frame, wherein the AGC pulses comprise non similar AGC signals from one video line to another video line. The dis-similar AGC pulses may include pulses which are deleted, blanked, attenuated, pulse width modified, modulated, etc. In addition, selected sync pulses may be pulse width, amplitude and or position modified. | 02-26-2009 |
20090252342 | Method and apparatus to measure differential phase and frequency modulation distortions for audio equipment - A testing method or apparatus utilizes multiple frequencies applied to a device under test for measuring newly discovered frequency modulation effects. An embodiment may include a lower frequency signal with a smaller amplitude higher frequency signal to test a dynamic change in frequency response, gain, and or phase. This dynamic test can reveal frequency modulation effects. Another embodiment may include the use of a multiple frequency signal to dynamically induce a time varying phase or frequency distortion for the device that has differential phase distortion. The device's output is then measured with an FM detector to measure a shift in one of the frequencies used in the test signal or to measure frequency modulation effects of any signals, including distortion products, from the device. Yet another embodiment of the invention may include biasing a device with a voltage to span the output voltage range of the device while measuring harmonic or intermodulation distortion or phase or frequency response at the various operating points. | 10-08-2009 |
20090261808 | Method and apparatus to measure differential phase and frequency modulation distortions for audio equipment - A testing method or apparatus utilizes multiple frequencies applied to a device under test for measuring newly discovered frequency modulation effects. An embodiment may include a lower frequency signal with a smaller amplitude higher frequency signal to test a dynamic change in frequency response, gain, and or phase. This dynamic test can reveal frequency modulation effects. Another embodiment may include the use of a multiple frequency signal to dynamically induce a time varying phase or frequency distortion for the device that has differential phase distortion. The device's output is then measured with an FM detector to measure a shift in one of the frequencies used in the test signal or to measure frequency modulation effects of any signals, including distortion products, from the device. Yet another embodiment of the invention may include biasing a device with a voltage to span the output voltage range of the device while measuring harmonic or intermodulation distortion or phase or frequency response at the various operating points. | 10-22-2009 |
20100021133 | METHOD FOR COPY PROTECTION FOR VIDEO SIGNAL WITH ADDED PULSES - Enhancements to a video anticopying process that causes an abnormally low amplitude video signal to be recorded on an illegal copy. In one version, positive going pulses are added to the video signal. The enhancements in one version introduce into the overscan portion of the television picture, just prior to the horizontal or vertical sync signals but in active video, a negative going waveform that appears to the television receiver or videotape recorder to be a sync signal, thereby causing an early horizontal or vertical retrace. One version provides (in the right overscan portion of the picture), a checker pattern of alternating gray and black areas which causes the TV set on which the illegal copy is played to horizontally retrace earlier than normal in selected lines with a consequential horizontal shift of the picture information on those lines. This substantially degrades picture viewability. In another version a gray pattern at the bottom overscan portion of the picture causes vertical picture instability. In another version selected horizontal sync signals are narrowed, causing irregular vertical retraces. Also provided is apparatus for removing or attenuating these enhancements from the video signal, to allow copying. | 01-28-2010 |
20100054469 | Method and apparatus for synthesizing copy protection for reducing/defeating the effectiveness or capability of a circumvention device - A new copy protection signal includes resistance to certain circumvention devices and includes improved playability. The new copy protection signal causes the certain circumvention devices to pass substantially the copy protection effects to a video recorder or to allow for content control effectiveness on a compliant device. The new copy protection signal also causes the circumvention device to add or enhance copy protection effectiveness, which is contrary to the circumvention device's original intent of removing or reducing copy protection effectiveness. The new copy protection signal is provided by inserting or adding one or more pseudo sync pulses or one or more pseudo sync/AGC pulse pairs immediately after, or one line after, a vertical sync signal in at least one television line. | 03-04-2010 |
20100054700 | Method and apparatus for providing in a media player a copy protection signal that negates a circumvention device and or provides improved playability - A media player provides a new copy protection signal which causes resistance to certain circumvention devices and includes improved playability. The new copy protection signal causes the certain circumvention devices to pass substantially the copy protection effects to a video recorder, or causes content control effectiveness on a compliant device. That is, the new copy protection signal from the media player causes the circumvention device to add or enhance copy protection effectiveness, which is contrary to the circumvention device's original intent of removing or reducing copy protection effectiveness. The new copy protection signal is provided by inserting or adding one or more pseudo sync pulses or one or more pseudo sync/AGC pulse pairs immediately after, one line after, or less than two and a half lines after, a vertical sync signal in at least one television line. Thus, the media player utilizes the new copy protection signal to thwart various intended functions of the circumvention device. | 03-04-2010 |
20100111496 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNTHESIZING OR MODIFYING A COPY PROTECTION SIGNAL USING A LOWERED SIGNAL LEVEL PORTION - A modified Colorstripe™ copy protection process utilizes a basic anti-copy protection (ACP) signal that causes attenuation of a video signal, wherein, in one embodiment, the process modifies (lowers) the level of a front porch portion and adds an incorrect color signal (color burst) in the region of the sync tip. When an illegal copy is made, a pre-blanked end of line portion causes a TV set to trigger the color burst sample pulse ahead of time and cause the incorrect color signal in the sync tip region to be sampled. Thus, since the sync tip region has incorrect color phase or frequency, the resulting illegal copy will have enhanced color distortions. In other embodiments, other portions of the horizontal blanking interval are lowered in level and incorrect color bursts are added to a portion or portions of the back porch and/or a portion of the front porch. The various embodiments of the process may include an adaptable process, as well as several alternative ACP signals for use in combination with the process. | 05-06-2010 |
20100141269 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MEASURE DIFFERENTIAL PHASE AND FREQUENCY MODULATION DISTORTIONS FOR AUDIO EQUIPMENT - A testing method or apparatus utilizes multiple frequencies applied to a device under test for measuring newly discovered frequency modulation effects. An embodiment may include a lower frequency signal with a smaller amplitude higher frequency signal to test a dynamic change in frequency response, gain, and or phase. This dynamic test can reveal frequency modulation effects. Another embodiment may include the use of a multiple frequency signal to dynamically induce a time varying phase or frequency distortion for the device that has differential phase distortion. The device's output is then measured with an FM detector or spectrum analysis system to measure a shift in one of the frequencies used in the test signal or to measure frequency modulation effects of any signals, including distortion products, from the device. Yet another embodiment of the invention may include biasing a device with a voltage to span the output voltage range of the device while measuring harmonic or intermodulation distortion or phase or frequency response at the various operating points. | 06-10-2010 |
20100171880 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A CONTENT CONTROL SIGNAL VIA COLOR BURST PHASE MODIFICATIONS - The “color stripe” process is well known in the video field for preventing copying by analog video tape recorders of video content, and operates by altering the phase of a portion of the video signal color burst. Here, a weakened version of the color stripe process is employed in a video signal whereby the color burst phase alterations are reduced or attenuated so there is no copy prevention effect on a typical video tape recorder. However the weakened color stripe process is still sufficient to be detectable by a suitable detector located in a compliant device, so the detected presence of the color stripe serves as an encoded indication of copy control or other content control for the video signal by the compliant device. | 07-08-2010 |
20100178032 | Method and apparatus for providing a copy protected analog video signal via a DAC - A method and apparatus provides a copy protected analog video signal in response to control bits, wherein a programmable waveform is generated which provides horizontal sync pulses of predetermined position and or width and programmable pseudo sync and or AGC pulses. The method may provide a programmable duration, phase and or position of a color burst signal. The copy protected analog video signal is outputted from a digital to analog converter, wherein a parameter of the pseudo sync, AGC, horizontal sync pulses, or of the color burst, forming the copy protection signals, is determined by the control bits. | 07-15-2010 |
20100260476 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURE CONFIGURATION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Method and apparatus for ensuring the security of configuration or programming data supplied to an electronic device, such as a video consumer electronic device. This is achieved by storing within an integrated circuit video processor in the device both logic and data for checking the security of input configuration and/or programming data for the video processor to detect and prevent tampering with same. Not only is it determined if the input data is correct versus unacceptable, also if it is determined unacceptable, the logic then determines if the input data is the result of an innocent error or tampering by a hacker and takes appropriate protective steps accordingly. | 10-14-2010 |
20100290620 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING A SUBSEQUENTLY GENERATED CONTROL COMMAND IN A CONTENT CONTROL SYSTEM - In record or content control management systems, various selected reference, record control, copy protection or control information signals, or other signifiers, are used to identify control signals, for example, bits, to provide control of subsequent use of data, audio and video signals in the analog and digital domain. Method and apparatus are disclosed for modifying the effects of a content control system as well as for modifying an effect of a copy protection signal. To this end, the reference, record control, copy protection signals, or other control information signals, e.g., content control signals, may be modified to cause an erroneous or unintended reading subsequently of the reference or control signals which in turn correspondingly afters the control command of the record or content control system. Further, where a copy protection signal is being used as a control signal, a modification may be made to the copy protection signal to alter the subsequently generated control command while still maintaining copy protection effects in the analog domain and allowing recording in the digital domain. Also, included are unique methods for providing content control. | 11-18-2010 |
20100309380 | Method and apparatus for providing and reducing dynamic chroma copy protection effects by modifying luminance copy protection signals - Chroma copy protection signals are provided or synthesized for component or composite video signals by modifying one or more luminance copy protection signal. The system takes advantage of the characteristics of component video signals, wherein the luminance signal (channel) generally is subject to automatic gain control while the chrominance signal (channel) is decoupled from the luminance signal in automatic gain control (AGC) systems of a video recorder. Accordingly, when a copy protection signal is applied to the luminance signal but does not affect the chrominance signal, a video recorder will output a signal with an attenuated luminance signal and a full amplitude chrominance signal. This causes erroneous color saturation effects. An alternative embodiment provides method and apparatus for reducing or defeating chroma copy protection effects such as disclosed herein. | 12-09-2010 |
20110002472 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MEASURE DIFFERENTIAL PHASE AND FREQUENCY MODULATION DISTORTIONS FOR AUDIO EQUIPMENT - A testing method or apparatus utilizes multiple frequencies applied to a device under test for measuring newly discovered frequency modulation effects. An embodiment may include a lower frequency signal with a smaller amplitude higher frequency signal to test a dynamic change in frequency response, gain, and or phase. This dynamic test can reveal frequency modulation effects. Another embodiment may include the use of a multiple frequency signal or a modulated signal such as an amplitude modulated to dynamically induce a time varying phase or frequency distortion for the device that has differential phase distortion. In another embodiment, the device's output is then measured with an FM detector, Wow and/or Flutter meter, phase detector, and or spectrum analysis system to measure a shift in one of the frequencies used in the test signal or to measure phase and or frequency modulation effects of any signals such as a distortion product, a carrier signal, and or a distortion product of the carrier signal from the device. | 01-06-2011 |
20110002663 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATTENUATING OR ELIMINATING AT LEAST A PORTION OF COLOR BURST MODIFICATIONS TO A VIDEO SIGNAL - A copy protection color stripe process is defeated first by determining the location of the video lines including the color stripe process. Then some or all of the lines including the modified color bursts are modified so as to render the overall video signal recordable. The modification is accomplished in a number of ways, including phase shifting the color stripe burst into the correct phase, replacing, attenuating and or eliminating some of the color stripe bursts or at least a portion of particular color burst envelopes so that they are no longer effective, mixing the color stripe burst with color stripe signals of the correct phase so as to eliminate most or all of the phase error present or modifying the horizontal sync pulse signals immediately preceding the modified color bursts so that the modified color bursts are not detected by a VCR and hence have no effect. | 01-06-2011 |
20110069233 | Method and Apparatus for Inducing and or Reducing Geometric Distortions in a Display via Positive Going Pulses - In certain flat screen TV sets, such as LCD monitors, geometric errors can be induced in a video signal by positive going pulses. That is, a shift in a display is provided when one or more positive going pulse is added to the video signal following one or more sync pulse. To illustrate, AGC pulses, generally used for content control and or copy protection in the last lines of an active video field, cause a shift (horizontal displacement) in the picture for these last lines in the active field. Alternatively, turning off or attenuating such positive going pulses in the last lines of the active field, eliminates or reduces the picture shift. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069938 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A CONTENT CONTROL SIGNAL IN A MEDIA PLAYER VIA COLOR BURST PHASE MODIFICATIONS - The “color stripe” process is well known in the video field for preventing copying of video by analog video tape recorders, and operates by altering the phase of a portion of the video signal color burst. Here, a weakened version of the color stripe process is installed in a video signal by a digital media player which plays or stores conventional digital media, such as an optical disc (e.g., DVD or CD) player, a hard disc drive, a digital tape drive, or solid state memory. Thereby in an analog video signal output by such a digital media player the color burst phase alterations are reduced or attenuated so there is no copy prevention effect on a conventional downstream (receiving) analog video tape recorder. However the weakened color stripe process is still sufficient to be detectable by a suitable detector located in a downstream compliant device such as a video recorder, so the detected presence of the installed color stripe serves as an encoded indication of copy control or other content control for the video signal by the compliant device. | 03-24-2011 |
20110081129 | BROADBAND RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO PROGRAMS - A more efficient method of recording programs simultaneously is provided in one embodiment by translating certain bands of the RF spectrum and translating and or reordering the channel allocation into a (analog) spectrum of one or more lower intermediate frequency band(s). A recorder records the analog RF spectrum, which then is available for playback from the recorder. Programs contained in the played back RF spectrum are selectively extracted by means of a tuner and or demodulator for subsequent viewing, listening, or distribution. Alternatively, an RF signal is supplied to a recorder for recording or storage without translation. The recorder then plays back the RF signal to a tuner and or demodulator for display and or distribution. | 04-07-2011 |
20110107438 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALLOWING COPYING OR DISTRIBUTION OF A COPY PROTECTED SIGNAL - A copy protection system and method for allowing copying or distribution of a copy protected signal is disclosed. One embodiment includes an apparatus and method for receiving a content signal via a WiFi communications channel, the content signal including a control signal; and using a modifying circuit coupled with the WiFi communications channel to generate an analog copy protection signal based on the control signal, the control signal causing the modifying circuit to add or delete the analog copy protection signal to or from the content signal. | 05-05-2011 |
20110135277 | Method and Apparatus for Providing in a Receiver a Copy Protection Signal That Negates a Circumvention Device and or Provides Improved Playability - A receiving device provides a “new” copy protection signal which causes resistance to certain circumvention devices and includes improved playability. The new copy protection signal causes the certain circumvention devices to pass substantially the copy protection effects to a video recorder, or causes content control effectiveness on a compliant device. That is, the new copy protection signal from the receiver causes the circumvention device to add or enhance copy protection effectiveness, which is contrary to the circumvention device's original intent of removing or reducing copy protection effectiveness. The new copy protection signal is provided by inserting or adding one or more pseudo sync pulses or one or more pseudo sync/AGC pulse pairs immediately after, one line after, or less than two and a half lines after, a vertical sync signal in at least one television line. Thus, the receiver utilizes the new copy protection signal to thwart various intended functions of the circumvention device. | 06-09-2011 |
20110206343 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING METADATA, EPG, OR IPG SIGNALS IN AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR CONTROL PURPOSES - An integrated circuit or system receives a bit pattern from a metadata, IPG, and or EPG signal. This bit pattern is then coupled to a circuit to provide a content control command to a recorder or to a processing circuit to generate a content control signal. In particular the bit pattern may be utilized in a manner to program, enable, or disable the generated control signal. Furthermore this content control signal provides resistance to a circumvention device. For example, the circumvention device is unable to remove sufficiently the content control signal, and content control is maintained. | 08-25-2011 |
20110221526 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A GAIN CONTROL CIRCUIT VIA A HIGH FREQUENCY SIGNAL - A gain control amplifier provides amplitude variation of an input signal that is coupled to the amplifier, by adding or combining a higher frequency signal that overdrives or distorts the amplifier to one or more degree(s), to provide the gain variation of the input signal. A predistortion circuit may be included to further reduce distortion of the input signal at the output of the amplifier. | 09-15-2011 |
20110234900 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING VIDEO PROGRAM MATERIAL OR CONTENT VIA CLOSED CAPTION DATA - A system for identification of video content in a video signal is provided via the use of closed caption or other data in a video signal or transport stream such as MPEG-x. Sampling of the received video signal or transport stream allows capture of dialog from a movie or video program. The captured dialog is compared to a reference library or database for identification purposes. Other attributes of the video signal or transport stream may be combined with closed caption data or closed caption text for identification purposes. Example attributes include time code information, histograms, and or rendered video or pictures. | 09-29-2011 |
20110235999 | CONTENT CONTROL VIA GUIDE DATA AND/OR METADATA - Metadata of the type for instance associated with television or video Electronic Programming Guides (EPG) or Interactive Programming Guides (IPG), is transported via a digital delivery network such as the Internet to a video receiving device such as a personal video recorder (PVR). The receiving device extracts the metadata for a purpose such as determining from the metadata programming of control signals. The PVR thereby reads or interprets control signals derived from the metadata provided via the digital delivery network so as to control subsequent video recording. | 09-29-2011 |
20110289099 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING VIDEO PROGRAM MATERIAL VIA DVS OR SAP DATA - A system for identification of video content in a video signal is provided via the use of DVS or SAP information or other data in a video signal or transport stream such as MPEG-x. Sampling of the received video signal or transport stream allows capture of dialog from a movie or video program. The captured dialog is compared to a reference library or database for identification purposes. Other attributes of the video signal or transport stream may be combined with closed caption data or closed caption text for identification purposes. Example attributes include DVS/SAP information, time code information, histograms, and or rendered video or pictures. | 11-24-2011 |
20120004911 | Method and Apparatus for Identifying Video Program Material or Content via Nonlinear Transformations - A system for identification of video content in a video signal is provided via a sound track audio signal. The audio signal is processed with filtering and non linear transformations to extract voice signals from the sound track channel. The extracted voice signals are coupled to a speech recognition system to provide in text form, the words of the video content, which is later compared with a reference library of words or dialog from known video programs or movies. Other attributes of the video signal or transport stream may be combined with closed caption data or closed caption text for identification purposes. Example attributes include DVS/SAP information, time code information, histograms, and or rendered video or pictures. | 01-05-2012 |
20120005701 | Method and Apparatus for Identifying Video Program Material or Content via Frequency Translation or Modulation Schemes - A system for identification of video content in a video signal is provided via a sound track audio signal. The audio signal is processed with filtering, frequency translation, and or non linear transformations to extract voice signals from the sound track channel. The extracted voice signals are coupled to a speech recognition system to provide in text form, the words of the video content, which is later compared with a reference library of words or dialog from known video programs or movies. Other attributes of the video signal or transport stream may be combined with closed caption data or closed caption text for identification purposes. Example attributes include DVS/SAP information, time code information, histograms, and or rendered video or pictures. | 01-05-2012 |
20120102530 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PROGRAMMING GUIDE VIA MULTIPLE RECEIVING DEVICES - A system utilizing one or more auxiliary or scanning tuners provides real time information for providing programming guides. The one or more auxiliary tuner scans or tunes across the band of television signals to gather information relevant to metadata, programming guides, and or message alerts. For example, this information is converted to text, graphic, and or audio form for displaying or listening. | 04-26-2012 |
20120124474 | USER PRESENTATION SETTINGS FOR MULTIPLE MEDIA USER INTERFACES - Embodiments provide methods and apparatus for simultaneous presentation of multiple media user interfaces (UIs) based on user presentation settings. In some embodiments, a user may select presentation settings for a specific combination of at least two media UIs. The presentation settings may be stored and then retrieved and used when the specific combination of the at least two media UIs are later selected to be presented simultaneously. In some embodiments, presentation settings for a media UI comprise video and/or audio settings. Video settings may include position and size of a window presenting the media UI. Audio settings may include audio volume setting of the media UI. In some embodiments, each media UI in the combination of at least two media UIs may present a different type of media content (e.g., television content, Internet content, personal content, etc.). | 05-17-2012 |
20120128257 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING VIDEO PROGRAM MATERIAL OR CONTENT VIA DIFFERENTIAL SIGNALS - A system for identification of video content in a video signal is provided by providing a difference signal between an input signal and the delayed input signal. An alternative embodiment includes providing frequency coefficients from one or more video frames along a curve, or from a region of the video frame. In another embodiment a filter bank provides a real time or near real time frequency analysis of a video signal to provide identification. Other attributes of the video signal or transport stream may be combined with closed caption data or closed caption text for identification purposes. Example attributes include DVS/SAP information, time code information, histograms, and or rendered video or pictures. | 05-24-2012 |
20120159534 | SIGNAL MODIFICATION VIA MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION DATA AND/OR METADATA - Data for a programming guide or other type of media guidance application of the type associated with video, such as television Electronic Programming Guides (EPG) or Interactive Programming Guides (IPG), is transported via a digital delivery network such as the Internet to a video receiving or storage device such as a personal video recorder (PVR). The receiving device extracts one or more signals from the media guidance application data for a purpose such as programming of control signals. The receiving device thereby reads or interprets control signals derived from the programming guide data provided via the digital delivery network so as to control subsequent recording (or other storage) of the video programs or other video content assets associated with the media guidance application data. | 06-21-2012 |
20120183276 | Method and Apparatus for Transmission of Data or Flags Indicative of Actual Program Recording Times or Durations - A system for altering the recording time and or duration of a video program is provided via data sent to a recorder. The scheduled time for recording one or more programs then may be altered or overridden by the data sent to the recorder. For example, the data may be sent by a service provider or broadcaster of video programs. Alternatively, certain phrases relating to a change in a program's duration in an audio channel or closed caption channel are recognized or sensed to update or alter the recording time of the recorder. The system may include a provision to record one or more video programs with reduced commercial advertisements, or a recording with substantially commercial advertisements. | 07-19-2012 |
20120213438 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING VIDEO PROGRAM MATERIAL OR CONTENT VIA FILTER BANKS - A system for identification of video content in a video signal is provided by a filter bank which provides a real time or near real time frequency analysis of a video signal to provide the identification. An alternative embodiment for video content identification includes frequency coefficients from one or more video frames along a curve, or from a region of the video frame. Other attributes of the video signal or transport stream may be combined with closed caption data or closed caption text for identification purposes. Example attributes include DVS/SAP information, time code information, histograms, and or rendered video or pictures. | 08-23-2012 |
20120321279 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN INTERACTIVE AND OR ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE - An interactive or electronic programming guide is provided, wherein a receiving device such as a DVD or Blu-Ray player, PVR, recorder, set top box, etc., receives data or video signals as well as a trigger, flag or bit pattern signal. A processing and or encoding circuit provides programming, enabling, or disabling of a content control signal in response to the trigger, flag, or bit pattern signal and the content control signal is combined with the video signal to provide a content controlled video signal which provides resistance to a circumvention device (e.g., a “black box”). | 12-20-2012 |
20130058629 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING AND RESTORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A COMMERCIAL SKIP SYSTEM - 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. | 03-07-2013 |
20130188795 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MEASURE DIFFERNTIAL PHASE AND FREQUENCY MODULATION DISTORTIONS FOR AUDIO EQUIPMENT - A testing method or apparatus utilizes multiple frequencies applied to a device under test for measuring newly discovered frequency modulation effects. An embodiment may include a lower frequency signal combined with two (or more) higher frequency signals to test a dynamic change in frequency response, gain, and or phase of the lower frequency signal from an audio device. This dynamic test can reveal frequency modulation effects via the two higher frequency signals emulate a modulated signal that provides a phase or frequency modulation frequency related to the difference of the two higher frequency signals. Another embodiment may include the use of a higher frequency signal and pulsed waveform to dynamically induce a time varying phase or frequency distortion of the pulsed waveform or components of the pulsed waveform from the device that has differential phase distortion. In another embodiment, the device's output is then measured with an FM detector and or phase detector to measure a phase and or frequency shift in one or more signals of the frequencies related to the pulsed waveform, such as a signal of the fundamental frequency and or one or more harmonic related to the pulsed waveform the device. | 07-25-2013 |
20130247086 | Method and apparatus for providing content control via detection of modifications to a signal - A method and apparatus is provided for generating or providing any of various types of modifications purposely made to generally known signals, waveforms, conditions, functions, etc. The modifications are sensed, read, detected or interpreted to provide a content control command indicative of the difference between the original signal, waveform, condition, functions, etc., and the modified signal, waveform, condition, function, etc. The content control command may be used to provide content control for a content control system, which in turn may provide control of a selected compliant device. | 09-19-2013 |
20130247100 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PROGRAMMING GUIDE VIA MULTIPLE RECEIVING DEVICES - A system utilizing one or more auxiliary or scanning tuners provides real time information for providing programming guides. The one or more auxiliary tuner scans or tunes across the band of television signals to gather information relevant to metadata, programming guides, and or message alerts. For example, this information is converted to text, graphic, and or audio form for displaying or listening. | 09-19-2013 |
20140254812 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO EVALUATE AUDIO EQUIPMENT VIA FILTER BANKS FOR DYNAMIC DISTORTIONS AND OR DIFFERENTIAL PHASE AND FREQUENCY MODULATION EFFECTS - A testing method or apparatus utilizes filter banks to measure time varying or dynamic harmonic distortion or intermodulation distortion from a device. With a stairstep or arbitrary signal and filter banks, Nth order harmonic and or intermodulation distortion is measured via the filter banks at different offsets provided by an arbitrary low frequency signal. An amplifier with crossover distortion will show increased harmonic and or intermodulation distortion near the zero crossing while providing less distortion in other portions of the transfer curve of the amplifier. One or more distortion signals from the device (e.g., audio device) may be measured for a phase and or frequency modulation effect. | 09-11-2014 |
20140355774 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO EVALUATE AUDIO EQUIPMENT VIA FILTER BANKS - A testing method or apparatus utilizes filter banks to measure time varying or dynamic harmonic distortion or intermodulation distortion. With a stairstep signal and filter banks, Nth order harmonic and or intermodulation distortion is measured via the filter banks at different offsets provided by an arbitrary low frequency signal. An amplifier with crossover distortion will show increased harmonic and or intermodulation distortion near the zero crossing while providing less distortion in other portions of the transfer curve of the amplifier. | 12-04-2014 |
20150023511 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO EVALUATE AUDIO EQUIPMENT VIA AT LEAST ONE FILTER FOR DYNAMIC DISTORTIONS AND OR DIFFERENTIAL PHASE AND OR FREQUENCY MODULATION EFFECTS - A testing method or apparatus utilizes a filter or modifier to measure time varying or dynamic harmonic, intermodulation, cross modulation, and or N-Beat or triple distortion from a device. With a stairstep or arbitrary signal and another signal, Nth order harmonic, cross modulation, triple beat, N-Beat, and or intermodulation distortion is measured via the filter or modifier at different offsets or time provided by an arbitrary low frequency signal. For example, an amplifier with crossover distortion will show increased (e.g., time varying) harmonic, cross modulation, triple beat, and or intermodulation distortion near the zero crossing while providing less distortion in other portions of the transfer curve of the amplifier. One or more distortion signals from the device (e.g., audio device) may be measured for a phase and or frequency modulation effect. | 01-22-2015 |