- Number
- 10779025
- Published
- 2020-09-15
- Filed
- 2018-11-13
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- Godfrey; Glenn J., Rapella; Gerald A., Strein; Michael J.
- CPC
- H04N21/2547; H04N21/812; G10L19/018; H04N21/2407; H04N21/8358; H04N21/233
- Verdict
- Set aside content transmission verification, broadcast plumbing
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
Abstract
Techniques for identifying aired content are described. A first audio sample is received and processed, using a computer processor, to extract an embedded audio watermark. A content identifier identifying a first item of programming content is determined, using the computer processor and based on the audio watermark. A timestamp associated with the first audio sample is also determined based on the audio watermark. An as-aired log is updated based on the content identifier and the timestamp. The computer processor is used to identify that the first item of programming content has aired, based on the as-aired log.
Background
BACKGROUNDField of the Invention(1) Embodiments presented in this disclosure relate generally, though not exclusively, to automatic identification and verification of transmission of content.Description of the Related Art(2) Television networks can use a “Post-Air” log to identify content that has aired. Networks can use the post-air log for multiple purposes. For example, networks can use the post-air log to detect any deviation from the planned schedule, such as breaking news or a technical problem during transmission, to detect compliance with government or network requirements (e.g., a particular required number of hours of children's programming, or public programming), and to verify that advertisements have aired, to facilitate accurate billing.(3) A network can initially generate the post-air log using a content playback system ‘As-Run’ and a Traffic, Log, and Billing (TLB) system at the network. But a person at the network is then required to manually vet and modify the log, to account for last minute changes to what airs over the network. For example, the actual content that airs might differ from the scheduled content—expected content might be pre-empted by breaking news, a longer than scheduled live event (e.g., a sporting event or awards show), or for other reasons. As another example, a technical error might alter the content that is transmitted (e.g., if a transmitter has to change from a primary to a backup or fail-over system or a scheduled 0:30 second commerc
Claims
1. A method of identifying aired content, comprising: processing a first audio sample, using a computer processor, to extract an embedded audio watermark; determining, using the computer processor, a content identifier identifying a first item of programming content, based on the audio watermark, comprising: determining that a local cache does not include an entry correlating the audio watermark with the content identifier, and in response, retrieving the content identifier from a remote storage location based on the audio watermark; determining, using the computer processor, a timestamp associated with the first audio sample, based on the audio watermark; updating, using the computer processor, an as-aired log based on the content identifier and the timestamp; identifying, using the computer processor, that the first item of programming content has aired, based on the as-aired log; determining, based on the audio watermark, that the first item of programming content was transmitted using a backup system; and identifying a technical problem related to airing of content, in response to the determining that the first item of programming content was transmitted using the backup system.
13. A computer program product for identifying aired content, the computer program product comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code embodied therewith, the computer-readable program code executable by one or more computer processors to perform an operation, the operation comprising: processing a first audio sample to extract an embedded audio watermark; determining a content identifier identifying a first item of programming content, based on the audio watermark, comprising: determining that a local cache does not include an entry correlating the audio watermark with the content identifier, and in response, retrieving the content identifier from a remote storage location based on the audio watermark; determining a timestamp associated with the first audio sample, based on the audio watermark; updating an as-aired log based on the content identifier and the timestamp; identifying that the first item of programming content has aired, based on the as-aired log; determining, based on the audio watermark, that the first item of programming content was transmitted using a backup system; and identifying a technical problem related to airing of content, in response to the determining that the first item of programming content was transmitted using the backup system.
17. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing a program, which, when executed on the processor, performs an operation, the operation comprising: processing a first audio sample to extract an embedded audio watermark; determining a content identifier identifying a first item of programming content, based on the audio watermark, comprising: determining that a local cache does not include an entry correlating the audio watermark with the content identifier, and in response, retrieving the content identifier from a remote storage location based on the audio watermark; determining a timestamp associated with the first audio sample, based on the audio watermark; updating an as-aired log based on the content identifier and the timestamp; identifying that the first item of programming content has aired, based on the as-aired log; determining, based on the audio watermark, that the first item of programming content was transmitted using a backup system; and identifying a technical problem related to airing of content, in response to the determining that the first item of programming content was transmitted using the backup system.