TECHNIQUES FOR AUTOMATICALLY REMOVING CONTENT FROM CLOSED-CAPTION DATA EMBEDDED IN A VIDEO SIGNAL

Number: 20200260129
Published: 2020-08-13
Filed: 2019-02-13
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: STREIN; Michael, MCLAUGHLIN; William
CPC: H04N21/84; H04N21/2358; H04N21/2353; H04N21/4884; H04N21/8405; H04N21/23614
Verdict: Set aside closed-caption content processing, broadcast plumbing
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

Abstract

Content is automatically removed from closed-caption data embedded in a video signal. A closed-caption compliance system decodes a first portion of a first video frame that includes a closed-caption data packet. The system extracts a first character string that includes at least a portion of the closed-caption data packet. The system determines whether the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers. If the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers, then the system encodes at least a first portion of the first character string as a second closed-caption data packet to include in a second video frame. Otherwise, the system modifies the first character string to generate a second character string that is suitable for distribution to viewers; and encodes at least a first portion of the second character string as a third closed-caption data packet to include in the second video frame.

Background

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to video production and, more specifically, to techniques for automatically removing content from closed-caption data embedded in a video signal.Description of the Related Art

Governmental agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), typically provide guidelines and regulations to ensure that television broadcast programs and other forms of media content, referred to herein as “programs,” do not contain profanity and other offensive language. In general, the FCC guidelines and regulations are stricter for broadcasters that transmit programs over the airwaves than for cable operators that transmit or stream programs via a direct connection to each subscriber location. Broadcasters are required to only distribute programs that comply with the relevant governmental guidelines and regulations. Further, broadcasters and other media content providers may have additional internal standards that further restrict the language and content of programs and other media content. Broadcasters and other media content providers distribute programs that meet these additional internal standards in order to provide programs that conform to a consistent branding strategy and that are appropriate for the target audience. In order to conform to governmental guidelines and regulations as well as internal standards, broadcasters and other media content providers oftentimes implement

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for automatically removing content from closed-caption data embedded in a video signal, the method comprising: decoding a first portion of a first video frame that includes a first closed-caption data packet; extracting a first character string that includes at least a portion of the first closed-caption data packet; determining whether the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers; and if the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers, then encoding at least a first portion of the first character string as a second closed-caption data packet to include in a second video frame, or if the first character string is not suitable for distribution to viewers, then: modifying the first character string to generate a second character string that is suitable for distribution to viewers; and encoding at least a first portion of the second character string as a third closed-caption data packet to include in the second video frame. 11. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of: decoding a first portion of a first video frame that includes a first closed-caption data packet; extracting a first character string that includes at least a portion of the first closed-caption data packet; determining whether the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers; and if the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers, then encoding at least a first portion of the first character string as a second closed-caption data packet to include in a second video frame, or if the first character string is not suitable for distribution to viewers, then: modifying the first character string to generate a second character string that is suitable for distribution to viewers; and encoding at least a first portion of the second character string as a third closed-caption data packet to include in the second video frame. 20. A computing device, comprising: a memory that includes instructions; and a processor that is coupled to the memory and, when executing the instructions, is configured to: decoding a first portion of a first video frame that includes a first closed-caption data packet; extracting a first character string that includes at least a portion of the first closed-caption data packet; determining whether the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers; and if the first character string is suitable for distribution to viewers, then encoding at least a first portion of the first character string as a second closed-caption data packet to include in a second video frame, or if the first character string is not suitable for distribution to viewers, then: modifying the first character string to generate a second character string that is suitable for distribution to viewers; and encoding at least a first portion of the second character string as a third closed-caption data packet to include in the second video frame.