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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. A method for automatically identifying and verifying the proper airing
of a television program comprising:
(a) placing an identification code on a select line of each frame of a
television program;
(b) forming and storing a reference signal in a first memory said reference
signal containing verified airings information referenced to the
identification code on said coded program to be bought airings,
(c) transmitting, as a composite signal, said coded program from one or
more sending stations over one or more channels in a receiving area;
(d) receiving each said composite signal of said channels;
(e) scanning automatically one or more of said channels to detect the
presence of said identification code and a proper audio and video portion
of each received composite signal;
(f) separating the detected identification code from each said received
composite signal;
(g) generating an electrical time signal;
(h) generating a channel identifying signal;
(i) forming a separate verification signal for each separated
identification code by combining said separated identification code, said
time signal and said channel identification signal;
(j) storing each said verification signal in a second memory as said
verified airings, and
(k) playing out of said first and second memories the information stored
therein to compare and match said verified airings with the bought airings
and making therefrom a list of the number of verified airings that were
bought airings and the number of bought airings for which there is no
verified airing.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said identification code comprises a
digital signal.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said digital signal is a one or more bit
identification code.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said digital signal is a 7 bit
identification code.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein said digital signal is encoded on line 20
of fields 1 and 2.
6. The method of claim 1 including steps of sensing an electrical
characteristic of each said received composite signal to determine the
quality of the video portion of each said received composite signal and
generating an electrical signal to be stored in the second memory
indicating the video quality of each said received composite signal.
7. The method of claim 5 including steps of sensing an electrical
characteristic of said received composite signal to determine the quality
of the audio portion of each said received composite signal and generating
an electrical signal to be stored in the second memory indicating the
audio quality of each said received composite signal.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said time signal indicates the day, time
of day, and the length of time at which said identification code was
received.
9. The method of claim 1 including a step of forming a plurality of copies
of said television program having said video portion and said
identification code stored thereon.
10. The method of claim 1 including a step of periodically scanning each
channel for a predetermined interval of time.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein each of said channels is repetitively
scanned for an interval of one or more frames.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the number of scanned channels is more
than one.
13. In a system wherein composite electrical signals having a video
information component and a scanning control component are transmitted
within a reception area by one or more stations over different
communication channels to a plurality of remote receiving stations within
a reception area, apparatus for verifying the transmission of the video
information component between the sending and receiving stations,
comprising:
(a) means for forming composite electrical signals having said video
information component, a periodically recurring identification component,
and a periodically recurring scanning control component, said
identification component encoded to identify the informational content of
said video component;
(b) means for forming and storing a reference signal, said reference signal
including said identification component;
(c) means for transmitting said composite signals from one or more of said
sending stations over one or more of said channels to receiving stations
located in said receiving area;
(d) a plurality of signal receiving means for receiving the composite
signals of different channels;
(e) means for scanning said plurality of signal receiving means at a
receiving station for detecting reception of said composite signal on one
or more of said channels;
(f) means for separating the identification component from each detected
composite signal;
(g) means for generating an electrical time signal;
(h) means for generating a channel identifying signal;
(i) means for forming a separate composite verification signal for each
separated identification component by combining said separated
identification component, said time signal and said channel identification
signal;
(j) means for storing each said verification signal;
(k) means for comparing each said stored verification signal and said
reference signal; and
(l) means for providing an indication upon correspondence between said
verification and reference signal thereby verifying the transmission of
said video information component from said sending station to said
receiving station.
14. A method for automatically identifying and verifying the proper airing
of a television program comprising:
(a) placing an identification code on a select line of each frame of a
television program;
(b) transmitting, as a composite signal, said coded program from one or
more sending stations over one or more channels in a receiving area;
(c) receiving each said composite signal of said channels;
(d) scanning automatically over one or more of said channels to detect the
presence of said identification code;
(e) separating the detected identification code from each received
composite signal;
(f) forming a separate verification signal for each separated
identification code; and
(g) comparing each said verification signal with a predetermined reference
signal to identify and verify said airing.
15. A method for automatically identifying and verifying the proper airing
of a television program comprising:
(a) placing an identification code on a select line of each frame of a
television program;
(b) forming and storing a reference signal in a first memory which signal
contains verified airings information referenced to the identification
code on said coded program to be bought airings;
(c) transmitting, as a composite signal, said coded program from one or
more sending stations over one or more channels in a receiving area;
(d) receiving each composite signal of said channels;
(e) scanning automatically one or more of said channels to detect the
presence of said identification code;
(f) separating the detected identification code from each received
composite signal;
(g) generating an electrical time signal;
(h) forming a separate verification signal for each separated
identification code by combining said separated identification code and
said time signal;
(i) storing each said verification signal in a second memory as said
verified airings; and
(j) playing out of said first and second memories the information stored
therein to compare and match said verified airings with the bought
airings.
16. The method according to claim 15, further including the step of
generating a list of the number of verified airings that were bought
airings and the number of bought airings for which there is no verified
airing.
17. A method for automatically identifying and verifying the proper airing
of a television program comprising:
(a) placing an identification code on a select line of each frame of a
television program;
(b) forming and storing a reference signal on a first memory which signal
contains verified airings information referenced to the identification
code on said coded program to be bought airings;
(c) transmitting, as a composite signal, said coded program from one or
more sending stations over one or more channels in a receiving area;
(d) receiving each composite signal of said channels;
(e) scanning automatically one or more of said channels to detect the
presence of said identification code;
(f) separating the detected identification code from each received
composite signal;
(g) generating an electrical time signal;
(h) generating a channel identifying signal;
(i) forming a separate verification signal for each separated
identification code by combining said separated identification code, said
time signal, and said channel identification signal;
(j) storing each said verification signal in a second memory as said
verified airings; and
(k) playing out of said first and second memories the information stored
therein to compare and match said verified airings with the bought
airings.
18. In a system wherein composite electrical signals having a video
information component and a scanning control component are transmitted
within a reception area by one or more stations over different
communication channels to a plurality of remote receiving stations within
a reception area, apparatus for verifying the transmission of the video
information component between the sending and receiving stations,
comprising:
(a) means for forming composite electrical signals having said video
information component, a periodically recurring identification component,
and a periodically recurring scanning control component, said
identification component encoded to identify the informational content of
said video component;
(b) means for forming and storing a reference signal, said reference signal
including said identification component;
(c) means for transmitting said composite signals from one or more of said
sending stations over one or more of said channels to receiving stations
located in said receiving area;
(d) a plurality of signal receiving means for receiving the composite
signals of different channels;
(e) means for scanning said plurality of signal receiving means at a
receiving station for detecting reception of said composite signal on one
or more of said channels;
(f) means for separating the identification component from each detected
composite signal;
(g) means for generating an electrical time signal;
(h) means for forming a separate composite verification signal for each
separated identification component by combining said separated
identification component and said time signal;
(i) means for storing each said verification signal;
(j) means for comparing each said stored verification signal and said
reference signal; and
(k) means for providing an indication upon the correspondence between said
verification and reference signal thereby verifying the transmission of
said video information component from said sending station to said
receiving station. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to an improved method and apparatus for
automatically identifying and verifying television broadcast programs.
More particularly, this invention relates to an improved method and
apparatus whereby the television programs are encoded with a digital
identification code and then broadcasted on a number of channels. These
channels are automatically simultaneously monitored at a typical reception
site whereby the encoded programs are checked for audio and visual
quality, identified and timed, and this information is then stored in a
computer for later access and comparison with a main computer.
Television broadcast programs are comprised essentially of first run or
syndicated feature programs and commercials, wherein said broadcast
programs are either performed live or pre-recorded for airing at certain
times for specific stations. Commercials, as an example for exhibition on
television, often consist of about a 30 second program which is inserted
at various times during the viewing day by the station according to
contracts made with the commercial owner or advertising agency. This is
referred to as buying television time spots. Pursuant to a contract, the
television station arranges to insert the commercial program in certain
times arranged as part of that contract. From time to time, the television
station then bills the buyer of the time spot for having aired the
commercial. The practice over many years has been that a statement is made
by the television station under oath to the effect that the commercials
were aired at the times bought and that said airing was within the terms
contracted. Upon receipt of the sworn statement and the bill, those
documents are compared manually, and if they match correctly the
commercial time spot is paid for. However, not all commercials are aired
properly and/or at the proper time. This occurs for many different reasons
at each of the stations. Therefore, it has become a practice to audit
these airings by visual observation. Such auditing is very time consuming,
labor intensive and tedious since it is necessary to monitor all of the
channels in any particular area on a round the clock basis. As such, only
samplings are done for auditing purposes. Specifically, such sample
auditing is by contract, and conducted by employees who record what they
saw on the television and return such records to their employer for
collation and reporting. As can well be imagined, because of the labor
intensive nature of the sample auditing it is very expensive and not
always reliable.
A further characteristic of the current practice is that because auditing
is done directly by people, and not automated, there is a significant time
delay in reporting and collating the audits. This delay impedes the
advertiser from taking timely action to have any problems as to their
commercial corrected. Thus the advertiser is unable to forestall
continuous improper airing and wasteful television commercial time.
In addition, this delay in reporting and collating further delays the
forwarding of the sworn statements on which payment of the advertising
time relies. Therefore, there is a significant time lag for which payment
is not made and this results in a loss of the use of the money during that
delay time period.
While the forementioned has specifically discussed the particulars of
identification and verification regarding commercials, similar particulars
exist for feature programing.
Thus, there is a long felt need for a quick, total verification of
television broadcast programs, which would serve to upgrade the
performance of the transmitting stations and confirm the program airing
schedules.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Attempts at automatic program airing verification are known in the art.
Methods have been developed for automatic identification systems of
programs, including identification coding and pattern recognition, but
these methods are substantially limited and have not been entirely
satisfactory.
Program identification coding methods have been divided into two general
areas, audio and video encoding. Audio encoding (e.g. U.S. Pat. No.
3,845,391, Crosby) has proven to be unsatisfactory for television
broadcasting. In the final report of the Ad Hoc Committee On Television
Broadcast Ancillary Signals Of The Joint Committee On Intersociety
Coordination (published May, 1978), the Journal Of The Society Of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers found the aforementioned audio program
identification to be extremely unreliable and caused significant
degradation of program signal quality.
Video encoding has also proved to be less than satisfactory for television
broadcasting. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,851 to Haselwood et al. for network
clearance monitoring, a 48 character digital code is placed onto the
vertical blanking interval of line 20. While the use of line 20 reduced
the degradation of the program signal quality, the encoding system used
therein is overly complex and inadequate. This system utilizes a changed
line format for the handling of the data, which requires complex data
processing, encoding, storage and verification. In addition, the system is
only able to monitor the broadcast of a single network with an inability
to scan more than one channel. Moreover, only a method and system for the
identification of the program is disclosed with there being no teaching as
to the integration and recording of information as to the program's audio
and visual quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a novel and
improved method and apparatus for automatic television broadcast program
identification and verification.
Another object is to provide a novel and improved method and apparatus for
automatic television broadcast program identification and verification
that minimizes the amount of data processing required.
A further object is to provide a novel and improved method and apparatus
for automatic television broadcast program identification and verification
that can monitor one or more channels at a time.
A still further object is to provide a novel and improved method and
apparatus for automatic television broadcast program identification and
verification wherein the program data generates subsequent data which is
stored locally and later remotely accessed by a main computer for
comparison.
This application provides a process for identifying and verifying the
proper airing of television broadcast programs wherein there is an
identifying code placed on each frame of each of the programs which code
is not readily visible to a person viewing the same. The process provides
for the receipt of the programs from transmitting stations for a number of
select channels and searching the frames of these aired programs to verify
the presence of the identifying code, and if detected the code is recorded
for each frame read. The time of reading the first and last frame of the
program is also recorded, and both the code and time information is
directed to a memory. In addition to the above, the presence of proper
audio and video is also determined. If the audio and video are proper,
that information is also directed to a memory so that there is stored in
that memory proof that the encoded program was aired with proper audio and
video, at a certain time, and for a certain length of time. This
information is identified as "verified airings" or verified signals. As a
further part of the process, there is placed into another memory, a
program airing schedule, which contains the aired time of day, the
channels, and length of time of the program intended to be aired and the
buyer of such network time. This information is identified as "bought
airings" or reference signals. Thereafter, the "verified airings" are
compared with the "bought airings" so as to produce an analysis of that
which was bought to that which was actually properly aired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent
with reference to the following specification and to the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a video recording arrangement utilized in
practicing the invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an arrangement for generating and combining an
identification signal with a video signal;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of sending stations for
transmitting composite signals in a market area to a receiving station;
FIG. 4 is a diagram, partly in block form, of a receiving station in
accordance with the invention; and,
FIG. 5 is a diagram in block form of an arrangement for comparing a
verification and reference signal.
DETAILED SPECIFICATION
Referring now to FIG. 1, a video camera 10 is shown for generating a video
signal having an informational content. The informational content
comprises program matter such as a feature, commercial or other form of
information which is to be transmitted by a television station in a market
area to a receiving station in the area. The camera 10 includes means for
generating a composite signal having a video information component and
scanning control components. The latter include horizontal and vertical
synchronizing signal components and horizontal and vertical beam blanking
components. The latter components, as is well-known, blank the electron
beam in a cathode-ray tube at the receiving station during the retrace
interval of the scanning electron beam. In accordance with the NTSC
signal, the composite signal is transmitted at a rate of 30 frames per
second. Each frame comprises two interlaced fields and the field rate is
60 fields per second. At the completion of each field, the beam is blanked
by a vertical blanking signal and the beam retraces to restart a
subsequent field. The composite video signal is coupled from the video
camera 10 to a video recorder 12. The video information content of the
program can thus be recorded on magnetic tape by the recorder 12, if so
desired.
The video program if recorded, is copied at a dubbing studio. A number of
copies of the program are made depending on the determined distribution
requirements for the particular program. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
recorded program comprises a master tape which is loaded on a standard
video tape playback apparatus 14, commercially available from the Ampex,
Sony or RCA. The video signal which is read from the tape by this machine
is coupled via an encoder and a character generator 16 to a video tape
recorder 18. The encoder and character generator 16 strips out the video
portion of line 20 of fields 1 and 2 and inserts a many bit signal
identification component on line 20 both during the sweep and blanking
intervals. In one specific embodiment, this signal identification
component is a seven bit digital code. The composite signal thus applied
to the video recording apparatus 16 includes an identification component
which identifies the video information. This identification code is also
supplied to the storage means 20 of a computer means 22. The computer
means 22 will include further information referenced by the identification
code. Such information includes, for example, the name of the client on
whose behalf the program is prepared, the name of the purchasers of the
bought airings, or the service or product being advertised, etc. Use of
this reference signal thus stored is described hereinafter.
Copies of the programs thus recorded are supplied to various television
stations around the country for transmission in particular selected market
areas. It will be appreciated that different programs having different
video information identification codes will be supplied to television
stations in a same market area and at times will be transmitted over
different communication channels to receiving stations in the market area.
While the method of the above encoding has been described using prerecorded
television broadcast programs, it is also possible to encode the signal
for live broadcasts. In such an arrangement the signal from the television
camera 10 would be supplied directly to the identification signal
generator 16 for encoding, and would then be transmitted directly without
taping. Furthermore, the identification code would still be placed in the
storage memory 20 and computer 22 for later access and verification.
FIG. 3, illustrates three television sending stations 24, 26 and 28 which
service a market area. A composite signal modulates an RF carrier signal
and is broadcast by the stations 24, 26 and 28. A monitoring receiving
station 30 is provided in the market area and is adapted to receive the
different signals from the stations 24, 26 and 28. A cable T.V. station 32
is also provided which is adapted to receive the signals from stations 24,
26 and 28 by broadcast or by satellite communication. The signals received
by cable station 32 are amplified and transmitted over a cable
transmission line 34 to the monitor station 30 as well as to other
receiving stations in the market area. For purposes of this specification
and the appended claims, the term "transmit" refers both to broadcasting
and to transmission of composite signals over transmission lines such as
the cable 34.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, a broadcast signal which is induced in the
antenna 31 or is received via the cable 34 at the monitor receiver station
30, is coupled by a preamplifier 50 to a switchable RF tuner 70. The
switchable tuner 70 is comprised of a video channel switch 52 and
sequential storage means 54. The video channel switch 52, shown in FIG. 4,
to be adapted to switch sequentially between six different T.V.
communication channels. The channels illustrated are those for the
metropolitan New York City, N.Y. area. Depending on the market being
serviced, the switchable tuner 52 may be adapted to include more or less
channels as required. A suitable channel switch is available commercially
from Channelmatic Inc, of Alpine, Calif. The channel switch 52 is switched
sequentially between these channels at a rate for providing that each
channel is scanned for a predetermined interval during a predetermined
period of time. For example, each channel can be scanned for 1/10 second
during each successive second. At a frame rate of 30 frames per second, 3
frames of the video information received on each channel will be examined.
The composite signal from these frames is then stored in a sequential
storage means 54 within the switchable RF tuner 70. The sequential storage
means 54 stores the composite signal from a switched channel for the
period equivalent to the switching period. In the example given, three
frames would be temporarily stored.
The composite signal thus stored and the associated audio signal are
coupled to a video/audio quality detector 56 for sensing the level of the
DC component of the signals and for generating an output signal indicative
of video and audio quality. A presence detector of this type is
commercially available from Channelmatic Inc., of Alpine, Calif. The
composite signal is subsequently applied to an identification component
detector 58 which detects the seven bit identification component and
supplies the digital code thus detected to a verification signal generator
60. The output signal of detector 56 indicating video and audio quality is
also supplied to generator 60, as may be seen with reference to FIG. 4.
Input signals to the verification signal generator 60 thus comprise the
digital identification code, the signal indicative of video and audio
quality, and a signal from a time signal generator 61 which indicates the
date, the time of day, and the length of time for which the identification
code was decoded. Such time signal generation is well known in the art,
and one such time code generator is commercially available from Datum
Inc., of Anaheim, Calif.
In addition, the channel switch 52 generates and provides an electrical
indication of the particular channel on which the detected identification
code was received. The verification signal produced by generator 60 thus
includes the identification code, the channel identification, the time
information and an indication as to the video and audio quality of the
transmitted signal. The verification signal is thus applied to the storage
means of a local computer means 62. The computer 62 stores this
information until such time as it is queried by the central computer 22.
The assembly of this bought airing information is accomplished within the
predetermined scanning interval which in this example is 1/10 second. In a
different embodiment, this predetermined interval could be 1/30 second or
less, depending on the accuracy of verification that is desired.
When the assembly of this information is complete, the video channel switch
52 then automatically switches to the next selected channel, restarting
the identification process. The process is subsequently repeated for all
those selected channels wherefore it returns to first monitored channel to
start the identification process over for the next consecutive second.
FIG. 5 illustrates communication between the central computer 22 and the
computer 62. Each of these computers is coupled via modems 64 and 66 to a
telephone transmission line 68. At a predetermined time, either on a
daily, bi-daily or other time basis, the central computer 22 will generate
an inquiry signal which causes the computer 62 to transmit the
verification signals which it has stored over a period of time from the
station 30 to the central computer 22. The central computer 22 will then
compare the verification signals with the stored reference signals thus
verifying the transmission and quality of the transmitted signals.
Reference signals stored in the central computer 22 for which no verifying
signal is present, will be indicated to have been not transmitted, and
appropriate follow-up action can then be taken. While a single market area
was illustrated with respect to the transmitting and receiving stations of
FIG. 3, the central computer 22 can sequentially query receiving stations
in a number of different market areas, and thus provides a means for
centrally correlating information with respect to the transmission of
signals throughout the country.
The method and apparatus thus described are advantageous in that
comprehensive auditing of transmitted video information is automatically
accomplished. The automatic auditing is accomplished economically and
rapidly thus enabling prompt follow-up with indications of faulty
transmission that are received. The prompt follow-up enhances the billing
and payment for aired time.
While there has been described a particular embodiment of the invention, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations may be made
thereto. By way of example only, eliminating the need for the channel
identification code to be either generated or made a part of the
verification signal is apparent where only one channel exists in the
market or only one particular channel is being monitored on a dedicated
basis. Such variations may be made without departing from the spirit of
the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
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