Audio Watermark Extraction for Automated As-Aired Log Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual intervention in generating post-air logs for television networks is inefficient, costly, and prone to inaccuracies due to the need for manual tracking of deviations from scheduled content and technical errors during transmission.

Innovation Solution

Embedding digital watermarks in content before transmission to automatically identify and verify aired content using a computer processor, which updates an as-aired log for accurate compliance and billing purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual intervention is used to generate post-air logs, then flexibility in tracking deviations can be achieved, but cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in tracking deviationsVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system embeds watermarks in content during the production phase before transmission, preparing identification data in advance. This preliminary action allows automatic recognition during playback without requiring manual tracking during the actual logging process, reducing time consumption while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces watermarks as an intermediary element that carries content identification information. These watermarks serve as a mediator between the content and the logging system, enabling automatic identification and reducing the need for manual intervention while maintaining flexibility in tracking deviations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual intervention is used to generate post-air logs, then content tracking can be performed, but accuracy decreases due to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent trackingVSAvoidaccuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables content to identify itself through embedded watermarks that contain unique identification information. During playback, the system automatically extracts and processes these watermarks to generate accurate logs without human intervention, eliminating human error while maintaining reliable content tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of content tracking with an automated electronic system that uses watermark extraction and processing. This substitution eliminates human error inherent in manual tracking while maintaining the reliability of content identification and logging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated watermark processing is implemented, then efficiency and accuracy improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveefficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a multi-functional platform that integrates watermark extraction, content identification, timestamp generation, and log updating in a single automated workflow. This universal approach handles multiple tasks through one system, improving efficiency while managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses watermark copies embedded in content that contain all necessary identification information. Instead of complex real-time analysis of content, the system extracts information from these pre-prepared watermark copies, simplifying the processing requirement while maintaining high efficiency and accuracy in content identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Loss of energy

If automated watermark extraction is used, then cost reduction is achieved, but technical complexity in implementation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidtechnical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs watermark extraction and content identification automatically during the playback process without requiring additional manual steps. By preparing watermarks in advance during content production and processing them automatically during playback, the system reduces operational costs while managing technical complexity through automated workflows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces watermarks as an intermediary that carries all necessary content identification information in a standardized format. This intermediary simplifies the technical implementation by providing a uniform interface for content identification, reducing the complexity of extracting and processing content information while achieving cost reduction through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10779025B2Automatic identification and verification of transmission of content

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

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.