Broadcast Content Screening via Segmented Signal Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for screening out content of interest in broadcast media, such as advertising, violent, or adult content, are ineffective due to the difficulty in distinguishing these from regular programming and the need for blocking entire programs rather than specific objectionable components.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a processor to generate a screening signal based on user input for content of interest start times, reconciling variations in human user input to accurately identify and block specific segments of broadcast programming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods use transmission characteristics to block content of interest, then blocking can be implemented, but the methods are ineffective because advertisers and broadcasters change characteristics to avoid blockage and content is difficult to distinguish from regular programming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of content blockingVSAvoidability of content to evade blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides broadcast programming into discrete segments by identifying content of interest start times, allowing selective blocking of specific portions rather than entire programs. This segmentation enables precise control over what content is blocked, resolving the contradiction by making blocking more reliable through granular control while reducing adaptability requirements since individual segments are targeted rather than broad patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses human user input as feedback to identify content of interest start times, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual viewing preferences and content characteristics. This feedback mechanism improves reliability by using direct human observation rather than relying on easily circumvented transmission characteristics, while the system's ability to learn from multiple users reduces the need for content creators to evade blocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If conventional methods block entire programs to screen adult or violent content, then objectionable content is blocked, but unnecessary content is also blocked reducing viewing experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of objectionable content blockingVSAvoidloss of non-objectionable content

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables blocking of only the specific segments containing content of interest rather than entire programs. By identifying precise start times of objectionable content and blocking only those segments, the system achieves complete removal of unwanted content while preserving the rest of the program, directly resolving the contradiction between complete blocking and content preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and removes only the specific portions of broadcast programming that contain content of interest, leaving the remainder intact. This extraction approach ensures that all objectionable content is removed while minimizing loss of valuable non-objectionable content, directly addressing the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses human user input to identify content of interest, then selective blocking is enabled, but human reaction time delays reduce precision of timing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to select specific content for blockingVSAvoidprecision of content start time identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines inputs from multiple human users to identify content of interest start times. By merging multiple independent observations, the system reduces the impact of individual reaction time delays and achieves more precise timing through statistical aggregation, resolving the contradiction between human-based selection and timing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses iterative feedback from multiple users to refine content start time identification. Through repeated observations and feedback loops, the system converges on more accurate timing despite individual human reaction delays, maintaining the advantages of human adaptability while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7496942B2Broadcast content screening service method

Publication Date: 2009.02.24 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

A method for screening broadcast programming is provided. A viewer is configured to receive broadcast programming and to present the broadcast programming to a user. An interface is configured to receive user input from a user, the user input comprising at least a content of interest start time based on the broadcast programming. A processor is coupled to the interface and configured to store the user input and to generate a screening signal based on the user input. In a particular aspect, a broadcast recorder is coupled to the viewer and configured to store the received broadcast programming.