Media Identification Using Time Interval Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern media playback devices that allow faster playback rates alter both video and audio aspects of media, making it challenging to identify and credit media accurately due to time-compression and potential removal or reprocessing of media portions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating reference and monitored media signatures based on ratios of time intervals between media characteristics, allowing for identification and crediting of media independent of playback rate, using a system comprising a reference signature generator, meter, and media manager to compare and match signatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If media is played back at a faster rate (time-compressed playback), then productivity of media consumption is improved, but measurement precision of media identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the media signal by extracting characteristics at different time scales and converting them into a common representation. This parameter transformation allows the system to identify media regardless of playback speed by normalizing time-dependent characteristics into speed-invariant features for comparison against reference signatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by examining media characteristics across multiple time scales simultaneously. By analyzing patterns at different temporal resolutions and transforming them into a unified signature space, the system creates an additional dimension for identification that is independent of playback rate.
2Productivity
If portions of media are removed or reprocessed to enable faster playback, then productivity is improved, but reliability of media identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary extraction and transformation of media characteristics before playback modification occurs. By creating time-scale invariant signatures from the original media characteristics and storing them as reference patterns, the system prepares identification templates in advance that remain valid even when the media is subsequently compressed or portions are removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the identified media information is used to adjust and refine the signature matching process. The system continuously compares transformed characteristics against reference signatures and uses the matching results to maintain reliable identification even when media portions are removed or reprocessed for faster playback.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods to identify and credit media using ratios of media characteristics are disclosed herein. Example apparatus to identify media include at least one memory, instructions, and at least one processor to execute the instructions to: determine a first ratio based on a first time interval and a second time interval of a monitored media signal; determine a second ratio based on the second time interval and a third time interval of the monitored media signal; generate a first ratio signature based on the first and second ratios; and initiate transmission of the first ratio signature to a recipient that is to compare the first signature with a second ratio signature to identify the media.