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Video signal identifier for controlling a VCR and television based on the occurrence of commercials

  • US 5,708,477 A
  • Filed: 05/29/1996
  • Issued: 01/13/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling electronic equipment comprising:

  • receiving an electrical signal comprising video frames;

    creating a current abbreviated frame corresponding to one of said video frames of said electrical signal;

    determining a total value of a particular characteristic of said current abbreviated frame;

    finding one of a plurality of abbreviated frames previously identified as representing a program segment and stored in a memory, said found abbreviated frame having a total value of a particular characteristic that differs from said total value of said particular characteristic of said current abbreviated frame by less than a predetermined total characteristic threshold;

    beginning at said found abbreviated frame, searching said memory for a stored abbreviated frame that matches said current abbreviated frame within a predetermined match threshold; and

    sending at least one control signal to said electronic equipment to interrupt an operation being performed by said electronic equipment if said searching means finds a matching stored abbreviated frame.

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