Method of and apparatus for scanning for and replacing words on video cassettes

• US 5,870,708 A
• Filed: 10/10/1996
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Walter S. Stewart
• Original Assignee: Walter S. Stewart
• Inventors: Stewart, Walter Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Storm, Donald L.
• Application Number:
  US08/728,885
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 704/278, 704/231, 704/270, 704/502, 704/257, 704/200, 704/235, 704/504, 704/260, 704/277, 704/275, 704/251, 369/83, 369/54, 348/462, 348/632, 455/212, 455/221
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4394 involving operations for analysing the audio stream, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in audio streams arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4396 by muting the audio signal

Abstract

A scanning apparatus for scanning a video recording for objectionable content is disclosed that includes an audio processor for analyzing the recording and recognizing the objectionable audio, and audio control gate for manipulating the objectionable audio. The scanning apparatus also includes an amplifier that amplifies the signal and converters to convert the signal from analog to digital format prior to analysis and digital to analog format after analysis. The method of scanning the video recording for objectionable content includes the steps of analyzing the recording and manipulating the recording. The method first includes the steps of amplifying the recording signal, separating the audio portion of the recording from the composite recording, digitizing the portions of the recording, and storing the composite portion of the recording in a loop while analysis is performed on the audio portion of the recording.

Claims

1. A scanning apparatus for scanning associated media recording signals for objectionable audio signals comprising objectionable speech, said apparatus comprising:

analyzation means for analyzing said associated media recording signals and recognizing said objectionable audio signals;

manipulation means for manipulating said objectionable audio signals, said manipulation means being operatively connected to said analyzation means;

looping means for storing said media recording signals while said analyzation means analyzes said media recording signals and said manipulation means manipulates said objectionable audio signals; and

,

an amplifier for increasing the power of said associated media recording signals.

2. The scanning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

digitizing means for converting said associated media recording signals from an analog form to a digital form.

3. The scanning apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

analog conversion means for converting said associated media recording signals from said digital form to said analog form after said manipulation means manipulates said objectionable audio signals.

4. The scanning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

an audio decoder, said audio decoder separating said associated media recording signals into an audio signal and a composite video, audio, and control signal, said objectionable audio signals being located in said audio signal.

5. The scanning apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

audio digitizing means for converting said audio signal from an analog audio form to a digital audio form; and

,

composite digitizing means for converting said composite video, audio, and control signal from an analog composite form to a digital composite form.

6. The scanning apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

analog audio conversion means for converting said audio signal from said digital audio form to said analog audio form after said manipulation means manipulates said objectionable audio signals; and

,

analog composite conversion means for converting said composite video, audio, and control signal from said digital composite form to said analog composite form.

7. A scanning apparatus for scanning associated media recording signals for objectionable speech, said associated media recording signals being comprised of an audio signal and a composite signal, said objectionable speech being located within said audio signal, said scanning apparatus comprising:

an amplifier for increasing the power of said associated media recording signals;

an audio decoder, said audio decoder separating said associated media recording signals into said audio signal and said composite signal, said audio decoder being connected to said amplifier;

looping means for storing said composite signal for a fixed amount of time;

analyzation means for analyzing said audio signal for said objectionable speech; and

,

manipulation means for manipulating said audio signal to remove said objectionable speech.

8. The scanning apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

audio digitizing means for converting said audio signal from an analog audio form to a digital audio form before said audio signal is analyzed by said analyzation means; and

,

composite digitizing means for converting said composite signal from an analog composite form to a digital composite form before said composite signal is stored by said looping means.

9. The scanning apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

audio analog means for converting said audio signal from a digital audio form to an analog audio form after said audio signal is analyzed by said analyzation means and manipulated by said manipulation means; and

,

composite analog means for converting said composite signal from a digital composite form to an audio composite form after said composite signal is stored by said looping means.

10. A method of scanning a recording for objectionable speech using a scanning apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

amplifying said recording using an amplifier;

separating an audio portion of said recording from a composite portion of said recording;

digitizing said audio portion of said recording;

digitizing said composite portion of said recording;

delaying said composite portion of said recording in looping means;

analyzing said recording for objectionable speech; and

,

manipulating said audio portion of said recording.