Methods and apparatus for selectively reproducing segments of broadcast programming
First Claim
1. The method of selectively reproducing segments of broadcast programming which comprises, in combination, the steps of:
- employing a signal analyzer to derive a plurality of identification signals from the content of said broadcast programming, each of said identification signals uniquely specifying an identifying characteristic of the content of a corresponding segment of said broadcast programming,storing said plurality of identification signals in a database,receiving an incoming broadcasted signal from one or more sources,comparing the content of the programming in said incoming broadcasted signal with said identification signals in said database to detect of the presence of at least one of said identifying characteristics in said broadcasted signalpersistently storing a copy of that particular segment of said incoming broadcasted signal that includes the detected one of said identifying characteristics, andthereafter reproducing said particular segment in response to a request from a user.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for editing broadcast programming signals which allow a user to compile a proprietary signal tailored to the user'"'"'s individual preferences are provided. Systems of the present invention include a receiver for receiving a broadcast programming signal in any broadcast format, a database memory having identification signals stored therein, a comparator for comparing portions of the broadcast signal with the identification signal in order to select those portions of the broadcast programming signal to be recorded, a data processor, and a compression buffer for storage of the selected broadcast programming signals. Methods of the present invention include receiving a broadcast programming signal, comparing the broadcast programming signal to an identification signal derived, employing a signal analyzer originally to derive the identification signals from the content of the broadcast programming before broadcast, so as to select a portion of the broadcast programming signal, and storing the selected portion in a memory.
863 Citations
9 Claims
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1. The method of selectively reproducing segments of broadcast programming which comprises, in combination, the steps of:
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employing a signal analyzer to derive a plurality of identification signals from the content of said broadcast programming, each of said identification signals uniquely specifying an identifying characteristic of the content of a corresponding segment of said broadcast programming, storing said plurality of identification signals in a database, receiving an incoming broadcasted signal from one or more sources, comparing the content of the programming in said incoming broadcasted signal with said identification signals in said database to detect of the presence of at least one of said identifying characteristics in said broadcasted signal persistently storing a copy of that particular segment of said incoming broadcasted signal that includes the detected one of said identifying characteristics, and thereafter reproducing said particular segment in response to a request from a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for reproducing selected segments of broadcast programming which comprises, in combination,
a source of a plurality of segments of broadcast programming, a signal analyzer coupled to said source for deriving from each given one of said segments an identification signal which specifies an identifying characteristic unique to said given one of said segments and which further includes timing data which specifies the time position of said characteristic relative to the beginning and ending of said given one of said segments, means coupled to said processing means for storing said identification signal in a database of segment identification signals, a receiver for acquiring an incoming broadcast programming signal, a comparator for matching said incoming broadcast programming signal with said database of identification signals to identify the presence of a component of said broadcast programming signal which corresponds to a characteristic specified by a particular one of the segment identification signals in said database, segment storage means responsive to said comparator for storing a portion of said broadcast programming signal defined by the time position of said component and said timing data from said particular one of said segment identification signals.
Specification