IP Library Granted Patent US 9,264,744
Granted Patent B1
US 9,264,744 · App. 14/676,262 · Granted Feb 16, 2016

Using black-frame/non-black-frame transitions to output an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,264,744
App. No.
14/676,262
Granted
Feb 16, 2016
Kind
B1
Abstract

In one aspect, an example method for outputting an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system involves: a computing device receiving a first video-stream that represents first video-content; the computing device generating a first signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the first video-content; the computing device receiving a second video-stream that represents second video-content; the computing device generating a second signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the second video-content; the computing device making a determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack a threshold extent of similarity; and responsive to the determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack the threshold extent of similarity, the computing device outputting an alert.

Claims (36)

1. A method for outputting an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system, the method comprising:

a computing device receiving a first video-stream that represents first video-content;

the computing device generating a first signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the first video-content;

the computing device receiving a second video-stream that represents second video-content;

the computing device generating a second signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the second video-content;

the computing device making a determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack a threshold extent of similarity; and

responsive to the determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack the threshold extent of similarity, the computing device outputting an alert.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the first signature comprises identifying a black-frame/non-black-frame transition within the first video-content.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein generating the first signature comprises determining a type of the identified black-frame/non-black-frame transition.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein generating the first signature comprises determining a playout time of the identified black-frame/non-black-frame transition.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generated first-signature represents a first transition that has a first type and that is associated with a first time, wherein making the determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack a threshold extent of similarity comprises determining that the generated second-signature does not represent a second transition that has the first type and that is associated with a time that is within a tolerance period of the first time.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting an alert comprises displaying a message.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting an alert comprises transmitting an instruction.

8. A method for outputting an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system, the method comprising:

a computing device receiving a first video-stream that represents first video-content;

the computing device generating a first signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the first video-content;

the computing device receiving a second signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within second video-content represented by a second video-stream;

the computing device making a determination that the generated first-signature and the received second signature lack a threshold extent of similarity; and

responsive to the determination that the generated first-signature and the received second signature lack the threshold extent of similarity, the computing device outputting an alert.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein generating the first signature comprises identifying a black-frame/non-black-frame transition within the first video-content.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein generating the first signature comprises determining a type of the identified black-frame/non-black-frame transition.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein generating the first signature comprises determining a time associated with the identified black-frame/non-black-frame transition.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the generated first-signature represents a first transition that has a first type and that is associated with a first time, wherein making the determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack a threshold extent of similarity comprises determining that the generated second-signature does not represent a second transition that has the first type and that is associated with a time that is within a tolerance period of the first time.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein outputting an alert comprises displaying a message.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein outputting an alert comprises transmitting an instruction.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions that when executed cause a computing device to perform of a set of acts for outputting an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system, the set of acts comprising:

receiving a first video-stream that represents first video-content;

generating a first signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within the first video-content;

receiving a second signature based, at least in part, upon an extent of black-frame/non-black-frame transitions included within second video-content represented by a second video-stream;

making a determination that the generated first-signature and the received second signature lack a threshold extent of similarity; and

responsive to the determination that the generated first-signature and the received second signature lack the threshold extent of similarity, outputting an alert.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein generating the first signature comprises identifying a black-frame/non-black-frame transition within the first video-content.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein generating the first signature comprises determining a type of the identified black-frame/non-black-frame transition.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein generating the first signature comprises determining a playout time of the identified black-frame/non-black-frame transition.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the generated first-signature represents a first transition that has a first type and that is associated with a first time, wherein making the determination that the generated first-signature and the generated second-signature lack a threshold extent of similarity comprises determining that the generated second-signature does not represent a second transition that has the first type and that is associated with a time that is within a tolerance period of the first time.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein outputting an alert comprises displaying a message.

Assignments (4)
PARTIAL RELEASE - REEL/FRAME 036354/0902 Recorded Sep 24, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TRIBUNE BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 050475/0342 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 19, 2019
From: CHICAGOLAND TELEVISION NEWS, INC.; KPLR, INC.; KSTU, LLC; KSWB, LLC; KTLA, LLC; KTVI, LLC; KWGN, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING DENVER, LLC; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING FORT SMITH, LLC; TRIBUNE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC; TRIBUNE MEDIA COMPANY; TRIBUNE TELEVISION NEW ORLEANS, INC.; WDAF LICENSE, INC.; WDCW, LLC; WGHP, LLC; WGN CONTINENTAL BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC; WHNT, LLC; WJW TELEVISION, LLC; WNEP, LLC; WPIX, LLC; WQAD, LLC; WREG, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 050438/0004 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 14, 2015
From: GRACENOTE, INC.; TRIBUNE BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 036354/0902 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 2, 2015
From: HUNDEMER, HANK J.
To: TRIBUNE BROADCASTING COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 035321/0873 →