Methods and apparatus to detect commercial advertisements associated with media presentations are disclosed. An example method involves receiving a video frame and detecting a change in box-formatting between the video frame and a subsequent video frame. A transition between the video frame and the subsequent video frame is indicated as a commercial advertisement transition based on the detected change in box-formatting.

The present invention enables detection of a sponsorship credit display in a broadcast program with higher precision. A sponsorship credit display detection device 100 according to the present invention includes: a CM segment detection unit 120 that extracts a cut point, which is a time point where a frame in which the volume of an audio signal of a broadcast program is less than a volume threshold value and the amount of change from a previous frame is at least a pixel change threshold value is played, and detects a CM segment by comparing an interval of the extracted cut point with a CM defined length; a sponsorship credit display segment estimation unit 130 that estimates, as a sponsorship credit display segment, a predetermined time period before or after at least one continuous CM segment detected by the CM segment detection unit 120; and an output unit 140 that outputs information indicating the sponsorship credit display segment.

Example apparatus disclosed herein include means for processing media signatures of a first type to monitor media presented by a media device, the processing of the media signatures of the first type to be performed until a first media signature of the first type is determined to match a reference signature of the first type. Disclosed example apparatus also include means for processing media signatures of a second type associated with the first reference media to monitor the media presented by the media device, the processing of the media signatures of the second type to begin after the first media signature of the first type is determined to match the reference signature of the first type, the processing of the media signatures of the second type to end when a number of media signatures of the second type is determined not to match corresponding reference signatures of the second type.

Example apparatus disclosed herein include means for processing media signatures of a first type to monitor media presented by a media device, the processing of the media signatures of the first type to be performed until a first media signature of the first type is determined to match a reference signature of the first type. Disclosed example apparatus also include means for processing media signatures of a second type associated with the first reference media to monitor the media presented by the media device, the processing of the media signatures of the second type to begin after the first media signature of the first type is determined to match the reference signature of the first type, the processing of the media signatures of the second type to end when a number of media signatures of the second type is determined not to match corresponding reference signatures of the second type.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method is described for providing a subscriber specific solution or recommend a subscriber specific action in at least one of a visual and an audible form at a receiver station. A remote data source stores digital data and receives a transmission originated from the receiver station. The subscriber specific solution or subscriber specific action is based on a subscriber specific analysis, and is dependent on transmitting the digital data from the remote data source to the receiver station. .Iaddend.

A method modifies how content is broadcast based on the tone and format of the content. One or more processors retrieve a set of rules that describe a tone and format for proposed content that is to be broadcast to an intended target, and determine whether the proposed content conforms to the set of rules. In response to determining that the proposed content does not conform to the set of rules, the processor(s) modify how the proposed content is broadcast to the intended target. The processor(s) generate an enriched content of the modified content by applying, to the modified content, content metatags that describe a content of the modified content, and then analyze the enriched content to calculate a trustworthiness index (TI) for the enriched content. The processors further modify how content is broadcast to the intended target based on the TI of the enriched content.

A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.

A system for monitoring displayed content, such as advertisements, has at least one sensor that is used to monitor an electronic display and provide information about the operation of the display, such as the content being displayed or whether one or more components of the display are operating correctly. The sensor is selected, positioned, and/or otherwise configured to limit the its ability to collect information in the environment surrounding the display so as to reduce concerns about the use of the sensor in a private or secure environment. The system may be used to confirm that the hardware of the display system is operating correctly and displaying the proper content at the proper times.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method and apparatus to reprogram a receiver station, where the receiver station includes a receiver and a programmable device of a specific version having a memory. The receiver station receives an electronic digital information transmission including operating system instructions and a digital control signal that designates a designated hardware version of a programmable device. The received operating system instructions are communicated to the memory if a match occurs between the designated hardware version included in the transmission and the specific version of the programmable device resident at the receiver station..Iaddend.

Example local devices disclosed herein include memory including a set of reference fingerprints corresponding to media, the set of reference fingerprints from a remote device different from the local device and one or more processor circuits to execute machine readable instructions to generate a monitored fingerprint of the media presented at a location and compare the monitored fingerprint to at least some of the set of reference fingerprints from the remote device. Additionally, the one or more processor circuits are to determine an amount of time that has passed since the media started and after a match between the monitored fingerprint and one or more reference fingerprints of the set of reference fingerprints, cause transmission of audience measurement information to identify the media, the audience measurement information including data indicative of the amount of time that has passed since the media started.