Patent ID: 8254756
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: H04H,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of processing a video and audio signal to provide an indication of the presence of a commercial in the video signal so as to allow the possible application of a commercial skip process, the method comprising: detecting a higher than normal average audio signal level in the audio signal; detecting the decreased video level of a fade to black signal in a normal video signal; and providing the indication of the presence of the commercial in response to the detection of the combined higher than normal average audio signal level and the fade to black signal; wherein the step of detecting the higher than normal average audio signal level comprises, a generating an average audio energy function in which an additionally higher value than the normally higher average audio signal level that a commercial produces in comparison with the normal video signal, is assigned to the audio signal when a commercial is present, and detecting the additionally higher value than normal and providing a logic signal indicative thereof; and wherein the step of providing includes providing an output signal indicative of the presence of the commercial in response to the detection of the additionally higher value than normal in combination with the fade to black signal.