Cognitive Networks Gets Patent for Content ID System

Cognitive Networks, which provides automatic content recognition (ACR) for Smart TVs, has received a patent for its system and methodology for the real-time identification of TV ads and other content.

The San Francisco firm's ENGAGE API allows Smart TVs to launch applications displaying relevant content alongside television programs. In December, the firm completed a $14.5m Series B financing round, which it is using to expand its platform.

The new patent covers the company's ACR big data solution, which can be used for media buying, selling, measurement, and targeting of both advertising and content. This technology includes pattern recognition subsystems that are able to identify and classify video segments including TV ads, public service announcements and other video segments of specific short durations that appear on a regular basis.

CEO Michael Collette (pictured) comments: 'This patent is central to the provision of ACR services on Smart TVs and the generation of useful data. It is the first of our second-generation of patents, which derive from our first-mover advantage in bringing Smart TV ACR to market and the important solutions we've developed to address the actual, production operation of ACR in the highly complex TV market.'

Web site: www.cognitivenetworks.com .