Method, apparatus, and program for evolving algorithms for detecting content in information streams

A method for evaluating a media information stream, comprising the steps of:

• performing one or more algorithms, each to detect the presence of predetermined content in the media information stream, wherein each algorithm is a function of a corresponding chromosome;
• and
• automatically determining a value, for the chromosome of at least one of the algorithms, which enables that algorithm to detect the presence of the predetermined content in the media information stream with an increased degree of accuracy relative to the accuracy achieved when other values are employed.

An apparatus for evaluating a media information stream, comprising:

• a memory for storing a media information stream and a program, at least a portion of the program including instructions for performing a method for optimizing the performance of an algorithm for detecting predetermined content in a media information stream, the algorithm being a function of a set of parameters;
• and
• a controller coupled to said memory, said controller being operable under the control of the program stored in said memory for (a) performing the algorithm at least once to detect the predetermined content in the media information stream stored by said memory, while employing a respective set of parameters in the algorithm for each performance thereof, and (b) automatically evolving at least one respective set of parameters employed in the algorithm to maximize the degree of accuracy at which the algorithm detects the predetermined content in the media information stream.

An apparatus for optimizing the performance of an algorithm for detecting predetermined content in a media information stream, the algorithm being a function of a set of parameters, the apparatus comprising:

• means for performing the algorithm at least once to detect the predetermined content in the media information stream, while employing a respective set of parameters in the algorithm for each performance thereof;
• and
• means for automatically evolving at least one respective set of parameters employed in the algorithm to maximize the degree of accuracy at which the algorithm detects the predetermined content in the media information stream.

A program product comprising computer readable-code which, when executed, performs a method for optimizing the performance of an algorithm for detecting predetermined content in a media information stream, the algorithm being a function of a set of parameters, the method comprising the steps of:

• performing the algorithm at least once to detect the predetermined content in the media information stream, while employing a respective set of parameters in the algorithm for each performance thereof;
• and
• automatically evolving at least one respective set of parameters employed in the algorithm to maximize the degree of accuracy at which the algorithm detects the predetermined content in the media information stream.

A storage medium storing a program having computer readable-code which, when executed, performs a method for optimizing the performance of an algorithm for detecting predetermined content in a media information stream, the algorithm being a function of a set of parameters, the method comprising the steps of:

• performing the algorithm at least once to detect the predetermined content in the media information stream, while employing a respective set of parameters in the algorithm for each performance thereof;
• and
• automatically evolving at least one respective set of parameters employed in the algorithm to maximize the degree of accuracy at which the algorithm detects the predetermined content in the media information stream.