Iterative, maximally probable, batch-mode commercial detection for audiovisual content

A system for detecting a commercial in a set of audiovisual content spanning a duration of time, comprising:

• a data storage medium to store the set of audiovisual content;
• and
• a processor coupled to the data storage medium and configured to:
• select a candidate time within the duration of time spanned by the set of audiovisual content,
• wherein the candidate time is identified based on the detection of one or more predetermined cues in a first set of cues, and
• wherein the candidate time represents a possible boundary time of a commercial;
• assign a value to the candidate time;
• and
• analyze the candidate time to determine a likelihood that the candidate time is a commercial boundary time,
• wherein the analysis is performed on processing circuitry and includes:
• adjusting the value based on one or more cues in a second set of cues occurring within a time interval proximate to the candidate time, and
• further adjusting the value based on one or more characteristics of audiovisual content and associated probabilities.

A computer-implemented method for detecting an advertisement in a set of audiovisual content spanning a duration of time, the method comprising:

• receiving the set of audiovisual content;
• selecting a candidate time identified within the duration of time spanned by the set of audiovisual content,
• wherein the candidate time is identified based on the detection of one or more predetermined cues in a first set of cues, and
• wherein the candidate time represents a possible boundary time of an advertisement within the audiovisual content;
• assigning a value to the candidate time;
• analyzing the candidate time to determine a likelihood that the candidate time is an advertisement boundary time, wherein the analysis is performed by processing circuitry;
• and
• adjusting the value of the candidate time based on one or more predetermined cues in a second set of cues,
• wherein the second set of cues occur during a time interval proximate to the candidate time.