You will soon be able to teach your TV to avoid the commercials you just
can’t stand to watch by pressing a “no” button whenever dreadful ads appear on
the screen, says Philips (WO 01/33848). TVs will have a built-in disc drive
which plays a programme back a few seconds after recording it. The set uses the
short delay to seek out telltale signs of adverts, like picture fades, Internet
domain names, logos and product slogans. It then checks your personal profile to
see if you have objected to this ad. When there is a match, the TV switches the
screen to a pre-recorded sequence—such as a view of tropical fish, or a
favourite sketch, like the Ministry of Silly Walks.
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