IP Library Granted Patent US 8,020,000
Granted Patent B2
US 8,020,000 · App. 10/564,297 · Granted Sep 13, 2011

Method and device for generating and detecting a fingerprint functioning as a trigger marker in a multimedia signal

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,020,000
App. No.
10/564,297
Granted
Sep 13, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

This invention relates to a device and a method of relating one or more trigger actions with a multimedia signal and corresponding method and device for detecting one or more trigger actions in a multimedia signal. One fingerprint is generated on the basis of a segment of the multimedia signal at each trigger time point. The generated fingerprint(s) is stored in a database and communicated to playback devices. During playback fingerprints of the multimedia signal are generated and matched against fingerprints in the database. When a match is found, associated trigger actions is retrieved. The trigger time point is determined as a time point near or at a segment of the multimedia signal that caused a fingerprint to match. In this way, a simple and reliable way of detecting trigger markers for trigger actions is enabled without modifying the multimedia signal.

Claims (62)

1. A method comprising:

providing a trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) of a plurality of trigger time points within a multimedia signal,

the trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) corresponding to a segment of a plurality of segments of the multimedia signal,

the trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) corresponding to at least one of a predetermined distance from the start of the segment or a predetermined distance from the end of the segment,

each segment of the plurality of segments being identified by one of the plurality of trigger time points and corresponding to specific content to be shown to a user;

providing a representation of an action that corresponds to the specific content to be shown in the segment of the multimedia signal,

the trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) indicating a time point within the multimedia signal at which the action is to be triggered during a playback of the multimedia signal;

deriving a fingerprint based on the segment of the multimedia signal; and

associating the derived fingerprint with the action.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

storing at least one of the derived fingerprint or the representation of the action in a first database.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising

transmitting at least one of the derived fingerprint or the representation of the action to a playback device.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

the multimedia signal includes at least one of an audio signal or a video signal.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein

the action is selected from a group consisting of:

retrieving and displaying additional information on a display,

retrieving and playing additional information via a speaker,

playing another multimedia signal instead of the multimedia signal for a period of time,

interrupting the playback of the multimedia signal,

executing control commands, and

preparing a system for user inputs.

6. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising

storing at least one of the derived fingerprint or the representation of the action in a second database; and wherein

the derived fingerprint is at least one of an audio fingerprint or a video fingerprint.

7. A device comprising:

a fingerprint module implemented in hardware, the fingerprint module being configured to:

provide a trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) of a plurality of trigger time points within a multimedia signal,

the trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) corresponding to a segment of a plurality of segments of the multimedia signal,

the trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) corresponding to at least one of a predetermined distance from the start of the segment or a predetermined distance from the end of the segment,

each segment of the plurality of segments being identified by one of the plurality of trigger time points and corresponding to specific content to be shown to a user; and

provide a representation of an action that corresponds to the specific content to be shown in the segment of the multimedia signal,

the trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) indicating a time point within the multimedia signal at which the action is to be triggered during a playback of the multimedia signal; and

derive a fingerprint based on the segment of the multimedia signal; and

a database module configured to associate the derived fingerprint with the action.

8. The device according to claim 7 , further comprising:

a first database to store at least one of the derived fingerprint or the representation of the action.

9. The device according to claim 7 , further comprising:

a transmitter to transmit at least one of the derived fingerprint or the representation of the action to a playback device.

10. The device according to claim 7 , wherein

the multimedia signal includes at least one of an audio signal or a video signal.

11. The device according to claim 7 , wherein

the action is selected from a group consisting of:

retrieving and displaying additional information on a display,

retrieving and playing additional information via a speaker,

playing another multimedia signal instead of the multimedia signal for a period of time,

interrupting the playback of the multimedia signal,

executing control commands, and

preparing the device for user inputs.

12. The device according to claim 8 , further comprising

a second database to store at least one of the derived fingerprint or the representation of the action; and wherein

the derived fingerprint is at least one of an audio fingerprint or a video fingerprint.

13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to execute operations comprising:

providing a trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) of a plurality of trigger time points within a multimedia signal,

the trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) corresponding to a segment of a plurality of segments of the multimedia signal,

the trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) corresponding to at least one of a a predetermined distance from the start of the segment or a predetermined distance from the end of the segment,

each segment of the plurality of segments being identified by one of the plurality of trigger time points and corresponding to specific content to be shown to a user;

providing a representation of an action that corresponds to the specific content to be shown by the segment of the multimedia signal,

the trigger time point (T n ; T n+1 ) indicating a time point within the multimedia signal at which the action is to be triggered during a playback of the multimedia signal;

deriving a fingerprint based on the segment of the multimedia signal; and

associating the derived fingerprint with the action.

Assignments (15)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2024
From: ROKU, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 068982/0377 →
RELEASE (REEL 053473 / FRAME 0001) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063603/0001 →
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063605/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 056982/0194) Recorded Feb 22, 2023
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ROKU, INC.; ROKU DX HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062826/0664 →
RELEASE (REEL 042262 / FRAME 0601) Recorded Oct 13, 2022
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 061748/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Jun 29, 2021
From: ROKU, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 056982/0194 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2021
From: GRACENOTE, INC.
To: ROKU, INC.
Reel/Frame 056103/0786 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2021
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 056973/0280 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 RECORDED ON 6-9-2020 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053473 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 7, 2020
From: A.C. NIELSEN (ARGENTINA) S.A.; A.C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A
Reel/Frame 054066/0064 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2020
From: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NIELSEN UK FINANCE I, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053473/0001 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 13, 2017
From: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042262/0601 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Feb 8, 2017
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; CASTTV INC.; TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; TRIBUNE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 041656/0804 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2014
From: GRACENOTE, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032480/0272 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2010
From: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 024530/0208 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2006
From: OOSTVEEN, JOB CORNELIS; TEN KATE, WERNER RUDOLPH THEOPHILE; DENISSEN, ADRIANUS JOHANNES MARIA; ROBERTS, DAVID KEITH
To: KONNINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
Reel/Frame 017460/0261 →