IP Library Granted Patent US 9,508,086
Granted Patent B2
US 9,508,086 · App. 14/746,217 · Granted Nov 29, 2016

Methods and apparatus to monitor, verify, and rate the performance of airings of commercials

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,508,086
App. No.
14/746,217
Granted
Nov 29, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus to monitor, verify, and rate the performance of airings of commercials are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing received advertisement detection information associated with the advertisement, the advertisement detection information detected from a presentation of the advertisement; identifying a buy order corresponding to the presentation of the advertisement based on the advertisement detection information; determining a purchased ratings value from the buy order; comparing the purchased ratings value of the buy order to received ratings information corresponding to the presentation of the advertisement to determine whether the advertisement was presented as indicated in the buy order; and generating a performance monitoring report using the buy order and the advertisement detection information to indicate whether the ratings information is less than the purchased ratings value.

Claims (90)

1. A method for monitoring advertisements, the method comprising:

detecting, by executing an instruction with a processor, presentation of an advertisement on a channel at a first time;

identifying, by executing an instruction with the processor, a television program presented on the channel during a time slot associated with the first time;

obtaining, from a ratings provider, first ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the first ratings information identifying exposure of the television program to a demographic;

combining, by executing an instruction with the processor, the first ratings information with second ratings information associated with a second time to generate a combined exposure for the demographic;

obtaining, from the ratings provider, third ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the third ratings information identifying exposure to a total audience; and

combining, by executing an instruction with the processor, the third ratings information with fourth ratings information associated with the second time to generate a combined exposure for the total audience;

determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, a demographic exposure ratio based on the combined exposure for the demographic and the combined exposure for the total audience;

comparing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the demographic exposure ratio to a threshold; and

issuing, by executing an instruction with the processor, a violation report when the demographic exposure ratio satisfies the threshold.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the demographic is associated with at least one of age or gender.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 ,

wherein the determining of the demographic exposure ratio includes dividing the combined exposure for the demographic by the combined exposure for the total audience.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the threshold is associated with a maximum desired exposure to the demographic.

5. A method for monitoring advertisements, the method comprising:

detecting, by executing an instruction with a processor, presentation of an advertisement associated with age-restricted subject matter on a channel at a first time;

identifying, by executing an instruction with the processor, a television program presented on the channel during a time slot associated with the first time;

obtaining, from a ratings provider, first ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the first ratings information identifying exposure of the television program to a demographic associated with children;

combining, by executing an instruction with the processor, the first ratings information with second ratings information associated with a second time to generate a combined exposure for the demographic;

comparing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the combined exposure for the demographic to a threshold; and

when the combined exposure for the demographic satisfies the threshold, issuing, by executing an instruction with the processor, a violation report indicating that presentation of the advertisement to children satisfied the threshold.

6. The method as defined in claim 5 , wherein the age-restricted subject matter is associated with controlled substances.

7. A method for monitoring advertisements, the method comprising:

detecting, by executing an instruction with a processor, presentation of an advertisement targeted to a first gender on a channel at a first time;

identifying, by executing an instruction with the processor, a television program presented on the channel during a time slot associated with the first time;

obtaining, from a ratings provider, first ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the first ratings information identifying exposure of the television program to a demographic associated with a second gender;

combining, by executing an instruction with the processor, the first ratings information with second ratings information associated with a second time to generate a combined exposure for the demographic;

comparing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the combined exposure for the demographic to a threshold; and

when the combined exposure for the demographic satisfies the threshold, issuing, by executing an instruction with the processor, a violation report indicating that presentation of the advertisement to the second gender satisfied the threshold.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a performance verifier to:

detect presentation of an advertisement on a channel at a first time;

determine a television program presented on the channel during a time slot associated with the first time;

obtain, from a ratings provider, first ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the first ratings information identifying exposure of the television program to a demographic; and

obtain, from the ratings provider, second ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the second ratings information identifying exposure to a total audience;

a processor to:

combine the first ratings information with third ratings information associated with a second time to generate a combined exposure for the demographic;

combine the second ratings information with fourth ratings information associated with the second time to generate a combined exposure for the total audience;

determine a demographic exposure ratio based on the combined exposure for the demographic and the combined exposure for the total audience; and

compare the demographic exposure ratio to a threshold; and

a report generator to issue a violation report when the demographic exposure ratio satisfies the threshold.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 , wherein to determine the demographic exposure ratio, the processor is to divide the combined exposure for the demographic by the combined exposure for the total audience.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 , wherein the threshold is associated with a maximum desired exposure to the demographic.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a performance verifier to:

detect presentation of an advertisement associated with age-restricted subject matter on a channel at a first time;

determine a television program presented on the channel during a time slot associated with the first time; and

obtain, from a ratings provider, first ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the first ratings information identifying exposure of the television program to a demographic associated with children;

a processor to:

combine the first ratings information with second ratings information associated with a second time to generate a combined exposure for the demographic; and

compare the combined exposure for the demographic to a threshold; and

a report generator to, when the combined exposure for the demographic satisfies the threshold, issue a violation report indicating that presentation of the advertisement to children satisfies the threshold.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 , wherein the age-restricted subject matter is associated with controlled substances.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a performance verifier to:

detect presentation of an advertisement targeted to a first gender on a channel at a first time;

determine a television program presented on the channel during a time slot associated with the first time; and

obtain, from a ratings provider, first ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the first ratings information identifying exposure of the television program to a demographic associated with a second gender;

a processor to:

combine the first ratings information with second ratings information associated with a second time to generate a combined exposure for the demographic; and

compare the combined exposure for the demographic to a threshold; and

a report generator to, when the combined exposure for the demographic satisfies the threshold, issue a violation report indicating that presentation of the advertisement to the second gender satisfied the threshold.

14. A tangible machine readable storage device or storage disc comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

detect presentation of an advertisement on a channel at a first time;

determine a television program presented on the channel during a time slot associated with the first time;

obtain first ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the first ratings information identifying exposure of the television program to a demographic;

combine the first ratings information with second ratings information associated with a second time to generate a combined exposure for the demographic;

obtain third ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the third ratings information identifying exposure to a total audience;

combine the third ratings information with fourth ratings information associated with the second time to generate a combined exposure for the total audience;

determine a demographic exposure ratio based on the combined exposure for the demographic and the combined exposure for the total audience;

compare the demographic exposure ratio to a threshold; and

issue a violation report when the demographic exposure ratio satisfies the threshold.

15. The storage device or storage disc as defined in claim 14 , wherein to determine the demographic exposure ratio, the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to

divide the combined exposure for the demographic by the combined exposure for the total audience.

16. The storage device or storage disc as defined in claim 14 , wherein the threshold is associated with a maximum desired exposure to the demographic.

17. A tangible machine readable storage device or storage disc comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

detect presentation of an advertisement associated with age-restricted subject matter on a channel at a first time;

determine a television program presented on the channel during a time slot associated with the first time;

obtain first ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the first ratings information identifying exposure of the television program to a demographic associated with children;

combine the first ratings information with second ratings information associated with a second time to generate a combined exposure for the demographic;

compare the combined exposure for the demographic to a threshold; and

when the combined exposure for the demographic satisfies the threshold, issue a violation report indicating that presentation of the advertisement to children satisfied the threshold.

18. The storage device or storage disc as defined in claim 17 , wherein the age-restricted subject matter is associated with controlled substances.

19. A tangible machine readable storage device or storage disc comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

detect presentation of an advertisement targeted to a first gender on a channel at a first time;

determine a television program presented on the channel during a time slot associated with the first time;

obtain first ratings information for the presentation of the television program during the time slot, the first ratings information identifying exposure of the television program to a demographic associated with a second gender;

combine the first ratings information with second ratings information associated with a second time to generate a combined exposure for the demographic;

compare the combined exposure for the demographic to a threshold; and

when the combined exposure for the demographic satisfies the threshold, issue a violation report indicating that presentation of the advertisement to the second gender satisfied the threshold.

Assignments (10)
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063574/0632 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063561/0381 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063560/0547 →
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2015
From: TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 035886/0755 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2015
From: RATHBURN, JAMES MILTON; WHYMARK, THOMAS J.; YANG, HUI-TUNG; MILLER, LAURENCE BLAIR; YU, HUAIYEU HUEY; CHAZEN, JONATHAN; KAMINSKI, JOSEPH; SHINDLE, STEVE
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US) INC.
Reel/Frame 036008/0910 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 23, 2015
From: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US) INC.
To: TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036013/0044 →