IP Library Granted Patent US 10,796,262
Granted Patent B2
US 10,796,262 · App. 14/894,901 · Granted Oct 6, 2020

Interactive product auditing with a mobile device

Inventors: Diego Garcia Morate (Valladolid, ES); Antonio Hurtado Garcia (Valladolid, ES)
Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
G06Q10/06393G06K9/00671G06K9/00771G06Q10/087G06Q30/0242G06T7/11G06F3/0482G06T2200/24
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,796,262
App. No.
14/894,901
Granted
Oct 6, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Interactive product auditing with a mobile device is described. Example methods disclosed herein include performing, with an auditing device, image recognition based on a first set of candidate patterns accessed by the auditing device to identify a first product in a first region of interest of a segmented image. The disclosed example methods also include prompting, with the auditing device, a user to enter input associated with a first grid of the first region of interest displayed on a display, the first grid including the first product. The disclosed example methods further include determining, with the auditing device, a second set of candidate patterns to use to identify a second product in a second region of interest of the segmented image, the second set of candidate patterns determined based on the user input and a group of products identified in a neighborhood of the first region of interest.

Claims (56)

1. An interactive product auditing method comprising:

performing, with a processor of an auditing device, image recognition based on a first set of candidate patterns accessed by the auditing device to identify a first product depicted in a first region of interest of a segmented image;

presenting, via a display of the auditing device, a message requesting user input associated with a first grid of the first region of interest displayed on a display of the auditing device, the first grid including the first product;

selecting, with the processor of the auditing device, a second set of candidate patterns from a pattern database based on the user input and a group of products identified in the segmented image in a neighborhood of the first region of interest;

identifying a second product in a second region of interest of the segmented image based on the second set of candidate patterns; and

displaying, on the display of the auditing device, an image-based result for the first and second products identified in the first and second regions of interest.

2. The method of claim 1 , further including

modifying the image-based result based on the user input.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the modifying of the image-based result includes: (a) changing an identification of at least one of: (1) the first product or (2) the second product, or (b) changing a segment of the segmented image.

4. The method of claim 1 , further including;

displaying, on the display of the auditing device, key performance indicators providing data related to the first and second products;

displaying, on the display of the auditing device, a prompt to the user for a second user input while the key performance indicators are displayed on the display of the auditing device; and

modifying at least one of the key performance indicators based on the second user input.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the key performance indicators include at least one of respective shares of shelf space or respective positions of the first and second products in the segmented image.

6. The method of claim 1 , further including at least one of determining a location of the first and second products in the segmented image, determining respective numbers of facings of the first and second products in the segmented image, detecting a grid in the first region of interest that is empty, or detecting a grid in the first region of interest that is associated with an out-of-stock product.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first set of candidate patterns is selected based on at least one of a store being audited, a product category, or an auditor performing the audit.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second set of candidate patterns is further selected based on at least one of a product category or a store.

9. An auditing device comprising:

a product identifier to perform image recognition based on a first set of candidate patterns accessed by the auditing device to identify a first product depicted in a first region of interest of a segmented image;

a display to present a message requesting user input associated with a first grid of the first region of interest displayed on the display, the first grid including the first product;

an input/output interface to obtain the user input;

a candidate pattern selector to:

select a second set of candidate patterns from a pattern database based on the user input and a group of products identified in the segmented image in a neighborhood of the first region of interest, and

identify a second product in a second region of interest of the segmented image based on the second set of candidate patterns; and

a results analyzer to display, via the display, an image-based result for the first and second products identified in the first and second regions of interest.

10. The auditing device of claim 9 , wherein the results analyzer is further to

enable the user to modify the image-based result.

11. The auditing device of claim 10 , wherein the results analyzer is to modify the image-based result by: (a) changing an identification of: at least one of (1) the first product or (2) the second product, or (b) changing a segment of the segmented image.

12. The auditing device of claim 9 , further including a key performance indicator definer to:

determine key performance indicators providing data related to the first and second products;

display the key performance indicators displayed on the display; and

prompt for a second user input to modify at least one of the key performance indicators.

13. The auditing device of claim 12 , wherein the key performance indicators include at least one of respective shares of shelf space or respective positions of the first and second products in the segmented image.

14. The auditing device of claim 12 , wherein the key performance indicator definer is further to:

determine a location of the first and second products in the segmented image; and

determine respective numbers of facings of the first and second products in the segmented image.

15. The auditing device of claim 9 , wherein an image segmentor is further to:

detect a grid in the first region of interest that is empty; and

detect a grid in the first region of interest that is associated with an out-of-stock product.

16. The auditing device of claim 9 , wherein the candidate pattern selector is further to select the first set of candidate patterns based on at least one of a store being audited, a product category, or a user performing the audit.

17. The auditing device of claim 9 , wherein the candidate pattern selector is further to select the second set of candidate patterns based on at least one of a product category or a store.

18. A tangible computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processor of an auditing device to at least:

perform image recognition based on a first set of candidate patterns accessed by the auditing device to identify a first product depicted in a first region of interest of a segmented image;

present a message requesting user input associated with a first grid of the first region of interest displayed on a display of the auditing device, the first grid including the first product;

select a second set of candidate patterns from a pattern database based on the user input and a group of products identified in the segmented image in a neighborhood of the first region of interest;

identify a second product in a second region of interest of the segmented image based on the second set of candidate patterns; and

display, on the display of the auditing device, an image-based result for the first and second products identified in the first and second regions of interest.

19. The machine-readable instructions of claim 18 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to

modify the image-based results based on the user input.

20. The machine-readable instructions of claim 18 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to:

display, on the display of the auditing device, key performance indicators providing data related to the first and second products;

display, on the display of the auditing device, a prompt to the user for a second user input while the key performance indicators are displayed on the display of the auditing device; and

modify at least one of the key performance indicators based on the second user input.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pattern database is stored on a remote server, and further including downloading, at the auditing device, the second set of candidate patterns from the remote server.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting of the second set of candidate patterns is further based on a product category of the group of products.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting the second set of the candidate patterns is further based on patterns identified in the first region of interest.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063605/0001 →
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 →
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 Jan 21, 2016
From: MORATE, DIEGO GARCIA; GARCIA, ANTONIO HURTADO
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 037553/0184 →