IP Library Granted Patent US 9,912,482
Granted Patent B2
US 9,912,482 · App. 14/959,990 · Granted Mar 6, 2018

Methods and apparatus to collect distributed user information for media impressions and search terms

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,912,482
App. No.
14/959,990
Granted
Mar 6, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed examples involve obtaining encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device, sending respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors, receiving user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors, and associating the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a media impression logged for media presented at the device.

Claims (65)

1. A method comprising:

obtaining, at a server, encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device, the device being separate from the server;

sending, from the server, respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors;

receiving, at the server, user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors; and

associating the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a media impression logged for media presented at the device.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the associating of the user information with the at least one of the search term or the media impression is performed at the server.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including decoding information from the device to obtain the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers.

4. A method comprising:

obtaining encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device;

sending respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors, the database proprietors including a social network service and a wireless service provider, a first one of the encrypted identifiers including a username of the user registered with the social network service, and a second one of the encrypted identifiers including a device identifier used by the wireless service provider to identify the device;

receiving user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors; and

associating the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a media impression logged for media presented at the device.

5. The method as defined in claim 4 , wherein the user information includes first demographic information of the user stored by the social network service, and second demographic information of the user stored by the wireless service provider.

6. A method comprising:

obtaining encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device;

sending respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors;

receiving user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors; and

associating the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a media impression logged for media presented at the device, the media is an advertisement, and the search term corresponds to a search performed at the device to at least one of search information on the Internet, search for a product, search for a website, or search a website.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including sending the encrypted identifiers to the corresponding database proprietors based on respective database proprietor identifiers received in association with corresponding ones of the encrypted identifiers, the respective database proprietor identifiers identifying corresponding ones of the database proprietors.

8. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the device is a mobile device.

9. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the encrypted identifiers are received in a single network communication.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a memory including machine executable instructions; and

a processor to execute the instructions to:

obtain encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device, the device being separate from the processor;

send respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors;

receive user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors; and

associate the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a media impression logged for media presented at the device.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 , wherein the processor is located in a server separate from the device and in communication with the device.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a memory including machine executable instructions; and

a processor to execute the instructions to:

obtain encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device;

send respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors, the database proprietors including a social network service and a wireless service provider, a first one of the encrypted identifiers including a username of the user registered with the social network service, and a second one of the encrypted identifiers including a device identifier used by the wireless service provider to identify the device;

receive user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors; and

associate the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a media impression logged for media presented at the device.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 , wherein the user information includes first demographic information of the user stored by the social network service, and second demographic information of the user stored by the wireless service provider.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a memory including machine executable instructions; and

a processor to execute the instructions to:

obtain encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device;

send respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors;

receive user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors; and

associate the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a media impression logged for media presented at the device, the media is an advertisement, and the search term corresponds to a search performed at the device to at least one of search information on the Internet, search for a product, search for a website, or search a website.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 , wherein the processor is to execute the instructions to send the encrypted identifiers to the corresponding database proprietors based on respective database proprietor identifiers received in association with corresponding ones of the encrypted identifiers, the respective database proprietor identifiers identifying corresponding ones of the database proprietors.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 , wherein the encrypted identifiers are received in a single network communication.

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

obtain encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device, the machine being separate from the device;

send respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors;

receive user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors; and

associate the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a media impression logged for media presented at the device.

18. The tangible machine readable storage medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the machine is a server separate from the device and in communication with the device.

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

obtain encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device;

send respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors, the database proprietors including a social network service and a wireless service provider, a first one of the encrypted identifiers including a username of the user registered with the social network service, and a second one of the encrypted identifiers including a device identifier used by the wireless service provider to identify the device;

receive user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors; and

associate the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a social media impression logged for media presented at the device.

20. The tangible machine readable storage medium as defined in claim 19 , wherein the user information includes first demographic information of the user stored by the social network service, and second demographic information of the user stored by the wireless service provider.

21. A tangible machine readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

obtain encrypted identifiers identifying at least one of a device or a user of the device;

send respective ones of the encrypted identifiers to corresponding database proprietors;

receive user information corresponding to the respective ones of the encrypted identifiers from the corresponding database proprietors; and

associate the user information with at least one of a search term collected at the device or a media impression logged for media presented at the device, the media is an advertisement, and the search term corresponds to a search performed at the device to at least one of search information on the Internet, search for a product, search for a website, or search a website.

22. The tangible machine readable storage medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the machine to send the encrypted identifiers to the corresponding database proprietors based on respective database proprietor identifiers received in association with corresponding ones of the encrypted identifiers, the respective database proprietor identifiers identifying corresponding ones of the database proprietors.

23. The tangible machine readable storage medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the encrypted identifiers are received in a single network communication.

Assignments (8)
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 →
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 Feb 5, 2016
From: BURBANK, JOHN R.; ALLA, MADHUSUDHAN REDDY
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 037675/0610 →