IP Library Granted Patent US 9,756,368
Granted Patent B2
US 9,756,368 · App. 15/214,087 · Granted Sep 5, 2017

Methods and apparatus to identify media using hash keys

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,756,368
App. No.
15/214,087
Granted
Sep 5, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed to correct hash keys. An example method involves accessing a first metered hash key and first reference metadata associated with the first metered hash key. Accessing second reference metadata associated with a second hash key adjacent to the first metered hash key. Determining if the first metered hash key is unexpected. When the first metered hash key is unexpected, generating an error level using a first bitwise comparison of the first metered hash key and the second hash key. Determining if the error level satisfies a threshold. When the error level satisfies the threshold, storing the second hash key as the first metered hash key.

Claims (46)

1. A method comprising:

accessing, by executing an instruction with a processor, a first metered hash key and first reference metadata associated with the first metered hash key;

accessing, by executing an instruction with the processor, second reference metadata associated with a second hash key adjacent to the first metered hash key;

determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, if the first metered hash key is unexpected;

when the first metered hash key is unexpected, generating, by executing an instruction with the processor, an error level using a first bitwise comparison of the first metered hash key and the second hash key;

determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, if the error level satisfies a threshold; and

when the processor determines that the error level satisfies the threshold:

storing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the second hash key as the first metered hash key.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first metered hash key is unexpected when at least one of a title or a media identification associated with the first reference metadata do not match at least one of a title or a media identification associated with the second reference metadata.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the threshold is set to a percentage of a bit length of the first metered hash key.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including:

when the processor determines that the error level does not satisfy the threshold:

storing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the first metered hash key as a valid hash key.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first bitwise comparison includes an exclusive OR function.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the error level is indicative of a number of bits that are not identical between the first metered hash key and the second hash key.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the threshold is satisfied when the error level is less than or equal to the threshold.

8. An apparatus comprising:

an error handler to:

access a first metered hash key and first reference metadata associated with the first metered hash key;

access second reference metadata associated with a second hash key adjacent to the first metered hash key;

determine if the first metered hash key is unexpected;

when the first metered hash key is unexpected, generate an error level using a first bitwise comparison of the first metered hash key and the second hash key;

determine if the error level satisfies a threshold; and

when the error level satisfies the threshold:

store the second hash key as the first metered hash key.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 , wherein the first metered hash key is unexpected when at least one of a title or a media identification associated with the first reference metadata do not match at least one of a title or a media identification associated with the second reference metadata.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 , wherein the threshold is set to a percentage of a bit length of the first metered hash key.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 , wherein the error handler is further to:

when the error level does not satisfy the threshold, store the first metered hash key as a valid hash key.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 , wherein the first bitwise comparison includes an exclusive OR function.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 , wherein the error level is indicative of a number of bits that are not identical between the first metered hash key and the second hash key.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 , wherein the threshold is satisfied when the error level is less than or equal to the threshold.

15. A tangible computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to at least:

access a first metered hash key and first reference metadata associated with the first metered hash key;

access second reference metadata associated with a second hash key adjacent to the first metered hash key;

determine if the first metered hash key is unexpected;

when the first metered hash key is unexpected, generate an error level using a first bitwise comparison of the first metered hash key and the second hash key;

determine if the error level satisfies a threshold; and

when the error level satisfies the threshold:

store the second hash key as the first metered hash key.

16. The tangible computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first metered hash key is unexpected when at least one of a title or a media identification associated with the first reference metadata do not match at least one of a title or a media identification associated with the second reference metadata.

17. The tangible computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15 , wherein the threshold is set to a percentage of a bit length of the first metered hash key.

18. The tangible computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:

when the error level does not satisfy the threshold, store the first metered hash key as a valid hash key.

19. The tangible computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15 , wherein the error level is indicative of a number of bits that are not identical between the first metered hash key and the second hash key.

20. The tangible computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 15 , wherein the threshold is satisfied when the error level is less than or equal to the threshold.

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 Jul 22, 2016
From: NELSON, DANIEL
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 039433/0632 →