IP Library Granted Patent US 10,909,173
Granted Patent B2
US 10,909,173 · App. 15/374,345 · Granted Feb 2, 2021

Scalable architectures for reference signature matching and updating

Inventors: Raghuram Ranganathan (Tampa, FL); Anand Jain (Ellicott City, MD); Venugopal Srinivasan (Tarpon Springs, FL)
Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
G06F16/683G06F16/783G06F16/122G06F16/125G06F16/245G06F16/634
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,909,173
App. No.
15/374,345
Granted
Feb 2, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for scalable architectures for reference signature matching and updating. An example method for scalable architectures for reference signature matching and updating includes accessing site signatures to be compared to reference signatures from a first group of media sources. Determining if a first reference node is an owner of a first one of the site signatures. Comparing a neighborhood of site signatures including the first site signature to reference signatures in a first subset of reference signatures when the first reference node is the owner of the first site signature, the first subset of references signatures stored in a first memory partition associated with the first reference node. Not comparing site signature to reference signatures when the first reference node is not the owner of the first one of the site signatures.

Claims (46)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first compute node associated with a first subset of reference signatures, the first compute node to:

determine a signature node number for a first site signature of a plurality of site signatures representative of monitored media;

determine that a reference signature corresponding to the first site signature is stored at the first compute node based on a comparison of the signature node number with a first node number of the first compute node; and

in response to the determination that the reference signature is stored at the first compute node, compare a neighborhood of site signatures including the first site signature to reference signatures in the first subset of reference signatures to identify the monitored media, and determine matching information, the matching information including media identification information that identifies reference media corresponding to a matching reference signature; and

a first memory partition of a computer system associated with the first compute node, the first memory partition to store the first subset of reference signatures.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the reference signature is a first reference signature, and further including:

a second compute node associated with a second subset of reference signatures different than the first subset of reference signatures, the second compute node to:

determine that a second reference signature corresponding to the first site signature is stored in the second compute node; and

in response to the determination that the second reference signature is stored at the second compute node, compare the neighborhood of site signatures including the first site signature to reference signatures in the second subset of reference signatures; and

a second memory partition of the computer system, different than the first memory partition, the second memory partition to store the second subset of reference signatures.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 , wherein the first compute node and the second compute node operate in parallel to determine the first reference signature is stored at the first compute node and the second reference signature is stored at the second compute node.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first compute node further includes:

a linear list of the first subset of reference signatures; and

a nested distributed map (NDMap), the first compute node to query the NDMap using the first site signature as a key to retrieve an inner map, the inner map including locations of reference signatures corresponding to the first site signature in the linear list, the first compute node to compare the first site signature to the reference signatures corresponding to the first site signature in the linear list.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 , further including a first graphic processing unit (GPU), the first compute node to send the first site signature and the inner map to the GPU, the GPU to compare the first site signature to the reference signatures corresponding to the first site signature in the linear list.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 , wherein the NDMap is a reverse index map.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the matching information further includes a matching score.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first compute node is to determine the signature node number for the first site signature based on (1) a number associated with the first site signature and (2) a total number of compute nodes.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first compute node is to perform a first modulo operation based on the first site signature and a total number of compute nodes to determine the signature node number.

10. A tangible machine readable storage medium comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed, cause a first compute node to at least:

determine a signature node number for a first site signature of a plurality of site signatures representative of monitored media;

determine that a reference signature corresponding to the first site signature is stored at the first compute node based on a comparison of the signature node number with a first node number of a first compute node; and

in response to the determination that the reference signature is stored at the first compute node, compare a neighborhood of site signatures including the first site signature to reference signatures in a first subset of reference signatures to identify the monitored media, and determine matching information, the matching information including media identification information that identifies reference media corresponding to a matching reference signature, the first subset of reference signatures stored in a first memory partition of a computer system associated with the first compute node.

11. The tangible machine readable storage medium as defined in claim 10 , wherein the reference signature is a first reference signature, and the machine readable instructions, when executed, further to cause the machine to:

determine that a second reference signature corresponding to the first site signature is stored in a second compute node; and

in response to the determination that the second reference signature is stored at the second compute node, compare the neighborhood of site signatures including the first site signature to reference signatures in a second subset of reference signatures different than the first subset of reference signatures, the second subset of reference signatures stored in a second memory partition of the computer system, different than the first memory partition.

12. The tangible machine readable storage medium as defined in claim 10 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, further cause the machine to:

query a nested distributed map (NDMap) to compare the first site signature to the reference signatures in the first subset of reference signatures, the query to use the first site signature as a key to retrieve an inner map, the inner map including locations of reference signatures corresponding to the first site signature in a linear list of the first subset of reference signatures; and

compare the first site signature to the reference signatures corresponding to the first site signature in the linear list.

13. The tangible machine readable storage medium as defined in claim 10 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to at least determine the signature node number for the first site signature based on (1) a number associated with the first site signature and (2) a total number of compute nodes.

14. A method, comprising:

determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, a signature node number for a first site signature of a plurality of site signatures representative of monitored media;

determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, that a reference signature corresponding to the first site signature is stored at a first compute node based on a comparison of the signature node number with a first node number of the first compute node; and

in response to the determination that the reference signature is stored at the first compute node, comparing, by executing an instruction with the processor, a neighborhood of site signatures including the first site signature to reference signatures in a first subset of reference signatures to identify the monitored media, and determining matching information, the matching information including media identification information that identifies reference media corresponding to a matching reference signature, the first subset of reference signatures stored in a first memory partition of a computer system associated with the first compute node.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 , wherein the reference signature is a first reference signature, and further including:

determining that a second reference signature corresponding to the first site signature is stored in a second compute node; and

in response to the determination that the second reference signature is stored in the second compute node, comparing the neighborhood of site signatures including the first site signature to reference signatures in a second subset of reference signatures different than the first subset of reference signatures, the second subset of reference signatures stored in a second memory partition of the computer system, different than the first memory partition.

16. The method as defined in claim 14 , further including:

querying a nested distributed map (NDMap) to compare the first site signature to reference signatures in the first subset of reference signatures, the querying of the NDMap using the first site signature as a key to retrieve an inner map, the inner map including locations of references signatures corresponding to the first site signature in a linear list of the first subset of reference signatures; and

comparing the first site signature to the reference signatures corresponding to the first site signature in the linear list.

17. The method as defined in claim 16 , further including:

sending the first site signature and the inner map to a first graphic processing unit (GPU), the first GPU to compare the first site signature to the reference signatures corresponding to the first site signature in the linear list.

18. The method as defined in claim 16 , wherein the NDMap is a reverse index map.

19. The method as defined in claim 14 , wherein the matching information further includes a matching score.

20. The method as defined in claim 14 , further including determining the signature node number for the first site signature based on (1) a number associated with the first site signature and (2) a total number of compute nodes.

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 20, 2017
From: RANGANATHAN, RAGHURAM; JAIN, ANAND; SRINIVASAN, VENUGOPAL
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 041299/0332 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180165286A1 · Jun 14, 2018