IP Library Granted Patent US 10,104,564
Granted Patent B1
US 10,104,564 · App. 15/487,198 · Granted Oct 16, 2018

Methods and apparatus to determine mobile device application usage in vehicles including media applications

Inventors: Susan Cimino (Odessa, FL); Stanley Woodruff (Palm Harbor, FL); Achilleas Papakostas (Dallas, TX); John T. Livoti (Clearwater, FL)
Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
H04W24/08H04W4/046H04W8/18H04W8/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,104,564
App. No.
15/487,198
Granted
Oct 16, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine the mobile device usage within vehicles having media application are described herein. An example method includes classifying an SSID detected by a mobile device as a vehicle SSID, determining application usage of a mobile device and a vehicle media device, and determining a ratio of mobile device application usage to vehicle media device application usage.

Claims (55)

1. An apparatus for monitoring a usage of a mobile device application, the usage of the mobile device application occurring while a mobile device is in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a data receiver to receive, via network communications, first and second messages from the mobile device;

an impression logger to:

store a first record of a first mobile device impression in a memory based on the first message, the first mobile device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of the mobile device application via the mobile device to access first media;

store a second record of a second mobile device impression in the memory based on the second message, the second mobile device impression associated with a Service Set Identifier (SSID) detected by the mobile device; and

store a third record of an in-vehicle media device impression in the memory based on a third message received from the vehicle, the in-vehicle media device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of an in-vehicle media device application via an in-vehicle media device to access second media; and

a device ratio determiner to:

determine, by executing an instruction with a processor, that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle based on the SSID detected by the mobile device during the instance of usage of the mobile device application; and

determine, by executing an instruction with the processor, a ratio of mobile device application usage to in-vehicle media device application usage based on the in-vehicle media device impression and based on determining that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first message or the second message further includes identification information of a mobile device user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third message further includes the SSID associated with the vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first message and the second message are received together in a single message.

5. An apparatus for monitoring a usage of a mobile device application, the usage of the mobile device application occurring while a mobile device is in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a data receiver to receive, via network communications, first and second messages from the mobile device;

an impression logger to:

store a first record of a first mobile device impression in a memory based on the first message, the first mobile device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of the mobile device application via the mobile device to access first media;

store a second record of a second mobile device impression in the memory based on the second message, the second mobile device impression associated with a Service Set Identifier (SSID) detected by the mobile device; and

store a third record of an in-vehicle media device impression in the memory based on a third message received from the vehicle, the in-vehicle media device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of an in-vehicle media device application via an in-vehicle media device to access second media; and

a device ratio determiner to:

determine, by executing an instruction with a processor, that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle based on the SSID detected by the mobile device during the instance of usage of the mobile device application; and

determine a user usage pattern of mobile device application usage to in-vehicle media device application usage based on the in-vehicle media device impression and based on determining that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle.

6. A method for monitoring a usage of a mobile device application the usage of the mobile device application occurring while a mobile device is in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving, via a first network communication a first message from the mobile device;

storing a first record of a first mobile device impression in a memory based on the first message, the first mobile device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of the mobile device application via the mobile device to access first media;

receiving, via a second network communication a second message from the mobile device;

storing a second record of a second mobile device impression in the memory based on the second message, the second mobile device impression associated with a Service Set Identifier (SSID) logged by the mobile device;

storing a third record of an in-vehicle media device impression in the memory based on a third message received from the vehicle, the in-vehicle media device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of an in-vehicle media device application via an in-vehicle media device to access second media;

determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle based on the SSID logged by the mobile device during the instance of usage of the mobile device application; and

determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, a ratio of mobile device application usage to in-vehicle media device application usage based on the in-vehicle media device impression and based on determining that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle.

7. A method for monitoring a usage of a mobile device application, the usage of the mobile device application occurring while a mobile device is in a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving, via a first network communication, a first message from the mobile device;

storing a first record of a first mobile device impression in a memory based on the first message, the first mobile device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of the mobile device application via the mobile device to access first media;

receiving, via a second network communication, a second message from the mobile device;

storing a second record of a second mobile device impression in the memory based on the second message, the second mobile device impression associated with a Service Set Identifier (SSID) logged by the mobile device;

storing a third record of an in-vehicle media device impression in the memory based on a third message received from the vehicle, the in-vehicle media device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of an in-vehicle media device application via an in-vehicle media device to access second media;

determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle based on the SSID logged by the mobile device during the instance of usage of the mobile device application; and

determining a user usage pattern of mobile device application usage to in-vehicle media device application usage based on the in-vehicle media device impression and based on determining that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first message or the second message further includes identification information of a mobile device user.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the third message further includes the SSID associated with the vehicle.

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

receive, via a first network communication, a first message from a mobile device;

store a first record of a first mobile device impression in a memory based on the first message, the first mobile device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of a mobile device application via the mobile device to access first media;

receive, via a second network communication, a second message from the mobile device;

store a second record of a second mobile device impression in the memory based on the second message, the second mobile device impression corresponding to a Service Set Identifier (SSID) detected by the mobile determine that the mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in a vehicle based on a service set identifier (SSID) detected by the mobile device during the instance of usage of the mobile device application; and

determine a ratio of mobile device application usage to in-vehicle media device application usage based on the in-vehicle media device impression and based on determining that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle.

11. The computer readable storage medium of claim 10 , wherein the third message further includes the SSID of the vehicle.

12. The computer readable storage medium of claim 10 , wherein the first message further includes identification information of a mobile device user.

13. The computer readable storage medium of claim 10 , wherein the first message and the second message are received together in a single message.

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

receive, via a first network communication, a first message from a mobile device;

store a first record of a first mobile device impression in a memory based on the first message, the first mobile device impression corresponding to an instance of usage of a mobile device application via the mobile device to access first media;

receive, via a second network communication, a second message from the mobile device;

store a second record of a second mobile device impression in the memory based on the second message, the second mobile device impression corresponding to a Service Set Identifier (SSID) detected by the mobile device;

determine that the mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in a vehicle based on a service set identifier (SSID) detected by the mobile device during the instance of usage of the mobile device application; and

determine a user usage pattern of mobile device application usage to in-vehicle media device application usage based on the in-vehicle media device impression and based on determining that the first mobile device impression occurred while the mobile device was located in the vehicle.

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 May 23, 2017
From: CIMINO, SUSAN; WOODRUFF, STANLEY; PAPAKOSTAS, ACHILLEAS; LIVOTI, JOHN T.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 042479/0163 →