IP Library Granted Patent US 10,712,361
Granted Patent B2
US 10,712,361 · App. 15/638,799 · Granted Jul 14, 2020

Multiple meter detection and processing using motion data

Inventors: Anand Jain (Ellicott City, MD); John Stavropoulos (Edison, NJ); Alan Neuhauser (Silver Spring, MD); Wendell Lynch (East Lansing, MI); Vladimir Kuznetsov (Ellicott City, MD); Jack Crystal (Owings Mills, MD)
Assignee: The Nielsen Company
G01P15/18G01P15/00G06F17/00G06Q30/02G06Q30/0201
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,712,361
App. No.
15/638,799
Granted
Jul 14, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying portable devices carried by the same person. An example method includes receiving media exposure data from one of a plurality of portable computing devices. Receiving segmented accelerometer data from the plurality of portable computing devices. Forming accelerometer classification data for the plurality of portable computing devices based on features extracted from the segmented accelerometer data. Comparing the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device to accelerometer classification data for the plurality of portable computing devices, to determine if the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar to a second portable computing devices. The example method further includes identifying the first and second portable computing device as being physically carried by a same person when the comparison determines that the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar to the second computing devices.

Claims (35)

1. A system for detecting multiple portable computing devices being physically carried by one person, the system comprising:

an input to receive media exposure data from a first one of a plurality of portable computing devices;

the input to receive segmented accelerometer data from the plurality of portable computing devices, the segmented accelerometer data segmented based on accelerometer data associated with at least one of walking, stopping, running, or sitting;

a processor, operatively coupled to the input, to extract features from the segmented accelerometer data, the processor forming accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of portable computing devices based on the extracted features;

the processor to compare the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device to at least one of (i) the accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of portable computing devices and (ii) stored accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of portable computing devices, to determine if accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar to a second one of the plurality of portable computing devices;

the processor to identify the first portable computing device and the second portable computing device as being physically carried by a same person when the comparison determines that the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar to the accelerometer classification data for the second portable computing device; and

in response to identifying the first and second portable computing devices as being carried by the same person, the processor to credit the media exposure data for one of the first portable computing device or the second portable computing device, thereby reducing inaccurate media measurement results.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the media exposure data comprises at least one of (i) ancillary codes detected from audio, (ii) one or more signatures extracted from audio, (iii) a web page, (iv) application data, and (v) metadata.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of portable computing devices are associated with a group.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer classification data and stored accelerometer classification data comprise raw accelerometer data processed in one of a time domain and a frequency domain.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the comparison of the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device to the accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of computing devices is based on one of (1) cross-correlation, (2) absolute Manhattan distance, (3) Euclidean distance, and (4) dynamic time warping.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar when the similarity is above a predetermined threshold.

7. A method for detecting multiple portable computing devices being physically carried by one person, the method comprising:

receiving, by executing an instruction with a processor, media exposure data from a first one of a plurality of portable computing devices;

receiving, by executing an instruction with the processor, segmented accelerometer data from the plurality of portable computing devices, the segmented accelerometer data segmented based on accelerometer data associated with at least one of walking, stopping, running, or sitting;

extracting, by executing an instruction with the processor, features from the segmented accelerometer data and forming accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of portable computing devices based on the extracted features;

comparing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device to at least one of (i) the accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of portable computing devices and (ii) stored accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of portable computing devices, to determine if accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar to a second one of the plurality of portable computing devices;

identifying, by executing an instruction with the processor, the first portable computing device and the second portable computing device as being physically carried by a same person when the comparison determines that the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar to the accelerometer classification data for the second portable computing device; and

in response to identifying the first and second portable computing devices as being carried by the same person, crediting, by executing an instruction with the processor, the media exposure data for one of the first portable computing device or the second portable computing device, thereby reducing inaccurate media measurement results.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the media exposure data comprises at least one of (i) ancillary codes detected from audio, (ii) one or more signatures extracted from audio, (iii) a web page, (iv) application data, and (v) metadata.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of portable computing devices are associated with a group.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the accelerometer classification data and stored accelerometer classification data comprise raw accelerometer data processed in one of a time domain and a frequency domain.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the comparison of the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device to the accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of computing devices is based on one of (1) cross-correlation, (2) absolute Manhattan distance, (3) Euclidean distance, and (4) dynamic time warping.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar when the similarity is above a predetermined threshold.

13. A computer readable storage device comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause a processor to at least:

receive media exposure data from a first one of a plurality of portable computing devices;

receive segmented accelerometer data from the plurality of portable computing devices, the segmented accelerometer data segmented based on accelerometer data associated with at least one of walking, stopping, running, or sitting;

extract features from the segmented accelerometer data and form accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of portable computing devices based on the extracted features;

compare the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device to at least one of (i) the accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of portable computing devices and (ii) stored accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of portable computing devices, to determine if accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar to a second one of the plurality of portable computing devices;

identify the first portable computing device and the second portable computing device as being physically carried by a same person when the comparison determines that the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar to the accelerometer classification data for the second portable computing device; and

in response to identifying the first and second portable computing devices as being carried by the same person, credit the media exposure data for one of the first portable computing device or the second portable computing device, thereby reducing inaccurate media measurement results.

14. The storage device of claim 13 , wherein the media exposure data comprises at least one of (i) ancillary codes detected from audio, (ii) one or more signatures extracted from audio, (iii) a web page, (iv) application data, and (v) metadata.

15. The storage device of claim 13 , wherein the accelerometer classification data and stored accelerometer classification data comprise raw accelerometer data processed in one of a time domain and a frequency domain.

16. The storage device of claim 13 , wherein the comparison of the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device to the accelerometer classification data for respective ones of the plurality of computing devices is based on one of (1) cross-correlation, (2) absolute Manhattan distance, (3) Euclidean distance, and (4) dynamic time warping.

17. The storage device of claim 13 , wherein the accelerometer classification data for the first portable computing device is sufficiently similar when the similarity is above a predetermined threshold.

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 Sep 6, 2017
From: JAIN, ANAND; STAVROPOULOS, JOHN; NEUHAUSER, ALAN; LYNCH, WENDELL; KUZNETSOV, VLADIMIR; CRYSTAL, JACK
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY
Reel/Frame 043506/0374 →