IP Library Granted Patent US 11,243,997
Granted Patent B2
US 11,243,997 · App. 15/672,605 · Granted Feb 8, 2022

Methods and apparatus to determine sources of media presentations

Inventors: Joseph Kerkes (Lutz, FL); Mark Richard Cave (Palm Harbor, FL)
Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
G06F16/44G06F16/41G06F16/48G06F21/10G06F21/16H04L43/04H04L43/062H04L67/22H04N21/8358
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,243,997
App. No.
15/672,605
Granted
Feb 8, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus to determine sources of media presentations are disclosed. An example method includes identifying an input source of a media device from network communications associated with a media stream and, when an audio output associated with the media device includes a valid audience measurement watermark, associating the input source with media presented by the media device.

Claims (61)

1. A method to determine a media device input source associated with media presented by a media device, the method comprising:

transmitting a plurality of input device identifiers to a network monitor that is to monitor a local network in communication with the media device, the input device identifiers mapped to a plurality of input sources of the media device based on user input data;

obtaining, from the network monitor, a plurality of addresses of a plurality of input devices detected by the network monitor on the local network, the plurality of input devices corresponding to the plurality of input device identifiers;

creating, by executing an instruction with a processor, one or more data structures to map the addresses of respective ones of the plurality of input devices to corresponding ones of the plurality of input sources of the media device;

obtaining, by executing an instruction with the processor, an address of a first input device of the plurality of input devices from one or more network communications used to convey a media stream to the first input device;

querying, by executing an instruction with the processor, the one or more data structures based on the address of the first input device to identify a first input source of the media device; and

when an audio output associated with the media device is determined to include a valid audience measurement watermark, associating, by executing an instruction with the processor, the first input source of the media device with the media presented by the media device, the valid audience measurement watermark received from a meter that is different from the network monitor.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the associating of the first input source of the media device with the media presented by the media device further includes:

determining whether the valid audience measurement watermark is associated with the media stream; and

associating the first input source with the media presented by the media device when (i) the audio output associated with the media device is determined to include the valid audience measurement watermark, and (ii) the valid audience measurement watermark is determined to be associated with the media stream.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the querying includes:

querying the one or more data structures based on the address of the first input device to identify a name of the first input device; and

querying the one or more data structures based on the name of the first input device to identify the first input source of the media device.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the address of the first input device is a medium access control (MAC) address of the first input device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first input source of the media device includes at least one of a high-definition multimedia input (HDMI) port, a DisplayPort port, a digital audio input source, an analog audio input source, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a digital visual interface (DVI), an Ethernet interface, or a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the media device includes at least one of a television, a computer monitor, a laptop computer, a tablet, an audio playback device, or a smartphone.

7. A method to determine a media device input source associated with media presented by a media device, the method comprising:

transmitting a plurality of input device identifiers to a network monitor that is to monitor a local network in communication with the media device, the input device identifiers mapped to a plurality of input sources of the media device based on user input data;

obtaining, from the network monitor, a plurality of addresses of a plurality of input devices detected by the network monitor on the local network, the plurality of input devices corresponding to the plurality of input device identifiers;

creating, by executing an instruction with a processor, one or more data structures to map the addresses of respective ones of the plurality of input devices to corresponding ones of the plurality of input sources of the media device;

obtaining, by executing an instruction with the processor, an address of a first input device of the plurality of input devices from one or more network communications used to convey a media stream to the first input device;

querying, by executing an instruction with the processor, the one or more data structures based on the address of the first input device to identify a first input source of the media device;

when an audio output associated with the media device includes a valid audience measurement watermark, associating, by executing an instruction with the processor, the first input source of the media device with the media presented by the media device; and

associating the media presented by the media device with a non-streaming input source when the audio output does not include the valid audience measurement watermark.

8. An apparatus to determine a media device input source associated with media presented by a media device, the apparatus comprising:

memory; and

at least one processor to execute computer readable instructions to at least:

transmit a plurality of input device identifiers to a network monitor that is to monitor a local network in communication with the media device, the input device identifiers mapped to a plurality of input sources of the media device based on user input data;

obtain, from the network monitor, a plurality of addresses of a plurality of input devices detected by the network monitor on the local network, the plurality of input devices corresponding to the plurality of input device identifiers;

create one or more data structures to map the addresses of respective ones of the plurality of input devices to corresponding ones of the plurality of input sources of the media device;

access an address of a first input device of the plurality of input devices, the address obtained from one or more network communications used to convey a media stream to the first input device;

query the one or more data structures based on the address of the first input device to identify a first input source of the media device;

obtain a valid audience measurement watermark from a meter different from the network monitor;

determine whether an audio output associated with the media device includes the valid audience measurement watermark; and

associate the first input source of the media device with the media presented by the media device when the valid audience measurement watermark is determined to be included in the audio output associated with the media device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is to:

determine whether the valid audience measurement watermark is associated with the media stream; and

associate the first input source with the media presented by the media device when (i) the valid audience measurement watermark is determined to be included in the audio output associated with the media device, and (ii) the valid audience measurement watermark is determined to be associated with the media stream.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is to associate the media presented by the media device with a non-streaming input source when the media stream is not detected.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is to identify the first input source of the media device by:

querying the one or more data structures based on the address of the first input device to identify a name of the first input device; and

querying the one or more data structures based on the name of the first input device to identify the first input source of the media device.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first input source of the media device includes at least one of a high-definition multimedia input (HDMI) port, a DisplayPort port, a digital audio input source, an analog audio input source, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a digital visual interface (DVI), an Ethernet interface, or a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the media device includes at least one of a television, a computer monitor, a laptop computer, a tablet, an audio playback device, or a smartphone.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

transmit a plurality of input device identifiers to a network monitor that is to monitor a local network in communication with a media device, the input device identifiers mapped to a plurality of input sources of the media device based on user input data;

obtain, from the network monitor, a plurality of addresses of a plurality of input devices detected by the network monitor on the local network, the plurality of input devices corresponding to the plurality of input device identifiers;

create one or more data structures to map the addresses of respective ones of the plurality of input devices to corresponding ones of the plurality of input sources of the media device;

obtain an address of a first input device of the plurality of input devices from one or more network communications used to convey a media stream to the first input device;

query the one or more data structures based on the address of the first input device to identify a first input source of the media device; and

when an audio output associated with the media device is determined to include a valid audience measurement watermark, associate the first input source of the media device with the media presented by the media device, the valid audience measurement watermark received from a meter that is different from the network monitor.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to:

determine whether the valid audience measurement watermark is associated with the media stream; and

associate the first input source with the media presented by the media device when (i) the audio output associated with the media is determined to include the valid audience measurement watermark, and (ii) the valid audience measurement watermark is determined to be associated with the media stream.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to associate the media presented by the media device with a non-streaming input source when the audio output does not include the valid audience measurement watermark.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the machine to identify the first input source of the media device by:

querying the one or more data structures based on the address of the first input device to identify a name of the first input device; and

querying the one or more data structures based on the name of the first input device to identify the first input source of the media device.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the address of the first input device is a medium access control (MAC) address of the first input device.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the first input source includes at least one of a high-definition multimedia input (HDMI) port, a DisplayPort port, a digital audio input source, an analog audio input source, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a digital visual interface (DVI), an Ethernet interface, or a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the media device includes at least one of a television, a computer monitor, a laptop computer, a tablet, an audio playback device, or a smartphone.

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 Jan 12, 2018
From: KERKES, JOSEPH; CAVE, MARK RICHARD
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 044611/0082 →
Continuity (1)
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