IP Library Granted Patent US 10,511,873
Granted Patent B1
US 10,511,873 · App. 16/118,053 · Granted Dec 17, 2019

Correcting systematic tuning defects

Inventors: Denis Voytenko (Oldsmar, FL); Paul Chimenti (Tampa, FL); Joshua Zinzer (Chicago, IL); David J. Kurzynski (South Elgin, IL)
Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
H04N21/25808H04N21/2408
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,511,873
App. No.
16/118,053
Granted
Dec 17, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed for correcting systematic tuning defects. An example apparatus includes a defect analyzer to identify a suspect time window in tuning volume data of return path data reported by set top boxes. The example apparatus further includes a return path data transformer to identify a first return path data entry indicating a first set top box reported a first transition to an off state at a first time during the suspect time window and to modify the first return path data entry to (1) eliminate the first transition to the off state at the first time and (2) assign the first return path data entry a first duration to remain in an on state after the first time, where the first duration is determined based on monitoring data reported from media device meters monitoring media presentation devices.

Claims (30)

1. A tuning data defect correction apparatus comprising:

a defect analyzer to identify a suspect time window in tuning volume data of return path data reported by set top boxes; and

a return path data transformer to:

identify a first return path data entry indicating a first set top box reported a first transition to an off state at a first time during the suspect time window; and

modify the first return path data entry to (1) eliminate the first transition to the off state at the first time and (2) assign the first return path data entry a first duration to remain in an on state after the first time, the first duration determined based on monitoring data reported from media device meters monitoring media presentation devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a suspect time window analyzer to determine a discrepancy duration based on a comparison of the tuning volume data and the monitoring data.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first duration is assigned as a time value between the first time and an end time of the discrepancy duration.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the return path data transformer is to identify the first return path data entry when the first return path data entry indicates (1) the first set top box reported the first transition to the off state at the first time during the suspect time window and (2) the first set top box reported a second transition from the off state to the on state within the suspect time window, the second transition prior to the first transition.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the return path data transformer is to identify the first return path data entry when the first return path data entry indicates (1) the first set top box reported the first transition to the off state at the first time during the suspect time window, (2) the first set top box reported the second transition from the off state to the on state within the suspect time window, the second transition prior to the first transition, and (3) the first set top box did not experience a third transition from the off state to the on state after the first time and before the discrepancy duration.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the return path data transformer is to identify the first return path data entry when the first return path data entry indicates (1) the first set top box reported the first transition to the off state at the first time during the suspect time window and (2) the first set top box did not experience a second transition from the off state to the on state within the discrepancy duration.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a corrected tuning volume data generator to, in response to the return path data transformer modifying the first return path data entry and modifying a second return path data entry, generate corrected tuning volume data, the corrected tuning volume data being an aggregation of tuning data based on the first return path data entry and the second return path data entry.

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

identify a suspect time window in tuning volume data of return path data reported by set top boxes;

identify a first return path data entry indicating a first set top box reported a first transition to an off state at a first time during the suspect time window; and

modify the first return path data entry to (1) eliminate the first transition to the off state at the first time and (2) assign the first return path data entry a first duration to remain in an on state after the first time, the first duration determined based on monitoring data reported from media device meters monitoring media presentation devices.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to determine a discrepancy duration based on a comparison of the tuning volume data and the monitoring data.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to determine the first duration as a time value between the first time and an end time of the discrepancy duration.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the computer readable instructions cause the processor to identify the first return path data entry when the first return path data entry indicates (1) the first set top box reported the first transition to the off state at the first time during the suspect time window and (2) the first set top box reported a second transition from the off state to the on state within the suspect time window, the second transition prior to the first transition.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the computer readable instructions cause the processor to identify the first return path data entry when the first return path data entry indicates (1) the first set top box reported the first transition to the off state at the first time during the suspect time window, (2) the first set top box reported the second transition from the off state to the on state within the suspect time window, the second transition prior to the first transition, and (3) the first set top box did not experience a third transition from the off state to the on state after the first time and before the discrepancy duration.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the computer readable instructions cause the processor to identify the first return path data entry when the first return path data entry indicates (1) the first set top box reported the first transition to the off state at the first time during the suspect time window and (2) the first set top box did not experience a second transition from the off state to the on state within the discrepancy duration.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the computer readable instructions cause the processor to, in response to modifying the first return path data entry and modifying a second return path data entry, generate corrected tuning volume data, the corrected tuning volume data being an aggregation of tuning data based on the first return path data entry and the second return path data entry.

15. A method to correct tuning data defects comprising:

identifying a suspect time window in tuning volume data of return path data reported by set top boxes;

identifying a first return path data entry indicating a first set top box reported a first transition to an off state at a first time during the suspect time window; and

modifying the first return path data entry to (1) eliminate the first transition to the off state at the first time and (2) assign the first return path data entry a first duration to remain in an on state after the first time, the first duration determined based on monitoring data reported from media device meters monitoring media presentation devices.

16. The method of claim 15 , further including determining a discrepancy duration based on a comparison of the tuning volume data and the monitoring data.

17. The method of claim 16 , further including determining the first duration as a time value between the first time and an end time of the discrepancy duration.

18. The method of claim 16 , including identifying the first return path data entry when the first return path data entry indicates (1) the first set top box reported the first transition to the off state at the first time during the suspect time window and (2) the first set top box reported a second transition from the off state to the on state within the suspect time window, the second transition prior to the first transition.

19. The method of claim 18 , including identifying the first return path data entry when the first return path data entry indicates (1) the first set top box reported the first transition to the off state at the first time during the suspect time window, (2) the first set top box reported the second transition from the off state to the on state within the suspect time window, the second transition prior to the first transition, and (3) the first set top box did not experience a third transition from the off state to the on state after the first time and before the discrepancy duration.

20. The method of claim 16 , including identifying the first return path data entry when the first return path data entry indicates (1) the first set top box reported the first transition to the off state at the first time during the suspect time window and (2) the first set top box did not experience a second transition from the off state to the on state within the discrepancy duration.

Assignments (9)
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 →
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 →
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2021
From: VOYTENKO, DENIS; CHIMENTI, PAUL; ZINZER, JOSHUA; KURZYNSKI, DAVID
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 055136/0113 →
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 4, 2019
From: VOYTENKO, DENIS; CHIMENTI, PAUL; ZINZER, JOSHUA; KURZYNSKI, DAVID
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 050256/0967 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,407,898