IP Library Granted Patent US 11,082,730
Granted Patent B2
US 11,082,730 · App. 16/588,970 · Granted Aug 3, 2021

Methods and apparatus for affiliate interrupt detection

Inventors: Jeremey M. Davis (New Port Richey, FL); David H. Wright (Safety Harbor, FL); Alexander Topchy (New Port Richey, FL); Cherisse Ponraj (Dunedin, FL); Chris Curtis (Palm Harbor, FL); Jonathan Chazen (Demarest, NJ); Markus Kurt Cremer (Orinda, CA); Sharmishtha Gupta (Fremont, CA); Jeffrey Scott (Oakland, CA)
Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
H04N21/23892H04N21/233H04N21/23424H04N21/26283H04N21/812H04N21/8358H04N21/8456
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,082,730
App. No.
16/588,970
Granted
Aug 3, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for affiliate interrupt detection. An example method disclosed herein includes determining whether a first time period of a first audio signal corresponds to a first affiliate interrupt period based on whether (1) a first type of watermark is detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, and (2) a second type of watermark is detected in the first audio signal outside the first time period but not in the first time period of the first audio signal, and determining whether the first time period of the first audio signal corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period when watermarks are not detected in the first time period of the first audio signal based on comparison of first signatures with second signatures representing a corresponding first time period of a reference audio signal.

Claims (26)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a watermark analyzer to determine whether a first time period of a first audio signal corresponds to a first affiliate interrupt period when watermarks are detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, the watermark analyzer to determine the first time period corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on whether (1) a first type of watermark is detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, and (2) a second type of watermark is detected in the first audio signal outside the first time period but not in the first time period of the first audio signal; and

an audio signature analyzer to determine whether the first time period of the first audio signal corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period when watermarks are not detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, the audio signature analyzer to determine the first time period corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on comparison of first signatures representing the first time period of the first audio signal with second signatures representing a corresponding first time period of a reference audio signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first type of watermark is a final distributor watermark encoded in the first audio signal by an affiliate broadcaster after receipt of the first audio signal from a national broadcaster, and the second type of watermark is a network watermark embedded by the national broadcaster prior to distribution of the first audio signal to the affiliate broadcaster.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reference audio signal is associated with media distributed from a network broadcaster, and the first audio signal is associated with media broadcast from an affiliate of the network broadcaster.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the audio signature analyzer is to determine the first time period of the first audio signal corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period when the first signatures representing the first time period of the first audio signal do not match the second signatures representing the corresponding first time period of the reference audio signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including an audio signature generator to process the first audio signal to generate the first signatures representing the first time period of the first audio signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the watermark analyzer is to determine whether the first time period corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on whether (1) the first type of watermark or a third type of watermark is detected in the first time period and (2) the second type of watermark or a fourth type of watermark is detected in the first audio signal outside the first time period but not in the first time period, wherein the first type of watermark and the third type of watermark correspond to final distributor watermarks and the second type of watermark and the fourth type of watermark correspond to network watermarks.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a video signature analyzer to determine whether the first time period of the first audio signal corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on comparison of (i) first video signatures generated from a first video signal associated with the first audio signal and (ii) second video signatures representative of a corresponding reference video signal associated with the reference audio signal, the video signature analyzer including a video signature generator to generate the first video signatures from the first video signal.

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

determine whether a first time period of a first audio signal corresponds to a first affiliate interrupt period when watermarks are detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, the determining whether the first time period corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on whether (1) a first type of watermark is detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, and (2) a second type of watermark is detected in the first audio signal outside the first time period but not in the first time period of the first audio signal; and

determine whether the first time period of the first audio signal corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period when watermarks are not detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, the determining whether the first time period corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on comparison of first signatures representing the first time period of the first audio signal with second signatures representing a corresponding first time period of a reference audio signal.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the first type of watermark is a final distributor watermark encoded in the first audio signal by an affiliate broadcaster after receipt of the first audio signal from a national broadcaster, and the second type of watermark is a network watermark embedded by the national broadcaster prior to distribution of the first audio signal to the affiliate broadcaster.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the reference audio signal is associated with media distributed from a network broadcaster, and the first audio signal is associated with media broadcast from an affiliate of the network broadcaster.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to determine the first time period of the first audio signal corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period when the first signatures representing the first time period of the first audio signal do not match the second signatures representing the corresponding first time period of the reference audio signal.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to generate the first signatures representing the first time period of the first audio signal.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to determine whether the first time period corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on whether (1) the first type of watermark or a third type of watermark is detected in the first time period and (2) the second type of watermark or a fourth type of watermark is detected in the first audio signal outside the first time period but not in the first time period, wherein the first type of watermark and the third type of watermark correspond to final distributor watermarks and the second type of watermark and the fourth type of watermark correspond to network watermarks.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to determine whether the first time period of the first audio signal corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on comparison of (i) first video signatures generated from a first video signal associated with the first audio signal and (ii) second video signatures representative of a corresponding reference video signal associated with the reference audio signal, the instructions, when executed, to cause the processor to generate the first video signatures from the first video signal.

15. A method including:

determining whether a first time period of a first audio signal corresponds to a first affiliate interrupt period when watermarks are detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, the determining the first time period corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on whether (1) a first type of watermark is detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, and (2) a second type of watermark is detected in the first audio signal outside the first time period but not in the first time period of the first audio signal; and

determining whether the first time period of the first audio signal corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period when watermarks are not detected in the first time period of the first audio signal, the determining whether the first time period corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on comparison of first signatures representing the first time period of the first audio signal with second signatures representing a corresponding first time period of a reference audio signal.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first type of watermark is a final distributor watermark encoded in the first audio signal by an affiliate broadcaster after receipt of the first audio signal from a national broadcaster, and the second type of watermark is a network watermark embedded by the national broadcaster prior to distribution of the first audio signal to the affiliate broadcaster.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the reference audio signal is associated with media distributed from a network broadcaster, and the first audio signal is associated with media broadcast from an affiliate of the network broadcaster.

18. The method of claim 15 , including determining the first time period of the first audio signal corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period when the first signatures representing the first time period of the first audio signal do not match the second signatures representing the corresponding first time period of the reference audio signal.

19. The method of claim 15 , including generating the first signatures representing the first time period of the first audio signal.

20. The method of claim 15 , further including determining whether the first time period corresponds to the first affiliate interrupt period based on whether (1) the first type of watermark or a third type of watermark is detected in the first time period and (2) the second type of watermark or a fourth type of watermark is detected in the first audio signal outside the first time period but not in the first time period, wherein the first type of watermark and the third type of watermark correspond to final distributor watermarks and the second type of watermark and the fourth type of watermark correspond to network watermarks.

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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2021
From: WRIGHT, DAVID H.; TOPCHY, ALEXANDER; PONRAJ, CHERISSE; CURTIS, CHRIS; CREMER, MARKUS KURT; DAVIS, JEREMEY M.; GUPTA, SHARMISHTHA; SCOTT, JEFFREY; CHAZEN, JONATHAN
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 056661/0847 →
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 →