IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,846,506
Granted Patent B1
US 10,846,506 · App. 16/836,034 · Granted Nov 24, 2020

Content-modification system with geographic area-based feature

Inventors: Andrew Laurence Ashbacher (Aptos, CA); Steven Michael Cormie (Cambridge, GB); Joel Michael Curl (Salt Lake City, UT); John L. Haynes, III (Sandy, UT)
Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
G06K9/00087G06F16/2471G06F16/258G06F16/436G06F16/909G06F16/9537G06K2209/27
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,846,506
App. No.
16/836,034
Granted
Nov 24, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

In one aspect, a method includes receiving query fingerprint data representing content received by a content-presentation device. The method also includes identifying a geographic area of the content-presentation device. The method also includes using at least the identified geographic area as a basis to select, from among a plurality of reference fingerprint data sets, a reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the identified geographic area. The method also includes detecting a match between the query fingerprint data and at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the selected reference fingerprint data set. The method also includes responsive to detecting the match, performing an action.

Claims (61)

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a fingerprint matching server, query fingerprint data generated by a content-presentation device and representing content received by the content-presentation device on a channel that is unidentified to the fingerprint-matching server;

identifying, by the fingerprint-matching server, a geographic area of the content-presentation device;

using, by the fingerprint-matching server, at least the identified geographic area as a basis to select, from among a plurality of reference fingerprint data sets, a reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the identified geographic area, wherein the plurality of reference fingerprint data sets comprises reference fingerprint data generated by at least one content-distribution system and representing content transmitted on channels that are identified to the fingerprint-matching server;

detecting, by the fingerprint-matching server, a match between the query fingerprint data and at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the selected reference fingerprint data set, wherein the at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the selected reference fingerprint data set represents content transmitted on a first channel of the channels that are identified to the fingerprint-matching server; and

responsive to detecting the match, identifying, by the fingerprint-matching server, the first channel as being the one on which the content-presentation device is receiving content.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the geographic area of the content-presentation device comprises:

identifying a device identifier of the content-presentation device; and

mapping the identified device identifier to the geographic area.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the geographic area of the content-presentation device comprises:

identifying an IP address of the content-presentation device; and

mapping the identified IP address to the geographic area.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the geographic area of the content-presentation device comprises:

identifying content presented on the content-presentation device; and

mapping the identified content to the geographic area.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

responsive to identifying the first channel as being the one on which the content-presentation device is receiving content, performing an action that facilitates the content-presentation device performing a content-modification operation in connection with a content-modification opportunity on the first channel.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the geographic area of the content-presentation device is a designated market area (DMA) of the content-presentation device.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by a processor, cause performance of a set of operations comprising:

receiving, by a fingerprint-matching server, query fingerprint data generated by a content-presentation device and representing content received by the content-presentation device on a channel that is unidentified to the fingerprint-matching server;

identifying, by the fingerprint-matching server, a geographic area of the content-presentation device;

using, by the fingerprint-matching server, at least the identified geographic area as a basis to select, from among a plurality of reference fingerprint data sets, a reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the identified geographic area, wherein the plurality of reference fingerprint data sets comprises reference fingerprint data generated by at least one content-distribution system and representing content transmitted on channels that are identified to the fingerprint-matching server;

detecting, by the fingerprint-matching server, a match between the query fingerprint data and at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the selected reference fingerprint data set, wherein the at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the selected reference fingerprint data set represents content transmitted on a first channel of the channels that are identified to the fingerprint-matching server; and

responsive to detecting the match, identifying, by the fingerprint-matching server, the first channel as being the one on which the content-presentation device is receiving content.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein identifying the geographic area of the content-presentation device comprises:

identifying a device identifier of the content-presentation device; and

mapping the identified device identifier to the geographic area.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein identifying the geographic area of the content-presentation device comprises:

identifying an IP address of the content-presentation device; and

mapping the identified IP address to the geographic area.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein identifying the geographic area of the content-presentation device comprises:

identifying content presented on the content-presentation device; and

mapping the identified content to the geographic area.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , the set of operations further comprising:

responsive to identifying the first channel as being the one on which the content-presentation device is receiving content, performing an action that facilitates the content-presentation device performing a content-modification operation in connection with a content-modification opportunity on the first channel.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the geographic area of the content-presentation device is a designated market area (DMA) of the content-presentation device.

13. A computing system comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by the processor, cause performance of a set of operations comprising:

receiving by a fingerprint-matching server, query fingerprint data generated by a content-presentation device and representing content received by the content-presentation device on a channel that is unidentified to the fingerprint-matching server;

identifying, by the fingerprint-matching server, a geographic area of the content-presentation device;

using, by the fingerprint-matching server, at least the identified geographic area as a basis to select, from among a plurality of reference fingerprint data sets, a reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the identified geographic area, wherein the plurality of reference fingerprint data sets comprises reference fingerprint data generated by at least one content-distribution system and representing content transmitted on channels that are identified to the fingerprint-matching server;

detecting, by the fingerprint-matching server, a match between the query fingerprint data and at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the selected reference fingerprint data set, wherein the at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the selected reference fingerprint data set represents content transmitted on a first channel of the channels that are identified to the fingerprint-matching server; and

responsive to detecting the match, identifying, by the fingerprint-matching server, the first channel as being the one on which the content-presentation device is receiving content.

14. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein identifying the geographic area of the content-presentation device comprises:

identifying a device identifier of the content-presentation device; and

mapping the identified device identifier to the geographic area.

15. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein identifying the geographic area of the content-presentation device comprises:

identifying an IP address of the content-presentation device; and

mapping the identified IP address to the geographic area.

16. The computing system of claim 13 , wherein identifying the geographic area of the content-presentation device comprises:

identifying content presented on the content-presentation device; and

mapping the identified content to the geographic area.

17. The computing system of claim 13 , the set of operations further comprising:

responsive to identifying the first channel as being the one on which the content-presentation device is receiving content, performing an action that facilitates the content-presentation device performing a content-modification operation in connection with a content-modification opportunity on the first channel.

18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

responsive to identifying the first channel as being the one on which the content-presentation device is receiving content, identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on the first channel.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7 , the set of operations further comprising:

responsive to identifying the first channel as being the one on which the content-presentation device is receiving content, identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on the first channel.

20. The computing system of claim 13 , the set of operations further comprising:

responsive to identifying the first channel as being the one on which the content-presentation device is receiving content, identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on the first channel.

Assignments (14)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2024
From: ROKU, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 068982/0377 →
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 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 056982/0194) Recorded Feb 22, 2023
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ROKU, INC.; ROKU DX HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062826/0664 →
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 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Jun 29, 2021
From: ROKU, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 056982/0194 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2021
From: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: ROKU, INC.
Reel/Frame 056106/0376 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2021
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 056973/0280 →
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 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CORRESPONDENT NAME: MCDONNEL BOEHNEN HULBERT & BERGHOFF LLP PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 052359 FRAME 0095. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CORRESPONDENT NAME: MCDONNELL BOEHNEN HULBERT & BERGHOFF LLP. Recorded Aug 18, 2020
From: ASHBACHER, ANDREW LAURENCE; CORMIE, STEVEN MICHAEL; CURL, JOEL MICHAEL; HAYNES, JOHN L., III
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 053531/0005 →
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 Apr 9, 2020
From: ASHBACHER, ANDREW LAURENCE; CORMIE, STEVEN MICHAEL; CURL, JOEL MICHAEL; HAYNES, JOHN L., III
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 052359/0095 →