Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ensuring the privacy of users and/or devices in a content delivery network from which data regarding the users' interaction with content is collected and distributed. In one embodiment, “tuning” records which describe the interaction of users with content or other activities of interest are collected. It is determined whether an opportunity for compromise of the user's privacy (e.g., by derivative association) is present. If it is determined that such an opportunity exists, at least portions of the data are modified (e.g., collapsed). The modification may comprise replacing a first explicit data value with a second descriptive data value, increasing a range for the value, generalizing the value, removing the value, or encoding the value. Further processing of the collected tuning records may include, validating the data, accounting for latency, and generating reports based thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enabling presence-based and/or use-based services. In one embodiment, a presence database and an evaluation entity collect information relating to a device's location and activity. The presence database collects location-based data to build anonymized user profiles; estimates a physical location of the device; and provides targeted content to the device. The user profiles are stored at e.g., a user premises, or at a headend network or elsewhere within the “cloud”. Additionally, in one variant, signals are collected from “smart” appliances (in a home or other premises) to create personal, shared, and family environmental settings which are instantiated when a user enters the premises. Methods and apparatus to collect browsing behavior across desktop and mobile devices on third party sites (including web browsing, social networking, and e-commerce) which are represented by the managed network are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via the collection of a plurality of tuning records; the latency is then utilize to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these from between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices as required. The latency is determined by taking into account an experimentally or manufacturer-derived device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a current system time (or other response). Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate representations of subscriber interaction with content on a second-by-second basis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ensuring the privacy of users and/or devices in a content delivery network from which data regarding the users' interaction with content is collected and distributed. In one embodiment, “tuning” records which describe the interaction of users with content or other activities of interest are collected. It is determined whether an opportunity for compromise of the user's privacy (e.g., by derivative association) is present. If it is determined that such an opportunity exists, at least portions of the data are modified (e.g., collapsed). The modification may comprise replacing a first explicit data value with a second descriptive data value, increasing a range for the value, generalizing the value, removing the value, or encoding the value. Further processing of the collected tuning records may include, validating the data, accounting for latency, and generating reports based thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enabling presence-based and/or use-based services. In one embodiment, a presence database and an evaluation entity collect information relating to a device's location and activity. The presence database collects location-based data to build anonymized user profiles; estimates a physical location of the device; and provides targeted content to the device. The user profiles are stored at e.g., a user premises, or at a headend network or elsewhere within the “cloud”. Additionally, in one variant, signals are collected from “smart” appliances (in a home or other premises) to create personal, shared, and family environmental settings which are instantiated when a user enters the premises. Methods and apparatus to collect browsing behavior across desktop and mobile devices on third party sites (including web browsing, social networking, and e-commerce) which are represented by the managed network are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ensuring the privacy of users and/or devices in a content delivery network from which data regarding the users' interaction with content is collected and distributed. In one embodiment, “tuning” records which describe the interaction of users with content or other activities of interest are collected. It is determined whether an opportunity for compromise of the user's privacy (e.g., by derivative association) is present. If it is determined that such an opportunity exists, at least portions of the data are modified (e.g., collapsed). The modification may comprise replacing a first explicit data value with a second descriptive data value, increasing a range for the value, generalizing the value, removing the value, or encoding the value. Further processing of the collected tuning records may include, validating the data, accounting for latency, and generating reports based thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enabling presence-based and/or use-based services. In one embodiment, a presence database and an evaluation entity collect information relating to a device's location and activity. The presence database collects location-based data to build anonymized user profiles; estimates a physical location of the device; and provides targeted content to the device. The user profiles are stored at e.g., a user premises, or at a headend network or elsewhere within the “cloud”. Additionally, in one variant, signals are collected from “smart” appliances (in a home or other premises) to create personal, shared, and family environmental settings which are instantiated when a user enters the premises. Methods and apparatus to collect browsing behavior across desktop and mobile devices on third party sites (including web browsing, social networking, and e-commerce) which are represented by the managed network are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enabling presence-based and/or use-based services. In one embodiment, a presence database and an evaluation entity collect information relating to a device's location and activity. The presence database collects location-based data to build anonymized user profiles; estimates a physical location of the device; and provides targeted content to the device. The user profiles are stored at e.g., a user premises, or at a headend network or elsewhere within the “cloud”. Additionally, in one variant, signals are collected from “smart” appliances (in a home or other premises) to create personal, shared, and family environmental settings which are instantiated when a user enters the premises. Methods and apparatus to collect browsing behavior across desktop and mobile devices on third party sites (including web browsing, social networking, and e-commerce) which are represented by the managed network are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via the collection of a plurality of tuning records; the latency is then utilize to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these from between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices as required. The latency is determined by taking into account an experimentally or manufacturer-derived device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a current system time (or other response). Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate representations of subscriber interaction with content on a second-by-second basis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection, validation, analysis, and automated error correction of data regarding user interaction with content. In one embodiment, statistical methods are used to arrive at expected values for the collected data. The data is compared to the expected value and must meet one or more acceptance criteria (e.g., be within a prescribed range) to be considered valid. The prescribed range is determined by the network operator, or a computer program adapted to generate this value. The invention enables a network operator to assess a large volume of data without requiring significant amounts of manual monitoring and/or error correction. The ability to collect, validate and analyze data across multiple platforms is also provided. Still further, an automated system capable of learning evaluation and error correction patterns is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via the collection of a plurality of tuning records; the latency is then utilize to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these from between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices as required. The latency is determined by taking into account an experimentally or manufacturer-derived device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a current system time (or other response). Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate representations of subscriber interaction with content on a second-by-second basis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection, validation, analysis, and automated error correction of data regarding user interaction with content. In one embodiment, statistical methods are used to arrive at expected values for the collected data. The data is compared to the expected value and must meet one or more acceptance criteria (e.g., be within a prescribed range) to be considered valid. The prescribed range is determined by the network operator, or a computer program adapted to generate this value. The invention enables a network operator to assess a large volume of data without requiring significant amounts of manual monitoring and/or error correction. The ability to collect, validate and analyze data across multiple platforms is also provided. Still further, an automated system capable of learning evaluation and error correction patterns is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection, validation, analysis, and automated error correction of data regarding user interaction with content. In one embodiment, statistical methods are used to arrive at expected values for the collected data. The data is compared to the expected value and must meet one or more acceptance criteria (e.g., be within a prescribed range) to be considered valid. The prescribed range is determined by the network operator, or a computer program adapted to generate this value. The invention enables a network operator to assess a large volume of data without requiring significant amounts of manual monitoring and/or error correction. The ability to collect, validate and analyze data across multiple platforms is also provided. Still further, an automated system capable of learning evaluation and error correction patterns is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via the collection of a plurality of tuning records; the latency is then utilize to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these from between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices as required. The latency is determined by taking into account an experimentally or manufacturer-derived device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a current system time (or other response). Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate representations of subscriber interaction with content on a second-by-second basis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ensuring the privacy of users and/or devices in a content delivery network from which data regarding the users' interaction with content is collected and distributed. In one embodiment, “tuning” records which describe the interaction of users with content or other activities of interest are collected. It is determined whether an opportunity for compromise of the user's privacy (e.g., by derivative association) is present. If it is determined that such an opportunity exists, at least portions of the data are modified (e.g., collapsed). The modification may comprise replacing a first explicit data value with a second descriptive data value, increasing a range for the value, generalizing the value, removing the value, or encoding the value. Further processing of the collected tuning records may include, validating the data, accounting for latency, and generating reports based thereon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collection, validation, analysis, and automated error correction of data regarding user interaction with content. In one embodiment, statistical methods are used to arrive at expected values for the collected data. The data is compared to the expected value and must meet one or more acceptance criteria (e.g., be within a prescribed range) to be considered valid. The prescribed range is determined by the network operator, or a computer program adapted to generate this value. The invention enables a network operator to assess a large volume of data without requiring significant amounts of manual monitoring and/or error correction. The ability to collect, validate and analyze data across multiple platforms is also provided. Still further, an automated system capable of learning evaluation and error correction patterns is disclosed.