Abstract: A method, performed at a computer system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs executed by the one or more processors, includes receiving respective first set-top box (STB) information from a first plurality of STBs. The first STB information received from a respective STB in the first plurality of STBs includes tuning information for the respective STB in the first plurality of STBs, and power status information for a respective display device coupled to the respective STB in the first plurality of STBs. The method also includes filtering the power status information, and determining a viewership metric for the first plurality of STBs based on the tuning information and the filtered power status information in the first STB information.

Abstract: A method for providing efficient and accurate estimates of TV viewership ratings through a distributed computer system that includes multiple computers is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a query from a client at the distributed computer system; dynamically selecting one or more computers according to a predefined sharding function; at each of the selected computers, determining a count of qualified event records that satisfy the query; aggregating the respective counts of qualified event records determined by the selected computers; statistically projecting the aggregated count of qualified event records into an estimated total count of qualified event records on the distributed computer system; and returning the estimated total count of qualified event records to the requesting client.

Abstract: A system and method for re-serving shared content are provided. The system includes a first impression detection unit to detect a user's consumption of the shared content via the metering data; a user detection unit to detect a device associated with the user; a shared content retrieval unit to retrieve the shared content based on the user and the device; and a shared content communication unit to transmit the shared content to the detected device.

Abstract: A method at a first device coupled to a display includes: when no second device is linked with the first device, receiving a first content stream, the first content stream including a content item and one or more first advertisements, and outputting the content item and the first advertisements to the display. The method also includes: when a second device is linked with the first device, receiving a second content stream, the second content stream including the content item and not including the first advertisements, and outputting the content item to the display without the first advertisements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining meta-information for a channel being viewed are described. At an inline TV processor with a processor and memory, a first TV signal is received from a first source. One or more fingerprints are generated from the first TV signal. A plurality of second TV signals are received from a second source, and one or more respective second fingerprints are generated for each of the second TV signals. It is then determined whether one of the first fingerprints matches one of the second fingerprints. In response to determining that one of the first fingerprints matches a respective one of the second fingerprints, meta-information of the second TV signal (that is associated with the matched respective second fingerprint) is associated with the first TV signal. In response to determining that one of the first fingerprints does not match any of the second fingerprints, the steps are repeated.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for identifying viewers of a television set is presented. An audio signal received by a microphone of the television metering device is monitored, the audio signal corresponding to audio of a television program presented on the television set and at least one audio tone generated by at least one audio transmitter of at least one viewer of the television set. The audio signal is analyzed to determine an identifier for the television program being presented on the television set and to identify an audio tone generated by an audio transmitter of a viewer. An identifier of the viewer associated with the audio tone is determined. An identifier for television metering device, the identifier for the television program, and the identifier of the viewer is transmitted to a server.

Abstract: A method for data logging in a panel media consumption study includes broadcasting an attraction signal by a device associated with a panelist during display of media on a first media device in an area of interest, the media for consumption by the panelist; receiving the attraction signal at a receiving device in the area of interest, determining information related to the received attraction signal, determining a characteristic value of the information; identifying the device of the panelist as at a first location within the area of interest based on the characteristic value of the information; and logging data related to the display of media as panel media consumption data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining meta-information for a channel being viewed are described. At an inline TV processor with a processor and memory, a first TV signal is received from a first source. One or more fingerprints are generated from the first TV signal. A plurality of second TV signals are received from a second source, and one or more respective second fingerprints are generated for each of the second TV signals. It is then determined whether one of the first fingerprints matches one of the second fingerprints. In response to determining that one of the first fingerprints matches a respective one of the second fingerprints, meta-information of the second TV signal (that is associated with the matched respective second fingerprint) is associated with the first TV signal. In response to determining that one of the first fingerprints does not match any of the second fingerprints, the steps are repeated.

Abstract: A system and methods for protecting privacy via a gateway are provided. The system includes a data store comprising a computer readable medium storing a program of instructions for performing the protection of privacy via the gateway; a processor that executes the program of instructions; an event detection unit to detect an event behind the gateway; a correlation unit to detect a source associated with the detected event; a semi-stable identification unit to assign a semi-stable identification for the associated source with the detected event; a vector assigning unit to assign a vector to data associated with the semi-stable identification, the vector being related to the source independent any personal identification information (PII); and a communication unit to transmit the vector to instigate an action.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for identifying computer systems being used by viewers of television programs is presented. An audio signal received from a microphone of a television metering device is monitored, where the audio signal corresponds to audio of a television program presented on the television set and audio tones generated by computer systems of viewers of the television set. The audio signal is analyzed to determine an identifier for the television program being presented on the television set and to identify an audio tone generated by a computer system of a viewer of the television set. An identifier of the computer system associated with the audio tone is determined. An identifier for the television metering device, the identifier for the television program, and the identifier of the computer system is transmitted to a server.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for collecting and managing TV viewership data from multiple TV metering data providers is disclosed. The method includes: receiving an event log file at a distributed computer system that includes multiple computers; dynamically selecting one or more computers according to a predefined sharding function; at each of the selected computers: allocating a set of compressed event records, which corresponds to a subset of the event log file, at predetermined locations within the memory of the computer; and in accordance with a predefined schedule, replicating the compressed event records from a respective one of the selected computers to one or more other computers of the distributed system such that there are at least two replicas of any event record on at least two computers of the distributed computer system.

Abstract: A method for providing efficient and accurate estimates of TV viewership ratings through a distributed computer system that includes multiple computers is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a query from a client at the distributed computer system; dynamically selecting one or more computers according to a predefined sharding function; at each of the selected computers, determining a count of qualified event records that satisfy the query; aggregating the respective counts of qualified event records determined by the selected computers; statistically projecting the aggregated count of qualified event records into an estimated total count of qualified event records on the distributed computer system; and returning the estimated total count of qualified event records to the requesting client.

Abstract: A system for determining to request a re-prompt for a metering device, includes: a data store including a computer readable medium storing a program of instructions for determining to request the re-prompt; a processor that executes the program of instructions; a registration module to register a media consumer associated with the metering device; a behavior learning unit to learn a behavior associated with the registered media consumer; a behavior determination unit to determine a difference between the behavior associated with the registered media consumer and a behavior associated with a present media consumer; and a re-prompt determination unit to request the re-prompt to the metering device based on the difference being greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for associating a web event with a member of a group of users is implemented at a first computing device, the method including: receiving a data access request from a second computing device; examining the data access request to determine whether the second computing device provides a user login service; if the second computing device provides the user login service: causing the second computing device to collect personal information and authorization from the user of the second computing device using the user login service; receiving the user's personal information and authorization from the second computing device; and associating the data access request with the user's personal information in accordance with the user's authorization; and otherwise, associating the data access request with an identifier of the second computing device.

Abstract: A method for associating a web event with a member of a group of users is implemented at a first computing device. The method includes: receiving a data access request from a second computing device; determining whether the user has previously provided personal information and authorization to the first computing device through the second computing device; if the user's personal information and authorization are found: generating a record for the data access request; if the user's personal information is found but the user's authorization is not found: generating a record for the data access request; and if neither of the user's personal information and authorization is found: identifying one or more user identifiers that are associated with the second computing device; and returning personal information associated with the one or more user identifiers to the second computing device.

Abstract: A system and methods for protecting privacy via a gateway are provided. The system includes a data store comprising a computer readable medium storing a program of instructions for performing the protection of privacy via the gateway; a processor that executes the program of instructions; an event detection unit to detect an event behind the gateway; a correlation unit to detect a source associated with the detected event; a semi-stable identification unit to assign a semi-stable identification for the associated source with the detected event; a vector assigning unit to assign a vector to data associated with the semi-stable identification, the vector being related to the source independent any personal identification information (PII); and a communication unit to transmit the vector to instigate an action.

Abstract: A system for probabilistic matching of audio sample from a television program includes a computer readable storage medium having encoded thereon an audio matching program; and a processor that executes the audio matching program. The processor receives reference audio for time slices corresponding to a broadcast television program for each of a plurality of channels broadcasting television programming; receives a first audio sample from a media device on which is displayed the broadcast television program; selects one or more candidate channels to test to determine a channel to which the media device is tuned; compares the first audio sample to the selected candidate channels to determine a match between the first audio sample and one or more of the selected candidate channels; and when the first audio sample matches a reference audio from a selected candidate channel, identifying, with a specified probability, the selected candidate channel as the tuned to channel.

Abstract: A backpack for providing improved user access points. In particular a backpack providing for side entry into the contents. The backpack may utilize an S-shape zipper to improve access. The backpack may have multiple ways to access the inner pocket, including top access and dual side access.

Abstract: A system for logging the TV viewing activities at a household includes a TV messaging device at the household and a remote TV viewership measurement server communicatively coupled to the messaging device. The TV messaging device receives an infrared signal including a TV operation code from a remote control device within the household. The infrared signal is directed to a particular TV to perform a predefined operation. The TV messaging device generates a TV operation message including the TV operation code and a household identifier associated with the household and transmits the TV operation message to the TV viewership measurement server. Upon receipt of the TV operation message, the TV viewership measurement server tries to identify one of multiple TV devices within the household as being the target of the TV operation code and updates TV viewership data associated with the household in accordance with the TV operation code.

Abstract: A method for selecting potential customers for a product/service using a computer server is provided. The computer server collects information consumption activity data, conversion data, and demographic data from panelists that have agreed to share their data with the computer server. For each panelist, the computer server identifies a set of product/service keywords from the information consumption activity data associated with the panelist. For each keyword, the computer server aggregates the demographic data of the panelists associated with the keyword using their conversion data and generates a set of demographic attributes in order to characterize potential customers of the product/service.