Abstract: Small changes in a broadcast version of a base media item can be identified by performing a multi-level comparison of digital fingerprints. A fingerprint of a base media item is compared to a fingerprint of a media broadcast to determine whether a media item embedded in a broadcast is likely, to a first level of certainty, to be the base media item. A second, more stringent, match between the fingerprint of the base media item and loosely matched items can be used to identify potentially-altered versions of the base media item. Potentially-altered versions can be compared against each other, and resulting matches are flagged as altered base media items, which can be fingerprinted and tested against broadcast fingerprints in the same manner as the base media item. Comparisons are made in parallel between two fingerprints to distinguish between a known base media item and unknown altered versions of the known base media item without prior storage of the unknown altered versions of the known base media item.

Abstract: Content from multiple different sources can be divided into segments based on time. Matched segments associated with each source can be identified by comparing content included in a first segment associated with a first source, to content included in a second segment associated with a second source. Syndicated content can be identified and tagged based, at least in part, on a relationship between sequences of matched segments on different stations. Various embodiments also include identifying main sequences associated with each source under consideration, removing some of the main sequences, and consolidating remaining main sequences based on various threshold criteria.

Abstract: An application client receives an open window event from an intermediary device before transmitting a licensing request to the intermediary device. The intermediary device transmits the licensing request to an authentication server, which responds by transmitting a message indicating approval status of the request back to the intermediary device. If the intermediary device is not within a predetermined proximity of the application client, the intermediary can wait predetermined amount of time for the intermediary device to return to the predetermined proximity of the application client before transmitting a second message indicating approval status to the application client. The application client receives, from the intermediary device, a licensing response reporting the approval status indicated by the message from the authentication server.

Abstract: First fingerprint data is accumulated in a first fingerprint buffer of a channel identification server in parallel with accumulation of second fingerprint data in a second fingerprint buffer of the channel identification server. The first and second fingerprint data include multiple fingerprints representing broadcast content broadcast by corresponding broadcast sources during contiguous time periods, and accumulating the fingerprints includes appending newly received first fingerprints to previously received first fingerprints to generate continuous fingerprints. The channel identification server also receives an unmatched fingerprint representing broadcast content received from an unknown broadcast source by the end-user device. The unmatched fingerprint into probes, which are scrubbed against both first and second continuous fingerprints in an attempt to determine a match between the unmatched fingerprint and either the first or second continuous fingerprint.

Abstract: Content from multiple different stations can be divided into segments based on time. Matched segments associated with each station can be identified by comparing content included in a first segment associated with a first station, to content included in a second segment associated with a second station. Syndicated content can be identified and tagged based, at least in part, on a relationship between sequences of matched segments on different stations. Various embodiments also include identifying main sequences associated with each station under consideration, removing some of the main sequences, and consolidating remaining main sequences based on various threshold criteria.

Abstract: Small changes in a broadcast version of a base media item can be identified by performing a multi-level comparison of digital fingerprints. A fingerprint of a base media item is compared to a fingerprint of a media broadcast to determine whether a media item embedded in a broadcast is likely, to a first level of certainty, to be the base media item. A second, more stringent, match between the fingerprint of the base media item and loosely matched items can be used to identify potentially-altered versions of the base media item. Potentially-altered versions can be compared against each other, and resulting matches are flagged as altered base media items, which can be fingerprinted and tested against broadcast fingerprints in the same manner as the base media item. Comparisons are made in parallel between two fingerprints to distinguish between a known base media item and unknown altered versions of the known base media item without prior storage of the unknown altered versions of the known base media item.

Abstract: A client device can wait for an intermediary device to open a licensing window before transmitting a licensing request to the intermediary device. The intermediary device transmits the licensing request to an authentication server, which responds by transmitting a message indicating approval status of the request back to the intermediary device. The client device receives, from the intermediary device, a licensing response reporting the approval status indicated by the message from the authentication server. The client device communicates with the intermediary device via one network, while the intermediary device communicates with the authentication server via a different network.

Abstract: An end user can sample a radio or television broadcast, generate a user representation of the broadcast sample, and send the user representation to a comparison system, which also receives known representations of content broadcast by multiple different stations. The known representations are stored in a continuous fashion, and represent actually broadcast content. The comparison system identifies the source of the broadcast sample by comparing the user representation to the known representations associated with each of the different stations using a bit count method, such as the Hamming distance. By comparing two representations of content that was actually broadcast, a broadcast source can be identified without requiring the use of watermarks, timestamps, or a database of discreet content items.

Abstract: Small changes in a broadcast version of a base media item can be identified by performing a multi-level comparison of digital fingerprints. A fingerprint of a base media item is compared to a fingerprint of a media broadcast to determine whether a media item embedded in a broadcast is likely, to a first level of certainty, to be the base media item. A second, more stringent, match between the fingerprint of the base media item and loosely matched items can be used to identify potentially-altered versions of the base media item. Potentially-altered versions can be compared against each other, and resulting matches are flagged as altered base media items, which can be fingerprinted and tested against broadcast fingerprints in the same manner as the base media item.

Abstract: A client device can wait for an intermediary device to open a licensing window before transmitting a licensing request to the intermediary device. The intermediary device transmits the licensing request to an authentication server, which responds by transmitting a message indicating approval status of the request back to the intermediary device. The client device receives, from the intermediary device, a licensing response reporting the approval status indicated by the message from the authentication server. The client device communicates with the intermediary device via one network, while the intermediary device communicates with the authentication server via a different network.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) is implemented on a computing device that includes a processor and associated memory. The GUI includes a graphical presentation pane configured to display a graph including at least one plot representing listenership information along a Y axis of the graph, and a period of time along an X axis of the graph. The listenership information is associated with at least one selected station, and the period of time is determined based on a user-selection of the period of time. The GUI also includes a marker that can be positioned over different portions of the plot in response to user input, and a media log pane linked to a current portion of the plot over which the marker is positioned. the media log pane displays media items corresponding to both the at least one selected station and a time indicated by the current portion of the plot.

Abstract: A mobile device can be used as an intermediary to allow a client device to obtain licensing authentication. The mobile device can connect to the client device whenever the mobile device is within a proximity threshold to the client device. The mobile device can also control when a licensing message window is opened. When the mobile device is connected to the client device, and the licensing message window is open, the mobile device can act as an intermediary between the client device and the authentication server. Messages from the authentication/licensing server can be queued in the mobile device, and messages to the mobile device can be queued in the client device for later delivery if there is no communication or if the licensing message window is closed.

Abstract: A server machine obtains media content information and event records, which include session data. The session data including consumer identifiers identifying consumers, and content provider identifiers identifying media stations. The server uses the event records and the media content information to generate tune-away events when first session data includes a first content provider identifier, but subsequent session data includes a second content provider identifier different from the first content provider identifier. The server aggregates tune-away events for a specific program across multiple different media outlets to determine a total number of tune away events for that program during a specified time period. The total number of tune-away events can be transmitted to an end user machine, which can display a graphical representation.

Abstract: A method includes generating, at a device, text based on speech content of an audio file that is identified in a transmission schedule. The method also includes comparing, at the device, the text to metadata of a content item identified in the transmission schedule. The method further includes, based on determining that at least a portion of the text matches at least a portion of the metadata, storing a data record associated with the transmission schedule. The data record indicates that the audio file is associated with the content item. Other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: An end user can sample a radio or television broadcast, generate a user representation of the broadcast sample, and send the user representation to a comparison system, which also receives known representations of content broadcast by multiple different stations. The known representations are stored in a continuous fashion, and represent actually broadcast content. The comparison system identifies the source of the broadcast sample by comparing the user representation to the known representations associated with each of the different stations using a bit count method, such as the Hamming distance. By comparing two representations of content that was actually broadcast, a broadcast source can be identified without requiring the use of watermarks, timestamps, or a database of discreet content items.

Abstract: An end user can sample a radio or television broadcast, generate a user representation of the broadcast sample, and send the user representation to a comparison system, which also receives known representations of content broadcast by multiple different stations. The known representations are stored in a continuous fashion, and represent actually broadcast content. The comparison system identifies the source of the broadcast sample by comparing the user representation to the known representations associated with each of the different stations using a bit count method, such as the Hamming distance. By comparing two representations of content that was actually broadcast, a broadcast source can be identified without requiring the use of watermarks, timestamps, or a database of discreet content items.

Abstract: Small changes in a broadcast version of a base media item can be identified by performing a multi-level comparison of digital fingerprints. A fingerprint of a base media item is compared to a fingerprint of a media broadcast to determine whether a media item embedded in a broadcast is likely, to a first level of certainty, to be the base media item. A second, more stringent, match between the fingerprint of the base media item and loosely matched items can be used to identify potentially-altered versions of the base media item. Potentially-altered versions can be compared against each other, and resulting matches are flagged as altered base media items, which can be fingerprinted and tested against broadcast fingerprints in the same manner as the base media item.

Abstract: Small changes in a broadcast version of a base media item can be identified by performing a multi-level comparison of digital fingerprints. A fingerprint of a base media item is compared to a fingerprint of a media broadcast to determine whether a media item embedded in a broadcast is likely, to a first level of certainty, to be the base media item. A second, more stringent, match between the fingerprint of the base media item and loosely matched items can be used to identify potentially-altered versions of the base media item. Potentially-altered versions can be compared against each other, and resulting matches are flagged as altered base media items, which can be fingerprinted and tested against broadcast fingerprints in the same manner as the base media item.

Abstract: A mobile device can be used as an intermediary to allow a client device to obtain licensing authentication. The mobile device can connect to the client device whenever the mobile device is within a proximity threshold to the client device. The mobile device can also control when a licensing message window is opened. When the mobile device is connected to the client device, and the licensing message window is open, the mobile device can act as an intermediary between the client device and the authentication server. Messages from the authentication/licensing server can be queued in the mobile device, and messages to the mobile device can be queued in the client device for later delivery if there is no communication or if the licensing message window is closed.

Abstract: A server machine obtains media content information and event records, which include session data. The session data including consumer identifiers identifying consumers, and content provider identifiers identifying media stations. The server uses the event records and the media content information to generate tune-away events when first session data includes a first content provider identifier, but subsequent session data includes a second content provider identifier different from the first content provider identifier. The server aggregates tune-away events for a specific program across multiple different media outlets to determine a total number of tune away events for that program during a specified time period. The total number of tune-away events can be transmitted to an end user machine, which can display a graphical representation.