Measuring video-program-viewing activity

• US 10,440,428 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2013
• Issued: 10/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Orlowski, Robert Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): Riaz, Sahar Aqil
• Application Number:
  US13/740,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20190058917A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,459 Days
• Field of Search: 725 34- 36, 725 9- 14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2407 Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104

Abstract

A computer-implemented method of using video viewer interaction data as input to a measurement engine which then calculates: demographic level and aggregate level (a) household reach for advertisements and video content based on user defined reach periods, (b) One-minute, Thirty-minute, and Sixty-minute channel viewing metrics, and (c) One-minute, Thirty-minute, and Sixty-minute aggregate viewing metrics, all based on second-by-second household level viewing activity. Also shows creation of Commercial Schedule Cumulative Audience, Impressions for Reach Periods, Demographic Group Impressions, Average Audience, Average Audience Share, Average Rating, Households Using Television, and Households Using Television Percent using household level data. Works with IP and linear video delivery. Together these metrics provide detailed information on customer viewing behavior which can be used to drive business decisions for service providers, advertisers, and content producers.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

generating, by a computing system, a first plurality of records collectively representing a continuous period of time over which a video asset was displayed by a first video-asset-viewing device, wherein the continuous period of time comprises a plurality of intervals of a same time duration, and wherein each record of the first plurality of records corresponds to a different interval of the plurality of intervals of the same time duration;

generating, by the computing system, a second plurality of records, the second plurality of records representing one or more continuous periods of time over which the video asset was displayed by a second video-asset-viewing device;

based on a determination that the second video-asset-viewing device is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device by one or more of a common viewer or a common household;

determining, based on the second plurality of records, a reduced plurality of records without one or more records of the second plurality of records; and

generating, based on the first plurality of records and the reduced plurality of records, a third plurality of records associated with the video asset;

determining, by the computing system, a quantity of records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, by the computing system and based on the quantity of records in the third plurality of records, a video-viewing-activity metric for the video asset.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the computing system, one or more corresponding records in the third plurality of records for each record in a subset of the third plurality of records; and

determining, by the computing system, a difference between athe quantity of records in the third plurality of records and a quantity of records in the subset.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the video-viewing-activity metric comprises determining, based on the difference, the video-viewing-activity metric.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the one or more corresponding records in the third plurality of records for each record in the subset of the third plurality of records comprises determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device and determining that the one or more corresponding records are associated with the second video-asset-viewing device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the computing system, at least two of the plurality of intervals that form a second continuous period of time and records of the first plurality of records that correspond to the at least two of the plurality of intervals; and

aggregating, by the computing system, the records of the first plurality of records that correspond to the at least two of the plurality of intervals into a fourth plurality of records associated with the video asset.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination that the second video-asset-viewing device is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device is based on a common identifier associated with the second video-asset-viewing device and the first video-asset-viewing device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more records of the second plurality of records corresponds to one or more duplicative records of the first plurality of records.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination that the second video-asset-viewing device is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device comprises a determination that a geographical location of the second video-asset-viewing device corresponds to a geographical location of the first video-asset-viewing device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the third plurality of records indicates, for each record of the third plurality of records, a number of video-asset-viewing devices displaying at least a portion of the video asset during an interval corresponding to the record of the third plurality of records.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the computing system, from the first video-asset-viewing device, and via a communication network, data representing video-viewing-activity of the first video-asset-viewing device, wherein generating the first plurality of records comprises generating, based on the data representing video-viewing-activity of the first video-asset-viewing device, the first plurality of records.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving, by the computing system, from the second video-asset-viewing device, and via the communication network, data representing video-viewing-activity of the second video-asset-viewing device, wherein generating the second plurality of records comprises generating, based on the data representing video-viewing-activity of the second video-asset-viewing device, the second plurality of records.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the reduced plurality of records is based on receiving an input parameter indicating removal of duplicate records.

13. A method, comprising:

generating, by a computing system, a first plurality of records collectively representing a continuous period of time over which a first video-asset-viewing device displayed a video asset, wherein the continuous period of time comprises a plurality of intervals of a same time duration, and wherein each record of the first plurality of records corresponds to a different interval of the plurality of intervals of the same time duration;

generating, by the computing system, a second plurality of records collectively representing a continuous period of time over which a second video-asset-viewing device displayed the video asset;

based on a determination that the second video-asset-viewing device is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device by one or more of a common viewer or a common household;

determining, based on the second plurality of records, a reduced plurality of records without one or more records of the second plurality of records; and

generating, based on the first plurality of records and the reduced plurality of records, a third plurality of records associated with the video asset;

determining, by the computing system, a quantity of records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, by the computing system and based on the quantity of records in the third plurality of records, a video-viewing-activity metric for the video asset.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the video-viewing-activity metric comprises:

determining, that each record in a subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to one or more other records in the third plurality of records.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to the one or more other records comprises determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device and determining that the one or more other records are associated with the second video-asset-viewing device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the determination that the second video-asset-viewing device is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device is based on a common identifier associated with the second video-asset-viewing device and the first video-asset-viewing device.

17. A method, comprising:

generating, by a computing system, a first plurality of records representing a continuous period of time over which a video asset was displayed by a video-asset-viewing device, the video asset comprising a plurality of portions of a same time duration, and each record of the first plurality of records corresponding to a different portion of the plurality of portions of the same time duration;

generating, by the computing system, a second plurality of records representing one or more continuous periods of time over which the video asset was displayed by a second video-asset-viewing device;

based on a determination that the second video-asset-viewing device is associated with the video-asset-viewing device by one or more of a common viewer or a common household;

determining, based on the second plurality of records, a reduced plurality of records without one or more records of the second plurality of records; and

generating, based on the first plurality of records and the reduced plurality of records, a third plurality of records associated with the video asset;

determining, by the computing system, a quantity of records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, by the computing system and based on the quantity of records in the third plurality of records, a video-viewing-activity metric for the video asset.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the video-viewing-activity metric comprises:

determining that each record in a subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to one or more other records in the third plurality of records.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to the one or more other records in the third plurality of records comprises determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records and the one or more other records in the third plurality of records are associated with a common portion of the plurality of portions of the same time duration.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the one or more records of the second plurality of records corresponds to one or more duplicative records of the first plurality of records.

21. A method, comprising:

generating, by a computing system, a first plurality of records collectively representing a continuous period of time over which a first video-asset-viewing device displayed a video asset, wherein the video asset comprises a plurality of portions of a same time duration, and wherein each record of the first plurality of records corresponds to a different portion of the plurality of portions of the same time duration;

generating, by the computing system, a second plurality of records, the second plurality of records representing a continuous period of time over which a second video-asset-viewing device displayed the video asset;

based on a determination that the second video-asset-viewing device is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device by one or more of a common viewer or a common household;

determining, based on the second plurality of records, a reduced plurality of records without one or more records of the second plurality of records; and

generating, based on the first plurality of records and the reduced plurality of records, a third plurality of records associated with the video asset;

determining, by the computing system, a quantity of records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, by the computing system and based on the quantity of records in the third plurality of records, a video-viewing-activity metric for the video asset.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein determining the video-viewing-activity metric comprises:

determining that each record in a subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to one or more other records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, based on a difference between the quantity of records in the third plurality of records and a quantity of records in the subset, the video-viewing-activity metric.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to the one or more other records in the third plurality of records comprises:

determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device; and

determining that the one or more other records are associated with the second video-asset-viewing device.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the determination that the second video-asset-viewing device is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device comprises a determination that a geographical location of the second video-asset-viewing device corresponds to a geographical location of the first video-asset-viewing device.

25. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a computing system, data representing video-viewing activity;

based on a determination that a first video-asset-viewing device is associated with a second video-asset-viewing device by one or more of a common viewer or a common household, generating, by the computing system and based on the data, a third plurality of records comprising a first plurality of records and a reduced plurality of records without one or more records of a second plurality of records, wherein the first plurality of records collectively represents a continuous period of time over which the first video-asset-viewing device displayed a video asset, wherein the second plurality of records collectively represents a continuous period of time over which the second video-asset-viewing device displayed the video asset, wherein each record of the first plurality of records corresponds to a different interval of a same time duration of the continuous period of time over which the first video-asset-viewing device displayed the video asset, wherein each record of the second plurality of records corresponds to a different interval of the same time duration of the continuous period of time over which the second video-asset-viewing device displayed the video asset;

determining, by the computing system, a quantity of records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, by the computing system and based on the quantity of records in the third plurality of records, a video-viewing-activity metric for the video asset.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein determining the video-viewing-activity metric comprises:

determining that each record in a subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to one or more other records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, based on a difference between the quantity of records in the third plurality of records and a quantity of records in the subset, the video-viewing-activity metric.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to the one or more other records in the third plurality of records comprises determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device and determining that the one or more other records in the third plurality of records are associated with the second video-asset-viewing device.

28. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a computing system, data representing a plurality of video-viewing-activity events associated with a video asset and associated with a first video-asset-viewing device;

generating, by the computing system, based on the data, and for each event of the plurality of video-viewing-activity events, a first plurality of records collectively representing a continuous period of time over which the event occurred, wherein each record of the first plurality of records represents a different interval of a same time duration of the continuous period of time;

generating, by the computing system, a second plurality of records, the second plurality of records representing one or more continuous periods of time over which an event, associated with the video asset and associated with a second video-asset-viewing device, occurred;

based on a determination that the second video-asset-viewing device is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device by one or more of a common viewer or a common household;

determining, based on the second plurality of records, a reduced plurality of records without one or more records of the second plurality of records; and

generating, based on the first pluralities of records and the reduced plurality of records, a third plurality of records associated with the video asset;

determining, by the computing system, a quantity of records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, by the computing system and based on the quantity of records in the third plurality of records, a video-viewing-activity metric for the video asset.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein determining the video-viewing-activity metric comprises:

determining, that each record in a subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to one or more other records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, based on a difference between the quantity of records in the third plurality of records and a quantity of records in the subset, the video-viewing-activity metric.

30. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a computing system, video-viewing-activity data associated with a first video-asset-viewing device and a second video-asset-viewing device;

based on a determination that the first video-asset-viewing device is associated with the second video-asset-viewing device by one or more of a common viewer or a common household, generating, by the computing system and based on the video-viewing-activity data, a third plurality of records comprising a first plurality of records and a reduced plurality of records without one or more records of a second plurality of records, wherein the first plurality of records collectively represents a continuous period of time over which the first video-asset-viewing device displayed a video asset comprising a plurality of portions of a same time duration, wherein the second plurality of records collectively represents a continuous period of time over which the second video-asset-viewing device displayed the video asset, wherein each record of the first plurality of records corresponds to a different portion of the plurality of portions of the same time duration, and wherein each record of the second plurality of records corresponds to a different portion of the plurality of portions of the same time duration;

determining, by the computing system, a quantity of records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, by the computing system and based on the quantity of records in the third plurality of records, a video-viewing-activity metric for the video asset.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein determining the video-viewing-activity metric comprises:

determining, that each record in a subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to one or more other records in the third plurality of records; and

determining, based on a difference between the quantity of records in the third plurality of records and a quantity of records in the subset, the video-viewing-activity metric.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records corresponds to the one or more other records in the third plurality of records comprises:

determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records is associated with the first video-asset-viewing device;

determining that the one or more other records in the third plurality of records are associated with the second video-asset-viewing device; and

determining that each record in the subset of the third plurality of records and the one or more other records are associated with a common portion of the plurality of portions of the same time duration.