Method and apparatus for identifying unique client users from user behavioral data

• US 20020178257A1
• Filed: 04/05/2002
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Predictive Networks Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Cerrato, Dean E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,092,926 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/316 by observing the pattern of computer usage, e.g. typical user behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/45 for identifying users

Abstract

A method and system are provided for identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users. The method includes providing a database containing multiple user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to the terminal device. Each of the possible users of the group are associated with at least one of the user input pattern profiles. Current input patterns from use of the terminal device are detected. The current input patterns are combined and then dynamically matched with one of the user input pattern profiles, and the possible user associated with the matched user input pattern profile is selected as the current user. The system for identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users includes a database containing multiple user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to the terminal device. Each of the possible users is associated with at least one of the user input pattern profiles. The system detects current input patterns from use of the terminal device, and then combines the patterns and dynamically matches the patterns with one of the user input pattern profiles. The system selects the possible user associated with the matched user input pattern profiles as the current user.

Claims

1. A method of identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users, comprising:

providing a database containing a plurality of user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to said terminal device, each of said possible users being associated with at least one of said user input pattern profiles;

detecting at least one current input pattern from use of said terminal device; and

dynamically matching said at least one current input pattern with one of said user input pattern profiles, and selecting the possible user associated with the one of said user input pattern profiles as the current user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one current input pattern comprises a plurality of different input patterns, and wherein dynamically matching said at least one current input pattern comprises combining said plurality of different patterns and matching a combination of said different input patterns with one of said user input pattern profiles.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising retraining said plurality of user input pattern profiles in said database with said at least one current input pattern.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a personal user profile associated with the current user.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising transmitting targeted content to said current user in accordance with said personal user profile.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said current input pattern comprises user clickstream data.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said clickstream data relates to particular Web sites visited by the user or the duration of visits to the Web sites.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said current input pattern comprises user keystroke data.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said keystroke data comprises digraph interval data.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said current input pattern comprises user mouse usage data.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said current input pattern comprises user remote control usage data.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said terminal device comprises a computer.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said terminal device comprises a television set top box.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said steps are implemented in a computer, and said computer communicates with said terminal device over a network.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said network comprises the Internet.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said network comprises a nodal television distribution network.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said at least one current input pattern comprises a plurality of different input patterns, and wherein said means for dynamically matching said at least one current input pattern combines said plurality of different patterns and matches a combination of said different input patterns with one of said user input pattern profiles.

19. The system of claim 17 further comprising means for retraining said plurality of user input pattern profiles in said database with said at least one current input pattern.

20. The system of claim 17 further comprising means for determining a personal user profile associated with the current user.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising means for transmitting targeted content to said current user in accordance with said personal user profile.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein said current input pattern comprises user clickstream data.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said clickstream data relates to particular Web sites visited by the user or the duration of visits to the Web sites.

24. The system of claim 17 wherein said current input pattern comprises user keystroke data.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said keystroke data comprises digraph interval data.

26. The system of claim 17 wherein said current input pattern comprises user mouse usage data.

27. The system of claim 17 wherein said current input pattern comprises user remote control usage data.

28. The system of claim 17 wherein said terminal device comprises a computer.

29. The system of claim 17 wherein said terminal device comprises a television set top box.

30. The system of claim 17 wherein said system is implemented in a computer, and said computer communicates with said terminal device over a network.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said network comprises the Internet.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein said network comprises a nodal television distribution network.

74. The method of claim 6 wherein said clickstream pattern relates to particular programs or channels selected by the user or the duration of viewing of said programs or channels.

75. The system of claim 22 wherein said clickstream data relates to particular programs or channels selected by the user or the duration of viewing of said programs or channels.

17. A system for identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users, comprising:

a database containing a plurality of user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to said terminal device, each of said possible users being associated with at least one of said user input pattern profiles;

means for detecting at least one current input pattern from use of said terminal device; and

means for dynamically matching said at least one current input pattern with one of said user input pattern profiles, and selecting the possible user associated with the one of said user input pattern profiles as the current user.

33. A computer system for identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users, comprising:

memory for storing a program and a plurality of user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to said terminal device, each of said possible users being associated with at least one of said user input pattern profiles; and

a processor operative with the program to;

(a) detect at least one current input pattern from use of said terminal device; and

(b) dynamically match said at least one current input pattern with one of said user input pattern profiles, and selecting the possible user associated with the one of said user input pattern profiles as the current user.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said targeted content comprises targeted advertising.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein said targeted content comprises recommended program viewing choices.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein said personal profile includes demographic or preference data on said current user.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said demographic or preference data includes data on at least one of user age, user sex, number of children, income, and geographic location.

39. The method of claim 34 wherein said steps are implemented in a computer server.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein said server comprises a video server.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein said server comprises a Web server.

42. The method of claim 34 wherein said terminal device comprises a set top box and a television monitor.

43. The method of claim 34 wherein said terminal device comprises a personal computer.

34. A method of delivering targeted content to a current user of a terminal device used by a plurality of possible users, comprising:

providing a database containing a plurality of user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to said terminal device, each of said possible users being associated with at least one of said user input pattern profiles;

detecting at least one current input pattern from use of said terminal device;

dynamically matching said at least one current input pattern with one of said user input pattern profiles, and selecting the possible user associated with the one of said user input pattern profiles as the current user;

determining a personal user profile associated with the current user; and

transmitting targeted content to said current user in accordance with said personal user profile.

44. A method of identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users, comprising:

detecting a plurality of different types of current input patterns from use of said terminal device by a current user;

performing a soft match of each of said plurality of different types of current input patterns with a plurality of stored input patterns for each of said types of input patterns, said stored patterns representing input patterns for the group of possible users of said terminal device, said soft matches generating scored possible matches for each of said different types of data;

determining possible combinations of said scored possible matches;

determining a score for each said combination; and

for the combination having the highest score, selecting a possible user associated with said combination as the current user.

45. The method of claim 44 further comprising retraining said plurality of stored input patterns with said current input patterns.

46. The method of claim 44 further comprising determining a personal user profile associated with the current user.

47. The method of claim 46 further comprising transmitting targeted content to said current user in accordance with said personal user profile.

48. The method of claim 44 wherein said different types of current input patterns include a user clickstream pattern.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein said clickstream pattern relates to particular Web sites visited by the user or the duration of visits to the Web sites.

50. The method of claim 44 wherein said different types of current input patterns include a user keystroke pattern.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein said keystroke pattern includes digraph interval data.

52. The method of claim 44 wherein said different types of current input patterns include user mouse usage data.

53. The method of claim 44 wherein said different types of current input patterns include user remote control usage data.

54. The method of claim 44 wherein said terminal device comprises a computer.

55. The method of claim 44 wherein said terminal device comprises a television set top box.

56. The method of claim 44 wherein said steps are implemented in a computer, and said computer communicates with said terminal device over a network.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein said network comprises the Internet.

58. The method of claim 56 wherein said network comprises a nodal television distribution network.

60. The system of claim 59 further comprising means for retraining said plurality of stored input patterns with said current input patterns.

61. The system of claim 59 further comprising means for determining a personal user profile associated with the current user.

62. The system of claim 59 further comprising means for transmitting targeted content to said current user in accordance with said personal user profile.

63. The system of claim 59 wherein said different types of current input patterns include a user clickstream pattern.

64. The system of claim 63 wherein said clickstream pattern relates to particular Web sites visited by the user or the duration of visits to the Web sites.

65. The system of claim 59 wherein said different types of current input patterns include a user keystroke pattern.

66. The system of claim 65 wherein said keystroke pattern includes digraph interval data.

67. The system of claim 59 wherein said different types of current input patterns include user mouse usage data.

68. The system of claim 59 wherein said different types of current input patterns include user remote control usage data.

69. The system of claim 59 wherein said terminal device comprises a computer.

70. The system of claim 59 wherein said terminal device comprises a television set top box.

71. The system of claim 59 wherein said system is implemented in a computer, and said computer communicates with said terminal device over a network.

72. The system of claim 71 wherein said network comprises the Internet.

73. The system of claim 71 wherein said network comprises a nodal television distribution network.

76. The method of claim 48 wherein said clickstream pattern relates to particular programs or channels selected by the user or the duration of viewing of said programs or channels.

77. The system of claim 63 wherein said clickstream pattern relates to particular programs or channels selected by the user or the duration of viewing of said programs or channels.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein said at least one current input pattern comprises a plurality of different input patterns, and wherein dynamically matching said at least one current input pattern comprises combining said plurality of different patterns and matching a combination of said different input patterns with one of said user input pattern profiles.

80. The method of claim 78 further comprising retraining said plurality of user input pattern profiles in said database with said at least one current input pattern.

81. The method of claim 78 further comprising determining a personal user profile associated with the current subset of users.

82. The method of claim 81 further comprising transmitting targeted content to said terminal device in accordance with said personal user profile.

83. The method of claim 78 wherein said current input pattern comprises user clickstream data.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein said clickstream data relates to particular Web sites visited by the current subset of users or the duration of visits to the Web sites.

85. The method of claim 83 wherein said clickstream data relates to particular programs or channels selected by the subset of users or the duration of viewing of said programs or channels.

86. The method of claim 78 wherein said current input pattern comprises user keystroke data.

87. The method of claim 86 wherein said keystroke data comprises digraph interval data.

88. The method of claim 78 wherein said current input pattern comprises user mouse usage data.

89. The method of claim 78 wherein said current input pattern comprises user remote control usage data.

90. The method of claim 78 wherein said terminal device comprises a computer.

91. The method of claim 78 wherein said terminal device comprises a television set top box.

92. The method of claim 78 wherein said steps are implemented in a computer, and said computer communicates with said terminal device over a network.

93. The method of claim 92 wherein said network comprises the Internet.

94. The method of claim 92 wherein said network comprises a nodal television distribution network.

59. A system for identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users, comprising:

means for detecting a plurality of different types of current input patterns from use of said terminal device by a current user;

means for performing a soft match of each of said plurality of different types of current input patterns with a plurality of stored input patterns for each of said types of input patterns, said stored patterns representing input patterns for the group of possible users of said terminal device, said soft matches generating scored possible matches for each of said different types of data;

means for determining possible combinations of said scored possible matches;

means for determining a score for each said combination; and

means for selecting a possible user associated with combination having the highest score as the current user.

78. A method of identifying a current subset of users of a terminal device from a set of possible users, comprising:

providing a database containing a plurality of user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to said terminal device, various subsets of said possible users being associated with at least one of said user input pattern profiles;

detecting at least one current input pattern from use of said terminal device by a current subset of users; and

dynamically matching said at least one current input pattern with one of said user input pattern profiles, and selecting the subset of users associated with the one of said user input pattern profiles as the current subset of users.

95. A method of identifying a current subset of users of a terminal device from a set of possible users, comprising:

detecting a plurality of different types of current input patterns from use of said terminal device by the current subset of users;

performing a soft match of each of said plurality of different types of current input patterns with a plurality of stored input patterns for each of said types of input patterns, said stored patterns representing input patterns for various subsets of possible users of said terminal device, said soft matches generating scored possible matches for each of said different types of data;

determining possible combinations of said scored possible matches;

determining a score for each said combination; and

for the combination having score indicating a substantial match, selecting a subset of users associated with said combination as the current subset of users.

96. The method of claim 95 further comprising retraining said plurality of stored input patterns with said current input patterns.

97. The method of claim 95 further comprising determining a personal profile associated with the current subset of users.

98. The method of claim 97 further comprising transmitting targeted content to said terminal device in accordance with said personal profile.

99. The method of claim 95 wherein said different types of current input patterns include a user clickstream pattern.

100. The method of claim 99 wherein said clickstream pattern relates to particular Web sites visited by the current subset of users or the duration of visits to the Web sites.

101. The method of claim 99 wherein said clickstream pattern relates to particular programs or channels selected by the subset of users or the duration of viewing of said programs or channels.

102. The method of claim 95 wherein said different types of current input patterns include a user keystroke pattern.

103. The method of claim 102 wherein said keystroke pattern includes digraph interval data.

104. The method of claim 95 wherein said different types of current input patterns include user mouse usage data.

105. The method of claim 95 wherein said different types of current input patterns include user remote control usage data.

106. The method of claim 95 wherein said terminal device comprises a computer.

107. The method of claim 95 wherein said terminal device comprises a television set top box.

108. The method of claim 95 wherein said steps are implemented in a computer, and said computer communicates with said terminal device over a network.

109. The method of claim 108 wherein said network comprises the Internet.

110. The method of claim 108 wherein said network comprises a nodal television distribution network.