Method and apparatus for population segmentation

• US 20050240462A1
• Filed: 04/21/2004
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Miller, David R., Inman, Kenneth L.
• Application Number:
  US10/829,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20050240462A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0204 Market segmentation

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for segmenting a population, and include the defining of a base level population segmentation tree. A set of alternative level variables usable as substitutes in the nodes of the population segmentation tree are defined. Substitute split values for each node of the tree are determined to enable up and down shifting between levels.

Claims

1. A method for segmenting a population, comprising:

generating population segmentation trees based on demographic data and on behavioral data for a set of consumers;

defining a base level population segmentation tree;

defining a set of alternative level variables useable as substitutes in the nodes of the population segmentation tree; and

determining substitute split values for each node of the tree to enable up and down shifting between levels.

2. A method according to claim 1, further including determining whether a level shift is required.

3. A method according to claim 2, further including determining segments using the base level tree when no level shift is required.

4. A method according to claim 2, further including determining segments using another level when a level shift is required.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein a level is determined when a level shift is required.

6. A method according to claim 1, further including generating population segmentation trees based on demographic data and on behavioral data for a set of consumers.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the split values are for income and age.

8. A method according to claim 1, further including verifying the results of a segment determination when using substitute values.

9. A system for segmenting a population, comprising:

means for generating population segmentation trees based on demographic data and on behavioral data for a set of consumers;

means for defining a base level population segmentation tree;

means for defining a set of alternative level variables useable as substitutes in the nodes of the population segmentation tree; and

means for determining substitute split values for each node of the tree to enable up and down shifting between levels.

10. A system according to claim 9, further including determining whether a level shift is required.

11. A system according to claim 10, further including determining segments using the base level tree when no level shift is required.

12. A system according to claim 10, further including determining segments using another level when a level shift is required.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein a level is determined when a level shift is required.

14. A system according to claim 9, further including generating population segmentation trees based on demographic data and on behavioral data for a set of consumers.

15. A system according to claim 9, wherein the split values are for income and age.

16. A system according to claim 9, further including means for verifying the results of a segment determination when using substitute values.

17. A software system for segmenting a population, comprising:

a module for generating population segmentation trees based on demographic data and on behavioral data for a set of consumers;

a module for defining a base level population segmentation tree;

a module for defining a set of alternative level variables useable as substitutes in the nodes of the population segmentation tree; and

a module for determining substitute split values for each node of the tree to enable up and down shifting between levels.

18. A software system according to claim 17, further including determining whether a level shift is required.

19. A software system according to claim 18, further including determining segments using the base level tree when no level shift is required.

20. A software system according to claim 18, further including determining segments using another level when a level shift is required.

21. A software system according to claim 20, wherein a level is determined when a level shift is required.

22. A software system according to claim 17, further including generating population segmentation trees based on demographic data and on behavioral data for a set of consumers.

23. A software system according to claim 17, wherein the split values are for income and age.

24. A software system according to claim 17, further including a module for verifying the results of a segment determination when using substitute values.

25. A software product for segmenting a population produced by the following steps, comprising:

generating population segmentation trees based on demographic data and on behavioral data for a set of consumers;

defining a base level population segmentation tree;

defining a set of alternative level variables useable as substitutes in the nodes of the population segmentation tree; and

determining substitute split values for each node of the tree to enable up and down shifting between levels.

26. A software product according to claim 25, further including determining whether a level shift is required.

27. A software product according to claim 26, further including determining segments using the base level tree when no level shift is required.

28. A software product according to claim 26, further including determining segments using another level when a level shift is required.

29. A software product according to claim 28, wherein a level is determined when a level shift is required.

30. A software product according to claim 25, further including generating population segmentation trees based on demographic data and on behavioral data for a set of consumers.

31. A software product according to claim 25, wherein the split values are for income and age.

32. A software product according to claim 25, further including means for verifying the results of a segment determination when using substitute values.