System and method of anonymous settop event collection and processing in a multimedia network

• US 20050278731A1
• Filed: 06/09/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navic Systems, Inc. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Kanojia, Chaitanya, Cameron, Kirk
• Application Number:
  US10/864,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20050278731A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/40 for identifying broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/43 for identifying broadcast channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A system and method is provided for event data collection and processing in a multimedia network. The server can include an event collection manager that receives messages containing event data from plural settop devices. Upon message receipt, the event collection manager accesses a database to identify a data aggregation group for the set top that sent the message and anonymously stores the event data in association with the data aggregation group. The data aggregation group can be associated with a policy that specifies anonymous storage of event data based on event type. For example, the data aggregation policy may specify storage of individual event types with personal identification information. Conversely, the aggregation policy may specify anonymous storage of individual event types anonymously excluding personal identification information. Aggregate reports can be generated from the stored event data by aggregation group.

Claims

1. A method of event data collection and processing in a multimedia network comprising:

receiving messages containing event data from plural set top devices;

as each of the messages is received, accessing a database to identify a data aggregation group for a corresponding one of the plural set top devices that sent the message; and

anonymously storing the event data in association with the data aggregation group.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

associating the data aggregation group with a data aggregation policy that specifies anonymous storage of event data according to an event type; and

storing the event data according to the data aggregation policy.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the event type is a tuner event, a diagnostic event, a promotion event, a polling event, or a clickstream event.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the data aggregation policy specifies storage of individual event types with personal identification information.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the aggregation policy specifies anonymous storage of individual event types excluding personal identification information.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating reports from plural anonymously stored event data that are associated with the data aggregation group.

7. A system of event data collection and processing in a multimedia network comprising:

a server coupled to a database, the server including an event collection manager that receives messages containing event data from plural set top devices;

as each of the messages is received, the event collection manager accesses the database to identify a data aggregation group for a corresponding one of the plural set top devices that sent the message; and

the event collection manager anonymously stores the event data in a database in association with the data aggregation group.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein:

the data aggregation group is associated with a data aggregation policy that specifies anonymous storage of event data according to an event type; and

the event collection manager stores the event data according to the data aggregation policy.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the event type is a tuner event, a diagnostic event, a promotion event, a polling event, or a clickstream event.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the data aggregation policy specifies storage of individual event types with personal identification information.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the aggregation policy specifies anonymous storage of individual event types excluding personal identification information.