Systems, methods, and apparatus to identify media devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of identifying a media presentation device, the method comprising:
- monitoring, with a physical processor of a network communications monitor, a home network for a network communication sent by a requesting device separate from the network communications monitor, the network communication having a destination other than the network communications monitor, the network communications monitor installed in the home network associated with a panelist home;
in response to detecting the network communication transmitted on the home network, extracting, with the processor of the network communications monitor, an internal internet protocol address of the requesting device from the network communication transmitted on the home network;
in response to extracting the internal internet protocol address of the requesting device, performing, with the processor, a first lookup to identify a media access control address of the requesting device based on the internal internet protocol address of the requesting device;
in response to identifying the media access control address of the requesting device, performing, with the processor, a second lookup to attempt to identify a device identifier of the requesting device based on the media access control address, the device identifier different from the media access control address;
in response to a failure of the second lookup, signaling, with the processor, an audience measurement entity to prompt a panelist associated with the home network for an identification of the requesting device;
storing data identifying the network communication in association with at least one of the device identifier or the media access control address when the second lookup identifies the device identifier; and
storing the data identifying the network communication with the media access control address when the second lookup does not identify the device identifier.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus to identify media devices are disclosed. An example method includes determining an internet protocol address of a requesting device of a received network communication. A first lookup is performed to identify a media access control address of the requesting device based on the internet protocol address. Data identifying the network communication is stored in association with the media access control address.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of identifying a media presentation device, the method comprising:
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monitoring, with a physical processor of a network communications monitor, a home network for a network communication sent by a requesting device separate from the network communications monitor, the network communication having a destination other than the network communications monitor, the network communications monitor installed in the home network associated with a panelist home; in response to detecting the network communication transmitted on the home network, extracting, with the processor of the network communications monitor, an internal internet protocol address of the requesting device from the network communication transmitted on the home network; in response to extracting the internal internet protocol address of the requesting device, performing, with the processor, a first lookup to identify a media access control address of the requesting device based on the internal internet protocol address of the requesting device; in response to identifying the media access control address of the requesting device, performing, with the processor, a second lookup to attempt to identify a device identifier of the requesting device based on the media access control address, the device identifier different from the media access control address; in response to a failure of the second lookup, signaling, with the processor, an audience measurement entity to prompt a panelist associated with the home network for an identification of the requesting device; storing data identifying the network communication in association with at least one of the device identifier or the media access control address when the second lookup identifies the device identifier; and storing the data identifying the network communication with the media access control address when the second lookup does not identify the device identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A network communications monitor to identify a media device, the network communications monitor comprising:
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a network communicator to connect to a home network associated with a panelist home, and monitor the home network for a network communication sent by a requesting device separate from the network communications monitor, the network communication having a destination other than the network communications monitor; a communications processor to; in response to the network communicator detecting the network communication transmitted on the home network, extract an internal internet protocol address of the requesting device that transmitted the network communication on the home network; in response to extracting the internal internet protocol address of the requesting device, perform a first lookup to identify a media access control address of the requesting device based on the internal internet protocol address; in response to identifying the media access control address of the requesting device, perform a second lookup to attempt to identify a device identifier of the requesting device based on the media access control address, the device identifier different from the media access control address; in response to a failure of the second lookup, signal an audience measurement entity to prompt a panelist associated with the home network for an identification of the requesting device; and a communications data storer to; store data identifying the network communication in association with at least one of the device identifier or the media access control address in a network communications data store when the second lookup identifies the device identifier, and store the data identifying the network communication in association with the media access control address when the second lookup does not identify the device identifier. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A tangible machine-readable storage disk or storage device comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause a processor of a network communications monitor connected to a home network associated with a panelist home to at least:
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monitor the home network for a network communication sent by a requesting device separate from the network communications monitor, the network communication having a destination other than the network communications monitor; in response to detecting the network communication transmitted on the home network, extract an internal internet protocol address of the requesting device of the network communication; in response to extracting the internal internet protocol address of the requesting device, perform a first lookup to identify a media access control address of the requesting device based on the internal internet protocol address of the requesting device; in response to identifying the media access control address of the requesting device, perform a second lookup to attempt to identify a device identifier of the requesting device based on the media access control address, the device identifier different from the media access control address; in response to a failure of the second lookup, signal an audience measurement entity to prompt a panelist associated with the home network for an identification of the requesting device; store data identifying the network communication in association with at least one of the device identifier or the media access control address when the second lookup identifies the device identifier; and store the data identifying the network communication with the media access control address when the second lookup does not identify the device identifier. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification