Automated Live Media Event Distribution Timing Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current audience measurement systems for live media events, such as sports and news, rely on manual methods to adjust scheduled start and end times, which are costly and inaccurate due to variations in actual broadcast times.

Innovation Solution

An automated system that collects feed data and distribution data using signature generators and code extractors to identify the source feeds and generate a list of distribution times, enabling accurate audience measurement without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual methods are used to adjust scheduled start and end times of live media events, then audience measurement can be performed, but the process becomes costly and inaccurate due to variations in actual broadcast times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of audience measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of manual adjustment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment methods with an automated electronic system that uses signature generators to create unique identifiers for media events and code extractors to automatically detect and record actual start and end times, eliminating the need for manual time adjustment while improving accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automation where the audience measurement system automatically identifies and adjusts event timing through embedded signatures and automated code extraction, without requiring manual intervention from operators, thereby reducing both cost and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If manual adjustment of broadcast times is performed, then some audience measurement is possible, but the process is costly requiring significant human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost of audience measurement systemVSAvoidlevel of automated time detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes manual mechanical time-adjustment processes with an automated electronic system that uses signature generators and code extractors to automatically detect broadcast times, eliminating the need for costly human intervention while maintaining high levels of automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates automated copies of time-detection functionality through signature generators that embed event identifiers in media streams and code extractors that automatically retrieve timing information, replacing expensive manual operations with automated digital processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9357246B2Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify times at which live media events are distributed

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 THE NIELSEN CO (US) LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify times at which live media events are distributed are disclosed. An example method includes collecting feed data representative of source feeds associated with respective live media events, collecting distribution data representative of a plurality of distributions of the source feeds, and comparing, using a processor, the distribution data to the feed data to generate a list identifying times at which the live media events were distributed via corresponding distributions.