Media Device IP Geolocation for Unbiased Demographic Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining demographic and geographic information associated with media devices are labor-intensive and prone to biases, yielding marginal results due to low registration rates and sampling inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that associate media devices with demographic compositions by identifying electronic addresses, linking them to geographic locations, and compiling demographic profiles, using IP addresses to determine the most likely home location of the device, enabling unbiased data collection from random samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If labor-intensive methods (focus groups, tracking individual customers, random sampling) are used to determine demographic and geographic information, then some data can be collected, but the results are biased and marginal due to low response rates and sampling inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service data collection by having media devices automatically report their own electronic addresses and usage information without requiring manual intervention from customers. The devices self-identify through their electronic addresses (IP addresses, device identifiers) and automatically transmit usage data to the server, eliminating the need for labor-intensive surveying while achieving comprehensive and accurate demographic and geographic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that receives electronic addresses from multiple media devices, resolves them to geographic locations, and compiles demographic information. This intermediary system automates the data collection process, replacing manual tracking methods with an automated infrastructure that can process large volumes of device data efficiently and accurately.
2Quantity of substance
If product registration methods are used where customers register their devices with geographic and demographic information, then some information can be obtained, but results are marginal because very small percentages of customers actually register
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring customers to voluntarily register their devices, the system enables media devices to automatically self-report their electronic addresses and usage information. This self-service approach dramatically increases the volume of data collected from a large proportion of devices without relying on customer motivation to complete registration forms, thereby achieving both high volume and high representativeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual customer registration with an automated electronic data collection system. Media devices automatically transmit their electronic addresses and usage data through network communications, eliminating the need for customers to physically fill out registration cards or forms. This substitution enables comprehensive data collection from the vast majority of devices rather than relying on a small fraction of willing registrants.
3Measurement precision
If random sampling and questioning of people is used to gather demographic information, then some statistical data can be obtained, but hidden biases remain that compromise accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human questioning and sampling with an automated electronic address resolution system. Media devices automatically provide their electronic addresses, which are then resolved to geographic locations through server-based lookup tables. This substitution eliminates human biases in questioning and sampling while maintaining system simplicity through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an unbiased intermediary that objectively resolves electronic addresses to geographic locations using pre-established lookup relationships. This intermediary process eliminates the hidden biases that occur in human-conducted random sampling and questioning, providing neutral and accurate demographic representation without adding significant system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus are to obtain a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member. Disclosed example apparatus are also to determine a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, determine a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, associate a geographic area with the media device in response to a determination that the geographic location corresponds to a location of an internet service provider, determine a demographic profile associated with the geographic area, and associate the demographic profile with the media device.