Media Presentation Device Identifier for Independent Media Exposure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media measurement systems rely on content provider cooperation and are limited in their ability to collect data from multiple media presentation devices and content servers without such cooperation, and they struggle to accurately track media exposure across various devices and locations.
Innovation Solution
A system that intercepts outgoing and incoming data packets from media presentation devices on a local network, identifies device types based on source identification, and generates media exposure statistics without returning content to the devices, using a media presentation device identifier that includes a local network interface and a wide-area network interface to monitor and store data on media requests and usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing media measurement systems rely on content provider cooperation, then data collection is limited to cooperative sources, but this restricts the ability to collect data from multiple media presentation devices and content servers without cooperation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a media presentation device identifier as an intermediary component that sits between media presentation devices and content servers. This identifier captures data packets locally without requiring content provider cooperation, enabling independent data collection while maintaining system functionality. The intermediary records device identifiers, content identifiers, and playback information locally, then reports aggregated data separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables media presentation devices to self-report their usage data through the identifier component. Each device automatically captures and stores its own playback information, device type, and content identifiers in local storage, eliminating the need for external content providers to supply this data. This self-service approach expands data collection to all devices regardless of content provider participation.
2Measurement precision
If the system intercepts and monitors data packets from multiple devices, then comprehensive media exposure measurement is achieved, but this increases system complexity and resource requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data collection system into discrete, modular components: a data packet interceptor that captures network traffic, a media presentation device identifier that extracts device information, a content identifier that identifies media content, and a usage information database that stores structured records. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, making the complex monitoring task manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring direct access to content servers or complex authentication mechanisms, the system creates copies of relevant data from intercepted data packets. It extracts and stores copies of device identifiers, content identifiers, and playback information in a local database, enabling comprehensive measurement without the complexity of direct server integration or real-time content verification.
3Loss of information
If detailed usage statistics and device ownership rankings are collected, then valuable market intelligence is obtained, but this increases data storage and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential information elements needed for market intelligence from the intercepted data packets. It specifically captures device identifiers, content identifiers, playback start times, and device types, storing these structured records in a usage information database. This selective extraction retrieves valuable market data while minimizing storage requirements by excluding redundant or unnecessary data elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to identify media presentation devices are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving, at a port in communication with a local network, a data packet including a source identification, the data packet being addressed to a destination in a wide area network and originating from a media presentation device in the local network; identifying, using a processor in communication with the port, a device type of the media presentation device based on the source identification, wherein the source identification is a User-Agent field in the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP); and storing the device type and an indication of media exposure.