Roku, Inc.

The Nielsen Comapny (us), LLC

John L Haynes, Iii

Andrew Laurence Ashbacher

Steven Michael Cormie

Stefan Matthijs Maris

Joel Michael Curl

Shuheng Li

Shashank C Merchant

David Edward Armstrong

Stefanos Christakis Liassides

Markus Kurt Peter Cremer

Benjamin J Ropke

Brian Patrick Jentz

Alejandro Gutierrez

John E Sormark

In one aspect, a method includes receiving query fingerprint data representing content received by a content-presentation device. The method also includes identifying a geographic area of the content-presentation device. The method also includes using at least the identified geographic area as a basis to select, from among a plurality of reference fingerprint data sets, a reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the identified geographic area. The method also includes detecting a match between the query fingerprint data and at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the selected reference fingerprint data set. The method also includes responsive to detecting the match, performing an action.

Content-modification system with geographic area-based feature

In one aspect, a method includes receiving first query fingerprint data representing first content channeled through a portion of a content-distribution system. The method also includes detecting a first match between the received first query fingerprint data and first reference fingerprint data representing a modifiable content-segment. The method also includes responsive to detecting the first match, performing a first action. The method also includes receiving second query fingerprint data representing content received by a content-presentation device. The method also includes detecting a second match between the received second query fingerprint data and second reference fingerprint data representing second content transmitted by the content-distribution system, where the second content is a modified version of the first content. The method also includes responsive to detecting the second match, performing a second action that is different from the first action.

Content-modification system with use of multiple fingerprint data types feature

In one aspect, a method is for use in connection with a content-modification system that includes a content-distribution system and a content-presentation device. The method includes (i) identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on an identified channel, wherein the identifying is based on detecting a match between first reference fingerprint data representing an initial portion of a modifiable content-segment and query fingerprint data representing content transmitted by a content-distribution system to a content-presentation device, wherein the first reference fingerprint data was generated before the query fingerprint data was generated; and (ii) responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity, transmitting to the content-presentation device, second reference fingerprint data representing more than the initial portion of the modifiable content-segment to facilitate the content-presentation device to, at a later time, abort performance of a partially performed content-modification operation related to the identified content modification opportunity.

Content-modification system with responsive transmission of reference fingerprint data feature

In one aspect, a method includes: (i) determining a baseline input-to-output delay, which represents a time period between when content is input into a first input buffer and output by an output buffer; (ii) establishing a synchronous lock between (a) first fingerprint data representing content in the first input buffer and (b) second fingerprint data representing content in the output buffer; (iii) determining an instruction time-point at which a content-presentation device is instructed to switch from using content in the first input buffer to populate the output buffer, to using content in the second input buffer to populate the output buffer; (iv) determining a loss of synchronous lock time-point; (v) using the determined baseline input-to-output delay, the determined instruction time-point, and the determined loss of synchronous lock time-point to determine an input-buffer switching delay; and (vi) using the determined input-buffer switching delay to facilitate performing a content-modification operation.

Content-modification system with determination of input-buffer switching delay feature

In one aspect, a method includes determining a content-transmission delay between a content-distribution system and a content-presentation device. The method also includes using at least the determined content-transmission delay as a basis to select, from among a plurality of reference fingerprint data sets, a reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the determined content-transmission delay. The method also includes transmitting to the content-presentation device, the selected reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the determined content-transmission delay to facilitate the content-presentation device detecting a match between query fingerprint data representing content received by the content-presentation device and at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the transmitted reference fingerprint data set.

Content-modification system with transmission delay-based feature

A method and system to help control when to monitor for presence of replaceable advertisements in a media stream. An example method includes determining a time offset based at least on a difference between (i) a time of occurrence of a content event in a media stream as indicated by data carried in-band with the media stream and (ii) a time of occurrence of the content event in the media stream as indicated by schedule data that is not carried in-band with the media stream. Further, the method includes applying the determined time offset as a basis to adjust a scheduled time of an advertisement in the media stream, and using the adjusted scheduled time of the advertisement in the media stream as a basis to control when to monitor for presence of a replacement advertisement in the media stream.

Use of in-band data to correct schedule drift

In one aspect, a method is for use in connection with a content-modification system that includes a content-distribution system and a content-presentation device. The method includes (i) identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on an identified channel, wherein the identifying is based on detecting a match between first reference fingerprint data representing an initial portion of a modifiable content-segment and query fingerprint data representing content transmitted by a content-distribution system to a content-presentation device, wherein the first reference fingerprint data was generated before the query fingerprint data was generated; and (ii) responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity, transmitting to the content-presentation device, second reference fingerprint data representing more than the initial portion of the modifiable content-segment to facilitate the content-presentation device to, at a later time, continue performing a content-modification operation related to the identified content modification opportunity.

In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first portion of query fingerprint data representing content transmitted by a content-distribution system. The method also includes detecting a match between the first portion of the query fingerprint data and a first portion of reference fingerprint data representing a modifiable content-segment. The method also includes after detecting the match: (i) receiving a second portion of the query fingerprint data, wherein the second portion of the query fingerprint data is different from the first portion of the query fingerprint data; and (ii) detecting a mismatch between the second portion of the query fingerprint data and a second portion of the reference fingerprint data representing the modifiable content-segment, wherein the second portion of the reference fingerprint data is different from the first portion of the reference fingerprint data. The method also includes responsive to detecting the mismatch, performing an action.

Content-modification system with fingerprint data match and mismatch detection feature

In one aspect, a method is for use in connection with a content-modification system that includes a content-distribution system and a content-presentation device. The method includes (i) identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on an identified channel, wherein the identifying is based on detecting a match between first reference fingerprint data representing an initial portion of a first modifiable content-segment and query fingerprint data representing content transmitted by the content-distribution system to the content-presentation device; and (ii) responsively: (a) using the first reference fingerprint data as a basis to select second reference fingerprint data representing more than an initial portion of a second modifiable content-segment, and (b) transmitting to the content-presentation device, third reference fingerprint data representing more than the initial portion of the first modifiable content-segment and the second reference fingerprint data, to facilitate the content-presentation device to, at a later time, perform an action.

In one aspect, a method includes identifying a geographic area of a content-presentation device. The method also includes using at least the identified geographic area as a basis to select, from among a plurality of reference fingerprint data sets, a reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the identified geographic area. The method also includes transmitting to the content-presentation device, the selected reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the identified geographic area to facilitate the content-presentation device detecting a match between query fingerprint data representing content received by the content-presentation device and at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the transmitted reference fingerprint data set.

In one aspect, a method includes receiving query fingerprint data representing content received by a content-presentation device. The method also includes determining a content-transmission delay between a content-distribution system and the content-presentation device. The method also includes using at least the determined content-transmission delay as a basis to select, from among a plurality of reference fingerprint data sets, a reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the determined content-transmission delay. The method also includes detecting a match between the query fingerprint data and at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the selected reference fingerprint data set. The method also includes responsive to detecting the match, performing an action.

Growing community of inventors

Sandy, UT, United States of America

John L Haynes, Iii