Media data usage measurement and reporting systems and methods

(Field of invention) The present application relates to methods and systems for monitoring the usage of media data given to a user through a user system.

(Background of invention) There is considerable interest in measuring the use of media data accessed by viewers over networks or other sources. User systems can be monitored during individual time periods while connected to a network, such as the Internet, to determine which viewers are given viewer interest and media data. It can compile large amounts of data in a relatively short amount of time and requires considerable processing, bandwidth and storage resources.

There is also considerable interest in providing advertisers, media distributors, etc. with market information that reveals demographic characteristics of such viewers, as well as information on the size of the viewers. There is. In addition, advertisers and media distributors can customize to order to reveal market information about specific parameters such as media type, user dynamics (demographics), purchasing preferences, etc. I like to be able to create reports.

<p> There is also considerable interest in being able to monitor media viewers continuously and in real time. Therefore, it is extremely important to accurately measure streaming media data. The reason is that snapshots or event occurrences cannot capture the ongoing and continuous characteristics of the use of streaming media data.</p><p> Based on the reception and identification of media data, the ratings, or popularity, of various websites, channels and specific media data can be evaluated. It is preferable to determine the popularity of various websites, channels and specific media data according to the dynamics of the viewer so that the data displaying the use of media data can be accurately matched with the dynamic data of the user.</p><p> It is also important to ensure that the monitor interferes with or interferes with the user and the user system relatively little, if not zero. If the monitoring system unreasonably interferes with or interferes with the user or the user system, he / she will not be willing to monitor the media data given to the individual. At the same time, such interference should be minimized to prevent viewer behavioral effects that could bias the monitored data.</p><p> However, as described above, a large amount of media data can be given to the user through the user system in a relatively short time. If a user system is used to monitor the use of media data, then to accurately monitor certain media data given in a short period of time, which can interfere with the operation of the user system. Current systems require significant user system resources.</p><p> In addition, we run into unique problems when monitoring the use of streaming media data from the network. Media streaming sends a constant stream of video and / or audio over a network connection. Streams, for example, can contain a number of independent multimedia segments such as advertisements. In addition, streams can be associated with specific network resources such as web pages that provide content tied to streaming media data. There are also numerous protocols and delivery technologies that give rise to many different types of streaming coding, servers and players. In addition, streaming media data is often associated with additional media data in a wide range of formats such as HTML, email and instant messaging (but not limited to these).</p><p> The means for sending media data, as well as the options for accessing and feeding media data, are being developed and changing at a faster rate. For many years, wireless radio and television broadcasts have delivered viewing data in a fixed format and on well-established and well-defined channels for a long period of time. The task of measuring viewers in such an environment is relatively simpler than in situations where media data is currently being sent in more formats and successive protocols through multiple communication systems. In addition, with numerous devices and user agents for accessing and providing media data, the sources for media data at this time are enormous. To be effective over the long term, the audience measurement system must be flexible and scalable while maintaining cost efficiency.</p><p> Therefore, a system that accurately records the media data that the user is accessing through the user system, or the media data that is given to the user, but at the same time does not interfere with the user or impose a significant burden on the user system. A method is desired.</p><p> It is also desired to match the dynamic data of the user with the data indicating what the user accessed or what was given to the user, and to do this as accurately, efficiently and precisely as possible.</p><p> Systems and methods that allow advertisers, media distributors, etc. to create customized media usage reports are also desired.</p><p> Systems and methods for continuously and substantially real-time accurate monitoring of streaming media data are also desired.</p><p> These systems and methods enable the availability of commercially useful media data despite large, rapid and unpredictable changes in the needs of these patterns that leverage reports based on usage patterns and collected data. It is also desired to be flexible, scalable, and cost effective.</p><p>(Outline of the invention) The following terms and definitions apply in this application.</p><p> As used herein, the term "data" may be permanent or temporary, whether visually, audible, acoustic, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic or otherwise listed. It means any index, signal, mark, symbol, domain, set of symbols, display and any other physical form (s) that indicate information. The term "data" used to display a given information in a physical form should be considered to include any representation of the same given information in a different physical form (s). ..</p><p> The term "media data" as used herein refers to audio, video, text, images, animations, web pages and streaming media data (but not limited to these), regardless of form or content thereof. Means data that is distributed on storage media or otherwise widely accessible through wireless or cable, satellite, network, and internetwork (including the Internet).</p><p> The term "user" or "users" is used alone or in groups of one or more to access media data in the same or different locations at the same time or at different times. Means the person of.</p><p> The term "user system" as used in the present invention requests media data for a user, including, but not limited to, computers, televisions, radios, personal digital assistants and internet assistants and internet appliances. , Means software, devices or combinations thereof that are valid to receive or define. The term "user system" should be considered to include data collection systems, devices, objects or other software that use the resources of the user system.</p><p> The term "network" as used herein includes both networks and internetwork of all types, including the Internet, but is not limited to any particular network or internetwork.</p><p> The term "presentation" as used herein means data in a form that can be perceived by the user by visual, auditory, tactile or other means or a combination thereof.</p><p> The terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish one element, set, data, object or thing from another, meaning their relative position or placement in time. is not it.</p><p> Each of the terms "combined" (combined with, and combined with) as used herein is (a) One or more connections, either directly or through one or more other devices, devices, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems or means. (b) Communication relationships and / or through direct or one or more other devices, devices, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems or means. (c) Functional relationships in which one or more devices, devices, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems or means depend on the behavior of one or more others in whole or in part. Means the relationship between two or more devices, devices, files, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems and / or means that make up.</p><p> As used herein, the term "object" refers to (1) data that uniquely separates a collection of modules or computer code from other similar modules or groups, (2) the use of media data and / or Only for users of media data and / or any other supported data types or attributes that make up a given subset of the data types that describe the users, and (3) (i) requests that match a given published interface. By responding, it means a collection of unique software modules or computer code that has the behavior of limiting access to such attributes and (ii) collecting such predetermined subsets of data or merging the objects that own such data. To do.</p><p> As used herein, each of the terms "resource control location" and "RCL" means a service that performs management of the media data provided to the user system, excluding the service that acts as the user system, by the user system. It is considered to contain the source or identity of pre-recorded media data on the recording medium being read. The term "resource control location" includes, but is not limited to, entities that perform management over media data supplied over the Internet or other networks as well as televisions, radio stations and channels. ..</p><p> Each of the terms "resource control location session" and "RCL session" as used herein means the presentation of media data from a single resource control location to the user over a continuous period of time.</p><p> As used herein, the term "user session" means one or more resource control locations for a single user grouped according to predetermined criteria.</p><p> As used herein, the term "content metadata" refers to resource control locations, artists, creators, titles, dates, relationships to other media data, formats, associated user agents, viewership, descriptions of their content, and / Or data that provides information about media data, including, but not limited to, similar.</p>

<p> According to one aspect of the invention, a method user system for collecting data indicating the use of media data by a user is provided. This method uses each of a plurality of media data utilization collection objects operating in the user system and a step of receiving the plurality of media data, and different parts of the plurality of media data received by the user system and each of the plurality of media data. / Or the steps of collecting data indicating the use of the plurality of media data with the user agent, and among the plurality of media data usage collection objects corresponding to each user session and / or RCL session using the session object. It includes a step of merging predetermined objects.</p><p> Another aspect of the invention provides a method for a user system to collect data indicating the use of media data by a user. In this method, the media data is used by the step of operating the media data utilization collection object in the user system, the step of receiving the media data in the user system, and the media data utilization collection object operating in the user system. It is provided with a step of monitoring and creating media usage data and a step of encapsulating the media usage data in the media data usage collection object.</p><p> According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for collecting data indicating the use of media data by a user of the user system. The system comprises a plurality of media data usage collection objects, each of which collects different parts of the plurality of media data received by the user system and / or data indicating the use of the user agent for the plurality of media data. It includes a session object for merging a predetermined object among the plurality of media data utilization collection objects corresponding to each user session and / or RCL session. </p><p> Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method for collecting data indicating the use of media data by a user. This method includes a step of receiving media data in the user system, a step of selecting at least a portion of the media data based on a predetermined criterion, and address data for the selected media data in the user system. It includes a step of compiling the report object into a report object and a step of sending the report object to a processor located at a remote location.</p><p> Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method for generating reports on the use of media data by users of one or more user systems. This method shows each user's use of media data in the user system, the step of receiving the report object generated by the user system and sent to the report system, and the step of assembling the sent report object into a macro report. And to coordinate and collect report objects for macro reports and / or other reporting systems, and to format macro reports for presentations.</p><p> Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method for a user system to collect data relating to the use of media data by a user. This method provides a first data collection object to collect usage data in the user system that indicates the usage of media data given to the user within each user session and / or RCL session, and qualitative data. A second data collection object for collecting data is provided, and a session object for merging the first data collection object and the second data collection object is provided in the user system.</p><p> According to yet another feature of the present invention, there is provided a system for collecting data indicating the use of media data by a user system. This method is such that each collects data within the user system that indicates the use of a different portion of each of the plurality of media data received by the user system and / or the user agent for the plurality of media data. Media data that includes a plurality of media data utilization collection objects and a session object for merging predetermined objects of the plurality of media data utilization collection objects corresponding to each user session and / or RCL session. Includes software for measuring usage.</p><p> According to yet another feature of the present invention, there is provided a system for collecting data indicating the use of media data by a user by a user system. This method includes a data collection object in the system for monitoring the use of media data based on the predetermined criteria, the data collection object being at least a portion of the media data based on the predetermined criteria. Select usage data indicating usage and encapsulate it.</p><p> Yet another feature of the present invention provides a system for producing reports showing the use of media data by users of one or more user systems. This method is for creating macro reports based on report objects generated by the user system and sent to the reporting system, and multiple report objects, each indicating the use of media data by the users of each user system. One of the macro aggregator processes running on the reporting system to collect the submitted report objects, and the reporting system and its clients to format the macro reports to create presentations. It has a presentation process that works with.</p><p> The present invention and its particular features and advantages will become clearer by referring to the accompanying drawings and reading the following detailed description.</p>

(Detailed description of preferred embodiments) FIG. 1 shows a media data utilization system 100 in which media data is provided to the user 102 by the user system 104. This user system 104 is coupled to network 106 to access and / or provide media data to user 102. The user system 104 has a built-in local source 105 of media data, from which the user system 104 also obtains media data to provide to the user 102. This local source 105 may be, for example, a hard drive, or other storage device (s) to the local source 105 for download via pre-recorded media data and / or network 106 and later given to user 102. Stores the stored media data. This user system provides a combination of both media data over network 106 and from a local source 105, or a combination of media data combined into a stream of audio and / or video media data, for simultaneous delivery to user 102. You can also work to get it. This user system 104 is wireless, cable, satellite, PSTN (public switched telephone network), DSL (direct subscriber line), LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), intranet and / or the Internet (limited to these). It is coupled to network 106 in any manner, including (not to be).

The user system 104 incorporates a media utilization monitor processor 107 that implements a media data utilization monitor service within the user system 104. However, unlike the previously proposed technology, the processor 107 not only collects data indicating the use of media data by the system 104, but also processes the collected data and produces a report on the use of media data. Create a micro-level report object for use by the reporting system. In essence, processor 107 works with media data utilization collection objects 108 to collect initial utilization data, session objects 110 that merge objects 108 into user sessions and / or RCL sessions, and session objects and / or reports. Performs its task by managing a micro-level report object 111 that merges other data collection objects.

In some embodiments, the processor 107 is implemented as a peripheral device of the user system 104 or by a dedicated device as a board, or by other devices inserted into or otherwise coupled to the user system 104. In one embodiment of these embodiments, the device is a programmable device with pre-recorded instructions for implementing processor 107. In another embodiment, the software for processor 107 is downloaded to the device via network 106 or other communication medium, or loaded from the storage medium into the device. In another embodiment, the processor 107 is implemented in software running on the user system and is loaded into the user system from the network 106 or other communication medium or from a storage medium.

In some embodiments, processor 107 monitors only use by a single user. In another embodiment, processor 107 monitors the use of user system 104 by two or more users.

Processor 107 instantiates a media data usage collection object 108 that operates within processor 107 or elsewhere in the user system 104 to collect usage data that indicates the user's use of media data. Object 108 serves to collect usage data for one predetermined category of media data, such as graphic data, audio data, streaming media data, video data, text, web pages, image data, and the like. In this way, the object 108 processes the usage data in advance by selecting the data based on the predetermined criteria. In some embodiments, each object 108 will only monitor the use of media data in one format, such as jpg image data, avi data, streaming media data to be played according to a given playback type, html, document, bmp image data, etc. It has become. In a given embodiment, each object 108 monitors only the use of media data provided by only one type of user agent, such as a particular browser, player. As new or different data formats and user agents become available, new or different object 108 and / or object classes will be provided to processor 107 to enable monitoring. These objects and object classes are received by processor 107 via network 106 or other communication medium or from storage media. In this way, the monitoring function is updated quickly and efficiently in response to the format of the media data and the initial rapid changes of the user agent.

In some embodiments, the data collected by Object 108 is media utilization events such as user agent opening and closing, new or different content, or resource management location channel request or reception, scrolling, volume change, muting, on-click events. Shows window maximization or minimization, interactive response to received content (eg submitting a form or order) and / or similar events. In another embodiment, object 108 polls for given media data state information, such as currently receiving content or currently accessing resource management location, and / or user agent state. In some embodiments, object 108 records either a state change and / or the state itself. In another embodiment, object 108 involves or collects content metadata associated with it. In another embodiment, a combination of the above is used, and in one embodiment, the characteristics of object 108 include the number or duration of events, or state information.

In one embodiment, object 108 collects data at the board level (eg, a sound card), while in another embodiment it collects data at the network level. Yet another embodiment collects data at the operating system level, while yet another embodiment collects data at the application level (eg, player, viewer, or other application) and yet another embodiment. Object 108 also collects two or more of the above levels of data.

Processor 107 operates elsewhere in processor 107 or in user system 104 to merge media data utilization collection objects 108 so that it becomes each session object that collects data for each user session. Create an instance of session object 110.

In one embodiment, user sessions are defined by grouping media data utilization collection objects based on time or time length criteria. In these various embodiments, media data usage collections indicating usage (presentation or access) at each given time (eg, time of day, day) are grouped by corresponding user sessions. In another such embodiment, media data utilization collection objects that represent one or more continuous and / or overlapping resource control location sessions are grouped in one user session, while in another such embodiment. Group media data utilization collection objects that represent resource control location sessions that are temporally separated by just one given time period into a single user session. In yet another embodiment, objects are grouped into user sessions using a combination of the above criteria.

In another embodiment, the user session defines the user session by grouping the media data utilization collection objects based on the display of the user's activity. In such various embodiments, user input (eg by inserting pre-recorded media into a keyboard, keypad, pointing device, dial, remote control or touch screen, or activity, eg, disk drive, tape player or equivalent). Monitors, detects continuous user activity, and determines the duration of user sessions.

In another embodiment, the user must display the start and / or end of the user session.

In one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the following attributes are included within the session object. (1) "Session start": The time when the user system first accesses the RCL and the media data is sent to it or the time it takes for the media data to be given to the user first. (2) "Session suspension": The time when the user system ends accessing the RCL or the time when the presentation of the media data to the user ends. (3) "Session time length": The time length of a user session that can be measured as the time length between session start and session stop. (4) "Session content": The type and identity of media data provided or accessed. (5) "Session Interaction": A user interaction event that occurs during a user session. (6) "Session content event": A media data event that occurs during a user session. (7) "Session context": A session event that occurs during a user session. (8) "Session metadata": Data that describes a user session and optional support data.

Processor 107 feeds one or more reporting systems to create media utilization reports, so it works to merge session objects and / or other objects into itself and / or encapsulate data. Create an instance of report object 111 in. In one example, object 111 merges one or more session objects that indicate single-user media data utilization into the corresponding micro-level report object, but in another example, object 111 is identified in large numbers. Merge the session object into a micro-level report object that shows the user's use of media data. In one embodiment, object 111 merges one or more session objects that indicate the use of media data within a given time span, while in another embodiment object 111 is through network 106 or through a different communication medium. , Merge session objects in response to requests from reporting system 112 combined with user system 104.

In one embodiment, the media data utilization collection object 108 provides its data directly to a micro-level report object rather than merging it into a session object. This feature allows micro-level report objects to collect and encapsulate data at a level other than the user session level. A particular advantageous application of this feature is, but is not limited to, collecting and sending each RCL session in a given user system. Such capabilities make it possible to collect media usage data, especially for interim reports. For each RCL streaming media, it is desired to monitor ongoing usage trends and enable dynamic streaming adjustments based on real-time user profiles and habits. For example, the selection of advertisements to be inserted in the stream can be based on such usage trend monitoring.

In one other embodiment, RCL session objects are supplied to merge media data utilization collection objects that indicate utilization within each RCL session. This RCL session object either collects data until it is merged into a micro-level report object for an interim report, or merges a media data utilization collection object that displays utilization within all or part of each RCL session. In one example, a micro-level report object merges one or more RCL session objects for a given RCL session to provide a report for the RCL session.

In one embodiment, the micro-level report object 111 has one or more user sessions and / or RCL sessions in response to selectable parameters that include one or more specified RCLs and / or users for a given period of time. It is designed to report media usage data for. In various of the examples of reporting media utilization data by micro-level report object 111, object 111 is one or more user sessions, bandwidth utilization between RCL and / or RCL sessions, network utilization. It also collects and / or merges objects that collect the quality of service data from the user system, including quality, sound quality and / or image quality.

In one embodiment object 111 merges session objects and / or other objects, or collects data indicating the use of only a single type of media data, while in another embodiment object 111 merges objects. And / or collect data indicating the use of many different types of media data. In yet another embodiment, the object 111 uses various combinations of the above parameters to collect objects and / or collect data.

A bidirectional object transmission / reception service 113 is realized by a user system inside or outside the processor 107. This service 113 receives a request for a micro-level report object and communicates with the report system 112 to transmit the requested object to the report system 112. This service 113 also receives updated objects and object classes from utility service 114. In another embodiment, service 114 is implemented by reporting system 112, but in another embodiment it is implemented separately from reporting system 112. Not only the communication between the service 113 and the reporting system 112 in one embodiment, but also the communication between the service 113 and the utility service 114 is done over network 106, but in another embodiment such communication is different. It is done via the communication medium of.

In one advantageous embodiment, a large number of reporting systems deliver reporting services among a large number of network nodes, where the reporting entity or a large number of user systems in which the reporting entity's customers participate, such as the user system 104. Create either a standardized report or a customized report from a micro-level report object obtained from. In such an embodiment, the micro-level report object is implemented as a network mobile object, which can be transmitted to a large number of distributed report nodes, and is a standard micro-level report composed of a large number of micro-level report objects. Or it can be assembled into either a report entity or a custom-created macro report assembled from a macro-level report object using any of the parameters that the customer wants to select.

In some embodiments, service 113 is implemented by a dedicated device as a peripheral device of the user system 104, or as a board or other device that is inserted into the user system 104 or otherwise coupled to the user system. To. In such an embodiment, the service 113 is preferably realized by a device that also realizes the processor 107, but it does not necessarily have to be realized by this device. In another embodiment, service 113 is implemented by software that is loaded into the user system from network 106 or other communication medium or from storage media and operates the user system.

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of the object transmission / reception service 113. When used to transmit the micro-level report object 111 to the reporting system 112, the object serialization process 120 of service 113 is micro-level so that it is data that captures all the identities, states, and actions of object 111. Serialize the report object 111 in. Any serialization technique can be performed by process 120, but in certain embodiments, process 120 implements a binary object serialization technique that transforms the identity, behavior, and state of object 111 into a binary data stream. use. In another embodiment, process 120 performs simple object access protocol (SOAP) compliant serialization of object 111. In yet another embodiment, the HTTP request / response protocol is used. Process 120 preferably supports, but does not necessarily have to, a number of serialization algorithms to facilitate communication with one or more utility services 114, as well as various reporting systems 112.

The object compression / decompression process 124 applies lossless compression to the serialized object 111 according to any suitable technique. Process 124 preferably supports a number of compression algorithms to facilitate communication with various reporting systems 62 and one or more utility services 114, but not necessarily.

The encryption / decryption process 128 protects the report object 111 from tampering and user manipulation, thereby providing sufficient security to ensure the integrity of the report object 111. Encrypt. As with processes 120 and 124, process 128 implements a number of cryptographic algorithms to facilitate communication with various reporting systems 112 and one or more utility services 114.

The object send / receive process 132 serves to set up communication with the reporting system 112 and / or utility service 114 over network 106 or other communication media. If this object send / receive service 113 communicates with the system 112 over the Internet or other TCP / IP networks, for example, process 132 implements the TCP and IP layers, with the reporting system 112 and one or more utility services 114. Stay connected. Process 132 preferably supports a number of communication protocols to facilitate communication with the reporting system 112 and one or more utility services 114, but it does not necessarily have to.

In certain embodiments, processes 120, 124, 128 and 132 of service 113 are also utilized by another application running on user system 104 for communication, whereas in other embodiments processes 120, 124, 124, 128 and 132 are only used for communication with processor 107, including communication for micro-level report object 111.

As described above, the object transmission / reception service 113 supports two-way communication by the processor 107. In certain embodiments, this feature not only gets updates from utility services 114 to objects 108, 110 and 111, but also utilizes new objects and object classes, such as new or different types of media data and / or user agents. It is also used to add new types of media data utilization collection objects for monitoring. Processor 107 preferably receives such updates and new objects from a single utility service 114, but it does not necessarily have to. The single utility service 114 supplies new objects to all media data monitor processors in all user systems, and the user systems work together to provide reporting on media data usage to the reporting system 112. Communication from the utility service 114 is preferably realized by a transmission service corresponding to the service 113. Therefore, when such communication is received by service 113, it is first received by the object transmission / reception process 132 that implements the appropriate communication protocol, then decrypted by process 128 and decompressed by process 124. The decompressed communication signal is then reconfigured by process 120 for use by processor 107.

FIG. 2 shows another media data utilization system 200 in which media data is provided to user 202 by user system 204 or user 202 accesses media data. User system 204 can connect to network 206 to access media data or provide media data to user 202. The user system 204 also incorporates a local source of media data (not shown for brevity and clarity) that corresponds to the local source 105 in FIG.

The user system 204 incorporates a media utilization monitor processor and an object transmission / reception service (not shown for brevity and clarity) corresponding to the processor 107 and service 113 in FIG. 1, respectively. In addition, the processor built into the user system 204 responds to the media data utilization collection corresponding to object 108 in FIG. 1, which operates simultaneously and / or at different times to track the utilization of different media types and / or user agents. Objects 208, 208'and 208 , ... 208ⁿIt works to create and manage a large number of instances of. For example, if user 202 opens a browser, in certain embodiments the processor instantiates a browser usage data collection object to track its usage. If the audio player and / or video player is also opened while the browser is in use, the processor instantiates a player usage data collection object to track its usage separately from the browser. The same is done to track the use of other types of user agents, such as chat applications.

In another embodiment, separate usage collection objects track the usage of different media data. For example, one object tracks web page usage, while one or more other objects monitor ads that operate or appear in separate pop-ups and / or pop-under windows. In yet another embodiment, one set of objects tracks the utilization of different types of user agents, while another object monitors the utilization of each large number of media data provided by a single user agent. Therefore, the utilization monitoring system automatically collects data about the utilization of many different media data types and / or user agent types in different objects, so that it is collected by the type of media data utilized or the user agent utilized. Easy access to data.

The processor is session object 210, 210', 210 , ... 210ⁿYou can also create and manage a large number of instances of. These session objects are objects 208, 208', 208', ... 208ⁿIt works at the same time and / or at various different times to merge the appropriate ones into their respective user sessions. Each such object collects media data usage data in an object that represents its activity during its respective user session, so pre-process this data to facilitate the creation of media usage reports at a later stage. work. Therefore, additional processing, storage and communication bandwidth resources of the user system 204 are utilized to create session object arrangement utilization data by session, media data type and / or user agent type. This session object is then similar to building blocks that can be efficiently combined with any number of reports, with each report desired according to the selected report parameters. configured as . The structure of the report is ad hoc to best meet the needs of the users of the reporting system. Can be standardized or designed on a hoc) basis. It is preferred that the processor 107 and service 113 track the ongoing width of the user system and communication resources being used, adjust the demands on these resources, and prevent jamming of other applications and communications utilized by the user.

Similar to the example in Figure 1, session objects have been merged into micro-level report objects to communicate with one or more reporting systems (not shown for brevity and clarity).

FIG. 3 shows yet another media data utilization system 300 in which media data is provided to user 302 by user system 304 or the user accesses media data. This user system 304 can connect to network 306 to access media data. As in the example of FIG. 2, the user system 304 also incorporates a local source of media data (not shown for brevity and clarity) corresponding to the local source 105 of FIG.

The user system 304 has a built-in media utilization monitor processor (not shown for brevity and clarity), which instantiates one or more media utilization collection objects 308 that serve the same purpose as object 108 in Figure 1. And work to manage. The processor also instantiates and manages one or more qualitative data collection objects 310 that act to collect qualitative data about users in user system 304. The qualitative data collection object 310 in a given embodiment collects and / or stores basic dynamic data that can include the user's age, gender, race, ethnicity, marital status and / or address. In another embodiment the object collects and / or stores other user-specific information that can include consumption habits, interests, lifestyle, educational background, occupation and / or income. Such qualitative data is collected, for example, through the user system 304 and / or upon request to the user given from a database storing such information.

In some embodiments, object 310 collects and / or stores qualitative data that constitutes system data, such as system type, operating system and user agent type (eg browser, player, etc.). Such data can be collected by object 310 directly from user system 304. In another embodiment, object 310 collects and / or stores two or more of the above types of qualitative data. Simply put, each of the objects 310 is designed to collect a subset of the various types of qualitative data. In some embodiments, object 310 is updated from time to time to allow collection and / or storage of new or different data and / or data types.

The processor also instantiates and manages one or more session objects 312 that act to merge media data usage collection objects 308 and qualitative data collection objects 310 into their respective user sessions and / or RCL sessions. In this way, the session object encapsulates session data that describes not only media data usage, but also user dynamics and / or system information. In this way, the user system 308 preprocesses any data desired to describe a given user session and / or RCL session, thus leveraging the extra processing and storage resources of the user system. This is in contrast to previously proposed techniques in which quantitative data is merged with quantitative media data usage monitor data in a centralized processing facility. In some aspects, the invention not only reduces processing and storage conditions outside the user system, but also combines media utilization measurement data with dynamic and other qualitative data at the earliest stages, thereby up to the user or RCL session level. It allows you to create drill down reports, which gives you more accuracy and flexibility in your reports.

By using the collection and processing of delivered data by various data collection and processing objects, the monitoring system of the present invention is not only scalable at high speed, but also new and different forms of media data utilization, user system and dynamics categories. It enables the ability to adjust the monitoring system over time without interruption to meet the changing needs for tracking (demographic categories). This is achieved by downloading updated new object classes to processors running on various user systems.

Session object 312 is merged into micro-level report object 314 to communicate with report system 316. In addition to the micro-level report object 314, object 111 in FIG. 1 also has network mobility that allows reporting to occur not only on systems 112 and 316 but also on other nodes and systems in a given embodiment. In another embodiment, it also has the ability to publish a delivered report.

FIG. 4 shows a media data usage monitor system 500 for collecting usage data indicating the usage of media data given to user 502. The user 502 accesses the media data by the user system 504, or the media data is provided to the user 502. You may connect to user system 504 and network 506 to access media data or provide media data to user 502. The user system 504 also incorporates a local source of media data (not shown for brevity and clarity) that corresponds to the local source 105 in FIG.

The user system 504 generates, serializes, compresses, and encrypts the micro-level report object 508 according to any of the above embodiments for sending to the reporting system 510. Once the report system 510 receives the micro-level report object 508, it is reconfigured for use. The reporting system 510 collects and organizes a large number of micro-level report objects 508 received not only from the user system 504 but also from other user systems, and provides a report requester 506, for example, a report on the customer in exchange for a license fee. Generate macro report 514 in response to instructions from an entity or an entity that wants to use such a report directly.

The reporting system 510 accesses a library 512 containing various information for identifying the resource control location (RCL) of the media data contained in the micro-level report object 508. This library 512 is especially useful in situations where the metadata with the received media data does not contain the RCL identity. Library 512 contains RCL maps of various URLs for identifying the RCL of collected media data, eg, based on its URL (s). This RCL map is compiled in one or more ways. In certain embodiments, the RCL itself provides the necessary data to include in library 512. In another embodiment, the data is automatically compiled by a service associated with library 512 that collects URLs while accessing various RCLs. In yet another embodiment, the data is compiled by comparing the URL corresponding to a known resource control location with the URL for another page, stream or other media data and associating a similar URL with the same URL. Will be done. For example, two URLs with the same roots can be considered to be related to the same resource control location. In yet another embodiment, the content of tags, metadata and / or various media data is compared to determine their RCL. Yet another embodiment utilizes a combination of the following techniques. In one embodiment, the library 512 resides in a centralized location that facilitates updating of the data contained therein. Apart from this, the library 512 resides in different locations on different systems, either local or remote.

Even if the streaming source can have multiple URLs that map to the same RCL, it also utilizes RCL mapping to identify the resource control location of the given streaming media data contained in the micro-level report object 508. However, streaming media data is mapped to a particular streaming RCL.

In one embodiment, Library 512 is directed to advertisers or providers of time of day, relevant RCL and ancillary dynamics information, such as consumption habits, income, interests and media data about users or households. It also provides other data valid for the reporting system 510, including other data of potential interest in. In another embodiment, a system separate from library 512 provides one or more of these data services. In yet another embodiment, one or more of these services, including the RCL mapping service, are delivered to multiple servers on one or more networks.

Figure 5 also shows a report generation system 600, including a report system 602, for generating reports based on data in the form of at least one micro-level report object 606 received from at least one user system 604. .. This reporting system 602 responds to report generation parameters entered into the system and selectively generates macro reports, either standard-based or custom-based, in a large number of user systems (604, 604', 604',. ..604ⁿ) To numerous micro-level report objects (606, 606', 606 , ... 606ⁿ) Is also accessed.

The reporting system 602 accesses a library 612 containing information for identifying the RCL of media data, and the use of that media data is the same and / or various user systems (604, 604', 604', ... 604.ⁿ) Micro-level report objects (606, 606', 606 , ... 606ⁿ) Is reported. Library 612 can again contain a comprehensive RCL map of numerous URLs, for example to identify the collected media data. In one embodiment, library 612 provides different information (as described above with reference to FIG. 4), and in another embodiment, the services provided by library 612 are provided by a large number of distributed systems. Provided.

Report Requester 608 is a variety of micro-level report objects (606, 606', 606 , ... 606ⁿ), You can request the reporting system 602 to generate one or more macro reports 610. The Report Requester 608 supplies the reporting system 602 with requests for either standard or custom type macro reports. When a customized report type is requested, the request contains parameters that define the media data type, user, duration, etc. that define the desired customized report scope and content. The reporting system 602 collects the required micro-level report objects specified by the report requester 608 and creates a macro report 610, which is a combined report on the utilization of the entire media data. The reporting system 602 is a micro-level report object (606, 606', 606 , ... 606 along with various parameters to provide appropriate information and / or dynamic parameters for unique media data.ⁿ) Can be assembled. Macro report 610 may be created on demand or pre-scheduled for occurrence and transmission.

Figure 6 shows the reporting system 702. The reporting system 702 includes a macro manager process 714 that manages another object and external resources for creating reports for delivery to the report requester 718. System 702 is a variety of user systems (708, 708', ... 708ⁿ) Various micro-level report objects (706, 706', ... 706) received fromⁿ) Is further included in the macro aggressor process 704 to collect and manage. The reporting system 702 also includes a scheduler process 710 for saving various report schedules and reports. The reporting system 701 also includes a presentation process 712 for formatting macro reports for various presentation media.

The macro aggressor object 704 in a given embodiment is the user system 708, 708', ... 708, respectively.ⁿReceives micro-level report object 706 according to the schedule maintained by. In another predetermined embodiment, process 704 requests micro-level report objects 706 from various user systems according to a schedule maintained by scheduler process 710 within reporting system 702. In another embodiment, process 704 requests micro-level report object 706 to satisfy the request for the report received from report requester 718. Yet another embodiment uses a combination of the above techniques.

In one or more such embodiments, process 704 is a variety of user systems for micro-level report objects that indicate the ongoing use of streaming media 708, 708', ... 708.ⁿSend a request to. Process in some cases as a result of receiving an ongoing Streaming Media Utilization Report request from Requester 718 asking for information about the viewer's current size and / or configuration for Streaming Media in one or more predetermined resource control locations. Such a request from 704 arises. Such requests allow the Requester 718 or its customers to maximize their advertising revenue based on targeting their ads to their current audience and / or the actual number of users who have received a given ad. In another embodiment, process 704 indicates the current use of streaming media from the RCL user system 708, 708'... 708.ⁿUpon receiving one or more micro-level report objects from, process 704 will follow the traditional request from Report Requester 718 to create an ongoing usage report for such further micro-level reports from such user systems. Request an object automatically.

The macro aggressor process 704 follows the attributes of the received object, such as time, dynamics, RCL, type of media data used, etc., and the received object 706, 706', ... 706ⁿRemember. Therefore, macro reports can be created quickly and efficiently according to standardized or custom-designed parameters. Each micro-level report object can be assembled with such other objects in a process-efficient manner that is accessible according to one of a number of different selected parameters and provides flexible reporting capabilities to meet the needs of each requester. Show separate media data usage experience.

Macro reports are sometimes created by macro aggressor process 704 in response to commands received from scheduler process 710 and according to a report schedule maintained by the scheduler process. Once created, the macro report is stored by the schedule adjustment 710 which should be provided to the requester according to the report schedule maintained by process 710 or in response to the request from the requester 718.

The presentation process 712 acts to format the macro report produced according to the presentation format specified by the requester 718 or the default or other predetermined format. In some embodiments, such formats can be selected as appropriate for a computer-powered browser for Internet appliances, PDAs, facsimiles, emails, printed reports, audio reports. In one embodiment, different presentation processes 712 are provided for each different presentation format.

In one embodiment, the single reporting system 702 collects macro-level report objects and serves various report requesters 718. In another embodiment, a number of such reporting systems 702 deliver reporting work. In another embodiment, the services provided by one or more reporting systems are delivered between two or more different systems. In some of these other embodiments, one or more servers that provide macro reports to 41 or more clients on a regular or on-demand basis enable the macro report aggressor process, where the clients are requesters. Receives a request for a report from and formats a macro report for presentation to such a requester. In one embodiment, one or more of the services provided by the reporting system 702 are provided by clients working in the requester system. For example, in some such embodiments, the client implements both the scheduling and presentation services provided by system 702 in FIG. The object-oriented design of the system allows for many different types of implementations.

The object-oriented design of reporting and utility services provides considerable flexibility in the physical architecture adopted to enable these services. In the Internet (other network) based server architecture, different reports and / or utility services are delivered between different servers. In some embodiments of server-based services, servers are placed in a hierarchy to efficiently deliver services according to priority and / or scope. In an example using a P2P architecture, all reporting and / or utility services are delivered between clients, but coordinating certain services, such as objects and object class update services, to ensure system integrity. Is preferable. In the hybrid embodiment, the combination of the above architectures is used. For example, heavy users of the reporting service can implement the service on their client machines, but users who use fewer reports or don't get reports very often can receive formatted reports from the report server.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific arrangements and examples of services, systems, processors, devices, features, etc., these do not describe all possible arrangements or examples and those skilled in the art. Then you can think of many other variants and modifications.

<figref num="1">It is a block diagram which shows an example of the system for collecting the data which shows the use of the media data which is given to a user by a user system.</figref><figref num="1A">It is a block diagram of the transmission service of the Example of FIG.</figref><figref num="2">It is a block diagram which shows another embodiment of the system for collecting the data which shows the use of the media data which is given to a user by a user system.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of the system for collecting data indicating the use of media data given to the user by the user system.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of the system for collecting data indicating the use of media data given to the user by the user system.</figref><figref num="5">It is a block diagram of a report generation system for creating a report of the use of media data.</figref><figref num="6">It is a block diagram of another report generation system for creating a report of media data utilization.</figref>