Media data usage measurement and reporting systems and methods
AssigneeArbitron Inc.
InventorsJohn W. Hebeler JR., Prasad V. Kunchakarra, Thomas L. Dietz III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An audience measurement system for gathering data reflecting usage of media data by a user by means of a user system. The user system preprocesses the gathered data into micro-level report objects.
Claims66
A method for gathering data reflecting usage of media data by a user, comprising:
- receiving a plurality of media data in a user system;
- using each of a plurality of media data usage gathering objects running on the user system to collect data reflecting usage of a respectively different portion of and/or user agent for the plurality of media data received by the user system;
- and
- using a session object to merge predetermined ones of the plurality of media data usage gathering objects corresponding to a respective user session and/or RCL session.
A method for gathering data reflecting usage of media data by a user by means of a user system, comprising:
- running a media data usage gathering object on the user system;
- receiving media data in the user system;
- monitoring usage of the media data by means of the media data usage gathering object running on the user system to produce media usage data;
- and
- encapsulating the media usage data in the media data usage gathering object.
A system for gathering data reflecting usage of media data by a user of a user system, comprising:
- a plurality of media data usage gathering objects each for collecting data reflecting usage of a respectively different portion of and/or user agent for, a plurality of media data received by the user system;
- and
- a session object to merge predetermined ones of the plurality of media data usage gathering objects corresponding to a respective user session and/or RCL session.
A method for gathering data reflecting usage of media data by a user comprising:
- receiving media data in a user system;
- selecting at least some of the media data based upon predetermined criteria;
- in the user system compiling address data for the selected media data into a reporting object;
- and
- transmitting the reporting object to a remotely located processor.
A method for generating reports on usage of media data by users of one or more user systems comprising:
- receiving report objects generated by a user system and transmitted to a reporting system, each of the report objects reflecting usage of media data by a user of a user system;
- assembling the transmitted report objects into a macro report;
- coordinating and collecting macro reports and/or report objects from other reporting systems;
- and
- formatting macro reports for presentation.
A method for gathering data concerning usage of media data by a user by means of a user system comprising:
- providing a first data gathering object for gathering within the user system usage data representing usage of media data presented to the user within a respective user session and/or RCL session;
- providing a second data gathering object for gathering qualitative data;
- and
- providing a session object that merges the first and second data gathering objects within the user system.
A system for gathering data reflecting usage of media data by means of a user system, comprising:
- software for measuring the usage of media data including:
- a plurality of media data usage gathering objects each to collect data within the user system reflecting usage of a respectively different portion of and/or user agent for, a plurality of media data received by the user system;
- and
- a session object to merge predetermined ones of the plurality of media data usage gathering objects corresponding to a respective user session and/or RCL session.
A system for gathering data reflecting usage of media data by a user by means of a user system comprising:
- a data gathering object in the user system for monitoring usage of the media data based on predetermined criteria;
- wherein the data gathering object selects and encapsulates usage data representing usage of at least some of the media data based upon the predetermined criteria.
A system for generating reports depicting usage of media data by users of one or more user systems comprising:
- report objects, generated by a user system and transmitted to a reporting system, each reflecting usage of media data by a user of a respective user system;
- a macro aggregator process running on the reporting system for collecting the transmitted report objects for producing macro reports based on a plurality of the report objects;
- and
- a presentation process running on one of the reporting system and a client thereof for formatting the macro reports to produce a presentation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.