{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854304","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854304","title":"Systems and methods for identifying a source of media content based on a log of fingerprints","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-09-28T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"Systems and methods are described for identifying a content source of media content being transmitted to a viewer in situations when a specific media asset is being transmitted to the viewer from two different content sources nearly simultaneously. For example, if a certain movie is being broadcast at nearly the same time by two different channels, the system is able to identify the channel that the viewer is watching. The system performs the identification by obtaining fingerprints for two different channels, matching the fingerprints based on time and then finding a divergent pair of fingerprints by iterating in reverse chronological order through the pairs and comparing the fingerprints. The system then compares the fingerprints to fingerprints in a log that stores fingerprints and corresponding generation times for content that the viewer is consuming. The matching fingerprint corresponds to the correct content source."},"analysis":{"summary":"Systems and Methods for Identifying a Source of Media Content Based on a Log of Fingerprints is a patented system designed to accurately identify the source of media content being transmitted to a viewer, even when multiple sources broadcast the same content nearly simultaneously. The problem this innovation solves is the difficulty in determining the correct content source when identical media assets are broadcast by different channels at almost the same time, leading to inaccuracies in audience measurement, advertising revenue allocation, and copyright enforcement.\n\nThe key technical approach involves fingerprinting technology. The system obtains fingerprints from different channels, matches them based on time, and identifies divergent pairs by iterating in reverse chronological order. These fingerprints are then compared against a log of content consumed by the viewer, allowing the system to pinpoint the exact source of the media content.\n\nThe business value and applications of this technology are significant. It enables accurate audience measurement, allowing broadcasters and advertisers to make informed decisions about programming and advertising strategies. It also enhances copyright enforcement efforts, enabling content owners to identify and address unauthorized broadcasts more effectively. The market opportunity for this technology is substantial, as the demand for accurate media monitoring solutions continues to grow in the increasingly fragmented media landscape. This technology can be integrated into existing media monitoring systems or offered as a standalone service, providing a reliable and efficient way to track content across various channels. The implementation of this system leads to better data-driven decisions and significant revenue protection for content creators and distributors.","layman_explanation":"Systems and Methods for Identifying a Source of Media Content Based on a Log of Fingerprints addresses a critical issue in the modern media landscape: determining the source of media content when the same content is broadcast across multiple channels simultaneously. This is important because accurately tracking viewership is essential for allocating advertising revenue, enforcing copyright, and understanding audience behavior. Existing solutions often fall short because they cannot distinguish between identical content streams broadcast by different sources.\n\nThis innovation works by creating unique 'fingerprints' of the media content from each source. These fingerprints are based on subtle variations in the audio and video signals. The system then compares these fingerprints to a log of content that a viewer has consumed. By matching the fingerprints, the system can pinpoint the exact source of the media content, even if multiple sources are broadcasting the same content at the same time. Think of it like identifying a specific person by their unique fingerprints, even if they are standing in a crowd of people who look very similar.\n\nThis technology matters because it enables more accurate audience measurement. This means that advertisers can target their ads more effectively, and broadcasters can receive fair compensation for their content. It also strengthens copyright enforcement, making it easier to identify and address unauthorized broadcasts. The market impact is significant, as it affects the entire media ecosystem, from content creators to advertisers to consumers. The competitive advantages include improved accuracy, real-time identification, and better scalability compared to existing methods.\n\nLooking ahead, we can expect to see this technology integrated into various media monitoring systems. Market adoption will likely be driven by the increasing demand for accurate audience measurement and the growing need to protect intellectual property. Investment implications are positive, as this innovation has the potential to generate significant revenue for companies that develop and deploy it.","technical_analysis":"Systems and Methods for Identifying a Source of Media Content Based on a Log of Fingerprints utilizes a multi-stage process to accurately determine the source of media content. The technical architecture comprises several key modules working in concert.\n\nFirst, the fingerprint extraction module analyzes the audio and video streams from various sources, generating unique digital fingerprints. These fingerprints are based on characteristics such as frequency patterns, color histograms, and spatial features. The algorithm used for fingerprint extraction must be robust to noise and distortion, ensuring that the fingerprints remain consistent even under varying conditions.\n\nSecond, the time synchronization module aligns the fingerprints from different channels in time. This is crucial for identifying divergent pairs, as the system relies on comparing fingerprints at specific points in time. The time synchronization module must account for potential delays and variations in network latency, ensuring that the fingerprints are accurately aligned.\n\nThird, the divergence detection module iterates through the time-synchronized fingerprints in reverse chronological order, searching for pairs that exhibit significant differences. These divergent pairs indicate the point at which the content streams diverged, allowing the system to identify the correct source. The algorithm used for divergence detection must be sensitive enough to detect subtle differences between fingerprints, while also being robust to noise and distortion.\n\nFinally, the content log matching module compares the identified fingerprints against a log of content consumed by the viewer. This log contains fingerprints and corresponding generation times for content that the viewer has accessed. By matching the fingerprints, the system can pinpoint the exact source of the media content. This module requires efficient database indexing and search algorithms to quickly locate the matching fingerprints in the content log. The integration patterns for this system would involve APIs for ingesting media streams, extracting fingerprints, synchronizing time, detecting divergence, and matching content logs. Performance characteristics would depend on the efficiency of the algorithms used for fingerprint extraction, time synchronization, divergence detection, and content log matching. The code-level implications would involve optimizing these algorithms for speed and accuracy, as well as ensuring the scalability of the system to handle large volumes of data.","business_analysis":"Systems and Methods for Identifying a Source of Media Content Based on a Log of Fingerprints presents significant business opportunities in the media and entertainment industry. The market opportunity size for accurate media monitoring solutions is substantial, driven by the increasing fragmentation of content distribution channels and the growing need for accurate audience measurement.\n\nThe competitive advantages of this innovation lie in its ability to accurately identify the source of media content, even when multiple sources broadcast the same content nearly simultaneously. This capability is particularly valuable for broadcasters, advertisers, and content owners who need to track content consumption patterns and allocate advertising revenue effectively.\n\nThe revenue potential for this technology is significant. Broadcasters can use it to optimize their programming schedules and attract more viewers. Advertisers can use it to target their ads more effectively and increase their return on investment. Content owners can use it to protect their copyrights and prevent unauthorized broadcasts. The business models for this technology could include licensing the technology to broadcasters and advertisers, offering it as a standalone service, or integrating it into existing media monitoring systems.\n\nThe strategic positioning of this innovation is strong, as it addresses a critical need in the media and entertainment industry. By providing a reliable and efficient way to track content across various channels, this technology enables businesses to make data-driven decisions and optimize their operations. The ROI projections for this technology are attractive, as it can generate significant cost savings and revenue gains for broadcasters, advertisers, and content owners. The accurate identification of media sources allows for better ad revenue allocation, reducing revenue leakage and ensuring fair compensation for content providers. Furthermore, enhanced copyright enforcement leads to reduced piracy and increased revenue from legitimate content distribution channels.","faqs":null,"topics":["media source identification","content fingerprinting","broadcast monitoring","audience measurement","media tracking","systems","methods","identifying"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Media Source ID - Systems and Methods for Identifying a Source of Media Content Based on a Log of Fingerprints - Patent US-9854304","description":"Discover how Systems and Methods for Identifying a Source of Media Content Based on a Log of Fingerprints accurately identifies media sources using fingerprinting. Full patent analysis and technical details.","keywords":["media source identification","content fingerprinting","broadcast monitoring","audience measurement","media tracking","patent","patent US-9854304"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854304","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854304","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Systems and methods for identifying a source of media content based on a log of fingerprints\" (US-9854304). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854304","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854304","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854304","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-31T09:20:37.423Z"}