The Application

This patent application concerns a method for monitoring the usage of media items on a media device. It involves a data collector software module installed on the mobile device that collects a media identifier corresponding to a media item presented at the device. The media device sends this identifier to a data collection server. Additionally, it encrypts and sends a user identifier and a device identifier, each to different servers associated with respective database proprietors holding user and device information​​​​.

Technical Contribution

The decision on the inventive step was grounded in the fact that at the priority date, media devices for presenting digital media items were well known. The board assessed the inventive step starting from a general standpoint of known media devices. The features of the claim related to the media identifier, user identifier, and device identifier were viewed as straightforward implementations of business decisions, such as providing information about media items being presented and obtaining information about the device’s user and the device itself. The board noted that these features did not interact technically and thus could not support an inventive step. The appellant’s arguments related to the technical aspects of the media device, medium, and presentation, as well as the use of different keys for encryption and separate communication channels, were not considered to contribute to an inventive step. The board concluded that the subject matter of claim 1 lacked an inventive step under Article 56 EPC (Reasons no. 4.1 to 4.13)​​​​.

Key Findings

• Media identifier collection and transmission – non-technical
• User identifier encryption and transmission – non-technical
• Device identifier encryption and transmission – non-technical

Read the full decision here: T 3274/19 (Media impressions/THE NIELSEN COMPANY) 18-07-2022 | Epo.org