Acoustic Triggering for Media Consumption Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Broadcasters and advertisers face challenges in effectively tracking media consumption, as existing methods lack precision in determining user preferences and evaluating marketing campaigns due to the increasing consumption of broadcast media across various platforms.
Innovation Solution
A portable device monitors external audio waveforms for predefined acoustic frequencies embedded in broadcast media, converts them into digital codes, and transmits this information over a wireless network to a server, which aggregates data to track media consumption patterns, including demographic and location information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic frequency detection is used to track media consumption, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/media research methods with acoustic field detection. The portable device uses a microphone to capture acoustic frequencies embedded in broadcast media, converting physical sound waves into detectable electrical signals for identification and tracking, thereby simplifying the measurement system while improving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic frequencies as an intermediary carrier to transmit media identification information. Instead of directly tracking media consumption through complex user reporting or device monitoring, the system embeds acoustic identifiers in broadcast content that portable devices can automatically detect and report, serving as a mediating mechanism between media delivery and consumption tracking.
2Loss of information
If portable devices monitor external audio waveforms to detect embedded frequencies, then information completeness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device performs periodic sampling of external audio waveforms rather than continuous monitoring. The microphone captures acoustic frequencies at intervals, converting sound waves to electrical signals and analyzing them for embedded identifiers at discrete time points, which reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining comprehensive media consumption information through regular detection cycles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows broadcasters to determine popular programs and advertisers to evaluate ad effectiveness, providing detailed insights into media consumption habits and preferences.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone in the portable device captures the audio waveforms
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for acoustically triggering wireless network communication and reporting. A portable device monitors external audio waveforms comprising broadcast media, to detect at least one predefined acoustic frequency embedded in the waveforms. In response to the detection, the portable device takes an action with respect to a wireless network, preferably relating to the at least one detected acoustic frequency. The invention can be used advantageously to monitor broadcast media consumption.