Audio Bridge Device for Media Monitoring Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring consumer exposure to audio and video media, such as Bluetooth-enabled devices, face challenges in accurately capturing and recording media consumption data due to the limitations of manual recording and the peer-to-peer communication protocol in Bluetooth, leading to incomplete and unreliable data collection.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an audio source device, an audio receiver device, a bridge device, and a monitoring device that wirelessly transmits and receives audio content, allowing for the acoustic monitoring of the audio output and generation of research data, effectively overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by using a bridge device to divert and retransmit audio streams and a monitoring device to identify the audio content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual recording methods are used for data collection, then participants can record media consumption in their diaries, but compliance is low due to forgetting or loss of diaries and lack of discipline
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic data collection where the participant's own electronic devices (smartphone, tablet, computer) automatically report media consumption data to the research server without requiring manual intervention. The participant's device serves itself to collect and transmit data, eliminating the need for external diaries and improving both ease of operation and compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual diary recording with an electronic automated system. Instead of physically writing in diaries, the system uses electronic devices with software to automatically track and report media consumption, substituting manual mechanical actions with automated electronic processes that improve reliability.
2Ease of operation
If Bluetooth peer-to-peer communication is used between audio source and receiver, then wireless audio transmission is achieved, but complete and accurate media consumption data cannot be captured due to protocol limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the Bluetooth audio source and receiver. This gateway intercepts the audio signal and associated metadata, repackages it with additional information, and forwards it to the research server. The intermediary enables complete data capture that would otherwise be lost in direct peer-to-peer Bluetooth communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension to the Bluetooth audio transmission by introducing a gateway layer that captures not only the audio signal but also metadata and consumption information. This dimensional expansion of data capture goes beyond the original peer-to-peer communication capabilities.
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 system improves data collection accuracy and reliability by enabling the generation of research data on audio content exposure, enhancing compliance and providing comprehensive insights into media consumption patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The audio receiver device includes a speaker to output the audio content to be heard by the user
Implementation Method 2
a monitoring device acoustically coupled to the bridge device for monitoring the audio content output by the speaker of the bridge device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for gathering research data indicating exposure to media are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first wireless receiver to access a first modulated audio signal via a wireless data connection from a media device using a wireless communication protocol, the first modulated audio signal associated with the media, the first wireless receiver to output a baseband audio signal corresponding to the first modulated audio signal. The example apparatus includes a first wireless transmitter to modulate the baseband audio signal to form a second modulated audio signal, the first wireless transmitter to transmit the second modulated audio signal to wireless headphones using the wireless communication protocol. The example apparatus includes a monitoring device to receive the baseband audio signal, and to generate research data identifying the media, the media device including a second wireless transmitter to transmit the first modulated audio signal to the first wireless receiver, and the wireless headphones including a second wireless receiver to receive the second modulated audio signal from the first wireless transmitter.