Media Meter Audio Detection for Household Exposure Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional audience measurement systems require physical connections to media devices and manual installation, leading to high costs and inefficiencies in collecting household media exposure data, especially when dealing with multiple media devices in close proximity, which can result in inaccurate data due to ambient tuning or spillover effects.
Innovation Solution
The use of media meters that capture audio without physical connections, employing models to impute household member exposure and visitor demographics, and distinguishing between real and ambient tuning to provide accurate media exposure data, reducing the need for physical installations and improving data reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical connections are used to connect media meters to media devices, then data collection reliability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical connection systems with acoustic field-based detection. Instead of hardwiring media meters to media devices, the system uses acoustic sensors to detect audio signals emitted by media devices through the air, substituting a mechanical connection system with an acoustic field-based system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary between media devices and media meters. The audio output from media devices serves as a mediator that carries information about media consumption without requiring direct physical connection, allowing indirect measurement through the acoustic medium.
2Productivity
If media meters are placed in close proximity to multiple media devices, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to ambient tuning and spillover effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic space into distinct zones by placing individual media meters near specific media devices. Each meter creates its own measurement zone, allowing the system to differentiate between audio signals from different devices even when multiple devices are operating simultaneously in close proximity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning media meters with specific acoustic characteristics near individual media devices to capture device-specific audio signatures. Each meter is optimized for its local environment and associated device, enabling accurate attribution of media consumption to specific devices despite proximity to other devices.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual installation of metering hardware is performed, then installation precision is improved, but labor cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service installation by designing media meters that automatically detect and begin measuring media device output without requiring manual configuration or precise positioning. The meters autonomously adapt to their environment, eliminating the need for skilled installers to perform complex setup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-configuring media meters with acoustic detection algorithms and device identification capabilities before deployment. The meters are prepared in advance to automatically recognize and measure specific media devices, eliminating the need for on-site configuration and reducing installation time.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to characterize households with media meter data. An example method includes identifying, with a processor, a power status and a first automatic gain control (AGC) value for an exposure minute from a panelist audience meter in a first household, the panelist audience meter comprising a power sensor, identifying a second AGC value and a daypart for a household tuning minute from a first media meter (MM) in the first household, the MM comprising microphones to collect audio data, and calculating model coefficients based on the exposure minute and the household tuning minute to be applied to data from a second MM in a second household, the model coefficients to facilitate a power status probability calculation in the second household devoid of the panelist audience meter having the power sensor.