Portable Meter Mesh Network for Near Real-Time Audience Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional audience measurement methods struggle with near real-time data collection of media consumption outside the home due to limitations in communication range and the lack of long-range communication hardware in meter devices, leading to delays in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The use of cellular phones and mesh networking enables near real-time out-of-home audience measurement by allowing meter devices to connect to a peer-to-peer mesh network, which dynamically relays information to the back office, even when direct connections to docking stations or cellular networks are unavailable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional docking station connections are used for data transmission, then data transmission is reliable when available, but communication range is limited and data transmission experiences delays when out of home
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mesh network nodes as intermediary devices to relay data transmissions. When a meter device is outside the direct range of the docking station, it can still transmit data by routing through intermediate nodes in the mesh network, effectively extending communication range while maintaining transmission reliability through multiple potential paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point connection model (docking station to meter device) to a multi-node network model. By adding spatial dimensions of multiple network nodes and creating a mesh topology, the system enables data transmission through multiple routes, overcoming the limitation of direct line-of-sight or single-hop communication range.
2Measurement precision
If panel members are monitored continuously for media consumption data, then measurement accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic data transmission where meter devices collect media consumption data continuously but transmit it at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This approach maintains measurement precision by capturing all media exposure events while reducing energy consumption by keeping the communication subsystem dormant between transmission periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh network enables meter devices to autonomously determine their own transmission strategy based on local conditions. Devices can buffer data locally and self-manage transmission timing, allowing them to balance measurement accuracy requirements with energy conservation based on their operational context without constant central control.
3Loss of time
If data is transmitted frequently for near real-time measurement, then data freshness improves, but energy consumption and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective data transmission where only relevant or changed data is transmitted rather than all data at every interval. The meter device assesses whether media consumption data has changed or meets transmission criteria before sending, reducing unnecessary transmissions while maintaining near real-time measurement capability for actual media exposure events.
4Length of moving object
If mesh networking is implemented for extended coverage, then communication range increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs mesh network nodes with multi-functionality, where participating devices (including the meter device, docking station, and intermediate nodes) can all perform routing and data forwarding functions. This universal capability simplifies the overall architecture by eliminating the need for specialized hardware and reduces complexity through standardization across all nodes.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture for near real time out of home audience measurement are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory; instructions; and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to at least: receive a first data transmission request at a first portable meter; send a second data transmission request from the first portable meter to a second portable meter; determine whether the first portable meter is capable of transmitting at least one data packet, based at least in part on an indication the second portable meter is capable of transmitting the at least one data packet; and in response to determining the first portable meter is capable of transmitting the at least one data packet, transmit the at least one data packet.