Portable Metering Device for Media Exposure Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking media exposure, such as generating signatures or active audience participation, are inadequate for accurately and efficiently collecting data on audience members' media consumption habits across various platforms and locations.
Innovation Solution
The use of portable and stationary metering devices equipped with barcode scanners and time-keeping capabilities to collect and store media exposure information by scanning station identifiers and associating them with timestamps, allowing for the tracking of media consumption patterns and durations, which can be uploaded to a central facility for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active audience participation methods (surveys) are used to collect media exposure information, then data collection can be implemented, but the accuracy and completeness of the data is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service data collection where the metering device automatically records media exposure information without requiring active audience participation. The device autonomously detects media content, timestamps exposure events, and stores data locally, eliminating the need for manual survey completion while ensuring accurate and complete data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual survey-based mechanical data collection with an automated electronic metering system. The device uses electronic components including a barcode scanner, time-keeping mechanism, and memory storage to automatically capture and record media exposure data, substituting human effort with automated mechanical and electronic systems.
2Productivity
If traditional survey methods are used for media exposure tracking, then some data can be collected, but the efficiency and comprehensiveness of data collection across various platforms and locations is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The metering device is designed with multi-functionality to track media exposure across various platforms (television, radio, digital media) and locations. It incorporates universal features including barcode scanning capability, time-keeping functions, and adaptable memory storage that can capture diverse media types, ensuring comprehensive data collection without sacrificing efficiency.
3Reliability
If manual survey completion is required, then audience feedback can be obtained, but the time consumption and labor required from audience members is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the metering device with all necessary components (barcode scanner, time-keeping mechanism, memory storage) before data collection begins. The device is ready to automatically record media exposure information as events occur, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual survey completion while ensuring reliable data capture.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to collect media exposure information are described. An example metering device to collect media exposure information includes a housing; an input carried by the housing; a display carried by the housing to present a list of media stations which may be tuned by a media device different than the metering device, the metering device incapable of tuning to the media stations; a processor carried by the housing to identify which of the media stations is displayed when the input is selected; and memory carried by the housing to store an indication of an exposure to the identified media station via the media device, the indication including the identified media station and a timestamp corresponding the selection of the input.