Mobile Device Metering Application Panelist Profile Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of recruiting panelists for mobile device monitoring is hindered by the need for candidates to manually provide and identify less commonly known device information, such as IMEI numbers, which is cumbersome and decreases participation due to adversity in configuration tasks.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows panelists to provide commonly known device information, with the system automatically retrieving less commonly known information like phone numbers, enabling the mobile device to associate itself with a panelist profile without requiring manual entry of complex identifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If panelists are required to manually provide device information such as IMEI numbers, then accurate device identification is achieved, but the registration process becomes cumbersome and participation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification accuracyVSAvoidregistration process ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic device identification by having the mobile device send an initialization message that includes its own device information (telephone number, IMEI, etc.). The device essentially identifies itself without requiring manual input from the panelist, thus maintaining accurate device identification while greatly simplifying the registration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary retrieval of device information by automatically extracting telephone numbers and other device identifiers from the initialization message before the panelist needs to provide any information. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual data entry while ensuring accurate device identification is achieved in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the system automatically retrieves device information, then panelist participation increases, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanelist recruitment efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary server that acts as a mediator between the mobile device and the panelist registration system. The server receives the initialization message containing device information, automatically extracts and processes the data (telephone number, IMEI), and completes the association with the panelist profile. This intermediary approach automates the retrieval process while managing system complexity in a centralized manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If manual entry of device information is required, then data accuracy is ensured, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidregistration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical process of manual data entry with an automated electronic message-based system. The mobile device automatically transmits its device information through an initialization message, and the system electronically extracts and processes this data. This substitution eliminates manual typing and copying, ensuring data accuracy while dramatically reducing the time required for registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2860994B1Methods and apparatus to associate a mobile device with a panelist profile
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 THE NIELSEN CO (US) LLC
  • EP2860994B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2860994B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2860994B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are disclosed to associate a mobile device with a panelist profile. An example method includes initializing a metering application on the mobile device to operate with partial functionality, parsing a message log with the metering application to identify an installation message, extracting a telephone number from the installation message and saving to a memory of the mobile device, sending an initialization message based on the extracted telephone number to prompt an authorization message, and enabling full functionality of the metering application in response to receiving the authorization message.