Mobile Sensor Data Analysis for Ad Engagement Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Content providers lack visibility into user engagement with advertisement content on mobile devices, making it difficult to determine if users are actively engaging with advertisements compared to user-selected content.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses sensor data from mobile devices to determine the comparative level of user engagement with different types of content, such as advertisement and non-advertisement content, by analyzing positional and environmental data, and adjusts content presentation based on engagement thresholds to optimize user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If advertisement content is presented at the mobile device, then content providers can monetize the content delivery, but content providers have little visibility into whether users actively engage with the advertisement content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvead effectivenessVSAvoiduser engagement visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by collecting sensor data (accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor) from the mobile device to measure user engagement with advertisement content. This feedback loop allows content providers to determine whether the user is actively viewing the ad by analyzing device orientation, position relative to the user's face, and environmental conditions, thereby resolving the visibility problem while maintaining ad delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sensor data as an intermediary to indirectly measure user engagement. Instead of directly observing user attention, the system uses mobile device sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor) as mediators to infer engagement levels based on device positioning, orientation, and environmental context during ad playback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sensor data is collected and analyzed to determine user engagement levels, then content providers can tailor content presentation to improve engagement, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent engagement optimizationVSAvoidsensor data processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the mobile device's existing multi-functional sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor) that serve multiple purposes. These sensors are already part of the device for other functions, and the patent repurposes them for engagement measurement, avoiding the need for dedicated complex hardware while achieving engagement tracking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device itself performs the measurement and data collection functions using its built-in sensors. The device autonomously monitors its own position, orientation, and environmental context during ad playback, eliminating the need for external complex measurement systems and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3634000B1Tracking user engagement on a mobile device
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA LLC
  • EP3634000B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3634000B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3634000B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Systems and methods for determining a comparative level of user engagement are disclosed. According to at least one embodiment, a method of determining a comparative level of user engagement with content of a first type includes receiving sensor data (e.g., rotational vector, attitude, or ambient light sensor data) from a mobile device. The sensor data includes first sensor data sensed by the mobile device during display of the content of the first type at the device, and second sensor data sensed by the mobile device during display of content of a second type at the device. The method may include determining the comparative level of user engagement with the content of the first type based on the first and second sensor data, selecting additional content based on the determined comparative level of user engagement, and transmitting the selected additional content to the mobile device for output by the mobile device.