Set-Top Box Channel Tracking via Event-Triggered LoRaWAN
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for obtaining channel tracking data from set-top boxes are costly, power-intensive, and limited to a sample audience, failing to provide accurate real-time audience measurement data.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a LoRaWAN protocol to transmit channel tracking data from set-top boxes, generating data packets with a predefined byte size limit and transmitting them only upon channel switching events or after a predefined time threshold, reducing power consumption and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ACR/RPD measurement systems are used to obtain channel tracking data, then channel tracking data can be collected, but the cost becomes prohibitively expensive and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential channel tracking data (channel ID, timestamp, duration) from the set-top box and transmits it using a lightweight protocol, eliminating the need for expensive ACR/RPD infrastructure while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, low-cost data collection architecture that replaces expensive, complex measurement systems with basic data extraction and transmission components that can be deployed at scale without high infrastructure costs
2Productivity
If conventional ACR/RPD measurement systems are deployed at scale, then audience measurement data can be generated, but the cost becomes prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data collection system that works across different set-top box models and providers using standard protocols, enabling scalable deployment without custom infrastructure for each provider
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lightweight data packets that can be replicated and transmitted efficiently across multiple devices, enabling scale without proportional increase in infrastructure cost
3Speed
If channel tracking data is transmitted frequently using cellular/Wi-Fi protocols, then real-time data collection is achieved, but power consumption becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission based on channel viewing duration thresholds, sending data only after predefined time intervals or when channel switching occurs, rather than continuous transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter from frequent real-time updates to event-triggered updates based on channel switching events and duration thresholds, reducing power consumption while maintaining data utility
4Ease of manufacture
If a sample audience is used for audience measurement, then cost is reduced, but the accuracy of audience measurement data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audience measurement problem into individual set-top box level data collection, allowing each device to contribute independently to the overall measurement, enabling both low cost and high accuracy through aggregate data
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system (150) for obtaining channel tracking data from a set-top box (106) is disclosed. A channel being viewed on a display device associated with the set-top box (106) is tracked. An occurrence of a channel switching event is detected in relation to the channel being viewed on the display device. Subsequent to detecting the occurrence of the channel switching event, determine whether the channel was viewed for at least a first predefined time threshold. A payload comprising the channel tracking data in relation to the channel is generated if the channel was viewed for at least the first predefined time threshold. A data packet is generated comprising data fields and the payload. The data packet configured to be below a predefined byte size limit is transmitted from the set-top box (106) to a remote server (118) using LoRaWAN protocol.