Wireless Audience Measurement System Using Command Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audience measurement systems require complex wired connections and multiple detection methods, leading to high operating costs, errors, and maintenance issues due to the need for precise setup, unreliable connections, and potential electrical failures.
Innovation Solution
A wireless audience measurement system that uses natural timing relationships between media content and user commands to determine the source of media content, eliminating the need for wired connections and expensive hardware by synchronously processing content and user command information streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wired connections and multiple detection methods are used in conventional audience measurement systems, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex wired detection systems and implements it through wireless detection of user commands. By removing unnecessary wired connections and complex hardware while retaining the core audience measurement capability, the system achieves simplified architecture without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless detection system is designed to work across multiple media platforms and devices universally. Instead of requiring different wired detection methods for different devices, the system uses a universal wireless command detection approach that can measure audiences across various media rendering devices, reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If wired connections are used in conventional audience measurement systems, then data accuracy is improved, but reliability decreases due to connection failures and electrical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based detection system. By substituting physical cable connections with wireless signal detection, the system eliminates connection failures, electrical interference, and hardware reliability issues while maintaining measurement accuracy through sophisticated signal processing.
3Loss of information
If complex wired setup is used in conventional audience measurement systems, then measurement completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless system is designed to automatically detect and begin measuring audiences without requiring manual setup or configuration. The system self-configures by detecting wireless commands naturally occurring in the environment, eliminating the need for technicians to perform complex wired installations while maintaining complete measurement capabilities.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple detection methods are used in conventional audience measurement systems, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal wireless detection system that can measure audiences across multiple media platforms and devices using a single detection methodology. This eliminates the need to manufacture and deploy different detection hardware for different platforms, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive specialized detection hardware for each platform, the system uses wireless command detection that copies the natural signaling already present in the environment. This approach provides platform versatility without requiring expensive specialized manufacturing for each device type.
Data Source
AI summary
Example method disclosed herein to determine source information for media presented by a media device include identifying successive media segments of the presented media from an audio signal received from the media device, respective media segments corresponding to respective durations of uninterrupted presentation of the media by the media device. Disclosed example methods also include identifying a first group of remote control commands detected wirelessly in a first time interval prior to a start of a first one of the media segments. Disclosed example methods further include determining source information for the first one of the media segments based on the first group of remote control commands.