Wireless Audio Visual Metering System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional audience measurement systems are unable to accommodate wireless audio/visual devices, limiting their ability to collect accurate viewing and listening data, especially for mobile or non-traditionally connected devices such as wireless televisions.
Innovation Solution
A wireless metering system that includes a central data store, data acquisition and home interface, and a wireless interface, which uses wireless user identifiers, access points, and microphone receivers to collect and transmit user behavior data from wireless A/V devices, embedding watermarks in audio signals and using infrared signals for user identification, allowing bidirectional connectivity and data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wire-based audience measurement devices are used, then data collection accuracy is maintained for wired devices, but the system cannot accommodate wireless A/V devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication interfaces and protocols as intermediaries between the audience measurement system and wireless A/V devices. These intermediaries enable data transmission from wireless devices to the measurement system without requiring physical wire connections, thus maintaining data collection capability while expanding device compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed with multi-functional capabilities to support both wired and wireless A/V devices through multiple data collection pathways. The system can detect signals from wired connections and wireless transmissions, making it universally applicable to various device types and connection methods.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication is implemented for data transmission, then device mobility and flexibility are improved, but signal interference and data accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wire-based signal transmission with wireless communication mechanisms. This substitution enables device mobility and flexibility while implementing error correction protocols, signal filtering, and redundancy mechanisms to maintain data transmission accuracy despite potential wireless interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the measurement system monitors the quality of wireless signals received from A/V devices. When signal quality degrades due to interference, the system can request retransmission or adjust measurement parameters to maintain data accuracy, creating a closed-loop control system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the collection of accurate user behavior data from wireless A/V devices, providing meaningful ratings and demographic information, even when devices are not connected by traditional cables, enhancing the ability of media-centric companies to allocate advertising and market products effectively.
Implementation Method 1
embedding watermarks in audio signals
Implementation Method 2
using infrared signals for user identification
Data Source
AI summary
Example systems and methods to wirelessly meter audio/visual (A/V) devices are disclosed. A disclosed example method receives media content from an A/V source device, embeds a video overlay in the wirelessly received media content, and wirelessly transmits the media content and the video overlay to the wireless A/V device. The example method wirelessly receives audience identification information in response to the transmitted video overlay, and wirelessly receives audience behavior information.