Wireless Audio Video Metering via Acoustic Watermarks

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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, as they require hard-wired connections to function effectively.

Innovation Solution

A wireless system that includes a central data store, data acquisition and home interface, and a wireless interface, allowing users to transmit and receive content wirelessly, using a wireless user identifier, wireless access point, and wireless microphone receiver to collect user behavior data from wireless A/V devices, embedding watermarks in audio and video signals, and using a personalized tag to automatically identify users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional wire-based audience measurement devices are used, then reliable data collection is achieved, but the system cannot accommodate wireless A/V devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with wireless A/V devicesVSAvoiddata collection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire-based connection system with an acoustic field-based system. The measurement device uses a microphone to capture audio signals containing watermarks wirelessly transmitted by the A/V device, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining data collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an acoustic intermediary (audio signal with watermark) to transfer data between the wireless A/V device and the measurement device. The watermark embedded in the audio signal serves as the intermediary carrier that enables reliable data transmission without direct wire connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wireless transmission is implemented, then device mobility and adaptability are improved, but signal interference and data accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless device compatibilityVSAvoidaudience behavior data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by embedding unique watermarks in the audio signals from different A/V devices and sources. Each audio signal carries device-specific identification information, allowing the measurement device to distinguish and accurately identify the specific device being used, even in wireless environments with potential interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having the measurement device detect and analyze the watermark-containing audio signals, then use this information to identify devices and users. The system continuously monitors the audio field for watermark signals and adjusts its detection and measurement processes based on the received feedback from the wireless transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8763022B2Systems and methods to wirelessly meter audio/visual devices

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 THE NIELSEN CO (US) LLC

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.