Mobile Word-Guessing Game for Sentiment Data Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current market research methods, such as surveys and social media analysis, face challenges like small sample sizes, unrepresentative sampling, high costs, and difficulty in accurately classifying sentiment and polarity from free-form text, while existing word-guessing games lack incentives for revealing sentiment and are limited by their platforms and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A mobile-based word-guessing game, Name Game, where players compete to guess a target word or phrase by sending clues from lists categorized by obviousness, with a countdown clock mechanism that incentivizes the use of sentiment-oriented clues, allowing for strategic gameplay and more effective data collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional survey methods are used to collect market research data, then data can be collected from respondents, but the sample size remains small and unrepresentative

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample sizeVSAvoidrepresentativeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a gaming platform and a market research data collection tool. The system leverages the universal accessibility of mobile devices to reach a broad, representative sample population while simultaneously gathering sentiment data through the dual-role application that combines entertainment with research objectives

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows players to voluntarily participate in data collection by playing the game themselves. Users self-select into the study population by downloading and playing the app, eliminating the need for researcher-mediated recruitment and enabling a self-sustaining data collection mechanism that reaches organic user bases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If social media analysis is used to track sentiment, then vast amounts of data can be captured, but accurate classification of topic and polarity becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata volumeVSAvoidsentiment classification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system collects sentiment data at the local level of individual word associations rather than analyzing entire free-form text passages. By focusing on specific clue-word selections and their contextual meanings, the system achieves more precise sentiment classification at the granular level of individual words and phrases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the sentiment measurement parameter from analyzing overall text polarity to measuring specific word association frequencies and clue selection patterns. This parameter change enables more accurate sentiment detection by focusing on discrete, classifiable units rather than ambiguous free-form text

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional word-guessing games are used for market research, then gameplay is simple and accessible, but players lack incentive to reveal sentiment and preferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame accessibilityVSAvoidsentiment revelation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback to players through the game interface, showing how their clue selections and gameplay patterns reveal sentiment and preferences. This feedback loop incentivizes continued play and more authentic sentiment expression by making the data collection process transparent and engaging for the player

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the game experience based on player behavior and sentiment revelation. The game adapts to individual players' preferences and sentiment patterns, creating a personalized experience that maintains engagement while continuously gathering authentic sentiment data through evolving gameplay scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If skilled individuals design and implement market research studies, then data quality can be maintained, but costs become high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates the need for skilled researchers to manually design and implement studies by providing a self-configuring platform. Researchers can launch studies through automated processes that handle participant recruitment, data collection, and analysis without requiring expert intervention at each step, dramatically reducing labor costs while maintaining data quality through built-in validation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses automated algorithms to replicate and scale market research processes across large populations. By copying and adapting proven research methodologies into automated digital formats, the system maintains the quality standards of traditional research while eliminating the need for repeated manual intervention and scaling efforts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9480908B2Word guessing games for market research
Publication Date: 2016.11.01 UPFRONT ANALYTICS INC
  • US9480908B2 patent drawing
  • US9480908B2 patent drawing
  • US9480908B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system is described for a computer-based word-guessing game that can be used to elicit market-research data, specifically sentiment and awareness data. The two-person game involves a clue giver and a guesser, each playing on their own mobile device. The clue giver sends clues to induce the guesser to guess a given target word or phrase before a countdown clock runs out. The clues used and the guesses made can be analyzed to reveal the opinions and knowledge that the players have about products, brands, and people. The game features a novel mechanic in which the clue words are categorized according to how obvious they are. Using more-obvious clues causes the countdown clock to decrement faster, thereby making the game play more strategic and entertaining, while also incentivizing the clue giver to use less-obvious, sentiment-oriented words that are more useful for market-research purposes.