Systems and Methods Providing Distributed Collection and Centralized Processing of Physiological Responses from Viewers

• US 20090133047A1
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nielsen Company (US) LLC (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Original Assignee: Nielsen Company (US) LLC (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Inventors: Munoz, Juan C., Lee, Hans C., Hong, Timmie T.
• Application Number:
  US12/263,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20090133047A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/377 using evoked responses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0204 Market segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 for providing answers, e.g. voting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems

Abstract

A novel approach enables a new type of sensing—“in persona” sensing, for large scale testing of a media instance via distributed collection and centralized processing of physiological data from each of a large number of viewers in his/her own setting. The physiological data can first be collected from each of the viewers fitted with one or more physiological sensors locally at the place where he/she is watching the media instance. The data collected from the viewers at these distributed locations can then all be transmitted to a centralized location for processing, aggregation, storage, and analysis.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives physiological data from the corresponding viewer;

a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device receives the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding headset of a set of viewers of the plurality of viewers; and

a processing module that receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the processing module derives from the physiological data a plurality of physiological responses of the plurality of viewers to the media instance.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing module synchronizes the physiological data from the plurality of viewers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing module synchronizes the media instance and the physiological data from the plurality of viewers.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each signal collection device removes data from the corresponding physiological data for a time period during which the corresponding viewer is not paying attention to the media instance before transferring the data to the processing module.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processing module interpolates physiological data from the time period when the viewer is paying attention to cover the data that has been removed.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological data is at least one of heart rate, brain waves, EEG signals, blink rate, breathing, motion, muscle movement, galvanic skin response, and a response correlated with change in emotion.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the processing module removes artifacts of the physiological data.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each signal collection device analyzes data quality of the physiological data as it is received from the corresponding set of viewers and, in response, generates feedback to the corresponding set of viewers regarding action to be taken to remedy an anomaly in quality of the physiological data.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the anomaly is detected using at least one of heart rate, brain waves, EEG signals, blink rate, breathing, motion, muscle movement, and galvanic skin response.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a physiological sensor.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes an electroencephalogram.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes an accelerometer.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a blood oxygen sensor.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a galvanometer.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes an electromygraph.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least one dry EEG electrode.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least one heart rate sensor.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least one accelerometer.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least one processor.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least one wireless communication device.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological responses includes liking.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological responses includes thought.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological responses includes adrenaline.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological responses includes engagement.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological responses includes stress.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological responses includes frustration.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological responses includes immersion in the media instance.

28. The system of claim 1, comprising a rating module that rates the media instance based on the plurality of physiological responses from the plurality of viewers.

29. The system of claim 1, comprising a reaction database that stores at least one of the physiological data, the plurality of physiological responses, and analysis results of the physiological responses.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the reaction database stores at least one of data of the media instance, and results of surveys presented to the plurality of viewers and corresponding to the media instance.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the media instance is at least one of a television program, an advertisement, a movie, printed media, a website, computer application, a video game, and a live performance.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the media instance is at least one of a product, product information, product content, media relating to product development.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein each set of viewers is located in a different area of a location, the location hosting the plurality of signal collection devices.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein each set of viewers is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues.

35. The system of claim 1, comprising a tutorial, wherein a computer coupled to the processing module automatically receives and installs the tutorial, wherein the tutorial comprises information relating to watching of the media instance and data collection during the watching.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the tutorial automatically instructs the plurality of viewers in use of the headsets.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the tutorial automatically determines the data quality.

38. A system comprising:

a headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter, the headset attached to a viewer watching a media instance at a venue, wherein the headset receives physiological data from the viewer and transmits the physiological data;

a signal collection device that receives the physiological data transmitted by the headset, wherein the signal collection device analyzes data quality of the physiological data as it is received from the viewer and, in response, generates feedback to the viewer regarding action to be taken to remedy non-optimal data quality, wherein the signal collection device transmits the physiological data; and

a processing module that receives the physiological data from the signal collection device, wherein the processing module derives from the physiological data a plurality of physiological responses of the viewer to the media instance.

39. A system comprising:

a plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, and each viewer is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues, each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives physiological data from the corresponding viewer;

a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device is located at a different venue of the plurality of venues, the signal collection device receiving the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding headset at that venue, wherein each signal collection device analyzes data quality of the physiological data as it is received from the corresponding viewer and, in response, generates feedback to the corresponding viewer regarding action to be taken to remedy an anomaly in quality of the physiological data; and

a processing module that receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the processing module generates aggregated data by aggregating the physiological data of the plurality of viewers, wherein the processing module provides controlled access to the aggregated data and the media instance.

40. A system comprising:

a plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, and each viewer is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues, each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives physiological data from the corresponding viewer;

a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device is located at a different venue of the plurality of venues, the signal collection device receiving the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding headset at that venue, wherein each signal collection device analyzes data quality of the physiological data as it is received from the corresponding viewer and, in response, generates feedback to the corresponding viewer regarding action to be taken to remedy an anomaly in quality of the physiological data; and

a processing module that receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the processing module generates synchronized data by synchronizing the aggregated data with the media instance.

41. A system comprising:

a plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives physiological data from the corresponding viewer;

a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device receives the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding headset of a set of viewers of the plurality of viewers; and

a processing module that receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the processing module generates synchronized data by synchronizing the physiological data from the plurality of viewers, and synchronizing the synchronized data with the media instance.

42. A system comprising:

a plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, and each viewer is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues, each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives physiological data from the corresponding viewer;

a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device is located at a different venue of the plurality of venues, the signal collection device receiving the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding headset at that venue; and

a processing module that receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the processing module generates synchronized data by synchronizing the physiological data from the plurality of viewers, and synchronizing the synchronized data with the media instance.

43. A system comprising:

a plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, and each viewer is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues, each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives physiological data from the corresponding viewer;

a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device is located at a different venue of the plurality of venues, the signal collection device receiving the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding headset at that venue, wherein each signal collection device removes data from the corresponding physiological data for a time period during which the corresponding viewer is not paying attention to the media instance; and

a processing module that receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the processing module generates synchronized data by synchronizing the physiological data from the plurality of viewers with the media instance.

44. A method comprising:

receiving physiological data from a plurality of viewers via a plurality of headsets worn by each of the plurality of viewers, the plurality of viewers watching a media instance;

receiving the physiological data from the plurality of headsets at a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device receives the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding headset of a set of viewers of the plurality of viewers;

analyzing data quality of the physiological data as it is received from the corresponding set of viewers and, in response, generating feedback to the corresponding set of viewers regarding action to be taken to remedy an anomaly in quality of the physiological data; and

receiving the physiological data from the plurality of signal collection devices at a processing module and deriving from the physiological data a plurality of physiological responses of the plurality of viewers to the media instance.

45. The method of claim 44, comprising synchronizing the physiological data from the plurality of viewers.

46. The method of claim 44, comprising synchronizing the media instance and the physiological data from the plurality of viewers.

47. The method of claim 44, comprising removing data from the corresponding physiological data for a time period during which the corresponding viewer is not paying attention to the media instance before transferring the data to the processing module.

48. The method of claim 47, comprising interpolating physiological data from the time period when the viewer is paying attention to cover the data that has been removed.

49. The method of claim 44, comprising detecting the anomaly using at least one of heart rate, brain waves, EEG signals, blink rate, breathing, motion, muscle movement, and galvanic skin response.

50. The method of claim 44, comprising removing artifacts of the physiological data.

51. The method of claim 44, comprising rating the media instance based on the plurality of physiological responses from the plurality of viewers.

52. The method of claim 44, comprising storing at least one of the physiological data, the plurality of physiological responses, and analysis results of the physiological responses.

53. The method of claim 52, comprising storing at least one of data of the media instance, and results of surveys presented to the plurality of viewers and corresponding to the media instance.

54. The method of claim 44, wherein the physiological data is at least one of heart rate, brain waves, electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, blink rate, breathing, motion, muscle movement, galvanic skin response, and a response correlated with change in emotion.

55. The method of claim 44, wherein receiving physiological data comprises sensing the physiological data using at least one of a physiological sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG), an accelerometer, a blood oxygen sensor, a galvanometer, an electromygraph, a dry EEG electrode, and a heart rate sensor.

56. The method of claim 44, wherein the plurality of physiological responses includes at least one of liking, thought, adrenaline, engagement, and immersion in the media instance.

57. The method of claim 44, wherein the media instance is at least one of a television program, an advertisement, a movie, printed media, a website, computer application, a video game, live performance, a product, product information, product content, media relating to product development.

58. The method of claim 44, wherein each set of viewers is located in a different area of a location, the location hosting the plurality of signal collection devices.

59. The method of claim 44, wherein each set of viewers is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues.

60. The method of claim 44, comprising automatically providing a tutorial to the plurality of viewers via a computer, wherein the computer automatically receives and installs the tutorial, wherein the tutorial comprises information relating to watching of the media instance and data collection during the watching.

61. The method of claim 60, comprising automatically instructing the plurality of viewers in use of the headsets.

62. The method of claim 60, comprising automatically determining the data quality.