Cooperative system for measuring electronic media

• US 6,353,929 B1
• Filed: 06/23/1997
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: One River Worldtrek, Inc.
• Inventors: Houston, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, RUEBEN M
• Application Number:
  US08/880,371
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 348/473, 348/563, 348/461, 348/1-200, 709/210-220, 455/2, 725/9-31, 711/1-200, 705/1-45
• US Class Current: 725/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0204 Market segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/45 for identifying users
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side

Abstract

A cooperative electronic media measurement system is disclosed which uses media handlers to obtain information from, or otherwise obtain information about, presented media objects, including identification tags, if present, for collection by research data collection agents and subsequent dispatch to a centralized media research controller. The media research controller registers advertisements and other media for subsequent measurement and provides a unique identification tag that may be added to, or associated with, the existing media object. Media objects are presented to a panel member by a panel member-computing device which may receive media objects by means of a network connection, from one or more local sources, or generate media objects in real-time, or a combination thereof. One or more research data collection agents are assigned to measure each panel member'"'"'s exposure to and interactions with electronic media. Cooperative media handlers automatically obtain information from, or otherwise obtain information about, presented media objects including identification tags, if present, and other information, for collection by the research data collection agents. A research data collection agent will track a panel member, and collect such transmissions from the cooperative media handlers, when a panel member is in the scope of the research data collection agent. The research data collection agent (i) creates log entry objects from transmissions received from the cooperative media handlers and places the log entry objects into an unfiltered media queue, (ii) confirms the integrity of the messages and filters out unnecessary log entry objects from the unfiltered media queue to create a filtered media queue, (iii) creates dispatch objects using objects from the filtered media queue and places created dispatch objects into a dispatch queue, and (iv) transmits dispatch objects from the dispatch queue to the media research controller, when resources are available.

Claims

1. A method performed by an independent research entity for measuring the exposure of an individual to electronic media, said method comprising the steps of:

associating one or more software agents with said individual, said one or more software agents being agents of said independent research entity, said one or more software agents obtaining information identifying said electronic media from one or more cooperative media handlers provided by a second entity using a defined interface that provides interoperability between said one or more software agents and said one or more cooperative media handlers such that each of said one or more software agents and said one or more cooperative media handlers can communicate without regard to an implementation of the defined interface of the other, said one or more cooperative media handlers providing said information identifying said electronic media to said one or more software agents; and

obtaining a message from said one or more software agents containing said obtained information identifying said electronic media.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said message further comprises information identifying said individual who was presented with said electronic media associated with said obtained information identifying said electronic media.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said measurement method is transparent to said individual and does not impose a substantial computational load on a computing device used by said individual.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of generating reports on said exposure.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers further comprises the step of measuring the interactions of said individual with said electronic media.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said individual is chosen for the individual'"'"'s demographics and has agreed to participate in a research panel to have the individual'"'"'s exposure to and interactions with said electronic media measured.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a software agent for each computing device utilized by said individual.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said information identifying said electronic media is an identification tag and further comprising the step of placing identification tags at periodic intervals throughout the duration of continuous electronic media.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of placing real identification tags in said electronic media that is registered.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

placing dummy identification tags in at least a portion of electronic media that is not registered; and

determining whether one of said identification tags is a real identification tag associated with said electronic media that is registered or a dummy identification tag.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of placing real identification tags in at least a portion of electronic media that is not registered.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of placing dummy identification tags in at least a portion of electronic media that is not registered.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving information identifying said electronic media from at least one of said cooperative media handlers in order that electronic media presented to said individual not containing an identification tag may be measured.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more cooperative media handlers may be remotely configured to specify which portions of said information identifying said electronic media to obtain and provide to said software agent.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more cooperative media handlers filter said information identifying said electronic media, such that only a portion of said information identifying said electronic media is provided to said software agent.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more cooperative media handlers filter said information identifying said electronic media, such that only a portion of said information identifying said electronic media is provided to a research facility measuring the exposure of said individual to electronic media.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more cooperative media handlers further comprise the step of measuring the interactions of said individual with said electronic media.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein said information identifying said electronic media is an identification tag.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein said information identifying said electronic media comprises metadata.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein said information identifying said electronic media comprises presentation information.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein said information identifying said electronic media comprises any contextual information made available to the one or more cooperative media handlers by its host.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual is part of an audience.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein said individual is part of a research panel chosen as a sample to statistically represent a larger population.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of identifying and authenticating said individual.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein said defined interface utilizes an application programming interface (API).

26. The method of claim 1, wherein said defined interface utilizes an open communication protocol.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein said electronic media includes an advertisement.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein said electronic media is a software component.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media obtained from a local storage device.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media obtained from a wired network connection.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media obtained from a wireless network connection.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein said electronic media is presented using an Internet-enabled device.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media generated in real-time.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is a software component that temporarily extends the capabilities of its host to present media.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is a persistent software component that extends the capabilities of a software application to present media objects of a particular media type to an individual.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is a persistent software component that extends the capabilities or an operating system to present media objects of a particular media type to an individual.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is mobile.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is stable.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said software agents obtains said information identifying said electronic media by receiving a communication from said cooperative media handler.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said software agents obtains said information identifying said electronic media by retrieving said information identifying said electronic media made available by said cooperative media handler.

41. A method performed by a cooperative media handler for presenting electronic media to an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

decoding said electronic media;

obtaining information identifying said electronic media;

presenting said electronic media to said individual; and

providing said obtained information to a software agent using a defined interface that provides interoperability with said software agent, such that said software agent and said cooperative media handler can communicate without regard to an implementation of the defined interface of the other, said software agent being assigned to track said individual on behalf of an independent research entity.

42. The method according to claim 41, further comprising the step of remotely configuring said cooperative media handler to specify which portions of said information identifying said electronic media to obtain and provide to said software agent.

43. The method according to claim 41, further comprising the step of filtering said information provided to said software agent.

44. The method according to claim 41, wherein said cooperative media handler further comprises the step of measuring the interactions of said individual with said electronic media.

45. The method according to claim 41, wherein said obtained information is an identification tag.

46. The method according to claim 41, wherein said obtained information includes metadata.

47. The method according to claim 41, wherein said obtained information includes contextual information.

48. The method according to claim 41, wherein a software agent is preferably associated with each computing device utilized by a given individual.

49. A method performed by a cooperative media handler for presenting electronic media to an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

decoding said electronic media;

obtaining information identifying said electronic media;

presenting said electronic media to said individual;

adhering to a defined interface that provides interoperability with a software agent associated with said individual, such that said software agent and said cooperative media handler can communicate without regard to an implementation of the defined interface of the other, said software agent being an agent of an independent research facility measuring the exposure of said individual to electronic, media; and

providing said obtained information and information identifying said individual to said software agent using said defined interface.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein said obtained information is provided directly to said independent research facility.

51. The method according to claim 49, wherein said obtained information is provided indirectly to said independent research facility by means of a software agent assigned to track said individual.

52. The method according to claim 49, wherein said obtained information is an identification tag.

53. The method according to claim 49, wherein said obtained information is a program descriptor.

54. A cooperative media handler for presenting electronic media to a member of a research panel, comprising:

means for decoding said electronic media;

means for obtaining information identifying said electronic media;

means for presenting said electronic media to said member;

a defined interface that provides interoperability with a software agent associated with said individual, such that said software agent and said cooperative media handler can communicate without regard to an implementation of the defined interface of the other, said software agent being an agent of an independent research facility measuring the exposure of said individual to electronic media; and

means for providing said obtained information and information identifying said individual to said software agent using said defined interface.

55. The cooperative media handler according to claim 54, wherein said obtained information is provided directly to said independent research facility.

56. The cooperative media handler according to claim 54, wherein said obtained information is provided indirectly to said independent research facility by means of a software agent assigned to track said individual.

57. The cooperative media handler according to claim 54, wherein said obtained information is an identification tag.

58. The cooperative media handler according to claim 54, wherein said obtained information is metadata associated with said electronic media.

59. A method performed by a software agent of a research entity measuring the exposure of an individual to electronic media, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving information identifying said electronic media from one or more cooperative media handlers provided by a second entity using a defined interface that provides interoperability with said one or more cooperative media handlers, such that said software agent and each of said one or more cooperative media handlers can utilize said defined interface to communicate without regard to an implementation of the defined interface of the other; and

providing a message containing at least a portion of said information to said research entity measuring the exposure of said individual to electronic media.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein said measurement method is transparent to said individual and does not impose a substantial computational load on a computing device used by said individual.

61. The method according to claim 59, wherein a software agent is preferably associated with each computing device utilized by a given individual.

62. The method according to claim 61, wherein said software agent filters said messages provided to said research entity.

63. A method of obtaining information identifying an electronic media object, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cooperative media handler to decode said electronic media object, said cooperative media handler obtaining said information from said electronic media;

presenting said electronic media object to an individual; and

providing said obtained information for collection by a software agent using a defined interface that provides interoperability between said software agent and said cooperative media handler, such that said software agent and said cooperative media handler can utilize said defined interface to communicate without regard to an implementation of the defined interface of the other, said software agent being assigned to track one or more individuals on behalf of an independent research entity.

64. The method according to claim 63, further comprising the step of generating reports on said exposure.

65. The method according to claim 63, further comprising the step of measuring the interactions of said individual with said electronic media.

66. The method according to claim 63, further comprising the step of providing a software agent for each computing device utilized by a given panel member.

67. A method performed by an independent research entity for measuring the exposure of an individual to electronic media, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing an interface for communications between a research data collection agent and a plurality of cooperative media handlers, said defined interface permitting said research data collection agent and each of said cooperative media handlers to communicate without regard to an implementation of the defined interface of the other, wherein said cooperative media handlers present media to said individual and gather presentation information about media presentations and wherein said research data collection agent collects said presentation information from said cooperative media handlers on behalf of said independent research entity; and

associating at least one research data collection agent with said individual, said research data collection agent adhering to said interface, said research data collection agent obtaining presentation information from said cooperative media handlers by means of said interface and forwarding at least a portion of said presentation information to said independent research entity.

68. The method according to claim 67, wherein said presentation information further comprises information identifying said individual who was presented with said electronic media.

69. The method according to claim 67, further comprising the step of generating reports on said exposure.

70. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers further comprises the step of measuring the interactions of said individual with said electronic media.

71. The method according to claim 67, wherein said individual is chosen for the individual'"'"'s demographics and has agreed to participate in a research panel to have the individual'"'"'s exposure to and interactions with said electronic media measured.

72. The method according to claim 67, further comprising the step of receiving information identifying said electronic media from at least one of said cooperative media handlers in order that electronic media presented to said individual not containing an identification tag may be measured.

73. The method according to claim 67, wherein said one or more cooperative media handlers may be remotely configured to specify which portions of said presentation information to obtain and provide to said research data collection agent.

74. The method according to claim 67, wherein said one or more cooperative media handler filter said presentation information such that only a portion of said presentation information is provided to said software agent.

75. The method according to claim 67, wherein said one or more cooperative media handlers filter said presentation information such that only a portion of said presentation information is provided to a research facility measuring the exposure of said individual to electronic media.

76. The method according to claim 67, wherein said one or more cooperative media handlers further comprise the step of measuring the interactions of said individual with said electronic media.

77. The method according to claim 67, wherein said presentation information includes an identification tag.

78. The method according to claim 67, wherein said presentation information comprises metadata.

79. The method according to claim 67, wherein said presentation information comprises any contextual information made available to the one or more cooperative media handlers by its host.

80. The method according to claim 67, wherein said individual is part of an audience.

81. The method according to claim 67, wherein said individual is part of a research panel chosen as a sample to statistically represent a larger population.

82. The method according to claim 67, further comprising the steps of identifying and authenticating said individual.

83. The method according to claim 67, wherein said defined interface utilizes an application programming interface (API).

84. The method according to claim 67, wherein said defined interface utilizes an open communication protocol.

85. The method according to claim 67, wherein said electronic media includes an advertisement.

86. The method according to claim 67, wherein said electronic media is a software component.

87. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media obtained from a local storage device.

88. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media obtained from a wired network connection.

89. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media obtained from a wireless network connection.

90. The method according to claim 67, wherein said electronic media is presented using an Internet-enabled device.

91. The method according to claim 67, wherein said at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media generated in real-time.

92. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is a software component that temporarily extends the capabilities of its host to present media.

93. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is a persistent software component that extends the capabilities of a software application to present media objects of a particular media type to an individual.

94. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is a persistent software component that extends the capabilities of an operating system to present media objects of a particular media type to an individual.

95. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is mobile.

96. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handler is stable.

97. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said research data collection agents obtains said presentation information by receiving a communication from at least one of said cooperative media handlers.

98. The method according to claim 67, wherein at least one of said research data collection agents obtains said presentation information identifying said electronic media by retrieving said information identifying said electronic media made available by at least one of said cooperative media handlers.

99. A cooperative system employed by an independent research entity for measuring the exposure of an individual to electronic media, said cooperative system comprising:

a memory that stores computer-readable code;

a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to execute said computer-readable code, said computer-readable code configured to associate one or more software agents with said individual, said one or more software agents being agents of said independent research entity, said one or more software agents obtaining information identifying said electronic media from one or more cooperative media handlers provided by a second entity using a defined interface that provides interoperability between said one or more software agents and said one or more cooperative media handlers such that each of said one or more software agents and each of said one or more cooperative media handlers can communicate without regard to an implementation of the defined interface of the other, said cooperative media handler providing said information identifying said electronic media to said one or more software agents; and

a communication port that obtains a message from said software agent containing said obtained information identifying said electronic media.

100. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said message further comprises information identifying said individual who was presented with said electronic media associated with said obtained information identifying said electronic media.

101. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said processor is further configured to generate reports on said exposure.

102. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said processor is further configured to receive information identifying said electronic media in order that electronic media presented to said individual not containing an identification tag may be measured.

103. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said one or more cooperative media handlers may be remotely configured to specify which portions of said information identifying said electronic media to obtain and provide to said software agent.

104. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said one or more cooperative media handlers are configured to measure the interactions of said individual with said electronic media.

105. The method according to claim 99, wherein said information includes an identification tag.

106. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said defined interface utilizes an application programming interface (API).

107. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said defined interface utilizes an open communication protocol.

108. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said electronic media includes an advertisement.

109. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said electronic media is a software component.

110. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media obtained from a local storage device.

111. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media obtained from a wired network connection.

112. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media obtained from a wireless network connection.

113. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said electronic media is presented using an Internet-enabled device.

114. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein said at least one of said cooperative media handlers decodes and presents said electronic media generated in real-time.

115. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is a software component that temporarily extends the capabilities of its host to present media.

116. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is a persistent software component that extends the capabilities of a software application to present media objects of a particular media type to an individual.

117. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is a persistent software component that extends the capabilities of an operating system to present media objects of a particular media type to an individual.

118. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is mobile.

119. The cooperative system according to claim 99, wherein at least one of said cooperative media handlers is stable.

120. A cooperative system for presenting electronic media to an individual, said cooperative system comprising:

a memory that stores computer-readable code; and

a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to execute said computer-readable code, said computer-readable code containing;

cooperative media handler instructions to;

present media to said individual; and

gather presentation information about media presentations;

research data collection agent instructions to collect said presentation information on behalf of an independent research entity; and

an interface for communications between a research data collection agent and a plurality of cooperative media handlers, said defined interface permitting said research data collection agent and each of said cooperative media handlers to communicate without regard to an implementation of the defined interface of the other.

121. The cooperative system according to claim 120, wherein said cooperative media handler instructions further include instructions to measure the interactions of said individual with said electronic media.

122. The cooperative system according to claim 120, wherein said cooperative media handler instructions further include instructions to filter said presentation information such that only a portion of said presentation information is provided to said software agent.

123. The cooperative system according to claim 120, wherein said cooperative media handler instructions further include instructions to filter said presentation information such that only a portion of said presentation information is provided to a research facility measuring the exposure of said individual to electronic media.

124. The cooperative system according to claim 120, wherein said cooperative media handler instructions further include instructions to measure the interactions of said individual with said electronic media.

125. The cooperative system according to claim 120, wherein said defined interface utilizes an application programming interface (API).

126. The cooperative system according to claim 120, wherein said defined interface utilizes an open communication protocol.