SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SCALABLE, HIGH ACCURACY, SENSOR AND ID BASED AUDIENCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM BASED ON DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING ARCHITECTURE

• US 20120297409A1
• Filed: 05/17/2012
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Showfer Media LLC
• Original Assignee: WebTuner Corp.
• Inventors: Zaslavsky, Eduard, Vaysman, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 9,635,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0242 Determining effectiveness of advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25883 being end-user demographical data, e.g. age, family status or address arrangements for identifying locations of users in broadcast systems H04H60/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44016 involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/442 Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/29; arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information H04H60/35; monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; monitoring in wireless networks H04W24/00
• 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 21/44226 on social networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02

Abstract

Dynamic television audience measurement systems (AMS) and methods are disclosed. The system comprises a central level AMS sub-system, a local node level AMS sub-system, a plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, and a plurality of display devices, each monitored by a client level AMS sub-system. The central level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from panel requestors and transmits the panel definitions to and receives a merged viewership report from the local node level AMS sub-system. The local node level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from and transmits the merged viewership report to the central level AMS sub-system, transmits the panel definitions to and receives viewership reports from the plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, and merges the viewership reports into the merged viewership report. Each client level AMS sub-systems receives panel definitions from and transmits the viewership report to the local node level AMS sub-system and compiles the viewership report.

Claims

1. A dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS), comprising:

a central level AMS sub-system;

a local node level AMS sub-system in communication with the central level AMS sub-system;

a plurality of client device level AMS sub-systems in communication with the local node level AMS sub-system; and

a plurality of display devices, wherein each display device is monitored by a client level AMS sub-system

wherein the central level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from panel requestors, transmits the panel definitions to the local node level AMS sub-system, and receives a merged viewership report from the local node level AMS sub-system;

wherein the local node level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from the central level AMS sub-system, transmits the panel definitions to the plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, receives viewership reports from each client level AMS sub-systems, merges the viewership reports into the merged viewership report, and transmits the merged viewership report to the central level AMS sub-system; and

wherein each of the plurality of client level AMS sub-systems receives panel definitions from the local node level AMS sub-system, compiles the viewership report based on viewer'"'"'s actions, and transmits the viewership report to the local node level AMS sub-system.

2. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 1, wherein the central level AMS sub-system is maintained by a broadcaster, pay TV service operator, broadband TV service operator, or advertisement agency.

3. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 1, wherein the local node level AMS sub-system is maintained by a cable company, a satellite TV company, a broadband TV company, or an internet service provider.

4. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 1, wherein each client level AMS sub-system is stored on a set top box, a TV, a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or a streaming media device.

5. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 1, wherein the panel definitions comprise criteria to be monitored by each client level AMS sub-system.

6. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 5, wherein the criteria to be monitored are chosen from the group comprising target audience, media content, data to be collected, schedule for data collection, and rate of data collection.

7. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 6, wherein the target audience comprises at least one of viewer location, viewer demographic characteristics, viewer social characteristics, viewer socioeconomic characteristics, viewer housing characteristics, and viewer purchasing profile characteristics.

8. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 6, wherein the media content comprises at least one of the source of the content, the advertisements displayed, the programs displayed, the channels, and the media packages purchased.

9. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 6, wherein the data to be collected is chosen from at least one of remote control button presses, messages and events received from client device, and messages and events received from rendering device.

10. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 6, wherein the schedule for data collection comprises at least one of start date and time, end date and time, and recurrence of data collection.

11. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 6, wherein the rate of data collection comprises at least one of reporting frequency, reporting granularity, and format of the reporting data.

12. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 5, wherein the central level AMS sub-system obtains and stores at least one of subscriber information, demographic information, socioeconomic data, national programming schedules, and national advertising data.

13. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 12, further comprising multiple a local node level AMS sub-systems, wherein the central level AMS sub-system determines which local node level AMS sub-systems to transmit the panel definitions to based on the criteria to be monitored and the data stored at the central level AMS sub-system.

14. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 13, wherein the central level AMS sub-system compiles the merged viewership reports from each local node level AMS sub-system.

15. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 13, wherein the local node level AMS sub-system determines which of the plurality of plurality of client level AMS sub-systems to transmit the panel definitions to based on the criteria to be monitored and the data stored at the central level AMS sub-system.

16. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 1, wherein at least one of a broadcaster subsystem and a service provider subsystem couples an identifier (ID) to at least one of a program or an advertisement.

17. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 16, wherein the ID is at least one of ISCI, Ad-ID, UMID, ISAN, V-ISAN, ADI, or TID.

18. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the broadcaster subsystem and the service provider sub-system couples metadata to at least one of a program or an advertisement.

19. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 18, wherein the metadata comprises at least one of a start flag or an end flag.

20. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 16, wherein each client level AMS sub-system monitors and records events based on the panel definitions.

21. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 20, wherein the monitored events are at least one of channel watched, program watched, advertisement watched, remote control button pressed, viewer'"'"'s brainwaves, viewer'"'"'s body movements, viewer'"'"'s speech, and changes in viewer'"'"'s pupil size, temperature, pulse rate, perspiration, breathing, or blood pressure.

22. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 20, wherein the events are recorded with the ID of the program or advertisement that is being viewed at the time of the event.

23. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 20, wherein the client level AMS sub-system adjusts the playback of the content based on the monitored events.

24. The dynamic television audience measurement system of claim 23, wherein the adjustments to the playback of the content are chosen from changing the volume and turning off the display device.

25. A method of dynamically measuring a television audience with a audience measurement system (AMS), comprising:

receiving panel definitions from panel requestors at a central level AMS sub-system;

transmitting the panel definitions from the central level AMS sub-system to a local node level AMS sub-system;

receiving the panel definitions at the local node level AMS sub-system;

transmitting the panel definitions from the local node level AMS sub-system to a plurality of client level AMS sub-systems;

receiving the panel definitions at each of the client level AMS sub-systems;

compiling a viewership report based on a viewer'"'"'s actions at each of the client level AMS sub-systems;

transmitting each viewership report from the client level AMS sub-systems to the local node level AMS sub-system;

receiving the viewership reports at the local node level AMS sub-system;

merging the viewership reports into a merged viewership report at the local node level AMS sub-system;

transmitting the merged viewership report from the local node level AMS sub-system to the central level AMS sub-system; and

receiving a merged viewership report at the central level AMS sub-system.

26. The method claim 25, wherein the central level AMS sub-system is maintained by a broadcaster, pay TV service operator, broadband TV service operator, or advertisement agency.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the local node level AMS sub-system is maintained by a cable company, a satellite TV company, a broadband TV company, or an internet service provider.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein each client level AMS sub-system is stored on a set top box, a TV, a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or a streaming media device.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the panel definitions comprise criteria to be monitored by each client level AMS sub-system.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the criteria to be monitored are chosen from the group comprising target audience, media content, data to be collected, schedule for data collection, and rate of data collection.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the target audience comprises at least one of viewer location, viewer demographic characteristics, viewer social characteristics, viewer socioeconomic characteristics, viewer housing characteristics, and viewer purchasing profile characteristics.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the media content comprises at least one of the source of the content, the advertisements displayed, the programs displayed, the channels, and the media packages purchased.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the data to be collected is chosen from at least one of rate of data collection, remote control button presses, messages and events received from client device, and messages and events received from rendering device.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the schedule for data collection comprises at least one of start date and time, end date and time, and recurrence of data collection.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the rate of data collection comprises at least one of reporting frequency, reporting granularity, and format of the reporting data.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein the central level AMS sub-system obtains and stores at least one of subscriber information, demographic information, socioeconomic data, national programming schedules, and national advertising data.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein there are multiple local node level AMS sub-systems, further comprising the central level AMS sub-system determining which local node level AMS sub-systems to transmit the panel definitions to based on the criteria to be monitored and the data stored at the central level AMS sub-system.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the central level AMS sub-system compiling the merged viewership reports from each local node level AMS sub-system.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising the local node level AMS sub-system determining which of the plurality of plurality of client level AMS sub-systems to transmit the panel definitions to based on the criteria to be monitored and the data stored at the central level AMS sub-system.

40. The method of claim 25, further comprising at least one of a broadcaster subsystem and a service provider subsystem coupling an identifier (ID) to at least one of a program or an advertisement.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the ID is at least one of ISCI, Ad-ID, UMID, ISAN, V-ISAN, ADI, or TID.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising at least one of the broadcaster subsystem and the service provider subsystem coupling metadata to at least one of a program or an advertisement.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the metadata comprises at least one of a start flag or an end flag.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein each client level AMS sub-system monitors and records events based on the panel definitions.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the monitored events are at least one of channel watched, program watched, advertisement watched, remote control button pressed, viewer'"'"'s brainwaves, viewer'"'"'s body movements, viewer'"'"'s speech, and changes in viewer'"'"'s pupil size, temperature, pulse rate, perspiration, breathing, or blood pressure.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the events are recorded with the ID of the program or advertisement that is being viewed at the time of the event.

47. The method of claim 44, further comprising the client level AMS sub-system adjusting the playback of the content based on the monitored events.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the adjustments to the playback of the content are chosen from changing the volume and turning off the display device.

49. A central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system, comprising:

a processor;

at least one database in communication with the processor;

an input/output device in communication with the processor; and

software executing on the processor, wherein the software causes the central level AMS sub-system to receive panel definitions from panel requestors, transmit the panel definitions to a local node level AMS sub-system, and receive viewership reports from the local node level AMS sub-system.

50. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 49, wherein the central level AMS sub-system is maintained by a broadcaster, pay TV service operator, broadband TV service operator, advertisement agency.

51. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 49, wherein the panel definitions comprise criteria to be monitored by client level AMS sub-systems.

52. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 51, wherein the criteria to be monitored are chosen from the group comprising target audience, media content, data to be collected, schedule for data collection, and rate of data collection.

53. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 52, wherein the target audience comprises at least one of viewer location, viewer demographic characteristics, viewer social characteristics, viewer socioeconomic characteristics, viewer housing characteristics, and viewer purchasing profile characteristics.

54. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 52, wherein the media content comprises at least one of the source of the content, the advertisements displayed, the programs displayed, the channels, and the media packages purchased.

55. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 52, wherein the data to be collected is chosen from at least one of rate of data collection, remote control button presses, messages and events received from client device, and messages and events received from rendering device.

56. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 52, wherein the schedule for data collection comprises at least one of start date and time, end date and time, and recurrence of data collection.

57. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 52, wherein the rate of data collection comprises at least one of reporting frequency, reporting granularity, and format of the reporting data.

58. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 51, wherein the at least one database stores at least one of subscriber information, demographic information, socioeconomic data, national programming schedules, and national advertising data.

59. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 58, wherein the software determines which local node level AMS sub-systems to transmit the panel definitions to based on the criteria to be monitored and the data stored in the at least one database.

60. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 59, wherein the software compiles the merged viewership reports from each local node level AMS sub-system.

61. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 49, wherein at least one of a broadcaster subsystem and a service provider subsystem couples an identifier (ID) to at least one of a program or an advertisement.

62. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 61, wherein the ID is at least one of ISCI, Ad-ID, UMID, ISAN, V-IS AN, ADI, or TID.

63. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 61, wherein at least one of the broadcaster subsystem and the service provider subsystem couples metadata to at least one of a program or an advertisement.

64. The central level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 63, wherein the metadata comprises at least one of a start flag or an end flag.

65. A local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system, comprising:

a processor;

at least one database in communication with the processor;

an input/output device in communication with the processor; and

software executing on the processor, wherein the software causes the local node level AMS sub-system to receive panel definitions from a central level AMS sub-system, transmit the panel definitions to a plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, receive viewership reports from each client level AMS sub-systems, merge the viewership reports into a merged viewership report, and transmit the merged viewership report to the central level AMS sub-system.

66. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 65, wherein the local node level AMS sub-system is maintained by a cable company, a satellite TV company, a streaming media company, or an internet service provider.

67. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 65, wherein the panel definitions comprise criteria to be monitored by each client level AMS sub-system.

68. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 67, wherein the criteria to be monitored are chosen from the group comprising target audience, media content, data to be collected, schedule for data collection, and rate of data collection.

69. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 68, wherein the target audience comprises at least one of viewer location, viewer demographic characteristics, viewer social characteristics, viewer socioeconomic characteristics, viewer housing characteristics, and viewer purchasing profile characteristics.

70. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 68, wherein the media content comprises at least one of the source of the content, the advertisements displayed, the programs displayed, the channels, and the media packages purchased.

71. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 68, wherein the data to be collected is chosen from at least one of rate of data collection, remote control button presses, messages and events received from client device, and messages and events received from rendering device.

72. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 68, wherein the schedule for data collection comprises at least one of start date and time, end date and time, and recurrence of data collection.

73. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 68, wherein the rate of data collection comprises at least one of reporting frequency, reporting granularity, and format of the reporting data.

74. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 67, wherein the software determines which of the plurality of plurality of client level AMS sub-systems to transmit the panel definitions to based on at least the criteria to be monitored.

75. The service provider level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 65, wherein at least one of a broadcaster subsystem and a service provider subsystem couples an identifier (ID) to at least one of a program or an advertisement.

76. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 75, wherein the ID is at least one of ISCI, Ad-ID, UMID, ISAN, V-ISAN, ADI, or TID.

77. The service provider level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 75, wherein at least one of the broadcaster subsystem and the service provider subsystem couples metadata to at least one of a program or an advertisement.

78. The local node level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system of claim 77, wherein the metadata comprises at least one of a start flag or an end flag.

79. A client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system, comprising:

a processor;

at least one database in communication with the processor;

an input/output device in communication with the processor; and

software executing on the processor, wherein the software causes the client level AMS sub-systems to receive panel definitions from a local node level AMS sub-system, compile a viewership report based on viewer'"'"'s actions, and transmit the viewership report to the local node level AMS sub-system.

80. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 79, wherein the client level AMS sub-system is stored on a set top box, a TV, a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or a streaming media device.

81. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 79, wherein the panel definitions comprise criteria to be monitored by each client level AMS sub-system.

82. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 81, wherein the criteria to be monitored are chosen from the group comprising target audience, media content, data to be collected, schedule for data collection, and rate of data collection.

83. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 82, wherein the target audience comprises at least one of viewer location, viewer demographic characteristics, viewer social characteristics, viewer socioeconomic characteristics, viewer housing characteristics, and viewer purchasing profile characteristics.

84. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 82, wherein the media content comprises at least one of the source of the content, the advertisements displayed, the programs displayed, the channels, and the media packages purchased.

85. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 82, wherein the data to be collected is chosen from at least one of rate of data collection, remote control button presses, messages and events received from client device, and messages and events received from rendering device.

86. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 82, wherein the schedule for data collection comprises at least one of start date and time, end date and time, and recurrence of data collection.

87. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 82, wherein the rate of data collection comprises at least one of reporting frequency, reporting granularity, and format of the reporting data.

88. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 79, further comprising at least one sensor.

89. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 79, wherein the at least one sensor is chosen from the group comprising a camera, a moisture sensor, a microphone, a heart rate monitor, and a brainwave monitor.

90. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 89, wherein the software monitors and records events based on the panel definitions.

91. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 90, wherein the monitored events are at least one of channel watched, program watched, advertisement watched, remote control button pressed, viewer'"'"'s brainwaves, viewer'"'"'s body movements, viewer'"'"'s speech, and changes in viewer'"'"'s pupil size, temperature, pulse rate, perspiration, breathing, or blood pressure.

92. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 90, wherein the events are recorded with an ID for the program or advertisement that is being viewed at the time of the event.

93. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 92, wherein the software adjusts the playback of the content based on the monitored events.

94. The client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system claim 92, wherein the adjustments to the playback of the content are chosen from changing the volume and turning off a display device.