Invention for Methods to measure media content on wireless communication devices
Invented by David H. Wright, Kamal Nasser, Jeff L. Herrmann, Arun Ramaswamy, Brian Scott Mello, TNC US Holdings Inc, Nielsen Co US LLC
One of the key drivers of this market is the increasing importance of digital advertising. Advertisers are constantly looking for ways to measure the reach and impact of their campaigns, and with the majority of media consumption happening on wireless devices, it has become crucial to have methods in place to accurately measure the effectiveness of these campaigns. This has led to the development of various tools and technologies that can track and measure media content on wireless communication devices.
Another factor contributing to the growth of this market is the rise of social media platforms. Social media has become an integral part of people’s lives, and it is where a significant amount of media content is consumed and shared. Brands and marketers are increasingly using social media platforms to engage with their target audience and promote their products or services. Therefore, there is a need for methods to measure the impact and reach of media content on these platforms.
Furthermore, the increasing availability of data and analytics tools has also fueled the demand for methods to measure media content on wireless communication devices. These tools allow companies to collect and analyze data on user behavior, engagement, and preferences. By understanding how users interact with media content on wireless devices, companies can make informed decisions about their marketing strategies and content creation.
In response to this growing demand, various companies and organizations have developed innovative methods and technologies to measure media content on wireless communication devices. These methods range from traditional surveys and focus groups to more advanced techniques such as eye-tracking, facial recognition, and sentiment analysis. These methods provide valuable insights into user behavior, preferences, and engagement, helping companies optimize their media content and improve their marketing efforts.
The market for methods to measure media content on wireless communication devices is expected to continue growing in the coming years. As technology advances and new platforms emerge, the need for accurate and reliable measurement methods will only increase. Companies that can provide innovative and effective measurement solutions will have a competitive edge in this market.
In conclusion, the market for methods to measure media content on wireless communication devices is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing importance of digital advertising, the rise of social media platforms, and the availability of data and analytics tools. Companies that can provide accurate and reliable measurement solutions will play a crucial role in helping brands and marketers understand the impact and effectiveness of their media content on these devices.
The TNC US Holdings Inc, Nielsen Co US LLC invention works as follows
An apparatus for monitoring media presented through a mobile phone includes an application monitor that determines when the media presentation program is being executed on the device, and a metering data collector that collects at least one signature or code of the media displayed by the software presentation software in accordance with the media presentation program being executed on the device.
Background for Methods to measure media content on wireless communication devices
Media presentations, such as audio or video presentations, are generally consumed by listening to audio information or viewing video information. Media presentations can include radio programs, TV programs, movies and still images. They may also include web pages, videogames, etc. Media-centric businesses such as advertising agencies, broadcast networks, etc. They are interested in their audience’s viewing or listening habits to better market products and/or improve media programs. Many companies are also interested in measuring exposure to media, which indicates the number of times audience members have been exposed to media presentations. This is true even if the audience members did not consume the media presentations. One of the most common techniques used to determine media consumption, media exposure, or the number audience members who consumed or were exposed media is to award media consumption or media exposure credit for each individual audience member.
The monitoring of audio and/or videos presented by stereos or televisions is one technique that has been used in the past to measure media consumption. A home, for example, may have a stationary unit that detects or receives audio and/or visual media from televisions and/or radios. The home metering device then generates metering data indicative of the audio and/or visual media presented. Other techniques include providing portable meters equipped with audio or video detectors that detect audio and/or videos presented by televisions, stereos, and other devices in the home. The portable meters then produce metering data based on detected audio or video media.
The example methods and apparatus described in this document may be used to measure media content on a wireless communications device. A method for monitoring media on a wireless device includes monitoring the media content displayed by the device, collecting the media metering data associated with that media content, then communicating the media-metering data to a metering agency to analyze the media consumption of audience members.
FIG. The block diagram of FIG. 1 illustrates an example media measurement unit 102 configured to analyze panel-metering information produced by a plurality wireless communication devices configured to receive content from a content provider 106. Wireless communication devices 104 can be cellular phones, pagers or any other cellular communication device, such as handheld cellular devices, personal digital assistants. Wireless gaming devices, handheld wireless computers or other wireless communication devices may be used for receiving media content and presenting it to the user. In some examples, the wireless communication device 104 can be implemented by a mobile phone with a display, speaker, and/or headset jack to present media content to the user. A cellular communication device, as used in this document, is a device which communicates with a transceiver tower and wireless telecommunication base station connected to it. A telecommunications network. Transceiver towers can be found in cell areas, or cell sites, located throughout a geographical area. The cellular communication devices can be configured to operate with any wireless telecommunication standards including analog and/or digital communications standards, such as Advanced Mobile Phone System, Code Division Multiple Access, Time Division Multiple Access, Global System for Mobile Communications, Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution, General Packet Radio Service, Personal Digital Communications, Personal Communication Services, Personal Handy-phone System, etc.
Panel metering data can be generated using information embedded, for instance, in header fields or other fields of network data packets that are used to deliver content. Some of the panel metering data may also be embedded within the media content and collected during decoding. The media content. Below, we describe an example of information that can be embedded in the data transmitted by a media content provider to generate panel metering info. 9 . In some examples, ancillary code (e.g. audio codes, videos codes, etc. Media content (by the media content provider, media producers, networks of media, etc., for instance) may contain ancillary codes. The wireless communication devices (104), in order to produce the panel metering data, extract the information from the media content. Wireless communication devices 104 can also or alternatively generate audio and/or video signatures from the media content. One example of how panel metering data can be generated is by presenting individual questions or surveys to panel members 108 through their wireless communication devices. The questions or surveys may be designed to gather subjective feedback from panel members 108 regarding their likes, dislikes or preferences related to media content presented via the wireless communication devices.
The media measurement entity may produce reports that include information on media consumption, media exposure, media ratings and the perceived preferences of panel members 108. It can also generate information about wireless communication device use. The media measurement entity may provide the reports to media content providers 106, and/or other entities (e.g. a wireless communication service provider 120 or media content producers). The media measurement entity 102 may deliver the reports to the media content provider 106 and/or any other entity (e.g., a wireless communications service provider 120, media content producers or advertising companies).
As shown in FIG. The media content provider delivers media content via wireless communication devices to the media measurement entity. The wireless communication devices 104 request media content when an audience member or panel member 108 selects a particular media content using a wireless communication device. Media content provider 106 delivers requested media content via unicast to wireless communication device 104. The media content provider may also or instead continuously deliver media content by using multicast or media broadcast technologies. Wireless communication devices 104 can then choose a specific media program to decode (e.g. a multicasted or broadcast media program) in response to the media selection made by panel member 108.
A broadcast communication sends the same data to the wireless communication devices (104), which are in range of a cell-tower or multiple cell towers that transmit the broadcast communication. Multicast communications deliver the same data to a subset or selected wireless communication device 104 within range of receiving communication signals from a single cell tower, or multiple cell towers that transmit the multicast. Two wireless communication device 104 may be within range to receive communications from a tower that transmits multicast data, but only one wireless communication device 104 will be selected (e.g. based on subscription, pay-per view, etc.). The selected wireless communication devices 104 can receive the multicast content and display it, while the other wireless communication devices 104 cannot. Wireless communication devices 104 that are selected to receive multicast communications can be identified in the data stream by using identification information such as internet protocol (IP), electronic serial numbers (ESN), SIM card identifiers (SIM), phone numbers, media terminals identifiers etc.
In some examples, the wireless communication device 104, or some of them, may be configured to establish back channel links (e.g. a reverse path, a channel of return, etc.). With the media content provider or another entity involved in transmitting media content, or metering. Back channel links can be used to transfer information between wireless communication devices 104 and other entities. Information may include commands sent by the media content providers 106 to the wireless communication devices 104 (e.g. start, stop. pause. skip. fast forward. rewind. A presentation of media content. Information may include interactive commands, or other interactive data that is exchanged between the media content provider and wireless communication device. Information may include targeted advertising provided by the media provider 106 to a wireless device 104, based, for instance, on demographic information about the user or the geographic location of a wireless device 104. Information may also include other information as described below. The apparatus and methods described in this example may be configured to monitor the information communicated through the back channels associated wireless communication devices 104, to generate panel metering data. Metering information can be collected for a variety of purposes, including targeted advertising, service quality, geographic segmentation of media content, and time shifting media content presentation. In some examples, the information that was described above and communicated through the back channel could be alternatively or in addition communicated over a forward-link of a broadcast or multicast or unicast communication, which can then be monitored to generate metering data.
The media content provider may store panel metering data received from wireless communication devices in a panel information data structure 110. The media content entity 102 may receive the panel member metering data from the media content provider 106 periodically or aperiodically. In the example illustrated, the media measuring entity 102 stores panel metering data in another panel information data structure 112. It then validates or analyzes panel member metering info as described below. In alternative implementations (not shown), the wireless communication device 104 could communicate the panel member metering data to a wireless communication service provider 120, and the wireless service provider 120 would then communicate that panel member metering data to the media measurement unit 102. In a third alternative implementation, wireless communication devices may send panel metering data directly to the measurement entity 102 or any combination of media content provider, wireless communications service provider, and measurement entity. “In any case, one or more media measurement entities 102, media content providers 106 and wireless communications service providers 120 can be used as a central facility to collect panel metering data from the wireless communication device 104.
The media measurement entity 102 can use the reference metering data to analyze panel member metering data. Reference metering includes all or part of the media content provided by the content provider 106. For instance, a time period can be a 24 hour period, or a week. The media measurement entity may measure a different subset (or the same) of media content from that measured during previous or subsequent timer intervals. The media measurement entity includes a broadcast monitoring device 114, and a wireless control communication device 116 to generate reference metering data. In the example shown, the broadcast monitor includes a media meter, such as a media meter 302 in FIG. The media content provider 106 can deliver media content via a variety of channels (e.g., frequency channels, time slot channels or code division channel). If the media content provider broadcasts or multicasts multiple media programs at once via different channels (e.g. frequency channels, time slots channels, code-division channels, etc.), then this would be a good example. The broadcast monitor 114 monitors each channel and collects or generates reference metering data for each media program. The broadcast monitor 114 in the example is configured to store reference metering data into a reference information data structure 118. This information can then be used by the media measurement entity to analyze and/or validate the panel metering generated by the wireless communications devices 104.
In alternative implementations, the monitor 114 could be configured to only monitor a subset the media content provided by the content provider 106. The media measurement entity 102, or any other entity, (e.g. customers who purchase services in order to obtain metered information, or metering analyses reports), may specify a specific subset to be metered. And the broadcast monitor may be configured so that it monitors the subset identified of media content typical consumed by persons within a certain age range, and collects reference metering data for only this subset.
In the example shown, the wireless control device 116 has a media meter (e.g. a media meter 202 in FIG. The second device is designed to measure and monitor only a small subset of media content provided by the content provider. The media measurement entity may assign the control wireless communication devices 116 to a subset audience members categorised according to a specific demographic characteristic (e.g. age, income, family status or geographic location). Below, we describe an example of demographic data in relation to FIG. 6 . The control wireless communications device 116 can monitor a subset identified of media content that is typically consumed by a subset audience member and collect and/or generate reference metering data for only this subset. The media measurement entity may include more than one control wireless communications device (e.g. the control Wireless Communication Device 116), even though only one is shown. The media measurement entity may configure each control wireless communication device to monitor subsets media programs that are typically consumed by various groups of audience members, categorized, for example, by demographic characteristics. The control wireless communications device 116, and any other wireless control devices in the example illustrated, store the reference measurement information into the reference metering data structure 118.
In certain example implementations the reference metering data collected by the control device wireless communication 116 can then be compared to known media content (e.g. channel lineups and program schedules obtained from the content provider media 106) in order to verify whether the software or hardware metering (e.g. the meter 202 shown in FIG. The control wireless communication device (116) produces accurate metering data. On the basis of known media content, different modes of operation for control wireless communications devices (e.g. control wireless communication device 116) can be tested. A first control wireless communications device, for example, may be configured so that it collects reference metering data based only on a specific media content channel. A second wireless control device can be set up to collect reference metering data from all channels, while spending a certain amount of time on each channel (e.g. five seconds, five minute, etc.). The media measurement entity 102 can then analyze the reference metering information to ensure that it is accurate based on known information (e.g., channel lineup and program scheduling data obtained from the media content provider 106). The media measurement entity can analyze the reference metering data to verify its accuracy based on information that is known (e.g. channel lineups and program schedules obtained from the content provider media 106). In some examples, whether metering hardware and/or software in the control device wireless communication 116 produces accurate metering data may be indicative whether metering hardware and/or software in wireless communication devices in the field produce accurate metering data. For example, if the software and/or the hardware of the control device wireless communication 116 are identical or substantially the same as the software and/or the hardware in wireless communication devices in the field.
The wireless communication service provider 120 can provide wireless communication services for the wireless communication devices 104. Wireless communication services can include voice and/or data. The wireless communications provider 120 has a data structure for account information 122 that stores account information (e.g. name, postal addresses, wireless device identifications, wireless device makes/models, voice/data plans types, etc.). The wireless communications service provider will provide information to the panel members, including the subscribers, of the wireless communication service provider 120.
The media content provider 106 in FIG. In FIG. 1, media content is delivered directly to wireless communication devices. However, alternative implementations may include the media provider 106 delivering content to wireless communications services provider 120, and the wireless service provider 120 delivering the content to wireless communication devices.
The media measurement entity 102 can use different methods to select panel members 108 for a market study program. In some implementations, the wireless communication devices of subscribers to the media content provider or wireless communications service provider can be used to collect and/or generate panel metering data. In another implementation, a randomly selected subset of wireless communication devices 104 may be selected by the media measurement entity, media content provider, or wireless communications service 120 to generate panel metering data continuously or at preset times. Subsets of wireless communication devices 104 selected randomly may be reselected on a predetermined schedule (e.g. every day, 90 days, etc.). The media measurement entity may also, or in addition to this, advertise the opportunity for participation in the market research metering via the media content providers 106 and/or wireless communications service providers 120. In some examples, agents or representatives from the media measurement entity may personally visit the homes of potential panelists to offer the opportunity to participate in the program. The media measurement entity may also advertise the metering programs directly to wireless communication device 104 users, including subscribers of media content providers 106 or wireless communications service providers 120. Media measurement entity 102 can advertise metering by sending messages, e.g. via email, a website, wireless application protocol (WAP) ), etc.) “The wireless communication devices (104, 124), and/or personal computers 124 may include a selectable choice indicating the consent of a person to participate in the program of metering.
When a person gives their consent to participate in metering, they become one of the panel members. The wireless communication device associated with the panel member is configured to collect and/or generate panel metering data whenever the panel-member 108 consumes or is exposed media via the wireless communications device 104. The media measurement entity, media content provider, or wireless communications service provider may all transmit metering programs (e.g. a media content meters 202 in FIG. To enable metering, the wireless communication device can be configured to send a metering software (e.g., a media content meter 202 of FIG. The metering hardware and/or software may also be pre-installed in the wireless device 104, so that all the parties involved (media measurement entity 102, media content provider 106) and/or wireless communications service provider 124) need to do is send a message to the device 104 instructing it to activate the metering hardware and/or software. The metering hardware and/or software may be configured in order to monitor the entire media content displayed by the wireless communications device 104, or only a portion of it. The metering software can be configured, for example, to monitor media content at certain times, or media content delivered through particular channels and/or only specific media content programming.
Click here to view the patent on Google Patents.
