NL2020350B9 - A monitoring module, a method and a computer program product - Google Patents

A monitoring module, a method and a computer program product Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2020350B9
NL2020350B9 NL2020350A NL2020350A NL2020350B9 NL 2020350 B9 NL2020350 B9 NL 2020350B9 NL 2020350 A NL2020350 A NL 2020350A NL 2020350 A NL2020350 A NL 2020350A NL 2020350 B9 NL2020350 B9 NL 2020350B9
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NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
switching command
monitoring module
command signals
received
media player
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Application number
NL2020350A
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Dutch (nl)
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NL2020350B1 (en
Inventor
Piotr Karkowski Ireneusz
Willem Antoine Engelberts Reinout
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Dutch Domotics B V
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dutch Domotics B V filed Critical Dutch Domotics B V
Priority to NL2020350A priority Critical patent/NL2020350B9/en
Priority to PCT/NL2019/050063 priority patent/WO2019151860A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2020350B1 publication Critical patent/NL2020350B1/en
Publication of NL2020350B9 publication Critical patent/NL2020350B9/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/442—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
    • H04N21/44213—Monitoring of end-user related data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/29—Arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/33—Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Social Psychology (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring module for monitoring streaming media. The module comprises an input port for receiving operation data from a media player having a control unit, a user operated interface forwarding command signals including switching commands for operating the media player, and a display for displaying a media stream received by the control unit. Further, the module comprises a processor for registering, from the received operation data, a time instant when a switching command signal is received and/or for counting a number of said switching command signals.

Description

Title: A monitoring module, a method and a computer program product
The invention relates to a monitoring module for monitoring streaming media, the module comprising an input port for receiving operation data from a media player including a control unit, a user operated interface forwarding command signals including switching commands for operating the media player, and a display for displaying a media stream received by the control unit.
Monitoring systems are known for monitoring whether or not broadcasted programs are watched by users of a TV system. Further, monitoring systems are known for monitoring human activities, e.g. for tracking a presence of persons in a building, as e.g. disclosed in European patent EP 2 353 153 Bl mentioning the same inventor.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for monitoring streaming media. Thereto, according to the invention, the monitoring module further comprises a processor for registering, from the received operation data, a time instant when a switching command signal is received and/or for counting a number of said switching command signals.
By registering a time instant when a switching command signal is received and/or by counting a number of said switching command signals, relevant information about watching behaviour of the resident can be obtained in a relatively easy way, e.g. for early detection of dementia processes so as to apply medical and social interventions in time.
The invention is at least partly based on the insight that timing information and frequency information of switching command signals can be reliably correlated with any day-night rhythm reversal or any cognitive decline of the resident.
The invention is also at least partly based on the insight that specific information of command signals can be received and/or by specifically be interpreted to obtain the highly relevant data about the resident in a cheap, reliable and privacy friendly way.
The invention also relates to a method of monitoring streaming media.
Further, the invention relates to a computer program product. A computer program product may comprise a set of computer executable instructions stored on a data carrier, such as a CD or a DVD. The set of computer executable instructions, which allow a programmable computer to carry out the method as defined above, may also be available for downloading from a remote server, for example via the Internet.
Further advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the following claims.
It should be noted that the technical features described above or below may each on its own be embodied in a system or method, i.e. isolated from the context in which it is described, separate from other features, or in combination with only a number of the other features described in the context in which it is disclosed. Each of these features may further be combined with any other feature disclosed, in any combination.
The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a monitoring module according to the invention, and
Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention.
It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a monitoring module 1 according to the invention. The module 1 is arranged for monitoring streaming media, and comprises a multiple number of input ports 2a-d and a processor 3.
Figure 1 also shows a media player including a control unit 11, a user operated interface 12 and a display 13. The control unit 11 is connected to a set-top box 14, via a communication line 15, for receiving media streams such as live television content, live video content, time-shifted television content, time-shifted video content or video on demand content data provided by an Internet service provider. The display 13 is arranged for displaying a media stream received and selected by the control unit 11 based on a command signal CS forwarded from the user operated interface 12 towards the control unit 11 for controlling operation of the media player. The interface 12 is operated by a person P watching the display 13.
An input port 2b of the monitoring module 1 is communicately connected, e.g. via a wired or wireless connection, to the control unit 11 of the media player for receiving operation data from said media player, e.g. including command signals CS that have been received from the user operated interface 12 and/or meta data about a media stream that is currently displayed on the display 13. Command signals CS transmitted from the user operated interface 12 may include a switching command signal causing the control unit 11 to control the display 13 such that the display 13 terminates displaying a first media stream and starts displaying a second media stream. As an example, the switching command signal may cause the display 13 to switch from a first TV channel to a second TV channel. Further, a switching command signal may cause the media player to switch on or off.
The processor 3 of the monitoring module 1 is arranged for registering, from the received operation data, a time instant when a switching command signal CS is received by the control unit 11 and/or for counting a number of said switching command signals CS.
Advantageously, the processor 3 is arranged for identifying a daily time period TP during which time period TP a cluster of switching command signals are regularly received. The identification process may include applying statistical methods to the received operation data. Such time period TP may correspond to a daily pattern of a person P watching the display 13, e.g. for watching a sequence of favorite TV programs. The processor may also be arranged for detecting a shift in the identified daily time period TP. As an example, the time that the person watches TV may shift to nocturnal hours. Such a time shift may be related to a decrease of mental activities or a start of a dementia process of the person daily watching the display 13. If the processor detects an above-mentioned time period shift meeting a set of criteria, such as a shift to nocturnal hours and/or a day-night rhythm reversal, the monitoring module 1 may send an alert signal to a software platform informing relatives and/or professional caregivers about a recognized watching pattern that might be indicative of a mental / physiological process of the person that deserves specific attention of relatives and/or professional caregivers, e.g. via a software service such as an app.
Alternatively or additionally, the processor 3 is arranged for periodically counting a number of switching command signals during a predetermined counting period. As an example, the person P operation the media player may forward a total of 20 or more switching command signals per counting period such as a quarter of an hour. Preferably, the processor 3 is further arranged for determining a trend in the periodically counted switching command signals per counting period. Again, an alert signal can be sent to a software platform informing relatives and/or professional caregivers about a recognized switching behaviour of the person that might be indicative of a cognitive decline of mental I physiological processes of the person that deserves specific attention, e.g. if the periodically counted switching command signals drop below a pre-determined minimum level.
Further, inactivity monitoring, e.g. for emergency/fall detection, can thus be improved, because switching activity is not expected during such emergencies.
Generally, a trend in switching behavior, e.g. concerning a shift in the daily time period that the person typically watches media streams and/or a reduction in a rate of switching commands per counter period, can thus be detected automatically and in a privacy friendly manner, as specific data on individual programs or media streams can be filtered out. By informing a relative and/or professional caregiver about any trend in decreasing switching activity and/or shift in watching periods in an early stage, preventive measures can be taken to the resident. The alert signal can be sent to the software platform via a communication channel connecting the monitoring module 1 to a device on which said software platform is running, such as a local device having Internet connectivity or access to telephone services. The device can be located locally, e.g. in the monitoring module 1, or remotely, e.g. accessible via the Internet.
Optionally, the monitoring module 1 can be arranged for informing the person operating the interface 12 that an alert signal has been transmitted to a relative and/or professional caregiver, e.g. via an optical indicator.
The monitoring module 1 itself may located near the media player or remotely from said media player. In the latter case, the input port 2b may be virtual as the monitoring module 1 may then receive operation data from the media player via a remote network such as the Internet. Optionally, the monitoring module 1 may be arranged for receiving operation data from media players operated by different persons, e.g. residing in different residences. Then, the monitoring module 1 may register and/or count switching commands of said different persons, e.g. for detecting, for each of said persons, a shift in an identified daily time period during which time period a cluster of switching command signals are regularly received.
Generally, the monitoring module 1 can be applied for monitoring streaming media on a media player, using operation data from said media player, e.g. for registering time instants of switching command signals and/or for counting a number of said switching command signals. The media player is provided with a display that is implemented as a TV screen or another display, e.g. a display of a desktop or a display of a mobile communication device such as a labtop, tablet, phablet or smartphone.
The monitoring module 1 as shown in Fig. 1 has multiple input ports 2a-d for receiving operation data from multiple media players. Then, the monitoring module 1 may monitor a multiple number of streaming media, on different media players.
It is noted that the control unit 11 of a single media player may include multiple ports for receiving streaming media such as from the Internet or from a DVD, memory stick, hard disc etc. Then, a person watching the display 13 may switch not only between streaming media from a single port, but also between distinct ports on the control unit 11.
It is further noted that the user operated interface 12 may be implemented as a separate device transmitting command signals via a wired or wireless channel or may be integrated in another device, e.g. in the control unit 11. As an example, the user operated interface can be integrated in a touchscreen of a portable electronic communication device such as a tablet. Also, the communication line 15 between the control unit 11 and the connection set-top box 14 can be wired or wireless. Further, the media player may operate without receiving a media stream from the settop box 14, e.g. when receiving a media stream from a harddisc. Then, the media player may have or have not Internet connectivity.
Figure 2 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention. The method is used for monitoring streaming media. The method 100 comprises a step of providing 110 a media player including a control unit, a user operated interface forwarding command signals including switching commands for operating the media player, and a display for displaying a media stream received by the control unit, a step of providing 120 a monitoring module comprising an input port, a step of receiving 130, at the monitoring module, operation data from the media player, via the input port, and a step of registering 140, from the received operation data, a time instant when a switching command signal is received and/or for counting a number of said switching command signals.
The step of receiving operation data from the media player, and the step registering a time instant when a switching command signal is received and/or for counting a number of said switching command signals, can be performed using dedicated hardware structures, such as FPGA and/or ASIC components. Otherwise, the method can at least partially be performed using a computer program product comprising instructions for causing a processor of a computer system to perform the above described steps. A number of steps can in principle be performed on a single processor. However it is noted that at least one step can be performed on a separate processor, e.g. the step of receiving operation data from the media player.
The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above. It will be understood that many variants are possible.
It is noted that the streaming media can be interactive.
These and other embodiments will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Claims (12)

ConclusiesConclusions 1. Toezichthoudende module voor het toezicht houden op streaming media, waarbij de module een invoerpoort omvat voor het ontvangen van bedrijfsgegevens vanaf een mediaspeler bevattende een besturingseenheid, een door een gebruiker te bedienen interface die opdrachtsignalen met schakelopdrachten voor het besturen van de mediaspeler verzendt, en een beeldscherm voor het tonen van een mediastream die ontvangen wordt door de besturingseenheid, waarbij de module verder een processor omvat voor het registreren, uit de ontvangen bedrijfsgegevens, van een tijdsmoment wanneer een schakelopdrachtsignaal wordt ontvangen en/of voor het tellen van een aantal van genoemde schakelopdrachtsignalen.A monitoring module for monitoring streaming media, the module comprising an input port for receiving operating data from a media player comprising a control unit, a user-operated interface that transmits command signals with switching commands for controlling the media player, and a display for showing a media stream received by the control unit, the module further comprising a processor for recording, from the received operating data, a time moment when a switching command signal is received and / or for counting a number of said ones switching command signals. 2. Toezichthoudende module volgens conclusie 1, waarbij het schakelopdrachtsignaal van de door een gebruiker te bedienen interface het beeldscherm er toe zet om het tonen van een eerste getoonde media stream te beëindigen en het tonen van een tweede media stream te starten.The monitoring module according to claim 1, wherein the switching command signal of the user-operated interface causes the display to stop displaying a first displayed media stream and to start displaying a second media stream. 3. Toezichthoudende module volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij het schakelopdrachtsignaal van de door een gebruiker te bedienen interface de mediaspeler er toe zet om aan of uit te schakelen.The supervisory module of claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching command signal of the user-operated interface causes the media player to switch on or off. 4. Toezichthoudende module volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de processor is ingericht om een dagelijkse tijdsperiode te identificeren tijdens welke tijdsperiode een cluster van schakelopdrachtsignalen regelmatig ontvangen worden.The monitoring module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is arranged to identify a daily time period during which time period a cluster of switching command signals are received regularly. 5. Toezichthoudende module volgens conclusie 4, waarbij de processor verder ingericht is voor het detecteren van een verschuiving in de geïdentificeerde dagelijkse tijdsperiode.The monitoring module of claim 4, wherein the processor is further adapted to detect a shift in the identified daily time period. 6. Toezichthoudende module volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de processor is ingericht voor het periodiek tellen van een aantal schakelopdrachtsignalen gedurende een vooraf bepaalde telperiode en waarbij de processor is ingericht voor het bepalen van een trend in de periodiek getelde schakelopdrachtsignalen per telperiode.A supervisory module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is arranged for periodically counting a number of switching command signals during a predetermined counting period and wherein the processor is arranged for determining a trend in the periodically counted switching command signals per counting period. 7. Toezichthoudende module volgens conclusie 5 of 6, waarbij de processor is ingericht voor het zenden van een alarmsignaal naar een software platform als er een verschuiving geïdentificeerd wordt in de dagelijkse periode waarin een cluster van schakelopdrachtsignalen ontvangen worden en/of als cle periodiek getelde schakelopdrachtsignalen onder een vooraf bepaald minimum niveau dalen.A monitoring module according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the processor is adapted to send an alarm signal to a software platform if a shift is identified in the daily period in which a cluster of switching command signals are received and / or as the periodically counted switching command signals fall below a predetermined minimum level. 8. Toezichthoudende module volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de media stream live televisie inhoud, live video inhoud, tijd verschoven televisie inhoud, tijd verschoven video inhoud of video op aanvraag inhoud bevat.A monitoring module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the media stream contains live television content, live video content, time-shifted television content, time-shifted video content or video-on-demand content. 9. Toezichthoudende module volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het beeldscherm een TV scherm of een beeldscherm van een mobiel communicatieapparaat is.9. A monitoring module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display is a TV screen or a display of a mobile communication device. 10. Toezichthoudende module volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de mediaspeler op Internet kan worden aangesloten.10. A monitoring module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the media player can be connected to the Internet. 11. Werkwijze voor het toezicht houden op streaming media, omvattende de stappen van:11. Method of monitoring streaming media, comprising the steps of: - het voorzien in een mediaspeler bevattende een besturingseenheid, een door een gebruiker te bedienen interface die opdrachtsignalen met schakelopdrachten voor het besturen van de mediaspeler verzendt, en een beeldscherm voor het tonen van een mediastream die ontvangen wordt door de besturingseenheid;- providing a media player comprising a control unit, a user-operated interface that transmits command signals with switching commands for controlling the media player, and a screen for displaying a media stream received by the control unit; - het voorzien in een toezichthoudende module omvattende een invoerpoort;- providing a monitoring module comprising an input port; - het ontvangen, bij de toezichthoudende module, van bedrijfsgegevens vanaf een mediaspeler via een invoerpoort;- receiving, at the monitoring module, business data from a media player through an input port; - het registreren, uit de ontvangen bedrijfsgegevens, van een tijdsmoment wanneer een schakelopdrachtsignaal ontvangen wordt en/of voor het tellen van een aantal van genoemde schakelopdrachtsignalen.- registering, from the received operating data, a time moment when a switching command signal is received and / or for counting a number of said switching command signals. 12. Computerprogrammaproduct voor het toezicht houden op12. Computer program product for monitoring 5 streaming media, waarbij het computerprogrammaproduct een voor een computer leesbare code omvat voor het uitvoeren van een stap van het ontvangen, bij de toezichthoudende module, van bedrijfsgegevens vanaf een mediaspeler bevattende een besturingseenheid, een cloor een gebruiker te bedienen interface die opdrachtsignalen met schakel op drachten voor het5 streaming media, the computer program product comprising a computer readable code for performing a step of receiving, at the monitoring module, business data from a media player comprising a control unit, a user-friendly interface that switches command signals on wore for it 10 besturen van de mediaspeler verzendt, en een beeldscherm voor het tonen van een mediastream die ontvangen wordt door de besturingseenheid, en een stap van het registreren, uit de ontvangen bedrijfsgegevens, van een tijdsmoment wanneer een schakelopdrachtsignaal ontvangen wordt en/of voor het tellen van een aantal van genoemde schakelopdrachtsignalen.10 transmits control of the media player, and a screen for displaying a media stream received by the control unit, and a step of recording, from the received operating data, a time moment when a switching command signal is received and / or for counting a number of said switching command signals.
NL2020350A 2018-01-31 2018-01-31 A monitoring module, a method and a computer program product NL2020350B9 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

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NL2020350A NL2020350B9 (en) 2018-01-31 2018-01-31 A monitoring module, a method and a computer program product
PCT/NL2019/050063 WO2019151860A1 (en) 2018-01-31 2019-01-31 A monitoring module, a method and a computer program product

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NL2020350A NL2020350B9 (en) 2018-01-31 2018-01-31 A monitoring module, a method and a computer program product

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KR100766889B1 (en) * 2005-04-08 2007-10-15 주식회사 알티캐스트 Behavior monitoring system using set top box for interactive digital broadcasting
EP2184724A1 (en) 2008-11-05 2010-05-12 Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO A system for tracking a presence of persons in a building, a method and a computer program product
JP2011227699A (en) * 2010-04-20 2011-11-10 Panasonic Corp Living situation confirmation system
US9548915B2 (en) * 2014-07-31 2017-01-17 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to determine an end time of streaming media

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