CN101288252A - Detecting and measuring exposure to media content items - Google Patents

Abstract

User exposure to media items is detected and measured. A mobile client device (101) carried by a user digitally samples the audio environment of the user on a regular basis. These samples are transformed into a stream of data signatures and compared with reference media items to detect user exposure to the reference items. Purchase behavior following exposure to selected media content items can be detected and tracked as well, so as to gauge effectiveness of media items such as advertisements.

Description

Detect and measure the items of media content purpose is contacted

The related application cross reference

The application's case is advocated the priority based on following patent application case: filed an application on August 31st, 2004 and name be called " by using the client apparatus audio sample; follow the tracks of the client apparatus position and individual purchase information is measured media consumption and buying behavior to draw marketing validity (Measuring Media Consumption and PurchaseBehavior Using Client-Device Audio Sampling; Client-Device Location Tracking; andIndividual Purchase Information to Device Marketing Effectiveness) " the 60/606th, No. 229 (acting on behalf of file number is 9468) U.S. Provisional Patent Application cases, and on August 30th, 2005 filed an application and name is called the U.S. utility patent application case of " detect also and measure items of media content purpose contact (Detecting and Measuring Exposure to MediaContent Items) ", its sequence number is not learnt as yet, and act on behalf of file number is 24518-10389, and the disclosure of above-mentioned patent application case is incorporated herein with way of reference.

The application's case further advocate based on filed an application on February 22nd, 2005 and name be called " the personal music preference based on the behavior of listening to is judged (Personal Music Preference Determination Based on ListeningBehavior) " the 60/655th, the priority of No. 305 (acting on behalf of file number is 10056) U.S. Provisional Patent Application cases, the disclosure of this patent application case is incorporated herein with way of reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the tracking media consumption by and large, and more specifically relates to the contact that detects and measure under the situation that need not user's operation or know media item.

Background technology

The producer of media content and publisher and advertiser are very interested in accurate its spectators' of measurement scale.The number that this kind measurement is indicated contact ideally or consumed described media content.Also there is sizable interest to demographic and other characteristics of media consumer's.

The media consumption, consumer that existing audience's measuring technique has been ignored all polymorphic types is to the contact of the music bought (on CD or the mp3), video-game and film.Original sales data can be obtained, but the use amount data can't be obtained.In other words, can there be information, but do not have information how to listen to described CD (being how described consumer contacts described media item continually) about each consumer continually about what part copies of having bought a CD.

In addition, TV watching and broadcast receiver are listened to normally and are measured independently independently of one another and with other media consumption.Therefore, the method that is not easy to is judged the overall contact (consumption) to a particular content item (advertisements on for example various medium), and the method that also is not easy to obtains the overall information to the overall contact of various media items and media item type.

Another shortcoming of traditional media measuring technique is: advertisement validity is normally being measured on the wide significance very much.Particularly, be not easy to judge the advertisement validity at a particular demographic market section, advertiser also is not easy to obtain to feed back fast to confirm that its advertisement has arrived the target market of its appointment.

A shortcoming again of traditional media measuring technique is: these technology are associated with replay device (for example a particular television, broadcast receiver or similar device) rather than directly are associated with consumer itself (television set spectator, broadcast receiver listener or similar personnel) usually.In addition, conventional measurement techniques is not provided for following the tracks of the mechanism of the contact reach two kinds of places, family outside (for example in the bar or friend's family or similar site) at home.

A shortcoming again of traditional media measuring technique is: it needs consumer's active to participate in and usually may quite bother.For example, in one " Nielsen family ", the user must with measurement mechanism reciprocation (or filling in a written diary), televiewing to be identified in which kinsfolk of arbitrary given time.That this kind requirement causes is inaccurate, participate in reducing and/or unreliable, the result twists, or the like.

At last, existing medium measuring technique is not associated to the contact of media item the user with shop visit or purchase.

Therefore, need a kind of medium measuring technique to solve the above-mentioned restriction of prior art.

Further need a kind of medium measuring technique to follow the tracks of the contact of user reliably, no matter described content is if be delivered to the user to media content.Further need a kind ofly need not exceedingly bother the user and need not the technology that the operation of customer-side also can so be done.

Summary of the invention

System of the present invention detects and discerns the user and can listen contacting of medium.The one mobile client machine (" MCD ") that is carried by a user regularly carries out digital sample to consumer's audio environment.These samples are transformed into data signature stream and transfer to a network operation center (" NOC ").

At described NOC place, follow the tracks of and recording user contact with the items of media content purpose, and it can be combined with information about other users subsequently, thereby the effective statistical report that contacts and consume about total medium is provided.Described system also can write down described consumer and he or she concrete property to the environment of described media content item contact.For example, run into activity that the position of described medium, described user participating in, or the like.Also the medium contact information can be associated with purchase information, to make the deduction that concerns about between advertisement and the buying behavior.

Use medium contact information and the relevant tracked data write down, the present invention adopts cooperation to filter in one embodiment or other group behaviors are analyzed and discerned meticulous user psychology classification and measure marketing validity to each kind of groups.Resulting set report and explanation help aiming at better the marketing resource, so that it is easy to arrive the user with a high purchase intention.

MCD 101 can be implemented in the consumer devices that a pair of user has a certain other effectiveness; The example comprises mobile phone, PDA, wrist-watch or similar device.In alternate embodiment, MCD 101 can adopt any other form, for example one carries or be fixed to user's self-contained unit by the user.Functionally for example be embedded in that can to make the user carry MCD 101 in the device such as mobile phone or wrist-watch more convenient with of the present invention, and also encourage the user to remain MCD 101 for its all.MCD 101 passive operations and do not need the user to import.

Description of drawings

Accompanying drawing graphic extension some embodiment of the present invention, and be used for explaining principle of the present invention with this explanation.

Fig. 1 describes a calcspar that is used for making up according to an embodiment general frame of the present invention.

Fig. 2 A to 2C is a calcspar of describing to be used to implement alternative method of the present invention.

Fig. 3 describes a calcspar that is used for making up according to an embodiment concept nature framework of the present invention.

Fig. 4 describes a flow chart that is used for implementing according to an embodiment method of the present invention.

Those skilled in the art will realize that these graphic only conducts according to the example of the operation of the present invention of an embodiment, and can under the situation that does not deviate from intrinsic propesties of the present invention, use other frameworks and mode of operation.

Embodiment

For ease of hereinafter illustrating, term " user ", " consumer " reach " individual " synonym and can be general.Term " consumption " reaches " contact " also synonym and can be general.

More fully set forth the present invention referring now to the accompanying drawing that wherein shows the some embodiment of the present invention.The present invention can be embodied as multiple multi-form, and should not be considered as only limiting to described embodiment herein.Or rather, provide these embodiment to be intended to make this disclosure with complete and will pass on the present invention all sidedly to the those skilled in the art.

Referring now to Fig. 1,, show a calcspar among the figure, it is described one and is used for making up general frame of the present invention according to an embodiment.Referring to Fig. 3, show a flow chart among the figure simultaneously, it is described one and is used for making up concept nature framework of the present invention according to an embodiment.Also referring to Fig. 4, show a flow chart among the figure, it is described a kind of being used for and makes up method of the present invention according to an embodiment.

According to one embodiment of the invention, medium receiver 111 receives broadcast audio; Write down 401 these audio frequency (or one sample) and it is transformed into signature 402.These signatures are stored with suitable index mechanism be beneficial to retrieval and relatively.Mobile client machine 101 for example detects the contact of user to media content sources 102 by picking up audio frequency at the microphone place of a cellular phone.Record 404 these audio frequency and it is transformed into signature 405.Same storage 406 these signatures.At a network operation center (NOC) 106 places, described MCD signature is compared 407 with the signature of deriving from broadcast audio, so that detect and discern the media item that the user has contacted.By this kind mode, the present invention can with the definition of height judge a user contacted the detail of which media item and this kind contact (comprise number of repetition, contact position, with buying behavior related, or the like).Also can use GPS or other position datas to come the analyzing medium contact.By this kind association and analysis, generation 408 and output report.The present invention provides a kind of mechanism that is used to judge items of media content purpose permeabilities such as for example advertisement and validity thus.In addition, because the user carries MCD, therefore system of the present invention can detect the contact that (comprises in the family and the family outside) in any position.

Any source that media content sources 102 can contact for the user.The example comprise TV, broadcast receiver, CD, film, public broadcasting, or the like.According to described technology herein, the present invention follows the tracks of the user to can be from the various items of media content purposes contacts in the source 102 of any amount.

Mobile client machine (MCD) 101 is one can detect and receive the device from the audio frequency in source 102.The MCD 101 of any amount can be provided; For example, in one embodiment, tracked each is with having a MCD101 per family.In one embodiment, each MCD 101 is a device that is carried by user (consumer) (or assembly of a device).For example, MCD 101 can be implemented in the consumer devices (for example a mobile phone, PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), wrist-watch, handheld computer or similar device) that a pair of user has a certain other effectiveness.In one embodiment, MCD 101 comprises that one is used to transmit the GPRS platform of data, and moves an operating system, for example Microsoft Windows Mobile or J2ME.In alternate embodiment, MCD 101 can adopt arbitrary other forms, for example one carries or be fixed to user's self-contained unit by the user.Functionally for example be embedded in that to make the user carry MCD 101 in the device such as mobile phone or wrist-watch more convenient with of the present invention, and encourage the user to remain MCD 101 and own for it.

Though the explanation that is provided herein utilizes term " MCD ", the those skilled in the art it should be understood that checkout gear needn't be for moving; In other words, the present invention also can use the stationary apparatus of carrying out with essentially identical function described herein to make up.

In one embodiment, MCD 101 utilizes already present assembly (for example microphone in the cellular phone) to implement described operation herein.

MCD 101 passive operations and do not need the user to import.In one embodiment, MCD 101 regularly carries out digital sample to user's audio environment; In another embodiment, MCD 101 detects at it and carries out this kind sampling when having received significant audio frequency at MCD 101 places.MCD 101 with audio samples be transformed into one can digital form the data signature stream of transmission and/or storage.The audio content item that MCD 101 is received is called the target medium project in this article.

In one embodiment, carry out the signature conversion at MCD 101 places.Because described signature conversion produces a compression expression form of voice data, therefore carry out described conversion meeting and reduce the data volume that will transfer to NOC 106, thereby reduce bandwidth demand and system load at MCD 101 places.

For example, in one embodiment, the per 30 seconds voice datas that 101 couples of MCD are received carry out 10 seconds sampling.This kind ratio is especially effective for detecting commercial break (advertisement) contact, because the length of many this kind commercial breaks is 30 seconds.Data creation one original audio file (a for example .WAV file) that MCD 101 is sampled certainly, and carry out a signature conversion to produce a signature file from described original document.In one embodiment, system of the present invention uses a signature mapping algorithm, for example described by people such as Wang and the Shazam that can buy from the Shazam EntertainmentLtd (Shazam KTV corporation, Ltd) of London.This algorithm also is set forth in " be used for search at audio database method (Method for Search in an Audio Database) " (III that is shown " a kind of industrial strength audio search algorithm (An Industrial-Strength Audio Search Algorithm) " (in October, 2003) that Avery Li-chun Wang shown and Avery Li-Chun Wang and Julius O.Smith, WIPO publication WO0211123A3, on February 7th, 2002) in.Described signature mapping algorithm produces a 4k file in MCD 101 place's spools (interim storage).In one embodiment, in case created described signature file, MCD 101 just wipes described original audio file; In another embodiment, for test purpose, original document is preserved the cycle sometime that reaches.

In one embodiment, some information are lost during described conversion, therefore the described one-way process that is transformed to; Initial data can't be by the data signature reconstruct of institute's conversion.Therefore, transmission is through the data of conversion but not initial data can provide a kind of privacy and confidentiality measure.

Can use any in the multiple signature algorithm.In one embodiment, system of the present invention uses a signature mapping algorithm to satisfy the design constraint (processing power, battery life, available memory) of MCD 101 and the design constraint of transmission channel (bandwidth, availability, or the like).For example, described system can be configured to skip or postpone and uploading under the disabled situation of network.Described mapping algorithm keeps enough data to be beneficial to judge accurately what medium described user is listening to.

In one embodiment, when detected audio level is reduced to a threshold value when following, MCD 101 will self place one static (" sleep ") state to reduce battery consumption.During this sleep state, MCD 101 periodically " wakes up " and judges whether described audio level is enough to restart sampling.

In another embodiment, the every constantly M of MCD 101 carries out the N sampling of second (for example per 30 seconds carry out 10 seconds sampling) second, and subsequently described audio content is handled to make a judgement about its useful audio content by frequency analysis/power level before handling being sent to audio-frequency fingerprint.If conclude the set current power level that described audio content is relevant inadequately, then abandon described sample to save processing and transmission time and so conserve batteries use amount.

In another embodiment, MCD 101 does not do any conversion; Or rather, it only sends initial data.

MCD 101 collects server 107 with transfer of data to one or more data signature streams that are positioned at 106 places, network operation center (NOC).In one embodiment, this transmission is undertaken by the wireless data service provider 103 of operation communication tower 104, and communication tower 104 relays to one or more data signature stream collection servers 107 in the operation of NOC 106 places from MCD 101 received signals and by internet 105 with the voice data of being sampled.Those skilled in the art will realize that, this kind transfer of data can use any known wireless (or wired) communication means to carry out, and this kind transmission can be carried out in real time or carry out or carry out in response to the inquiry of 106 couples of MCD 101 of NOC to become batch mode with periodic intervals.In one embodiment, this kind transmission can be undertaken by GPRS, TCP/IP or other mechanisms or its arbitrary combination.In one embodiment, the user with MCD 101 " mooring " be connected to a computer or other the device (not shown)s, with transfer of data to NOC 106.

(for example per five minutes) transfer to one or more data signature streams with signature file and collect server 107 in one embodiment, termly.Yet, if can't set up a connection, if or the power at MCD 101 places lower, the transmission of signature file can postpone the necessarily long time.In one embodiment, independent MCD 101 can spool (interim storage) a certain amount of signed data temporarily can not transfer to one or more servers 107 to take into account.If one can't transmit the time cycle of the prolongation of data, so that a MCD 101 can't the extra input data of spool, and then MCD 101 can temporarily stop to collect data.Perhaps, MCD 101 discardable stale datas are to support new data.In one embodiment, in case data have been sent to server 107, MCD 101 just removes its local storage (spool) and thinks new data vacating space.

In one embodiment, MCD 101 does not carry out any target medium project at its battery electric power during less than certain threshold quantity (for example 50%) and transmits, unless a) it is accepting charging; Or b) its spool space is approached full.In one embodiment, MCD 101 stops to receive and sampling from the data of media content sources 102 less than certain second threshold quantity (for example 10%) time when its battery electric power.

In one embodiment, use individual data signature stream to collect server 107.In another embodiment, use a plurality of servers 107, and will guide to a suitable server 107 from the transfer of data of MCD 101 for reception according to present load, geographical position and/or other factors.

At NOC 106 places, data signature stream is collected server 107 and is stored in the data signature stream memory 114 (being also referred to as a dynamic data base) from MCD 101 reception data and with it.Correlator server 115 with described data signature stream with one group from alternative source of media 113 conversion and the data signature stream that comes is associated, listening to which alternative source of media (if there is) with judgement arbitrary given time user.In one embodiment, correlator server 115 uses a relevance algorithms, described relevance algorithms is set forth in " be used for search at audio database method (Methodfor Search in an Audio Database) " (III that is shown " a kind of industrial strength audio search algorithm (An Industrial-Strength Audio Search Algorithm) " (in October, 2003) that Avery Li-chun Wang shown and AveryLi-Chun Wang and Julius O.Smith, WIPO publication WO0211123A3, on February 7th, 2002) in.

In one embodiment, medium receiver monitoring media source has or not broadcasting alternative media content item 121 (being also referred to as the reference medium project).Each medium receiver 111 all can make up (for example) and become one to have a plurality of personal computers (being also referred to as a medium watch-dog) that pick up the tuner card of broadcasting.In one embodiment, each medium receiver 111 includes four tuner card, and each tuner card all can receive AM, FM or television audio signals.An example that can be used for making up tuner card type of the present invention is ASI8712 or ASI8713 eight tuner broadcast adapters, and it can be from being positioned at New Castle, and the AudioScience company of Delaware buys.In one embodiment, provide several medium receivers 111,, and provide improved reliability and redundancy so that can listen to different market/platforms in the diverse location operation.Medium receiver 111 can be configured (for example) with 32 channels of while parallel receive, only obtaining audio frequency component, and by sampling received audio conversion is become digital form.In one embodiment, medium receiver 111 is positioned at the remote position of a relative NOC 106 (for example at a device that is suitable for receiving alternative medium 121); Medium receiver 111 thereby signal is transferred to NOC 106 by the internet or by other approach.In another embodiment, medium receiver 111 is positioned at NOC 106 places.

Conversion server 112 is transformed into alternative data signature stream with detected alternative media content item 121, and described alternative data signature stream is stored in data signature stream memory 114 places (or be stored in not homogeneous turbulence memory (not shown) place) then.In one embodiment, converting audio frequency only, but those skilled in the art will realize that the present invention also can be used in combination with video, and therefore also can use video transformation.Described conversion converts original sample to data file (being called signature file or signature stream), described data file can be compared with the judgement person of being complementary with other signature files.

In addition, in one embodiment, conversion server 112 is gone back the alternative media content item of conversion from non-broadcasting reference medium 113 (for example audio frequency CD, video-game sound channel, movie soundtrack or the like).

In just like the alternate embodiment shown in Fig. 3, individual media receiver 111 is transformed into signature file with audio frequency, and described signature file is transferred to server 112A.

In one embodiment, server 112 (or 112A) and 107 is built into the single server that is used for from MCD 101 and medium receiver 111 the two collection data.Those skilled in the art will realize that can be by using independent private server respectively or by using the single server of carrying out these two functions simultaneously to make up the present invention to these two functions.

In one embodiment, except that signature file, also store original audio file (for example being the .WAV form).These files can be stored in medium receiver 111 places or be stored in a place, memory location that is associated with server 112 or 112A.

In one embodiment, the reference medium signature file is resolved into fixed time increment (for example five minutes increments) to be easy to index, handle and relatively.Therefore, each signature file is stored in the stream memory 114, each signature file is all represented five minutes data of an audio channel.Wherein store among the embodiment of original audio one, also described original audio file is resolved into fixed time increment (for example five minutes increments).As the alternative form that the set time divides, can use certain other time-based intelligent zoned format; For example can detect and it is considered as indicating pause between the commercial break, and can pause divided file according to this kind commercial break to white space.

Therefore, in one embodiment, medium receiver 111 regularly transfers to server 112 or 112A with data (be primitive form or be the signature form).Can (for example) transmit data, so that in each transmission, transmit a file with five minutes increment.Perhaps, can collect a plurality of files and transmit it to server 112 or 112A with form in batch subsequently at receiver 111 places.In one embodiment, medium receiver 111 keeps original audio file to reach sometime the cycle (for example 3-5 days) and subsequently it is abandoned.In one embodiment, server 112 or 112A keep signature file to reach sometime the cycle (for example 30 days) and subsequently it are abandoned.By keeping signature file, the present invention can detect the user to the items of media content purpose contact through time migration.For example, if a user watches a TV programme (if for example this performance recording is on a TiVo or other video record devices) in the time beyond the airtime, then the present invention can detect this kind activity and can report that this program is program recording and the time of watching this program.

Standby source of media can comprise any medium type with the audio frequency component that can be detected by MCD 101.The example comprises sound channel and other source of media of TV (broadcasting, wired, satellite etc.), broadcast receiver (broadcasting, wired and satellite etc.), the music of recording (CD, mp3 etc.), video-game audio frequency, DVD.

In an alternate embodiment, the present invention can for example detect the contact of user to visual medias such as for example billboards by following manner: judge that about the GPS reading of customer location described user is driving through a billboard according to one.As described herein, can follow the tracks of this kind medium contact incident and it is associated with purchase by the mode same with contacting the audio frequency media project.In one embodiment, can with audio frequency media project contact to this kind contact follow the tracks of, with the extensive overview of validity that obtains to comprise the advertising campaign of billboard, radio ads and similar advertisement to one.

Server 112 or 112A be (for example per three hours) termly, and the signed data memory 114 that flows automatically is sent to correlator server 115 (it can comprise the server of individual server or any amount).In one embodiment, server 115 periodically asks to reach the data of collecting servers 107 from one or more data signatures streams from server 112 or 112A.In one embodiment, in response to described request, server 112 or 112A send signature file, and these signature files represents collected media item of receiver 111 and the data from MCD 101 of being collected servers 107 collections by one or more data signatures streams.

Correlator server 115 identification users are to the contact of (comprising broadcast item and non-broadcast item) of alternative media item.In one embodiment, help described relevant with the timestamp that described data signature is stored in the stream memory 114 together.

In one embodiment, positional information is collected by position tracking server 109 and is used for helping carrying out described relevant.For example, correlator server 115 can be recognized when moving and watch the probability of TV lower.But some behavior that use location information is inferred comprises: drive a car (operating speed scope and the route that carries out according to a road map are followed the tracks of), take advantage of a bus (use has the bus line of frequent stop), visit retail location (using the coordinate of retail division), appear at family and appear at the workplace.Some positions can influence relevance algorithms.For example, if the user be in move among, then prior to broadcast receiver in the TV inspection database and CD; When being in, the user then at first checks TV.

Also can implement other useful relevant and analyses, for example to determine the specific behavior of listening to.For example, buy tracking server 117 and can from source 116, collect purchase information to be used for additional related server 115.In one embodiment, this is to be used for realizing for all the making of particular credit card of user by following the tracks of one.

The present invention can also follow the tracks of the contact to entertainment (for example film), no matter this kind contact occurs in cinema, family, or other places.Can with to the contact of promotional advertisement with contacting of film and this type of program is associated.The present invention can help also to judge which sales promotion channel arrives the user most effectively and which channel is not too effective.

For example, in one embodiment, give advertisement one unique ID.In addition, be the one or more attributes of advertisement assignment, described attribute with from close limit (" Ford wild horse (Ford Mustang) " to wide region (" Ford ") more in addition more certain concrete degree of wide region (" automobile ") the commodity or the service of WKG working advertisement are described.One Ford wild horse advertisement will have all these three kinds of attributes.Attribute also can be described target audience, for example " professional ".

During a time sliding window (for example 30 days), keep mark to each attribute.The use of credit card that can be by being issued to the group member, by retailer's report, obtain purchase information by inquiry or by other sources.

When the user buy one followed the tracks of project the time, can check the mark of correlation of described user in cycle sometime (for example pass by 30 days).For one group of enough big user, between the contact of buying behavior and medium, carry out related.This is for example to contact to compare with the buyer's of competing product B medium by the medium contact with the buyer of product A to carry out.

Tracking provided by the present invention helps measuring advertisement and is attracting to buy the consumer of competition brand originally and attracting originally can not buy validity aspect the consumer of described product or product type.In addition, the present invention can measure the influence of advertisement consumption of the various brands of advertisement brand to being different from.

Use buying behavior and related demonstration (for example) between the medium contact not to contact the advertisement of many non-Ford Motors, then have the tendency of a higher purchase Ford white partridge if contact the people of Ford wild horse commercial break.

Under the situation of initial data that provides buying behavior and attribute contact mark, but the implementation data library inquiry discloses causality and test advertisements imagination.

Other data sources that can use and store comprise the bar code on RFID goods label, GPS trace information and/or the MCD 101, follow the tracks of so that help to carry out the position.In one embodiment, can in some position, Bluetooth transceiving be installed, and can come enforcing location to follow the tracks of by detecting unique Bluetooth transceiving code.

According to these data of different types, can be inferred pattern.For example, decidable one user of system of the present invention is in and watches news and listen to music in automobile, perhaps deducibility buying behavior, for example pattern of user this cinema of visit after uppick one is about the advertisement of a wherein film of projection in just at the cinema wherein.

In one embodiment, correlator server 115 as shown in Figure 3 with other component interaction effects, being associated with data from the data of MCD 101 from medium receiver 111.For example, can provide a series of nodes 303 to store signed data.The 4GB node 303 that moves at an independent computer place respectively of any amount (for example 14) can be provided in one embodiment; Perhaps, can provide other schemes and node size.Sheet factory 302 controls the distribution of data in the middle of each node 303 of the memory 114 that flows automatically.In one embodiment, the operation of a utility services device (not shown) control strip factory 302.

In one embodiment, node 303 operation signatures match softwares 301, for example (for example) provided by Shazam KTV corporation, Ltd and by people such as the Wang institute SongMon software function of elaboration more comprehensively.In another embodiment, this software 301 is positioned at correlator server 115 places.The software 301 identification persons of being complementary, the label that loopback one indication is complementary from which media content item and a media content item that is picked up by MCD 101 of medium receiver 111.But other information of loopback also, for example time code, the detail that is complementary about which medium receiver 111 and/or channel, or the like.With matched data storage (for example) in matcher database 305 with for further analysis and report.

In one embodiment, signatures match software 301 is with twice of alternative data processing.One preliminary operation provides the quick estimation of matcher and can move when needed.The production run of carrying out (for example per three hours once) with regular intervals of time then provides matcher more accurately.

In one embodiment, sheet factory 302 and/or utility services device (not shown) operation signatures match software 301 come the signature file in the collective flow memory 114 also to index for it to use a kind of ashing technique.By the treated data of this kind, formation one comprises the disk image of the tape index signature file data of a special time length (for example 18 hours); Then this disk image is stored in each node 303 place.

In one embodiment, each node 303 all comprises an identical reflection with identical data, to improve flux by managing data everywhere at the node 303 of a plurality of parallel operations.In one embodiment, for example, each node 303 is handled maximum about 50 MCD so that do not become overload.Correlator server 115 is dispatched to enabled node 303 according to load and other factors with the MCD file.

In one embodiment, each node carries out about 18 hours processing (for example 70 channels total over 1,000 hour content) with the rolling update mode to a large amount of channels.The target medium project is compared with these reference medium projects, whether contacted by the represented medium of described reference medium project to judge described user.

(for example per three hours) are reruned described set and are indexed step termly, with deletion the oldest three hours and added up-to-date three hours, thereby remain one group of data volume (for example being equivalent to 18 hours data volume).In one embodiment, the data of 32 channels of storage.

In one embodiment, a binary representation form of the described reference medium signed data of storage in each node 303.Node 303 will from the signed data of MCD 101 therewith reference data set compare.In one embodiment, utilize a plurality of nodes 303 to improve the coupling flux.

In one embodiment, one or more correlator servers 115 are sent to a suitable node 303 according to load and other factors with the sample memory 114 that flows automatically.The present invention can be on two dimensions convergent-divergent: can handle the MCD 101 of extra quantity by vertically adding more nodes.Can be by flatly adding more nodes or having more the node of high storage capacity and store bigger quantity data by providing.

In one embodiment, comprise about the environment of described medium contact and the extraneous information of condition, for example comprise time, date, battery level, telephone number, gps data, and similar information from the data of MCD 101.All these information all can be stored in stream memory 114 places and be used for analyzing, mate and/or report.

In one embodiment, some alternative signature is stored in the static database 304.For example, contacted a particular advertisement if how many users an advertiser wishes to judge, then the signature with this advertisement is stored in the static database 304.Described signature needn't be collected by medium receiver 111, but can provide by direct input or by correlator server 115.Then, this can be stored signature compares with the signature that is received from MCD 101.In one embodiment, also these alternative signatures are sent to node 303, are beneficial to compare with input signature from MCD 101.In one embodiment, the content in the static database 304 (" static content ") is combined with collected content as indicated above (" dynamic content "), with pack into reference data set in each node 303 of formation.In another embodiment, static content is handled to produce a reference data set; Then this reference data set is packed in the node 303 that separates with described dynamic content, analyze matcher so that only contrast described static content.

In one embodiment, be not to use a sliding window to make these alternative signatures aging to the data of collecting from medium receiver 111 by as indicated above.In another embodiment, make these alternative projects aging but aging with different speed with other data.

In an embodiment again, can with the data in the static database 304 with compare from the data of medium receiver 111.By this kind mode, whether the his or her advertisement of advertiser's decidable moves and is detected by a medium receiver 111, no matter whether described advertisement is picked up by a MCD 101.

Again referring to Fig. 1, show the additional assemblies that can be used for producing about the report of medium contact and consumption among the figure.With the user to the time-based historical storage of the contact of media item in consumer's track database 118.Stored position information (if can obtain) also.

Analysis report server 119 uses the consumer's tracking data from database 118 to produce report 120.Report can comprise: for example:

-advertisement broadcast rate;

-program viewing rate;

-marketing measure of effectiveness;

The classification of-psychology;

-and similar information.

In one embodiment, use the relational database query of standard to produce report.The result of these inquiries can be arranged to form or graphical format for presenting.

After relevant the finishing of institute, the source of media data signature of discardable work.

Use above-mentioned technology, system of the present invention can measure and reach the media consumption of carrying out under family's two kinds of situations in outside at home.

Alternative arrangements

Those skilled in the art will realize that described conversion and coupling step can be by different ways and the enforcements of the different assemblies place in whole system.Fig. 2 A to 2C is provided for implementing the example of the difference configuration of these functions.These are graphic also to provide the explanation according to the overall operation method of the present invention of different embodiment.Term " alternative data signature stream " is equivalent to the reference medium project; Term " consumer data signature stream " is equivalent to the target medium project.

Referring now to Fig. 2 A,, shows a configuration of wherein carrying out conversion and mating among the figure at NOC 106 places at MCD 101 places.As mentioned above, MCD 101 collects audio samples, it is transformed into a signature stream and the flow transmission of will signing to NOC 106.NOC 106 identifications are from the signature stream of MCD 101 receptions and from the matcher between alternative medium 113 and 121 alternative flows that derive.Though Fig. 2 A depicts described alternative data signature data flow at NOC 106 places as forms; Yet, those skilled in the art will realize that described alternative signed data stream can change into to produce at medium receiver 111 places and/or directly provide to NOC 106 from a certain other sources.

Referring now to Fig. 2 B,, shows a wherein conversion and mate the configuration that the two all carries out at MCD 101 places among the figure.Herein, MCD 101 collects audio samples and it is transformed into a signature stream.NOC 106 produces alternative data signature stream from alternative medium, and these alternative flows are transferred to MCD 101.Perhaps, described alternative signed data stream can change in the generation of medium receiver 111 places and/or from a certain other sources provides to NOC 106; Then, send it to MCD 101 by NOC 106.Then, MCD 101 identifications are from the signature stream and the coupling between the alternative data signature stream that NOC 106 receives of input audio data generation.Then, MCD 101 is sent to NOC 106 with matched data.It is less relatively and be particularly useful when known in advance that this is configured in the quantity of alternative audio-source.For example, this kind configuration can be used for the contact of supervisory user to one group of advertisement of limited and expection.In this kind situation, this configuration can reduce the data volume that transfers to NOC 106 from MCD 101 continuously; In case described one group of alternate item is provided to MCD 101, just only need the transmission matched data, and this transfers to the bandwidth that NOC 106 need be littler than signing from MCD 101 usually.This kind configuration also is a processing example that more disperses, and it can be used to reduce the processor load at NOC 106 places, because NOC106 need not a large amount of MCD are implemented matching operation; Or rather, MCD 101 implements the coupling of himself.

Referring now to Fig. 2 C,, shows a wherein conversion and mate the configuration that the two all carries out at NOC 106 places among the figure.Herein, MCD 101 collect audio samples and with original data transmissions to NOC 106.NOC 106 is transformed into a signature stream with described initial data; Perhaps, described alternative signed data stream can change in the generation of medium receiver 111 places and/or directly provide to NOC 106 from a certain other sources.Then, the coupling between described signature stream of NOC 106 identifications and the described alternative data signature stream.This configuration can reduce the processing load on the MCD 101.

In arbitrary configuration in these configurations, NOC 106 all can optionally notify MCD 101 only with the special time cycle audio frequency to be sampled.In this way, 101 sampling periods of MCD can only limit to the commercial break time cycle, or other interested cycles.

In an alternate embodiment, MCD 101 storages are through the sample of feature extraction.When MCD 101 detected (hearing) advertisement or other audio frequency of looking for, it had heard that with it described project report is back to NOC 106.In the version of this embodiment, MCD 101 does not need any audio transmission through conversion is back to NOC 106, and just reports and discern the project of being heard.In another version of this embodiment, MCD 101 transmission for example detect the time and the place of audio frequency about the extraneous information of detected audio frequency.In a version again, MCD101 will transfer to NOC 106 through the audio frequency (or its a certain subclass) of conversion, so that can derive extraneous information from detected audio frequency.

In another alternate embodiment, the present invention moves with a variable sampling speed according to detected use amount.When described use amount mode continuous and/or when relatively stable, use default, a lower sampling rate.When detecting the change of use pattern, then use a higher sampling rate.In the version of this embodiment, MCD 101 automaticallyes switch between these speed in response to the condition that changes.Can use the different sampling rates of any amount or the continuous variation in a prescribed limit.

The data signature algorithm

In one embodiment, the present invention implements the conversion of voice data signature according to any algorithm in the multiple well-known algorithm.Preferably, use one to satisfy processing power, memory size, battery life and the bandwidth constraint condition of MCD 101 and the algorithm of a satisfied minimum accuracy requirement.Described voice data signature mapping algorithm will be searched the audio stream that is complementary known in broadcast voice signal that transmits sometime and asynchronous audio signal (for example music magnetic track and video-game sound channel).

Described algorithm can based on time domain, based on frequency domain or based on this two one mix.

In one embodiment, described voice data signature mapping algorithm flows (reference medium project) with consumer data signature stream (target medium project) and potential a large amount of alternative data signature and is associated.In case find a matcher, can suppose that just this matcher continues the cycle sometime.In one embodiment, only be associated till not having a matcher with described alternative data signature stream.In other words, when finding a matcher, just " be locked to " this matcher and no longer consider other alternative data signature stream, till described matcher failure.

In one embodiment, system of the present invention uses a kind of as at the signature mapping algorithm described in the following document: " a kind of industrial strength audio search algorithm (An Industrial-Strength AudioSearch Algorithm) " (in the October, 2003) that Avery Li-chun Wang is shown, and " be used for search for method (Method for Search in anAudio Database) " (III of being shown of Avery Li-Chun Wang and Julius O.Smith at audio database, WIPO publication WO0211123A3, on February 7th, 2002) in.

In one embodiment, the parameter of described audio collection (circulation of sampling rate, sampling work, the off time between the sampling period, volume, filter parameter, or the like) even employed algorithm, can dynamically adjust by MCD 101 and/or by NOC 106.These adjustment can be with changing near the positional information that is downloaded to MCD 101 from NOC 106 in real time in advance or according to current location.For example, implementing these adjusts and increases matching accuracy, makes transfer of data battery consumption minimized, that make MCD 101 minimized and make the other system optimized performance.For example, if uploading of data signature can be near carrying out in real time, and NOC 106 " locking " then can indicate MCD 101 to reduce its sampling works circulation or end to sample and reach the cycle sometime to the signal of a coupling.

Described audio sample can be continuous or is periodic; In one embodiment, carried out 10 seconds sampling in per 30 seconds.

Positional information

In one embodiment, the position of MCD 101 be by built-in or addition type GPS, by wireless data provider transceiver place triangulation, by immediate tower identity, determine by radio data network registration (bluetooth, WiFi/802.11) or by other approach.But positional data is analyzed and it is compared with location database, with determine to enter a shop or other positions, the time that in described position, is spent, gait of march, in the public gathering place (cinema, music hall, stadium) occur, and other attributes that when combining, can have commercial value with media consumption.For example, in one embodiment, positional information is used for detecting described user and when taking an automobile and carry out test ride by following the tracks of car speed motion circle road that shop, an average latency and one that a user enters a car dealer stop getting back to described dealer's shop.

Buy and follow the tracks of credit card

In one embodiment, the invention provides a kind of be used for to the contact of media item with buy the mechanism that is associated.Giving the user credit card buys being used for.Buying behavior (resolution reaches shop and quantity at least) can be admitted card issuer's acquisition from the partner.The additive method that is used to collect these data can comprise use a RFID goods sign and/or MCD101 on bar code.For example, many businessmans (grocery store that most importantly has the approval card) storage is about its client's detailed purchase historical information.But described these data of media measurement system access are to provide purchase information to system of the present invention.In one embodiment, can provide bar code or other identification marks on one's body, so that the user can only giving the grocery store salesman with described device simply carries out " swiping the card " 101 of MCD; Perhaps, can detect MCD 101, and detected sign indicating number thus can be linked to described user's approval program record by RFID or other mechanisms.

User's biddability

In one embodiment, MCD 101 comprises that transducer is to help judging whether it is had by the someone.Transducer can comprise: vibrating sensor, main unit state (ON/OFF, use, button or the like) transducer, temperature sensor (to detect whether just carrying MCD 101, because it will be pressed close to people's health or contact), reach other transducers.According to the needs of accurate result, the information from these transducers is handled, to help judging whether the user is just carrying MCD 101.If there are indications one to receive data in the time cycle of not carrying described device, then received data can be abandoned or are considered as having lower reliability, maybe can add flag to it by other modes.

In the above description, for ease of explaining, numerous details have been set forth so that fully understand the present invention.Yet the those skilled in the art will easily know, the present invention can implement under the situation of these details not having.In other cases, show each structure and device, to avoid desalinating the present invention with block diagram form.

Particularly, those skilled in the art will realize that and to use other frameworks and analysis and treatment technology and mechanism, and the present invention can use and is different from mechanism mentioned above and makes up.

Mentioned " embodiment " or " embodiment " means in conjunction with the described special characteristic of described embodiment, structure or characteristic and is included among at least one embodiment of the present invention in the specification.The word " in one embodiment " that is occurred in each place in the specification may not all refer to same embodiment.

Some part in this detailed description is to provide with algorithm and to the symbolic representation form of the computing of data bit in the computer storage.These algorithmic descriptions and representation are that the technical staff of data processing field is used for passing on to others skilled in the art most effectively the means of the essence of its work.One algorithm is envisioned for a self-consistent sequence of steps that can reach desired result herein and roughly.Described step is for carrying out the step of physical manipulation to physical quantity.Usually, though be not must be like this, this tittle adopts the form that can be stored, transmit, make up, relatively reach the electrical or magnetic signal of otherwise being handled.Prove that main for general cause, these signals being called position, value, element, symbol, character, project, numeral or similar saying sometimes can be comparatively convenient.

But, should remember that all these and similar terms will be associated and just be applied to the label easily of this tittle with suitable physical quantity.Unless obviously have outside the concrete regulation in addition according to this explanation, should be appreciated that, in explanation in the whole text, the argumentation that utilizes for example " processings " or " calculating (computing) " or " calculating (calculating) " or " determining " or " demonstration " or suchlike term to carry out is meant operation and the processing that computer system or similar computing electronics carry out, and it will be expressed as the data manipulation that physics (electronics) measures and be transformed into described computer system memory or register or other this type of informations are stored in the register of computer system and the memory, be expressed as other data of physical quantity in transmission or the display unit equally.

The invention still further relates to a kind of apparatus operating that is used to implement herein.This kind equipment can be constructed at required purpose especially, or it can comprise an all-purpose computer, starts selectively or reconfigures by being stored in computer program in the described computer.This kind computer program can be stored in the computer-readable storage medium, for example (but being not limited to) arbitrary disk type (comprise floppy disk, CD, CD-ROM, and magneto optical disk), read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (ram), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic or optical card or be suitable for the store electrons instruction and be coupled to arbitrary medium type of a computer system bus respectively.

Algorithm that is presented and module are not relevant inherently with arbitrary certain computer or other equipment herein.Various general-purpose systems all can be with use the perhaps provable more special equipment of being convenient to be configured to implement described method step according to the program of this paper teaching content.According to the desired structure that will occur various these systems in hereinafter illustrating.In addition, the present invention is set forth with reference to arbitrary certain programmed language.To understand, and can use multiple programming language to make up described teaching content of the present invention herein.In addition, will easily know, module of the present invention, feature, attribute, method and other aspects can be built into arbitrary combination of software, hardware, firmware or this three as those possessing an ordinary skill in the pertinent arts.Certainly, when component construction of the present invention is become software, all described component construction can be become a stand-alone program, be built into a bigger program, be built into a plurality of independent programs, be built into static state or dynamic link library, be built into a core loadable module, be built into a device driver, and/or make up in the technical staff in computer programming field all and arbitrary other modes now or in the future.In addition, the present invention never only limits to make up with arbitrary specific operation system or environment.

Those skilled in the relevant art should be appreciated that, above-mentioned structure form is property as an example only, and can make many changes under the situation that does not deviate from true spirit of the present invention and scope.Therefore, the claims of enclosing are intended to contain all this kind change and modifications that belong in true spirit of the present invention and the scope.

Claims (67)

1, a kind ofly be used to detect the method for user to the contact of media item, it comprises:

Receive a plurality of reference medium projects from least one source of media;

Receive a representation of at least one target medium project from least one client apparatus;

In the described reference medium project one is identified as corresponding to described target medium project; And

Generation is sent the user and is contacted the described output of discerning the signal of reference medium project.

2, the method for claim 1, wherein each client apparatus includes a mobile client machine.

3, the method for claim 1, wherein each mobile client machine carries by a user.

4, the method for claim 1, wherein each mobile client machine includes a device that is selected from the group that is made up of following each device:

One mobile phone;

One personal digital assistant;

One handheld computer;

One laptop computer;

One wrist-watch;

One portable game machine; And

One portable music player.

5, the method for claim 1, wherein each reference medium project includes audio content, and described target medium project comprises audio content.

6, the method for claim 1, it further comprises:

For each reference medium project, its signature is represented in generation one; And

For each target medium project, its signature is represented in generation one;

And wherein one in the described reference medium project is identified as corresponding to described target medium project and comprises a coupling that detects between a reference medium item signature and the target medium item signature.

7, method as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

Implement each reference medium project generation one at a medium receiver place that is associated with a network operation center and represent the step of its signature;

Implement to represent the step of its signature for each target medium project generation one at place, a network operation center; And

Implement the step of one in the described reference medium project of identification at place, a network operation center.

8, the method for claim 1, wherein the representation of each received target medium project includes the signature of the described target medium project of an expression, and described method further comprises:

For each reference medium project, its signature is represented in generation one; And

And wherein one in the described reference medium project is identified as corresponding to described target medium project and comprises a coupling that detects between a reference medium item signature and the target medium item signature.

9, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

Produce the signature that each represents a target medium project at a client apparatus place;

The medium receiver place enforcement that is associated with a network operation center of signature represent it in to(for) each reference medium project generation one; And

Implement one in the described reference medium project is identified as corresponding to described target medium project at place, a network operation center.

10, the method for claim 1, wherein the representation of each received target medium project include one the expression described target medium project signature, and wherein the representation of each received reference medium project include one the expression described reference medium project signature;

And wherein one in the described reference medium project is identified as corresponding to described target medium project and comprises a coupling that detects between a reference medium item signature and the target medium item signature.

11, the method for claim 1, wherein the representation of each received reference medium project includes the signature of the described reference medium project of an expression, and described method further comprises:

The signature of representing it for each target medium project generation one;

And wherein one in the described reference medium project is identified as corresponding to described target medium project and comprises a coupling that detects between a reference medium item signature and the target medium item signature.

12, method as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

Produce the signature that each represents a reference medium project at a medium receiver place that is associated with a network operation center;

The client apparatus place enforcement of signature represent it in to(for) each target medium project generation one; And

Implement one in the described reference medium project is identified as corresponding to described target medium project at a client apparatus place.

13, method as claimed in claim 12, it further comprises:

One indication of at least one coupling between one a reference medium project and the target medium project is transferred to described network operation center from described client apparatus.

14, the method for claim 1, wherein each reference medium project includes a sample of received reference medium.

15, the method for claim 1, wherein each target medium project includes a sample of received target medium.

16, the method for claim 1 wherein receives a plurality of reference medium projects and comprises and receive reference medium stream and described reference medium stream is sampled.

17, the method for claim 1 wherein receives a plurality of reference medium projects and comprises reception one reference medium stream and described reference medium stream is divided into a plurality of files.

18, the method for claim 1, a representation that wherein receives at least one target medium project comprise and receive target medium stream and described target medium stream is sampled.

19, the method for claim 1, a representation that wherein receives at least one target medium project comprises reception one target medium stream and described target medium stream is divided into a plurality of files.

20, the method for claim 1, wherein said client apparatus comprise that one has a microphone that is different from the purposes of recording the target medium project, and wherein said client apparatus receives described at least one target medium project by described microphone.

21, the method for claim 1, it further comprises a position of detecting described client apparatus, and wherein one in the described reference medium project is identified as and comprises corresponding to described target medium project the position of described detected position with at least one discernible promoter geographically of a reference medium project is associated.

22, method as claimed in claim 21, a position of wherein detecting described client apparatus comprise by being selected from the group that is made up of following each mode at least one and detect described position:

GPS follows the tracks of;

RFID follows the tracks of;

Bluetooth is followed the tracks of.

23, the method for claim 1 wherein receives a plurality of reference medium projects and comprises at least one broadcasting of reception.

24, the method for claim 1 wherein receives a plurality of reference medium projects and comprises at least one media item that reads from a fixed medium of reception.

25, the method for claim 1 wherein receives a plurality of reference medium projects and comprises from a non-broadcast source and read at least one media item.

26, the method for claim 1 wherein receives a plurality of reference medium projects and comprises and read at least one broadcasting, and the user of the described representation indication of wherein at least one target medium project in time different with the described airtime contacts.

27, the method for claim 1 wherein produces and sends output that the user contacts the signal of the described reference medium project of discerning and comprise and produce a report.

28, the method for claim 1, it comprises that further receiving the consumer buys information, and wherein produces and send output that the user contacts the signal of the described reference medium project of discerning and comprise that producing one buys information and the contact report that be associated of user to the described reference medium project of discerning with the user.

29, method as claimed in claim 28 wherein receives consumer's purchase information and comprises and receive to less the indication that a pair of user uses a credit card.

30, the method for claim 1, wherein receiving a plurality of reference medium projects is to be implemented by at least one medium receiver.

31, the method for claim 1, wherein a representation that receives at least one target medium project from least one client apparatus is to collect server implementation by at least one data signature stream.

32, the method for claim 1 wherein comprises from the representation that at least one client apparatus receives at least one target medium project:

Collect one in the server according to the load of described client apparatus and at least one selection plurality of data signature stream in the geographical proximity; And

Collect the described representation that the server place receives at least one target medium project at described selected data signature stream.

33, the method for claim 1, wherein said target medium project comprises an advertisement.

34, the method for claim 1, wherein at least one client apparatus is through locating to detect the audio frequency from a media playing apparatus.

35, a kind of method that is used to the broadcasting of the target medium project that detects, it comprises:

Receive a plurality of reference medium projects from least one broadcast media sources;

Receive a representation of a target medium project;

In the described reference medium project one is identified as corresponding to described target medium project; And

The output that described target medium project has obtained the signal of broadcasting is sent in generation.

36, a kind ofly be used to detect the system of user to the contact of media item, it comprises:

One server, it is used for receiving a plurality of reference medium projects from least one medium receiver;

At least first-class collection server, it is used for receiving from least one client apparatus a representation of at least one target medium project;

One is coupled to the stream memory of described server and described first-class at least collection server, its be used to store described received reference medium project at least one subclass a representation and be used to store a representation of described at least one target medium project;

One is coupled to the correlator server of described stream memory, and it is used for one of described reference medium project is identified as corresponding to described target medium project; And

One is coupled to the output device of described correlator server, and it is used to produce and sends the output that the user contacts the signal of the described reference medium project of discerning.

37, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein each client apparatus includes a mobile client machine.

38, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein each mobile client machine carries by a user.

39, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein each mobile client machine includes a device that is selected from by the group that descends array apparatus to form:

One mobile phone;

One personal digital assistant;

One handheld computer;

One laptop computer;

One wrist-watch;

One portable game machine; And

One portable music player.

40, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein each reference medium project includes audio content, and described target medium project comprises audio content.

41, system as claimed in claim 36, it further comprises:

One conversion server, its be used for to each reference medium project produce an expression its signature and be used for each target medium project is produced its signature of an expression;

And wherein said correlator server is identified as one in the described reference medium project corresponding to described target medium project by detecting the coupling of one between a reference medium item signature and the target medium item signature.

42, system as claimed in claim 41, wherein said conversion server and described correlator server are positioned at place, a network operation center.

43, system as claimed in claim 36, each representation of a wherein received target medium project includes the signature of the described target medium project of an expression, and described system further comprises:

One conversion server, it is used for each reference medium project generation one and represents its signature; And

And wherein said correlator server is identified as one in the described reference medium project corresponding to described target medium project by detecting the coupling of one between a reference medium item signature and the target medium item signature.

44, system as claimed in claim 43, wherein:

Each represents that the signature of a target medium project all results from a client apparatus place;

And wherein said conversion server and described correlator server are positioned at place, a network operation center.

45, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein the representation of each received target medium project include one the expression described target medium project signature, and wherein the representation of each received reference medium project include one the expression described reference medium project signature;

And wherein said correlator server is identified as one in the described reference medium project corresponding to described target medium project by detecting the coupling of one between a reference medium item signature and the target medium item signature.

46, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein the representation of each received reference medium project includes the signature of the described reference medium project of an expression, and described system further comprises:

One mapping device, it is used for each target medium project is produced its signature of an expression;

And wherein said correlator server is identified as one in the described reference medium project corresponding to described target medium project by detecting the coupling of one between a reference medium item signature and the target medium item signature.

47, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein each reference medium project includes a sample of received reference medium.

48, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein each target medium project includes a sample of received target medium.

49, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said server receives reference medium stream and described reference medium stream is sampled.

50, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said server receives reference medium stream and described reference medium stream is divided into a plurality of files.

51, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said stream collection server receives target medium stream and described target medium stream is sampled.

52, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said stream is collected server and is received target medium stream and described target medium stream is divided into a plurality of files.

53, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein each client apparatus includes one and has a microphone that is different from the purposes of recording the target medium project, and wherein said client apparatus receives described at least one target medium project by described microphone.

54, system as claimed in claim 36, it comprises that further one is used to detect the position tracking server of a position of described client apparatus, and wherein said correlator server is associated the position of described detected position with at least one discernible promoter geographically of a reference medium project.

55, system as claimed in claim 54, wherein said position tracking server detects described position by being selected from the group that is made up of following manner at least one:

GPS follows the tracks of;

RFID follows the tracks of;

Bluetooth is followed the tracks of.

56, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said a plurality of reference medium projects comprise at least one broadcasting.

57, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said a plurality of reference medium projects comprise at least one media item that reads from a fixed medium.

58, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said a plurality of reference medium projects comprise at least one media item from a non-broadcast source.

59, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said a plurality of reference medium projects comprise at least one broadcasting, and the described representation indication of wherein at least one target medium project contacts a user who is different from the time of described airtime.

60, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said output device produces one and sends the report that the user contacts the signal of the described reference medium project of discerning.

61, system as claimed in claim 36, it comprises that further one is used to receive the purchase tracking server that the consumer buys information, and wherein said output device produces one the user bought information and the contact report that be associated of user to the described reference medium project of discerning.

62, system as claimed in claim 61, wherein said purchase tracking server receives the indication that at least one pair of user uses a credit card.

63, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said first-class at least collection server comprises a plurality of streams collection servers, described system further comprises:

First-class collection server selector, it is used for collecting the described representation that one in the server receives at least one target medium project according at least one selection plurality of data signature stream of the load of described client apparatus and geographical proximity.

64, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said target medium project comprises an advertisement.

65, system as claimed in claim 36, wherein at least one client apparatus is through locating to detect the audio frequency from a media playing apparatus.

66, a kind of system that is used to the broadcasting of the target medium project that detects, it comprises:

One server, it is used for receiving a plurality of reference medium projects from least one broadcast media sources;

At least first-class collection server, it is used to receive a representation of a target medium project;

One correlator server, it is used for one of described reference medium project is identified as corresponding to described target medium project: and

One is coupled to the output device of described correlator server, and it is used to produce and sends the output that described target medium project has obtained the signal of broadcasting.

67, a kind ofly be used to detect the system of user to the contact of media item, it comprises:

One server, it is used for receiving a plurality of reference medium projects from least one medium receiver;

One conversion server, it is used to produce a signature of each received reference medium project, and described conversion server is positioned at place, a network operation center;

One client apparatus interface, it is used at least one subclass with the described signature that produces and transfers at least one client apparatus and be used for receiving one from a client apparatus and whether produce the indication of signing and being complementary with arbitrary about arbitrary target medium project; And

One is coupled to the output device of described client apparatus interface, and it is used to produce and sends the output that the user contacts the signal of the described reference medium project of discerning.

Images