WO2019198102A1 - Dispositif de mesure d'écoute de télévision - Google Patents

Dispositif de mesure d'écoute de télévision Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019198102A1
WO2019198102A1 PCT/IN2019/050295 IN2019050295W WO2019198102A1 WO 2019198102 A1 WO2019198102 A1 WO 2019198102A1 IN 2019050295 W IN2019050295 W IN 2019050295W WO 2019198102 A1 WO2019198102 A1 WO 2019198102A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
meter
fingerprint
meter device
television
broadcast
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IN2019/050295
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Yogesh GULABANI
Vivekanand Jha
Ravi GAIKWAD
Vaibhav BHARGAVA
Bimlesh MISHRA
Original Assignee
Broadcast Audience Research Council
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Broadcast Audience Research Council filed Critical Broadcast Audience Research Council
Publication of WO2019198102A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019198102A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/37—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
    • 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
    • H04H60/31—Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H2201/00—Aspects of broadcast communication
    • H04H2201/50—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised by the use of watermarks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H2201/00—Aspects of broadcast communication
    • H04H2201/90—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised by the use of signatures

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of M2M communications engineering.
  • this invention relates to a meter device for televisions ratings.
  • Television remains the number one source of news, entertainment, and content across age groups. It is also the single most influential medium for distributing information and shaping public opinion.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a system and method for round-the-clock monitoring to log what content is being watched.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for round-the-clock monitoring to log who is watching what content. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for real-time monitoring to log what content is being watched where, when, and how.
  • a meter device configured to capture metadata pertaining to a meter device for televisions, said meter device being communicably coupled with a television in order to receive televised content, which is being displayed on said television, of a broadcast content from a source, said meter device comprises:
  • a meter device comprising a main unit and a probe for capturing at least an identifier from said televised content, said main unit being equipped with a microprocessor and a modem, said probe being communicably couple to a broadcast line of said television, said probe being configured to capture at least an identifier from said broadcast output along with a time stamp and a date stamp;
  • a fingerprint checker configured to probe for a fingerprint in said televised content, in real time, via said probe, the fingerprint being embedded in said broadcast content at said source of broadcast which content becomes televised content at said television, said fingerprint comprising at least an embedded code stored in a broadcast fingerprint database associated with an identity of said broadcast content, said fingerprint also comprising a time stamp and a date stamp so as to identify time and date for said broadcast content with respect to said televised content, said device meter, via said fingerprint checker, being configured to check, in real time, if said probed signal off said televised content, maps onto said fingerprint along with time stamp and date stamp at said broadcast source from said broadcast fingerprint database; and
  • said meter comprises an embedded time monitoring device configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked timestamp on to broadcast content.
  • said meter comprising an embedded watermark monitoring device configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked identity on to broadcast content.
  • said probe is communicably coupled with a time stamp generator and a date stamp generator such that the probed data, which is an output of said probe, when it probes the televised content at the point of television, comprises a time stamp as well as a date stamp.
  • said meter is communicably coupled with a remote comprising an accelerometer in order to determine if the remote is being used by a user based on movement detected by the accelerometer.
  • said meter is communicably coupled with a remote comprising an accelerometer, said accelerometer being configured to provide an output a user fingerprint which is a function of said remote based accelerometer data cadence in order to associate it with said user for purposes of authenticity of viewership and, therefore, authenticity of data being captured per viewer per television per channel.
  • said meter device comprises a clock configured to convey at least a time stamp, a date stamp, or a time-date stamp to said probe when said probe captures said broadcast content.
  • said probe is communicably coupled to an audio broadcast line of said television.
  • said probe is communicably coupled to a video broadcast line of said television.
  • said identifier is a fingerprint impregnated into said broadcast that is relayed to said television.
  • said identifier is a watermark impregnated into said broadcast that is relayed to said television.
  • said meter device comprises a tamper switch configured to state any one tampering to meter configurations which may lead to incorrect data
  • said meter device comprises an initialization mechanism configured to initialize said meter device in terms of said communicably coupled television-associated information, comprising at least a television identifier, along with viewership demographic associated with said communicably coupled television.
  • said meter device comprises an initialization mechanism configured to initialize said meter device in terms of said communicably coupled television-associated information, comprising at least a television identifier, along with viewership demographic associated with said communicably coupled television characterised, in that, said initialization mechanism comprising a key generator configured to generate and assign a key identity to each of viewers of said communicably coupled television such that upon activating said key, said meter device is configured to initiate monitoring per key identity per television identity.
  • said meter comprises a rule engine configured to define and execute rules for functioning of said device meter.
  • said meter comprises a rule engine configured to define and execute rules for functioning of said device meter and a parameter setting mechanism configured to define parameters which govern behaviour of processing rules of said rule engine.
  • said meter comprises a classifier configured to classify events pertaining to meter device if error is detected by said fingerprint checker. In at least an embodiment wherein, said meter comprises a classifier configured to classify events pertaining to meter device if error is detected by said fingerprint generator.
  • said meter comprises an output mechanism configured to deliver an output file, said output file comprising log data of number of meter devices processed, number of faulty meter devices identified, number of meter devices not processed, setting values, parameter values, threshold values, meter identity, watermark identity, alarms, and viewing log.
  • said meter comprises a notification engine configured to generate notifications in relation to pre-defined rules.
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to process data in order to understand a variety of errors so that the notification engine can generate appropriate notifications.
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to time stamps in said broadcast content on an identified television, in that, if difference in watermark time stamps with respect to difference in Audience Measurement Event (AME) Time stamp for 2 consecutive events is greater than a pre-determined threshold, a notification engine is prompted to generate a notification.
  • AME Audience Measurement Event
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks.
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks in said broadcast content on an identified television, in that:
  • Adjacent IDs are located with Confidence 100;
  • this event's ID is made equal to previous event's ID; else this event's ID is made equal to next event's ID. If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks in said broadcast content on an identified television, in that:
  • Adjacent IDs are located with Confidence 100;
  • notification engine If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to apply embedded time correction.
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to apply watermark ID correction.
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to divide broadcast content per identified television into a plurality of steps.
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to process in accordance with an audience bridging mechanism.
  • said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to process in accordance with a long and alternate bridging algorithm.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the system
  • Figures 2 and 3 illustrate system architecture
  • Figure 4 illustrates a rule assignment method
  • FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a detailed rule assignment flowchart.
  • a meter device configured to capture metadata pertaining to a meter device for televisions.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an overview of the system.
  • FIGS 2 and 3 illustrate system architecture
  • a meter device comprises a main unit (M) and probes (P) for capturing at least an audio output of a television unit (TU).
  • each main unit is equipped with a microprocessor and a modem.
  • the meter device is communicably coupled with a television unit that is to be monitored.
  • Each main unit has a probe attached to it that is communicably coupled to a line or audio of a television unit.
  • Each meter device comprises a unique identifier.
  • the probe is communicably coupled with a time stamp generator and a date stamp generator so that the probed data, which is an output of the probe when it probes the televised content at the point of television, comprises a time stamp as well as a date stamp.
  • the meter device is disguised as a power extension outlet, in that, a plug (PG) with an on-off switch determines if the accompanying / coupled television is plugged or not. If unplugged, an alarm is sent to a back-end system (BE) in order to decouple the television system with the meter device (on account of a chance that it is tampered and associated data is contaminated).
  • PG plug
  • BE back-end system
  • This meter device is communicably coupled with a remote (R).
  • the remote comprises an accelerometer (A) in order to determine if the remote is being used by a user based on movement detected by the accelerometer. Data from the accelerometer is checked, by a comparator, with meter device data to determine if an unauthorized viewer is viewing the television and if such unwarranted data is being captured by the meter.
  • the accelerometer can be used to determine (provide as an output) a user / viewer fingerprint which is a function of remote based accelerometer data cadence in order to associate it with a user / viewer for purposes of authenticity of viewership and, therefore, authenticity of data being captured per viewer per television per channel.
  • the probe captures an identity (fingerprint or watermark) of each tuned / broadcast television signal and feeds this information with a time stamp and a date stamp for storage and processing.
  • the meter device comprises an initialization mechanism configured to initialize the meter in terms of the television unit and associated data that it is communicably coupled with.
  • the initialization mechanism stores at least television identity along with a viewer’s identity. Preferably, a viewer identified himself or herself through the remote and meter whilst viewing content off the communicably coupled corresponding television unit.
  • the initialization mechanism comprises a key identity assigned to every household member viewing the television unit so that upon activating said key, the meter device is configured to initiate monitoring per key identity.
  • the meter comprises a fingerprint checker (FC) along with a fingerprint generator (FG).
  • the fingerprint checker is configured to probe / check for a fingerprint in televised content, in real time, via the probe.
  • the fingerprint is embedded in the broadcast content at the point of broadcast which content becomes televised content at the point of television.
  • the fingerprint comprises at least an embedded code stored in a broadcast fingerprint database associated with an identity of the broadcast content.
  • the fingerprint also comprises a time stamp and a date stamp so as to identify time and date for broadcast content vis a vis televised content.
  • the device meter via the fingerprint checker, is configured to check, in real time, if the probed signal off the televised content, maps onto the fingerprint along with time stamp and date stamp at the broadcast source (stored in the broadcast fingerprint database). If an error or mismatch, is detected, a classifier and a notification engine (as described further) are engaged.
  • the fingerprint generator is engaged when the fingerprint checker does not detect any fingerprint in the televised content.
  • the fingerprint generator generates a fingerprint with time stamp and date stamp off the televised content and relays it back to the broadcast source in order to check, the generated fingerprint with records from the broadcast fingerprint database, for mismatch. If an error or mismatch, is detected, a classifier and a notification engine (as described further) are engaged.
  • a fingerprint checker and a fingerprint generator are simultaneously engaged for a full-duplex communication between a television (through its coupled meter) and a broadcast source; thereby, providing fully authenticated and verifiable data from the meter with respect to synchronicity in televised content and broadcast content.
  • the meter device comprises an embedded time monitoring device (T) configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked timestamp on to television content while broadcasting.
  • the corrections may pertain to fields related to offset value, drift value, duration, and the like.
  • the meter device comprises an embedded watermark monitoring device (W) configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked identity on to television content while broadcasting.
  • the corrections may pertain to fields related to validity, expected watermark, received watermark, observed watermark, duration, and the like.
  • the meter device comprises a tamper switch configured to state any one tampering to meter configurations which may lead to incorrect data.
  • the corrections may pertain to fields related to validity, expected watermark, received watermark, observed watermark, duration, and the like.
  • the meter device comprises a rule definition mechanism (RD) configured to develop rules pertaining to functioning of this meter device.
  • RD rule definition mechanism
  • Figure 4 illustrates a rule assignment method
  • the system and method checks for specific alarms, received from the meter device, and based on those alarms either processing of meter is continued or stopped. Based on additional processing, meter is either qualified (if rules defined in rule definition mechanism does disqualify meter OR if multiple meters in household and other meters are not disqualified / processed) or the meter is disqualified.
  • FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a detailed rule assignment flowchart.
  • STEP 1 Convert TV intervals to offset from midnight.
  • STEP 2 Audience intervals to be used need to be overlapped with meter boot intervals, installation period, limited to last event timestamp (TS) and converted to offset from midnight.
  • STEP 3 Fetch WMK, TS, Power Events during audience session.
  • STEP 5 Compress events.
  • STEP 6 Orders events based on beginning of TS.
  • STEP 7 Pairing of consecutive WMK & TS events.
  • STEP 8 Isolated events with confidence ⁇ 30, ID + TS events with confidence ⁇ 30 are absorbed as per rules.
  • STEP 10 Assigns WMK code to IND, NM with internal mapping codes.
  • STEP 11 For each TV interval, division into 10 sec slots, and each slot is assigned to WMK ID which occurs for most duration in that slot.
  • STEP 12 If cumulative duration of NM, IND is less than threshold and between same WMK IDs, it is absorbed.
  • STEP 13 State Assignment to“ETnknown” by checking for same WMK ID of known state in threshold range.
  • STEP 15 Assignment of channel codes to WMK ID as per mapping file.
  • STEP 16 Absorption of IND, NM less than threshold by marked event if same event above and below.
  • STEP 17 If cumulative duration of NM, IND is less than threshold and between same WMK IDs, it is absorbed.
  • STEP 18 MFL data fetched is incorporated in the output if MFL false - true.
  • STEP 19 If duration of Not Marked is less than threshold, it is absorbed alternately by proceeding or succeeding slot’s Marked Identification Indeterminate Watermark.
  • STEP 20 Output is translated to update offsets to actual time: report output.
  • STEP 21 Output containing offsets is replicated with viewer data.
  • STEP 22 Push report output to database.
  • STEP 23 Saving output temporarily.
  • STEP 24 Long audience on same channel generated based on report output.
  • the meter device comprises a parameter setting mechanism configured to define parameters which govern behavior of processing rules of rule definition mechanism.
  • parameters defined which govern the behavior of Processing Rules. These parameters can have a Global Value (same for all Households) or Profile -based Value (locally defined for Households). Profiles are defined and assigned to Households. Further for local parameters, profile values will be assigned.
  • the meter device comprises a classifier configured to classify events pertaining to meter device.
  • a classifier configured to classify events pertaining to meter device.
  • the meter device comprises an output mechanism configured to deliver an output file.
  • the output file comprises log data of number of meter devices processed, number of faulty meter devices, number of meter devices not processed, setting values, parameter values, threshold values, meter identity, watermark identity, alarms, viewing log, and the like.
  • the meter device comprises a notification engine configured to generate notifications in relation to pre-defined rules.
  • the meter device comprises a processing mechanism configured to process data in order to understand a variety of errors so that the notification engine can generate appropriate notifications.
  • the processing mechanism is configured to determine errors pertaining to time stamps. If difference in watermark time stamps with respect to difference in Audience Measurement Event (AME) Time stamp for 2 consecutive events is greater than a pre-determined threshold, the notification engine is prompted to generate a notification.
  • AME Audience Measurement Event
  • the processing mechanism is configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks.
  • the processing mechanism is configured to:
  • Adjacent IDs are located with Confidence 100. If not found equal to any of the adjacent IDs, its distance of 4 bit packet from adjacent ID event is calculated, if bit changes are only for single group of 4 bits, this event's ID is made equal to previous event's ID. Else this event's ID is made equal to next event's ID. If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.
  • Adjacent IDs are located with Confidence 100. If not found equal to any of the adjacent IDs, its distance of 4 bit packet from adjacent ID event is calculated, if bit changes are only for single group of 4 bits, this event's ID is made equal to previous event's ID. Else this event's ID is made equal to next event's ID. If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.
  • the processing mechanism is configured to apply embedded time correction.
  • ID and TS events are linked.
  • Match Identifier (Match ID) to Watermark Identifier (WMK ID) in Embedded Time Correction file if it matches and corresponding TS event's Audience Measurement Event Time Stamp (AME TS) value falls in range mentioned in Embedded Time Correction file, apply correction to Embedded Time Stamp (TS) value of TS event. If after applying correction, this event can be classified in Live, or recorded content of same day retain correction else revert back the correction.
  • AME TS Audience Measurement Event Time Stamp
  • the processing mechanism is configured to apply watermark ID correction.
  • Match ID to Observed WMK ID in Watermark ID Correction file and for "Live cases” if it matches and corresponding Time Stamp (TS) event's AME TS value falls in range mentioned in Watermark ID Correction file (start time, start time + duration of issue), apply correction to WMK id of ID event.
  • TS Time Stamp
  • the processing mechanism is configured to divide content being broadcast per television unit into many steps. Watermark IDs with States are populated on this time line as per watermark events. For each period of the step, audience is assigned to watermark id with the greater cumulative duration within the step period, priority being Watermark ID over Indeterminate / Not Marked(IND/NM). In case of equality the period is assigned to first detected watermark id. If the non-watermarked sequence is alone in this step, and the step is fully assigned to the non-watermarked sequence.
  • the processing mechanism is configured to process in accordance with an audience bridging algorithm. If duration of Not Marked/ Indeterminate Watermark is less than a parameter in a database which stores number of second. It is used in application which verifies if the number of seconds for Not Marked or Indeterminate between two same watermarked channel is less than the set parameter then it is absorbed in the Watermark (AUD_BRIDGE_PARAM), it is absorbed by an Identified Watermark if the Watermark ID is the same before and after the NM/ IND ticket. The watermark must also be in the same state: Live or Time shifted States.
  • the processing mechanism is configured to process in accordance with a long and alternate bridging algorithm. If duration of Not Marked is less than a parameter in a database which stores number of second. It is used in application which verifies if the number of seconds for Not Marked or Indeterminate between two watermarked channel is less than the set parameter then it is absorbed alternately by preceding or succeeding watermark identifier
  • the TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT of this invention lies in providing a meter device configured to monitor a communicably coupled television unit.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Testing, Inspecting, Measuring Of Stereoscopic Televisions And Televisions (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de mesure pour téléviseurs, comportant: un dispositif de mesure comportant une unité principale et une sonde servant à capturer au moins un identifiant à partir d'un contenu télévisé; un moyen de contrôle d'empreinte digitale servant à sonder en vue de détecter une empreinte digitale dans ledit contenu télévisé, l'empreinte digitale étant incorporée dans un contenu de diffusion et comportant un code incorporé provenant d'une base de données d'empreintes digitales de diffusion associée à une identité, ladite empreinte digitale comportant également une estampille d'heure et de date, ledit dispositif de mesure étant configuré pour vérifier, en temps réel, si ledit signal sondé issu dudit contenu télévisé concorde avec ladite empreinte digitale ainsi qu'avec l'estampille d'heure et l'estampille de date au niveau de ladite source de diffusion provenant de ladite base de données d'empreintes digitales de diffusion; et un générateur d'empreintes digitales enclenché lorsque ledit moyen de contrôle d'empreinte digitale ne détecte aucune empreinte digitale; enclenchant ainsi simultanément ledit moyen de contrôle d'empreinte digitale et ledit générateur d'empreintes digitales en vue d'une communication bidirectionnelle simultanée entre un téléviseur et une source de diffusion.
PCT/IN2019/050295 2018-04-11 2019-04-10 Dispositif de mesure d'écoute de télévision WO2019198102A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN201821013875 2018-04-11
IN201821013875 2018-04-11

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WO2019198102A1 true WO2019198102A1 (fr) 2019-10-17

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003069984A (ja) * 2001-08-23 2003-03-07 Nhk Engineering Services Inc オンデマンド放送方法
CN102598696B (zh) * 2009-11-03 2015-03-11 艾科星科技公司 用于授权电视接收器的内容存取的系统及方法
US9241187B2 (en) * 2012-06-14 2016-01-19 Flextronics Ap, Llc Method and system for customizing television content

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003069984A (ja) * 2001-08-23 2003-03-07 Nhk Engineering Services Inc オンデマンド放送方法
CN102598696B (zh) * 2009-11-03 2015-03-11 艾科星科技公司 用于授权电视接收器的内容存取的系统及方法
US9241187B2 (en) * 2012-06-14 2016-01-19 Flextronics Ap, Llc Method and system for customizing television content

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